Summary
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A different version of Batman evolved into a cult figure, known as “The Bruce,” in an alternate Gotham City, as seen in the 1998s. Batman: I, Joker History.
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“The Bruce” leads a twisted hunt during Gotham’s “Night of Blood” event where Batman’s rogues are artificially created by transforming the city’s rebels into old enemies.
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“The Bruce” symbolizes a corrupt superhero legacy that strives to keep the populace placated, something the original Dark Knight would definitely despise.
Batman Is one of the most versatile characters in the DC Universe and has become Gotham’s steadfast protector as one of the only heroes who does not 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 III The idea of ​​Batman has spawned a cult following that bastardizes everything the original Caped Crusader stood forBatman becomes their god and gets a brand new costume to match!
Memorably sitting on the Mobius chair to become the god of knowledge in 2015s Justice League: Darkseid WarBatman has turned into the new God of War after taking Ares’ helm in 2017s Batman: The MercifulAnd even became an almost omnipotent being in 2008s Trinity Series.
And while the “Batman God” featured in Batman: I, Joker Is neither 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 through a rigged game that reincarnates Batman’s worst villains for sport.
Related
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 has been corrupted and turned into a religion in Gotham’s near future, the twisted belief system sees “The Bruce” hunt down artificially created versions of Batman’s most iconic villains – such as Joker, Two-Face, Riddler, and more – During the city’s annual “Night of Blood” event. Spouting lines like, “Some innocent must die to save the rest,” and “Cast your sin on the wicked that the bat may cleanse them,” This iteration of Batman fully embraces the insanity of his Bat-cult, using this harrowing hunt to keep the population placated with false hopes of “winning” and becoming the next Batman.
Dressed in a sleek black bodysuit with a giant yellow bat symbol on it, “The Bruce” notably did not have Batman’s patented utility belt but Does Wears a unique “scatter” over his eye with a microphone attachment that he uses throughout the story. Also featuring an incredibly imposing batwing with extra wings and sharper contours than ever before, The Batman uses brutal tactics to take down his enemies while maintaining the charade of a religion that has no real meaning behind it Other than controlling and brainwashing 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 Maria after a fall from a skyscraper, the faux-Bat-God is then replaced by the pair as the new Batman and Robin, respectively, closing the book on “The Bruce’s” corrupt 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 many of his City. Batman Is capable of incredible god-like fits when given the chance, but when he becomes the false god of a cult obsessed with death and order, he’s also capable of downright terrible things.