Summary
Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman #147!Despite the danger of DC’s terrifying newBatman, one line proves that the twisted entity is never going to defeat the genuine article. The Dark Knight’swar against Zur-En-Arrh isheating up and Bruce Wayne isn’t going down without a fight. One surprising moment shows just why this new Batman has already lost his war with the original.
InBatman #147by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jiménez, Bruce has broken out of Zur-En-Arrh’s prison and is on the run. The new Batman starts feeling the pressureas Dr. Daniel Captioand Amanda Waller remind Zur-En-Arrh of the uphill battle he’s facing.
Zur-En-Arrh retreats to his Batcave and gets into a fight with Robin, who attacks Zur-En-Arrh after realizing the new Dark Knight has been misleading him the entire time. Zur-En-Arrh subjugates Damian and tells him that in another world, Zur-En-Arrh can trust others. ButZur-En-Arrh believes that Batman “can only rely on himself”.
Zur-En-Arrh Believes Batman Only Trusts Himself
Batman’s backup personality was created to help Bruce deal with intense stress. But after a particularly trying period that began with Batman being hunted by the powerful contingency Failsafe, Zur-En-Arrh decided it was time for him to step up. The alter ego had his consciousness transferred to the Failsafe body, intent on using it to launch a worldwide crusade to end crime. Zur-En-Arrh imprisoned Bruce in Blackgate and took to Gotham as the new and improved Batman. He arrested Gotham’s villains en masse asthe real Batman escaped Blackgate to try and stop Zur-En-Arrh’s reign of terror for good.
Aside from lacking the moral fiber or humanity Bruce possesses, the real difference between Zur-En-Arrh and Batman is that the former is far more paranoid and distrustful than Bruce ever was. Zurr-En-Arrh is someone who needs to be in control of every facet of any situation, thinking that his way and only his way is the right one. Granted, Bruce has had moments like that in the past, but Zur-En-Arrh is wrong that Bruce only relies on himself.Batman’s true strength and why he always wins isbecausehe depends on others to help himwhen he needs it.
Batman’s Allies Will Ultimately Help Him Defeat Failsafe
Zur-En-Arrh has been a formidable opponent for Batman and he’s come closer than many to ultimately defeating Bruce. But Batman is always going to win because he knows when to take control and when to let his allies in the Bat-Family or Justice League take things over. Zur-En-Arrh can’t possibly win because he insists on having absolute control over everything. But even for one of the most prepared Dark Knights, that level of control is impossible. It might be hard, butBatman’swillingness to work with others may ultimately help him beat Zur-En-Arrh.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
