Batman #491 1993

Batman #491, titled "The Freedom of Madness!", is a pivotal prelude to the iconic Knightfall saga. In this issue, Bane orchestrates a massive breakout at Arkham Asylum, unleashing a multitude of Batman's most dangerous adversaries, including the Joker, upon Gotham City. Batman arrives on the scene, but is ultimately unable to prevent the widespread escape, marking a significant defeat for the Caped Crusader. This issue is highly notable to collectors as it directly sets the stage for Bane's ultimate confrontation with Batman in the Knightfall storyline.