WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for BATMAN AND ROBIN #13!Five years ago,Alfred Pennyworthwas brutally murdered by the notorious Gotham rogue,Bane, in the continuity-definingCity of Banestoryline; now, DC is finally delivering the justice thatBatmanandRobinhave long sought. The resolution, however, arrives in an unexpected and intriguingly poetic form, providing a powerful and fitting conclusion to Bruce and Damian’s ongoing struggle with the rogue.
Bane’s decision to save Bruce and Damian shows some of the most dramatic character growth fans have seen in a Gotham Rogue in years.
Joshua Williamson and Juan Ferreyra’sBatman and Robin#13 brings Bruce and Damian’s pursuit of Bane on Dinosaur Island to a long-anticipated conclusion. This story arc has been eagerly awaited by many Bat-Family fans, as it promised long-overdue closure for Bruce and Damian following the events that resulted in thebrutal death of Alfred Pennyworth.
While the issue undeniably serves justice, the manner in which it unfolds is both unexpected and profound, resulting ina resolution that fundamentally alters the relationship between the Dynamic Duo and Bane.
Bane Begins to Make Amends With Batman and Robin (& It’s Actually Genuine)
Bane Offers a Temporary Alliance With the Dynamic Duo to Defeat the KOBRA CULT
Previous issues of Batman and Robindelivered the much-anticipated confrontations and battles between the Dynamic Duo and Bane. However, issue #13 takes a surprising turn by deviating from the expected violence, presenting a twist where Bane seems to experience genuine regret and remorse. In a profound shift, Bane commands his daughter, Vengeance, to stop fighting the Bats.He admits that he has wronged Batman and Robin more than they have ever wronged him, and he acknowledges that it is time for him to atone for his sins, believing this is his only hope for peace.
Bane then proposes to return to Gotham with the Dynamic Duo to face their justice peacefully. The fact that Bane willingly surrenders despite having the upper hand in the fight is shocking. This unexpected gesture of Bane attempting to turn over a new leaf with the Bat-Family becomes even more significant when the Kobra Cult attacks them. In response,Bane offers a temporary alliance with Batman and Robin.Thus, Bane not only refrains from fighting the Dynamic Duo but actively joins them in battling their common foes. While some might have expected a betrayal, the iconic rogue’s unexpected loyalty represents a refreshing and intriguing change.
Bane & Batman’s Rivalry Changes Forever, as Gotham’s Strongest Villain Officially Admits Defeat
After years of tormenting the Bat-Family, Bane is finally done. He admits defeat to Batman and decides to pay penance for all his wrongs.
Bane Saves Bruce and Damian’s Life inBatman and Robin#13 (Literally)
Does Saving Two Bats Make Up For Killing One?
Bane surrendering and fighting alongside Batman and Robin were just preludes to his true change of heart. Toward the end of the issue, while Bruce cradles Damian—who is coming down from the Venom injection Vengeance forced upon him in issue #12—the duo is caught off guard when a raptor suddenly leaps from the bushes, ready to attack. It would have been a fatal encounter, as Batman and Robin were both sitting on the ground, unaware of the danger. However,Bane intervenes, wrestling the creature away and saving their lives.
This twist is particularly striking, as it undeniably proves Bane’s change of heart and desire for penance. If Bane had chosen not to act, letting the creature attack, he could have easily escaped and continued living without the looming fear of prosecution. Instead, his decision to save Bruce and Damian shows some of the most dramatic character growth fans have seen in a Gotham rogue in years.There’s also a poetic justice in Bane saving their lives—after taking the life of one Bat (Alfred), he is now responsible for saving two others.While this doesn’t atone for killing Alfred, it is certainly a step in the right direction.
Alfred Pennyworth’s Last Words to Robin Make His 2019 Death Even More Heartbreaking
Robin’s world changed forever when he was forced to watch Alfred die, but what makes things even more tragic is Alfred’s last words to Damian.
Will DC Ever Bring Alfred Pennyworth Back to Life In Mainstream Continuity?
DC’s New ALL-IN Initiative Is the Perfect Opportunity to Bring the Bat-Family Butler Back
With Batman and Robin finally receiving closure regarding Bane, it raises the question of whether this signifies the official end of Alfred Pennyworth. DC is well-known for killing off iconic characters only to later revive them in some dramatic fashion. Yet, as the years pass without any hint of Alfred’s return, it seems increasingly unlikely that the fan-favorite butler will be brought back—especially with the Bane storyline now wrapped up. However, with the upcoming launch of DC’s ALL IN initiative, there couldn’t be a more opportune moment to reintroduceAlfred Pennyworthinto continuity, reuniting him withBatmanandRobin.
You’re Not Ready for DC’s ALL-IN Initiative (And Being At San Diego Comic-Con Made Me a Believer)
DC Comics’ big new initiative DC All In is coming and after checking out this year’s Comic-Con, I’m more hyped than ever for what’s on the horizon.
Batman and Robin #13is now available from DC Comics!
BATMAN AND ROBIN #13 (2024)
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
