Forever Evil Aftermath: Batman vs. Bane #1

Issue Details

Synopsis

BATMAN VS. BANE: BLACK DAWN Commissioner Jim Gordon is uneasy. Since the war between the prisoners of Blackgate Penitentiary and the inmates of Arkham Asylum, the Arkhamites have gone into hiding, controlled by the city's new master: Bane. The few police who remain in the city are there because of their loyalty to the motto of protecting and serving whoever and wherever they can.   In the meantime, Alfred Pennyworth has fallen asleep in the Batcave, and is surprised when Titus begins barking excitedly.   Finally, the power is back on, and across the city, WGC Radio airs its first broadcast in some time, offering all the up-to-the-minute coverage of the carnage that plagued the city's streets for the last few weeks. Those streets are now filled with the starving and sick residents, who are forced to bid on supplies, paying out to thugs who have taken control of the distribution. They react with horror, though, when Bane appears, and destroys the mercenaries' truck. He reminds that the darkness they have had to live with is gone, and the power is now back in the hands of the people - if they are willing to take it.   He continues on his way and rendezvous with William Cobb, who warns that their grip on the city will not remain unchallenged for long. Even though Bane has essentially made the prisoners of Blackgate and the Talons an army, they may not stand up to a real army. Bane remains confident, though, arranging a meeting with the Talons at Wayne Tower for that evening. Beforehand, though, he attends to the call for help of a young boy who accosts him in the street. The boy explains that his mother fell down and needs medicine. Bane peers through the window at the boy's mother, and instructs the boy that he should bury her, and never ask for help again, lest the wolves of the world seek him out.   Elsewhere, a pair of Talons have caught the Scarecrow for Bane, but they aren't sure whether following him will serve their interests in the future. While making a contingency plan before the meeting at Wayne Tower, though, they are frozen in a block of ice, and the Scarecrow's bonds are cut by batarangs. When the GCPD discovers the Scarecrow at their doorstep, he claims that Batman has returned, and they think it best to notify the commissioner.   That night, Bane sits in Wayne Tower taking his Venom infusion, and preparing for one more war. He is surprised, then, when Batman warns that he has already begun the war, dumping the frozen bodies of Bane's Talons at his feet. Angrily, Bane responds that he is responsible for saving Gotham from the insane, masked criminals of Arkham. Only he was there to protect Gotham. They launch themselves at each other, and their battle rages across the city until at last, Batman knocks his foe unconscious.   As the sun rises on Arkham Asylum the next day, and Bruce Wayne promises the funds to get it back up and running properly with its new inmate under guard. Bane has been restrained there until the venom leaves his system - and for all Jim Gordon cares, after that, he can rot there. In the meantime, Gotham needs rebuilding, and together, Bruce and Jim hope to get things right.