| Batman: The Cult | |
|---|---|
 Cover ofBatman: The Cult #1, art byBernie Wrightson. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Format | Miniseries |
| Genre | |
| Publication date | August - November1988 |
| No. of issues | 4 |
| Main character(s) | Batman Deacon Blackfire Robin Jim Gordon |
| Creative team | |
| Written by | Jim Starlin |
| Artist | Bernie Wrightson |
| Letterer | John Costanza |
| Colorist | Bill Wray |
| Editor(s) | Denny O'Neil Dan Raspler |
| Collected editions | |
| Batman: The Cult | ISBN 0-930289-85-4 |
Batman: The Cult is a four-issuecomic bookminiseries. It was published by the comic book publishing companyDC Comics in their Prestige Format and released in 1988. It was written byJim Starlin, illustrated byBernie Wrightson, colored byBill Wray and edited byDenny O'Neil.
The story follows the machinations ofDeacon Blackfire and his cult of homeless followers, who have kidnappedBatman before the events of this story. Following a lengthy period of captivity and torture, Batman succumbs to brainwashing and undergoes hallucinations of killing people. Deacon Blackfire, worshipped by his forces as an immortal saint, intends to gain the public favor by having his homeless individuals kill criminals to stop corruption as the will of God. Batman is eventually freed from the cult but takes a long time to recover from his treatment at their hands. While going back to Blackfire's hideout in the sewers, Batman realizes he has gained followers due to using drugs and psychological manipulation. Batman is found by the secondRobin,Jason Todd. Meanwhile,Gotham City politicians are assassinated by Blackfire's cult. While attempting to escape, Batman and Robin are attacked by Blackfire's men. Batman is paralyzed with fear, but overcomes it to save Robin. An attempt onCommissioner Gordon's life is made by Blackfire, leaving him hospitalized. Beyond Gotham, the authorities try to protect the city, then the National Guard is called in, then the military, and finally martial law is declared. After being taken back to Wayne Manor byAlfred, Bruce trains and heals from his trauma by remembering that he became Batman to not only avenge his parents' deaths, but to overcome his fears. Batman launches an attack on the cult alongside Robin and confronts Blackfire in combat, brutally beating him to the point where the preacher begs for mercy in front of his spectating followers. The homeless turn on Blackfire for this display of cowardice and kill him. The cult disbands and order soon returns to Gotham, with Batman burning the totem that Blackfire used to hypnotize his followers.
The miniseries was later collected in 1991 as atrade paperbackgraphic novel (ISBN 0-930289-85-4). This collected volume went to four printings. A new edition (the fifth printing) was released in November 2009.[1] A deluxe edition was also released in October 2024.[2]
Hilary Goldstein ofIGN called the miniseries "one of the best Batman stories ever told", praising its dark tone and storytelling. Goldstein also regarded the miniseries as one of Jason Todd's best portrayals.[3]
Kyle Lemmon ofUnder the Radar described the storyline as "one of the most underappreciated Batman stories" and commended the miniseries's darker and more realistic storytelling with "nary a shred of civility".[4]
Charles Prefore ofScreen Rant lauded the miniseries' artwork, dark tone, and depiction ofcults, writing, "this is possibly one of the greatest Batman stories of all time and deserves to remember as such".[5]
