History: Anton Knight was the son of Gotham gangster Charles Knight. Anton was spoiled by his father's wealth, and traveled to the Orient out of boredom. While he was gone his father adopted a street urchin named Natalie. Anton began corresponding with his foster sister and fell in love with her. Years later when his father died Anton returned to Gotham City. He pledged undying devotion to Natalia, and they found out they were both obsessed with notions of night as romantic and elegant. Anton became the Night-Thief and Natalia became Nocturna, spending their time committing daring nighttime robberies. Batman II was displeased by their antics, and after numerous encounters he captured Night-Thief; trapping him in a well-lit room where he could not escape into the shadows.

Nocturna attempted to free Night-Thief from prison, but failed. He escaped by himself during a power outage only to come upon Nocturna's new accomplice Sturges Hellstrom trying to seduce her. He went berserk and killed Hellstrom. Nocturna said he had killed the magic of the night, and refused to have anything further to do with him. Night-Thief later found her in Batman's embrace and attempted to kill the dark knight. Nocturna shot him, and he barely escaped with his life.