Batman: Knightfall

    (DC, 2000)
™ and © DC Comics, Inc.

Knightfall was an ambitious story arc that ran through all the Batman universe titles in 1993-1994, even Legends of the Dark Knight, which is normally exempt from the ongoing continuity.

The saga began when the villain Bane engineered the mass escape of all the inmates at Arkham Asylum. In capturing and subduing the escapees, Batman became physically and mentally drained. Then Bane struck, defeating Batman and even breaking his back. During his physical rehabilitation, Batman recruited Jean Paul Valley, known as Azrael, to take his place. But Azreal is not the man that Bruce Wayne is. Eventually, Azbat, as he came to be called by fans, became brutal and homicidal in his role, and Batman realized he misjudged Valley. Now he had take back his role and defeat the man who beat Bane.

This long story arc can be read as an entertaining Batman story, but the editors at DC had another message for their readers. During the early nineties, Batman began to be perceived as out of touch with modern comic book trends. The rise in popularity of Image Comics and other companies, with characters who had no compunctions about killing the bad guys seemed to make Batman an anachronism. DC wanted to demonstrate the inherent nobility of Batman by installing a man in the costume who in essence was the kind of “hero” that was popular at other publishers. The contrast between an arrogant, take-no-prisoners hero and a man who puts justice before vengeance was stark. And in case the point was lost on anyone, during his time as a replacement Batman, Azreal changed his costume from Batman’s to a colorful, gaudy blade-wielding monstrosity.

— George Haberberger
Jump to issue:
  • Bk 1
    Book #1
    Nov 1993
    Cover: $12.95
    W: Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon  ·  A: Jim Aparo, Norm Breyfogle, Graham Nolan, Jim Balent
    288 pages; Collects Batman #491–497; Detective Comics #659–663
    1 copy for $14.98
  • Bk 2
    Book #2
    Nov 1993
    Cover: $17.99
    W: Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant  ·  A: Jim Aparo, Graham Nolan, Bret Blevins, Klaus Janson, Mike Manley
    Collects Batman #498-500, Detective Comics #664-666, Showcase ‘96 #7, & Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-18
    1 copy for $14.98