Batman #77: A Game Changer for Batman Comics

So far, Tom King taking over Batman after Scott Snyder exited the main title has been nothing but amazing. It had to be, Snyder’s take on Bruce/Batman was considered one of the best runs of the Modern Age of Comics. From a character standpoint, taking a step backward was not an option. DC was shuffling their writing to promote their Rebirth story at a time where fans were left with a bitter taste after Marvel’s most recent event but the transition seemed flawless.

Fast forward to earlier this year. Tom King promised to change Batman forever, and issue #77 might have done just that. If you haven’t read it yet, first of all, put this article on pause and run right out to get it done.

Seriously, stop reading.

Especially here.

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If you’ve read it and are still with us, or some troll on the internet ruined it for you and you stuck around then you know what happened. Damian Wayne bit off a bit more than he could chew disobeys Bane command causing the villain to snap the neck of the man who’s been by Bruce’s side since the death of his parents. Alfred Pennyworth is presumed dead after Damian refused to stay out of Gotham and Bane snaps his neck in front of Damian to send a message.

Imagine being the writer on this. You pitch one of the biggest ideas in Batman’s history, the studio says yes, and you have to sit and wait until the book is released to see fan’s reactions. That’s probably one of the biggest gambles on a character that a writer can take. After The Wedding, readers cried foul feeling let down on the build they’d been waiting years for. King urged readers to be in it for the long haul way back when issue 50 took a beating from fans. 27 issue later and we’ve reached a turning point in not only the series but potentially in the character as we know him.

And if seeing Alfred’s death at the hands of the madman that is Bane wasn’t heartbreaking enough, there’s still at least one heartbreaking moment to come. Sure, Damian Wayne witnessing the death of his father’s life long friend is pretty brutal, but don’t forget Bruce doesn’t know yet. Unless we’re all being fooled and it was all a trick, there’s still the breaking point for Batman to find his lifelong caregiver and father figure is gone. Given the circumstances, either Bane has won or I wouldn’t want to be him when Batman finds out.

Batman #78 is out September 4th and we can’t wait to get our hands on what comes out next.