The Darkest Moments in Batman’s History
Ordinance is known as one of the most resilient heroes in comic book history, but even the Dark Knight has faced battles that almost ended him. The iconic moment when Bane broke his back stands out as a devastating defeat that reshaped Gotham forever. However, Bane is not the only adversary who has come close to claiming permanent victory.
From classic villains to dark enemies, Batman has endured brutal encounters that pushed him to his limits. Some of these challenges came from intellectual masterminds like the Joker, while others were orchestrated by lesser-known villains. Despite these brutal defeats, Batman has always risen again, solidifying his legendary status.
The Black Glove: Breaking Batman Psychologically and Physically
The Black Glove debuts in Grant Morrison’s Ordinance #667 (2007)
The Black Glove, an organization of corrupt elites led by Dr. Simon Hurt, orchestrated some of the most brutal physical and psychological manipulations Batman has ever faced. From planting a betrayer as a romantic interest to causing a mental collapse using the trigger «Zur-in-Arrh,» the Black Glove pushed Batman to his limits.
Batman’s Struggle with Venom Addiction
Venom introduced in Dennis O’Neil’s Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #16 (1991)
In a shocking turn of events, Batman himself became addicted to the drug Venom before it became synonymous with Bane. This dark chapter in Batman’s history unfolded in Dennis O’Neil’s Poison storyline, nearly costing Batman his life and leading to a brutal withdrawal.
Failsafe: Batman’s Creation Turned Villain
Failsafe debuts in Zdarsky’s Chip Batman Vol 3 #125 (2022)
Batman’s creation of a failsafe to eliminate himself in case he strayed from his principles led to the creation of Failsafe, a relentless robot designed to destroy Batman if necessary. While Failsafe never succeeded in killing Batman, it posed a constant threat, defeating him multiple times and even sending him into the multiverse.
The Orgham Family’s Plot Against Batman
The Orgham family first appears in Detective Comics #1062 (2022)
The Orgham family, introduced in a recent comic, orchestrated a plot that nearly destroyed Batman by using Gotham itself against him. Their cunning tactics and manipulations put Batman in grave danger, showcasing the ongoing challenges the Dark Knight faces in protecting his city.
