WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the story "First Flight" from Batman: Black & White #1 by Paul Dini, Andy Kubert & Rob Leigh, on sale now.
Batman has dealt with plenty of threats over the years, and he's even recruited some of his enemies into allies in his war on crime. However, his newest criminal converts don't end up under his command, but rather the command of another major DC figure.
Batman just defeated an entire band of Ninja Man-Bats in Batman: Black & White #1, and he turned them over to Swamp Thing, who's been training them to help him protect the rainforests.
"First Flight" opens with Batman returning to the Bat-Cave after an exhausting three-week mission to capture an escaped Ventriloquist. But within moments of returning, Batman is caught by surprise and attacked by a Ninja Man-Bat. Also known as the Man-Bat Commandos, the Ninja Man-Bats were introduced during in Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert's Batman #655. This legion of genetically-modified soldiers was created by Talia Al Ghul, who utilized the discoveries of Doctor Kirk Langstrom, Man-Bat. The assassins were skilled warriors, although Batman was more than enough to defeat them in battle. But now, exhausted from his previous adventure, Batman finds himself confronting an entire squadron of the upgraded warriors.
Batman quickly notes that these Ninja-Bats move clumsier than the previous versions he'd encountered in the past, who had more restraint and outright skill. But while this makes it easier for Batman to overcome them one-on-one, his exhaustion and the number of Ninja-Bats attacking him keeps Batman on his toes. Batman has to fight his way through the Bat-Cave, utilizing the various technologies and vehicles within the cave to stay ahead of the assassins, with the hero even fighting to rescue a captured Alfred. But thanks to his own plans on how to contend with the Ninja Man-Bats if he ever encountered them again, notably including sonic scramblers and net cannons, Batman is able to not only defeat them but keep them alive.
But before the group of Man-Bats can regroup, they're all felled by a barrage of darts fired by Talia Al Ghul. Talia explains to a winded Bruce that this squadron of Ninja Man-Bats was actually a prototype for the eventual warriors that she would utilize against Batman. Talia had intended to let them live out their lives in a massive aviary she controlled. However, they were driven by implanted instincts to become protectors -- longing to make a place their home and defend it with their very lives. Seeing Batman as a worthy "ninja bat" they could depose, the Ninja Man-Bats assaulted Batman so they could take his place as the protectors of Gotham.
However, there's hope for these undisciplined warriors. Talia even admits that with time and guidance, they could become a fearless and capable group of heroic fighters. Although Batman doesn't have the time to direct them onto this path himself, he turns to another classic DC hero who could always use some back-up: Swamp Thing. Swamp Thing brings the Ninja Man-Bats to the rainforests of South America, with the Man-Bats quickly adapting to their new home. Although Swamp Thing had to force them "master less lethal means," Man-Bats prove to be fast learners and have gone on to help the elemental hero protect the Green.
Seeing Swamp Thing in charge of his own force of Ninja Man-Bats -- especially in the dense trees of the rainforests -- is an exciting prospect, giving Swamp Thing an entire group of agents that he can unleash against cruel humans trying to destroy the Green. While Swamp Thing is powerful enough to not often need backup, it's good to know that when he needs it, he can call on some serious backup. It's definitely an advantage he should employ in any potential future Justice League Dark missions -- even if they would catch Man-Bat by surprise -- or in his own upcoming solo series. It's a fun element to add to the character and a major chance to incorporate some fresh (ninja) blood into Swamp Thing adventures.
0 Links