Comic Title: Batman:The Cult #4
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 1988
On Sale Date: August 9, 1988 Shipping Date August 9, 1988
Source: Direct Currents, #7

Shipping Date August 11, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #146

Copyright Date September 27, 1988
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1988

Cover Price: $3.50
Page Count: 48
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "Combat"
Pages: 46

Feature(s):
Batman (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Jim Starlin
Artist: Bernie Wrightson
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Bill Wray

Reprinted In:
Batman:The Cult TPB (1991)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; next appearance in Batman #423)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; next appearance in Batman #424)
• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; next appearance in Batman #423)
• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; next appearance in Detective Comics #590)

Villain(s)

• Deacon Joseph Blackfire (dies in this story; last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; no further appearances)
• Jake Baker (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; no further appearances)
• Members of Blackfire's cult (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Michelle Smith (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; no further appearances)
• Ted Rogers (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; no further appearances)
• General Prye and various National Guardsmen (named spelled Pry in this story; last appearance in Batman:The Cult #3; no further appearances)
• Fritz Wreichman (a defector from Blackfire's cult; no further appearances)
• Donald Webster (acting mayor of Gotham; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Thomas Wayne (in flashback to his murder)
• Martha Wayne (in flashback to his murder)
• Joe Chill (in flashback to the Wayne's murder)

Comments:
This story is continued from Batman:The Cult #3.

Synopsis:
Deacon Blackfire has taken control of Gotham City. When the military tries to enter the city, the cult members kill them. Remaining residents within Gotham are forced in labor camps or lynched in the streets.

Batman has returned to Wayne Manor to recuperate from the psychological defeat he was dealt by Blackfire. He also begins preparing special weapons and guns that use tranquilizers instead of bullets. When he is ready, Batman takes a heavy duty Batmobile back into Gotham.

Batman breaks through the Deacon's defenses and enters the sewers where Blackfire waits in his sanctum. The Deacon intends to fight Batman and martyr himself. Instead, Batman beat him into submission. Seeing Blackfire beg for mercy breaks the illusion of his godhood in the minds of his followers. They swarm and kill him. The military then moves in to restore order to Gotham City.