Batman: The Cult

This article is about a comic book mini-series. For other uses, see The Cult (disambiguation).

Batman: The Cult
Cover of Batman: The Cult #1. Art by Bernie Wrightson.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
Format	Mini-series
Genre	Superhero
Publication date	August - November 1988
No. of issues	4
Main character(s)	Batman Deacon Blackfire
Creative team
Written by	Jim Starlin
Artist(s)	Bernie Wrightson
Letterer(s)	John Costanza
Colorist(s)	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-issue comic book mini-series. It was published by DC Comics in their prestige format books and released in 1988. It was written by Jim Starlin, illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, colored by Bill Wray and edited by Denny O'Neil.

Plot

The story follows the machinations of Deacon Blackfire and his band of homeless followers who have kidnapped Batman before the events of this story. Following a lengthy period of captivity Batman slowly succumbs to brainwashing. Batman is eventually freed from the cult but takes a long time to recover from his treatment at their hands. The story also delves into other territory. Gotham City politicians are assassinated by Blackfire's party of followers. An attempt on Commissioner Gordon's life is tried by Blackfire's group, leaving the commissioner in a hospital. Beyond Gotham authorities to protect the city, the national guard is called in, then the military and martial law is declared on Gotham. The series also features the second Robin, Jason Todd.

Collected editions

It was later collected in 1991 as a trade paperback graphic novel (ISBN 0-930289-85-4). This collected volume went to four printings. A new edition (fifth printing) was released in November 2009. It was brought back to print again with a seventh printing in July 2016 after DC Rebirth.

References

• Batman: The Cult at the Grand Comics Database
• Batman: The Cult at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)