THE KNIGHTFALL SAGA
"I am Bane -- and I could kill you... but death would only end your agony -- and silence your shame. Instead, I will simply... BREAK YOU!''
Knightfall: Part 1
Anyone who knows anything at all about Batman knows a at least a little about Knightfall. These are the people who knew exactly what would happen in 'The Dark Knight Rises.' This new edition is great, but there is still so much missing. So lets start with what's good.
This is epic. This book is thick. 600 something pages long. It may be an early 90's comics visually, but the story holds up extremely well. This edition has Bane's origin in 'Vengeance Of Bane.' A great start, then all hell breaks loose on Gotham with a sick and tired Batman struggling to bring down even the lowest of thugs. The build up to the epic back breaking scene is massive, and when it happens, if it's your first time reading, you'll feel a mix of relief, exhaustion and excitement. The last third of the book is Jean-Paul Valley, previously Azrael, who takes the mantle of Batman, becomes aggressive to the point of firing Tim Drake as Robin and eventually taking on Bane, while Batman struggles to deal with his failure and life a paraplegic.
This book has so, so much in it. However, it is missing some important issues and has some WTF scenarios. Let's go through these issues that D.C. should have dealt with.
WTF's
The villain Zsasz as we know him now is a bald murderous psychopath who calves tallies into his skin of all his victims. Zsasz in Knightfall, I believe his first appearance? is still a violent and unpredictable threat, but has strange blonde hair and weird pointy eyes. Google it if you don't know. I'm more used to the modern Zsasz more reminiscent of a bald Charles Manson. The other WTF problem is Bane's henchmen. They just seem unnecessarily comical. Also, does anyone know about Harold? The hunchback mute who lives in the bat-cave and takes care of all the technology and bat-hound? I had to research who the hell he was... And what's the deal with the Ventriloquist? He has a long side story through most of the first half trying to find his puppet Scarface, and ends in a showdown between his puppets Scarface and Socko shooting each other, resulting in the Ventriloquist shooting his own hands, passing out and thats the last you see him in Knightfall. WTF
What This Is Missing:
First of all, a lot of new readers don't know who Jean-Paul Valley is. It needed the four issue 'Sword Of Azrael' to explain that. Casually mentioned is that Bane encountered Jean-Paul already as well as Killer Croc. Apparently Bane broke Killer Croc's arms prior to Knightfall as well as the Riddler using Bane's enhancement drug Venom. This is mentioned often, so where are these issues? why weren't they included? as well as a Black Mask issue where Batman supposedly got sick in? C'mon D.C., get your act together!
The last third even has a three part Scarecrow story that is skippable and out of place that just distracts the reader for from the main story. I'm sure D.C. could have removed this three part bullshit story and thrown in the three or so issues that explain Killer Croc and the Riddler's involvement with Bane. Or for that matter, maybe a prequel trade called 'Knightfall: Prelude" or 'Knightfall: Prologue" or "Road To Knightfall" that would have: 'Sword Of Azrael' issues 1-4, 'Vengeance Of Bane' and Batman issues 485-486 and issues 488-490. Then, Knightfall would be complete, at least in trades.
After all that, this was still a massive load of issues given and for such a cheap price. You can't go wrong and it is still the best edition of Knightfall so far. Plus, the epic beating Bane receives at the end by Jean-Paul Valley (dubbed Azbat at this point by fans) is one of the best fights in comics history and is often overshadowed by Bane breaking Batman.
RATING:
Batman Story - 10/10
Art - 7/10
Continuity - 8/10 (missing unexplained issues)
Epicness - 10/10
OVERALL - 8.5/10
Continuity Notes:
This is epic. This book is thick. 600 something pages long. It may be an early 90's comics visually, but the story holds up extremely well. This edition has Bane's origin in 'Vengeance Of Bane.' A great start, then all hell breaks loose on Gotham with a sick and tired Batman struggling to bring down even the lowest of thugs. The build up to the epic back breaking scene is massive, and when it happens, if it's your first time reading, you'll feel a mix of relief, exhaustion and excitement. The last third of the book is Jean-Paul Valley, previously Azrael, who takes the mantle of Batman, becomes aggressive to the point of firing Tim Drake as Robin and eventually taking on Bane, while Batman struggles to deal with his failure and life a paraplegic.
This book has so, so much in it. However, it is missing some important issues and has some WTF scenarios. Let's go through these issues that D.C. should have dealt with.
WTF's
The villain Zsasz as we know him now is a bald murderous psychopath who calves tallies into his skin of all his victims. Zsasz in Knightfall, I believe his first appearance? is still a violent and unpredictable threat, but has strange blonde hair and weird pointy eyes. Google it if you don't know. I'm more used to the modern Zsasz more reminiscent of a bald Charles Manson. The other WTF problem is Bane's henchmen. They just seem unnecessarily comical. Also, does anyone know about Harold? The hunchback mute who lives in the bat-cave and takes care of all the technology and bat-hound? I had to research who the hell he was... And what's the deal with the Ventriloquist? He has a long side story through most of the first half trying to find his puppet Scarface, and ends in a showdown between his puppets Scarface and Socko shooting each other, resulting in the Ventriloquist shooting his own hands, passing out and thats the last you see him in Knightfall. WTF
What This Is Missing:
First of all, a lot of new readers don't know who Jean-Paul Valley is. It needed the four issue 'Sword Of Azrael' to explain that. Casually mentioned is that Bane encountered Jean-Paul already as well as Killer Croc. Apparently Bane broke Killer Croc's arms prior to Knightfall as well as the Riddler using Bane's enhancement drug Venom. This is mentioned often, so where are these issues? why weren't they included? as well as a Black Mask issue where Batman supposedly got sick in? C'mon D.C., get your act together!
The last third even has a three part Scarecrow story that is skippable and out of place that just distracts the reader for from the main story. I'm sure D.C. could have removed this three part bullshit story and thrown in the three or so issues that explain Killer Croc and the Riddler's involvement with Bane. Or for that matter, maybe a prequel trade called 'Knightfall: Prelude" or 'Knightfall: Prologue" or "Road To Knightfall" that would have: 'Sword Of Azrael' issues 1-4, 'Vengeance Of Bane' and Batman issues 485-486 and issues 488-490. Then, Knightfall would be complete, at least in trades.
After all that, this was still a massive load of issues given and for such a cheap price. You can't go wrong and it is still the best edition of Knightfall so far. Plus, the epic beating Bane receives at the end by Jean-Paul Valley (dubbed Azbat at this point by fans) is one of the best fights in comics history and is often overshadowed by Bane breaking Batman.
RATING:
Batman Story - 10/10
Art - 7/10
Continuity - 8/10 (missing unexplained issues)
Epicness - 10/10
OVERALL - 8.5/10
Continuity Notes:
- Batman is beaten and hires Jean-Paul Valley (Azreal) to take over as Batman, ignoring Nightwing. Most people at the time believed Bruce Wayne wouldn't return as Batman ever again.
Knightfall: Part 2 Knightquest
If you want the whole Knightfall Saga, you just gotta read this. But honestly, there was more bad than good. Again, there was so, so much in it, but maybe too much this time.
We don't get to see Bruce Wayne recover from his injury from Bane. He just shows up all healthy again. This is missing the 'Search Story' in which Bruce recovers. There was a ridiculous amount of men with moustaches in this, kinda bugged me. And what's the deal with Mayor Krol being drawn differently by each artist, something I turned a blind eye to in the previous volume. Not to mention that the villains in this one are ridiculous. On another note, besides a genuinely shitty and embarrassing Joker story (how can you give Joker a pony tail), was it just me mis-reading, or was there some dialogue explaining that Bane was free, then later clearly stating that he is still in Blackgate prison?
On a good note, besides the shitty early 90's stereotypes of pro-environmental activists in the Catwoman stories, this did have some great moments. The 'Shadow Of The Bat' issues seemed to be the more intriguing stories, except for the 'Clayface' one, and the creepy Mr. Freeze was actually really cool. The overall downfall of Jean-Paul Valley's sanity was cool as well, but really, we needed 'Sword Of Azrael' as mentioned in the above review just to know what the hell is going on with this guy.
RATING:
Batman Story - 6/10
Art - 6/10
Continuity - 7/10 (How did Bruce Wayne Recover)
Epicness - 8/10
Overall - 6.5/10
Continuity Notes
We don't get to see Bruce Wayne recover from his injury from Bane. He just shows up all healthy again. This is missing the 'Search Story' in which Bruce recovers. There was a ridiculous amount of men with moustaches in this, kinda bugged me. And what's the deal with Mayor Krol being drawn differently by each artist, something I turned a blind eye to in the previous volume. Not to mention that the villains in this one are ridiculous. On another note, besides a genuinely shitty and embarrassing Joker story (how can you give Joker a pony tail), was it just me mis-reading, or was there some dialogue explaining that Bane was free, then later clearly stating that he is still in Blackgate prison?
On a good note, besides the shitty early 90's stereotypes of pro-environmental activists in the Catwoman stories, this did have some great moments. The 'Shadow Of The Bat' issues seemed to be the more intriguing stories, except for the 'Clayface' one, and the creepy Mr. Freeze was actually really cool. The overall downfall of Jean-Paul Valley's sanity was cool as well, but really, we needed 'Sword Of Azrael' as mentioned in the above review just to know what the hell is going on with this guy.
RATING:
Batman Story - 6/10
Art - 6/10
Continuity - 7/10 (How did Bruce Wayne Recover)
Epicness - 8/10
Overall - 6.5/10
Continuity Notes
- Bruce Wayne has returned to Gotham, but not quite ready to return to the mantle of the bat.
Knightfall: Part 3 Knightsend
'Knightquest' was a disappointment to say the least. It was sometimes convoluted and the character of Jean-Paul Valley easily lost interest as the story went on. 'Knightsend' is a massive improvement. Not only with artwork and writing, but it is action packed all the way through.
We get to see Bruce Wayne's triumphant return to the mantle of the Bat as he trains with Lady Shiva until he is ready to take on the now clearly insane Azbat. I couldn't put this one down, even wen Catwoman became annoying and Azbat fought some cyborg henchmen. But hey, when Bruce finally wears the original Batman suit, every panel is epic and looks great!
Some positives is that we get to see more of Nightwing that so casually got snubbed from Volume 1, and Jean-Paul Valley finaly gets a decent explanation as to who he actually is (if you haven't already read 'Sword Of Azrael'). The highlight for me personally was the chemistry between Nightwing and Tim Drake. As for the art, the 'Legend Of The Dark Knight' issues were by far standouts.
The only negatives this has to offer is that there is still no explaining how Bruce recovered and that the battle between Batman and Azbat was kind of anti-climatic. The fight clearly showed Batman having the upper-hand most of the time and even Nightwing having a fare chance of defeating Azbat, but in the end, the fight became more psychological as Batman eventually brought Azbat out of his insanity. When reading the showdown again, however, it was perfectly written out, and showed how Jean-Paul was brainwashed and trapped inside the armour that he uncontrollably created himself, and Batman frees him from it, with smarts and execution. I won't go into too much detail, as how they exit the cave to free Jean-Paul has a lot of symbolism.
I was very pleased with this volume especially after volume 2. However, this volume also has the 'Prodigal' story in it, but I though it deserved a separate review below.
RATING:
Batman Story - 10/10
Art - 9/10
Continuity - 9/10
Epicness - 10/10
OVERALL - 9.5/10
Continuity Notes:
We get to see Bruce Wayne's triumphant return to the mantle of the Bat as he trains with Lady Shiva until he is ready to take on the now clearly insane Azbat. I couldn't put this one down, even wen Catwoman became annoying and Azbat fought some cyborg henchmen. But hey, when Bruce finally wears the original Batman suit, every panel is epic and looks great!
Some positives is that we get to see more of Nightwing that so casually got snubbed from Volume 1, and Jean-Paul Valley finaly gets a decent explanation as to who he actually is (if you haven't already read 'Sword Of Azrael'). The highlight for me personally was the chemistry between Nightwing and Tim Drake. As for the art, the 'Legend Of The Dark Knight' issues were by far standouts.
The only negatives this has to offer is that there is still no explaining how Bruce recovered and that the battle between Batman and Azbat was kind of anti-climatic. The fight clearly showed Batman having the upper-hand most of the time and even Nightwing having a fare chance of defeating Azbat, but in the end, the fight became more psychological as Batman eventually brought Azbat out of his insanity. When reading the showdown again, however, it was perfectly written out, and showed how Jean-Paul was brainwashed and trapped inside the armour that he uncontrollably created himself, and Batman frees him from it, with smarts and execution. I won't go into too much detail, as how they exit the cave to free Jean-Paul has a lot of symbolism.
I was very pleased with this volume especially after volume 2. However, this volume also has the 'Prodigal' story in it, but I though it deserved a separate review below.
RATING:
Batman Story - 10/10
Art - 9/10
Continuity - 9/10
Epicness - 10/10
OVERALL - 9.5/10
Continuity Notes:
- Bruce returns as Batman but still with doubts and a lot of loose ends to tie with Commissioner Gordon and the police force. This leads to 'Prodigal' as Bruce this time makes the right choice for his successor.
Prodigal
Prodigal is a much slower story than 'Knightsend' and it helped to have the aftermath stories before it. This is how it was meant to be. The real heir to the mantle of the bat. The next in line to be Batman, Dick Grayson. This time, Bruce Wayne leaves on his own will to rediscover himself. Dick Grayson does a great job of being Batman, even if Commissioner Gordon still has his doubts. I do feel there could have been a conclusion of Gordon accepting this Batman, or at least Dick confronting him and telling him that all was back to normal.
Prodigal just came off as a little boring. Nothing much was really at stake. Only Dick Grayson still lacking confidence that he could be Batman. Plus a horribly drawn and written Two-Face doesn't help.
What makes 'Prodigal' good is the great relationship between the third Robin Tim Drake and Dick Grayson. It's a real brotherly relationship. Not the type where they have a lot in common, but one in which Dick has a lot of sympathy for Tim and understands him, as he has been there himself. The highlight however, is without a doubt, and it is a very minor character development spoiler, where Bruce actually speaks to Dick as a proud father, and it is clear that Dick responds as a son. A little touching moment in the life of the Dark Knight.
Although then end is a little abrupt, Bruce just showing up and reclaiming the mantle again with everything back to normal, but for me it was good enough and a fitting, if slow conclusion to the Knightfall Saga.
RATING:
Batman Story - 7/10
Art - 6/10
Continuity - 10/10
Coolness - 6/10
OVERALL - 7/10
Continuity Notes:
Prodigal just came off as a little boring. Nothing much was really at stake. Only Dick Grayson still lacking confidence that he could be Batman. Plus a horribly drawn and written Two-Face doesn't help.
What makes 'Prodigal' good is the great relationship between the third Robin Tim Drake and Dick Grayson. It's a real brotherly relationship. Not the type where they have a lot in common, but one in which Dick has a lot of sympathy for Tim and understands him, as he has been there himself. The highlight however, is without a doubt, and it is a very minor character development spoiler, where Bruce actually speaks to Dick as a proud father, and it is clear that Dick responds as a son. A little touching moment in the life of the Dark Knight.
Although then end is a little abrupt, Bruce just showing up and reclaiming the mantle again with everything back to normal, but for me it was good enough and a fitting, if slow conclusion to the Knightfall Saga.
RATING:
Batman Story - 7/10
Art - 6/10
Continuity - 10/10
Coolness - 6/10
OVERALL - 7/10
Continuity Notes:
- Dick Grayson is Batman for a short time till Bruce returns
- We at least get to see a better, if unnecessary conclusion for the Ventriloquist since his appearance in 'Knightfall Volume 1.'