Comic book fans have seen countless versions of Batman across the DC Multiverse, from superpowered heroes to unthinkable villains. But without warning, the unfolding chaos of DC’s K.O. event has debuted a jaw-dropping new version of Bruce Wayne. And this twist on Batman is so evil, it’s safe to say “The Bat Who Fell” represents the darkest possible future possible for the caped crusader.

Batman Killed His Robins in DC’s Horrifying New Future

“The Bat Who Fell” is The Most Evil Version of Bruce Wayne Yet

After the massive DC K.O. tournament saw Batman killed by Joker in its opening round, Bruce Wayne beat the odds to resurrect himself back in Gotham City. Unfortunately, the arrival of a new army of Robins led by Dick Grayson exposed the horrifying truth: this is actually an alternate timeline in which Nightwing claimed the role of Batman… after Bruce drove himself insane, killing off his former Robins as challengers to his cowl.

Batman Killed His Dead Robins in DC KO Knightfight — Batman learns he killed his dead Robins, revealing a statue of Tim, Damian, and Jason in DC K.O. Knightfight #1 comic art by Dan Mora

The idea that Batman could decide to murder not only Tim Drake, not only Jason Todd, but his own son, Damian, might seem impossible to comprehend. That’s also the case for Bruce, listening in disbelief as Dick recounts the doomed fate of “The Bat Who Fell” (as the former hero is now known to Dick Grayson’s new army of Robins). And killing his own sons isn’t the only line Bruce crossed before meeting his end.

This Version of Batman Entered The Lazarus Pit To Keep Fighting Forever

Even The Sanity-Inducing Magic Can’t Be Blamed For Bruce’s Descent

Bruce Wayne Turned Immortal in Lazarus Pit in Batman Knightfight — Dick Grayson Batman tells Bruce Wayne he used the Lazarus Pit to become immortal in DC K.O. Knightfight #1 comic

The rest of Dick’s horrifying account reveals Bruce Wayne’s determination to remain active as Batman saw him enter the Lazarus Pit, the mystical source of Ra’s al Ghul’s immortality. Not to mention a force capable of bringing the dead back to life, albeit with their sanity no longer intact. But before anyone blames this dark sorcery for Bruce Wayne’s descent into madnes, Dick makes sure to point out that by the time Bruce entered the Lazarus Pit to restore his body, his mind had already been lost.

It’s unclear how much more of this Robin-killing Batman will be seen in future issues of Knightfight, or exactly how Nightwing managed to vanquish him. But where previous evil versions of Batman were driven to madness, corrupted, or broken by outside forces, “The Bat Who Fell” appears to have no such excuse. The only thing that drove this grim Bruce to his fate was the mission of Batman itself, deemed more valuable and precious to him than his own children.

DC K.O. Knightfight #1 is available now from DC Comics.