Written by Chuck Dixon
Coloured by Norm Breyfogle
Continuing where the opening issues left in Knightfall after Batman 492...
The Arkham inmates scatter through the forest. Through the shuffling, you hear the looney laughter of Maxie Zeus. Then you don't. Then mumbling. All of a sudden "AH!"... a budding friendship.
A quick investigation of Film Freaks corpse gives little clues but Batman notices one thing... he died from brute strength. Gotta go though, gotta stay ahead of the cops.
GOTHAM INSIDER
Linda: "We're here with Dr. Simpsons Flanders, Psychologist at Arkham to talk about --"
Dr. Flanders: "Thank you, Linda. The poor souls at Arkham are just looking for sanity. Wanderers in their own minds"
L: "They're murdering people."
Dr. F: "Yes, but are they doing it out of anger? In my book--"
L: "It's OK to murder if it's not in anger?"
Dr. F: "With proper therapy the mentally unstable--"
L: "Mentally unstable!? Folks, that's all the time we have today."
Batman and Robin speed through the streets of Gotham City. The police scanner is non-stop.
Batman: "There has got to be a reason they were freed."
Police scanner: Gunshots at the corner of Mack and Jefferson...
Robin: "What about the guy that took out Killer Croc a few issues back that was not disclosed prior to the Knightfall story?"
Batman: "Bane?? I was thinking him too."
Robin: "If he can take him out..."
Scanner: Silent alarm tripped at Joy's Toys...
Batman: "I can't let him! To the break-in!" Steps on the gas.
Searching for his partner Mr. Scarface, the Ventriloquist is lost in a see of puppets. Frantic, he doesn't hear the caped crusader sneak up on him. Not wanting to play any games Batman misses a key clue...
Outside Robin keeps guard. Oddly, though, there's also a falcon flying above. Similar to one he saw earlier when they were investigating Film Freak.
Both heroes now fighting, a weakened Batman struggles to keep his footing. He's throwing things, eventually crashing a display board over his head. This just made Amygdala even madder. All he wants is his medicine. Robin pulls a fast one on Talon...
Both our heroes are taking a beating. Batman being choked and can't escape until Amygdala's grip loosened, abling him to give a counter THWACK putting the big guy out of his misery. Robin's misstep, however, allowed Talon to get away with his falcon. Robin had to stop him and followed.
ALL UNITS Report to the All Girls School! Suspect Zsasz is holding hostages...
JQ REVIEW
This issue is action packed with beautifully drawn artwork by Norm. I didn't want to spoil that for any fans who haven't picked up this issues and wish to enjoy that. The Bats is struggling. You can see how exhausted he got with each page turned. He's trying to protect Robin too but that wasn't going to last long because he sees how tired Batman is. We'll see if he needs rescuing after this.
THANK YOU
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