Knightfall Recall: Detective Comics #661

 Detective Comics #661: "City On Fire"

Written by Chuck Dixon, Penciled by Graham Nolan, Inked by Scott Hanna, Colored by Adrienne Roy, Lettered by John Costanza

Art by Kelley Jones

Gotham City continues to go to hell in a handbasket. The Joker and Scarecrow hold the mayor captive at his mansion, terrifying him and forcing him to make phone calls to the governor, media, and even the fire chief. He demands the governor call back the National Guard leaving the city defenseless. He calls the newspapers to blame Commissioner Gordon for the slow reaction to the Arkham Breakout. And then Mayor Krol calls the GCFD chief to slash the pay of firefighters resulting in a strike which is inconvenient considering one of the Arkham escapees is Firefly.

Firefly (Garfield Lynns) is attacking a pier complete with flaming roller coaster, Gotham's take on Coney Island. Batman and Robin arrive on the scene and argue about Batman wanting to go it alone against Firefly. Batman fails in capturing the pyromaniac and ultimately admits his weakness to Robin and turns over the case to him.

Meanwhile, The Ventriloquist continues to hold his lawyer hostage in his own home. The lawyer suggests looking at the Gotham Police Department's evidence room to find Scarface. Robin researches Firefly's history. Lynns was raised in an orphanage. He would be promised the world by potential adoptive parents only for them to be repulsed by Garfield's pyromania. Robin visits the orphanage and encounters a blind nun who fills in the gaps there are and sets him on the trail of Firefly's sister. 

Then we hit some problematic material especially since the creative team of Dixon and Nolan have worked with alt-right bigots within the recent past. (It's gross and I'll let you follow the breadcrumbs if you wish.) A stand in for noted bigot, racist, and all around blowhard Rush Limbaugh, "Link Rambeau" hosts a psychiatrist who plays the stereotype of a hippy dippy limp wristed scientist blaming society for the Arkham escapees' actions. Rambeau winks at the camera as the psychiatrist drones on.

The Riddler is in the process of mailing an anonymous letter to the GCPD but no one will bother to read it as the city dips deeper into the chaos. Montoya visits Firefly's sister after a helpful anonymous tip and realizes that Lynns is targeting the places he was promised to visit all those years ago. Batman takes down another escapee, The Cavalier, and then stumbles upon Firefly targeting a theater.

Next Time: Batman #495

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

Knightfall Recall: Detective Comics #660

 Detective Comics #660: "Crocodile Tears"

Art by Sam Keith

Written by Chuck Dixon, Penciled by Jim Balent, Inked by Scott Hana, Colored by Adrienne Roy, Lettered by John Costanza

And now for something completely different. After the last installment's intense hostage standoff, we take a trip to the sewers of Gotham. Killer Croc lurks, munching on rats and lamenting his broken arms he suffered from Bane in Batman #489 which did not make the cut of this collection unfortunately. Meanwhile Bane gloats as he watches the aftermath of the Zsasz hostage situation. "What purpose does the terror I have created serve if I cannot savor it?"

Bird reports to Bane that Batman hasn't even run up against "major league" criminals and he is already looking beat. Robin has followed Bird and discovered Bane but recalls being told not to confront the monster. He attempts to contact Batman who is unresponsive, exhausted from his clash with Mr. Zsasz. 

In rapid fire, we see the Ventriloquist still on the loose and contacting his attorney to inquire about Scarface, the police discuss that murders are heading towards triple digits following the Arkham breakout, and Robin follows Bane as he goes out. Bane quickly realizes he is being followed, attacks and captures Robin. 

Robin regains consciousness after being dragged into the sewers and blindfolded. Interrogating the boy, Bane looks for more information to aid him in his quest to break Batman. However, he senses the presence of another and disappears. Killer Croc removes Robin's blindfold only to be attacked by Bane. "I am Bane! The bane of anything that gets in my way! The bane of anything that lives!" The two behemoths battle, knocking Robin aside. Bane rebreaks Croc's arm but the issue ends with the three lost in the sewers.

Definitely a step down from the intensity of the Zsasz issue but how about that Sam Keith cover art?

Next time: Batman #494

Knightfall Recall: Interlude

 

Art by Graham Nolan

Knightfall Recall: Batman #493

Art by Kelley Jones

 Batman #493: "Redslash"

Written by Dough Moench, Penciled and Inked by Norm Breyfogle, Colored by Adrienne Roy, Lettered by Tim Harkins

By far the most brutal issue yet, the latest installment of Knightfall establishes that thirty-odd murders have already been committed since the Arkham Asylum breakout. The current status on four of the escapees are as follows: The Mad Hatter and Amygdala have been captured, the Ventriloquist remains on the loose, and Film Freak has been killed by Bane. Batman continues to run himself ragged trying to round these criminals up. "No rest, not for the wicked... nor those who dare deal with them." And now serial killer Mr. Zsasz has taken fifteen hostages at an all-girls high school.

Lt. Kitch is on the scene with the police outside the school and waiting to hear from the man they've sent in. Another officer gets too antsy and decides to go in as well. He soon discovers his fellow officer's body and is attacked by Zsasz. Bane observes on television while Bird scouts Batman. Bird suggests they move on Batman only to be told "He is not ready to be broken... not quite yet." 

Harvey Bullock and Renee Montoya arrive on the scene informing Kitch that Commissioner Gordon has been summoned to the mayor's mansion. Zsasz hurls the two cops' corpses from the building and sends them crashing onto a squad car. Batman decides to make his move and heads into the school building. Activating his night vision lenses, he discovers Robin in the building going after Zsasz as well. Robin tells Batman about his encounter with Bird and is ordered to follow him but also warned not to confront Bane.

Montoya goes into the building and barges in on Zsasz just as he prepares to begin slaughtering the girls. Offering herself in exchange, Zsasz grabs her and holds a knife to her throat. Batman runs in and Montoya headbutts Zsasz while he monologues. Zsasz flees with Batman in pursuit. Catching the killer, Batman brutally beats him to the point of having to be called off by Montoya. The man behind the mask is beginning to crack.

Next time: Detective Comics #660

Knightfall Recall: Interlude

 

McFarlane Toy based on Sean Gordon Murphy's redesign.

Knightfall Recall: Detective Comics #659

 Detective Comics #659: "Puppets"

Art by Kelley Jones

Written by Chuck Dixon, Penciled and Inked by Norm Breyfogle, Colored by Adrienne Roy, Lettered by Tim Harkins

"The walls of Arkham came tumbling down..."

Detective Comics begins its part of the Knightfall story with a flashback to the night Bane launched his assault on Arkham Asylum and freed dozens of inmates. Maxie Zeus, boasting of bringing lightning down from the heavens to enable the escape, flees the grounds of the asylum only to run face first into a tree and suffer a broken nose. The Ventriloquist is another inmate fleeing, using a sock puppet to aid him in his search for Scarface. Offering his aid because "somebody blew up [his] room" is the physically massive yet childlike Amygdala.

Moving forward to where we last left off in the arc, Batman and Robin discover Film Freak's body in an alley and easily conclude he has been beaten to death. The two heroes leave before police arrive on the scene with a Lt. Kitch leading the investigation. The cops discuss among themselves that twelve homicides have been committed since the breakout.

Batman and Robin continue to make their patrol in an effort to capture more of the escaped inmates with Robin voicing his concern for Batman's well being. Tailing the pair is the pet falcon of Bane's henchman Bird. The dynamic duo follow a report on a toy store break in. The Ventriloquist and his new friend are searching for a suitable Scarface. Batman enters the toy store after demanding Robin stay put in the Batmobile. He's immediately blindsided by Amygdala.

Robin has noticed the falcon monitoring his movements and decides to investigate because it is not a native species of Gotham. He soon stumbles upon Bird. The caped crusaders' brawls with the villains inter-cut with each other. Batman is tossed around easily before Amygdala breaks down due to a panic attack. Robin is nearly killed before Bane radios Bird to call him off. 

And now a police report comes in that Mr. Zsasz is holding hostages at a school for girls.

Art by Norm Breyfogle.

The issue builds the pressure of Batman running himself ragged trying to recapture the criminals of Arkham. It is also a beautiful showcase of Norm Breyfogle's art.

Next time: Batman #493

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

Knightfall Recall: Interlude

I mentioned when I first began this project that action figures hold a near and dear place in my heart when it comes to Knightfall. One figure in particular had me convinced that Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin would be great because the villain was so cool. I'm sure I'll discuss how the movie is pretty great at some point but let us get back to the figure. From Kenner's 1996 series Legends of the Dark Knight:

Legends of the Dark Knight: Bane (Lethal Impact)

He thrives on scorpion venom pumped directly into his twisted brain, finding incredible power in this lethal potion that would instantly kill any other living being. As Lethal Impact Bane metabolizes the poison, his body gains immense bulk and strength, and his mind grows ever more evil. Batman must overcome his massive, venom-powered punch in order to conquer Bane and protect the people of Gotham City.

The first thing about the figure is just how big it looks with a massive torso and limbs that seem huge even on that frame. Next, the hair. Bane is usually depicted with a shaved head. But here, the man has a mullet unable to be contained by his luchador mask. Hell yeah. And then there's the scorpion venom. I suppose that's a far easier explanation for a child than a military funded experimental steroid cocktail. And it allows a scorpion's claw to be an accessory for Bane.

My figure was either sold at a garage sale or donated to Goodwill long ago but knowing me, I'll wind up snagging one off of eBay before this project is completed.

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

Knightfall Recall: Vengeance of Bane

Batman Knightfall Volume One (2012)

"...I could kill you... but death would only end your agony -- and silence your shame. Instead, I will simply... BREAK YOU!"

For a Batman-obsessed kid growing up in the 1990s, Bane was inescapable. Between his appearances in Batman: The Animated Series, Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin, and toy shelves, Bane's hulking figure and lucha-inspired mask let you know he was a foe to be reckoned with. Yet somehow despite watching the cartoons, movie, owning an action figure or three, reading Denny O'Neil's Knightfall novelization, and doodling away during elementary school, I've never read his introductory story arc as a whole. But no more, dear reader.

In this series, I'll be reading Knightfall, a massive line-wide story arc that was originally published throughout most of 1993. My text will be the collection published in 2012, containing Batman vol. 1 #491-500, Detective Comics vol. 1 #659-666, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-18, Showcase '93 #7-8, and Vengeance of Bane. Are you ready to begin?

Batman: Vengeance of Bane

Written by Chuck Dixon, Penciled by Graham Nolan, Inked by Eduardo Barreto, Colored by Adrienne Roy, Lettered by Bill Oakley

Art by Glenn Fabry

Published in January 1993, this 64 page special marks the first appearance of the child born condemned to a life sentence: Bane. In an efficient piece of storytelling, we are given Bane's backstory and introduced to the group of men who will aid him on his quest to prove himself as an alpha of a cruel world after becoming the most feared man in the prison he was born in: Peña Duro, the Hard Stone.

In this hellhole, the boy only known as Bane is condemned to a life sentence after his father's failed insurrection on the Caribbean island of Santa Prisca. Here he witnesses a murder before he turns six years old. After being knocked unconscious in a prison brawl, he has a vision of his future self as a conqueror who has nothing to fear but fear itself embodied in a bat. It is a particularly powerful moment in the comic and striking with its shining golden colors in a book of 

drab prison walls. 

The boy earns his name as the bane of existence for the cruel warden who fed his mother's corpse to the sharks rather than provide for her burial and commits his first murder as a mere child, 13 pages into the story. Following this crime, he's thrown into the Cavidad Oscuro for a decade. In this pit, he fights the tide daily and is forced to eat rats and fish to survive. He emerges from the pit a man and a legend to the prison. His cowardice exceeding his cruelty, the warden essentially leaves Bane to his own devices as he becomes lord over the prisoners. Consuming books from the library left behind by the priests who came to the island and practicing meditation for hours at a time, Bane goes on to build his mind as well as his body. 

After several weaker prisoners are killed in an ongoing military medical experiment, Bane is volunteered by the warden to become its new subject. Pumped full of the super steroid Venom and implanted with a mechanism to feed it directly into his system, Bane is the first success of this grueling experiment. Having reached a pinnacle of mental and physical achievement, Bane decides to act. In a feat that rivals his eventual foe, Bane slows his vital signs to the point where he appears dead. Taking this as yet another failure, the scientists turn over his body to be fed to the sharks. Yet Bane lives. Reader, do you know how cool it is to see a super genius steroid lucha fighting sharks? It's very cool.

Bane returns to kidnap the warden and free three men who've pledged themselves to him: Bird, the man who has provided everything he knows about Gotham, Trogg, a weapons expert and lifer of the prison, and Zombie, the infirmary trustee who has replicated Venom. Leaving the island via helicopter, Bane gains revenge for his mother by hurling the warden to the sharks. Heading north, the crew arrives in Gotham to scout and plot the eventual takeover. Bane's strategy is to observe the one man who stands in his way: Batman. Murdering a small time gang who, in a nice touch, resemble the Three Stooges, Bane makes his presence known to the hero before disappearing in the shadows.

Next time: Batman #491