Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman #132!Batman's iconic foe Bane-like villain. Batman #132 reveals how a variant of Harvey Dent has become an even more tragic version of his Prime Earth counterpart.
Of all of the Dark Knight's villains, few have as tragic a story as Two-Face. Once, he was the most promising District Attorney that Gotham had ever seen. But a splash of acid across half his face unlocked the darkest side of Harvey Dent, bringing the villain known as Two-Face to life. For years, Dent has gone up against Batman in his mission to seize control of Gotham's underground, but Bruce Wayne continuously fights to try and save his friend. However, a trip to an alternate version of Gotham has revealed an even darker form of Batman's enemy: A hulking attack dog who is armed to the teeth and known as Judge Dent.
Judge Dent's Powers Make Him A New 'Bane'
Though readers have only just met Judge Dent, new information is coming to light on what really separates him from the Two-Face that Batman knows so well. In Batman #132 by Chip Zdarsky and Mike Hawthorne, Bruce is still acclimating to the new and bizarre Gotham he’s arrived in after being transported their after his confrontation with Failsafe. While Batman gets his bearings with his new partner, the mysterious villain Red Mask approaches Judge Dent in his private chambers. The two discuss the possibility of Bruce Wayne being alive, but the hulking Harvey vehemently denies that it could be him. Red Mask triggers a switch that leaves Dent scrawny, reminding him to stay in line, and to bring Red Mask Bruce Wayne no matter what.
Like all the police officers in this backwards version of Gotham, Harvey Dent is juiced up on the same substance that gives Bane his immense strength. Venom courses through the veins of Judge Dent in order for him to do his duty of declaring who is sane and who isn’t to help fill the halls of a totalitarian Arkham Asylum. Seeing the once noble attorney sink lower than he ever has as Two-Face would be bad enough, but Red Mask has taken control of Harvey’s dark side and turned him into a vicious monster at Mask’s beck and call.
Strength or Not, Two-Face is Destined for Tragedy
Harvey Dent’s descent into becoming Two-Face was a path he could have avoided had just a few things gone differently. And in a world where there is no Batman and Arkham Asylum rules Gotham with an iron grip, he didn’t become the scarred menace he is in Bruce’s reality. However, Harvey is still at the behest of a terrifying presence who is encouraging him to do bad. Instead of his own split personality bossing him around, it’s the Red Mask and a Venom-based compliance device. It seems no matter what reality he’s on, Dent is meant to suffer and be pushed towards villainy. Readers can see the new Bane-like Two-Face in Batman #132, on sale now.
