Batman: Beyond the White Knight revealed two terrifying cults have risen up in Gotham that could destroy the city and everything Bruce fought for.
WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Batman: Beyond the White Knight #1, on sale now.
In Batman: Curse of the White Knight (by Sean Murphy, Matt Hollingsworth, and Andworld Design), Bruce Wayne was lucky to escape Azrael’s cult. Jean-Paul Valley used fellow soldiers, Michael and Gabriel, as part of a holy war to reclaim Gotham in his family’s name, resulting in Jim Gordon being killed and Barbara getting put in a wheelchair. Thankfully, the Bat and his crew dug deep, stopping the villains without becoming monsters themselves.
It reminded Bruce how some people can warp symbols, which coincidentally created an air of self-introspection. He turned himself in, unmasked to the city, and gave his fortune away to rebuild Gotham. However, in the first issue of Beyond the White Knight (by Sean Murphy, Dave Stewart, and Andworld Design) a decade later, Bruce’s world has been rocked by two terrifying cults rising up to cause fear and carnage.
The first cult was the Sons of Azrael, spotted early on in the story. They wore red paint over their faces as an homage to the villain’s mask and caused a prison riot, taking the warden, Jason Todd, hostage. They viewed Azrael as their father, listening to his stories about how Gotham was taken from his family — the real Waynes — by the Bakkar bloodline. In fact, they know everything, sullying Bruce’s lineage because ultimately, the Bat is descended from Bakkar criminals.
They beat Jason mercilessly, shunting Bruce into action after what seemed to be habitual indiscretions. Bruce pummelled them, though, making it clear the rivalry was put to bed years ago. He reminded them he saved Azrael’s life with a blood transfusion so he wanted that debt to be paid, freeing Jason. The cult obliged because no matter what, Azrael respected Bruce as a warrior of honor. However, while they’re calm now, their code could spread outside the confines of the jail, giving rise to violence. After all, many people still don’t like how the Bakkars’ fortune helped pillage the city with Wayne Industries being a slush fund for criminals. Thus, if normal citizens become part of the Sons too, they could represent Edmond Wayne and Jean-Paul, who had their birthrights stolen, and go on a Gotham rampage to facilitate change.
The second cult appeared in the prison as well, ironically to quell the riot. Dick arrived with the Gotham Terrorist Oppression Unit (aka the GTO), but to Bruce’s shock, they had military Batsuits on. The helmet homaged the Bat too, but its color scheme was brighter. It reflected Dick’s rude attitude, indicating he didn’t care what Bruce thought anymore and wanted to reshape the mantle of Batman.
It turned out, the sinister Derek Powers gained full control of Wayne’s estate and turned the business into a weapons manufacturing unit. Funds went to the GTO rather than for Gotham PD, the jails, or the rebuild in general, which Bruce realized had now turned his beloved city into a police state. Dick was adamant this was the right way forward, nodding towards the fascist Fear State DC explored recently.
To make it worse, Dick endorsed police brutality and murder, with the trigger-happy cops in their tanks tainting everything Bruce worked for. Guns and violence were their way, which even Duke bought into. It left Bruce petrified, knowing it was a powder keg waiting to happen on the streets. With people seeking social equality, justice, and representation, Dick’s cult, who clearly thought they were judge, jury, and executioners above the law, could create the worst war the city’s ever been ensconced in.
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