Inferno (Batman novel)
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 Batman: Dead White, this novel's predecessor).
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 two years after the events of the film Batman Begins. (Irvine, 4)
- 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 arson that destroys Arkham Asylum and frees several notorious prisoners. (Irvine, 39)
- 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)
- 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
- Dr. Jonathan Crane is director of Arkham Asylum and has an office 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)