Saturday, May 29, 2010

Batman: Knightfall (Review)


Citizen's Grade: O.K.

This is one of the defining events in the mythos of The Batman (the other being Frank Miller's Dark Knight series). Before Knightfall, everything is old. After Knightfall, you enter the modern age for Batman.

The story takes place over approximately six months. Bruce Wayne (Batman) suffers burnout and is systematically assaulted and crippled by a "super steroid"-enhanced genius named Bane. After Bane breaks Batman's back, Wayne is replaced as Batman by an apprentice named Jean-Paul Valley (also known as Azrael), who becomes increasingly violent and unstable, tarnishing Batman's reputation. Eventually, Wayne is healed through paranormal means, and reclaims his role as Batman.


Knightfall resulted in long-term ramifications for the Batman mythos, as Batman's trust from the police, public, and fellow superheroes had to be rebuilt. Additionally, Wayne realizes the peril and burden of attempting to work in solitude, leading to the eventual creation of the modern incarnation of the Batman family (Nightwing, Robin, Huntress, Oracle, Batgirl, etc.).

Written by Chuck Dixon, Jo Duffy, Alan Grant, Dennis O'Neil, & Doug Moench. A lot of artists were involved as well, though none of note. My friends at Gotham Knights Online may stone me for saying this, but I found parts of Knightfall dragging on.....that said, this is one of the most important series of Batman Comics published in the last 30 years, so if you are starting a Batman collection.....definitely start at Knightfall!

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