Luka Volk

Origin

Born in Ukraine, Luka Volk would eventually make his way to Gotham City where he would assume leadership of The Whisper Gang. Although the exact details of how he did this are unknown, it is likely that Volk went though the same initiation process as other members of the gang – having to wear an Iron Mask that acts as a muzzle until he had proved himself.

Creation

Luka Volk was created by Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo for their acclaimed saga A Court of Owls in 2012.

Major Story Arcs

The Court of Owls

After being attacked by a Talon, Batman tracks Luka Volk down to the rail-line he controls in order to interrogate him for information on the assassin; he believes that Volk must have taken payment from the Talon in exchange for use of the tunnel. Batman begins to interrogate Volk but reinforcements from The Whisper Gang arrive which distracts Batman and allows Volk to flee. However after he defeats Volk’s men, Batman catches up to the mobster. Once Volk admits that he has never heard of The Talon, Batman threatens Volk to “Stay out of his tunnels” before leaving.

Other Media

Television

Gotham (2016)

Luka Volk appears in two episodes of Gotham, originally broadcast in 2016. He is portrayed by Russian-American actor Costa Ronin.

Born in Kiev, where he lived with his brother and sister, Volk would eventually travel to the United States and take control of the Whisper Gang in Gotham City. As the Whisper Gang grew and became the leading smugglers in Gotham, Volk was approached by The Court of Owls who saw the potential of the gang and offered a partnership. However The Court would later betray the gang which resulted in many members returning to Ukraine, although Volk would stay in Gotham to plan his revenge against the Court of Owls.

Learning of a safe that contained a device crucial to the destruction of the Court, Volk and his men begin to hunt for the keys. Locating one of the keys, Volk discovers that the other key is hidden within a necklace that has been stolen by Ivy Pepper. Eventually managing to kidnap Ivy, Volk learns that the necklace is now in the possession of Bruce Wayne & Selina Kyle. Holding Ivy for ransom, Volk meets with Bruce & Selina in order to receive the necklace. After Bruce learns Volk is seeking revenge on the Court, the two form an alliance in order to find the safe and destroy their common enemy. At a Whisper Gang meeting, Volk and his men are ambushed by a Talon who had been sent after the necklace. At first managing to match the Talon’s strength, Volk is ultimately killed after his enemy gains the upper-hand.