Batman's 9 Greatest Failures

The list of villains who have caused devastation to Batman and his world is long and bloody. The names that feature at the top end are some of comics' most notorious ne'er-do-wells, such as the Joker, Bane and Ra's al Ghul. Nicholas Scratch, satanic rock star and cult leader, is a name in those upper echelons that might not be as familiar to people.

In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, Gotham City faces an uncertain fate. Batman, his allies and its populace wait to see the reaction of the United States government. Knowing that fists alone will not solve this problem, Bruce Wayne heads to Washington to plead with congress to pledge its support to the city he loves in its darkest hour.

What he finds is a corrupt senator under the sway of Nicholas Scratch and his cult. The rock star uses his media status to drum up the anti-Gotham sentiment with the public, his cultists to threaten and bribe those in power, and his influence to make Bruce Wayne look self-serving and corrupt.

Scratch succeeds in having Gotham declared a no man's land and cut off entirely from the United States.