Batman: Prelude to Knightfall by Chuck Dixon is the prequel to Batman comics big epic event of 1993 Knighfall where the Batman is broken both psychically and mentally. Tis graphic novel introduces the super villain Bane and his plan to break the Batman. It further introduce Azrael an intense fighter that Bruce Wayne met in England and wants to bring him into the Bat Family. Some of the comics in this collection fit better than others but the theme is something is wrong with Batman and this leads to him seeking therapy because he can not sleep. The villains in this graphic novel include Bane, The Joker, Killer Croc, the Riddler, Black Mask, and a lot of one off villains like metalhead and the general. The Batman allies feature in the graphic novel are Lucious Fox, (who knows Bruce Wayne’s secret and runs Wayne Tech) Robin #3 Tim Drake, Azrael, and Alfred. The Climax is great as Bane busted out every criminal out of Arkham Asylum, starting Knightfall. Batman: Prelude to Knightfall collects BATMAN: VENGEANCE OF BANE #1, BATMAN #484-491, and DETECTIVE COMICS #654-658.

Plot Summaries: Bane is Born in prison and gets the sentence his father should have gotten life in prison. her Bane is molded into the perfect killing machine. Bane has one fear bats when he hears of this Batman he knows he must breakout of prison can confront his fear. Batman goes undercover in the Black Mask gang to take it down and find out why he is going after Wayne Tech, things get over head fast when the gang kidnap Lucious Fox. As Batman recovers after his battle with the Black Mask Robin starts teaching Azrael the way of the Bat, things go well until Azrael goes to far and almost kills someone. Batman tangles with the General, a 14 year old, military school drop out who takes over and starts leading over smaller gangs he want to destroy the police and Batman. Bane watches as a mentally drained Batman fight Killer Croc. Bane can only take so much watching before he interferes with the fight. Bane likes the Riddlers intellect as a foe for Batman but he has no strength, Bane pumps him full of venom and send him on the lose to test Batman. Finally Bane has seen enough and for Batman’s final test is releasing every criminally insane inmate from Arkham Asylum. This starts Knightfall.

What I Liked: All the illusions to a broken like the bat symbol getting shot and projected a broken bat, and Batman fighting gets slashed and the Bat emblem is split. I like how calculating and cautious Bane is in his approach to the Batman and you see the respect that he has for his foe in how dangerous he is. I loved the tragic Bane backstory how he was bred to be a killer by birth. The asylum breach was so cool and genius. I like the psychology that was set up with Batman not sleeping.

What I Disliked: Azrael could have been better and really need the four issue Sword of Azrael released a year earlier where Batman and Azrael wok together and he decides to train him and join the Bat family. What this issue shows is Azrael really wooden and hardly any personality. He has one good scene where he goes too far but that is it. The General was really weak and could have those 3 issues excluded.

Recommendations: This book is good on giving the turmoil and psychosis of Batman before Knightfall. I really liked the symbolism that alludes to a broken Bat. I don’t feel this book is totally necessary to know what’s going on in Knightfall but it brings a weight of knowing what Bruce Wayne/Batman was already going through. I do remember own the comic book on the cover and it was revered to as Knighfall #0 since it sets Knightfall up perfectly and is the best comic in this graphic novel. I rated Batman: Prelude to Knightfall by Chuck Dixon 4 out of 5 stars. Knight Fall was sort of adapted to the Screen in The Dark Night Rises, but I want to see a more faithful version. Dave Batista really wants to play Bane and would be perfect.