Contains preview images for Catwmoan #58

Between Failsafe, Red Mask, the Knightmare League, and run-of-the-mill criminals, Batman's had a rough year. His coma between the Knight Terrors and Gotham War events should have let him rest and recuperate. However, they may have just unleashed a darker side of him that took advantage of Bruce's weakness and paranoia.

In the latest chapter of Gotham War in Catwoman #58, by Tini Howard and Nico Leon, Batman is falling apart. Catwoman, meeting with him on a rooftop to confront him about Red Hood, is instead shocked to see the state Bruce is in.

Mask off, he clings to her for support before seeming to regain his stance. Selina monologues that she knows Batman would never "snap," but he is willing to sacrifice himself if he thinks that's best, something his backup personality Zurr-En-Arrh is prepared to exploit.

Batman Crossed a Line with Jason Todd

Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War has seen the Dark Knight at odds with Catwoman over her decision to recruit henchmen away from more violent criminals and have them rob Gotham's wealthiest citizens. The event has given Batman some strange bedfellows. He's fought against Red Hood, Nightwing, and Catwoman, all usually his allies, and turned to villains like the Riddler to undermine Catwoman's criminal enterprise. Other members of the Bat-Family aren't seeing Selina's methods in as such stark black-and-white as Bruce is, and aren't 100 percent behind him in this fight. Most of all, Batman's been forced to reckon with the legacy of his parents and what role they might have played in this new world order: they were also rich, making them clear marks for his former lover's henchmen. On top of this, Vandal Savage has come to town and bought Wayne Manor - and the Bat Cave - out from under him.

With all of these factors weighing heavily on his psyche, Zurr-En-Arrh Batman is ready to take over - and may already have. The last time Catwoman saw Jason Todd with Batman, Bruce had knocked Red Hood out and taken him away. Rather than getting through to his former Robin by talking or safely detaining him, Batman used mind control. Using his own formula of fear gas and the methods he used in creating Zurr-En-Arrh, Batman forced Jason out of the vigilante game against his will. Zurr-En-Arrh has been described as Batman, but without Bruce's morality or control. Bruce has tried to stop members of the Bat-Family from becoming vigilantes before, but this next level suggests Bruce is losing the fight to his alter ego.

As Catwoman says, Zurr-En-Arrh isn't the same as an "Evil Batman." However, even when Bruce is fully in control, he's the sort of hero to have contingency plans on how to bring his super-powered friends to their knees, just in case. Gotham War may be driving Batman to believing that he gets to decide when and how to implement those failsafes.

Catwoman #58 is available October 17 from DC Comics.