This is a pretty lengthy, crazy arc but I really enjoyed it. I will say these definitely feel more "comic booky" than graphic novel, but I'm probably just being a snob. The overall structure was really strong, some individual lines are undeniably cheesy but these are also mid 90s and the standard were a little different back then. I mostly liked the ending, the climax is a pretty cool spectacle with Nightwing, Robin, Batman, Azrael, Catwoman and Mobsters all fighting on a helicopter/bridge/penthouse but the ending seemed a bit rushed. I'd love to see this whole story in a video game or something, but we sort of already did see some of this in the Dark Knight Rises movie. ( )

I was really letdown by how this series finished up. Don't get me wrong, where they went with this story made a lot of sense as it was the most logical conclusion. Of course Batman was going to return to prominence and confront Azrael, it was what they had been setting up all along. It just felt flat and uninspired.

Bruce's training in the beginning was interesting to say the least, not sure why he would train under the guidance of someone who is a known assassin and murderer but in the end, he did it in his own way. The further involvment of Nightwing was a welcomed addition (despite the gross mullet), I've always liked the character and I'm interested in reading some of his stand alone stuff.

The thing that really bothered me was the ending.

Why did Batman just let Azrael go after he defeated him? I understand that Jean-Paul Valley (Azrael) been through a type of brainwashing or had been equipped with a twisted perception of true justice but he should have to answer for the lives he allegedly ended. The fact that Bruce basically said, "get out of my sight, leave Gotham and I never want to see you here again" confused me. I'm sure The Dark Knight has brought others to justice for far less.

Also, why is it when Azrael is lit on fire, does his costume completely change colors? Pretty sure that's not how fire works. Well, unless it melted the costume and gave it a gross black color?

I'm clearly nitpicking at this point.

All in all, a pretty average arc. A strong beginning with a steady middle and an "ok" ending. Pretty sure Christopher Nolan brought us the definitive Bane story with The Dark Knight Rises, which was of course, inspired by this series. He took the awesome parts from the first volume and I think, improved upon the story overall. ( )

The conclusion of the excellent "Knightfall" storyline from the "Batman" comics of 1994 or thereabouts, in which Batman, still recovering from the broken back inflicted on him by Bane, must retrain to take his mantle back from Jean Paul Valley, his appointed successor, who has basically gone rogue. Well-conceived, written and drawn, I particularly liked Batman's meticulous training under the assassin Shiva, and the final confrontation with Jean Paul, which took a decidedly different turn than I would have predicted. The conclusion to one of the most ambitious and provovcative storylines DC Comics has ever embarked upon. Mostly good artwork, with Barry Kitson my top pick. ( )