

- Batman is shot one night while investigating why homeless people have been going missing, before he passes out, he sees someone stab the shooter. 
- He is taken to into the sewers to a cult called the Underworlders lead by Deacon Joseph Blackfire who is determined to rid Gotham of crime. He is held hostage, drugged, underfed and brainwashed into the cult.


Ordeal

#1 - Ordeal



- Brainwashed Batman becomes participant in cult’s to kill criminals. 
- Ratface (another cult member) tells Batman they are on a mission to kill a pimp, but it turns out Ratface kills a civilian. A police officer appears and attempts to arrest Ratface for murder and just hearing that word begins to break the bonds of confusion in Batman's mind.
- Dazed, Batman wanders off, eats some not drugged food, and wakes up with more clarity.
- Batman decides he has to go back to the sewers and stop Blackfire.
- Robin also goes down into the sewers, looking for Batman.
- Blackfire reveals his big plan to rule the city.
- Batman arrives just in time to witness Blackfire's speech. He Batman breaks into Blackfire's secret sanctum and finds a room filled with luxurious objects. Batman realizes Blackfire is a con-artist.
- Deacon’s followed find and attack Batman. He commands his men to kill the Dark Knight, keeping his blood so that he can nourish from it afterwards. As Batman is taken away, Robin follows them closely.
- Deacon’s men kill some government officials including the Mayor. 
- The only authority figure left in the city is Commissioner Gordon.  The media notices Batman's absence during these events, and there are rumors that the Dark Knight joined Blackfire's ranks.
- Batman attacks his captors and he escapes into the sewers. The thugs believe Batman wouldn't survive and they return to Blackfire. 
- Robin, who witnessed the whole scene follows Batman, who sounds like he is having a mental breakdown. Robin takes out a flashlight, revealing they are standing atop a mound of corpses.
- Gordon investigate of Blackfire's past and he learns that the man has records that go back to the turn of the century.


Capture

#2 - Capture



- Batman and Robin start looking for a way out of the sewers.
- Blackfire's followers steal weapons from an armory, and Commissioner Gordon is forced to declare martial law in the city. Unfortunately, Gordon is shot and seriously injured during the announcement. The Governor calls in the National Guard.
Batman and Robin are still exploring the sewers when they witness Deacon Blackfire bathing inside a pool of blood, revealing his secret to eternal life.
Blackfire notices them, and Batman and Robin start running away through the sewers with a horde of Blackfire's followers on their trail.
- Deacon takes over a news broadcast, telling the public he has the means to cleanse the city from criminals while protecting them all.
- Batman and Robin are surrounded by underworlders. At first, Batman is paralyzed in fear, but soon joins in to fight then off, then they continue their way out.
Meanwhile, the National Guard attempts to go into the sewers and force all the underworlders out to put an end to their reign of chaos. Unfortunately, they are butchered by the underworlders.
The Governor declares Gotham City as a disaster area and he recommends that the citizens evacuate.
Blackfire realizes his dream has come true and he sends all his followers to the surface, where they take over the city once most of the people have abandoned their places.
 Batman and Robin get to the surface and are forced to retreat from the city for now.


Escape

#3 - Escape



- Bruce has nightmares about giving up on Gotham. 
- A week has passed since his escape from Blackfire. Batman now has the equipment necessary to face him.
- Half of Gotham’s population evacuated, while the rest suppose Blackfire (who had be killing criminals).
- However, Backfire has now made Gotham citizens into slaves.
- A former member of Blackfire's cult has managed to defect and escape Gotham, he tells the media about Blackfire's apparent drive to end up dead fighting for his holy crusade. Unknown to the public, Deacon Blackfire indeed wants martyrdom as he believes it is the only way of perpetuating his message for eternity. 
- Batman and Robin enter the fortified city using their new Monster Batmobile. Robin fires tranquilizer darts to those shooting at them. Once there is only one man standing, Batman tells the man to pass on a last warning to Deacon Blackfire.
- At Gotham Square dozens of Blackfire's followers appear and surround the vehicle, but Batman and Robin have already escaped into the sewers. They fight more cultists in the sewers and Robin injures his leg. Batman continues Blackfire's inner sanctum alone.
- Blackfire challenges Batman to kill him, but Batman refuses, denying Blackfire of his much-desired martyrdom. Enraged, 
- Blackfire attacks Batman with a knife, Batman easily and beats Blackfire to a pulp until he begs for mercy. Blackfire’s followers see his weakness and turn against him.
- Soon, order is restored to Gotham.


Combat

#4 - Combat



Batman: The Cult is a four-issue comic book mini-series.


Batman: The Cult (1988 - 1988)

Comics