***Contains Spoilers***
Batman Knightfall is a must-read for any Batman fan. It is an excellent mix of superhero drama and suspense.
Right from the gate, the story of Bane’s origin is intriguing. They set the stage for his strength, ruthlessness, and intellect, starting from a child growing up in a hellish island prison to taking control of the prison to his enhancements through the use of venom. You can already feel the conflict that will come in the main story.
Once Bane escapes prison, the story really picks up. The jailbreak at Arkham Asylum sets the pace high, and it does not let down from there. I love that Chuck Dixion took this approach — putting Batman through the gauntlet of his most notorious enemies, each building on the next as more ruthless and evil. It set up some great matchups with classic villains. It rebuilt Batman as a mythical figure that cannot be destroyed no matter the challenge. This is why it is all the more powerful when Bane finally confronts Batman and breaks his back.
The second half of Knightfall shows the transition from Bruce Wayne to John Paul Valley as Batman. Initially, this makes sense as Bruce is out of commission, and someone needs to take his place. Early on, you can see that JPV does not have much confidence, and you believe he will struggle to play stand-in as Batman. But with the support of Robin and his Azreal training, he overcomes an initial defeat from Bane to ultimately win out in the end. Also, he builds some awesome-looking armor! Eventually, you see JPV become darker and more violent, foreshadowing what is to come in the next volumes of the Knightfall Saga.
As great as this was, I felt let down at the end when the mantle of the Bat passed to JPV. First, I read Azreal and never had an attachment to the character. Second, I am a big Dick Grayson fan. Even though I knew this story was all to set up a new Batman, it still felt like a betrayal that it didn’t transition to Nightwing.
Overall, the first chapter of the Knightfall Saga is a 4-star classic and an excellent read.
Feature Image Batman Knightfall vol.1 cover art by Kelley Jones