Now I get why this is one of those must-read, classic Batman stories. BANE! Bane is finally so damn cool! Instead of the ridiculous, hulking steroid junkie that is all you usually see of Bane


(Exhibit One)

We get criminal mastermind Bane! God it was so awesome. You get to see Bane's evolution from a scared little boy forced to grow up in prison for the sins of his father into a man who fears nothing and who has made himself into a weapon in every way imaginable. I loved that the focus was as much on Bane's mental toughness, his intelligence and cunning as on his physical prowess. He is so much more threatening as an intelligent giant than just an idiot on steroids. But to conquer his final fear, Bane must travel to Gotham and take out The Batman.


(Exhibit Two)

In order to do this, Bane breaks all the major (and minor) baddies out from Arkham Asylum, forcing Batman to tire himself out chasing them down and putting them back where they belong. Only then do Batman and Bane go head to head.

I've heard complaints in the past that Batman is too weak, whiny, introspective in this series and while I can see where people get that from, I actually liked it. Batman has been fighting so hard for so long that it's wearing him down. I mean honestly, what man could take that for so long and not have trouble once in awhile? It felt real, and I liked that Batman showed weakness because (I'm hoping anyway) it'll make his eventual return all the more epic. And it really highlights the differences between him and Azrael. A quasi-member of the Bat Family, Azrael fills in for Batman towards the end of the volume and is a total fucking psycho. All the darkness that Batman fights and denies in himself, Azrael eventually embraces. I loved how clear the differences were between him and Batman and how the people who are important to Batman struggle with this new darker person walking in his shoes.

I can't wait to see where this story goes and the eventual clash between the different people filling in for Batman, Batman himself and Bane. Should be EPIC! But seriously, if you even halfway like Batman, this is an absolute must-read!