Warning! Contains spoilers for Batman #147!

Batman always tries to present himself as terrifying. In fact, his entire reputation relies on scaring criminals, and Zur-En-Arrh’s Failsafe body takes this to the next level by becoming a truly imposing physical figure as he towers over Amanda Waller, making him a surprisingly scary figure.

In the pages of Batman #147 by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jiménez, Zur — Batman’s dark counterpart inhabiting a brutal robot known as Failsafe — confronts Amanda Waller after she attacks Wayne Manor. Waller wanted to see just how far Zur was willing to go, and she got a terrifying answer as Zur appeared in front of her, threatening to haul her off to prison if she continued to push him.

Their confrontation shows both the bravery of Amanda Waller and the terrifying stature that Zur now has in Failsafe’s body. Not only is Zur a Batman nearly without limits, but he’s also a far larger and more physically imposing Batman, easily towering over Amanda Waller by several feet. While the two leave on antagonistic terms, Zur seems to actually come around to Waller’s way of thinking.

Failsafe Confronts Amanda Waller, the Architect of DC’s Next Big Event

Absolute Power: Origins #1 Variant Cover by Alitha Martinez

Amanda Waller is going to be leading DC’s Absolute Power event, which will see her taking control of the world as she removes the powers of every DC superhero (and even villains) on Earth. This is made possible due to DC’s new Trinity of Evil, led by Amanda Waller, which includes Zur-En-Arrh’s Failsafe Batman and the Brainiac Queen, who is a major player in the “House of Brainiac” Superman crossover. While Zur-En-Arrh starts out this issue completely opposed to Waller, even threatening to toss her in his very own Arkham, he later comes around to her line of thinking after Robin attacks him, making Zur agree that total control is the only option.

Zur-En-Arrh is later seen during in Free Comic Book Day 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition #1, where he is working alongside Amanda Waller in the so-called “Hall of Order” to try and figure out a way to absorb the powers from metahumans without killing them. Batman has always had issues with control in the past. During the brief period that Batman became the God of Knowledge, he immediately starts locking up criminals before they even commit a crime. Bruce has a dark habit of seeking control, and Zur-En-Arrh is all of Batman’s darkest impulses without empathy.

Zur-En-Arrh’s Failsafe Form Helps Amanda Waller Enact Her Plans for “Absolute Power”

Panel from Free Comic Book Day 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition #1 by Mark Waid, Mikel Janín, Trish Mulvihill, and Ariana Maher

Zur-En-Arrh and Amanda Waller are currently posed as DC’s biggest villains, and this stems from both of them seeking absolute control. Waller wants control over superheroes and the world, and Zur believes that the only way to enact complete justice is with control over anyone who’d stop him or anyone who’d commit crimes. This has led them to team up as the biggest threat that the heroes of DC are facing this year. While Amanda Waller is already terrifying thanks to the lengths she’ll go to achieve her goals, Zur-En-Arrh’s Batman is even scarier — both physically and mentally — and, despite their confrontation, he’s joining her in her plans.

Batman #147 is available now from DC Comics!