Warning: contains spoilers for Batman: Reptilian #2!
In Batman: Reptilian #2, the Dark Knight just reversed one of his most famous tricks in a terrifying way. Among the many things the Dark Knight is known for, one of his signature traits is his unannounced exits, often leaving his allies (especially Commissioner Gordon) talking to thin air. But while investigating the mysterious injuries and deaths of some of Gotham’s worst at the hands of some kind of monster, Batman makes it clear that there are worse things than being left on a rooftop.
Playing on fear is a key tactic in Batman’s arsenal, and that’s never been truer than in Batman: Reptilian, by Garth Ennis and Liam Sharp. In the story – which imagines the Dark Knight as a particularly cold and brutal vigilante – Batman learns that some of his foes have been brutally maimed and murdered. While Batman begins his investigation, he learns the first signs occurred after a traditional rogues gallery meeting that almost ended in a massacre. As more bodies turn up, Batman persuades one of the Scarecrow’s former men, Konstantin, to audition to work for the Joker, hoping the terrified henchman’s ear to the ground will lead to a better understanding of this mysterious new killer.
In Batman: Reptilian #2, after finding the bloodied yet still alive remains of the Penguin, Batman distracts himself while waiting for test results by taking a call from his newest informant. While he was successful in signing on with the Joker, Konstantin informs Batman that the Joker is constantly switching locations, operating with a skeleton crew while his main priority is staying alive. He asks if Batman has a pen to write down Joker’s phone number, to which the Dark Knight asks if he can borrow a pen. The build up leads to a grand entrance from Batman which is made even better by Konstantin’s absolute shock and terror.
Batman uses a mix of his training and psychological understanding of human nature to make himself appear more than human – his appearance, weapons, and combat skills making him a formidable and ominous force of good that tries to scare the criminals of DC Comics into compliance. His signature exits are not only something he’s known for but even something that he’s taught to other members of the Bat Family, even proudly experiencing how it feels to be on the other side of the equation from time to time. While Konstantin was terrified the first time Batman appeared to speak to him and make the deal, Bruce knows he can’t allow his stooge to get used to his presence, taking the opportunity to make it clear that he can never truly be anticipated, and might be present at any given moment. Konstantin needs to be scared enough of Batman to agree to work for Joker, and feigning omnipresence is an effective way to keep him in line.
Batman: Reptilian acknowledges Batman as a master of fear, fighting crime not by being everywhere at once, but by cultivating the belief that he could appear at any moment. While disappearing on Commissioner Gordon has become more of a running gag than a real attempt at mystery – lampshaded hilariously in the Justice League movie, when the whole team vanishes, leaving only Flash behind to comment on their rudeness – Batman’s terrifying appearing act helps him maintain his ferocious reputation and keeps criminals superstitious and cowardly. Ennis and Sharp’s Batman: Reptilian reminds fans that if the Dark Knight really does keep his edge by terrorizing criminals, that means Bruce Wayne has to get a little creative, and surprisingly cruel, with his tactics.
