The Best Batman Story That Most Fans Missed Just Got A Sequel

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It’s amazing to think it’s been almost a century since Bill Finger and Bob Kane first created Batman, one of the most iconic comic book heroes ever. Since his 1939 debut in Detective Comics #27, the character has changed and been reimagined countless times, making it easy to forget what Batman was originally like. Fortunately, DC Comics recently released a thrilling three-part series that revisits the Dark Knight’s beginnings.

Legendary writer Dan Jurgens, known for creating characters like Doomsday and Booster Gold, teamed up with artists Mike Perkins and Mike Spicer to reimagine Bruce Wayne’s early days as a crime fighter in Gotham City, presenting him in a classic, period-style thriller. A year later, the same creative team returned with The Bat-Man: Second Knight, expanding on this retro take and adding even more recognizable elements and characters. While the story features familiar touches, it still offers a fresh and unique perspective on the iconic Batman, as the best Batman tales do.

The Bat-Man: First Knight Reimagines The Dark Knight’s First Year

In 1939, as the world worried about a looming global war, Gotham City faced a growing crime wave with little help from those in power. Haunted by the childhood murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne decides to fight crime himself, becoming a masked vigilante. His efforts soon lead him to a bizarre case: a string of brutal murders seemingly committed by criminals who were already known to be dead.

Beyond simply being set in the year Batman first appeared, The Bat-Man: First Knight truly immerses you in the era. From newspaper headlines setting the historical scene to dialogue using period slang, every detail feels authentic. The art by Mike Perkins and Mike Spicer adds to this, mirroring the comic book style of the time while offering a fresh take on Batman’s costume. It’s a captivating and enjoyable read – a comic that feels pulled straight from the pulp magazines of the past, but with the intriguing storylines and mature themes that modern DC Black Label readers expect.

First Knight Reinvents Classic Characters And Introduces Newcomers

In The Bat-Man: First Knight, Dan Jurgens wisely keeps Bruce Wayne’s core personality consistent, but significantly alters the world around him. Batman still fights crime with his signature, animalistic style and works with Commissioner Gordon, but his vehicle is a throwback to the red car he used when he first began his crusade. Perhaps the biggest change is the absence of Alfred Pennyworth, who, in this version, left Wayne Manor when Bruce went off to college.

Okay, so this new take on Batman is really interesting. Instead of Alfred, Bruce has this guy, Rabbi Jacob Cohen, as his main advisor – he basically stepped into the role by chance. The writers said they created him as a nod to all the awesome Jewish comic book creators from the Golden Age, which is pretty cool. And get this – instead of Catwoman, Bruce falls for an actress named Julie Madison! She’s actually a big part of how this story really gets back to the core of who Batman was when he first started out. She showed up way back in Detective Comics #31, but honestly, she’s kinda faded into the background over the years. She even made a cameo in the Batman & Robin movie in ’97, played by Elle MacPherson, but most people probably don’t even remember that!

Bruce Wayne Undergoes A Pivotal Evolution In The Bat-Man: First Knight

Batman is known for his strict code of ethics, and a frequently discussed part of that code is his refusal to use guns while fighting crime. Interestingly, early Batman comics, especially those from his beginnings, often showed him using firearms – likely influenced by heroes like The Shadow, who commonly carried pistols. He later stopped using guns, not because of censorship rules as some believe, but seemingly as a choice made by the comic book creators. However, the story The Bat-Man: First Knight explores a situation where Bruce Wayne finds it necessary to rely on his own skills and abilities as his primary weapon.

In the beginning of his crime-fighting journey, Batman initially avoids using guns, explaining that his parents were killed with one. However, both Jim Gordon and Rabbi Jacob Cohen worry he won’t survive his dangerous work without a firearm and urge him to reconsider. After nearly dying several times in just a few days, he briefly thinks about taking their advice, but then changes his mind thanks to encouragement from Julie Madison. This scene in The Bat-Man: First Knight is particularly impactful because it connects to an often-overlooked part of Batman’s history and provides a compelling reason for his famous refusal to carry a gun.

The Bat-Man: Second Knight Also Has Plenty Of Fun Surprises

A year after the release of The Bat-Man: First Knight, the adventures of this updated, yet classic, Dark Knight will continue in The Bat-Man: Second Knight, launching in September 2025. Set in 1940, the story picks up one year after the original and finds Gotham gripped by fear as the threat of World War II looms. This anxiety is made worse by the appearance of a new masked vigilante, and Bruce Wayne, as Batman, is the city’s only hope against a villain who plans to exploit Gotham’s vulnerability.

Given the storyline, it’s fairly easy to guess that the villain in The Bat-Man: Second Knight is Jonathan Crane, also known as Scarecrow. Interestingly, Scarecrow wouldn’t appear in DC Comics until 1941, but his use of fear fits well with the comic’s central ideas. However, the biggest surprise isn’t the villain at all – it’s the appearance of Lois Lane! She’s portrayed as a reporter for The Daily Star who comes to Gotham to cover a movie premiere and unexpectedly finds herself investigating the same case as Batman.

The introduction of Lois Lane has fans wondering if a classic Superman from the Golden Age will show up in The Bat-Man: Second Knight. If not, some speculate that creators Dan Jurgens and Mike Perkins might be setting up their own take on a World’s Finest team-up. Either way, this detective story, inspired by old-fashioned pulp novels, is a thrilling addition to Batman’s history. Fans are eagerly awaiting the second issue of The Bat-Man: Second Knight, which is scheduled to be released on December 17, 2025.

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2025-11-07 18:42