Batman The Cult #1-4,Wrightson,1988,Graphic Novel TPB,Full Set,Mini Series $26
£
15
$
25
Description
Batman The Cult #1-4, 1988, D.C Comics, Complete/Full set
Giant size squarebound.
Condition: VF/NM. Excellent
By all appearances in 1988, Batman: The Cult was going to be a good, but standard, Batman tale. However, just a few pages into the first issue proved to me then, as it does now, that writer Jim Starlin and artist Bernie Wrightson were determined to rattle the cages. It begins with Batman abducted, a prisoner of charismatic Deacon Blackfire and his subterranean band of homeless followers. Kept hanging for weeks and barely fed, Batman slowly succumbs to Blackfire's brainwashing. Yes, even the Batman can be broken and Blackfire does just that.
Starlin makes certain we catch every moment of Batman's indoctrination into the cult, for the explanation of how Batman's will is being worn down to the Dark Knight's vivid hallucinations. Blackfire preaches justice, speaks the same message as the Batman, but says that brutality is the only way. It takes time, but Batman comes to agree with that position. After all, how could anyone doubt Deacon Blackfire?
The controversy comes, in part, from the murder -- the one Batman apparently commits. Armed with a machine-gun and hallucinating, Batman opens fire on what he thinks is the Joker. The dying man then changes to look like James Gordon and finally the truth is revealed. However, the murder is shown in such a fashion to one could argue Batman didn't actually do the killing. But those are just the hardcore unable to accept the truth -- Batman murdered a man while under the influence of a cult, incapable of controlling his actions or trusting his own senses.
The Cult is a brutal, dark story, but it's absolutely enthralling. There's perhaps a bit too much reliance on talking head news reports that look and feel too similar to The Dark Knight Returns, but overall this is a well-told mini-series. Batman has rarely been pushed to these limits and it's refreshing to see that it's not some hokey plot involving people from Bruce's childhood. This is Batman at his lowest and it takes a good 50 pages for him to recover even after he's free of the cult.
Interestingly, The Cult also features Jason Todd as Robin and is most likely the only Todd trade outside of A Death in the Family. For once he's not annoying. This is certainly his strongest performance, one last hoorah before death.
This is Starlin and Wrightson at their finest. While everyone clamors to read Year One and The Long Halloween, comic fans should take the time to pick up Batman: The Cult. This is easily one of the best Batman stories every told.
Great series. See my other Mini-Series, Full Sets and single comics listed this week and combine shipping...
2018 Overstreet value in NM- =$26.00
Great issues read or to invest in. Grab a bargain now!
Fast and secure shipping. Very accurate grading
If you are looking at this auction then you realize the importance of Marvel and DC comics and their importance within pop culture today. As Hollywood continues to churn out Blockbuster movies based on these characters, interest, value and collectability of these increasingly scarce books will continue to rise. This is a very reluctant sale but must go along with the rest of my Marvel and DC collection.
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