WARNING: The following contains spoilers from “The Long Con” in Batman: Urban Legends #3 by Matthew Rosenberg, Ryan Benjamin, Antonia Fabela and Saida Temofonte, on sale now.
In most cases, comics tend to inform the television shows and movies based after them. Sometimes, however, the reverse happens and a comic is influenced by another medium. One of the best examples for this is Harley Quinn, who was created for Batman the Animated Series. Another example of this just happened recently in Batman: Urban Legends #3 where the Dark Knight used a fighting maneuver first seen in a classic Tim Burton film.
Click the button below to start this article in quick view.
Gotham City has been adapting to the Grifter making his presence known in the city while working for Lucius Fox. Unfortunately, he ended up getting on the bad side of Black Mask, who sent a squad of goons to lay a trap for him. The gunmen attack from the buildings above, pinning him down with a barrage of gunfire.
Fortunately, Batman had been keeping an eye on Grifter, and was aware of the hit-squad that was sent after him. Batman worked with Grifter to dispatch the gunmen, imposing his no killing rule on the oftentimes merciless mercenary by disarming him. In the process of their now coordinated attacks, Grifter pushed one of his assailants towards the Dark Knight, who back-fisted him without even looking.
This is an homage to a classic scene from 1989 film Batman. In the movie, Michael Keaton’s Batman performed a similar move against gangster who was attempting to run away, not realizing that the corner he was about to turn obscured Batman from his point of view. He was promptly given the backfist treatment much like Black Mask’s hired thug.
Considering the dynamic the two men have, it is worth wondering if Batman was trying to impress the Grifter. The Gotham City hero had already annoyed the mercenary by taking away his guns, so this may have been a way for the Dark Knight to reinforce that he very much deserves the reputation he has earned over the years.
The backfist has always been a way to demonstrate that Batman is not to be trifled with. In every scenario in which it used, Batman is simultaneously knocking out a bad guy, while reminding everyone who still conscious conscious that he is the most dangerous person in the room and that any underestimation of his abilities is done at their own peril. This may have been Batman’s way of reminding Grifter that he is aware of everything going on around him, just in case the mercenary was planning a double-cross after the fight.
About The Author
