Warning! Spoilers ahead for Task Force Z #10
The latest issue of DC Comics' Task Force Z finally reveals the truth behind the zombie conspiracy involving Red Hood. While fans were quick to point out the inconsistencies surrounding Bane as an undead asset for the new Task Force Z, the mystery has finally been exposed as to why there's seemingly been 2 Banes running around the DC Universe. Likewise, the exciting truth makes the series far more dynamic with the stakes being raised even higher.
At the beginning of DC's new Task Force Z series from Matthew Rosenberg and Eddy Barrows, it made sense that Bane was a part of this new team of deceased villains. Partially resurrected via small amounts of Lazarus resin with the promise of being brought back fully for their compliance, this new government team was formed as an offshoot of the Suicide Squad to be managed by Two-Face. Likewise, while Rick Flagg is the team leader for Task Force Z, Jason Todd's Red Hood was selected to lead this team of zombies. This included Bane, whose body was seemingly recovered after the events of A-Day where reports claimed Joker staged the deadly attack on Arkham Asylum and murdered Bane. However, DC's Joker series revealed that the Clown Prince had been framed and that Bane was alive and well. Naturally, this contradicted the existence of Zombie Bane who'd been walking around with all his memories (Red Hood made sure Bane ed killing Alfred before he kicked him off a roof).
Now, the new Task Force Z #10 finally reveals what's been happening with Bane. Rather than having something to do with clones (a legitimate option due to the existence of Bane's clone daughter Vengeance), the issue proves that Zombie Bane isn't Bane at all but someone else entirely who was recovered instead. Not only did this corpse have a similar build and makeup as Bane, but the issue reveals he received all of Bane's memories with Two-Face rightly believing the villain would be the key to manipulating Red Hood into ing them. However, Fake Zombie Bane is now in the hands of Mr. Bloom who's been building his own rival team of resurrected villains (and has now restored the true memories of this mystery villain). Surprisingly, Zombie Bane confirms he's in fact the revived corpse of Gotham himself.
Having first appeared at the beginning of the Rebirth era in DC's ongoing Batman series, Hank Clover Jr. and his sister Claire were inspired by the Dark Knight to become heroes themselves. Using their fortune to buy artificial superpowers overseas, the Clovers became Gotham and Gotham Girl (though the use of their powers took years off their lifespans). However, Gotham was killed by his own sister after he went on a rampage after his mind was corrupted by the Psycho Pirate. Now, it looks as though Gotham is halfway back to the land of the living, though he's clearly done posing as Bane in this new series.
Seeing as how Gotham Girl is still alive (her lifespan complications cured by Batman), it will be interesting to see if Hank and Claire will be reunited as the series continues. Furthermore, Red Hood now knows the truth that the villain he thought was Bane was simply a ploy to get him on the team. Perhaps Jason will be motivated to ditch Task Force Z after being lied to for so long. The new Task Force Z #10 is now on sale.
