Inferno (Batman novel)

Infobox Book |
name = Batman: Inferno


image_caption = First edition cover
author = Alex Irvine
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
genre = Science fiction novel
publisher = Del Rey Books
release_date = 31 October 2006
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 352 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-345-47945-9
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Batman: Inferno" is a novel set in the universe of DC Comics superhero Batman and was penned by Alex Irvine, a writer and assistant professor of English at the University of Maine. The novel is a tie-in with the film "Batman Begins" and features Batman's archenemy The Joker and new villain Enfer (similar to the villain White Eyes being introduced in "", this novel's predecessor). It also makes reference to several aspects of the of Batman's early days.

Continuity

*The majority of the novel takes place between July 26 at 9:09 a.m. and August 5 at 10:44 p.m. An epilogue takes place nearly four months later, on December 1 around 7:16 p.m.
*The novel is set approximately a year after the events of the film "Batman Begins". (Irvine, 4)
*Harvey Dent does not appear in the novel, but he is mentioned as having "been undergoing psychiatric treatment in Arkham," implying that he has been changed into Two-Face. Sal Maroni is also referred to, and he is implied, but not explicitly stated, to have scarred Dent, which would tie into "Batman Annual #14", "", and the upcoming sequel The Dark Knight.
*Additionally, this novel appears to be set after the events of the upcoming sequel, "The Dark Knight", as Vicki Vale, a columnist for the "Gotham Gazette" in the novel, remarks that "Hearing that Two-Face or the Joker is definitely off the streets will let us all sleep better at night," in reference to the climax of "Begins", which was the arson that previously destroyed Arkham Asylum and freed several notorious prisoners. (Irvine, 39)
*In Chapter Three, Bruce and Alfred comment on the reconstruction of the main part of Wayne Manor, and that it could withstand any major seismic eruptions. This is a slight reference to the '90s storyline No Man's Land, in which the manor did survive a violent earthquake that shook Gotham.
*Soon after the Joker escapes from Arkham Asylum following the arson that destroys it, he finds the cave beneath Wayne Manor. After an encounter with Alfred, the Joker steals a Batsuit, a number of gadgets and tools, and most strikingly the Batmobile. (Irvine, 53-60) Interestingly, a Rogue's Gallery member discovering the Batcave, but not Batman's identity, was also used in .
*The Joker wearing the Batsuit in this novel is similar to "The Laughing Bat", an episode of the animated series "The Batman", where the villain disguises himself as Batman and forces payment from those persons he saves while fighting crime. Joker's use of the Batman is vastly different in this novel, with the villain using the suit and the Batmobile to frame Batman.

Characters from "Batman Begins" and the Year One Comics

*Dr. Jonathan Crane is the former director of Arkham Asylum and his office is still in the prison. (Irvine, 25)
*Capt. James Gordon contacts Batman via e-mail and enjoys free time with two year old son, James Jr. in this novel. (Irvine, 206)

External links

* [http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345479457 Del Rey Online | Batman: Inferno]
* [http://alexirvine.net/ Alexander Irvine]
* [http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=4995 Book Review: Batman: Inferno] at The Trades.