Once the cult has left the area, Robin jumps in the water to rescue his mentor, but upon finding each other, they terrifyingly realize that they are standing in the bodies of all the people Blackfire killed. Josh: I think when things really take a turn, though, is when Blackfire starts targeting leadership and the elite within Gotham. Thanks to the city under hell, Robin, and his determination, it's up to Batman to make it out alive and save everyone. This causes problems when The Cult goes a little off the rails – there’s a sense that The Cult never things about anything beyond what exists in the panel. Nick: I can’t speak for Matina, but, to me, I think it is a little mean beyond just the actions of the villains.

Batman eventually makes his way to Gotham’s Central Park, where he then scares away a young picnicking couple and steals their food. For the last few years, I’ve been trying to make my way through IGN’s 25 Greatest Batman graphic novels list.

It was written by Jim Starlin, illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, colored by Bill Wray and edited by Dennis O'Neil. His gritty, noir-ish take on Batman was what fans wanted at the time and with this story, he would once again deliver. In turn, they believe they're saving Gotham by destroying it, like a modern telling of Sodom and Gomorrah. It’s because here, there’s so much conflict going on, both internally and externally, and it all plays into each other.

But there's really no urgency at the end, Blackfire's not threatening to blow up the city, he's just sitting around waiting for Batman to show. What follows is a violent and horrific display of how all aspects of Gotham’s society were torn apart by the cult of Deacon Blackfire. Given the popularity of Frank Miller’s vision, it was no surprise that DC sought to integrate certain elements into regular continuity.Finally, this Batman seems to have no problem with blowing up bad guys with missiles mounted on the Batmobile/monster truck. Rigged with monster truck tires, tranquilizer dart loaded machine guns, and a rocket launcher, Batman and Robin begin to reclaim the city.