Batman Is Failing Gotham And One Vigilante Proves It
Despite all his hard work, Batman may be failing in his mission to save the soul of Gotham, and one little-known hero may be living proof in DC Comics. In 2016, the world was introduced to Mother Panic, a cybernetically enhanced vigilante with a chip on her shoulder who decided to stake her own claim in Gotham. However, she wasn't there to assist Batman and her existence may show that the Dark Knight isn't helping the city as much as he thought he was.
Violet Paige, aka Mother Panic, is the creation of Jody Houser, Tommy Lee Edwards and Gerard Way. Her debut comic was part of Way's Young Animal line, an experimental imprint under DC that took a glimpse at the little known corners of the DC Universe. Unlike it's fellow titles, Mother Panic was closer to being a more traditional story, but Paige's intense crimefighting methods and extreme distaste for Batman largely set her book apart from the standard Bat-books.
During her initial adventures in Gotham, Mother Panic is mistaken for a member of the Bat-Family. She vehemently denies any association, going so far as to curse Batman's name multiple times. Batman has Batwoman keep an eye on Paige in Mother Panic #3, though by the time Kate catches up, Violet bests her in a battle and escapes. Panic continues her investigation into a missing children's case, only to come discover the villainous Gala, an elite supervillain that creates artwork with the blood of children. Mother Panic is able to rescue the kidnapped youths, and Batwoman congratulates her on a job well done. Violet isn't in the mood for compliments and tells Batwoman how she really feels about Batman and his entire crew.
While Batwoman claims that they knew Mother Panic had it handled, Paige's anger comes from an understandable place. She was a victim of the Gather House, a boarding school within Gotham that performed experiments on its students. For years, Violet resented the heroes of Gotham, Batman in particular, for never rescuing her or her fellow students. Her beliefs are only reinforced when she discovers there are still villainous elements like Gala operating with seeming impunity.
And sadly for Gotham, Violet has a point. Too often are secret societies discovered working in the shadows that have remain undetected by Batman for years. Organizations such as the Black Glove and the Court of Owls only ever come onto Bruce Wayne's radar when they decide to target him, despite bringing years of torment onto others. Granted Batman is only one man, and even with the Bat-Family, they have their hands full with a city already plagued with a number of colorful villains. But that's just further evidence that a city like Gotham may be beyond saving, even with a hero as capable as Batman. The Dark Knight and his allies may operate in the shadows, but Violet has helped shine a light monsters that even they are unaware of. Batman is no doubt doing his best to save Gotham, but Mother Panic's existence shows the city's evil may be too deep to completely eliminate.