Chip Zdarsky’s current arc Batman: The Dying City is coming to an in the next issue (Batman No. 157). One of the many mysteries throughout was the man behind Commander Star. He was a vigilante who came out of nowhere to be the anti-Dark Knight. He used guns and was more than willing to kill. Since it seemed convenient that he popped up when Riddler and the Court of Owls started their plan, it was a good assumption that they were working together. Plus, with some of the people in Gotham being more aggressive than normal, mind control looked likely.
Batman No. 156 creative team:
- Writer: Chip Zdarsky
- Artist: Tony S. Daniel
- Colors: Tomeu Morey
During Batman No. 156, Chip Zdarsky revealed a couple of things. First, Leonid Kull is a Russian name and the Court of Owls is under Russian control. Second, we learned who was behind the Commander Star mask thanks to a Beauty and The Beast and a weight riddle. The Beast won Beauty’s heart in the classic tale (the first part of the riddle). The answer to the weight part of the riddle was a kilogram. Kilogram abbreviated is “kg”. Who’s Commander Star? KGBeast.
""I have a rematch waiting for me, with one of the best fighters in the world." -Batman talking about KGBeast"Writer: Chip Zdarsky
This writer has enjoyed Chip Zdarsky’s Batman: The Dying City. It’s been unlike the rest of his run that focused on Bruce Wayne being broken down and defeated by his creations (Failsafe and his alternate personality, Zur En Arrh). This time, we’re treated to a classic Caped Crusader story where he’s forced to earn his title as the World's Greatest Detective. It’s the part of Batman that makes him one of the most impressive comic book characters ever. The other part is how great of a fighter he is. That part will be on display in the finale of the arc.
KGBeast and The Dark Knight have been battling a lot over the last decade. One of those times Bruce left him for dead (Batman No. 57 “Beast of Burden). KGBeast isn’t someone to take losses lightly because it ruins his reputation as a gun for hire. Because of that, the next issue will have a battle worthy of bringing in the new year. It should also show what KG Beast’s motives are.
KGBeast (whose real name is Anatoli Knyazev) is a mercenary, but he’s also a man of pride. Money may not have been his motivation during The Dying City. He’s a Russian who may have helped his countrymen so they could gain power. Destroying Gotham, manipulating its citizens, and taking out Batman could’ve been a bonus. For now, all we have to go on is that Anatoli was working with Leonid Kull and the Court of Owls. What happens next will have to wait until issue No. 157 of Chip Zdarsky’s Batman.
Did you like the reveal of KGBeast being Commander Star? What do you think is next for him and The Dark Knight? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.