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Batman: Knightfall #3
Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 2
The diabolical brute known as Bane has finally defeated Batman and is one step closer to taking control of Gotham City. Without any options left, the Dark Knight must pass his iconic cape and cowl to a worthy ally. A new Batman arrives in Gotham, and his first order of business is to do what Bruce Wayne couldn't do himself--defeat Bane.
Batman: Knightfall Vol. 2 is part of a nine-volume 25th-anniversary series that revisits Batman's seminal clash with Bane. This volume collects Batman #498-500, Detective Comics #664-666, Showcase '93 #7-8 and Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-18, along with additional material from the creators.
Batman: Knightfall Vol. 2 is part of a nine-volume 25th-anniversary series that revisits Batman's seminal clash with Bane. This volume collects Batman #498-500, Detective Comics #664-666, Showcase '93 #7-8 and Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-18, along with additional material from the creators.
312 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2018
28 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,435 books1,037 followersCharles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 28, 2022
THIS WAS EPIC!
Its turning out to be a pleasant read. Batman is injured and Robin tells a tale of a few weeks past when Batman confronted Two-face and he had kidnapped bruce and had set a trial for him and what Tim did then to save Bruce and wondering whether it was right. In present, Paul has taken the bat suit and there is a big story regarding Scarecrow and its nuts in a good way! Had so much fun reading it. Plus Bane conquers Gotham and we see things happening with Bruce and Alfred which takes them out of town and Azrael getting more violent in taking down the criminals and the new suit and that final fight with Bane which is epic and a massive change in the status quo!
Its a story with so much epicness and I love it for that. The way Azrael reacts to being Batman is awesome and you can see him grow more violent because of some former experiences and the Scarecrow story really tested him and may have contributed to this plus the big thing with Bane and how he designs his new suit shows a change of status quo, a new Batman for a new period and maybe by the end of it, you might want Bruce back so there's that! Plus the art by Aparo and Nolan was so good, just is a cherry on top of this cake!
Its turning out to be a pleasant read. Batman is injured and Robin tells a tale of a few weeks past when Batman confronted Two-face and he had kidnapped bruce and had set a trial for him and what Tim did then to save Bruce and wondering whether it was right. In present, Paul has taken the bat suit and there is a big story regarding Scarecrow and its nuts in a good way! Had so much fun reading it. Plus Bane conquers Gotham and we see things happening with Bruce and Alfred which takes them out of town and Azrael getting more violent in taking down the criminals and the new suit and that final fight with Bane which is epic and a massive change in the status quo!
Its a story with so much epicness and I love it for that. The way Azrael reacts to being Batman is awesome and you can see him grow more violent because of some former experiences and the Scarecrow story really tested him and may have contributed to this plus the big thing with Bane and how he designs his new suit shows a change of status quo, a new Batman for a new period and maybe by the end of it, you might want Bruce back so there's that! Plus the art by Aparo and Nolan was so good, just is a cherry on top of this cake!
July 25, 2022
Sidebar: I can't believe how crabbily right-wing these Batman comics used to be allowed to be, there's actual dialogue in this one directly blaming the Democrats for being too soft on street crime! Obviously politics and comics storytelling has come a long way since then and creators clearly do showcase their leanings in their work but to see a major U.S. political party criticized by name was jarring compared to how such things are typically done more obliquely via analogy these days.
Oh yeah, this volume was also pretty great, minus possibly the Bruce Wayne-engaging-in-fisticuffs-while-in-a-wheelchair stuff.
He wasn't about to take it sitting down...uh...well, you get the idea.
Also, this variant cover for historic issue Batman #500 was...unfortunate.
It's OK kids they're consenting adults...
Oh yeah, this volume was also pretty great, minus possibly the Bruce Wayne-engaging-in-fisticuffs-while-in-a-wheelchair stuff.
He wasn't about to take it sitting down...uh...well, you get the idea.
Also, this variant cover for historic issue Batman #500 was...unfortunate.
It's OK kids they're consenting adults...
October 12, 2020
Ya nadamás por ese final este último recopilatorio valió la pena. Batman Knightfall Volumen 2 empieza justo en el momento donde terminó el volumen anterior con Bruce Wayne siendo quebrado en todos los aspectos por Bane con una victoria absoluta sobre el legado del hombre murciélago. Ahora que Bruce Wayne esta afrontando una lenta recuperación y ya no puede ser Batman, Bruce decide dejarle el manto a Azrael para que lo supla, esto sin saber que Azrael traera a la vida una nueva versión de Batman más terrorífica y brutal que la de Bruce, este nuevo Batman no conoce los límites y hará cumplir la ley aunque tenga que castigar a todos sin piedad...
Tratando de ser breve para no entrar en spoilers puedo decirles que el guión logra ser muy entretenido y mantiene el ritmo mucho mejor que el volumen anterior, podemos observar las consecuencias del final del volumen 1 con una Ciudad Gótica sin un protector y en general los números no tienen relleno, cosa que si pasaba en el arco del escape de Arkham, incluso el dibujo mejora bastante y esto se nota en los cómics donde aparece el espantapájaros y ni que decir del último número donde podemos atestiguar la pelea entre Bane y Azrael.
Quede satisfecho con el final de la saga Knighfall y aunque no creo que sea buena para entrarle al mundo de Batman, creo que es ideal para alguien que es fan del personaje y quiere conocer el origen de Bane y ver en acción a Azrael y a la amplia galería de villanos de Batman...
Tratando de ser breve para no entrar en spoilers puedo decirles que el guión logra ser muy entretenido y mantiene el ritmo mucho mejor que el volumen anterior, podemos observar las consecuencias del final del volumen 1 con una Ciudad Gótica sin un protector y en general los números no tienen relleno, cosa que si pasaba en el arco del escape de Arkham, incluso el dibujo mejora bastante y esto se nota en los cómics donde aparece el espantapájaros y ni que decir del último número donde podemos atestiguar la pelea entre Bane y Azrael.
Quede satisfecho con el final de la saga Knighfall y aunque no creo que sea buena para entrarle al mundo de Batman, creo que es ideal para alguien que es fan del personaje y quiere conocer el origen de Bane y ver en acción a Azrael y a la amplia galería de villanos de Batman...
August 13, 2020
Nunca me fascinó la idea de un Batman Azrael pero este cómic ejecuta todo lo que propone magníficamente y la atmósfera para ESA batalla final me dejó sin palabras.
Por mucho el tomo más rápido de leer por toda la acción que conlleva y que te hace apreciar la lenta construcción que se fue dando en los dos tomos pasados.
MUY recomendado.
Por mucho el tomo más rápido de leer por toda la acción que conlleva y que te hace apreciar la lenta construcción que se fue dando en los dos tomos pasados.
MUY recomendado.
June 10, 2024
I will write a review after finish this series 😇
October 31, 2020
Zatiaľ čo ma výplňové príbehy Alana Granta nebavili vôbec, pokračovanie s Brucom na vozíku a Azraelom, ktorý ho zaskakuje a veľmi rýchlo podlieha pocitu moci, boli veľmi fajn a jeho nový, spawní Azrael-Batman obleček taktiež. Silné 3*.
August 7, 2021
This third volume of the series is a really good follow-up to the fall of the Batman. Bane takes over Gotham as its new crime lord, while Bruce Wayne is out of the running due to a (permanently?) broken back. Thus, somebody new has to take on the mantle of the Batman: the young Jean Paul Valley, aka Azrael the Avenging Angel, seems fit to take on the mantle. He quickly shows himself to be as fast, strong, and smart as Bruce Wayne, but much more ruthless and bloody. He decides taking out Bane is the only way to prove he is truly the new Batman...
A very exciting collection of interconnected stories with a good built-up character arc. I love the addition of the Robin issues.
A very exciting collection of interconnected stories with a good built-up character arc. I love the addition of the Robin issues.
October 25, 2021
So this is the end of the first arc of Knightfall, and this was a very enjoyable book! After Bruce Wayne is in a wheelchair, it is left to Azrael and Robin to try and stop the crime wave in Gotham.
I liked how Azrael was so different to Batman and I felt that it made the dynamic of Robin and him interesting. The main highlight of this book for me was Azrael confronting Bane, nice to see Azrael face a big foe instead of beating thugs near to death.
Overall this was a very action packed story and although I wasn’t going to get the next storyline Knightquest, I might have a read of that too.
I liked how Azrael was so different to Batman and I felt that it made the dynamic of Robin and him interesting. The main highlight of this book for me was Azrael confronting Bane, nice to see Azrael face a big foe instead of beating thugs near to death.
Overall this was a very action packed story and although I wasn’t going to get the next storyline Knightquest, I might have a read of that too.
January 16, 2021
A very enjoyable conclusion to the first part of the Knightfall arc. It's got some bad writing and reeks of 90s's Batman but the overall story and it's main focus is still fresh and engaging today. What if Batman's successor doesn't follow the exact same rules? Can he accomplish what the Batman couldn't?
Highly Recommended if you enjoyed the first part.
Highly Recommended if you enjoyed the first part.
July 22, 2022
Like the previous volume, I find really only one problem with this. Two. There are a lot of different trade releases of this storyline. The first release included some issues 'The Definitive' version did not and vice versa. Not only that but the order of the presentation of the stories is... a tad questionable. But other than that... really great stuff.
June 16, 2020
Bruce has fallen. Can someone else really take up the mantle of the "Batman"? This story is a really interesting look into what it really means to be the Caped Crusader and what it means to those who support him.
January 29, 2020
I’m overrating this but I love this whole idea so much and even though some parts are cringe its so worth seeing a direction in a Batman story. One that’s not reactive. I know that’s my only comment on the last three knightfall reviews I’ve done but it’s so true. I’m tired of reactive DC changing shit all the time, forcing Tom King to make his War of Jokes and Riddles canon when it obviously works heaps better as an elseworlds tale. It’s just dumb.
So even though, like I’ve said before, the writing isn’t up to scratch on a technical standpoint the whole idea of this is much better. It’s fresher. It’s unashamed and unafraid. Let’s make Batman a psychopath who is just as bad as Bane but feels immediately justified in his actions because he dethrones Bane (Something Bruce Wayne couldn’t do). This all stemming from months of foreshadowing Bruce Wayne’s physical and mental decline and eventual breaking by Bane at the end of the last trade I read. It rules.
It’s a grandiose idea that pulls no punches and has a definite destination in mind. And because of that, it succeeds in making us remember it. Because even now it’s still got a big story to tell where our Batman is now the antagonist of the story from now and our usual Batman is in a wheelchair. It’s must read stuff and is interesting still almost 30 years later.
It’s fucking great! It trumps the subpar writing even though Chuck Dixon isn’t a bad writer by any stretch. It’s just very 90’s which is why some people can’t stand it. And why I love it.
So even though, like I’ve said before, the writing isn’t up to scratch on a technical standpoint the whole idea of this is much better. It’s fresher. It’s unashamed and unafraid. Let’s make Batman a psychopath who is just as bad as Bane but feels immediately justified in his actions because he dethrones Bane (Something Bruce Wayne couldn’t do). This all stemming from months of foreshadowing Bruce Wayne’s physical and mental decline and eventual breaking by Bane at the end of the last trade I read. It rules.
It’s a grandiose idea that pulls no punches and has a definite destination in mind. And because of that, it succeeds in making us remember it. Because even now it’s still got a big story to tell where our Batman is now the antagonist of the story from now and our usual Batman is in a wheelchair. It’s must read stuff and is interesting still almost 30 years later.
It’s fucking great! It trumps the subpar writing even though Chuck Dixon isn’t a bad writer by any stretch. It’s just very 90’s which is why some people can’t stand it. And why I love it.
January 9, 2022
For a prototypical "big" event, Knightfall is surprisingly good. Jean-Paul Valley picks up the Batman mantle, replacing a broken Bruce Wayne. He makes the differences between himself and his predecessor clear from the start--he's more brutal, more rash and more aggressive. It's an exciting change, but one that also establishes from the outset that Jean-Paul is likely unsuitable for the job.
The pace moves quickly, mostly because Jean-Paul isn't committed to doing things Bruce's way. As he says throughout the book, he wears the mantle now and has to follow his own path, even if it means alienating Tim Drake's Robin and anyone else he comes across.
This collection does a good job establishing the dichotomy between the two approaches, with Robin struggling to nudge Jean-Paul back to the way things have always been done, even as Bruce and Alfred ditch Robin to head off to investigate Bane's home base. This kind of split could easily be overdone, stacked too obviously toward Bruce's way of doing things, but Doug Moench's writing feels fair. Bruce's way hasn't worked, and it's exciting to see Jean-Paul use claws and batarang launchers to tear into Bane, especially since we see how much suffering this new crime boss has inflicted on the city.
It's dark without being grim-dark, but it also sets the stage for Jean-Paul being unable to restrain himself. A good superhero tale, especially given the spotlight cast on it.
The pace moves quickly, mostly because Jean-Paul isn't committed to doing things Bruce's way. As he says throughout the book, he wears the mantle now and has to follow his own path, even if it means alienating Tim Drake's Robin and anyone else he comes across.
This collection does a good job establishing the dichotomy between the two approaches, with Robin struggling to nudge Jean-Paul back to the way things have always been done, even as Bruce and Alfred ditch Robin to head off to investigate Bane's home base. This kind of split could easily be overdone, stacked too obviously toward Bruce's way of doing things, but Doug Moench's writing feels fair. Bruce's way hasn't worked, and it's exciting to see Jean-Paul use claws and batarang launchers to tear into Bane, especially since we see how much suffering this new crime boss has inflicted on the city.
It's dark without being grim-dark, but it also sets the stage for Jean-Paul being unable to restrain himself. A good superhero tale, especially given the spotlight cast on it.
June 23, 2025
Quebrando al Murciélago...
Después de la variedad de situaciones que pusieron a Batman al límite en el volumen anterior, pues toca lo que viene a ser el punto más bajo en la historia del vigilante enmascarado. Agotado decide continuar con la lucha (pese a la protesta de sus cercanos), enfrentando a los secuaces de Bane y por si fuera poco, cuando decide a ir a casa a descansar y reponer algo de energía, el mismísimo hipermusculoso la da la tunda de su vida. Para más remate, el criminal lo toma y lo muestra ante una Gotham atónita que al verlo caer, lo da por muerto. Sus aliados, entonces elaboran una estratagema para llevarlo a casa nuevamente y mantenerlo con vida.
Es así como el enmascarado por fin quebrado en cuerpo y alma decide cederle el manto al joven Jean-Paul Valley, más conocido como Azrael, quien pronto imprime un sello violento y muy característico de la Orden de San Dumas a la lucha contra el crimen. Nuestro novel héroe será acompañado por un Robin que se siente cada vez más dubitativo del cariz que JP Valley le está dando a su interpretación de Batman y que constantemente lo encara para que haga las cosas como Bruce las haría. Pero Azrael sólo tiene una cosa en mente: derrotar a Bane de una buena vez.
Con mucha seriedad, recovecos y algunos giros, el equipo detrás de Knightfall firma el que sería su Magnus Opus, que con todos los añadidos al presente volumen nos muestran la primera fase de JP Valley como Batman.
Pese a los años y algunos giros esperables, la lectura se vuelve trepidante y engancha muy bien, sumiendo al lector en la historia de manera efectiva. Si bien la historia divide su atención en varios frentes, pues tenemos lo que ocurre con JP, Robin y Bruce, entre otros, además de tener historias de Dos Caras y de El Espantapájaros como complementarios, la verdad todo toma forma para construir la historia definitiva de la caída de Batman y su renacimiento en un formato más violento. Esto considerando la época en la que fue publicado fue rompedor (hablamos de la era Post Crisis y más encima con Superman muerto), pues muestra a un Bruce Wayne fuera de foco y atormentado por el agotamiento, que en los desafíos físicos y mentales comienza a dar palos de ciego, logrando los objetivos sólo por la fuerza de voluntad. Si bien hay semillas de esto en historias anteriores como Veneno y La Secta, aquí es dónde más se desarrolla la vulnerabilidad de Batman como personaje.
El presente volumen parte de dónde el previo lo dejó y en sus primeras páginas sucede lo que se venía planteando Bane desde el principio: Quebrar al Murciélago. Luego veremos como se desarrolla la historia y JP toma el manto como protector de la ciudad, llegando hasta la confrontación con Bane.
La historia es 5 de 5 y adelantada a la época, con muchos puntos inusuales para la época como: darle el papel de Batman a un prácticamente desconocido personaje, una trama conspirativa que se desarrolla en muchos números, hay mucha violencia en sus páginas y los villanos parecen ser mucho más malos, inteligentes y efectivos en sus planes.
En cuando al dibujo hay que decir que tanto Aparo como Nolan, hacen bien su trabajo aunque tengo algo de preferencia por el segundo, que muestra más oscuro a Batman. Los colores son de la época, onda opacos y con líneas definidas. Muchas sombras y juegos de luces también abundan en este trabajo.
La edición que leí es una de Ovni Press con un lomo rojo que lo lista como Volumen 2 de Knightfall de 6 (que tiene como epílogo a Pródigo pero no lo numera). Éste recopila Batman #497-500, Detective Comics #663-666, Showcase '93 #7-8 (un backstory de Batman y Robin contra Dos Caras) y Batman: Shadows of the Bat #16-18 (una historia de 3 partes que va en medio de JP siendo Batman contra el Espantapájaros y Anarchy). Por último también incluye Batman Villains Secret Files #1, que nos muestra a Bane llegando a la mansión Wayne y enfrentándose a Alfred. Todos éstos ordenados de manera lógica en la trama para que el lector no se maree. Contiene un par de artes del traje de Batman Azrael y eso sería todo.
Como punto final, en este volumen sucede lo inevitable y por ende, es una lectura obligada para quiénes estén explorando un poco más la filosofía del Murciélago. No es tan recomendable para lectores muy nuevos, pues igual como que acá se ve una faceta más derrotada de Bruce Wayne y también partir por este volumen le quita algo del efecto de lo sucedido en el anterior, ya que hay que tener contexto del porqué el millonario está tan cansado y se muestra poco efectivo en su lucha. Si bien la trama nos lleva a lugares oscuros en la vida de Wayne, también nos muestra que la lucha debe continuar y que la adición de Valley como Batman puede ser brutalmente buena para Gotham, quizás demasiado. Pero todavía hay historia que contar y eso ya se verá en el próximo volumen (5/5).
Punto aparte: aquí se pueden ver también muchas de las escenas e ideas que llegaron al cine en la película de "El Ascenso del Caballero de la Noche", con un Bane manipulador y agente del Caos que convierte a la ciudad en su escenario de operaciones, secuestrando la vida pacífica del ciudadano común y corriente de Gotham. También se ve a una policía superada y que hace lo que puede, una ciudad que pese a todo sigue tratando de soportar la tormenta y un Bruce Wayne que lucha para rehabilitarse a medio camino entre el fracaso y la esperanza. Interesante ver cómo esas ideas permearon en la película, que sí bien no tomó todo de Knighfall si logró rescatar lo medular del conflicto entre el musculoso criminal y el justiciero.
Después de la variedad de situaciones que pusieron a Batman al límite en el volumen anterior, pues toca lo que viene a ser el punto más bajo en la historia del vigilante enmascarado. Agotado decide continuar con la lucha (pese a la protesta de sus cercanos), enfrentando a los secuaces de Bane y por si fuera poco, cuando decide a ir a casa a descansar y reponer algo de energía, el mismísimo hipermusculoso la da la tunda de su vida. Para más remate, el criminal lo toma y lo muestra ante una Gotham atónita que al verlo caer, lo da por muerto. Sus aliados, entonces elaboran una estratagema para llevarlo a casa nuevamente y mantenerlo con vida.
Es así como el enmascarado por fin quebrado en cuerpo y alma decide cederle el manto al joven Jean-Paul Valley, más conocido como Azrael, quien pronto imprime un sello violento y muy característico de la Orden de San Dumas a la lucha contra el crimen. Nuestro novel héroe será acompañado por un Robin que se siente cada vez más dubitativo del cariz que JP Valley le está dando a su interpretación de Batman y que constantemente lo encara para que haga las cosas como Bruce las haría. Pero Azrael sólo tiene una cosa en mente: derrotar a Bane de una buena vez.
Con mucha seriedad, recovecos y algunos giros, el equipo detrás de Knightfall firma el que sería su Magnus Opus, que con todos los añadidos al presente volumen nos muestran la primera fase de JP Valley como Batman.
Pese a los años y algunos giros esperables, la lectura se vuelve trepidante y engancha muy bien, sumiendo al lector en la historia de manera efectiva. Si bien la historia divide su atención en varios frentes, pues tenemos lo que ocurre con JP, Robin y Bruce, entre otros, además de tener historias de Dos Caras y de El Espantapájaros como complementarios, la verdad todo toma forma para construir la historia definitiva de la caída de Batman y su renacimiento en un formato más violento. Esto considerando la época en la que fue publicado fue rompedor (hablamos de la era Post Crisis y más encima con Superman muerto), pues muestra a un Bruce Wayne fuera de foco y atormentado por el agotamiento, que en los desafíos físicos y mentales comienza a dar palos de ciego, logrando los objetivos sólo por la fuerza de voluntad. Si bien hay semillas de esto en historias anteriores como Veneno y La Secta, aquí es dónde más se desarrolla la vulnerabilidad de Batman como personaje.
El presente volumen parte de dónde el previo lo dejó y en sus primeras páginas sucede lo que se venía planteando Bane desde el principio: Quebrar al Murciélago. Luego veremos como se desarrolla la historia y JP toma el manto como protector de la ciudad, llegando hasta la confrontación con Bane.
La historia es 5 de 5 y adelantada a la época, con muchos puntos inusuales para la época como: darle el papel de Batman a un prácticamente desconocido personaje, una trama conspirativa que se desarrolla en muchos números, hay mucha violencia en sus páginas y los villanos parecen ser mucho más malos, inteligentes y efectivos en sus planes.
En cuando al dibujo hay que decir que tanto Aparo como Nolan, hacen bien su trabajo aunque tengo algo de preferencia por el segundo, que muestra más oscuro a Batman. Los colores son de la época, onda opacos y con líneas definidas. Muchas sombras y juegos de luces también abundan en este trabajo.
La edición que leí es una de Ovni Press con un lomo rojo que lo lista como Volumen 2 de Knightfall de 6 (que tiene como epílogo a Pródigo pero no lo numera). Éste recopila Batman #497-500, Detective Comics #663-666, Showcase '93 #7-8 (un backstory de Batman y Robin contra Dos Caras) y Batman: Shadows of the Bat #16-18 (una historia de 3 partes que va en medio de JP siendo Batman contra el Espantapájaros y Anarchy). Por último también incluye Batman Villains Secret Files #1, que nos muestra a Bane llegando a la mansión Wayne y enfrentándose a Alfred. Todos éstos ordenados de manera lógica en la trama para que el lector no se maree. Contiene un par de artes del traje de Batman Azrael y eso sería todo.
Como punto final, en este volumen sucede lo inevitable y por ende, es una lectura obligada para quiénes estén explorando un poco más la filosofía del Murciélago. No es tan recomendable para lectores muy nuevos, pues igual como que acá se ve una faceta más derrotada de Bruce Wayne y también partir por este volumen le quita algo del efecto de lo sucedido en el anterior, ya que hay que tener contexto del porqué el millonario está tan cansado y se muestra poco efectivo en su lucha. Si bien la trama nos lleva a lugares oscuros en la vida de Wayne, también nos muestra que la lucha debe continuar y que la adición de Valley como Batman puede ser brutalmente buena para Gotham, quizás demasiado. Pero todavía hay historia que contar y eso ya se verá en el próximo volumen (5/5).
Punto aparte: aquí se pueden ver también muchas de las escenas e ideas que llegaron al cine en la película de "El Ascenso del Caballero de la Noche", con un Bane manipulador y agente del Caos que convierte a la ciudad en su escenario de operaciones, secuestrando la vida pacífica del ciudadano común y corriente de Gotham. También se ve a una policía superada y que hace lo que puede, una ciudad que pese a todo sigue tratando de soportar la tormenta y un Bruce Wayne que lucha para rehabilitarse a medio camino entre el fracaso y la esperanza. Interesante ver cómo esas ideas permearon en la película, que sí bien no tomó todo de Knighfall si logró rescatar lo medular del conflicto entre el musculoso criminal y el justiciero.
February 2, 2019
Once again borrowed from my Batman-loving brother. An interesting continuation of the last volume. It was cool to see a hero with a different ideology take up the Batman mantle while Bruce is out of commission. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this story arc sometime soon!
December 31, 2025
this one was better than the first volume, or was at least a more enjoyable read by a long shot. still three stars, although if goodreads gave me the option it would likely be 3.5 instead.
i don’t know man. i wanted to like these but this run had just not been for me so far. i don’t know what it is. i’ll chalk it up to the length and how everything seems to be dragged on for a few pages longer than it truly had to. it also felt repetitive, albeit way less than the first one (thank god). a lot of characters having the same lesson hammered into them over and over. maybe it didn’t feel so tedious when it was coming out and people reading it issue to issue, but reading this all in one sitting was genuinely a drag.
i liked jean-paul valley. i thought his story was motivation and psyche was interesting in this and certainly better explored than in the sword of azrael. he’s a cool character although i can definitely see why, when asked, nobody says their favorite batman character is JEAN-PAUL VALLEY 😭😭😭😭
tim was fine. i liked his struggle between doing what was right vs what was expected of him. it sets him apart from the previous robins imo. nightwing showing up was awesome too although they hardly dwelled on that.
bruce felt undeveloped in this. maybe in the later entries that gets expanded upon? (i hope so, seeing as they are both 600 pages each 😒) i would’ve liked a bit more of how he feels not having the same mobility or control he had before. i also wish they would’ve shown more of his relationship with shondra. it would’ve been nice to see that get expanded upon because there is so far little to get me to root for their romance, especially since shondra gets brought up so rarely?
speaking of characters that get brought up rarely? barbara gordon! loved her little cameo but damn i would’ve liked more barbara gordon. same with catwoman? they just had her show up on the plane just for that to go nowhere. it felt like they were going down a checklist of characters they wanted to include but there were already SO MANY characters mentioned that they had to relegate them to mild cameos idk.
the art was okayy again not much to say. some pages (specifically shots of gotham) were very pretty. i liked the art style that was only in the beginning the most though.
finding out that there were two more parts to this genuinely felt like getting slapped in the face, violently thrown to the floor, and spit at. anyway, i don’t believe i am going to be reading those, at least not anytime soon. i read the summaries and it didn’t seem like anything that would particularly interest me and i remembered that i genuinely don’t need to torture myself by reading 1200+ pages of a story i could not care less about. maybe some day in the future if i have nothing better to do. guess that’s the beauty of batman. there is so much stuff to read you can kind of just pick and choose ig 🤷♀️
i don’t know man. i wanted to like these but this run had just not been for me so far. i don’t know what it is. i’ll chalk it up to the length and how everything seems to be dragged on for a few pages longer than it truly had to. it also felt repetitive, albeit way less than the first one (thank god). a lot of characters having the same lesson hammered into them over and over. maybe it didn’t feel so tedious when it was coming out and people reading it issue to issue, but reading this all in one sitting was genuinely a drag.
i liked jean-paul valley. i thought his story was motivation and psyche was interesting in this and certainly better explored than in the sword of azrael. he’s a cool character although i can definitely see why, when asked, nobody says their favorite batman character is JEAN-PAUL VALLEY 😭😭😭😭
tim was fine. i liked his struggle between doing what was right vs what was expected of him. it sets him apart from the previous robins imo. nightwing showing up was awesome too although they hardly dwelled on that.
bruce felt undeveloped in this. maybe in the later entries that gets expanded upon? (i hope so, seeing as they are both 600 pages each 😒) i would’ve liked a bit more of how he feels not having the same mobility or control he had before. i also wish they would’ve shown more of his relationship with shondra. it would’ve been nice to see that get expanded upon because there is so far little to get me to root for their romance, especially since shondra gets brought up so rarely?
speaking of characters that get brought up rarely? barbara gordon! loved her little cameo but damn i would’ve liked more barbara gordon. same with catwoman? they just had her show up on the plane just for that to go nowhere. it felt like they were going down a checklist of characters they wanted to include but there were already SO MANY characters mentioned that they had to relegate them to mild cameos idk.
the art was okayy again not much to say. some pages (specifically shots of gotham) were very pretty. i liked the art style that was only in the beginning the most though.
finding out that there were two more parts to this genuinely felt like getting slapped in the face, violently thrown to the floor, and spit at. anyway, i don’t believe i am going to be reading those, at least not anytime soon. i read the summaries and it didn’t seem like anything that would particularly interest me and i remembered that i genuinely don’t need to torture myself by reading 1200+ pages of a story i could not care less about. maybe some day in the future if i have nothing better to do. guess that’s the beauty of batman. there is so much stuff to read you can kind of just pick and choose ig 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2022
Volume 2 was good, but not as good as Volume 1. I wasn't a fan of how the Two Face story was written in. It probably should have been in Volume 1. It also was a flashback and felt more like exposition. I also didn't think Anarky needed to be included early on. There also was a lot of telling (not enough showing) when it came to discussing Jean-Paul's thoughts and strategies.
With that said, I enjoyed the book. Jean-Paul is a different type of hero - more of an anti-hero. He reminded me of the Punisher and is a great contrast with Batman. Dixon did a good job in showing this and the conflict with Robin. It was great seeing Jean-Paul's struggles too and how the differences in tactics and brutality is leading to more questions and concerns, especially by Commissioner Gordon. His story was well written. I also like the new costume.
Bane continues to be a well-written villain. The beginning of the volume, which takes place right after Volume 1, is brutal and shows how scary he is. He also posed a tough challenge for Jean-Paul and is ruthless. Dixon does a nice job in showing how he is consolidating and gaining power in Gotham.
The story's tone remains dark and does not deviate. The pacing was a bit slower in this one, but the tension remained high. The action was great too. So was the artwork, which showed how brutal the fights got and it was well done overall.
I like the side story involving Bruce and Tim's dad. It is intriguing and didn't distract from the main plot either. I look forward to seeing what happens when Bruce finds out about Jean-Paul's actions.
Altogether, this is a good book - it is not as good as the last volume, but it is not bad and I enjoyed it.
With that said, I enjoyed the book. Jean-Paul is a different type of hero - more of an anti-hero. He reminded me of the Punisher and is a great contrast with Batman. Dixon did a good job in showing this and the conflict with Robin. It was great seeing Jean-Paul's struggles too and how the differences in tactics and brutality is leading to more questions and concerns, especially by Commissioner Gordon. His story was well written. I also like the new costume.
Bane continues to be a well-written villain. The beginning of the volume, which takes place right after Volume 1, is brutal and shows how scary he is. He also posed a tough challenge for Jean-Paul and is ruthless. Dixon does a nice job in showing how he is consolidating and gaining power in Gotham.
The story's tone remains dark and does not deviate. The pacing was a bit slower in this one, but the tension remained high. The action was great too. So was the artwork, which showed how brutal the fights got and it was well done overall.
I like the side story involving Bruce and Tim's dad. It is intriguing and didn't distract from the main plot either. I look forward to seeing what happens when Bruce finds out about Jean-Paul's actions.
Altogether, this is a good book - it is not as good as the last volume, but it is not bad and I enjoyed it.
June 19, 2021
3.5, rounded up.
So far, this was the weakest volume in the Knightfall saga for me. Things started great, but quickly the story took a halt with a flashback adventure. What’s worse, this flashback only rehashes the overused formula from the previous installments of the series… Bruce is tired. He’s refusing help. He’s up against a villain from his rogue gallery (Two-Face this time). So yeah, I wasn’t a fan of that.
The book picks up afterward, however, the pacing is all over the place in this volume, and the character progression suffers because of it. Bruce takes a back seat, Jean-Paul Valley is the new lead, and Robin is still the MVP. The new dynamics form between the three of them, but these motions are predictable—as is Jean’s entire character arc! His progression is very rushed and all subtlety is abandoned.
That said, the ending of the book was nice and on par with the beginning. I also liked the ideas and concepts thrown around in here. I just wish they were more fleshed out, is all.
So far, this was the weakest volume in the Knightfall saga for me. Things started great, but quickly the story took a halt with a flashback adventure. What’s worse, this flashback only rehashes the overused formula from the previous installments of the series… Bruce is tired. He’s refusing help. He’s up against a villain from his rogue gallery (Two-Face this time). So yeah, I wasn’t a fan of that.
The book picks up afterward, however, the pacing is all over the place in this volume, and the character progression suffers because of it. Bruce takes a back seat, Jean-Paul Valley is the new lead, and Robin is still the MVP. The new dynamics form between the three of them, but these motions are predictable—as is Jean’s entire character arc! His progression is very rushed and all subtlety is abandoned.
That said, the ending of the book was nice and on par with the beginning. I also liked the ideas and concepts thrown around in here. I just wish they were more fleshed out, is all.
June 14, 2019
It’s obvious since a long time that I’m fond of the Robins, but I wasn’t aware I actually cared so much about Bat-Bruce. Most of the volume wasn’t really interesting, except maybe the story with the Scarecrow which had some good moments. Tim dealing with Bat-Jean-Paul was interesting and the fact he’s often thinking about relationships and what is happening is something I appreciate about him, so I wasn’t disappointed by the time spent with him. On another hand, Bat-Jean-Paul was so bland and boring that I’d a revelation about the fact Batman isn’t just a guy in a costume. On top of that I almost cried of joy when there were some pages involving Bruce (even if he wasn’t really efficient). To summarize, this volume was a pretty average read after the previous one, but I discovered that I actually like Bruce a lot, so it wasn’t a useless read.
December 23, 2021
As with most of my other reviews of Knightfall, it boils down to this: the story was really interesting but I found the writing of Moench to be incredibly lackluster. I should have checked the credits to see if the artist changed on either Batman or Detective Comics at this point, as the art really stood out to me in Vol 2, more than it did in Prelude or Vol 1.
The story of a harsher, more morally rigid Batman in Azrael is really compelling, and I did spend a lot of time thinking "Azrael is a manic and out of control," so the authors worked to keep the tension strong through the entire book. Tim Drake, a favourite character of mine, is really challenged in this volume, and I really felt for him. The Knightfall arc continues to be quite strong, if you can get over Moench's approach to using too much text-box exposition and easily falling into tropes.
The story of a harsher, more morally rigid Batman in Azrael is really compelling, and I did spend a lot of time thinking "Azrael is a manic and out of control," so the authors worked to keep the tension strong through the entire book. Tim Drake, a favourite character of mine, is really challenged in this volume, and I really felt for him. The Knightfall arc continues to be quite strong, if you can get over Moench's approach to using too much text-box exposition and easily falling into tropes.
March 31, 2022
At the end of Knightfall, I had a good experience overall, but thought this volume in particular was far from perfect.
I thought the art was the best part of the series, with some great page-turning fights - and some of the best Scarecrow I’ve ever seen. Meanwhile the writing wasn’t particularly interesting, but good enough. Of course it’s a sign of the times, but reading in 2022, there was more gun violence than I’d like in a comic.
What held this volume back for me was how Bruce Wayne takes a backseat to a very unlikeable replacement. I couldn’t find a reason to care about Jean Paul Valley and I didn’t like the new suit much either. Was it satisfying to see Bane finally eat it? Yeah, it was, but everything else in the book felt pretty forgettable. Glad I read it, but can’t say I feel compelled to continue onto Knightquest.
I thought the art was the best part of the series, with some great page-turning fights - and some of the best Scarecrow I’ve ever seen. Meanwhile the writing wasn’t particularly interesting, but good enough. Of course it’s a sign of the times, but reading in 2022, there was more gun violence than I’d like in a comic.
What held this volume back for me was how Bruce Wayne takes a backseat to a very unlikeable replacement. I couldn’t find a reason to care about Jean Paul Valley and I didn’t like the new suit much either. Was it satisfying to see Bane finally eat it? Yeah, it was, but everything else in the book felt pretty forgettable. Glad I read it, but can’t say I feel compelled to continue onto Knightquest.
December 20, 2022
The second volume of the Knightfall saga. If look deeply you'll see a lot of common themes with the Nolan's Trilogy like Scarecrow using drains, Bane's cut-off and more.
I love how artists make the Jean Paul transition into Azrael physical. The subconscious sketching and augmentations of the bat look really impressive. It's nice that the editor included designer's notes, how the new bat should look. As usual, looking behind the scenes, especially with a saga like this, is really interesting.
The Man Who Broke the Bat has become broken himself. Can't wait for vol. 3
I love how artists make the Jean Paul transition into Azrael physical. The subconscious sketching and augmentations of the bat look really impressive. It's nice that the editor included designer's notes, how the new bat should look. As usual, looking behind the scenes, especially with a saga like this, is really interesting.
The Man Who Broke the Bat has become broken himself. Can't wait for vol. 3
August 14, 2024
Batman: Knightfall Vol. 2: (25th Anniversary Edition)
A critically injured Bruce Wayne passes the mantle of the Batman to his student, Azrael, who is eager to avenge Wayne's injuries.
A great storyline with excellent artwork and good page layouts. The only problem is that Amazon are selling this as part of the 'Knightfall' series, even though the text is covered in 'Batman: Knightfall Vol. 1'.
A critically injured Bruce Wayne passes the mantle of the Batman to his student, Azrael, who is eager to avenge Wayne's injuries.
A great storyline with excellent artwork and good page layouts. The only problem is that Amazon are selling this as part of the 'Knightfall' series, even though the text is covered in 'Batman: Knightfall Vol. 1'.
January 21, 2026
Great Story, Shoddy Kindle Collection.
Got this on Kindle, finally after years I've finally gotten to Knightfall and it's been a good time. It's not my favorite Batman story, but it is still very good. The big issue is for a 25th anniversary edition a few of the pages are either not restored to the level of the others or improperly scanned for Kindle. One page will be perfect the next will be look like it's from a Xerox scan of an actual comic page.
Got this on Kindle, finally after years I've finally gotten to Knightfall and it's been a good time. It's not my favorite Batman story, but it is still very good. The big issue is for a 25th anniversary edition a few of the pages are either not restored to the level of the others or improperly scanned for Kindle. One page will be perfect the next will be look like it's from a Xerox scan of an actual comic page.
May 7, 2021
The main narrative is diverted into a couple of side chapters like the Two Face and Scarecrow stories, so doesn't have quite the momentum of the previous volumes. Reading it now, it's a little hard to imagine how much of a hit it was back then — it's quite obvious the story is kind of spinning its wheels in order to end with a big fight in #500.
November 21, 2025
Sacando a Shondra este comic es muy bueno, vemos a Batman siendo quebrado, a Gotham cayendo en la desesperación, al espantapájaros que es uno de los mejores villanos a mi parecer, a Jean Paul siendo corrompido, Robin dejado de lado, y Bruce desconsolado.
Un sin fin de actos con consecuencias aplastantes y una intriga constante.
Un sin fin de actos con consecuencias aplastantes y una intriga constante.
July 6, 2020
I enjoyed this but not quite as much as the first volume, this was much more action focused and relied less on solid writing, I liked the direction in which the story went but it wasn’t as well crafted. That said it was still a lot of fun!
August 22, 2021
I will say this book was strong at points and weak at others, it was definitely continuing the story, it just didn’t grip to me like other Batman stories, the last and final issue in this volume with the ending was definitely great! The artwork was also really cool too!
July 27, 2022
Some of the comics in this collection (in particular the ones regarding Anarky as well as Two-Face) are absolutely amazing, but the story overall was just kinda ok. I loved the last comic and the introduction to the Azbat suit, but a lot of the others mixed together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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