Knightfall Recall: Batman #491

 Batman #491: The Freedom of Madness

Art by Kelley Jones

Written by Doug Moench, Penciled and Inked by Jim Aparo, Colored by Adrienne Roy, Lettered by Richard Starkings

Hoo, boy. After twenty years of decompressed stories in comics, it's refreshing with just how much happens in this issue. And, friends, it is wild.

An armory is attacked by what one soldier describes as a "U.F.O. monster". This robot, steered by Trogg, proceeds to steal automatic assault rifles, mines, frag grenades, and stinger missiles before moving on. Bane and his allies then gather the supplies as they prepare for an assault on Arkham Asylum.

A brief interlude introduces Jean Paul Valley, the man who would be Batman, sitting in the batcave and getting a haircut from Robin. I know. 

At the asylum, Bane launches his attack by hitting the ward holding the Joker with a stinger missile. All hell breaks loose as Bane's men drop the weapons from a helicopter in the yard of Arkham. Before escaping, Joker pays a visit to Dr. Jeremiah Arkham and expertly puts the asylum director in a death trap.

Despite still recovering from some type of illness, Batman heads to the asylum after refusing help from Robin. Making his way to Dr. Arkham's office, he finds the man tied to a shotgun ready to go off if Arkham moves. Joker taunts him before fleeing. Batman is able to save Dr. Arkham just before he collapses. All the while, Bane observes.

"He will choose the saving of lives over the apprehension of killers... he always does."

"If I didn't want his blood so badly... I would almost pity him."

Next time: Batman #492