Warning: contains spoilers for Detective Comics #1027!
In Gotham, many villains dream of being the one to kill Batman. Whether its one of his many iconic psychopaths, murderers, or a simple street thug who gets lucky, the person who is successful at killing the Dark Knight will be remembered forever, a legacy passed down throughout the criminal underworld for ages to come. In Detective Comics #1027, we see an elderly Bruce Wayne on his deathbed, having somehow reached a ripe old age, but dying of cancer. But far from being a natural development, the villain responsible is none other than Doctor Alex Sartorius, aka the radioactive Doctor Phosphorus.
Created by Steve Englehart in Detective Comics #469 (1977), Dr. Sartorius was part of a high-class group of businessmen who wanted to build a nuclear power plant in Gotham City but were forced to build it elsewhere when the city refused construction. This refusal turned out to be wise when the good doctor was transformed by sand irradiated during the plant’s nuclear meltdown, transforming him into a villain with see-through skin and a lethal radioactive touch. Swearing vengeance on Gotham, his attempt to poison the city’s water supply brought him into conflict with Batman and – despite appearing to die more than once – Doctor Phosphorus has returned to fight not only Batman but other heroes in DC Comics time and again.
In “Legacy” by writer Tom King and artist Walter Simonson, Doctor Phosphorus discovers that the accident that gave him his powers also gave him cancer and, fearing death, he decides to make history. Threatening to destroy Gotham unless Batman fights him without the use of his fancy gadgets or suits, the Dark Knight complies, tearing his signature cape into shreds for makeshift gloves. As they fight, Doctor Phosphorus reveals that Batman’s unprotected exposure to radiation will give him cancer, similar to what his powers did to hero Ted Knight in the Starman series years ago. Although it would take Batman years to succumb, the former doctor could die knowing that he accomplished that which so many of his fellow rogues failed to do.
Legacy is the theme of this story and both creators show what that means to both the hero and the villain of the story. The story begins with the dying Bruce Wayne comforted by his partner Selina, sadly holding his hand in his last few moments, and the Doctor revealing why he did it. To Doctor Phosphorus, this was his swan song, the last act that he wanted to be remembered for so he could die knowing his life meant something. But when Doctor Phosphorus asks Batman if he wants to know why he did it, Batman acts true to character with a simple, “No.” When Gotham is in danger, he shows up to defend and, if necessary, die for it. It is simply the price he pays to be Batman – a far greater legacy than any of his murderous villains will ever be able to claim.
Detective Comics #1027 is by Matt Fraction, Brian Michael Bendis, Peter J. Tomasi, Grant Morrison, Dan Jurgens, Mariko Tamaki, Greg Rucka, Scott Snyder, Marv Wolfman, Kelly Sue Deconnick, Tom King, Jim Cheung, José L. García López, Lee Bermejo, Jamal Campbell, Dan Mora, Ivan Reis, Emanuela Lupacchino, Riley Rossmo, Eduardo Risso, Chip Zdarsky, David Marquez, and Chris Burnham. It’s available now.
