Knightfall is amongst the most famous modern Batman stories. Even before Christopher Nolan loosely adopted its major plot point for The Dark Knight Rises, most people were aware of a time when Bruce Wayne stopped being Batman - because a roided-up luchadore snapped his spine in two by breaking the Dark Knight over his knee. In the interim a young upstart called Jean-Paul Valley, who believed the only way to defeat the bad guys was to beat them at their own game, which meant being as ruthless as they are. So he managed to beat Bane because he didnt hold back, nearly killing him. Also because Bane had already weakened Batman by releasing every villain from Arkham. Even still, when it came to their rematch, theres no way Batman shouldve won. Being a purely physical contest, he didnt stand a chance - his other major skill is his tactical acumen, which the genius Bane has too. So when they do fight in single combat again, theres nothing thats changed that means Batman should win...and yet.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
