In the last issue, King spent a considerable amount of time illustrating the similarities and differences between Bruce and Bane.  This time, there is an entirely different parallel at play, but it’s not at all overt like before.  And quite frankly, much stronger in my opinion.
In the original “Knightfall” story, Bane invaded Gotham.  He freed the Arkham inmates and used them to weaken Batman.  At which point, Bane broke Batman.  But now, the tables have turned.  In the “I Am Suicide” storyline, Batman invaded Bane’s sanctum and broke him.  Now we are seeing the inclusion of the Arkham inmates.  And where before they were used against Batman, now they are being used against Bane, to weaken-him-up for the final confrontation.  While out of order, the major beats are all there.
If this story included nothing more than this, I’d still be giving it two thumbs up, but King actually gives us more subtle references to previous stories that had me grinning from ear to ear.
At one point in time, Bane actually gave up his rivalry with Batman.  He even apologized to the Caped Crusader for all the stuff he put him through, admitting that his actions were misguided.  I feel that King is paying homage to that in the scenes where Bane explains that he had given up.  He was done with being a villain, and decided to lead a more peaceful existence.  In that sense, it’s very tragic.  Because, in a way, Batman really is pulling Bane back into all of this.  He doesn’t want to be here at all, but he has to be here.
If I had any doubt about this, it was put to rest when I saw this panel.  If you look at which sections of dialogue apply to which character, Bane is clearly the just man and Batman is the lion…or the monster.  Once again, it comes down to a boy trying to dispel his fear by battling the great Bat-demon from his nightmares.
If you never read any of the original material, all of this is completely undisclosed within the story itself.  It’s not like the last issue where it was up front and in your face.  What King did this time around was to include the material but make no attempt to call-it-out.  It’s there for you to take in, but he isn’t holding your hand and guiding you through.
If you’re at all into villains, this issue features 17 such cameos.  8 of which have scenes with Bane that amount to slightly more, in some instances, than just getting punched in the face.  The most noteworthy inclusions belong to Maximilian Zeus, Harvey Dent, Jonathan Crane, Julian Day, and Edward Nygma.  Interactions range from poetic, to humorous, to thought provoking.