It’s the eve of the release of the most anticipated superhero movies of the year. “The Dark Knight Rises” hits theaters soon and Batman fans are drooling all over themselves in anticipation. DC Comics has just the things to help curb your appetite and bide the time until the big moment arrives. They recently unleashed two 600+ page volumes chronicling the Caped Crusader’s battle with the super villain Bane.
“Batman: Knightfall Volume One” and “Batman: Knightfall Volume Two: Knightquest” chronicle the Dark Knight’s battle to take down Bane and thwart his plans to conquer Gotham City. The entire story arc crossed over into several different comic titles including Shadow of the Bat, Catwoman, Robin, Legends of the Dark Knight, Batman, and Detective Comics. It was the first time since the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” event took place that an ongoing story utilized various books in the completion of its narrative.
The story revolves around Bruce Wayne, who’s grown weary and mentally strained in his constant war to save Gotham City. A chemically enhanced genius calling himself Bane breaks the Dark Knight’s back and cripples him. This leaves the injured superhero no choice but to take on an apprentice to don the cape and cowl in his absence. His replacement’s violent and irrational actions threaten to disgrace everything Batman stands for. Bruce must find a way to heal physically and emotionally so he can take back Gotham and face Bane.
The two first collections of the “Knightfall” storyline were written by Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, and Jo Duffy. Dixon and Moench were co-creators of the Bane character. The four authors spin a complex tale that utilizes everything at their disposal in the Batman universe. They fill up the pages with appearances by Robin, Alfred, the Joker, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Azrael, and many other fan favorite allies and villains of the Caped Crusader.
Bane co-creator Graham Nolan joins forces with legendary artists like Jim Aparo, Norm Breyfogle, Klaus Janson (“The Dark Knight Returns”), and several others who bring the story to life in the form of beautiful illustrations. Each one brings his own style to the characters and world of Batman while keeping things consistent. They complement each other and their differences don’t distract from readers taking in the story.
“Batman: Knightfall Volume One” and the upcoming “Batman: Knightfall Volume Three: KnightsEnd” were previously released in 1993 and 1995. The release of “Batman: Knightfall Volume Two: Knightquest” is the first time several issues of the story have been published in a collected form. “Batman: Knightfall Volume Three: KnightsEnd” is coming out in September and will close out the “Knightfall” saga.
These two books will educate anyone wanting to know the real story of the villain you’re about to see Batman go up against in “The Dark Knight Rises.” If you’ve read them before, they’ll serve as a refresher course. The first volume even includes the debut appearance of the arch nemesis in “Vengeance of Bane.” “Batman: Knightfall Volume One” and “Batman: Knightfall Volume Two: Knightquest” will keep fans very busy and give them something to do while they sit in line waiting to get into the movie.
For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:
“The Dark Knight Marathon” Gets Texas Fans Ready for New Batman Movie
Batman: Detective Comics Volume 1: Faces of Death” Graphic Novel Review
“The Dark Knight Rises” Vehicles Pull into Dallas for Tumbler Tour
