Knightfall Recall: Batman #492

 Batman #492: "Crossed Eyes and Dotty Teas"

Art by Kelley Jones

Written by Doug Moench, Penciled and Inked by Norm Breyfogle, Colored by Adrienne Roy, Lettered by Richard Starkings

Remember how I referred to the last issue as "wild"? Well... Batman #492 opens with the Mad Hatter breaking into the Gotham Zoo to steal a chimpanzee. Later, the two are cruising in a convertible and being monitored by Bane's henchman Bird and his pet falcon. Once the bird flies too close, the chimpanzee snatches it so Hatter can tag it with a tracker. Hoo boy.

As the police assess various crimes, we learn that nine violent crimes and six murders have been committed by the Arkham escapees thus far. Batman has already begun to run himself ragged in tracking them down. "I would view this mass escape as my worst nightmare come true..." To visually emphasize his exhaustion, Batman is unshaven!

Investigating a haberdashery break-in with Robin, Batman discovers an invitation to the Hatter's tea party. There, the Mad Hatter distributes hats stolen from the haberdashery and wired with his mind control technology to various small-time criminals. Pulling aside one of the criminals, Hatter sends Film Freak to track down the falcon and discover who has been monitoring his movements.

Film Freak is a villain created by Doug Moench and Tom Mandrake in the mid-1980s. Obsessed with movie villains, Film Freak adopts personas to commit his crimes. Hatter suggests The Godfather's Luca Brasi as he is sent on his way.

Soon thereafter, Batman and Robin arrive to capture the Hatter and engage in a massive brawl with the gathered criminals. Inter-cut with this is Bane absolutely wrecking Film Freak. Pumping Venom into his system, Bane mauls the man in an alley and leaves him dead while Batman is able to apprehend the Mad Hatter after reluctantly accepting Robin's aid. 

Next time: Detective Comics #659