Post Dixon the Secret Six, JSA and Gotham Knights stories were good. Sure there was some inconsistency after Infinite Crisis and before Secret Six but Secret Six handwaved those away with that quote about tubes you mentioned. It was New 52 where the character took a nose dive. Tynion and Tomasi retained consistency between themselves in Talon and Arkham War but The Dark Knight was terrible and Bane was a jobber in Batwoman and Batman Eternal.