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DescriptionSwinging into another Batober with an incredible offering from the great Mike Perkins.Batman’s most consistent enemy - his longest-running nemesis with whom he’s had the most intense battles for survival - is also the one thing he stands in fiercest defense of: Gotham City herself. Mike Perkins captures a taste of the struggle here. Just as often as she lifts up our hero and provides warmth and sanctuary, Gotham will mercilessly stand in Batman’s way, bringing all her resources (even the elements themselves) into play in a single-minded effort to undermine her guardian’s noble intentions. But through it all, Batman stands strong in the face of withering assault after withering assault, as much a thing of iron or stone as the high-rise monoliths he swings from. And just look at this thing. Compositionally, the brilliant gash of white in the middle of the page - as if his cape is caught in a shaft of light as he swings through it - assures Batman doesn’t get lost in an unforgiving (and breathtakingly unrelenting) sea of adversity. Mike’s portrait of a vast, monolithic Gotham (stretching higher, ever higher, blotting out the sky) perfectly conveys the -scale- of the task Bruce has set in front of himself, along with the mountainous penance he feels duty-bound to execute. More often than not, even as he tries to save it, Batman is engaged in a potentially fatal battle of wills with the city that forged (and continues to forge) him. It is the ultimate and extreme last word in unhealthy co-dependent relationships, and for this reason there is a small dash of guilt that accompanies the feelings of delight and awe I get from witnessing that struggle in a gorgeous piece like this. But somehow, through it all, I do eventually manage to sleep at night… (...at least as soundly as a citizen of Gotham…) Thank you -yet- again, Rubén (and find more of Mike’s artwork) at comicbookartgallery.com ! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Kavi H 
Member Since 2018
2 - Posted on 10/7/2025
How eloquently put! An epic cover of The Dark Knight juxtaposed against the dark city of Gotham! The in depth city/skyline background at night and the subsoquent lighting from it, the heavy rain, and the swinging/kicking Batman figure...chef's kiss! Another banger Batman piece from Mike finding it's home in your collection, congrats Jason!
Duke Fleed
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 10/7/2025
A totally awesome addition! No doubt Ruben was sad to see this one go.
Ron B
Member Since 2024
1 - Posted on 10/7/2025
Very awesome, congrats Jason! The immensity of Gotham looms over over the Bat, as he busily swings upstream into the driving wind and rain. Just another day.
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/7/2025
So to you, Gotham is his most consitent enemy?
Based on this great cover,I'd say it's the rain.
But the Bat doesn't fear anythang, not even da rain.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/7/2025
Imagine living in one of these buildings. You hear the hard rain pelting your window. The rumble of thunder above. You pull aside the curtain to take a peek just as a dark shadow swings by. And suddenly, a flash of lightning briefly illuminates something you're not even sure you saw. In another flash, it's gone. Leaving only a cold, dark, stormy, night.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/8/2025
E DLS wrote:
Imagine living in one of these buildings. You hear the hard rain pelting your window. The rumble of thunder above. You pull aside the curtain to take a peek just as a dark shadow swings by. And suddenly, a flash of lightning briefly illuminates something you're not even sure you saw. In another flash, it's gone. Leaving only a cold, dark, stormy, night.
I must have missed the other Flash but he is very fast. Man, I have got to start taking things seriously.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 10/7/2025
This is a powerful and moody image that captures everything I love about Batman: Mystery, strength, and fear of the unknown. Batman soars through the rain above Gotham City, his cape stretched wide like a white flame cutting through the darkness, as the city glows with hundreds of tiny lights behind him, each one suggesting life, chaos, and danger all at once.
I think the most striking part of this piece is the way Perkins plays with light and shadow, unsurprisingly, as that is one of his greatest strengths as an ilustrator. The heavy blacks make Gotham feel dense and alive, while the bright white of Batman’s cape draws your eye instantly to him. Batman’s angled pose and flowing cape add a strong sense of motion, as if he’s swooping in to face whatever the city throws at him next. The driving rain gives the piece texture and rhythm. It feels alive, as though we can almost hear the storm.
Perkins’ art blends the dark, gritty tone of classic noir with a cinematic sense of action. Every line and shadow helps tell Batman’s story: A hero always surrounded by darkness but never quite letting it swallow him him up entirely. A perfect snapshot, I think, of what makes Batman as a character, so timeless.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
2 - Posted on 10/8/2025
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
This is a powerful and moody image that captures everything I love about Batman: Mystery, strength, and fear of the unknown. Batman soars through the rain above Gotham City, his cape stretched wide like a white flame cutting through the darkness, as the city glows with hundreds of tiny lights behind him, each one suggesting life, chaos, and danger all at once.
I think the most striking part of this piece is the way Perkins plays with light and shadow, unsurprisingly, as that is one of his greatest strengths as an ilustrator. The heavy blacks make Gotham feel dense and alive, while the bright white of Batman’s cape draws your eye instantly to him. Batman’s angled pose and flowing cape add a strong sense of motion, as if he’s swooping in to face whatever the city throws at him next. The driving rain gives the piece texture and rhythm. It feels alive, as though we can almost hear the storm.
Perkins’ art blends the dark, gritty tone of classic noir with a cinematic sense of action. Every line and shadow helps tell Batman’s story: A hero always surrounded by darkness but never quite letting it swallow him him up entirely. A perfect snapshot, I think, of what makes Batman as a character, so timeless.
I gave the condensed version in my comment. Hope you enjoy it.
Joshua Matthews-Sims
Member Since 2022
1 - Posted on 10/7/2025
Awesome pice and a fitting description!
Mark V
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 10/7/2025
From the thumbnail I dismissed this as a drawing of Batman against a photo backdrop. I'm glad I took a closer look as the rendering of the city behind Batman is, for me, the real draw of the piece. A compelling setting for the Batman figure in the lower third, rendered with such intricacy that I hope Mr. Perkins's eyes are okay! The Dutch angle also helps to create more dynamism in the piece. A great addition for Batober!
Jared Simmons
Member Since 2004
2 - Posted on 10/7/2025
I literally can't say it better than Ruben above. Congrats on a wonderful piece!!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 10/8/2025
No Gotham, no cry
No Gotham, no cry
No Gotham, no cry
No Gotham, no fly
Say, say, say I remember Perkins' variant
In the comicbook art inks drenched now
Over, observing the citizens, as Wayne would
Mingle with the good people in streets, yeah
Alfreds we have had, oh good friends we've lost along the way, yeah
In this Knight cover you can't forget your Bats
So dry your tears I say, yeah
No Gotham, no cry
No Gotham, no cry, eh, yeah
Little raining don't slash through fears
No Gotham, no crime
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 10/8/2025
The best contemporary Gotham image I ever seen! Stupendous!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
2 - Posted on 10/8/2025
Got it. Batmans greatest enemy is rain. Perhaps I should read that description again...
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 10/8/2025
Incredibly detailed art abs design work, it's fun to look at all the city details. Cheers!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 10/8/2025
Ode to Gotham
When the lights go down in the city
And the moon shines on the Bat
Ooh, I wanna be there, in the city
Oh, whoa, oh
Oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh
So you think you're lonely
Well, Robin, I'm lonely, too
I wanna get back to the city with the Bat
Oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 10/9/2025
Super cover! Perkins has such an original and evocative style. Love the dynamic pose, textures, realism, low placement of the figure, and all that ink on the page. Such an interestong choice with the light cape on a dark background
Steve N. Comic/Fantasy Art
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 10/11/2025
Nightscape buildings that look this good are a guaranteed way to tug at my heartstrings. Just ridiculous. Bravo, good man, bravo!
Raj Patel
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 10/13/2025
Perkins delivered something truly amazing here.
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 10/16/2025
Execution, execution, EXECUTION! Perkins is a machine. Congrats on a stunning cover. I can imagine this on the wall demanding a moment of contemplation everytime one passes it. Gotham is a dark, dark mistress.
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 11/6/2025
What a visual feast - love all that background detail - so well done. Major congrats!
Aidan (Re-Legion ) Lacy
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 12/31/2025
Dear Lord ! This is absolutely insane inking and juxtaposition of light & shade
Paul Roach
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 1/20/2026
The cityscape and rain effects are brilliant, but as you say it's the gash of white that draws the eye. Is it a burst of light in the darkness, or a tear in the cityscape, a sign that the peace has been broken and the city can't be put back as it was? Visually very effective, making this a great cover.
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