Killer Moth originally wore a garish costume of purple and green striped fabric, with an orange cape and moth-like mask.

[3] While in prison, he reads a newspaper article about Batman and decides to set himself up as the "anti-Batman", hiring himself out to Gotham City's criminals to help them elude capture by police.

Killer Moth also establishes a false identity as millionaire philanthropist Cameron van Cleer, during which he befriends Bruce Wayne.

In Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Killer Moth allies with fellow minor villains Catman and Calendar Man.

[citation needed] In his original incarnation, Killer Moth has no superhuman abilities, but relies on the vast array of equipment he had developed, including a Mothmobile, zipline cables, a cocoon gun, and an air pistol.