| Format: | Miniseries |
| Limited: | y |
| Superhero: | y |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Date: | August - November 1988 |
| Issues: | 4 |
| Main Char Team: | Batman Deacon Blackfire Robin Jim Gordon |
| Writers: | Jim Starlin |
| Artists: | Bernie Wrightson |
| Letterers: | John Costanza |
| Colorists: | Bill Wray |
| Editors: | Denny O'Neil Dan Raspler |
| Tpb: | Batman: The Cult |
| Isbn: | 0-930289-85-4 |
| Subcat: | DC Comics |
| Sort: | Batman: The Cult |
Batman: The Cult is a four-issue comic book miniseries. It was published by DC Comics in their Prestige Format and released in 1988. It was written by Jim Starlin, illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, colored by Bill Wray and edited by Denny O'Neil.
The story follows the machinations of Deacon Blackfire and his band of homeless followers, who have kidnapped Batman before the events of this story. Following a lengthy period of captivity, Batman slowly succumbs to brainwashing. Batman is eventually freed from the cult, but takes a long time to recover from his treatment at their hands. The story also delves into other territory. Gotham City politicians are assassinated by Blackfire's party of followers. An attempt on Commissioner Gordon's life is made by Blackfire's group, leaving him in a hospital. Beyond Gotham, the authorities try to protect the city, then the National Guard is called in, then the military, and finally martial law is declared on Gotham. The miniseries also features the second Robin, Jason Todd.
The miniseries was later collected in 1991 as a trade paperback graphic novel . This collected volume went to four printings. A new edition (the fifth printing) was released in November 2009.[1]