1 Stunning Comic Page Perfectly Summarizes the Pattern of Every Batman Story in DC History

Warning: Spoilers for Batman: The Brave and the Bold #14

Summary

• Hayden Sherman’s story in
  Batman: The Brave and the Bold
  #14 deconstructs Batman’s typical story structure.
• Batman’s formula can be summed up in six steps: ”
  Suit up. Drive off. Help. Hurt. Return. Heal.
  ”
• The story explores Batman’s trophy gallery and the psychological motivation behind the items he collects.

Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger for 1939’s Detective Comics #27, Batman has become DC’s most successful superhero. In the nine decades since his creation, the formula of the hero and his titles has been well-rounded — and a recent page sums it all up for readers.

In Batman: The Brave and the Bold #14, Hayden Sherman’s story “The Evidence Remains” takes the basic formula of a Batman story and presents it on a single page. As Sherman writes, the typical Dark Knight comic can be summed up in six simple steps: “Suit up. Drive off. Help. Hurt. Return. Heal.“

The page presents a series of comic strip-inspired story montages, leading the reader through different — and familiar — stories. Recounted by the hero himself, his inner monologue explains that “Repetition. Routine. It gives a life order. Ensures time is well used.“

All Batman Stories Come Down to the Same Essential Narrative Elements

Writer/Artist Hayden Sherman Summed Up Batman’s Formula

In contrast to Superman, Batman has been well-established as the foremost street-level vigilante, a hero defined by his intelligence, detective skills, and fighting ability. Ranging from solving elaborate murders committed by the Riddler to his ongoing attempt to bring down the Joker, many of Batman’s stories follow the same formula. While some stories have either subverted or commented on this story template in the past, few have come as close as writer and artist Hayden Sherman in deconstructing it.

Sherman has moved beyond the simple origins of these items, instead focusing on what they mean to the Caped Crusader.

“The Evidence Remains” is, ultimately, a story about Batman’s trophy gallery and why he collects the items that he does. As the story progresses, readers are offered a window into the hero’s psychology and self-doubt, with him questioning “Do I matter? There’s no means to measure it. No knowing my impact.” After being shown a montage of some victories and defeats alike, Sherman concludes with a view of the trophies, explaining “Evidence of the ground gained and lost. Tangible proof that these routines have worth. And perhaps then, that this life does too.“

The Brave and the Bold Brings New Meaning to the Batcave

Batman’s History Shines

Batman’s cave and trophy room have been explored in past stories. Famously, in the story “The Thousand and One Trophies of Batman” by Edmond Hamilton, Bob Kane, and Charles Paris from Batman #256, the origins of these items are explored. Now, Sherman has moved beyond the simple origins of these items, instead focusing on what they mean to the Caped Crusader. Every new item added is ground the hero has gained in his never-ending, repetitive war on crime in Gotham City — and it’s just what Batman needs to keep himself motivated.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #14 is available now from DC Comics.