A review by libra17
Batman: The Cult, by Bernie Wrightson, Jim Starlin, Bill Wray
4.0
Weird Story
I chose to read The Cult because it is the first appearence of the Miagani tribe in DC and because I vaguely remember it mentioned as one of Batman's low points. And, oh; is it a low point. Batman is captured and brainwashed by a psycho (possibly supernatural) cult leader, nearly abandons Gotham when that cult leader succeeds in taking the city, and - when his own dreams guilt him into coming back and defending the populace - he uses a modified tank and modified assualt rifles to clear a path for the army and confront the cult leader. Granted the weaponry is modified to shoot tranquilizers, but this is still a story where the Batman resorts to firearms when he admits that their usual arsenal would not be up to task and eventually stands aside as the cult leader is literally torn to bits when his followers turn on him. And he's surprised when Jason Todd - the Robin in this story - one day decides that last resort should be first resort weaponry in order to prevent as many casualties as possible from even happening? The Cult is a decent enough story - though the content is a bit supernatural for my taste in a batbook - but I liked it for a better understanding of the Red Hood and for foreshadowing Batman's eventual capture and attemped brainwashing by the Court of Owls.
I chose to read The Cult because it is the first appearence of the Miagani tribe in DC and because I vaguely remember it mentioned as one of Batman's low points. And, oh; is it a low point. Batman is captured and brainwashed by a psycho (possibly supernatural) cult leader, nearly abandons Gotham when that cult leader succeeds in taking the city, and - when his own dreams guilt him into coming back and defending the populace - he uses a modified tank and modified assualt rifles to clear a path for the army and confront the cult leader. Granted the weaponry is modified to shoot tranquilizers, but this is still a story where the Batman resorts to firearms when he admits that their usual arsenal would not be up to task and eventually stands aside as the cult leader is literally torn to bits when his followers turn on him. And he's surprised when Jason Todd - the Robin in this story - one day decides that last resort should be first resort weaponry in order to prevent as many casualties as possible from even happening? The Cult is a decent enough story - though the content is a bit supernatural for my taste in a batbook - but I liked it for a better understanding of the Red Hood and for foreshadowing Batman's eventual capture and attemped brainwashing by the Court of Owls.