Review: ‘Batman Versus Bane’ Graphic Novel

DC Comics is getting everyone educated and up to speed on one of Batman’s most mysterious and dangerous super villains before the release of this summer’s final chapter of Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, “The Dark Knight Rises.” “Batman Versus Bane” is a great graphic novel collection for readers just getting familiar with the battle between these two characters. This collects the first appearance of Bane from “Batman: Vengeance of Bane” #1; the four-part arc “Batman: Bane of the Demon”; and three mini-profiles on Batman, Bane, and Ra’s Al Ghul.

“Batman: Vengeance of Bane” #1 starts off by introducing us to the muscleman’s mother and the innocent little boy he used to be before seeing horrific atrocities while paying for his father’s sins in prison. The story concentrates on his plans to make his way to Gotham City to confront the Batman he has heard so much about while incarcerated.

This story was originally published in 1993, written by Bane co-creator Chuck Dixon and drawn by co-creator Graham Nolan (no relation to Christopher). It has a grittier 1980s/early 1990s classic comic book art look to it. Batman isn’t even in the story until the last 15 pages out of 55. Bane’s story is so intriguing it kept my eyes glued to the panels from start to finish.

Batman: Bane of the Demon” has everything I could ever want in a story arc based in the world of the Dark Knight. You’ve got Bane, Ra’s Al Ghul, his League of Assassins, and Talia in one book. The only thing it doesn’t have is Batman. In this story, Bane comes up against the immortal assassin, who is searching for writings that will help him construct the Apocalypse Virus. Bane plans to kill Ra’s, take Talia as his bride, and make himself immortal using a Lazarus Pit.

Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan wrote this arc. The story is wonderful, complex, and keeps your attention. Nolan drew it, but it has a completely different feel to it than “Batman: Vengeance of Bane” #1. It looks very much like the modern comic book art you see in today even though this was published in 1998.

The three mini-profiles are two page origin stories of Bane, Batman, and Ra’s Al Ghul. Each one also features sections on their powers and weapons, essential storylines, and alliances. These were taken from 2007’s “52” #46 and “Countdown” #4 and #7 from 2008. These were written by Scott Beatty and Mark Waid. The art was provided by Graham Nolan, Andy Kubert, and Cliff Chiang.

If you’re like me and can’t wait until July to get your fill of Bane, Batman, and Ra’s Al Ghul, this softcover book will help satisfy your appetite temporarily. After that, you’ll have to dig up some of the other stories featuring Bane. Might I suggest “Knightfall,” in which he becomes “The Man who Broke the Bat?” Now I might be spoiling part of the movie.

For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:

Bat-Girl, Batwoman Co-Creator/Artist Sheldon Moldoff Passes Away at 91
Batman Beyond: Industrial Revolution’ Graphic Novel Review
Superman: Reign of Doomsday’ Graphic Novel Review

Eric Shirey is the founder and editor of Rondo Award nominated movie and comic book news websites MovieGeekFeed.com and TheSpectralRealm.com. His work has been featured on Yahoo!, DC Comics, StarWars.com, and other national entertainment websites. Besides his three decades long obsession with everything sci-fi, horror, and fantasy related in TV and movies, Eric has what some would call an unhealthy love for comic books. This has led him to interviewing and covering legendary writers and artists in the medium like Geoff Johns, Scott Snyder, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, and Howard Chaykin.