Batman: Knightfall

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"Knightfall"
Cover to Batman #497: The breaking of the Bat. Art by Kelley Jones.
Publisher	DC Comics
Publication date	April 1993 – August 1994
Genre	Superhero Crossover
Title(s) Batman #492-510; 512-515 Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-30; 32-35 Catwoman #6-7; 12-13 Detective Comics #659-677; 679-682 Justice League Task Force #5-6 Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #59-63 Robin #7-9; 11-14 Showcase '93 #7-8 Showcase '94 #10
Main character(s)	Batman Bane Azrael (Jean-Paul Valley)
Creative team
Writer(s)	Chuck Dixon, Jo Duffy, Alan Grant, Dennis O'Neil, Doug Moench
Penciller(s)	Jim Aparo, Jim Balent, Eduardo Barreto, Bret Blevins, Norm Breyfogle, Vincent Giarrano, Tom Grummett, Klaus Janson, Barry Kitson, Mike Manley, Graham Nolan, Sal Velluto, Mike Vosburg, Ron Wagner
Inker(s)	Jeff Albrecht, Jim Aparo, Terry Austin, Eduardo Barreto, John Beatty, Bret Blevins, Norm Breyfogle, Rick Burchett, Steve George, Vince Giarrano, Dick Giordano, Scott Hanna, Klaus Janson, Ray Kryssing, Tom Mandrake, Mike Manley, Ron McCain, Frank McLaughlin, Josef Rubinstein, Bob Smith, Bob Wiacek
Vol. 1	ISBN 978-1401233792
Vol. 2: Knightquest	ISBN 978-1401235369
Vol. 3: KnightsEnd	ISBN 978-1401237219

"Knightfall" is a 1993–1994 Batman story arc published by DC Comics. It consists of a trilogy of storylines that ran from 1993 to 1994, consisting of "Knightfall", "Knightquest", and "KnightsEnd".^{[note 1]}

The story takes place over approximately six months. Batman suffers burnout and is assaulted and crippled by Bane, who breaks his back. Bruce is replaced as Batman by his apprentice Jean-Paul Valley / Azrael, who becomes increasingly violent and unstable, tarnishing Batman's reputation. Eventually, Bruce is healed through paranormal means and reclaims his role as Batman.

"Knightfall" resulted in long-term ramifications for the Batman continuity, as Batman's trust from the police, the public, and his fellow superheroes had to be rebuilt due to Azrael's violence.^[1] Additionally, Bruce realizes the peril and burden of attempting to work in solitude, leading to the creation of the modern Batman Family. The events of "Knightfall" also led to the temporary resignation of Bruce's butler Alfred Pennyworth.

The entire "Knightfall" storyline took over a year to complete in the comic book serials. In later years, the comics were reprinted several times, though never in full, as the "Knightquest: The Search" story arc had not been collected until the second omnibus edition in 2017.

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