Exhausted by a succession of battles and crises in Gotham, Batman sees his physical and mental endurance pushed to the limit when Bane orchestrates a mass breakout from Arkham in order to wear him down completely. After methodically studying his opponent, Bane eventually breaks Bruce Wayne and leaves him unable to continue his mission. Forced to give up the mantle temporarily, Bruce entrusts the role of Batman to Jean-Paul Valley, also known as Azrael. But his successor adopts increasingly violent methods and gradually transforms the identity of the Dark Knight, forcing Bruce to rebuild himself and reclaim his place.