Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1307553 in Books
• Published on: 1991-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Comic
• 128 pages

Customer Reviews

Interesting if somewhat unsatisfying
... The story involves Batman being held hostage by an underground religious cult that is out to take over Gotham. The charismatic leader sways most of his followers through drugs, starvation, isolation, hypnosis, and torture, and Batman falls to him as well, to be rescued by Robin (Jason Todd). The necessary recovery of the streets of Gotham and the dismantlement of the cult follow.

The story does not particularly stand out as unique or original, but it does have its points of interest, including the author's discussion in the intro between the parallels of the comic of Batman being brought to it's knees in the 1950s by regulations, and Batman himself being brought to his knees by a religious cult.

The idea of Batman being broken already seems done, but of course, this predates Knightfall.

The art is obviously from the late 80s, in that style. Not bad, not great, and obviously over a decade old. Was republished in 1991, with the intro mentioned above.

It's worth a read if you can get ahold of it, but it doesn't make the list of top Batman graphic novels.

Bats Under Fire
What makes this book is the real story of how it was burned by t.v. evangelists who, possibly, recognised themselves as the villain who used religion to amass huge wealth and power.

Although an older Batman story it has much relevance today as it highlights the power religion still has over people. Today, as we are involved in the New Crusades The Cult does challenge the motives and actions of those who profess to act in the name of a god.