Summary
Batmanis one of the most versatile characters in the DC Universe and has become Gotham’s steadfast protector as one of the only heroes who doesn’t hold command over some god-like power like his fellow Trinity members, Superman and Wonder Woman. But in a one-shot tale set in an alternate Gotham City wherethe idea of Batman has spawned a cult following that bastardizes everything the original Caped Crusader stood for, Batman becomes their god and gets a brand new costume to match!
Memorably sitting on the Mobius Chair to become the God of Knowledge in 2015’sJustice League: Darkseid War, Batman was transformed into the new God of War after taking Ares’ helm in 2017’sBatman: The Merciless, and even became a nigh omnipotent being in 2008’sTrinityseries.
And while the “Batman God” featured inBatman: I, Jokerisn’t the Bruce Wayne fans know nor a true “god” in the traditional sense,this Batman, dubbed “The Bruce,” is instead a cult leader obsessed with delivering justice via a rigged game that reincarnates Batman’s worst villains for sport.
“I’m Not a Vigilante”: Batman Officially Disowns the Title Fans Have Been Using to Describe Him for Decades
For decades, fans have referred to Batman as a vigilante, but Bruce Wayne has disowned the title, revealing what he truly is (and it’s not a ‘hero’).
Batman Has Become a Pseudo-Religious Cult Figure in Gotham’s Near Future
Batman: I, Joker- 1998 (Written and Illustrated by Bob Hall)
A mission that’s been corrupted and turned into a religion in Gotham’s near future, this twisted belief system sees “The Bruce” hunt down artificially created versions of Batman’s most iconic rogues — like Joker, Two-Face, Riddler, and more — during the city’s annual “Night of Blood” event. Spouting lines like, “Some innocents must die to save the rest,” and “Cast your sins upon the evil ones that the Bat may cleanse them,”this iteration of Batman fully embraces the lunacy of his bat-cult, using this harrowing hunt to keep the populace placated with false hopes of “winning” and becoming the next Batman.
Dressed in a sleek black bodysuit with agiant yellow bat symbolon it, “The Bruce” notably doesn’t have Batman’s patented utility belt butdoeswear a unique “scouter” over his eye with a microphone attachment that he uses throughout the story. Also owning an incredibly imposing Batwing complete with extra wings and more sharp contours than ever before,this Batman utilizes brutal tactics to take down his foes while keeping up the charade of a religion that has no real meaning behind itother than to control and brainwash others, something the original Batman would never stand for.
“The Bruce” Is a Tyrannical Leader Who Ritualistically Kills Reincarnated Batman Rogues
Killed in a joint effort by Joker and a rebel named Marya after a fall from a skyscraper,this faux-Bat Godwas then replaced by the pair as the new Batman and Robin, respectively, closing the book on “The Bruce’s” corrupted superhero legacy, while kick-starting a new one that should hopefully adhere much closer to Batman’s initial vision of punishing the cowardly and superstitious lot of his city.Batmanis capable of incredible god-like feats when given the opportunity, yet when becoming the false god of a cult obsessed with death and order, he’s capable of equally terrible things, too.
Batman: I, Jokeris available from DC Comics.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
