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Batman: Knightfall #7
Batman: KnightsEnd
Following the events of The Search , Bruce Wayne has successfully recuperated from his broken back and is ready to resume crime-fighting duties as the Batman.
But Jean-Paul Valley, the man who currently patrols the dark alleyways of Gotham City, is not willing to step aside. Furthermore, Valley has become unaccountably violent and reckless. Driven to the brink of madness by inner demons, the "new Batman" seeks to destroy the "old Batman" in a battle with deadly consequences.
Knightsend is the seventh installment in an expansive nine-volume series reprinting the entire Knightfall storyline. Contained in this volume are Batman #509-510, Shadow of the Bat #29-30, Detective Comics #676-677, Legends of the Dark Knight #62-63, Robin #8-9, Catwoman #12-13 and Showcase '94 #10 and includes bonus poster artwork.
But Jean-Paul Valley, the man who currently patrols the dark alleyways of Gotham City, is not willing to step aside. Furthermore, Valley has become unaccountably violent and reckless. Driven to the brink of madness by inner demons, the "new Batman" seeks to destroy the "old Batman" in a battle with deadly consequences.
Knightsend is the seventh installment in an expansive nine-volume series reprinting the entire Knightfall storyline. Contained in this volume are Batman #509-510, Shadow of the Bat #29-30, Detective Comics #676-677, Legends of the Dark Knight #62-63, Robin #8-9, Catwoman #12-13 and Showcase '94 #10 and includes bonus poster artwork.
376 pages, Paperback
Published December 4, 2018
11 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,432 books1,035 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 13, 2022
Apart from the last two books in the series that I could not get my hands on for the life of me, this is it for the whole knightfall story!
So I really enjoyed this one, from start to finish I wanted to know what was happening next which I think is in part due to the fact this has all been building to this over many books and also how great the story of Batman returning was told here. Really enjoyed seeing Bruce train to be worthy of the suit again, seeing Robin and Nightwing work together and the final showdown of Bruce and Jean was so good.
Overall very happy with how this finished and glad I stuck with it.
So I really enjoyed this one, from start to finish I wanted to know what was happening next which I think is in part due to the fact this has all been building to this over many books and also how great the story of Batman returning was told here. Really enjoyed seeing Bruce train to be worthy of the suit again, seeing Robin and Nightwing work together and the final showdown of Bruce and Jean was so good.
Overall very happy with how this finished and glad I stuck with it.
January 3, 2020
Oddly enough, this might be the first book in the Knightfall series that's actually good. There's some nice atmosphere in Prelude to Knightfall, and pure nostalgia in the subsequent two volumes, but most of the series is either too long, too poorly organized, or both of these. Even though it's a thick book, KnightsEnd is cohesive and well-planned, so that something worthwhile happens in each issue that moves the plot forward. Just this minimal structural effort is a relative novelty -- it seems like this is the first time the editorial team figures out how to do long-form, multi-book storytelling "for real."
Plotwise, Bruce Wayne trains to fight nu-Batman by fighting a lotta lotta ninjas in a storyline that would make Iron Fist proud, while his nu-Bat nemesis Jean Paul Valley is on the trail of an old adversary from Batman: Sword of Azrael, the book in which he was introduced. Admittedly, there are some parts of Jean Paul's half of the story that involve some mech suits or something and it doesn't make a ton of sense, but by the book's close the writers sort of force it all together with, again, more effort than has been shown in any of previous volumes.
I'd also like to say that not only does KnightsEnd proper have a strong, impactful resolution that rivals (and perhaps surpasses) the epic issue-long battles from earlier volumes, but each of its three epilogues touches on some important elements of the series as a whole. Batman is reunited with Robin, and Catwoman saves some lives using technology that's been floating around in the background of the series almost since its beginning. But there are still notes of deep unease from the Gotham police, who have suddenly begun to question their reliance on heroes they can't control. And Jean Paul (villain of all villains) actually seems to learn the most. There's a coda here about what it means to pick yourself up from under the weight of crushing guilt and self-loathing that you just don't see very often in Western adventure narratives of any stripe (superheroic or otherwise).
I think the thing that Knightfall is ultimately about is the hubris of control -- what if neither the sheriff nor the stranger who comes to town is actually in the right? What if, as the saying goes, the act of assuming power always automatically corrupts the powerful?
One of the things I think Batman is good for is asking this question over and over in a variety of ways. But it's rarely good at answering it, because at the end of the day Batman is a good guy, and good guys always win. With the insertion of a new Batman (or nu-Batman) who can be explored and problematized more deeply, there's the brief opportunity to challenge the idea that everyone can be redeemed, and that all struggles can be resolved. Sometimes we must accept that there are things inside of us that are terrible, and we have to get back up anyway.
Plotwise, Bruce Wayne trains to fight nu-Batman by fighting a lotta lotta ninjas in a storyline that would make Iron Fist proud, while his nu-Bat nemesis Jean Paul Valley is on the trail of an old adversary from Batman: Sword of Azrael, the book in which he was introduced. Admittedly, there are some parts of Jean Paul's half of the story that involve some mech suits or something and it doesn't make a ton of sense, but by the book's close the writers sort of force it all together with, again, more effort than has been shown in any of previous volumes.
I'd also like to say that not only does KnightsEnd proper have a strong, impactful resolution that rivals (and perhaps surpasses) the epic issue-long battles from earlier volumes, but each of its three epilogues touches on some important elements of the series as a whole. Batman is reunited with Robin, and Catwoman saves some lives using technology that's been floating around in the background of the series almost since its beginning. But there are still notes of deep unease from the Gotham police, who have suddenly begun to question their reliance on heroes they can't control. And Jean Paul (villain of all villains) actually seems to learn the most. There's a coda here about what it means to pick yourself up from under the weight of crushing guilt and self-loathing that you just don't see very often in Western adventure narratives of any stripe (superheroic or otherwise).
I think the thing that Knightfall is ultimately about is the hubris of control -- what if neither the sheriff nor the stranger who comes to town is actually in the right? What if, as the saying goes, the act of assuming power always automatically corrupts the powerful?
One of the things I think Batman is good for is asking this question over and over in a variety of ways. But it's rarely good at answering it, because at the end of the day Batman is a good guy, and good guys always win. With the insertion of a new Batman (or nu-Batman) who can be explored and problematized more deeply, there's the brief opportunity to challenge the idea that everyone can be redeemed, and that all struggles can be resolved. Sometimes we must accept that there are things inside of us that are terrible, and we have to get back up anyway.
February 10, 2024
All this time, all these issues leading to a snorefest of clichés, overdone fight scenes and over-written captions. The way Azrael comes back to his senses might work on paper but not the way it’s done.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
April 10, 2022
They made one good Kinghtfall story and it's this one. For once, we can feel a bit of empathy for Jean-Paul now that we only get to see glimpses of him and his descent into madness. He doesn't understand what's going on, there's so many voices in his head telling him contradicting things and ultimately trying to put him down, and him /saying/ that he's not becoming what they're saying, but in reality falling exactly within the box that the original guy (can't remember his name) wanted him to be: a cold-blooded avenger.
Bruce is hanging out with Shiva. I love her so much, so I'm already happy. She trains him just like she's trained Tim, and it's amazing to see the parallels going on (as well as seeing Tim praying for Bruce, knowing exactly what he's going through), especially at the end where Tim /does/ become exactly what Shiva wants him to be (a tool) but Bruce manages to fool her. She's a woman with no moral compass, all she wants is a challenge. Prove she's best. In a sense, she did. It was also such a breath of fresh air to get back in Bruce's head, see all of his doubts, and seeing him always going back to the ledge off of which he should jump to prove something to himself??? Amazing. The fact that Dick noticed that? Heartbreaking. THE FACT THE TWO OF THEM (and me) thought he'd killed a man? All the trust gone in a blink?? I was going to pass out, that is exactly how you write tension and conflict.
Tim and Dick. My beloveds. They were just hanging out, I am so happy to see them working together, and I really missed Dick /in general/. The different ways they react to Bruce. The different ways they believe in Bruce. The fact that they both care so much about him and about each-other, despite the fact that they don't even really know each-other all that much. When they thought Bruce died and Dick went on a rampage? I was going to cry. Even if he hates him for what he's done, and being a terrible father figure (DESPITE THE FACT HE TRIED HIS BEST) he reacted the most strongly to Bruce dying. And he also has the same mentality of having failed him even though he almost died. Him.
Catwoman is also here! Again! I am so happy she is, she's become a bit of a charity association and I love that for her. In one word, all of my faves are here and I am happy. Even Jean-Paul is bearable. And god I've missed seeing the normal Batman costume so much.
Bruce is hanging out with Shiva. I love her so much, so I'm already happy. She trains him just like she's trained Tim, and it's amazing to see the parallels going on (as well as seeing Tim praying for Bruce, knowing exactly what he's going through), especially at the end where Tim /does/ become exactly what Shiva wants him to be (a tool) but Bruce manages to fool her. She's a woman with no moral compass, all she wants is a challenge. Prove she's best. In a sense, she did. It was also such a breath of fresh air to get back in Bruce's head, see all of his doubts, and seeing him always going back to the ledge off of which he should jump to prove something to himself??? Amazing. The fact that Dick noticed that? Heartbreaking. THE FACT THE TWO OF THEM (and me) thought he'd killed a man? All the trust gone in a blink?? I was going to pass out, that is exactly how you write tension and conflict.
Tim and Dick. My beloveds. They were just hanging out, I am so happy to see them working together, and I really missed Dick /in general/. The different ways they react to Bruce. The different ways they believe in Bruce. The fact that they both care so much about him and about each-other, despite the fact that they don't even really know each-other all that much. When they thought Bruce died and Dick went on a rampage? I was going to cry. Even if he hates him for what he's done, and being a terrible father figure (DESPITE THE FACT HE TRIED HIS BEST) he reacted the most strongly to Bruce dying. And he also has the same mentality of having failed him even though he almost died. Him.
Catwoman is also here! Again! I am so happy she is, she's become a bit of a charity association and I love that for her. In one word, all of my faves are here and I am happy. Even Jean-Paul is bearable. And god I've missed seeing the normal Batman costume so much.
January 5, 2022
Knightsend covers the return of Bruce Wayne, now fully healed, to Gotham. The first half of the book deals with Bruce's combat re-training. While Bruce having to fight a series of martial artists, each more skilled than the last, was cliched and tiresome (and accompanied by too much exposition and clunky dialogue by Moench) there were some interesting moments. The stories by Grant and Dixon were better written than those by Moench, and deal with Bruce's lost confidence and with Dick and Tim grappling with Bruce's return. There was some genuinely good character work between Bruce, Dick, and Tim that was pleasurable to read. If only the second half of the book was as good as the first.
So, let me get this straight: Gotham sees Batman be broken by Bane, then Bruce Wayne mysteriously vanishes after a car accident, then there is a new Batman who everybody notices is not acting like the old Batman, then suddenly Bruce is back in Gotham as is the old Batman? SIGH. Way to protect your secret identity, Bruce. Setting aside this rather annoying plot hole, the back half of this book is a series of events which continue to stretch the suspension of disbelief and end with a very boring multiple issue slugfest between Bruce and Azbat. It is just so boring. I suppose if you like multiple issues of fighting you'll get something out of this, but I didn't. The actual end between Bruce and Jean-Paul, when Jean-Paul is convinced to give up the mantle of the bat was the most unsatisfying thing I have read in a Batman comic. The creative team had six volumes to paint themselves in a corner and had no idea how to get out of it.
As with everything in Knightfall, there are some really fantastic ideas here, but most of them get lost in poor dialogue and poorly thought out story execution.
So, let me get this straight: Gotham sees Batman be broken by Bane, then Bruce Wayne mysteriously vanishes after a car accident, then there is a new Batman who everybody notices is not acting like the old Batman, then suddenly Bruce is back in Gotham as is the old Batman? SIGH. Way to protect your secret identity, Bruce. Setting aside this rather annoying plot hole, the back half of this book is a series of events which continue to stretch the suspension of disbelief and end with a very boring multiple issue slugfest between Bruce and Azbat. It is just so boring. I suppose if you like multiple issues of fighting you'll get something out of this, but I didn't. The actual end between Bruce and Jean-Paul, when Jean-Paul is convinced to give up the mantle of the bat was the most unsatisfying thing I have read in a Batman comic. The creative team had six volumes to paint themselves in a corner and had no idea how to get out of it.
As with everything in Knightfall, there are some really fantastic ideas here, but most of them get lost in poor dialogue and poorly thought out story execution.
February 11, 2019
Another man has taken on the mantle of the Bat and he’s abusing its power. Bruce Wayne must regain his strength, his former commitment if he’s to become Batman once more. This means turning to one of the most dangerous and devious women in the world for training. This means relying on his former allies, his Robins past and present like never before. This means confronting one of his former allies, one he trusted, to save him from himself.
Large chunks of the story were missing, perhaps from putting together several comics from different series into one graphic novel, like Catwoman’s story. She served as a critical ally, a distraction, and played a major part in several key action panels, but I wondered at her motivations for being there. Bruce Wayne’s training under Lady Shiva wove in and out of Jean Paul Valley’s descent into madness in a beautiful, surreal, and tragic fashion, giving depth to the role of Batman and what it meant to both men. The bond between Dick Grayson/Nightwing and Tim Drake/Robin strengthened when the two partnered up, showing how well the Robins of the past and present work as a team and how they regard their interaction with Batman. All the while, Tim struggles to juggle his life as Tim Drake with that as Robin during the Batman crisis.
Not all of the pieces of this story fit together and I felt the lack. Still those which clicked told a compelling tale, one well worth reading. If you’ve followed the story of the broken bat and his successor, you’ll want to check out the final segment.
Large chunks of the story were missing, perhaps from putting together several comics from different series into one graphic novel, like Catwoman’s story. She served as a critical ally, a distraction, and played a major part in several key action panels, but I wondered at her motivations for being there. Bruce Wayne’s training under Lady Shiva wove in and out of Jean Paul Valley’s descent into madness in a beautiful, surreal, and tragic fashion, giving depth to the role of Batman and what it meant to both men. The bond between Dick Grayson/Nightwing and Tim Drake/Robin strengthened when the two partnered up, showing how well the Robins of the past and present work as a team and how they regard their interaction with Batman. All the while, Tim struggles to juggle his life as Tim Drake with that as Robin during the Batman crisis.
Not all of the pieces of this story fit together and I felt the lack. Still those which clicked told a compelling tale, one well worth reading. If you’ve followed the story of the broken bat and his successor, you’ll want to check out the final segment.
January 2, 2026
Asciende el verdadero caballero de la noche
En este volumen ya visualizamos a un Bruce Wayne más recuperado y que de a poco va ganando confianza para enfrentar a su sucesor. También vemos a una batifamilia más dispuesta a apoyarse y enfrentar al discípulo del murciélago en grupo.
La confrontación viene aderezada por unos diálogos bien potentes y la historia en sí, se resume a la bísqueda interna de Bruce Wayne para volver a ser Batman, en unos paneles dónde todavía no sabe si saltar al vacío y depender de sus artifactos y habilidad para sobrevivir.
La historia prosigue los enfrentamientos con los ninjas tras la muerte del maestro por parte de Shiva, usando la máscara del Tengu y dándole esa tarea a Bruce. Luego somos testigos de la confrontación entre el murciélago original y su reemplazante.
El volumen también contiene un par de epílogos de Azrael, Catwoman y Robin que dan nuevas luces del futuro de la Batifamilia.
Artísticamente, sigue los mismos trazos del volumen anterior, con algunos números mejor dibujados y coloreados que otros.
EL volumen es uno de OVNI Press presentado como el volumen 6 de la serie y contiene Batman #509-510, Shadow of the Bat #29-30, Detective Comics #676-677, Legends of the Dark Knight #62-63, Robin #8-9, Catwoman #12-13. Todos ordenados en coherencia con la historia.
En resumen un buen volumen, aunque hay un par de cosas que le hubiese quitado para hacerlo más fluido (4/5).
En este volumen ya visualizamos a un Bruce Wayne más recuperado y que de a poco va ganando confianza para enfrentar a su sucesor. También vemos a una batifamilia más dispuesta a apoyarse y enfrentar al discípulo del murciélago en grupo.
La confrontación viene aderezada por unos diálogos bien potentes y la historia en sí, se resume a la bísqueda interna de Bruce Wayne para volver a ser Batman, en unos paneles dónde todavía no sabe si saltar al vacío y depender de sus artifactos y habilidad para sobrevivir.
La historia prosigue los enfrentamientos con los ninjas tras la muerte del maestro por parte de Shiva, usando la máscara del Tengu y dándole esa tarea a Bruce. Luego somos testigos de la confrontación entre el murciélago original y su reemplazante.
El volumen también contiene un par de epílogos de Azrael, Catwoman y Robin que dan nuevas luces del futuro de la Batifamilia.
Artísticamente, sigue los mismos trazos del volumen anterior, con algunos números mejor dibujados y coloreados que otros.
EL volumen es uno de OVNI Press presentado como el volumen 6 de la serie y contiene Batman #509-510, Shadow of the Bat #29-30, Detective Comics #676-677, Legends of the Dark Knight #62-63, Robin #8-9, Catwoman #12-13. Todos ordenados en coherencia con la historia.
En resumen un buen volumen, aunque hay un par de cosas que le hubiese quitado para hacerlo más fluido (4/5).
July 1, 2022
Decent Batman storytelling as Bruce Wayne fights his deranged successor, Jean-Paul Valley, in a bid to regain the cowl. Bruce is magically healed from his broken back as the volume begins, and Jean-Paul Valley has veered into "Punisher" territory, so it's time to bring back the original.
Bruce is out of shape, though, so he has to train with a ninja/assassin, battling a series of kung fu masters to get his skills back. As tropes go, this section isn't as cringey as it could be (although the portrayal of an armless karate master who fights with his feet is pretty bizarre). Bruce does seem pretty laissez faire about teaming up with a killer--and accidentally causing a couple murders himself--but the book skips past that pretty easily.
The fighting with Jean-Paul Valley is well crafted, taking us onto a helicopter, onto Gotham City's equivalent of the Brooklyn Bridge, and finally down into the cave. Bruce inevitably triumphs, but he then lets Jean-Paul go with some rationalization that it was Bruce's fault the new Batman was put in a position where he cracked and murdered several bad guys. (I'm sure Two-Face would appreciate the same consideration being applied to him.)
The art is strong throughout, particularly a memorable image of new-Batman wreathed in flames. Not essential, but if you're curious about the Knightfall saga, this is a decent resolution.
Bruce is out of shape, though, so he has to train with a ninja/assassin, battling a series of kung fu masters to get his skills back. As tropes go, this section isn't as cringey as it could be (although the portrayal of an armless karate master who fights with his feet is pretty bizarre). Bruce does seem pretty laissez faire about teaming up with a killer--and accidentally causing a couple murders himself--but the book skips past that pretty easily.
The fighting with Jean-Paul Valley is well crafted, taking us onto a helicopter, onto Gotham City's equivalent of the Brooklyn Bridge, and finally down into the cave. Bruce inevitably triumphs, but he then lets Jean-Paul go with some rationalization that it was Bruce's fault the new Batman was put in a position where he cracked and murdered several bad guys. (I'm sure Two-Face would appreciate the same consideration being applied to him.)
The art is strong throughout, particularly a memorable image of new-Batman wreathed in flames. Not essential, but if you're curious about the Knightfall saga, this is a decent resolution.
December 22, 2025
Loved how this saga wraps up. Volume 3 picks up as strong as volume 2 left off.
Although it moved a little slowly, I liked watching Bruce regain his skills. I really appreciate how Bruce's final fight with Az-Bat is more symbolic than physical.
As usual, any story that highlights Gordon deserves an applause. I enjoyed the drama between Gordon and the different Batmen.
The last set of stories "Prodigal" began much weaker. I did enjoy Dick as Batman, buy why? Seems like Dick would have been a better choice to win the cowl back from Batman, or at least try? Anyhow, I didn't understand the references back to his first encounter with Two-Face. I do, however, appreciate the attempt to make continuity matter. Although this segment begins weakly, I love the way it ends.
Wonderful effort from the editorial team (I assume Denny O'Neal) for pulling together multiple titles to create one story, making each story make sense and matter as a whole.
It makes me wonder what collection comes directly after this? Does anyone in the comments section know? (I'm hoping the new DC collections done by year will help me with this in the future.)
Although it moved a little slowly, I liked watching Bruce regain his skills. I really appreciate how Bruce's final fight with Az-Bat is more symbolic than physical.
As usual, any story that highlights Gordon deserves an applause. I enjoyed the drama between Gordon and the different Batmen.
The last set of stories "Prodigal" began much weaker. I did enjoy Dick as Batman, buy why? Seems like Dick would have been a better choice to win the cowl back from Batman, or at least try? Anyhow, I didn't understand the references back to his first encounter with Two-Face. I do, however, appreciate the attempt to make continuity matter. Although this segment begins weakly, I love the way it ends.
Wonderful effort from the editorial team (I assume Denny O'Neal) for pulling together multiple titles to create one story, making each story make sense and matter as a whole.
It makes me wonder what collection comes directly after this? Does anyone in the comments section know? (I'm hoping the new DC collections done by year will help me with this in the future.)
December 18, 2018
I finished this storyline out of a misguided sense of completion. Bruce Wayne trains for a long time to regain the Batman mantle. Jean Paul Valley becomes more unhinged. Their final battle takes several issues to resolve to its inevitable conclusion. I did like the visuals on the last page of their confrontation. Ultimately this version of Jean Paul Valley was never all that compelling. He was an idea, not a character. I enjoyed JPV in the recent Detective Comics run by Tynion, but there was no need to go back and see his origins.
August 5, 2023
5 out of 5, it was amazing.
The ending of the Knightfall is truly epic. This is the new beginning and, at the same time, the end of Gotham City without Batman. What I love about it, it does not use a simple fight or a Chekhov's gun, but rather goes back to the roots of batman and uses them to navigate the final confrontation. I admit that it was totally unexpected and powerful ending on a much higher note than anticipated.
Do remember: there's only one batman that ever conquered the depths of the cave.
The ending of the Knightfall is truly epic. This is the new beginning and, at the same time, the end of Gotham City without Batman. What I love about it, it does not use a simple fight or a Chekhov's gun, but rather goes back to the roots of batman and uses them to navigate the final confrontation. I admit that it was totally unexpected and powerful ending on a much higher note than anticipated.
Do remember: there's only one batman that ever conquered the depths of the cave.
November 26, 2025
Bruce VS Azrael battle was SO FIRE 🔥
This final volume really highlights the differences between the two men, and it shows the reader the reasons why there could be no Batman without Bruce Wayne. No one can replace him.
I also loved how, before fighting Azrael, Bruce had to train to feel worthy of the Batman role again. It really shows how much he struggled after Bane defeated him. The training helped Bruce regain confidence in himself, in his skills, and it was a reminder of how important the mission is to him.
This final volume really highlights the differences between the two men, and it shows the reader the reasons why there could be no Batman without Bruce Wayne. No one can replace him.
I also loved how, before fighting Azrael, Bruce had to train to feel worthy of the Batman role again. It really shows how much he struggled after Bane defeated him. The training helped Bruce regain confidence in himself, in his skills, and it was a reminder of how important the mission is to him.
August 16, 2021
KnightsEnd was an... okay conclusion to the saga of Jean Paul Valley (Azrael) as the new, mechanic Batman. While Bruce Wayne re-trains himself to become as strong and fast as he once was, in order to take up the mantle of the Bat again, Nightwing (Dick Grayson) comes to help Robin in the ongoing fight against the violent Azrael-Batman. There are some twists and turns, all quite to be expected and nothing too surprising, and of course we end at the grand conclusion of Batman vs. Batman. Who wins? Read to find out.
A nice, action-packed comic which I finished quite quickly, but no deep storytelling here.
A nice, action-packed comic which I finished quite quickly, but no deep storytelling here.
February 3, 2022
Maybe I misjudged Knightquest a bit. While that was rushed... it did allow this volume to occur and right the ship again. Knightfall had gone on too long and now we FINALLY got what we had been waiting months for-- Batman vs. Batman. A reclaiming of the mantle. Plus tie up the loose ends of the Lay Shiva stuff. Overall, a return to form for the caped crusader in every sense.
August 16, 2024
Batman: Knightsend
Valley and Wayne struggle for the right to be the Batman,leaving Gotham City's Police Department wondering who to trust. As Nightwing returns to help his old friend, the battle reaches its climax.
Covers events already shown in 'Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 3: Knightsend'. An important book, with great art and an interesting plot.
Valley and Wayne struggle for the right to be the Batman,leaving Gotham City's Police Department wondering who to trust. As Nightwing returns to help his old friend, the battle reaches its climax.
Covers events already shown in 'Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 3: Knightsend'. An important book, with great art and an interesting plot.
July 7, 2020
The story continues on from The Search and maintains the same standard, which is pretty good but nothing ground-breaking. I liked this, but to be honest the whole Knightfall arc has been a bit underwhelming overall.
October 5, 2020
The Dark Knight returns. No, not that one. Bruce Wayne retrains his battered body in preparation to reclaim the mantle of the Bat from the increasingly unstable Jean Paul Valley. The story reaches its climax with art by some greats.
December 20, 2025
The best book so far in the knightfall saga. Finally not random side quests or filler, it was a very good book that actually kept me hooked from the beginning to the end. The fight between Batman and Jean Paul was really good too. The build up from the previous books made it worth it.
April 27, 2019
Just like the rest of the "Knightfall/quest" Batman stories, this was not as fun to read twenty-five years later, but it's still good.
May 31, 2019
A strong ending to an incredibly riveting story. A must read for any diehard fans of the Batman legend.
October 20, 2019
A cracking "How Batman Got His Groove Back" story.
March 20, 2021
The focus is back on Bruce here, as we see him undertake a rigorous training regime from Lady Shiva. The storyline does require justification for Bruce to return back to the Bat mantle, so we see a Jean-Paul Valley become increasingly unhinged and violent in his methods, which obviously doesn't sit well with Bruce's allies.
Overall these stories are good without being great. They have a focused narrative by committee, so we see the steps Bruce has to take to return back to becoming Batman and we can see the necessary storybeats in each issue to keep the narrative moving to bring this arc to a close.
Overall these stories are good without being great. They have a focused narrative by committee, so we see the steps Bruce has to take to return back to becoming Batman and we can see the necessary storybeats in each issue to keep the narrative moving to bring this arc to a close.
June 7, 2021
A looong training montage, dull AF gunrunners, and a waaay overlong fight scene. Basically that.
November 13, 2023
Bruce is back at mantle. He had to go through a journey to prove that he had the strength to take Batman back from Jean-Paul.
March 30, 2025
I just wanted to read Robin vol.4 but I feel that If I won't read this I'll miss too much
December 8, 2025
See individual issues for reviews.
Mostly decent issues but the way Bruce finally defeated JP made no real sense.
Mostly decent issues but the way Bruce finally defeated JP made no real sense.
April 14, 2022
Gets off to a great start, with Batman basically in a Shaw Bros movie for the first handful of issues. Builds up a decent head of steam leading up to the big Batman/Azrael confrontation but then, man, what a lame, anticlimactic way to end a plotline that had dragged on for like, what, 800+ pages of comic book? Yeesh.
C+
C+
August 20, 2025
probably the best volume of the knightfall saga so far. all the story threads knot together and the final showdown happens. there’s a barrage of character appearances: lady shiva, tim, dick, selina. no babs or helena, though...and ofc alfred has gone on his own merry way. bruce of course takes back his mask, but gotham is left questioning the role batman has in the city...i’m hoping this will kick off an even more tense quandary for b to face.
September 8, 2025
I found Knightsend to be a captivating read, mainly because of Jean-Paul Valley’s downward spiral and the build-up to the final showdown—which I found underwhelming, unfortunately.
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