By Kimota1977 — It goes without saying, but the Batman has always had one of the greatest and most diverse rogue galleries in all of comics. Incredibly this rogues gallery of unique and disparate villains each with their own gimmick and angle have had some fairly similar “evil schemes” over the years. One of the most common plans shared amongst the Batman villains?

Breaking the Batman by overwhelming him with an avalanche of his worst enemies all at once. Some have had better luck than others, of course, and today I want to cover three of the better stories that have seen a large group of Batman’s foes gather together to destroy the Caped Crusader.

When Batman Villains Team Up

Detective Comics #526: All My Enemies Against Me!

Detective Comics #526 celebrated the 500th appearance of Batman with an extra long story entitled “All My Enemies Against Me!”. Published in May 1983, this story rests in the pre-Crisis On Infinite Earths continuity and would no longer align with current canon, technically. It takes place shortly after the introduction of Jason Todd, and his parents death is a key plot point throughout. Jason first discovers the death of his parents at the hands of Killer Croc in this very issue, which also marks the first time we see a red headed Jason Todd wear a “Robin-like” costume and his adoption by Bruce Wayne.  

It is important to note that in pre-Crisis On Infinite Earths continuity, Jason Todd’s origin essentially mirrored that of Dick Grayson’s. As Dick was part of the “Flying Grayson’s” acrobatic show at the circus so too was Jason a part of the “Flying Todd’s” acrobatic show at the circus. His parents were murdered by gangster Killer Croc, and the rest of his initial origin runs fairy close to that of Dick Grayson’s.

As the story begins we open upon the Penguin arriving late (in order to make a GRAND entrance) to a meeting of Batman’s greatest (and lamest) Bronze Era foes. Called together by the Joker for one reason – to beat the Bat before Killer Croc does. If only to avoid the shame of not being involved in killing Batman.

The remainder of the issue bounces back and forth across 3 main plot points.

1. Batman defeating the various groupings of Joker led villains that lay traps for him.

2. Jason Todd discovering Batman’s identity and becoming another Robin

3. Killer Croc and his involvement in the death of Jason’s parents and his plans to defeat the Bat.

One of the more amusing parts of the story involves both Talia al Ghul and Catwoman cat fighting (pun intended) over Batman. At this point in the mythos it was well established that the Cat and the Bat were in love, but so too was Talia (and much less insane than modern versions). Both leap to help Batman and in the long run are integral to the overall plot.

Eventually Batman, Talia and Catwoman are captured by the Joker and left in an overly elaborate trap (imagine how many times the Joker COULD have defeated Batman if he was just straight forward!!). With the Bat captured – Killer Croc comes out of the shadows and demands the opportunity to break Batman himself proclaiming he is going to snap him like a twig. This was a quick and one-sided victory for Batman as he quickly defeats Croc and frees Talia and Catwoman. Leaving Robin and Batgirl to clean up the last of the villains.

By the end of this story Jason knows his parents have died and Bruce tells the boy he wants to adopt him. It is as heartwarming as a Batman comic might be able to be (particularly one that deals with a recently orphaned child). Written by Gerry Conway and art handled by Don Newton and Alfredo Alcala, this is a gorgeously drawn and expertly written story that I highly recommend.

Batman #400: Resurrection Night!

Batman #400 with a story entitled “Resurrection Night” was published in October 1986. The basic premise is this story occurs on the anniversary of the night Bruce Wayne chose the guise of a bat in his upcoming war on criminals. This story serves as the final pre-Crisis On Infinite Earths or “Silver Age Batman” story and there are plot elements and canonical origins that we never see again after this.

Opening upon Arkham Asylum and quickly transitioning to an unnamed “upstate penitentiary” we are given a quick run-down of all the various villains of Batman’s rogue gallery and their current status. When suddenly both Arkham and the federal prison are rocked by explosions freeing all the macabre and insane villains at once. It becomes readily apparent that this has all been planned with the various escapees with a guarantee that all of their costumes and equipment would be waiting for them in a clearing.

Yet again someone has engineered a mass meeting of villains and cut throats to destroy Batman. This time brought together by Ra’s al-Ghul with the intent of pushing Batman into an alliance with him.

Being planned by al-Ghul means it will be much more sinister and well thought out than it was in Detective #526. After solidifying the remaining brigands into groups (some of them just did not WANT to fight Batman that night) the villains begin to hunt down the friends of Batman to use as hostages. Ra’s knows Batman will not leave his friends in harm’s way and thus will exhaust himself in a night of fighting to save them. Bringing them all to police headquarters and then ensnaring the entire building in an electrical fence that gets…dropped…(wait a minute….okay yeah that’s it. Geez the bronze era was funky) An electrical fence dropped out of the Jokers helicopter that covers the entire building.

As luck would have it Batman is once again aided by Catwoman and Talia. With their help he defeats each set of villains throughout the police department and frees not just his friends but the entire building. Now that most of the villains have fallen Batman convinces the Joker to share Ra’s whereabouts – implying he is being made a fool of by “the Demon”.

The penultimate chapter finds Batman confronting Ra’s after he has immersed himself in his mind altering Lazarus Pit. Driven temporarily insane with fury and experiencing a lift in his strength, agility and speed Ra’s very nearly defeats Batman before being dumped into the Lazarus Pit for a second time that night.

The story ends with Batman and his most trusted confidants celebrating his “birthday” in the Batcave. The final page showing Batman – stoic and standing apart from the greater Bat family – aware that today is a new beginning and while nothing will be the same, the battle will continue on.

This issue is a veritable smorgasbord of high end comic book talent. Written by Doug Moench the art credits include Bernie Wrightson, George Perez, Steve Rude, Joe Kubert, Karl Kesel, John Byrne, Brian Bolland and so many more. Despite changing between talent so often throughout the story does not suffer and I found it very easy to transition between styles. Get this one!

Batman #491 – 497 & Detective 659-666: Knightfall!

Here we are to the big one. The only successful “Breaking of the Bat”. You see this time someone figured out all the things they did wrong the other times.

 Yes – it would be possible to overwhelm the Bat and bring him down through exhaustion, but one night of villains would not be enough. Carefully planning and monitoring Batman night after night; the villain Bane was planning on hitting Batman when he was already exhausted and worn out.

Due to his guilt over the death of Jason he was refusing to work with Robin (Dick Grayson) instead relegating his former sidekick to train Jean-Paul Valley – the new vigilante named Azrael. The post-Crisis On Infinite Earths world of the Batman presented no opportunity to align with Catwoman or Talia. Even his long time comrade Batgirl was unavailable having been shot and crippled by the Joker some years prior.

 The Bat was genuinely alone.

Suffering from several long successive missions and experiencing a mild mental breakdown (with guilt over the death of Jason Todd some time before) Batman was pushing himself too far and unwilling to accept help.

Beginning in Batman 491 writer Doug Moench (wonder where he got this idea) began to tell the tale that ends with Batman and a broken back. Once again destroying Arkham to let loose the maniacs within; Bane sets Batman up for the longest night of crimefighting in his career. Pinwheeling with ever increasing fatigue from one lunatic criminal to another the Batman is pushed to the sheer brink of physical breakdown from exhaustion.

All the while he has to contend with Bane’s trio of underlings who make each step and every battle that much more difficult for him.

After a particularly grueling battle against Scarecrow and the Joker the Batman is attacked directly by Bane’s cronies. Barely defeating them Batman returns to Wayne Manor to finally take a moments rest where he is confronted by the waiting Bane. Leaving him no quarter and exhibiting zero mercy Bane beats Batman thoroughly and completely. Culminating in lifting Bruce above his head and snapping his spine across his leg.

For the first time ever – someone has actually broken the Batman.

Subsequent follow-up storylines deal with his successor as Batman (Azrael), Bruce healing and his inevitable return as Batman and each were a pale shadow of story telling compared to the story that started it all - Knightfall. As mentioned previously this story is written by Doug Moench and Chuck Dixon and drawn by Jim Aparo and Graham Nolan with incredible covers by Kelley Jones.

This is a story every Batman (and comic) fan should read. Thank you for stopping by and reading. Watch out for more of my comic reviews and recommendations coming soon!

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