10 Different Ways Batman Has Been Defeated

3. Back Broken By Bane

Probably the most famous defeat the Caped Crusader ever suffered, and not one he's liable to suffer again (literally, there's an in-universe decision he makes immediately after to integrate a reinforced spine into his costume). Knightfall was a first for comics, around the time DC were also mixing things up by killing of Superman. For, like, a few months or so.

In the same way they took Batman out of commission by having his spine broken by new villain Bane. Which left the cowl to be taken up by unhinged Christian assassin newcomer Azrael, who really didn't do a very good job. Certainly not with the costume.

The way Bane took Batman down is pretty simple. He's a hulking big guy, addicted to the steroid-like Venom, which buffs him up to superhuman strength. He's also really smart, freeing the inmates of Arkham Asylum so they can all attack Batman at once, leaving him weak and tired and vulnerable. That's when he struck.