Bring on the Bad Guys: Sheldon Lennox

Real name: Sheldon Lennox
A.K.A.: Sin Fang
First Appearance: Detective Comics I#35 (January 1940)
Abilities: Leader of the Cult of Kila
Weapons: House of torture
Quotes: "You...Alive!"
Worst Act: Faking his death and leading a murder cult
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Sheldon Moldoff (pencils/inks)

Here we have a slightly different type of villain. When the story starts we are introduced to Mr. Weldon, a businessman. He's in the grip of terror, but mostly for the man Sheldon Lennox. Lennox sold him a ruby idol of the Hindu deity Kila (not a real deity, but I suppose Finger could be excused given the state of reference materials in 1940). The cult that worshipped the idol wants it back. They've threatened to kill Lennox and then Weldon unless he gives it back. When the police rush to Lennox's house, they find the cult in retreat, the grisly proof of their visit evident.

After that, Batman investigates a fence ring run by the enigmatic Sin Fang, who has stolen the idol. But why does Sin Fang want the statue so badly?

The story is pretty good, although the racial aspect of Lennox's disguise has not aged well.