Timm is aware of one thing about reinventing Two-Face; he is helped do it earlier than. “Batman: The Animated Collection” initially introduces Harvey Dent as a pal of Bruce Wayne. That makes Dent’s transformation within the two-part episode “Two-Face” (written by Alan Burnett and Randy Rogel) all of the extra tragic; Batman did not simply fail a great man, he failed his pal.

Harvey Dent having been a pal to Batman pre-Two-Face in an accepted a part of Batman lore, however totally different variations play it in a different way. In Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s 1996 comedian “Batman: The Lengthy Halloween,” Bruce Wayne is not particularly acquainted with Harvey however the DA is Batman’s solely ally within the Gotham Metropolis justice system moreover Commissioner Gordon. This trio being in an alliance to take down Gotham Metropolis’s mob (earlier than Dent turns into Two-Face) was tailored into Christopher Nolan’s 2008 Batman movie “The Darkish Knight.”

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Apart from Batman and Two-Face’s usually shared historical past, every of Batman’s villains is a darkish mirror of him. With Two-Face, it is his break up id — and the way the Bat usually triumphs over the Man.

Frank Miller’s 1986 “The Darkish Knight Returns” featured a 55-year-old Bruce Wayne popping out of a 10-year-retirement as Batman. The guide’s first chapter follows his restlessness in attempting to reside with out Batman and his failure to take action. Miller makes Two-Face the villain of this primary chapter; Harvey Dent has gotten cosmetic surgery to restore his face, however that solely destroyed his thoughts even additional, satisfied that “each side match” now.

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The primary situation of “Darkish Knight Returns” ends with Batman pulling off bandages from Harvey’s face and recoiling — not as a result of it is scarred, however as a result of it is not and Harvey continues to be satisfied he is a monster. Batman sadly says that taking a look at Harvey’s face, he sees his personal reflection.