Batman: I Am Bane

If there is such a thing as a “forgettable” story arc in the Tom King run as the writer of “Batman,” it may be “I Am Bane.” 

And it is far more memorable than many other Batman stories.

“I Am Bane,” representing “Batman” issues 16-20, is the third trade paperback collection in the Tom King run. 

In the second story arc, “I Am Suicide,” Batman returned a favor. 

Years ago, Bane released all of the bad guys of Arkham Asylum. After Batman spent a marathon session recapturing all of them, Bane confronted an exhausted Batman in the Batcave. Bane beat Batman and broke his back.

In “I Am Suicide,” Bane is no longer fueled by the super-drug Venom. Batman promises throughout the story that he will break Bane’s back. Batman keeps his promise.

In “I Am Bane,” Bane has healed by retreating back to his addiction to Venom. Super-charged, he seeks to avenge Batman’s revenge in Gotham City. He threatens the Robins, Alfred, even Batman’s enemies.

It’s a great Bane-Batman story but given the stellar stories of previous collections, as well as the stories that follow, the mighty Bane seems the lesser of the King run.