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Batman: Knightfall #3, 2012 Edition
Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 3: KnightsEnd
In the final chapter of this series, Bruce Wayne completes his improbable recovery from his broken back and is ready to resume his role as Gotham's protector. But Jean Paul Valley, the man who now patrols the night as a vicious and violent Batman, is not willing to give up his new identity. Driven to the brink of madness by inner demons, the new Batman seeks to destroy Bruce as they meet in mortal combat. But in the end, Bruce defeats Jean Paul both mentally and physically and reclaims his legendary cape and cowl.
This new edition includes many chapters of KNIGHTFALL never before collected.
Collects Batman #509-510, #512-514, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #29-30, 32-34, Detective Comics #676-677, #679-681, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #62-63, Robin #8-9, #11-13 and Catwoman #12-13.
This new edition includes many chapters of KNIGHTFALL never before collected.
Collects Batman #509-510, #512-514, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #29-30, 32-34, Detective Comics #676-677, #679-681, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #62-63, Robin #8-9, #11-13 and Catwoman #12-13.
647 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 1994
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,201 books842 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 - 30 of 147 reviews
November 22, 2022
Definitely stronger than the second volume. The best shit, IMO, was all of Bruce Wayne’s training with the badass Lady Shiva in order to reclaim his title as the Batman.
And Ratcatcher was fun too.
Ultimately, however, much like the previous two volumes, this was just too long and bloated, and the second half had a little too much filler for this to be any higher than 3 stars. Glad I finished up the trilogy though, it definitely had its moments.
And Ratcatcher was fun too.
Ultimately, however, much like the previous two volumes, this was just too long and bloated, and the second half had a little too much filler for this to be any higher than 3 stars. Glad I finished up the trilogy though, it definitely had its moments.
August 22, 2022
Not as strong as the preceding volumes, this one collects two major arcs: KnightsEnd featuring Bruce Wayne getting trained by Lady Shiva and, eventually, reclaiming the Mantle of the Bat, and Prodigal in which he promptly buggers off on short notice and leaves Dick Grayson to fill in as Batman.
All the crazy stuff with Azrael and the Two-Face gets released by a computer glitch was pretty great, the plate spinning by fighting ninjas and Tim Drake's tedious love life, less so.
Only in the world of comics is "Take off the costume" considered fighting words.
All the crazy stuff with Azrael and the Two-Face gets released by a computer glitch was pretty great, the plate spinning by fighting ninjas and Tim Drake's tedious love life, less so.
Only in the world of comics is "Take off the costume" considered fighting words.
November 17, 2020
Knightfall ends better than it's middle part, but can never live up to the start.
With Bruce back he decides it is time to take down azrael. So he does just that. Springing his plan into action he begins to train to be able to conquer the younger and stronger warrior. But will he have to kill to become stronger is the question? On top of that Bruce has to go on vacation for awhile so Dick takes over as Batman. This is a interesting idea that I guess only last few months and it's not nearly as good as later on when Dick takes over after Bruce "dies".
However, what i did enjoy was how Azrael defeat came and the aftermath. It was simple but more effective than some massive battle. Saying that too Bruce is kind of just weird here, not having confidence in himself at all. If you thought he doubted himself in Tom king's run, he's a super doubter here. Luckily that changes about half way through.
But this whole collection is just decent. Dick finding out who he really is, bruce becoming Batman again, Tim being...well Tim. It all feels very "reset button" type but it's enjoyable none the less. A 3 out of 5.
With Bruce back he decides it is time to take down azrael. So he does just that. Springing his plan into action he begins to train to be able to conquer the younger and stronger warrior. But will he have to kill to become stronger is the question? On top of that Bruce has to go on vacation for awhile so Dick takes over as Batman. This is a interesting idea that I guess only last few months and it's not nearly as good as later on when Dick takes over after Bruce "dies".
However, what i did enjoy was how Azrael defeat came and the aftermath. It was simple but more effective than some massive battle. Saying that too Bruce is kind of just weird here, not having confidence in himself at all. If you thought he doubted himself in Tom king's run, he's a super doubter here. Luckily that changes about half way through.
But this whole collection is just decent. Dick finding out who he really is, bruce becoming Batman again, Tim being...well Tim. It all feels very "reset button" type but it's enjoyable none the less. A 3 out of 5.
July 30, 2015
Some 1200 odd pages later, Nightwing finally shows up with the worst hairstyle in all of comics creation and asks bruce, hey why didn't you call me sooner dickbag, and that's a good question we could have avoided volume two altogether but it happened we need to move on.
This volume sees batsy training and taking on jean-paul, after reading volume two you do invest a lot of time with this character just for him to be pushed aside in this volume he's gone off the deep end, and the ending is so anti-climatic it's really disappointing.
Is it heaps better than volume 2, maybe because bruce is back and his training with shiva was interesting to read, they finally gave catwoman a personality, she is a lil firecracker she's awesome in this. Tim & dick's lil team up was fun to read even though dick gets the snot kicked outta him! (it's the hair grayson, the 90's were not kind to you)
If you've read the previous two you're gonna wanna know how it ends so you'll pick this one up, but there's no surprises.
The knightfall saga is considered required batman reading, and yes the first volume is good and it shows off how much of a badass bane is!
but volume 1 begins and ends with bane, and jean-paul is not that interesting of a character to really care what happens to him, this saga isn't so much about batman as it is about azrael.
I still liked the volumes, they weren't the worst things ever, they definitely had their moments and when it sucked it dragged but overall they were just ok.
This volume sees batsy training and taking on jean-paul, after reading volume two you do invest a lot of time with this character just for him to be pushed aside in this volume he's gone off the deep end, and the ending is so anti-climatic it's really disappointing.
Is it heaps better than volume 2, maybe because bruce is back and his training with shiva was interesting to read, they finally gave catwoman a personality, she is a lil firecracker she's awesome in this. Tim & dick's lil team up was fun to read even though dick gets the snot kicked outta him! (it's the hair grayson, the 90's were not kind to you)
If you've read the previous two you're gonna wanna know how it ends so you'll pick this one up, but there's no surprises.
The knightfall saga is considered required batman reading, and yes the first volume is good and it shows off how much of a badass bane is!
but volume 1 begins and ends with bane, and jean-paul is not that interesting of a character to really care what happens to him, this saga isn't so much about batman as it is about azrael.
I still liked the volumes, they weren't the worst things ever, they definitely had their moments and when it sucked it dragged but overall they were just ok.
October 5, 2023
Mixed bag of Bruce on the comeback trail to wear the Batman mantle again, Dick taking on the responsibility to be the Batman Gotham desperately needs with villains like the Ventriloquist, Killer Croc and Two- Face still at large and we have Tim Drake as Robin trying to juggle a life outside of the hero balanced with his role as Robin.
Phil Jimenez provides the most detailed and eye catching art in his Robin comic story stints. Bruce does come back and makes amends with Dick, but to me, Bruce Wayne IS Batman and though these stories are decent enough they all felt like placeholders to me.
Phil Jimenez provides the most detailed and eye catching art in his Robin comic story stints. Bruce does come back and makes amends with Dick, but to me, Bruce Wayne IS Batman and though these stories are decent enough they all felt like placeholders to me.
October 5, 2022
Amazing artwork and great action sequences...but the violence was brutal at times, and there was an excess of profanity.
September 12, 2012
After all of the build up and attention it received, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES finally hit the movie theaters this past summer, which I'm sure just about everyone has gone and seen for themselves by now. And how fitting that the wait finally came to an end, that the last new volume of Knighfall--or more appropriately Knightsend--has finally come out after this long. We waited and read the exquisite first volume Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 1, and then the hate-it-or-love-it affair with Jean Paul Valley in the follow up Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 2: Knightquest as advertisements for the film. While Knightfall got the entire story arc and vengeance of Bane collected, Knightsquest was the first time ever was collected (though not complete). Knightsend is a big deal, not because it has been collected in other trades before, but the big payoff in this new 2012 edition is the inclusion of the rare and pricey "Prodigal" trade. Is this new 2012 trade perfect? Close. Real close.
BATMAN: KNIGHTFALL VOL.3, KNIGHTSEND collects:
BATMAN 509-510 and 512-514
BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT 29-30 and 32-34
DETECTIVE COMICS 676-677 and 679-681
BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT 62-63
ROBIN 8-9 and 11-13
CATWOMAN 12-13
SHOWCASE 94 #10
Batman Knightsend picks up where vol.2 left off where Bruce has returned to Gotham and seen at his replacement, Jean Paul-Valley has gone overboard with the Batman persona and taking over Gotham with his form of justice. Bruce can't stand for Valley's rule, but is no match for him since he has forgotten much of his training, so he's in no position to fight Valley for title of Batman again. So Bruce decides to retrain under one of the most deadliest assassins in the DC Universe, Lady Shiva. After extensive training, Bruce returns to Gotham to take back the mantle of Batman. After Valley's defeat, Bruce suffers from his back problems again and reluctantly ask Dick Grayson to take up being Batman while Bruce heals.
After so much time out of the spot light, Bruce finally coming back is a breath of fresh air. If you read Knightsquest, you get so tired of Valley after awhile that you really want Bruce back, and it makes the build-up finally seeing it happen flawlessly. Seeing Bruce retrain himself and to the point of perfection again, as well as it clashing with his ideology of not killing is fascinating. It's all a huge buildup for the main event, with Bruce and Valley fighting in the Batcave. Unlike Knightsquest where so much focus was on Valley, it didn't have the same impact or enthusiasm like Knightfall had, and that's where Knightsend succeeds. It's all about the buildup and Knightsend is a fitting bookend.
Then there is the crème de la crème of this collection: Prodigal. If your one who read, enjoyed, and thought Batman: The Black Mirror was the first and ultimate Dick Grayson tale about taking on the mantle of Batman, you'll want to check this out. This is not only the first time Dick Grayson becomes Batman, but it does a couple of things to make it worth it's while. The first one is the connection of Bruce and Dick being father and son. The other is that this arc clears up many of the loose plots left over throughout the entire Knightfall saga. And thirdly, are the differences between Valley as Batman and Dick Grayson as Batman. For example; whereas Valley was arrogant and serious, Dick is more sincere and light-hearted. And yet, both characters openly admit just how difficult being Batman really is. Great read overall.
As for complaints, the first one is this: THIS IS NOT COMPLETE. Just like volume 2, this isn't complete, which is what every person wanted out of these new editions. What issues are missing are Batman #515, Shadow of the Bat #35, Detective Comics #682, and Robin #14. All four of these missing issues make up the "Troika" arc, where Bruce becomes Batman again with a new suit, new bat-mobile and overall better working relationship Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. Missing these last four issues not only are important and good, but without them, "Prodigal" ends on a cliffhanger because of it. Like volume 2, we all hoped these new editions would be complete, but the lack of a mere four issues to properly end the entire saga is let down. It overall keeps this collection from perfect.
Art is out of 1994 and 1995, so be prepared for this type of older art, as well as the same type of paper used from the other volumes. I grew up with this type of art and paper, so I don't mind it all. But if you've got volumes 1 & 2, then you'll know what to expect.
BATMAN VOL 3, KNIGHTSEND is not complete, so it doesn't quite get it perfect. But overall the massive amount of content for the money, added with great material, and the inclusion of the pricy and rare Prodigal makes this collection a saving grace. I'll give it an 4 ½ score review, just close to perfect. Overall, I'm very happy with all three new 2012 Knightfall editions, even if there is missing some of the content from volumes 2 & 3. I only ask that DC please reprint the remaining missing issues (and maybe lead-up issues to Knightfall) in another trade collection in the future. Once all the issues are collected, then the readers may have your permission to die. Happy reading, Bat-fans.
BATMAN: KNIGHTFALL VOL.3, KNIGHTSEND collects:
BATMAN 509-510 and 512-514
BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT 29-30 and 32-34
DETECTIVE COMICS 676-677 and 679-681
BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT 62-63
ROBIN 8-9 and 11-13
CATWOMAN 12-13
SHOWCASE 94 #10
Batman Knightsend picks up where vol.2 left off where Bruce has returned to Gotham and seen at his replacement, Jean Paul-Valley has gone overboard with the Batman persona and taking over Gotham with his form of justice. Bruce can't stand for Valley's rule, but is no match for him since he has forgotten much of his training, so he's in no position to fight Valley for title of Batman again. So Bruce decides to retrain under one of the most deadliest assassins in the DC Universe, Lady Shiva. After extensive training, Bruce returns to Gotham to take back the mantle of Batman. After Valley's defeat, Bruce suffers from his back problems again and reluctantly ask Dick Grayson to take up being Batman while Bruce heals.
After so much time out of the spot light, Bruce finally coming back is a breath of fresh air. If you read Knightsquest, you get so tired of Valley after awhile that you really want Bruce back, and it makes the build-up finally seeing it happen flawlessly. Seeing Bruce retrain himself and to the point of perfection again, as well as it clashing with his ideology of not killing is fascinating. It's all a huge buildup for the main event, with Bruce and Valley fighting in the Batcave. Unlike Knightsquest where so much focus was on Valley, it didn't have the same impact or enthusiasm like Knightfall had, and that's where Knightsend succeeds. It's all about the buildup and Knightsend is a fitting bookend.
Then there is the crème de la crème of this collection: Prodigal. If your one who read, enjoyed, and thought Batman: The Black Mirror was the first and ultimate Dick Grayson tale about taking on the mantle of Batman, you'll want to check this out. This is not only the first time Dick Grayson becomes Batman, but it does a couple of things to make it worth it's while. The first one is the connection of Bruce and Dick being father and son. The other is that this arc clears up many of the loose plots left over throughout the entire Knightfall saga. And thirdly, are the differences between Valley as Batman and Dick Grayson as Batman. For example; whereas Valley was arrogant and serious, Dick is more sincere and light-hearted. And yet, both characters openly admit just how difficult being Batman really is. Great read overall.
As for complaints, the first one is this: THIS IS NOT COMPLETE. Just like volume 2, this isn't complete, which is what every person wanted out of these new editions. What issues are missing are Batman #515, Shadow of the Bat #35, Detective Comics #682, and Robin #14. All four of these missing issues make up the "Troika" arc, where Bruce becomes Batman again with a new suit, new bat-mobile and overall better working relationship Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. Missing these last four issues not only are important and good, but without them, "Prodigal" ends on a cliffhanger because of it. Like volume 2, we all hoped these new editions would be complete, but the lack of a mere four issues to properly end the entire saga is let down. It overall keeps this collection from perfect.
Art is out of 1994 and 1995, so be prepared for this type of older art, as well as the same type of paper used from the other volumes. I grew up with this type of art and paper, so I don't mind it all. But if you've got volumes 1 & 2, then you'll know what to expect.
BATMAN VOL 3, KNIGHTSEND is not complete, so it doesn't quite get it perfect. But overall the massive amount of content for the money, added with great material, and the inclusion of the pricy and rare Prodigal makes this collection a saving grace. I'll give it an 4 ½ score review, just close to perfect. Overall, I'm very happy with all three new 2012 Knightfall editions, even if there is missing some of the content from volumes 2 & 3. I only ask that DC please reprint the remaining missing issues (and maybe lead-up issues to Knightfall) in another trade collection in the future. Once all the issues are collected, then the readers may have your permission to die. Happy reading, Bat-fans.
August 9, 2015
Bruce finally comes back, goes to some crazy training at Shiva's hand and then proceeds to kick Jean-Paul's ass.
Yeah for Bruce !
The Bruce has to leave again and leaves Dick in charge and we finally see a worthy successor to Bruce as Batman.
Better than the second volume but we need Bruce in charge !
Yeah for Bruce !
The Bruce has to leave again and leaves Dick in charge and we finally see a worthy successor to Bruce as Batman.
Better than the second volume but we need Bruce in charge !
July 15, 2015
Really, really long....
March 21, 2013
Another monster volume drawing the (overly long) Knightfall storyline to a close. Bruce is back, and has claimed the cowl back from Jean Paul Valley. And that's roughly halfway through this volume. The rest of the book is Dick Grayson's first stint as Batman, with Tim Drake as Robin. It was this second half of the book that I really enjoyed. Dick really does make a good Batman, and it's a shame that comic conventions means he'll only get to take that role on briefly every decade or so. Tim's my favorite Robin, and I always like seeing him and Dick interact. The book does close with a fairly nice talk between Bruce and Dick as Bruce takes on the cowl full time again, but most of the writing is so, so 90s. Decent enough, for the time, but a little overblown today. The same goes for the art, which varies from pretty decent to horrible. The last issue in particular had some really bad panels. This is way, way too much book for a casual read, especially since you really do need to have read the other two Knightfall bricks to really understand what's going on. There's roughly 2000 pages put together, after all. As a whole, the storyline did have a good basic idea, and much of what it actually accomplished is good, but it was stretched out way, way too long.
May 24, 2023
The 3⭐️ is for Prodigal. The rest is 2⭐️ let���s be honest.
April 14, 2023
A decent ending to the Knightfall saga. I have to say that Batman’s recovery from having a broken back went from wheelchair in one issue to fighting various ninjas in the next issue so it felt like I must have missed something, but I guess that was just the plot. I really think having at least one issue focus on rehabilitation would have really served the story better, but other than that, this was a fun read.
June 21, 2017
I'm just happy this arc was done. I HATE Azrael, I can't emphasize this enough. But as much as I appreciated the Bats coming back to take on the mantle of Gotham, I couldn't help but feel I missed something. How did Bruce find Mr. Drake then? Where did Alfred go? Where did Dr. Kinsolving go? It must have been in some issue around this arc, but it wasn't in the collected edition. Where did Bruce go when he left a bruised and battered Gotham in Nightwing's hands? As much as I like Nightwing, I did think Bruce was just slacking off at this point.
Positives? Nightwing as Batman/Robin team-up. Catwoman. The two Batmen I could have done without - even Bruce, because somehow all the talk of taking back Gotham felt like crime bosses dividing up the city. Anyway, it's done.
Positives? Nightwing as Batman/Robin team-up. Catwoman. The two Batmen I could have done without - even Bruce, because somehow all the talk of taking back Gotham felt like crime bosses dividing up the city. Anyway, it's done.
April 10, 2023
Batman: Knightfall Volume 3 - Knightsend by Chuck Dixon is the final chapter in the epic series that covered 2 years of comics. Knightfall started with the super villain Bane breaking every inmate of Arkham Asylum. Where Bruce Wayne - Batman works tirelessly to arrest every criminal, Bane then confronts a weakened Batman and breaks his back. Bruce must make a quick decision to find a replacement and pick Azrael - John Paul Valley a former brainwashed assassin Bruce and Tim Drake - Robin have been working with. He takes down Bane but shuts Robin out as he slowly starts to go insane, which lead us to this chapter with Bruce Wayne's back now heeled can he take down his former protege that is besmirching the Batman name. The story is split into two parts Knightsend and Prodigal Son. Both parts are good and have a clear beginning and end to each. This book was the easiest to read and the story had a clear vision on where it was going. At 642 pages this was one of the longest book but the best paced by far. The main villains are Killer Croc, Catwoman, Two-Face, Scarface, The Tally Man, and Lady Shiva, but the big fight is Batman vs. Batman. This is the first book that really starts the Bat family as Dick Grayson/1st Robin now Nightwing is brought back and confronted about why he left being Robin and Why Bruce did not choose him to be the new Batman.Batman: Knightfall Volume 3 - Knightsend collects issues Batman #509-510, #512-514, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #29-30, 32-34, Detective Comics #676-677, #679-681, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #62-63, Robin #8-9, #11-13 and Catwoman #12-13.
Plot Summary: Bruce Wayne is healed after breaking his back in a fight with Bane, he's decided to give up being Batman, but when he's what Azrael has done as the new Batman purposely letting a criminal die to make a point. Bruce Wayne decides he must retake the mantle, but his body and muscle memory are not up to the task. He gets Lady Shiva to help him, after a couple of weeks she thinks he's ready, for what he doesn't know. Lady Shiva murders a master and pins it on Bruce Wayne who sends all his students on a mission to avenge his death. Bruce must beat all these student who are now masters themselves who are all set to kill. After each one he takes down his strength and confidence increase until he's ready to fight Azrael as Batman. He has enlisted the help of Nightwing and Tim to track him as Bruce takes him down. Azrael is convinced that a Gotham gunrunner is the man who killed his father and is out for blood can Batman stop Batman before he kills again. This story has two parts the summary is just part 1.
What I Liked: The Batman and Nightwing conversation about why he didn't get asked to take over the role of Batman is great. The conversation borders on both love and hate. The Batman vs Batman fight on top of the bridge was pretty epic. I liked the Azrael solo story after the big fight. I liked how many nods to the murder of Jason Todd and how everyone missed him and he was a big part of the missing family. The Two Face storyline started out ridiculous but was one of the better stories and ended really well. I really like the return of the Tally Man, and we see the damage Azrael did to him as the unhinged Batman. The master reveal was interesting and very 70's shaolin movie. The Shadow of the Bat has hands down the best art. I like the new Batsuit at the end which looked the closest to the Tim Burton Batsuit.
What I Disliked: The ending of the Batman vs. Batman in the Batcave, it was too easy and Azrael got off way too easy. Two Face getting released on a name technicality was really hard to believe, number one is was a former District Attorney and number two half of his face is covered in acid burns. The name is Harvey Kent it was pretty ridiculous.
Recommendation: Knightsend had the best Volume 1 and 2, my favorite single volume is Knightfall Part 1, But this is the best of the Knightfall graphic novels. As a kid I started reading the series but fell off, it's a lot of comics on a 12 and 13 year-old allowance. It has been fun to revisit as an adult. I rated Batman: Knightfall Volume 3 Knightsend by Chuck Dixon 4 out of 5 stars. This book was really close to 4.5 stars but not enough to push it up to 5 stars. The series as a whole I would give a 4 out of 5 star, there was only one volume in the series that was 3 stars with the rest being 4 stars.
Plot Summary: Bruce Wayne is healed after breaking his back in a fight with Bane, he's decided to give up being Batman, but when he's what Azrael has done as the new Batman purposely letting a criminal die to make a point. Bruce Wayne decides he must retake the mantle, but his body and muscle memory are not up to the task. He gets Lady Shiva to help him, after a couple of weeks she thinks he's ready, for what he doesn't know. Lady Shiva murders a master and pins it on Bruce Wayne who sends all his students on a mission to avenge his death. Bruce must beat all these student who are now masters themselves who are all set to kill. After each one he takes down his strength and confidence increase until he's ready to fight Azrael as Batman. He has enlisted the help of Nightwing and Tim to track him as Bruce takes him down. Azrael is convinced that a Gotham gunrunner is the man who killed his father and is out for blood can Batman stop Batman before he kills again. This story has two parts the summary is just part 1.
What I Liked: The Batman and Nightwing conversation about why he didn't get asked to take over the role of Batman is great. The conversation borders on both love and hate. The Batman vs Batman fight on top of the bridge was pretty epic. I liked the Azrael solo story after the big fight. I liked how many nods to the murder of Jason Todd and how everyone missed him and he was a big part of the missing family. The Two Face storyline started out ridiculous but was one of the better stories and ended really well. I really like the return of the Tally Man, and we see the damage Azrael did to him as the unhinged Batman. The master reveal was interesting and very 70's shaolin movie. The Shadow of the Bat has hands down the best art. I like the new Batsuit at the end which looked the closest to the Tim Burton Batsuit.
What I Disliked: The ending of the Batman vs. Batman in the Batcave, it was too easy and Azrael got off way too easy. Two Face getting released on a name technicality was really hard to believe, number one is was a former District Attorney and number two half of his face is covered in acid burns. The name is Harvey Kent it was pretty ridiculous.
Recommendation: Knightsend had the best Volume 1 and 2, my favorite single volume is Knightfall Part 1, But this is the best of the Knightfall graphic novels. As a kid I started reading the series but fell off, it's a lot of comics on a 12 and 13 year-old allowance. It has been fun to revisit as an adult. I rated Batman: Knightfall Volume 3 Knightsend by Chuck Dixon 4 out of 5 stars. This book was really close to 4.5 stars but not enough to push it up to 5 stars. The series as a whole I would give a 4 out of 5 star, there was only one volume in the series that was 3 stars with the rest being 4 stars.
August 11, 2023
This book ends the road taken after Bane has hurt Batman so bad his shoes had to be filled by JPV and his Azrael/Batman really scared the living daylights out of Gothams gangsters and crazies.
Nightwing takes up the Batman’s cape because Bruce is not yet ready to take up his reign again. Bruce has to find his courage and battle skills. Commissioner Gordon does no longer have faith in the Batman, he knows that the latest is not as tall but faithful to Batman’s principles so he decides to accept him for now.
A long story that started strong became a bit meh and then took too bloody long to finish. The original idea was splendid but the continuing story was too often repetitive and just not interesting.
That said I finally got to read the complete tale when so many years ago I stopped reading Batman at this point. Glad I did Will probably not repeat the experience.
Next I will have to figure out this New 52 stuff.
Nightwing takes up the Batman’s cape because Bruce is not yet ready to take up his reign again. Bruce has to find his courage and battle skills. Commissioner Gordon does no longer have faith in the Batman, he knows that the latest is not as tall but faithful to Batman’s principles so he decides to accept him for now.
A long story that started strong became a bit meh and then took too bloody long to finish. The original idea was splendid but the continuing story was too often repetitive and just not interesting.
That said I finally got to read the complete tale when so many years ago I stopped reading Batman at this point. Glad I did Will probably not repeat the experience.
Next I will have to figure out this New 52 stuff.
February 14, 2015
A fitting end to the trilogy.I really enjoyed each volume.Learned a lot about Nightwing and his ties to Bruce Wayne and also got to see Nightwing take up the mantle of the bat.I also enjoyed learning more about Robin.This series was a fine edition to the DC Universe.
September 26, 2019
Way better than vol. 2, and I almost feel like you can skip vol. 2 and go right into this ....the deterioration of Azrael and the final confrontation with Batman was worth it.
February 26, 2020
This is a considerable step up from Knightfall Vol. 2, which I found to be an interminable, seemingly intentionally unlikable comic. However, the stink of Jean Paul Valley's Batman is still all over this volume, no matter how refreshing it is to see the return of Bruce Wayne, and Dick Grayson finally don the batsuit (which he should have done from the get-go). This story just can't pull itself out of the depths the last one left us in.
The first half of this immense book is the titular "Knightsend" storyline. Bruce Wayne has finally returned from his international travels, and, with the help of Nightwing and Robin, seeks to take down Valley, who has gone completely insane (something he did, oh, 800 pages ago?). The battle that ensues is big, widescreen action across basically every Bat-franchise DC had at the time, and it's honestly pretty satisfying to watch it all play out. I flew through those pages, mostly excited to finally see Valley's inevitable downfall.
Once Bruce triumphs, though, things don't necessarily pick up. He takes another trip for no discernible reason (it's never explained), and leaves the cowl with Dick Grayson this time. I mean, that's fine, it's nice to see what Dick would do as Batman for a few issues, but the ensuing "Prodigal" storyline is a full 12 issues long. Unfortunately, this just simply wears out its welcome. There's no central villain or goal for Dick or his Robin, Tim Drake, during this storyline. He's just fighting whichever villain comes along, accomplishing nothing in particular. It doesn't really feel like it tells us anything about Dick as Batman, and also doesn't have a central plot driver of its own. As such, it just kind of feels like a weird stalling tactic to delay the actual return of Bruce even longer. I don't get the decision, and after a period, wasn't having any fun reading it.
So, Knightfall essentially comes to a conclusion here (though Batman: Troika is often considered the true conclusion), and what a weird ride its been. One of the all-time classic Batman storylines kicks it off, while instantly falling apart with two neverending, pointless, poorly-conceived followups. I'd still recommend reading volume 1, but there's really no reason to continue after that. It's all just a big, bland mess.
The first half of this immense book is the titular "Knightsend" storyline. Bruce Wayne has finally returned from his international travels, and, with the help of Nightwing and Robin, seeks to take down Valley, who has gone completely insane (something he did, oh, 800 pages ago?). The battle that ensues is big, widescreen action across basically every Bat-franchise DC had at the time, and it's honestly pretty satisfying to watch it all play out. I flew through those pages, mostly excited to finally see Valley's inevitable downfall.
Once Bruce triumphs, though, things don't necessarily pick up. He takes another trip for no discernible reason (it's never explained), and leaves the cowl with Dick Grayson this time. I mean, that's fine, it's nice to see what Dick would do as Batman for a few issues, but the ensuing "Prodigal" storyline is a full 12 issues long. Unfortunately, this just simply wears out its welcome. There's no central villain or goal for Dick or his Robin, Tim Drake, during this storyline. He's just fighting whichever villain comes along, accomplishing nothing in particular. It doesn't really feel like it tells us anything about Dick as Batman, and also doesn't have a central plot driver of its own. As such, it just kind of feels like a weird stalling tactic to delay the actual return of Bruce even longer. I don't get the decision, and after a period, wasn't having any fun reading it.
So, Knightfall essentially comes to a conclusion here (though Batman: Troika is often considered the true conclusion), and what a weird ride its been. One of the all-time classic Batman storylines kicks it off, while instantly falling apart with two neverending, pointless, poorly-conceived followups. I'd still recommend reading volume 1, but there's really no reason to continue after that. It's all just a big, bland mess.
July 7, 2022
Vol #3 is the last in the knightfall series and is my least favorite out of the 3. It starts off strong but loses my interest during the end kinda becomes stale. Few things I do like though, Batman vs Batman is awesome though I wish it was a little more fleshed out, we also get the first appearance of steeljacket who's a very interesting and cool batman/Robin foe. KGbeast makes a cameo which is sick as he's gotta be in the top 5 best Batman villains though I wish they would have used him for more then just a cameo....Overall it's decent, totally worth the read for any Batman fans especially if you have or plan on starting Vol1/Vol2.
September 23, 2018
I MADE IT. I FINALLY FUCKING FINISHED IT!!
Was it worth it? Yes, I think. The first volume is fantastic and I understand why it's such an essential batman story. But volume 2 was ABSOLUTE SHITE I had to force myself to finish it I was so close to just DNF it. Volume 3 was alright. If you love batman and like bane this is a story you'll want to read but I would honestly suggest just skipping volume 2 entirely just spoil yourself and go straight to volume 3. Anyhow I'm so incredibly happy to be done with this what 2000 pages long arc? I'm excited to get to No Man's Land next.
Was it worth it? Yes, I think. The first volume is fantastic and I understand why it's such an essential batman story. But volume 2 was ABSOLUTE SHITE I had to force myself to finish it I was so close to just DNF it. Volume 3 was alright. If you love batman and like bane this is a story you'll want to read but I would honestly suggest just skipping volume 2 entirely just spoil yourself and go straight to volume 3. Anyhow I'm so incredibly happy to be done with this what 2000 pages long arc? I'm excited to get to No Man's Land next.
December 8, 2014
Quando il Cavaliere Oscuro cade... su una buccia di banana
Giunto all'ultimo capitolo di una delle saghe supereroistiche piú conosciute degli anni '90 posso dire senza ombra di dubbio che il giudizio complessivo é assai modesto. Per chi non lo sapesse, Knightfall é la saga che ha ispirato (in parte) l'ultimo film della trilogia di Nolan su Batman, riprendendo il personaggio di Bane.
SPOILER!!!Sinossi semiseria degli eventi dei tre capitoliSPOILER!!!
In breve (2000 e passa pagine) la storia narra del primo fallimento personale di Batman. Personale nel senso che viene spezzato come Apollo Creed in Rocky IV da giustappunto Bane (ce ne sono di precedenti come la morte del primo Robin, Jason Todd, o la gambizzazione della figlia di Gordon, ma lá al massimo Batman si fa un taglietto con la lima per le unghie). Indi per cui Bruce Wayne va a farsi una vacanza per farsi ricrescere la spina dorsale e lascia il mantello al villain della saga precedente (Batman: Sword of Azrael), un biondone a cui una setta di assassini/giustizieri medievali ha rimestato per bene nel cervello e che Batman ha cercato di rimettere in piedi con tanto amore. Il novello Cavaliere Oscuro prima fa fuori Bane (nel senso che lo smazzula di cazzotti) e poi si mette a fare il ras del quartiere, facendo subito vedere che lui é uno psicopatico (cioé piú psicopatico di quanto una serie di personaggi a cui piace girare di notte in calzamaglia giá non sia). Seguono una serie di mazzulamenti di nemici random di Batman che si stupiscono di quanto egli sia diventato piú kattivo. Quando ormai la palpebra é pronto a chiudersi sigillata da una colata di Bostick, ecco che torna il nostro che mazzula il mazzulatore di Bane e si riprende lo scettro di reuccio del quartierino. Poi se ne va di nuovo (ha bisogno di un'altra vacanza) e lascia il mantello al secondo Robin (c'é pure il terzo che gira fringuello per tutte e tre i capitoli), Dick Grayson, che si é fatto grande ed ha deciso di farsi il suo costume ridicolo da solo, Nightwing, ma quando indossa la tuta con inserti gialli bene in vista (per non essere investito la notte dalle macchine che passano sui tetti, non si sa mai) se ne innamora un po' come la tipa col maglione lavato con Perlana. Poi Bruce torna di nuovo e reclama di nuovo il mantello con tanto di scena padre/figlio metaforici con Nightwing che peró fa tanto omo.
FINE SPOILER!!! NO SCHERZO CONTINUA!!!
Insomma, un chiodo schiaccia chiodo che si chiude riportandoci alla status quo iniziale (cosa che tanto andava negli anni '90, saghe di fantastilioni di pagine per dire poi "Ehi raga, ma davvero non é successo niente"). Il tutto sarebbe godibile se non fosse per un grande difetto. La forza di Batman é nel suo popolo di freaks (a cui lo stesso Batman appartiene). Ora questi freaks farebbero rivoltarci sulla sedia dalle risate se non fosse che gli autori che si sono susseguiti nel tempo (Miller, Loeb, Grant, Morrison e compagnia cantante) non avessero lavorato di cesello sulla personalitá dei personaggi, sulle loro manie, sulle loro psicosi e dulcis in fundo sulle loro motivazioni (c'avete mai pensato che il posto piú rappresentativo del Batverse é un manicomio, Arkham? Pensatecevelo). Ora il problema di questa lunghissima saga é che i due main villains di psicosi/manie/motivazioni ce ne hanno ben poche. Bane sappiamo essere uno sgarzulo cresciuto in cattivitá in un carcere sudamericano super cazzuto che lo ha fatto diventare tanto cattivo quanto se non andasse in bagno per una settimana. Ok. Ma poi mica si capisce perché si fissa con Gotham e Batman. Ad un certo punto decide che deve essere la sua nemesi. Cosí come se io mi alzassi un giorno e decidessi che vado a lavorare solo i giorni pari. Chili e chili di sopraccigli alzati insomma. Poi arriva Jean Paul Valley, quello a cui hanno fritto il cervello, ed anche questo ha l'appeal di un mandarino scaduto nell'84. Lui é pazzo, c'ha le visioni e quindi deve mazzulare a destra ed a manca. Peró insomma, oltre ai momenti LSD il personaggio poteva essere un minimo approfondito, che ne so: uno spruzzo di flashback, un dilemma morale anche d'accatto, un minimo di situazione in divenire. No pronti partenza, Bane fuori in due secondi. Tutta la parte centrale della saga infatti poteva vedere lo scontro fra i due piuttosto che una serie di scontri insulsi, tipo con l'Uomo Trampolino o Faccia Degomma, in cui JPJ fa sempre le stesse cose. Arriva, mazzula e poi ha le visioni che gli dicono che é un imbecille (proiezioni degli autori resosi conto della schifezza di personaggio che hanno creato? Probabile). Quello che voglio dire che se ai freaks di Batman gli si toglie la loro freakness il risultato risulta essere piú ridicolo che altro. Ed infatti qua si ride abbastanza.
Lo stile grafico invece é quello tipico della metá degli anni '80 (nonostante sia della metá dei '90) e cioé super-coatto. La palette cromatica é dominata dal giallo/blu/rosso accesi, con dei colori che ricordano molto i film di Burton ma soprattutto la serie televisiva degli anni '60, in una rincorsa al contrario dei diversi media. Peró alla fine va anche bene, basta mettersi un paio di occhiali da sole. Per il resto invece no.
Giunto all'ultimo capitolo di una delle saghe supereroistiche piú conosciute degli anni '90 posso dire senza ombra di dubbio che il giudizio complessivo é assai modesto. Per chi non lo sapesse, Knightfall é la saga che ha ispirato (in parte) l'ultimo film della trilogia di Nolan su Batman, riprendendo il personaggio di Bane.
SPOILER!!!Sinossi semiseria degli eventi dei tre capitoliSPOILER!!!
In breve (2000 e passa pagine) la storia narra del primo fallimento personale di Batman. Personale nel senso che viene spezzato come Apollo Creed in Rocky IV da giustappunto Bane (ce ne sono di precedenti come la morte del primo Robin, Jason Todd, o la gambizzazione della figlia di Gordon, ma lá al massimo Batman si fa un taglietto con la lima per le unghie). Indi per cui Bruce Wayne va a farsi una vacanza per farsi ricrescere la spina dorsale e lascia il mantello al villain della saga precedente (Batman: Sword of Azrael), un biondone a cui una setta di assassini/giustizieri medievali ha rimestato per bene nel cervello e che Batman ha cercato di rimettere in piedi con tanto amore. Il novello Cavaliere Oscuro prima fa fuori Bane (nel senso che lo smazzula di cazzotti) e poi si mette a fare il ras del quartiere, facendo subito vedere che lui é uno psicopatico (cioé piú psicopatico di quanto una serie di personaggi a cui piace girare di notte in calzamaglia giá non sia). Seguono una serie di mazzulamenti di nemici random di Batman che si stupiscono di quanto egli sia diventato piú kattivo. Quando ormai la palpebra é pronto a chiudersi sigillata da una colata di Bostick, ecco che torna il nostro che mazzula il mazzulatore di Bane e si riprende lo scettro di reuccio del quartierino. Poi se ne va di nuovo (ha bisogno di un'altra vacanza) e lascia il mantello al secondo Robin (c'é pure il terzo che gira fringuello per tutte e tre i capitoli), Dick Grayson, che si é fatto grande ed ha deciso di farsi il suo costume ridicolo da solo, Nightwing, ma quando indossa la tuta con inserti gialli bene in vista (per non essere investito la notte dalle macchine che passano sui tetti, non si sa mai) se ne innamora un po' come la tipa col maglione lavato con Perlana. Poi Bruce torna di nuovo e reclama di nuovo il mantello con tanto di scena padre/figlio metaforici con Nightwing che peró fa tanto omo.
FINE SPOILER!!! NO SCHERZO CONTINUA!!!
Insomma, un chiodo schiaccia chiodo che si chiude riportandoci alla status quo iniziale (cosa che tanto andava negli anni '90, saghe di fantastilioni di pagine per dire poi "Ehi raga, ma davvero non é successo niente"). Il tutto sarebbe godibile se non fosse per un grande difetto. La forza di Batman é nel suo popolo di freaks (a cui lo stesso Batman appartiene). Ora questi freaks farebbero rivoltarci sulla sedia dalle risate se non fosse che gli autori che si sono susseguiti nel tempo (Miller, Loeb, Grant, Morrison e compagnia cantante) non avessero lavorato di cesello sulla personalitá dei personaggi, sulle loro manie, sulle loro psicosi e dulcis in fundo sulle loro motivazioni (c'avete mai pensato che il posto piú rappresentativo del Batverse é un manicomio, Arkham? Pensatecevelo). Ora il problema di questa lunghissima saga é che i due main villains di psicosi/manie/motivazioni ce ne hanno ben poche. Bane sappiamo essere uno sgarzulo cresciuto in cattivitá in un carcere sudamericano super cazzuto che lo ha fatto diventare tanto cattivo quanto se non andasse in bagno per una settimana. Ok. Ma poi mica si capisce perché si fissa con Gotham e Batman. Ad un certo punto decide che deve essere la sua nemesi. Cosí come se io mi alzassi un giorno e decidessi che vado a lavorare solo i giorni pari. Chili e chili di sopraccigli alzati insomma. Poi arriva Jean Paul Valley, quello a cui hanno fritto il cervello, ed anche questo ha l'appeal di un mandarino scaduto nell'84. Lui é pazzo, c'ha le visioni e quindi deve mazzulare a destra ed a manca. Peró insomma, oltre ai momenti LSD il personaggio poteva essere un minimo approfondito, che ne so: uno spruzzo di flashback, un dilemma morale anche d'accatto, un minimo di situazione in divenire. No pronti partenza, Bane fuori in due secondi. Tutta la parte centrale della saga infatti poteva vedere lo scontro fra i due piuttosto che una serie di scontri insulsi, tipo con l'Uomo Trampolino o Faccia Degomma, in cui JPJ fa sempre le stesse cose. Arriva, mazzula e poi ha le visioni che gli dicono che é un imbecille (proiezioni degli autori resosi conto della schifezza di personaggio che hanno creato? Probabile). Quello che voglio dire che se ai freaks di Batman gli si toglie la loro freakness il risultato risulta essere piú ridicolo che altro. Ed infatti qua si ride abbastanza.
Lo stile grafico invece é quello tipico della metá degli anni '80 (nonostante sia della metá dei '90) e cioé super-coatto. La palette cromatica é dominata dal giallo/blu/rosso accesi, con dei colori che ricordano molto i film di Burton ma soprattutto la serie televisiva degli anni '60, in una rincorsa al contrario dei diversi media. Peró alla fine va anche bene, basta mettersi un paio di occhiali da sole. Per il resto invece no.
January 22, 2016
I wanted to REALLY like this book. I remember reading the whole Knightfall series when I was younger. It has not aged well in the intervening years. I sometimes forget that the passage of time has NOT been kind to the 90's. I find that I have trouble with books that were written pre-90's- crappy artwork, crappy stories and crappy dialogue hamper enjoyment of the tales from the 70's and 80's (with a few notable exceptions). I expect that the industry got it's act together in the '90s. But perhaps that was nostalgia talking. This ends the run of Azrael as Batman after Bane broke Bruce Wayne's back. This volume follows the events leading to Batman taking his mantle back. The artwork is not bad, in fact it's actually quite good considering the time period in which its drawn- with a few exceptions: (1) Azrael's Batman costume, actually armor, is a jagged mess. It's supposed to be intimidating with a lot of razor sharp edges..and on his gauntlets and his wrist guards that makes sense (Batman's costume has them on his wrist) but the unnecessary ones on the rest of his costume are not only impractical and stupid, but in this day and age make him look like a fool. (2) The insistence on having idiotic haircuts- Nightwing with a doofy ponytail is so damn annoying. (3) I don't know if it's lazy coloring (and editing-hello editor do your job) but why does Azrael's armor change from batman-like colors to red right after a fire? WTF? There is some interesting stuff going on but the writing sometimes seems trite. From describing martial arts that are simply made up like "August Silence school"..no really...that's what these idiot writers thought would pass for an exotic martial art. Jesus..there are literally dozens of exotic martial arts to choose from and they came up with THIS? Why not Sunday School Snowcone style? Also its obvious that these writers HAD NO CLUE about any of the arts they were babbling about- from the action scenes to the way these people are trained. Not to mention the fact that if Azraels Batsuit-armor was made of steel ummmmmm why do batman, and later Nightwing keep punching him in the face with their fists? Really? Even as strong as Batman is -I doubt he's doing anything by punching a guy in the face who is wearing a steel armored facemask.But enough..I know that writers like Dennis O'Niell and Chuck Dixon were quite influential and important in the 90's but I fail to be impressed. It's just not good writing. This could have been an epic story and even with the bad writing the sheer scope and originality of it rates a three..but the ending is weird (Batman lets Azarel go with a stern "don't come back" and thats it?)not to mention things like why is batman training with Lady Shiva who is a notorious assassin? This volume had a LOT more in there than just the end of the Azrael/Batman story. Some stupid Catwoman and Robin stories are thrown in too. Yayy. Finally this massive (650+ pages) ends with the Prodigal storyline-where Bruce goes somewhere (its never explained)..and Nightwing poses as Batman, and with Robin they fight some minor characters and Two-Face. Then it ends with a costume change for Bruce upon return-the best part? You don't get to see the change. Factoring in the huge size and additional storylines and the huge disparity in art quality especially in the later issues I downgraded this to two stars.
So I can't say I hated it..and my review seems negative because I was expecting so much more..but to be fair it's worth reading. Just don't blame me if you find certain aspects irritating. For myself I'm sticking to the new millennium (2000's on) for my stories. No wonder comics took such a huge hit in the 90's and many companies went belly up or almost bankrupt.
So I can't say I hated it..and my review seems negative because I was expecting so much more..but to be fair it's worth reading. Just don't blame me if you find certain aspects irritating. For myself I'm sticking to the new millennium (2000's on) for my stories. No wonder comics took such a huge hit in the 90's and many companies went belly up or almost bankrupt.
January 30, 2015
To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy this last volume after realizing that the Azrael storyline wraps up within the first quarter of the book. But…I’ve always been a huge fan of Dick Grayson and the dynamics between him, Tim Drake and Bruce Wayne made this both an enjoyable and very satisfying finale. This third volume wraps up the Azrael storyline with the confrontation between Jean Paul Valley and Bruce Wayne and then follows the Prodigal Son storyline in which Dick Grayson steps in for Bruce Wayne as Batman while Bruce sorts out what he wants Batman to be. The final confrontation between Azrael and Bruce-Batman is very quick, almost disappointingly so. After seeing the carnage that Azrael wrought in the second volume, I wanted an ass kicking. But maybe that was the point. It does highlight the differences between Valley and Wayne and Valley once again looks like a complete emotional wreck.
The rest of the book follows Grayson as he temporarily steps into Wayne’s shoes as Batman. Grayson is a different Batman, less severe than Bruce and also less obsessively dedicated to it. I have to say that I think Tim Drake is the most interesting Robin. Even with Bruce, he’s more of an equal partner than a sidekick and I really liked that. It was interesting to see how Tim and Dick meshed as partners and I liked that Dick wasn't hesitant to both trust Tim’s opinion and respect him as an equal. One of the main parts of the Prodigal storyline is Dick having to confront the past in the form of Two Face.
It’s not that it’s a bad story…I just didn't find it a particularly compelling one. It did make Dick really question whether he has good enough, which was interesting but it just lacked something for me. After that though, Dick struggles to find motivation to keep fighting night after night and it was interesting to see how awkward it was for him to be Batman rather than Robin or Nightwing. What truly made this volume good though was the conversation Bruce and Dick have at the end where they resolve hurt feelings over Dick’s transition to Nightwing and Bruce’s strange decision to choose Jean Paul Valley as a successor rather than Dick Grayson. There was a pretty damn heartwarming moment there at the end and sentimental idiot that I am, I loved it.
If you made it through the ridiculous second volume, this one is worth a read. Although…I’d really like to know what the hell Bruce meant at the very end about the changes. Not sure it’d be enough to make me hunt down the next issues but it definitely made me curious.
The rest of the book follows Grayson as he temporarily steps into Wayne’s shoes as Batman. Grayson is a different Batman, less severe than Bruce and also less obsessively dedicated to it. I have to say that I think Tim Drake is the most interesting Robin. Even with Bruce, he’s more of an equal partner than a sidekick and I really liked that. It was interesting to see how Tim and Dick meshed as partners and I liked that Dick wasn't hesitant to both trust Tim’s opinion and respect him as an equal. One of the main parts of the Prodigal storyline is Dick having to confront the past in the form of Two Face.
It’s not that it’s a bad story…I just didn't find it a particularly compelling one. It did make Dick really question whether he has good enough, which was interesting but it just lacked something for me. After that though, Dick struggles to find motivation to keep fighting night after night and it was interesting to see how awkward it was for him to be Batman rather than Robin or Nightwing. What truly made this volume good though was the conversation Bruce and Dick have at the end where they resolve hurt feelings over Dick’s transition to Nightwing and Bruce’s strange decision to choose Jean Paul Valley as a successor rather than Dick Grayson. There was a pretty damn heartwarming moment there at the end and sentimental idiot that I am, I loved it.
If you made it through the ridiculous second volume, this one is worth a read. Although…I’d really like to know what the hell Bruce meant at the very end about the changes. Not sure it’d be enough to make me hunt down the next issues but it definitely made me curious.
June 3, 2017
KNIGHTSEND, the return of Bruce Wayne as Batman, is the most tightly written of the Knightfall trilogy, but it's not without its faults. Jean-Paul Valley, aka Batman 2.0, aka AzBats, was presented to readers before KNIGHTFALL—in SWORD OF AZRAEL—as a zealot who was mentally unstable due to brainwashing. He goes off the deep end near the end of KNIGHTQUEST and, in KNIGHTSEND, decides the deep end wasn't deep enough and does a cannonball into the Challenger Deep.
Given Valley's already-precarious mental state, and the KNIGHTSEND symbol in the upper right of every issue, which shows AzBats' symbol breaking apart to reveal Bruce Wayne's classic Batman iconography beneath it, his defeat was a foregone conclusion. That's half good, half bad. Valley was never a good Batman. His reckless violence and growing propensity to kill made him more a Punisher figure than a Batman. We've got a Punisher. We need a Batman. Nevertheless, one could argue that every page and panel from the time Bruce Wayne appoints him to stand in as Batman to the end of KNIGHTSEND when Bruce literally sends him away sniffing and sniveling like a baby was a giant waste of time, an aimless story arc overtly designed to sell issues between 1993-94.
But that would be disingenuous because, again, KNIGHTSEND has a lot going for it. KNIGHTFALL dragged at points; one can only watch Bruce Wayne stagger around complaining of exhaustion and uttering over-the-top lines straight out of the cheesiest noir films for so long before begging Bane to break the man's back so we can move on already. KNIGHTQUEST, while interesting, has always been a pain to wrangle. Splitting it into two sub stories (The Crusade and The Search) made it difficult to follow and, like KNIGHTFALL, it plodded along at points.
In contrast, KNIGHTSEND is focused: 10 issues divided between Bruce Wayne taking a crash course in vigilantism to whip his body back into shape so he can fight Jean-Paul and reclaim "the Mantle of the Bat" (take a shot every time a character says this and you'll be dead by page 22), and the Battle of the Batmen, which does not disappoint. As a kid, I remember their fight clarifying what I enjoyed so much about the real Batman. Valley's armor enabled him to throw caution to the wind. There's a scene in Chapter 6 where he priest open elevator doors and soaks up bullets by thugs unloading on him. Then he steps out of the elevator and starts spraying fire and Bat shurikens all over the room. He's a walking tank.
That's cool for a little while, but Batman, to me, has always been about finesse. Bruce Wayne trained his body and mind for years. His humanity, his vulnerability, is what sets him apart from other heroes. He can't soak up bullets like a sponge. He has to sneak around and outsmart his opponents. He doesn't spray and pray. He uses his environment to clobber foes and get around.
At the beginning of KNIGHTSEND, Bruce has forgotten how to do that. He's fighting to come back from a broken back, and needs that crash course in superhero PT to get back into tights-and-boots shape. DC spent five chapters (some of them double sized) on that, which was great for fans who needed a reminder of what makes Batman so unique, and as a contrast to Jean-Paul's reckless and stupid MO.
In a surprise twist, KNIGHTSEND continues after KNIGHTSEND was supposed to end. For the 2012 graphic novel re-release (to which this review pertains), DC collected not only KE's 10 issues and the three-issue aftermath, but the 12-issue PRODIGAL storyline where Dick Grayson becomes Batman. Yes, after returning from a broken back to reclaim THE MANTLE OF THE BAT and beat up AzBats, Bruce Wayne decides he's not really sure he even wants to be Batman. So he phones his adopted son, Dick Grayson, Robin numero uno, for the job.
That premise may seem like another stunt on DC's part: Bruce is Batman again, only he's not, but obviously he will be for good... just not right now. However, his mindset makes perfect sense. After healing his back, Bruce was ready to retire. Part of the tragedy of the Batman character is that Bruce very likely will never be on the receiving end of a happy ending. He's tried to retire before, but someone or something conspires to pull him back into a perpetual cycle of violence that began when he watched his parents get gunned down in front of him. Seeing him acknowledge that he only became Batman again because his choice of successor was a psychopath, and that he needed a sabbatical to be absolutely sure he was still up to the job he created, was very human behavior.
It also gave us PRODIGAL, one of the best Batman stories of the 1990s. Dick Grayson is my second-favorite character in the Batman-verse. He's an amalgam of Bruce Wayne's training combined with a positivity that Bruce has never had and never will possess. Over 12 issues, we see Dick and Tim perform their own Batman and Robin routine, but we also get more human moments. Cleaning up Wayne Manor, which had fallen into disrepair during AzBats' tenure; doing laundry since Alfred isn't around (a plot point that the 2012 KNIGHTQUEST graphic novel failed to address since it omitted "The Search" sub story); drinking milk straight from the carton; grinning like teenage boys at the prospect of speeding through Gotham's subways in the new subway rocket.
We also got to see Dick Grayson confront Two-Face, his arch-rival in the Batman-verse due to Two-Face nearly beating him to death during his run as Robin. Once again, the differences between Bruce and Dick, adopted father and adopted son, are thrown into stark relief. Bruce is a living, breathing mask. He doesn't show his emotions; readers know there's a heart beating in his chest instead of a computer chip because we're privy to his thoughts and inner monologue. Dick wears his heart on his sleeve. He voices doubt about his ability to be a Batman worthy of his adopted father's love and approval, and real worry that he'll fail against Two-Face the way he failed when he went up against him as a kid.
This compilation of KNIGHTSEND would be perfect not only because KE holds up well on its own and because of the inclusion of PRODIGAL, if not for DC messing things up yet again. PRODIGAL ends on a cliffhanger, with Bruce once again assuming THE MANTLE OF THE BAT and hinting at major changes to come. And that's it. That's the end. After PRODIGAL, DC launched a four-issue story arc called TROIKA. It stood on its own, but TROIKA really functioned as a sort of epilogue on the whole Knightfall saga.
By leaving out those four issues, DC effectively left out the story's epilogue: we see Bruce back in action for good, get a look at changes he's made to his costume and other Bat-accoutrements, and tie up the Batman/Nightwing/Robin tension, which stemmed from Bruce's decision to appoint a psychopath as his successor, which understandably bothered his two Robins. You could argue that KNIGHTSEND wraps things up well enough on its own, and that's true. But by including PRODIGAL and not TROIKA, DC put out a trilogy whose final installment ends on a cliffhanger. Not only that, TROIKA is not available as a graphic novel. So far as I know, anyone who wants to see how this story really ends will have to scavenge comic shops or eBay for four loose-leaf issues, which could be expensive.
That beef aside, KNIGHTSEND remains my favorite chapter of the Knightfall trilogy. The inclusion of PRODIGAL makes this compilation that much stronger.
Given Valley's already-precarious mental state, and the KNIGHTSEND symbol in the upper right of every issue, which shows AzBats' symbol breaking apart to reveal Bruce Wayne's classic Batman iconography beneath it, his defeat was a foregone conclusion. That's half good, half bad. Valley was never a good Batman. His reckless violence and growing propensity to kill made him more a Punisher figure than a Batman. We've got a Punisher. We need a Batman. Nevertheless, one could argue that every page and panel from the time Bruce Wayne appoints him to stand in as Batman to the end of KNIGHTSEND when Bruce literally sends him away sniffing and sniveling like a baby was a giant waste of time, an aimless story arc overtly designed to sell issues between 1993-94.
But that would be disingenuous because, again, KNIGHTSEND has a lot going for it. KNIGHTFALL dragged at points; one can only watch Bruce Wayne stagger around complaining of exhaustion and uttering over-the-top lines straight out of the cheesiest noir films for so long before begging Bane to break the man's back so we can move on already. KNIGHTQUEST, while interesting, has always been a pain to wrangle. Splitting it into two sub stories (The Crusade and The Search) made it difficult to follow and, like KNIGHTFALL, it plodded along at points.
In contrast, KNIGHTSEND is focused: 10 issues divided between Bruce Wayne taking a crash course in vigilantism to whip his body back into shape so he can fight Jean-Paul and reclaim "the Mantle of the Bat" (take a shot every time a character says this and you'll be dead by page 22), and the Battle of the Batmen, which does not disappoint. As a kid, I remember their fight clarifying what I enjoyed so much about the real Batman. Valley's armor enabled him to throw caution to the wind. There's a scene in Chapter 6 where he priest open elevator doors and soaks up bullets by thugs unloading on him. Then he steps out of the elevator and starts spraying fire and Bat shurikens all over the room. He's a walking tank.
That's cool for a little while, but Batman, to me, has always been about finesse. Bruce Wayne trained his body and mind for years. His humanity, his vulnerability, is what sets him apart from other heroes. He can't soak up bullets like a sponge. He has to sneak around and outsmart his opponents. He doesn't spray and pray. He uses his environment to clobber foes and get around.
At the beginning of KNIGHTSEND, Bruce has forgotten how to do that. He's fighting to come back from a broken back, and needs that crash course in superhero PT to get back into tights-and-boots shape. DC spent five chapters (some of them double sized) on that, which was great for fans who needed a reminder of what makes Batman so unique, and as a contrast to Jean-Paul's reckless and stupid MO.
In a surprise twist, KNIGHTSEND continues after KNIGHTSEND was supposed to end. For the 2012 graphic novel re-release (to which this review pertains), DC collected not only KE's 10 issues and the three-issue aftermath, but the 12-issue PRODIGAL storyline where Dick Grayson becomes Batman. Yes, after returning from a broken back to reclaim THE MANTLE OF THE BAT and beat up AzBats, Bruce Wayne decides he's not really sure he even wants to be Batman. So he phones his adopted son, Dick Grayson, Robin numero uno, for the job.
That premise may seem like another stunt on DC's part: Bruce is Batman again, only he's not, but obviously he will be for good... just not right now. However, his mindset makes perfect sense. After healing his back, Bruce was ready to retire. Part of the tragedy of the Batman character is that Bruce very likely will never be on the receiving end of a happy ending. He's tried to retire before, but someone or something conspires to pull him back into a perpetual cycle of violence that began when he watched his parents get gunned down in front of him. Seeing him acknowledge that he only became Batman again because his choice of successor was a psychopath, and that he needed a sabbatical to be absolutely sure he was still up to the job he created, was very human behavior.
It also gave us PRODIGAL, one of the best Batman stories of the 1990s. Dick Grayson is my second-favorite character in the Batman-verse. He's an amalgam of Bruce Wayne's training combined with a positivity that Bruce has never had and never will possess. Over 12 issues, we see Dick and Tim perform their own Batman and Robin routine, but we also get more human moments. Cleaning up Wayne Manor, which had fallen into disrepair during AzBats' tenure; doing laundry since Alfred isn't around (a plot point that the 2012 KNIGHTQUEST graphic novel failed to address since it omitted "The Search" sub story); drinking milk straight from the carton; grinning like teenage boys at the prospect of speeding through Gotham's subways in the new subway rocket.
We also got to see Dick Grayson confront Two-Face, his arch-rival in the Batman-verse due to Two-Face nearly beating him to death during his run as Robin. Once again, the differences between Bruce and Dick, adopted father and adopted son, are thrown into stark relief. Bruce is a living, breathing mask. He doesn't show his emotions; readers know there's a heart beating in his chest instead of a computer chip because we're privy to his thoughts and inner monologue. Dick wears his heart on his sleeve. He voices doubt about his ability to be a Batman worthy of his adopted father's love and approval, and real worry that he'll fail against Two-Face the way he failed when he went up against him as a kid.
This compilation of KNIGHTSEND would be perfect not only because KE holds up well on its own and because of the inclusion of PRODIGAL, if not for DC messing things up yet again. PRODIGAL ends on a cliffhanger, with Bruce once again assuming THE MANTLE OF THE BAT and hinting at major changes to come. And that's it. That's the end. After PRODIGAL, DC launched a four-issue story arc called TROIKA. It stood on its own, but TROIKA really functioned as a sort of epilogue on the whole Knightfall saga.
By leaving out those four issues, DC effectively left out the story's epilogue: we see Bruce back in action for good, get a look at changes he's made to his costume and other Bat-accoutrements, and tie up the Batman/Nightwing/Robin tension, which stemmed from Bruce's decision to appoint a psychopath as his successor, which understandably bothered his two Robins. You could argue that KNIGHTSEND wraps things up well enough on its own, and that's true. But by including PRODIGAL and not TROIKA, DC put out a trilogy whose final installment ends on a cliffhanger. Not only that, TROIKA is not available as a graphic novel. So far as I know, anyone who wants to see how this story really ends will have to scavenge comic shops or eBay for four loose-leaf issues, which could be expensive.
That beef aside, KNIGHTSEND remains my favorite chapter of the Knightfall trilogy. The inclusion of PRODIGAL makes this compilation that much stronger.
December 11, 2017
This collection includes both Knightsend and Prodigal where Dick Grayson takes over for Batman. Objectively it's a well put together collection in order.
Content wise it suffers from the same problems that plenty of comics before and after the 90's suffer from Which is prolonging things. It covers The Batman,Detective Comics, Shadow of the Bat, Robin, AND Catwoman series. so the story is already got "edge" that comics from this time always had on top of SOME writers who don't handle it as well as others.
There is two issues in this trade that even if you hate the rest make it worth reading. One is when Batman finally takes the cowl back from Jean Paul Valley and the other is when DickBats goes against a villain Jean Paul spurned in his tenure, where he questions himself and his choices. Those two are fantastic.
The rest go from good to enjoyable to meh to bad. Though this is the third volume of a series that I don't think many Batman fans fully read or at least haven't yet, so you're locked in. And it is enjoyable, I don't regret reading it.
Content wise it suffers from the same problems that plenty of comics before and after the 90's suffer from Which is prolonging things. It covers The Batman,Detective Comics, Shadow of the Bat, Robin, AND Catwoman series. so the story is already got "edge" that comics from this time always had on top of SOME writers who don't handle it as well as others.
There is two issues in this trade that even if you hate the rest make it worth reading. One is when Batman finally takes the cowl back from Jean Paul Valley and the other is when DickBats goes against a villain Jean Paul spurned in his tenure, where he questions himself and his choices. Those two are fantastic.
The rest go from good to enjoyable to meh to bad. Though this is the third volume of a series that I don't think many Batman fans fully read or at least haven't yet, so you're locked in. And it is enjoyable, I don't regret reading it.
April 27, 2014
Great end to the Knightfall story. I didn't find the Prodigal story overly fascinating, but in the end I found it necessary (though not to the Knightfall arc). In all it seems to me that they left too many important parts out of these three omnibus editions. Still, it was 1800+ pages of batty goodness. I'm happy.
June 23, 2013
The end of an event that went on way too long, like similar DC and Marvel events of the 1990s. At least this last installment doesn't focus on Azrael and his ongoing delusions ad infinitum, as we have in the 2nd Knightfall volume.
March 1, 2018
Batman has had enough of this insanity with Jean Paul Valley, and quite frankly, so have I. Point of fact, I was fed up with it from the start. At least now, everything is relatively as it should be.
September 16, 2012
This crossover fell off a cliff in the end.
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