Contents 1 Appearing in "The Freedom of Madness!" 2 Synopsis for "The Freedom of Madness!" 3 Notes 4 Trivia 5 See Also 6 Recommended Reading 7 Links and References

Appearing in "The Freedom of Madness!"

Featured Characters:

•  Batman (Bruce Wayne) 

Supporting Characters:

• James Gordon
• Jeremiah Arkham
• Robin (Tim Drake)
• Jean-Paul Valley

Villains:

• Bane

• Trogg
• Zombie
• Bird

• Arkham Asylum inmates

•  The Joker 
•  Maxie Zeus 
• Ventriloquist
•  Killer Croc  (Cameo)
•  Two-Face  (Cameo)
•  Scarecrow  (Cameo)
•  Poison Ivy 

Other Characters:

• Rhino

• Gotham City Police Department

• Renée Montoya
• Harvey Bullock

• Mayor Krol

Locations:

• Gotham City

• Gotham City Police Headquarters

• Arkham Asylum

Items:

• Bat-Signal
• Batarang

Vehicles:

• Batmobile
• Bat-Glider
  
  

Synopsis for "The Freedom of Madness!"

Bane and his men secure some weaponry from an armoury, and prepare for their assault on Arkham Asylum. At Gotham City Police Headquarters, Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, and Renée Montoya discuss theories as to what purpose the theft of the armaments has, and who pulled it off. Later, Bane decides that the first inmate he will break out of Arkham will be The Joker.
With Bane's help, the Joker escapes, stealing a weapon from his guard and then releasing the other inmates. Then, Bane fires a stinger missile into the wall of the asylum, providing the inmates with an opportunity to escape. Meanwhile, the Joker seeks out Jeremiah Arkham, the asylum's administrator, and locks him in a cell at gunpoint. Bane's men drop the munitions outside the hole they blasted in the wall, and the inmates eagerly help themselves.

Gordon orders his tactical unit to backup the state police at the asylum, while he waits at the Bat-Signal for a response from Batman. Bullock informs him that Mayor Krol wants to see him. Gordon shuts off the signal, hoping that Batman is already on his way to Arkham. Robin happens to see the signal go out, and then receives a call from Batman. Robin offers his help, considering Bruce's physical and mental state, but Batman refuses and hangs up.
Mayor Krol wants the police to shoot to kill, but Commissioner Gordon refuses to issue this order, despite warnings that most of his men could end up dead if they don't take the offensive position. Meanwhile, Batman arrives at Arkham and is able to safeguard the asylum staff, including Jeremiah Arkham. Unfortunately, the Joker manages to escape, just as Bane and his men fire missiles at the police blockade, essentially freeing all of the inmates. Gordon wonders if he made the right decision in refusing Krol while Batman howls in frustration at his defeat.

Notes

• This story is reprinted in Batman: Knightfall Part One: Broken Bat and in Batman: Knightfall Volume One and is considered to be the prologue to the main story.
• Batman is shown wearing the black S-Shield armband given to him by Oberon in Justice League America #70 following Superman's death.

Trivia

• No trivia.

See Also

• Write your own review of this comic!
• Discuss Batman Vol 1 491 on the forums
• Cover gallery for the Batman series
• Images from Batman Vol 1 491

Recommended Reading

• Batman Recommended Reading

• Batman (Volume 1)
• Batman (Volume 2)
• Batman and Robin (Volume 1)
• Batman and Robin (Volume 2)
• Batman Confidential
• Batman: Gotham Knights
• Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
• Batman: Shadow of the Bat
• Batman: Streets of Gotham
• Batman Incorporated
• Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 1)
• Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 2)
• Detective Comics (Volume 1)
• Detective Comics (Volume 2)
• Superman/Batman
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Volume )

Links and References

• No external links.

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