Knightfall Recall: Interlude

 

Tom Hardy in The Dark Knight Rises

Knightfall Recall: Batman #494

 Batman #494: "Night Terrors"

Art by Kelley Jones

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

We open where Detective Comics #660 left us with Robin, Killer Croc, and Bane being carried through the sewers of Gotham towards Gotham Harbor. Robin is able to grapple his way out after nearly drowning. Croc and Bane are washed out into the harbor.

In another part of the city, someone knocks on a door announcing "Joe" is here. "Joe Kerr!" Get it? The Joker barges in on Cornelius Stirk. And reader -- I've never heard of Cornelius Stirk. Created in 1988 by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle, Stirk is obsessed with fear and is able to use hypnosis to confuse the senses of his victims. And now the Joker has need of him.

Meanwhile back at stately Wayne Manor, Bruce Wayne cancels an appointment with Dr. Shondra Kinsolving for the fifth time leaving her to wonder "Why am I reacting to him... as if he's becoming more than a patient?" Bruce hangs up after being informed by Alfred that Tim has returned to the manor.

As the Arkham breakout crisis escalates, Commissioner Gordon's career is threatened by the mayor who is debating calling in the national guard. Tim breaks down his night to Bruce and Alfred and practically solves the ongoing situation before being ignored by Batman. "Maybe the purpose behind the Arkham breakout was nothing but chaos -- or at most a plan to create diversions all over the place, and with you less than one-hundred percent..." Batman leaves to begin his patrol alone. "As long as I can stand, this is my business.

Bane returns to his base and watches a news report on Batman's encounter with Mr. Zsasz while his henchman Zombie fixes his Venom feed. Bane is nearly gleeful with how his plan is progressing. "The Batman is reeling... ready to fall." 

Scarecrow is on the hunt for the Joker, checking a dive bar for known associates. Batman is on the hunt for Stirk in one of the ugliest Batmobiles I have ever seen. And Stirk is on the hunt for Commissioner Gordon. Tim contacts Jean Paul Valley to voice his concern about Batman's health during the crisis.

Gordon waits by the bat signal on top of GCPD headquarters. Batman arrives only to attack the commissioner. Stirk has disguised himself to Gordon and attempts to kill him while the Joker watches from afar. The real Batman arrives and hurls a batarang at Stirk's gun only to miss. Stirk is quickly taken down while Sarah Essen-Gordon arrives on the scene to comfort her frightened husband and chew out Batman.

Scarecrow tracks down Joker and tells him he made two mistakes: using a lesser fear based character in Stirk and going after Gordon when a bigger fish is out there -- the mayor. The two move to attack the mayor in his bed, dosing him with fear gas. The mayor immediately starts raving about being poisoned. "Spiders? Snakes?" "Bad sushi?"

All the while, Batman's world continues to crumble around him.

Next time: Detective Comics #661

Knightfall Recall: Interlude

 

Batman And Robin's Bane mask