Batman #497 is a comic book published by DC Comics in July 1993. It is part of the “Knightfall” event, which involves Batman’s back being broken by Bane, the debut and subsequent descent into madness of Bruce Wayne’s successor Batman Jean-Paul Valley, and Bruce Wayne’s recovery and reclamation of his former title, combatting Valley himself. The issue is titled “The Broken Bat” and is written by Doug Moench, with Jim Aparo as the penciler and Joe Rubinstein as the inker.
In this issue, Bruce Wayne enters his study at Wayne Manor and finds Bane waiting for him. He is shocked to find that Bane knows his secret identity. Bane states that he has always known who the Batman was, but that Bruce Wayne is merely a façade and the Batman is the true persona. Bane pumps himself full of Venom, in preparation for his final step in taking control of Gotham City. Bruce is disgusted that Bane would kill so many just to gain control of the city, and he sheds his bathrobe, dons his cape and cowl, and leaps into action. Batman is exhausted from fighting Gotham’s criminal underworld non-stop for nearly three nights. Alfred regains consciousness, and Bruce only has time to tell him to escape before Bane wraps his hands around his throat. Unlike Batman, Bane is in top form, and he easily smashes him through the grandfather clock that hides the access hatch into the Batcave. Bane breaks Batman Batman stumbles down the steps and Bane trails after him. Alfred, severely injured, manages to crawl to the front door of the manor and gets to his feet while Bane batters his master around the cave. He begins limping across the yard towards Drake Manor. Tim Drake answers the door and Alfred tells him that they may need an ambulance. Tim gets into his costume. Shondra Kinsolving tries to reach Bruce on the phone, but gets no reply, as Bane pummels him, determined to break the Batman’s spirit. Broken and bleeding, wanting to die, Batman tells Bane to go to hell. Not satisfied with merely killing the Bat, Bane wants to prolong his adversary’s agony. Bane picks Batman up with both hands and then drives him down across his knee, shattering his spine. Satisfied, he lets Batman’s crumpled body fall to the floor. Used.
