SEEKERS OF THE BAT

Batman and Robin reimagined as a samurai and ninja. Art by The Satsui

If we are products of our environments, then without a Gotham City, there wouldn’t be a Batman. Informally described by writers as 1940s New York City by night (with Metropolis as NYC by day), Gotham city is typically depicted as an old time industrial ‘city of the future’ that degenerated into a decrepit cesspool of crime once their factories closed. It was a place so hopeless, that a crazed vigilante dressed as a flying rodent was welcomed as its protector.

But once Batman opened pandora’s box by putting on a mask, the city retaliated with the most colorful gallery of supervillains of any superhero. Criminals knew that if you wanted to step up as a supervillain or were looking for henchman jobs, Gotham was the place to be.  It is all Batman can do to keep tabs on everyone. Still if Batman’s crusade against crime is what defines him, then choosing Gotham as his battleground says something about the man.

Just to be clear, even after yesterday’s fight, Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown were never mad at each other. It only makes sense that Cassandra would willingly give up her costume to her best friend. Aww… In the world of the grim, brutal Dark Knight, it’s perhaps healthy to have a couple of a few moments of silly pastel-colored fun once in a while :)

Here’s a black and white shot of Batman gliding down with his cape.

Here we have a gorgeous shot of Ms. Selina Kyle, aka Mrs. Selina Wayne in a past life.  In many ways, she and Bruce are perfect for each other. Unfortunately, life keeps getting in the way. Picture by Wakkawa.

Uh oh, Henchman #8. Batman has disposed of your boss, and it sure looks like you’re next. Art by Roboworks.

With the majority of Batman’s rogues gallery, it is a foregone conclusion that Batman will always eventually physically get the upper hand.  Not so with Batman’s modern rival, Bane. Not only does Bane possess gifted intelligence rivalling Batman’s, but he is also demonstrably stronger than Batman.  Add to that an appetite for breaking spines and a daily IV drip of the fictional supersteroid Venom, which amplifies his strength many times over and allows him to heal quickly from any injury, and you have the makings of a villain who gives even the Dark Knight nightmares.

In fact, those nightmares are well deserved. Bane is most well known for deducing Batman’s identity, then orchestrating a series of events that culminated with his breaking of Batman’s spine over his knee.  Paralyzed, Batman was forced to surrender his cape to Jean-Paul Valley, an outsider. Bruce Wayne was broken in both body and mind for months while his replacement tarnished the reputation of the Batman. This was to be one of the most difficult times in the Batman’s life.

Bruce Wayne did eventually recover and took back both his caped identity and his confidence by defeating Bane in combat. Since then, Bane has straddled the line between hero and villain, kicking his addiction to Venom, and seeking redemption for his crimes. He has a deep respect for his one time rival, and even attempted to take over as Batman when Bruce Wayne appeared to die during Final Crisis. Bane currently serves as leader of the Secret Six, a sympathetic group of antiheroes, but it is unclear where the future will take him.

For those long nights when you don’t have a gothic gargoyle to perch next to, a chimney is almost as good. Except it’s not. Bummer. Artist unknown.

Here we catch Batman taking some time off… to read?  Artist unfortunately unknown.

Criminals are a cowardly, superstitious lot.  I must become a… lovable giant rabbit creature?

via danbooru.donmai.us