Batman Finally Faces a Long-Overdue Villain Return

Batman has arguably the greatest rogue's gallery in comic book history, and now one of his often overlooked but deeply twisted enemies is making a major comeback. DC Comics has revealed new details about the return of Prometheus — the Justice League-level threat that will see Batman calling for some unexpected backup.

For those who don't recognize Prometheus, the character bears some striking similarities to The Dark Knight himself and is often dubbed the evil mirror to Bruce Wayne. He, too, saw his parents killed at a young age, but decided to use the moment as a catalyst to destroy the system rather than protect the city. The character, who was created by Grant Morrison and Arnie Jorgensen, will return to torment Gotham once more when Justice League: Knight Vision Special #1 releases on July 29.

Batman Needs Lex Luthor's Help to Take Down Prometheus in New Story

DC's solicit for Justice League: Knight Vision Special #1 shows the lengths Batman is willing to go to protect Gotham, going so far as to team up with Superman's Lex Luthor to stop Prometheus. "The Justice League has offered a number of villains amnesty, allowing them to prove they're on the side of the angels," DC writes, "but what they didn't see coming was the void that would leave in the world of super-villains!"

The recent D.C. K.O. publishing event will also catalyze the new Justice League story. "Batman and Lex Luthor must work together to investigate a Justice League villain who wants to fill that void, capitalizing on shifting priorities and the visions of the future that the DC Universe's champions saw at the end of DC K.O. to create a dangerous new weapon!"

DC also teases that Batman and Lex Luthor must set their differences aside, with the events that unfold serving as a "crucial" moment in the publisher's ongoing All In Saga. It will set up new threats for the Justice League's heroes and villains.

DC also released preview pages from the upcoming issue, which can be viewed above, that show Batman and Lex Luthor having a chat while acknowledging the return of Prometheus. "Admit it, we have a great deal in common, you and I," Luthor quips, seemingly unaware of the similarities between Batman and Prometheus.

"Everything under this roof is strange. It's a crooked house owned by a crooked man. Prometheus," Batman reveals, later telling Lex that the world still doesn't know the villain's real name. "All we do know is that his criminal parents were allegedly gunned down by police when he was a boy."

There's more to Prometheus than fans expect. "He saw - sees - law enforcement as a fascistic evil and has dedicated his life to vengeance." Over the years, Prometheus has become skilled at multiple fighting styles, which makes him even more difficult to pin down. The most compelling part of his story might be his ruthlessness, with even Batman admitting: "He won't rest until he takes down whoever he considers a villain."

Batman's Prometheus monologue humorously prompts Lex Luthor to butt in, saying, "We're still talking about Prometheus, yes?" While this aggravates Batman, The Dark Knight also acknowledges that the two characters share similar motives, albeit with drastically different approaches.

"Prometheus is a man with a brilliant but corrupt mind who carries a twisted sense of justice," he admits. "He assumes he, and only he, knows what's best for society...I'm talking about Prometheus, of course."

Whether Batman and Lex Luthor can stop Prometheus in his tracks or if the character will play a larger role in DC's All In Saga will be unveiled when Justice League: Knight Vision Special #1 goes on sale on July 29.