Comic Title: Batman:The Cult #3
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 1988
On Sale Date: July 5, 1988 Shipping Date July 5, 1988
Source: Direct Currents, #6

Shipping Date July 5, 1988
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #760, #762

Shipping Date July 7, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #142

Copyright Date August 9, 1988
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1988

Newsstand Date July 19, 1988
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #760, #762

Cover Price: $3.50
Page Count: 48
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "Escape"
Pages: 46

Feature(s):
Batman (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Jim Starlin
Artist: Bernie Wrightson
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Bill Wray

Reprinted In:
Batman:The Cult TPB (1991)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #2; next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #2; next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)
• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #2; next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)
• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Action Comics Weekly #606; next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)

Villain(s)

• Deacon Joseph Blackfire (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #2; next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)
• Jake Baker (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #2; next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)
• Members of Blackfire's cult (last appearance in Batman:The Cult #2; next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)

Other Character(s)

• Filbert (deputy mayor of Gotham City; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Michelle Smith (a news anchor; next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)
• Ralph (a news reporter; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• General Prye and various National Guardsmen (next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)
• An unnamed governor (no further appearances)
• Ted Rogers (a news reporter; next appearance in Batman:The Cult #4)

Comments:
This story is continued from Batman:The Cult #2 and continues in Batman:The Cult #4.

Synopsis:
While Batman and Robin attempt to elude the forces of Deacon Blackfire's underworlders in the sewers, the cult continues to target city leaders who oppose them. The deputy mayor is killed, and Commissioner Gordon is shot. Eventually the National Guard is sent by the governor. An evacuation of Gotham City is ordered, and the city is sealed off.

Batman observes Blackfire bathing in a pool of blood which he claims is responsible for his longevity. Once half of Gotham's population has left the city, the cult rises from the sewers and claims the streets. Batman and Robin reach the surface. Robin calls Alfred to pick them up. Batman then heads out of the city himself, claiming that it now belongs to Blackfire.