Injustice: Gods Among Us – Year Five #24
Genre
Superhero, Action, Drama, Alternate Universe, Psychological Thriller
Main Characters
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Batman / Bruce Wayne – The Dark Knight, increasingly strained by the weight of resisting Superman’s regime.
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Victor Zsasz – A sadistic serial killer who thrives on chaos and adds a scar to his body for every victim.
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Damian Wayne – Batman’s estranged son, now loyal to Superman's cause.
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Superman / Clark Kent – Earth’s tyrannical overlord, whose authoritarian rule divides former allies.
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Alfred Pennyworth – Batman’s trusted confidant and moral anchor.
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Harley Quinn – Still navigating her shifting allegiances, offering both chaos and unexpected clarity.
Writer
Brian Buccellato
Artist
Mike S. Miller
Editor Details
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Editor: Jim Chadwick
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Assistant Editors: Jessica Chen, Diego Lopez
Publisher and Brand
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Publisher: DC Comics
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Brand: Based on the Injustice video game series by NetherRealm Studios. Part of the Injustice Universe, which operates as an alternate continuity outside of DC’s main canon.
Release Year
2016
Brief Plot Summary
In this final chapter of Injustice: Gods Among Us – Year Five, Batman is pushed to his emotional and moral limits. With tensions reaching a boiling point, he takes the fight to Victor Zsasz—a remorseless killer whose crimes cut deep into Batman’s already tormented psyche. Fueled by grief and fury, Bruce's pursuit threatens to shatter the very principles that have defined his crusade. As his allies grow distant and Superman's oppressive regime tightens its grip, Batman must confront not only Zsasz, but his own darkness.
Meanwhile, moments of reflection and reckoning ripple through the fractured relationships left in Superman’s wake. This issue explores the cost of war—not just in bodies, but in soul.
Notable Arcs or Storylines
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Final Confrontation in Year Five – This issue serves as the culmination of Batman's long battle of attrition, marking the end of the Year Five arc before the events that directly lead into the Injustice 2 timeline.
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Moral Descent of Batman – The narrative hints that even Batman’s iron resolve can fracture, setting the stage for his continued transformation in later stories.
Fan Theories or Interpretations
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"Zsasz as a Catalyst": Some fans theorize that Zsasz was reintroduced as a psychological test for Batman, intended to reflect how thin the line between justice and vengeance has become. His presence forces Bruce to reconsider whether fighting a dictator like Superman means becoming one in return.
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"Alfred’s Absence as a Symbol": Observant readers point out Alfred’s reduced involvement here represents Bruce's emotional and ethical unraveling—his compass is fading, and Zsasz’s challenge pushes him toward moral collapse.
Review Summary
This issue of Injustice: Gods Among Us – Year Five delivers a compelling and emotionally weighty narrative. Brian Buccellato’s writing dives deep into Batman’s psyche, effectively portraying a man stretched to his limits. The dialogue is sharp, particularly in the exchanges that reveal Bruce’s internal conflict. Mike S. Miller’s artwork complements the story with intense facial expressions and moody, shadow-heavy panels that evoke the emotional gravity of the moment. The pacing is taut, making for a gripping conclusion to Year Five, and setting the tone for the darker paths that lie ahead. Fans of moral ambiguity and grounded psychological drama will find this a standout chapter in the Injustice saga.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
