(January 2016 to June 2016)[1]
_______________________________
–REFERENCE: In Gotham Academy: Second Semester #1. Early January. School is just about to start up again after Winter Break. Bruce visits Gotham Academy and meets with teacher Isla MacPherson to ask how Olive Silverlock’s last semester of school went. (NOTE: In Gotham Academy: Second Semester #2, Maps says that she is still a first-year student. This should be the second semester of her second year. Error alert.)
SECOND SEMESTER
————————–Gotham Academy: Second Semester #5
————————–Gotham Academy: Second Semester #7-8
Colton Rivera and Pomeline Fritch break into the shop room at Gotham Academy. Colton gets spotted by Professor Sterling Silversmith and runs through a secret passageway to find himself in the office of librarian Mr. Scarlet (aka Bookworm). Colton steals an antique map belonging to Headmaster Hammer, but then gets caught by Headmaster Hammer himself. Colton is immediately expelled for stealing. Having just exposed their English teacher Elith Pio as the witchy super-villainess Haxan, the rest of Colton’s crew—Maps Mizoguchi, Kyle Mizoguchi, Katherine Karlo (Clayface III), and Olive Silverlock—arrive to learn about Colton’s situation. “Amy” is with the crew as well, but unknown to Olive, only she can see her. Amy is actually the evil spirit of Amity Arkham, haunting poor Olive. Pomeline calls her mom, top lawyer Anaica Fritch, who demands and obtains an emergency hearing for Colton. In a couple hours, the Gotham Academy Board of Directors gathers, including Bruce Wayne, to hear the facts. Attorney Fritch accuses Mr. Scarlet of stealing Headmaster Hammer’s map prior to Colton stealing it. Bruce notices that the evidence has gone missing. Across campus, Pomeline and Tristan Grey, having swiped the map, break into Wedgewood Museum hoping to use the map to find the mysterious occult tome known as “The Old Book of Gotham.” When the Bat-Signal hangs high in the snowy night sky, Bruce quickly chats with Olive and Kyle before making a swift departure. (Whatever case Batman rushes off to solve is unspecified.) At Wedgewood, Pomeline and Tristan discover that the moonlight causes the map to reveal hidden ink below the top layer. As Pomeline and Tristan attempt to decode the map, The Symbolist (an ostracized Eric Jørgensen dressed in a homemade super-villain costume peppered with diabolist markings), stalks them, angry that they are about to find secrets that he has worked hard to unearth first. Shortly thereafter, Tristan, Colton, Maps, Pomeline, Olive, Kyle, and Eric follow their map and go deep beneath the campus grounds into the bizarre surrealist-designed catacombs called the Mines of Moria. Influenced by the evil spirit of Amity Arkham, Olive pushes Eric off a cliff to his apparent death. When the gang flips out, Olive has a Tyler Durden Fight Club moment and realizes that “Amy” never existed. Before Tristan saves Eric’s life by catching him, Olive slips through a secret passageway and finds herself back above ground where she is found by Isla MacPherson and her dog Ham. A panicked Olive runs back to the dorms. Meanwhile, back underground, the crew follows the map deeper into underground caverns. After splitting up, Colton and Pomeline find a skeleton wearing jester’s clothing and the fabled “Old Book of Gotham,” which reveals that the Silverlock family is related to the Arkham family and that the Arkham symbol scrawled all over the campus grounds is Amity Arkham’s seal. Mr. Scarlet, having followed the teens, sneaks up behind them, knocks them out, and steals the book. Concurrently, in the dorms, Olive is confronted by the spirit of Amity Arkham before running to the stables to get help from Professor MacPherson. When Olive arrives, she sees Batman visiting Isla. Secretly listening-in, Olive overhears Isla warn Batman that Olive might be succumbing to the same fate her mother did. A pissed-off Olive ignites her entire body aflame, activating her pyro metapowers. Possessed by Amity Arkham, Olive goes wild as everyone gathers around in an attempt to calm her down. Meanwhile, down in the Mines of Moria, Mr. Scarlet reads from the Old Book of Gotham while Katherine Karlo secretly frees Colton and Pomeline. Upon reading an incantation from the book, Mr. Scarlet summons the spirit of Amity Arkham down into the mine, freeing Olive, who falls into unconsciousness. Pomeline closes the book, undoing the summoning spell, then kayos Mr. Scarlet with the heavy tome. Back above ground, Pomeline joins the group and confronts Olive, who has become repossessed. Pomeline, able to communicate with the spirit of Amity because her ancestors wrote the Old Book of Gotham and was once friends with Amity, hands the book over to Olive/Amity. Amity vows to exact revenge against all the living descendants of those that executed her, disappearing in a fiery flash. (The book includes a list of those responsible.)
—[2]
—[3]
–REFERENCE: In the second feature to All-Star Batman #1. Alfred stuns Batman and drops some arcane knowledge on the Dark Knight. Alfred teaches Batman important tenets of psychology that even he was unaware of. Together, Batman melds the story of his life with Alfred’s theories. Instead of text, they draw up an almost sacred-geometrical diagram, which they call the “Cursed Wheel.” This sigil-like image depicts an ultra-condensed version of all of Batman’s experiences combined with Alfred’s unique tenets regarding human psychology. Despite having only just been created, Batman and Alfred are very aware that every Bat-Family member has lived the life of the “Cursed Wheel” and each Bat-Family Member has a place upon it.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #948. Upon learning that his old acquaintance—the world’s foremost expert in the field of post-human bio-weaponry—has just undergone gender reassignment surgery, Batman sends the now-named Dr. Victoria October a sex change congratulations card.
–Batman Vol. 2 #51
Batman builds a new version of the Batmobile and upgrades it to have a high-tech cloaking device that has the ability to camouflage it to look like a variety of different unassuming street-legal vehicles. Later, Bruce shares a laugh with Alfred, during which Alfred comments on how strange it is to see Bruce without any scars on his body. (Bruce lost his scars when the Dionesium healed him after Joker’s “Endgame.”) Batman then takes the new car out for a spin. As he arrives in the city, an earthquake rumbles and knocks all of Gotham’s power offline. Batman responds to the Bat-Signal and muses with Commissioner Gordon—who has been chain smoking and hasn’t exercised a day since getting out of the hospital a few months ago—about what super-villain must be responsible for the blackout. Batman rushes to the new Arkham Asylum when he hears word of an exodus, but by the time he arrives Jeremiah Arkham’s new security failsafes have already prevented the inmates—Bane, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Riddler, Killer Croc, and Clayface—from escaping. The Rogues Gallery notices Batman’s new costume for the first time and quietly return to their cells. Batman, suspecting the Court of Owls as the power grid deactivators, goes in disguise as a Court of Owls member to infiltrate their flooded underground labyrinth. While the Owl higher-ups make mention of a coming “Mantling” orchestrated by their “Strigidae” (aka “Strigydae”), they definitely are not responsible for any blackout. Batman sheds his disguise and punches out the baddies. (He has no idea what the Strigydae or the Mantling are, completely unaware that the Court of Owls members are talking about a plan to summon the real Barbatos to Earth using his body as a conduit.) Batman then spies on Penguin, Black Mask, and Great White Shark at the Iceberg Lounge, confirming that they aren’t behind it either. We (the reader) see what appears to be a still amnesiac Joker sitting on his bench. However, while killing a fly, Joker says, “Not yet. Not this night.” This shows that Joker is reverting back to his old evil self (if he hasn’t already). Batman makes one more stop, interrogating a Gotham Gazette columnist who used to be a member of the Whisper Gang. (Batman fought him way back in Batman Vol. 2 #3, which the dude refers to as being “five years ago.” The illusion of “five years” is untenable; it’s only been four years.) As the sun comes up over Gotham, Alfred radios-in that the blackout was actually the result of a natural occurrence.
–REFERENCE: From Batman Vol. 3 #3 and Batman Vol. 3 Annual #1 Part 5. Not only has the Caped Crusader built a brand new car, he also makes a bunch of new technology upgrades to all of the other Bat-vehicles, including the Batcycle, Batplane, and alternate Batmobiles. Included among these upgrades is a fake sedan that literally comes apart like a Transformer to release the hidden Batcycle within and a remote controlled electronic jamming-device added to one of the Bat-cars.
–REFERENCE: In Justice League Vol. 3 #15. Batman adds the four-wheeler “Bat-ATV” into his collection of Bat-vehicles.
–Green Lantern Vol. 5 #48
Immediately following “Darkseid War,” the Green Lantern Corps went missing and Hal Jordan was disavowed by the Guardians, causing him to flee Earth for about a month. Now, Hal returns to visit his young nephew Howard Jordan, who has been injured during a terrorist attack by super-villain Sonar (Bito Wladon), leader of the Modoran Separatist Army. While at the hospital, a news report shows video of Sonar, who claims responsibility for the bombing. Hal immediately flies to Gotham to get help from the Dark Knight, but is surprised to meet the robo-Batman instead. Robo-Batman tells Hal that the real Batman is on vacation.[4] He also says that every police department in America, including the GCPD, only minutes ago, has been put on high alert and briefed about Sonar. Robo-Batman explains that new evidence has proved that Sonar assassinated the previous leaders of the MSA and took over the terror cell with new members under his command. Robo-Batman also tells Hal that the MSA has a training camp in Kahndaq. Hal rushes to Kahndaq and confronts MSA soldiers, but they all commit suicide rather than be captured. Hal then levels the entire compound. Meanwhile, in the floating ruins of Oa in outer space, Modern Age Hal Jordan (Parallax) decides that his New 52 counterpart isn’t cutting the mustard. He declares that Hal must die and departs for Earth.
–Action Comics Vol. 2 #50
Ever since last year, Vandal Savage has enacted a plan that has slowly brought Superman to his knees. Now, Vandal Savage has captured both Lana Lang and most of the Justice League (including a still disavowed Hal Jordan). Vandal Savage has now stolen the entire Fortress of Solitude as well. Using his giant spaceship, Vandal Savage attacks Metropolis and prepares to harness energy from a passing comet, the very same comet that gave him his powers 40,000 years ago. Superman, still wearing his t-shirt costume but now ironically temporarily re-powered thanks to Kryptonite (which is also killing him at the same time), leads a ragtag team consisting of Mr. Terrific, Ukur, Baka, Wonder Woman, Steel, the Justice League United, and robo-Batman against Vandal Savage’s minions.[5] Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Lee fight for their lives on the ravaged streets. After infiltrating Vandal Savage’s ship, the heroes rescue the Justice League and Lana. As the comet draws near, Vandal Savage’s ship breaks apart and he sends his children (Salvaxe, The Twins, and the other one) hurtling in escape pods into the energy blast of the comet. Superman faces Vandal Savage and they fight. Vandal Savage punches a dying Superman into the core of the Fortress of Solitude. Inside, Superman is bio-scanned by Kryptonian tech and his cells are regenerated completely. The scanner/regenerator straps on his regular Superman costume and a fully healed and permanently re-powered Man of Steel is back! Vandal Savage’s children, now imbued with the comet’s power, assault the heroes.
–Superman/Wonder Woman #27
Vandal Savage’s kids—with the Twins having multiplied into a veritable clone army—wage an all out war against the Justice League, trench coat Hal Jordan, Steel, Baka, the Justice League United, and robo-Batman.[6] Meanwhile, Vandal Savage dispatches with Ukur and is helped up to the energy-emitting comet with some help from his minion Puzzler. Superman uses his heat vision to sever the connection between a mind-controlled Frankenstein and Vandal Savage, returning the centuries-old warrior back to the side of good. Vandal Savage’s kids, unable to properly wield the comet’s power within their bodies, each explode and die. Superman fights Vandal Savage in the skies above as the latter sucks energy from the comet. (Superman defeats Vandal Savage in the immediate Batman-less follow-up, Superman Vol. 3 #50.)
—[7]
–REFERENCE: In Batman Beyond Vol. 7 #5 and Batman Beyond Vol. 7 #7. Bruce takes Jim Gordon’s Robo-Bat-suit and stores it in the Batcave. Bruce will continue to improve upon the model over the course of the next twenty-five years, although this tinkering-about will go unseen on our timeline.
–REFERENCE: In Death of Hawkman #1. Batman once privately told Commissioner Gordon that “criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot.” Now, Batman practically makes this line his motto, speaking the phrase to both his Justice League teammates and to the Justice League United as well.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Beyond Vol. 7 #12. Batman, on patrol, stands high atop a Gotham skyscraper as lightning dramatically flashes behind him.
–Batman Vol. 2 #52
Crypsis, a super-villain with the combined powers of Kitty Pryde and Nightcrawler, breaks into the bank where Bruce’s old “How to Move On” journal is held in a safety deposit box. A special alarm goes off, alerting Batman to the break-in. Batman fights Crypsis, but the villain absconds with Bruce’s safety box, hoping to ransom whatever is inside for a big payoff. Batman hounds Crypsis across town and corners him. Crypsis opens the safety box to find the “worthless” journal. Batman punches him out and sends him on a one-way ticket to Blackgate. Back in the Batcave, Alfred expresses his surprise that the journal still exists. Bruce tells Alfred that he kept it and had planned to retrieve it when all of the items on his “How to Move On” bucket-list were completed. The only thing on the list that he never accomplished—and not so coincidentally the only not emo-goth thing on the list—was the only item that Alfred wrote in: “Remember that your parents will always be proud of you.” But now, thanks to Alfred, Batman can finally truly believe that. With patrol only getting started, the Caped Crusader swings back out into the rainy Gotham night.
–Catwoman: Election Night #1
Note that, even though the words “Election Night” appear in the title, this story takes place months before actual election night. It’s not just a presidential election year, it’s a mayoral election year in Gotham as well. With only one viable opponent to go up against Mayor Hady, the seemingly progressive Constance Hill, Penguin officially throws his hat in the ring, announcing his candidacy with Donald Trump-style hate-mongering, which catapults him to the top of the leader board. Catwoman sees something shady in Ms. Hill, who oddly campaigns to save Miss Kitty’s Home for Wayward Girls, one of the many orphanages that Catwoman lived in as a child. After a visit with Hill, Catwoman breaks into the Iceberg Lounge to dig up dirt on Penguin, but Batman is already there. He tells Catwoman that he is also investigating both Hill and Penguin (and has been trailing Catwoman this whole time), handing over files detailing Penguin’s illegal real estate dealings. Catwoman then visits Miss Kitty, who reveals that Hill is actually a bully from back in the day named Jamie Allan. This triggers a memory Selina had when she was a girl—a memory of Jamie covered in blood. Catwoman puts two-and-two together and realizes that young Jamie murdered another child (who went missing) and hid the body in the basement. Now, as an adult running for mayor, “Constance Hill” has made Miss Kitty’s Home the focus of her campaign in an ill-fated attempt to cover up the decades-old crime. Catwoman exposes Hill on live TV during a debate against Penguin. Penguin runs off only to get nabbed by Batman, who exposes his illegal dealings. Both campaigns end with a sudden halt. Back at Miss Kitty’s, young Beth Ross tells Miss Kitty that she will be president some day. (In case you don’t know Beth Ross will become the youngest-ever president of the United States in about twelve years. You can read about it in the delightful Prez Vol. 2.)
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #9-10 and Batman Vol. 3 #15. A Kahndaqi terror group known as The Dogs of War bombs The Thomas and Martha Wayne Home for the Boys and Girls of Gotham, killing 171 people, mostly orphaned children. Catwoman’s friend Holly Robinson, who once stayed at the home with Selina as a child, snaps. Holly begins a clandestine campaign of bloody vengeance and retribution. Over the course of the next few months, Holly will stalk all 237 members of the Dogs of War and murder them individually. Batman investigates the Dogs of War bombing as well, but is unaware who is responsible for the executions of the Dogs of War at this point.
–Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1
Green Lanterns Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz respond to a distress call in Arizona. There, a Manhunter robot fights and defeats them. Afterward, Hal Jordan appears and reveals that it was a test to see if they are ready to protect Earth. Jordan explains that he will be leaving on official Green Lantern business at the other end of the universe (to locate the missing Green Lantern Corps). Hal merges Simon and Jessica’s power batteries into one, forcing them to share ring power moving forward. Hal then brings Simon and Jessica to the Justice League Watchtower, where the JL is waiting. Simon and Jessica will not only train with the JL, but will also serve as its newest members, replacing Hal. On a distant planet, the evil Red Lanterns (once again led by Atrocitus) secretly watch these events unfold.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman Annual #3. Batman creates a new armored Bat-suit with a lot of bells and whistles, which he stores in the Batmobile. This is basically a New 52 version of the armored costume from Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns.
CRISS CROSS
————————–Batman/Superman #33
————————–Batman/Superman Annual #3
————————–Batman/Superman #34
This arc was only released as the epilogue to the Batman/Superman TPB Vol. 6. An editorial note places is prior to the “Final Days of Superman” arc. At an underground super-villain club hidden beneath a Big Belly Burger in New York City, dozens of super-villains gather. The Bat-Rogues argue with the Superman-Rogues over who is a more worthy opponent, eventually agreeing to a competition where they will switch rivals for a day. Thus, Bane, Clayface, Killer Croc, and Poison Ivy take on and defeat Superman while Major Disaster, Atomic Skull, Bizarro Number One, and Livewire take on and defeat Batman. The “criss cross” actually worked! Of course, even in victory with a bound Batman and Superman before them, the villains squabble and fight. This allows Nightwing and Robin (Damian) to free Batman and Superman. A melee breaks out, but the heroes take down most of the villains. Annoyed at his peers’ games, Lex Luthor joins the fray to take out the remaining villains. Later, Bruce and Clark share a drink and argue over who has the tougher rogues gallery. With only one way to settle it, the World’s Finest decide to swamp cities for a day! Our story ends here, but we can presume that the superhero “criss cross” is a day to behold wherein which both heroes stand tall and lessons are learned.
THE FINAL DAYS OF SUPERMAN
————————–Batman/Superman #31
————————–Superman/Wonder Woman TPB Vol. 5 Epilogue[8]
Batman fights Tusk and a coterie of weird metahumans, but is interrupted by Superman, who quickly defeats all of the bad guys. In the Batcave, Superman tells Batman the bad news. Thanks to the events of the previous ten months—specifically his fight against Rao, losing and then regaining his powers by falling into an ARGUS Kryptonite chamber, and plummeting into a fire pit on Apokolips—the Man of Steel is dying of a form of Kryptonite cancer. Superman confirms this to Batman, who kinda sorta already knew, but wasn’t sure if Superman’s condition was legitimately fatal or not. While meeting Titus and Bat-Cow for the first time, Superman asks Batman to locate the missing Supergirl, not only to make sure she is okay, but also to ensure that a Kryptonian superhero can carry on after he is gone. Alfred thanks Superman for his service to humanity and Superman departs. A grief-stricken and helpless Batman angrily smashes a computer. Later, a fake Superman (Denny Swan), glowing with solar energy, saves random people all over Metropolis. (Swan has been blasted by a sentient energy source, which in turn has been infused with a mutated copy of Superman’s genome.) Meanwhile, Batman investigates Supergirl’s disappearance and tracks her last known whereabouts to New York City. There, Superman meets with Batman, who tells him she might have left to go to National City. Just then, the heroes are attacked by Mandarin-speaking human-animal-hybrid robots that are modeled after the Four Pillars of the Zodiac. The monster bots self-destruct after being beaten, except for the dragon, who brutally cuts Superman’s neck before teleporting away. Superman then departs to check on Supergirl in National City. Later, in Washington DC, Metallo is honored as a fallen hero. (He recently gave his life defending the planet against Vandal Savage.) In Metropolis, Wonder Woman assists Superman against Titano while grilling the Man of Steel about being cold and distant towards her lately. Wonder Woman then wraps up some loose ends with Salvaxe, who has reverted back to his normal form, that of a powerless pre-teen boy. After that, Wonder Woman assists Batman to wrap up more loose ends from Vandal Savage’s recent attack in Oregon. While they take down what’s left of the Puzzler, Batman tells Wonder Woman that Superman is dying. An angry Wonder Woman takes her frustrations out on some ship-hijacking pirates in the Arctic Ocean, delivering the crooks to Hal Jordan and Cyborg. Wonder Woman then meets with Superman and Supergirl in the Fortress of Solitude, which leads directly into the Batman-less Superman/Wonder Woman #28, in which Diana and Clark patch up their relationship and talk about the latter’s terminal condition.
THE FINAL DAYS OF SUPERMAN Continued…
————————–Batman/Superman #32
————————–Action Comics Vol. 2 #52
Picking up directly from the Batman-less Superman/Wonder Woman #28, the glowing pseudonymous Superman (Denny Swan) murderously rages out of control and is temporarily detained by ARGUS where he is questioned by Wonder Woman and the real Man of Steel. When the spurious Superman escapes from custody, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman fly across the globe, mistakenly tracking his energy signature to China (and simultaneously following up on the Zodiac robot attack from earlier). En route, Wonder Woman tells Batman that she and Superman almost broke up, but they are on great terms again and quite in love with each other. She also tells Batman that the fake Superman actually believes that he is the real Clark Kent. In China, the heroes are quickly attacked by seven members of China’s version of the JL, The Great Ten (August General in Iron, Accomplished Perfect Physician, Ghost Fox Killer, Jade Lion, Yeti, Celestial Archer, and Seven Deadly Brothers). Soon, diplomacy wins and the Great Ten accompany the American heroes to the Shanxi Province laboratory of government super-scientist Dr. Omen, controller of the Zodiac bots and head of the government organization known as the Ministry of Self-Reliance. In the lab, the heroes learn that the energy source is not linked to the fake Superman in America. Dr. Omen is forced to reveal the first ever Chinese Man of Steel: Super-Man Zero. Dr. Omen releases Super-Man Zero, who flies off, prompting the Great Ten to follow and the Americans to return home. En route back to the States, a very shaky Superman struggles to fly straight. Batman contemplates putting the Man of Steel into a Lazarus Pit, but dismisses the thought as a terrible idea. Superman collapses in mid air, resulting in him getting a ride in the Batplane. Meanwhile, in Metropolis, the glowing fake Superman visits Lois Lane. She accompanies him to the Salinas, California home of Modern Age Lois and Clark. There, the energy double Superman introduces Lois to a surprised Clark and Jonathan. Evil Superman burns off Clark’s civilian clothes, revealing the Superman costume underneath. The Modern Age Superman and evil solar Superman do battle, causing an energy spike that registers on the Batplane computer. Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman immediately fly to Salinas. Upon landing, Superman has his first ever face-to-face meeting with the Modern Age version of himself. When “Lois White” arrives, the Modern Age Man of Steel grabs both she and their son (and pup Ranger and kitty Goldie) and flies off. The solar Superman makes an offer to the real Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman to help catch Modern Age Superman.
THE FINAL DAYS OF SUPERMAN Conclusion
————————–Superman/Wonder Woman #29
————————–Superman Vol. 3 #52
The evil solar Superman’s offer to fight side-by-side with the heroes is rebuked, leading to a brutal fight. Batman takes Lois Lane away in the Batplane, delivering her to a safer location. Meanwhile, Modern Age Superman (having put the pets somewhere), flies to a secret Fortress of Solitude that the Modern Age Man of Steel keeps in the Colorado Rockies. In Salinas, Superman and Wonder Woman smash the bad Superman, causing his powers to momentarily short-out, revealing him as fugitive convict Denny Swan. When his powers kick back in, he blasts away Wonder Woman and takes a sick Superman high up into the sky. In National City, where a wan Supergirl is undergoing solar rejuvenation at a DEO lab to regain her strength, the Girl of Steel is told about the fight in Salinas. Supergirl soon joins in the fight alongside Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Superman grabs the faker, whose energy is building up to explode, and flies him into Earth’s orbit. Modern Age Superman arrives to assist him. Knowing that his counterpart will be one of Earth’s only saviors, Superman punches him away and then solar-flares as the fake Superman explodes in his arms. A gigantic fiery blast lights up the sky as Lois arrives via helicopter and Steel and Lana Lang arrive in a private jet. (As we learn in Superwoman #1, the fiery blast caused by Superman’s death endows Lois and Lana with super powers.) The fake Superman is no more. Superman falls back to Earth and is caught by Modern Age Superman—(a scene also shown via single-panel flashback from Superman: Rebirth #1). Everyone says their heartfelt goodbyes before a teary-eyed Superman combusts and charrs into a pile of ash—the energy within his dying body literally consuming itself from the inside out. (This combustion scene is also shown in a single panel flashback from Action Comics #958.) Modern Age Superman flies off, leaving Superman’s “family” to mourn. The news of Superman’s death quickly hits the mainstream news media, and soon the entire planet mourns the passing of the Man of Steel. Lois writes his obituary. Farewell Superman. Rest in power.
–FLASHBACK: From Justice League: Rebirth #1. The JL mourns the death of Superman aboard the Watchtower. They discuss the loss of their friend and also the surprise appearance of the new (Modern Age) Superman. Batman propounds that they invite the new Superman to join the JL in order to keep close tabs on the stranger. Modern Age Superman doesn’t join the team quite yet.
–DC Universe: Rebirth #1
March. The original Kid Flash, Wally West, having finally been released from the Speed Force during the recent “Darkseid War,” now attempts to make contact with the world. But Wally doesn’t just want to make it back home, he wants to alert his friends about something terrible as well. During his time trapped in the Speed Force, Wally saw the true history of the DCU, all the way back to the original Crisis, regaining all of his old Modern Age memories in the process. Not only that, but Wally also saw that Flashpoint spawned the current dark incarnation of the DCU, which is missing ten years’ worth of history that were literally stolen by a powerful unknown force while Pandora was re-shaping the world. (SPOILER: The unknown force is Dr. Manhattan, secretly under the influence of the Great Darkness.) By stealing a decade’s worth of history, Dr. Manhattan was able to become the true secret creator of the New 52—a deliberately grim-n-gritty world containing less experienced and “weaker” heroes. In the Batcave, Batman watches news broadcasts regarding Superman’s death from a day prior. Alfred calls in and tells him that Joker is active in Civic City. Batman tells Alfred that another Joker has been caught in Baltimore and is currently en route to Arkham as they speak. There really are three Jokers, just as the Mobius Chair had revealed. (SPOILER: As revealed in Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #13, the Joker en route to Arkham is actually a FOURTH Joker that has nothing to do with the three Jokers mystery. This is Edwin, a man so obsessed with the real Joker that he began a correspondence with the villain a couple years ago, which eventually led to plastic surgery and learning to mimic the Clown Prince of Crime in every way—up to and including committing crimes and becoming infatuated with Harley Quinn.) Wally breaks through the Speed Force barrier and tries to get help from Batman, but he can only make a perfervid plea for Batman to think about his Flashpoint dad’s letter before phasing away. Through the closing portal, time and space are literally ripped open. A small refulgent object shoots like a bullet and imbeds itself into the Batcave wall. Wally then visits a wizened 99-year-old Johnny Thunder at an elderly home and tells him that he must somehow make everyone remember the erased history of his old team, the Earth’s first group of “mystery men,” WWII superheroes known as the Justice Society of America. This is quite an interesting paradox that Johnny recalls the JSA since they never existed on this timeline thanks to Dr. Manhattan. (As referenced in Flash Vol. 5 #22, Dr. Manhattan seems to be responsible for exiling Flash Jay Garrick and lightning djinn Yz—two would-have-been JSA members—to an alternate reality prison. They are also erased from everyone’s memories. Likewise, Johnny Thunder’s history as a superhero is erased as well. Furthermore, as referenced in Doomsday Clock #7, Dr. Manhattan caused the death of Alan Scott in 1940, preventing him from ever even becoming Green Lantern. This action also simultaneously prevented the original version of the Legion of Superheroes—the one that helped shape and guide a young Kal-El—from forming in the 31st century.)[9] In a Metropolis Police Department precinct holding room, Saturn Girl of the Legion of Superheroes is questioned by Captain Maggie Sawyer, who has just transferred from Gotham back to her old MPD Special Crimes Unit gig. Saturn Girl wants to speak to Superman and claims to have seen the future. (Note that—as referenced in Doomsday Clock #11—this Saturn Girl is from a previous continuity, part of the Legion team that Dr. Manhattan has erased from history. She is not a member of any of the alt-Legion teams that exist in the New 52 multiverse. It is only due to her vast cosmic powers that she has been able to remain in existence.) In Ivy Town, graduate student Ryan Choi receives a message from his mentor, the Atom, who is trapped in the Microverse.[10] He instructs Ryan to shrink down using a size-changing belt and rescue him. Elsewhere, Blue Beetle forms a reluctant partnership with Ted Kord, who shows off the flying Bug-ship. Dr. Fate—a hero powered by the immortal magick being Nabu, who is an agent of the cosmic Lords of Order—appears, telling Ted a dark truth about the sentient symbiotic beetle Scarab that provides Jaime’s metapowers. The Scarab isn’t science-based—it’s pure magick. In Wayne Manor, Robin blows out the candles on a cake. With Alfred, a happy Damian celebrates his thirteenth birthday. (Teen Titans Vol. 6 #1 tells us that Batman does not attend Damian’s birthday party because he is on an unspecified Justice League mission.) Elsewhere, Lucia Hyde talks to her teenage son Jackson Hyde, who is struggling with the pernicious emotions of having a triple consciousness: being gay, Black, and a metahuman with water-based powers. Concurrently, Pandora is stalked and murdered via explosion by Dr. Manhattan. On a secret island, Grail comforts baby Darkseid. At a dingy motel, the living Superman, Modern Age Clark Kent, steps away from his family only to run into the mysterious “Mr. Oz,” who tells him that nothing is what it seems. (SPOILER ALERT: As revealed in the Rebirth Era’s Action Comics #987, Mr. Oz is none other than Superman’s biological father Jor-El!) On yet another deserted isle, Aquaman proposes to Mera. (They’ve more or less been husband and wife for years already, even sometimes referring to each other as such, but now it will be “surface dweller official.”) At the site of Superman’s murder, a federal investigation is under way. A large gathering of reporters, law enforcement officials, and superheroes mill about the crime scene. Green Arrow and Black Canary are present and, while both barely know each other, a strange connection is felt between them. Smalltime reporter Linda Park is turned away, but runs into Wally, who manifests from out of the Speed Force yet again. Hoping that Linda, who was his wife and the mother of his kids in the Modern Age, will be the tether that allows him to come back permanently, Wally reaches out to her. But this Linda doesn’t know him. In a painful instant, Wally disappears again. As night falls over Gotham, a new metahuman superhero named Gotham tells his sidekick Gotham Girl that they aren’t quite ready to debut. In a Louisiana swamp, John Constantine chats with Swamp Thing. Wally appears briefly before Captain Boomerang, Cyborg, and Dick Grayson, who is in the middle of putting on his Nightwing gear. Wally then manifests in Central City and watches his cousin, the new and third Kid Flash (also named Wally West) in action. Wally watches the Flash (Barry Allen) in action all over town as well before attempting to make a plea to him. Unlike all the others, Barry remembers. He touches Wally and says his name. In tears, they embrace. Wally is back! (In this moment, Dr. Manhattan’s global mind-wipe ends and the world remembers the original Teen Titans again.) In the Batcave, Batman spots the small shiny object embedded in the rock wall. He chisels it out and holds it up to the light, revealing a smiley face button-pin with a drop of blood on it. Dr. Manhattan watches all from Mars.[11]
–The Flash: Rebirth #1 Part 2
The Flash, having just met with the returning Wally West, meets with Batman in the Batcave. Flash tells Batman about the missing decade of time and alterations to the previous incarnation of the current timeline. They discuss theories and analyze the smiley face button-pin and Flashpoint Thomas Wayne’s letter. Ultimately, no conclusions are reached.
–REFERENCE: In Justice League Vol. 2 #50 and DC Universe: Rebirth #1. While Geoff Johns’ three Jokers mystery arc was introduced in the New 52 era, the arc never reached a conclusion until the Infinite Frontier/Rebirth Era—with Johns’ Batman: Three Jokers #1-3 (2020) and Chip Zdarsky’s Batman run in 2023-2024. This means that any ending here in the New 52 must be purely speculative. However, it stands to reason that Johns own Batman: Three Jokers #1-3 (at least a stripped-down bare-bones version of it) would function as that conclusion, especially in the wake of the recent DC Universe: Rebirth #1. Here’s a synopsis. Reports continue to come in about activity by three different Jokers. (Joker has indeed recreated two additional copies of himself, harkening back to the original three—the Criminal, Comedian, and Clown.) Several Jokerized victims appear throughout Gotham, prompting Batman, Red Hood, and Batgirl to take on the three Jokers head-on. During the confrontation, our heroes are shaken to their cores. Eventually, two of the Jokers are killed, leaving only one remaining again.
–Harley Quinn Vol. 2 #25
Note that Batman appears in this issue wearing the wrong costume, but, if canon, this must go after DC Universe: Rebirth #1 and The Flash: Rebirth #1. Harley Quinn’s boyfriend, Mason Macabre, was recently jailed for the accidental bar fight murder of the son of New York City’s Mayor DePerto. After the corrupt mayor transfers Mason to the new Arkham Asylum in Gotham, Harley plans a rescue. In Gotham, Harley meets with her former flirty flame, Poison Ivy, before infiltrating Arkham while poorly dressed as a visiting doctor. Harley gas bombs Arkham with Poison Ivy’s “Hulk pills” and fights her way through guards to free Mason. But before leaving, Harley has a badass feminist moment where she opens Joker’s cell, faces him, and clears the air. In a truly empowering scene, Harley declares that she won’t have anything to do with him moving forward. She stomps Joker’s ass and storms off. (Unfortunately, this isn’t really Joker. As mentioned above, and as revealed in Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #13, this is a fake Joker named Edwin—not related to the recent three Jokers mystery in any way. Edwin was obsessed with Joker and began a correspondence with him a couple years go, eventually getting manipulated into plastic surgery and mimicking the Clown Prince of Crime in every way—up to and including committing crimes and becoming infatuated with Harley.) Poison Ivy, having stolen the Batboat from Batman, picks up Harley and the fugitive Mason. They pull up to the quays on the other side of the harbor to find Batman waiting alongside the rest of their crew, which includes Big Tony, Egg Fu, Madame Macabre (Mason’s mom), and Queenie. Big Tony, having been worried about Harley’s rescue plan, contacted Batman for help and told him all the details. Batman tells Harley that he is going to get Mason into the Witness Protection Program. After a parting kiss, Mason, his mom (Madame Macabre), and Batman depart in the Batboat. While they meet with government officials to set up the Witness Protection Program assignment, Harley and her crew take an Amtrak back to Brooklyn.[12]
–Justice League Vol. 2 #52
Mere days have passed since Superman’s death. Despite the fact that the federal government has acknowledged Superman’s demise, most major news outlets won’t commit to reporting that Superman is officially dead, obstinately holding out hope by instead saying that he is “missing” because there is no body. Jimmy Olsen even holds the conviction that Superman is really still alive. In any case, a colossal public tomb has been erected in Metropolis and the President orders all flags to be flown at half mast. Lex Luthor, in his Apokoliptian super-suit, visits a brand new Clark Kent/Superman cape memorial in the lobby of the Daily Planet building. After a heartfelt monologue by Perry White, the Justice League shows up to briefly confront Lex. After using a Mother Box to locate crimes in progress and fighting some baddies, Lex visits his still comatose sister Lena in the hospital. Lex then buys the Daily Planet just so he can gain access to Superman’s old cape. Lex wears the cape and declares himself Metropolis’ number one hero.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #17. Batman and Jeremiah Arkham plan for the construction of a new Arkham Asylum wing that will be solely for Joker. Batman calls in Mister Miracle, who designs the new wing of the prison. The new wing is then built, likely with much metahuman assistance. Only Batman is given the only key to the new wing.
–Nightwing: Rebirth #1
Having recently officially left the employ of Spyral and helped the Tiger King of Kandahar close out an off-the-record mission versus HIVE, Dick returns his focus to Gotham. He contacts Batman and tells him a secret he’s been withholding for a while: Damian has a bomb inside of his head, put there by the Parliament of Owls. When Batman and the Justice League, specifically Cyborg, can offer no suggestions as to how to safely remove the bomb, Dick turns to Midnighter. In exchange for a God Garden device that can remove the bomb, Dick tips-off Midnighter to a secret illegal biotech lab in the Alps. After helping Midnighter defeat a monster unicorn called a “Killicorn,” Dick gets the bomb removal device. A day later, still wearing his Spyral digs, Dick returns to Gotham where he takes down the super-villain team called The Madmen. Afterward, Dick takes Damian to the arcade for some hang time and a heart-to-heart before they both go to Wayne Manor. In the Batcave, Dick removes the bomb inside of Damian, who is angry and upset that no one told him he had an explosive device within his body. Batman arrives and reminds his boys that Lincoln March is still out there and likely in control of the Parliament of Owls. Concurrently, in Greece, Lincoln March addresses the Parliament in a secret maze HQ. March’s leadership is ousted as a deadly agent of the group, Raptor, takes him out in front of an approving cadre of Owl members, who shatter their old white Court masks and replace them with new black Parliament masks. Back in the Batcave, Batman sends Damian away so he can have a private conversation with Dick. Dick tells Batman that he will, at any cost, bring down the Parliament of Owls from within. Dick then surprises Batman, revealing that he has returned to the Nightwing gimmick.
–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #946—and referenced in Detective Comics #937. Batman and Red Robin meet inside the historic but long-unused and dilapidated Old Wayne Tower, also known as the Corolla Building. This is the building designed by Alan Wayne in the classic Pinkney style and built in 1888—the building once containing a hideout by the Court of Owls. Batman tells Red Robin that he is assembling a “training program,” essentially forming a new Bat-squad team. Red Robin gives an uplifting speech about how this new team could bring new hope to Gotham, making it the safest city in the world. He talks about the very definition of what it means to be a superhero, perorating about how superheroes must earn the public trust through collaboration and rehabilitation, rather than the usual fear-instilling and coercion. (This is one of the best monologues I’ve heard in a long time in any comic book—it cuts to the core of what a superhero is supposed to be. And Batman could take a few pointers, let me tell ya.) Batman and Red Robin then make plans to turn a large portion of Old Wayne Tower into a brand new base of operations called The Belfry. Batman and Red Robin (likely with the some metahuman assistance) begin construction, which will go on (albeit invisibly on our timeline) for months. As referenced in Detective Comics #947, Spoiler will help Red Robin build a new computer system for the Belfry and new weaponry for the Bat-Family. In addition, the Belfry will also be connected to several locations around the city via subway train cars that run on abandoned railway lines.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #947. Batman asks Red Robin to lay out detailed plans based upon the discussion they have just had. The Dark Knight is interested in Red Robin’s perspective on rehabilitative social justice and wants to see what it would look like fully mapped out so that it could possibly be adapted to and combined with their new Belfry operations. Red Robin drafts an outline and delivers it to Batman.
–REFERENCE: In Superman Vol. 4 #5. Batman learns that the new Superman has been stalking him for months. Untrusting of the new Superman, Batman turns the tables and begins shadowing him. But Superman realizes he’s being stalked so he quickly turns the tables back, following Batman as the Dark Knight collects his Hellbat-suit from the JL Watchtower and rockets to the Moon, revealing his gigantic still-under-construction Batcave-Moon-base. The surprised Man of Steel watches sub rosa as Batman transfers the Hellbat-suit to the Moon-base. After Batman departs, Superman enters the Moon-base and deftly avoids a Bat-drone security swarm. Superman examines the base to find dangerous experiments and wild equipment.
–Batman: Rebirth #1
Late March. Duke Thomas, months after having been offered an official Bat-Family superhero job, finally shows up at Wayne Manor where he is greeted by Alfred. Meanwhile, Batman fights Calendar Man, who enacts a scheme by which he will rapidly speed up the seasons. After bringing about a second vernal equinox, Calendar Man unleashes deadly spores over Gotham. The Dark Knight electrifies the spores, destroying them. Duke begins an intensive training program with Bruce. A day later, Calendar Man’s season-altering device brings 137 degree temperatures to Gotham. Bruce does death-defying one-armed pull-ups from a helipad atop Wayne Tower while discussing financial matters with Lucius Fox, who tells him that he has finally uncoupled and recovered Bruce’s entire fortune from the government. Lucius also has Bruce sign paperwork that returns full control of Wayne Enterprises to Bruce. Later, Batman tailors a new yellow costume for Duke. In the Batcave, Batman and Duke discuss the resurgence of Calendar Man. When Batman tells Duke that he won’t be a Robin, Duke questions what his training is for. Batman unveils the new costume. Duke becomes Lark! The next day, as winter falls over Gotham, Batman and Lark locate Calendar Man’s weather machine. Lark, still months away from being able to go on an official mission, pilots the Bat-copter while Batman swings down and destroys the machine. A day later, with the correct spring season returned, Calendar Man molts and hatches into a new body. At Wayne Manor, Bruce and Duke train.
–New Super-Man #3
China’s Super-Man (Kenan Kong) is interviewed by reporter Laney Lan on a live global web-feed, during which he boldly reveals his secret identity to the world. He also introduces his team, the Justice League of China, which features himself, Wonder-Woman (Deilan Peng), and Bat-Man (Baixi Wang). In Metropolis, Lex Luthor and Perry White watch with shock and keen interest. Aboard the Watchtower, Batman watches, uttering an irreverent “hrm” in response. In Beijing, the Great Ten reacts with anger upon learning that they are no longer the only superhero team in China. Great Ten leader August General in Iron immediately vid-calls Dr. Omen, handler of the JLC. He threatens her, saying that his team will not condone the existence of the JLC. Kenan’s father Zhongdan Kong (the vigilante known as Flying Dragon General) also watches the broadcast with great surprise. The JLC trio visits Dr. Omen in her lab inside the underwater Crab Shell, the only metahuman prison in all of China. (Note that Wonder-Woman tells Super-Man that the Crab Shell was built five years ago, specifically a year after superheroes first “appeared in America.” This is wrong. A year after the first public superhero debut in America would not be five years ago—it would be seven years ago.) Dr. Omen chews-out Super-Man for doing the public interview, blasting him with a ray gun as punishment. The next night, the JLC trio goes on an unsanctioned mission to protect one of the Ministry of Self-Reliance’s top private investors, a marine biologist named Zheng Shiqiang, who has been targeted for kidnapping. When the trio arrives at his house, the biologist mistakes them for the kidnappers and unleashes Xiangliu, an ancient Chinese hydra monster. The JLC defeats the hydra, but the distraction masks the arrival of the real kidnappers—an anti-hero group known as the Freedom Fighters of China (Flying Dragon General, Blue Condor, and Ghost Woman).
–REFERENCE: In All-Star Batman #1. Batman fights the debuting Black Spider.
–REFERENCE: In the second feature to All-Star Batman #9. Bruce installs hidden panic buttons inside Wayne Manor. Should any emergency happen, Alfred, Duke, or any member of the Bat-Family can alert and radio-connect with Batman instantly.
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #5 and Batman Vol. 3 #8. Batman and Lark build a new test Bat-cycle and store it in a secret downtown garage known as “Tech Site Otranto-7.” Batman and Lark also build a brand new Nightwing-cycle and store it in this garage with plans of giving it to Nightwing in the future. These cycles have voice-activated command modes and run on a new fuel called “smart oil.” Batman also sets up at least six other secret R&D “Tech Site” garages across Gotham, filling them each with high-end tech and new vehicles.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #937 and Superman Vol. 4 #10. Batman begins carrying an explosive device in a false tooth (just in case) and also begins carrying a tiny shard of Kryptonite in his utility belt with him at all times (also just in case). He also invents a Kryptonite Batarang. Gotta cover all your bases, y’know? Plus, there’s a new Superman in town and Batman sure doesn’t trust him.
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #8. Bruce, when in his civilian mode, decides he must be ready for action at all times, just in case. Thus, he begins wearing a watch that conceals a laser cutting tool. He also hides a contractable Batarang in his sock. You can never be too paranoid.
–second feature to All-Star Batman #1-3 (“THE CURSED WHEEL”)
Bruce moves Duke’s permanently Jokerized parents into Wayne Manor, where they are confined to safe padded cells and cared for by round-the-clock nurses. This will allow Duke to see his parents as often has he likes. In the Batcave, Batman and Alfred show Lark the “Cursed Wheel,” a color-theory diagram that depicts an ultra-condensed version of all of Batman’s experiences applied to tenets about human psychology taught to the Dark Knight by Alfred. Batman tells Lark that he “doesn’t need a Robin,” and after a year’s time by Batman’s side, having been constantly psychologically tested by living the “Cursed Wheel” (as all of Batman’s family has unknowingly done before, only because the Wheel had yet to be invented), only then will Lark truly be a worthy hero. Or a villain. Batman makes a vague reference, making it seem like someone he once trained—not Jason—became a villain. Two days later, Batman takes Lark on his first official mission. They examine the scene of a Victor Zsasz-perpetrated multiple homicide at a high-end fabric warehouse. Batman and Lark visit the apartment of the lone survivor of the murders—Diana Boone—to look for clues. There, Batman tells Lark that he thinks his parents should be moved from Wayne Manor to a hospital because they are a distraction that could militate his “wheel” training. They argue and Batman departs. Zsasz comes out of the shadows, slashes Lark in the chest, and runs off. Batman saves Lark and takes him home to recover. While an unconscious Duke rests, Batman investigates and discovers that Zsasz accidentally killed Diana’s friend Rita Noles when his true target was meant to have been Diana. The reason for the mistake was because Diana had switched blouses with Rita. When Duke wakes up, he gives Bruce permission to move his parents into hospice care. Lark spies on Diana at the hospital and realizes that the mistake was deliberately caused by Diana. She purposely switched blouses knowing that whoever was wearing the garment would be targeted by Zsasz.
–second feature to All-Star Batman #4 (“THE CURSED WHEEL” Conclusion)
Lark swings into the hospital to confront Diana. He immediately realizes the full truth when Diana tries to flee—that Diana escaped from Zsasz years ago and went into hiding, even getting plastic surgery to avoid him from ever finding her to finish what he started. Lark accuses Diana of contacting Zsasz and taunting him about her having escaped his clutches all those years ago, knowing that he’d come after her. Lark’s accusation continues: Diana switched blouses with her rival Rita, knowing full-well that Zsasz would kill her and her other fabric industry rivals. Just then, Zsasz swings in through a window and cuts up Diana. Lark fights him, but Zsasz gets the upper hand until Batman arrives and kayos him. With the threat of Zsasz over with, Bruce does some digging and learns that Two-Face is back in town. Diana had used Two-Face to make contact with Zsasz. Duke tells Bruce that he has changed his mind and he wants his parents to stay in Wayne Manor. Bruce agrees.
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #5. Under Batman’s aegis, Duke begins a special project called the “Bat Beacon.” Duke begins installing hidden holographic projectors in street lamps all over the city. With the assistance of the GCPD, Batman and Lark then organize a special evacuation location, located in caves in Alexander Olsen State Park on the outskirts of Gotham, where Gothamites can go to be safe in case of a citywide emergency. Batman records a message to the people of Gotham, giving inspiration and directions, to be played in the case of such an emergency. Duke will continue installing projectors all over the city for the next couple months as a part of the “Bat Beacon” project.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #945. Batman and Red Robin conduct a new study on Clayface (likely based upon MRI imagery taken from Arkham Asylum or tests done on recent DNA samples of his mud body—or a combination of both). The study determines that, when he is in his most monstrous-looking clay form, Clayface’s brain becomes elastic, meaning that he cannot control his actions and that he is not fully responsible for the horrible things he’s done over the years.
–NOTE: In Superwoman #1. Batman is not involved, but this is important enough to warrant its own notation. Ever since shortly after Superman’s death, Lois Lane has taken up the mantle of Superwoman. Now, while fighting alongside fellow newly-minted Superwoman Lana Lang, Lois is killed by one of Lena Luthor’s Bizarro Superwomen (cloned from Earth-3’s Superwoman). Rest in peace, Lois. Now Lana is the sole Superwoman. And Modern Age Lois is the sole Lois on our timeline.
–REFERENCE: In Red Hood & The Outlaws Vol. 2 #1. Batman has a very public fight with Black Mask that makes front page headlines in Gotham.
–REFERENCE: In Superman Vol. 4 #1. The new Superman (Modern Age Superman), along with his wife Modern Age Lois Lane, and their son Jonathan (and dog Ranger and cat Goldie) move to a small farm in Hamilton County, New York, roughly 300 miles north of Metropolis. They change their illusory family surname from “White” to “Smith.” These subterfuge moves are all done with the approval and assistance of Batman and Wonder Woman.
–Superman Vol. 4 #1
The new Superman (Modern Age Superman, but whom I will refer to simply as Superman from this point forward) has recently publicly debuted. He visits the secret Smallville grave of the martyred New 52 Man of Steel before flying around the globe saving lives. Back at Smith Farm, Jonathan tries to rescue his kitty Goldie from a hawk, but uses too much heat-vision and fries both animals. Young neighbor Kathy Branden sees the whole thing and later visits the Smiths to introduce herself. (SPOILER ALERT: Kathy is not who she seems to be. In actuality she is a super-powered alien and secretly a part of Manchester Black‘s anti-hero group known as The Super Elite.)[13] Later that night, an angsty Jonathan looks out his window to see his dad, in costume, meeting with Batman and Wonder Woman. Superman reenters the house and tells Jonathan to come with him. (As referenced in Superman Vol. 4 #2, Wonder Woman and Batman came to check up on Clark. During their conversation, a distress alert came in from a US Coast Guard icebreaker ship. Superman asked Wonder Woman and Batman if he could take his son on his first official mission to deal with the problem without the Justice League’s assistance. Wonder Woman and Batman agreed. As seen in Superman Vol. 4 #2, Superman and Jon defeat a giant pink Riftsquid, secretly sent by Manchester Black.)
–Superman Vol. 4 #6
The Eradicator, having just consumed Krypto, does battle against Superman, Lois (wearing the Hellbat-suit), and Jon inside Batman’s Moon-cave. With the help of some Kryptonian ghosts, Superman beats the stuffing out of the Eradicator while astronomers on nearby satellites film the fight for live TV across the globe. While wailing on the Eradicator, Superman is able to call out to Krypto, who bursts out of the villain’s chest. Superman and Krypto kick the Eradicator’s ass, causing him to smash into the Moon and blow up in a gigantic nuclear explosion. Superman takes a Moon rock and gives it to his biggest fan, Bibbo Bibbowski. A day later, Superman is given the key to the city of Metropolis in a public, televised ceremony. That night, aboard the Watchtower, a grumpy Batman sits beside Wonder Woman and logs all of the substantial damage done to his lunar HQ. Superman brings Jon aboard and introduces him as the new Superboy!
–Action Comics #963
A mysterious new Clark Kent has publicly appeared on the scene in Metropolis. He has all the memories of the real Clark Kent but sans ever having been Superman. He also has no super powers to speak of. (SPOILER ALERT: The fake Clark is actually Mr. Mxyzptlk!) Batman meets with Modern Age Superman in Metropolis to discuss the strange new Clark Kent. They decide to watch him closely. Claiming (and truly believing) that New 52 Superman had him go into hiding for his own safety prior to the Man of Steel’s death, the new Clark speaks before a packed house at a Lex Luthor-hosted Q&A at LexCorp. Clark gets heckled by attendees, who don’t buy that he isn’t Superman, especially since the world now knows the truth about Superman’s secret ID. The crowd thinks it’s all a ruse and that Clark is dissembling. A disguised Batman, hidden amongst the members of the mob, watching with keen interest. Someone pulls a gun and tries to shoot Clark, but Maggie Sawyer saves the day. Later, Superman and Perry White have the new Clark undergo a polygraph, administered by a once-again disguised Batman. Clark passes with flying colors. Later, Clark and Jimmy Olsen visit Geneticron, a company run by the unsavory Mr. Bandu, hoping to expose corruption within. After being ushered off site, Clark doubles back only to get thrown off the roof by murderous security guards. Superman, still spying on Clark, saves him.
–NOTE: In a reference in Justice League: Rebirth #1 (and other Justice League titles). Lex Luthor, Captain Cold, and Shazam are officially removed from the Justice League line-up. (They haven’t appeared with the team in quite some time and won’t appear with the team moving ahead.)
–Justice League: Rebirth #1
A giant mollusk-cockroach alien known as a Reaper invades Metropolis, taking control of hundreds of thousands of humans in parasitic Starro fashion. The Justice League, overwhelmed with the situation, calls in Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz to join them on what will be the duo’s first official team mission. The JL enters the giant techno-organic creature, literally going into its massive brain. Aquaman is able to semi-communicate with it, but the heroes struggle until Superman arrives, having been convinced by his wife Lois to accept the JL’s offer to join the team. The combined might of the JL does serious damage to the Reaper, who claims that worse monsters will soon come to Earth. The wounded Reaper then leaves the planet.
–Justice League Vol. 3 #1-3 (“THE EXTINCTION MACHINES”)
Wonder Woman, wielding a literal lightning bolt, fights Russian soldiers in Eastern Europe until a mysterious earthquake kills all her foes. Strange earthquakes occur all over the globe, killing millions. With cities crumbling everywhere, the JL splits up all over the Earth to maximize its rescue effort. But the mystery expands as crowds of people become possessed by an unknown force, which causes the power to be sucked out of the Green Lanterns’ rings in Hong Kong. Likewise, in San Diego, Flash’s speed-powers disappear. In Atlantis, Aquaman’s own people become possessed and turn on him. In Eastern Europe, the corpses of soldiers reanimate, proclaim that “The Kindred” are coming, and then attack Wonder Woman. In Gotham, Batman stands-off against a large cocoon-like alien spaceship, which unleashes hundreds of voracious mini-swarm creatures that look like Xenomorphs and Brood mingled together. The Dark Knight calls for Flash’s help. Flash runs to Gotham and grabs some of the bio-weapon faunae. Batman says he will hand them over to ARGUS and the CDC for study. Later, the JL convenes aboard the Watchtower where Cyborg explains that there are strange alien orbs embedded in the Earth’s upper core that have caused all the earthquakes. The team decides that there’s only one person that can handle the situation: Superman. Thousands of alien cocoons, all containing thousands of bio-weapon creatures, then crash onto Earth from space. In Atlantis, Aquaman is saved by mysterious sentient “Zodiac Crystals” that are in a collapsed underwater museum. After reconvening with one of his royal guards, Aquaman is shocked to see hundreds of Atlaneans smushed into a giant living man. All over the planet, large groups of subsumed humans clump together like putty to form giant Godzilla-tall Kindred beings. Wonder Woman is sucked inside one of the Kindred. Meanwhile, the rest of the JL is preoccupied with fending off all the swarm creatures. Batman, still not trusting the new Man of Steel, asks him to go into the Earth’s core. Knowing the possible fatal peril of the situation, Superman asks to visit his family. Batman accompanies him to the farm. While Superman tells his family what is going on, Batman fills-in Cyborg and summons him. Concurrently, the Green Lanterns trace the source of the swarm creatures through a wormhole to the other end of the universe—to a ravaged planet with more holes in it than a piece of swiss cheese. Back on the farm, Cyborg is attacked by swarm creatures right after booming Superman under the Earth’s crust. Batman protects Lois and Jonathan. Off the Atlantic coast of Canada, four towering Kindred beings join together with electric magick flowing between them.
–Justice League Vol. 3 #4-5 (“THE EXTINCTION MACHINES” Conclusion)
At the far end of the universe, the Green Lanterns fight giant space creatures that look like coral, amid the backdrop of a ravaged half-destroyed planetoid. On Superman’s family farm, Cyborg fights off the tornado of tiny insect aliens and, in dong so, learns the Kindred’s evil plan—an Awakening that will animate an evil cosmic power. Meanwhile, as earthquakes rumble across Earth, the four towering Kindred giants speak worryingly of the swarm aliens’ “Purge” that could “break the world,” thus precluding their Awakening. In a ruined Atlantis, the Zodiac Crystals “speak” to Aquaman, revealing that they have the power to defeat the Kindred. Back on the farm, Cyborg, connected to the hive mind, tells Batman that the aliens are attempting to “purge” all humanity, meaning change their DNA to assimilate the whole human race. But because of the intervention of the JL, the Kindred have initiated their failsafe plan. If they can’t have humanity, then to hell with ’em—hence the activation of their inner-core orbs, which have been causing the earthquakes. Deep under the Earth’s crust, Superman struggles to stop the orbs from vibrating, but he is able to destroy several of them. Inside the giant Kindred men, Wonder Woman argues with the disembodied voice of the Kindred. The Kindred explains that metahumans only have powers because of them, and they are taking the powers back. Outside, Flash instantly loses his connection to the Speed Force. On the farm, Cyborg goes unconscious. Meanwhile, in deep space, the Green Lanterns land on the beat-up planetoid to find a startling sight, hundreds of humanoid aliens that look just like Cyborg. On Earth, Aquaman listens to the magick crystals and takes them to four different locations on the ocean floor so that they can burrow underground to help save the planet. Meanwhile, Cyborg comes-to and realizes that the aliens (from which his technology originates) are remote-controlling the Purge. Because he is linked to them, he also has a direct hand in how the Purge goes down. Batman and Cyborg join Wonder Woman and Flash at the site of the Kindred ritual. Now with more info, the heroes realize that the Kindred are trying to awaken something that is cosmically bad news while the Purge is the Cyborg aliens’ attempt to stop them—albeit a way of stopping them that involves planetary destruction and total human assimilation. The JL decides that they must find a way to prevent the Awakening without the need for the worldwide Purge. The Green Lanterns create a giant funnel tube that transports several hundred thousand Cyborg aliens directly into the Kindred bodies on Earth. Aquaman joins the other heroes and plants the final crystals, which stabilize the planet. With one final crystal clutched in his fist, Aquaman punches out a Kindred giant. As the Kindred declares an ineluctable “Forever Crisis” in the near future, Superman pushes the last earthquake orb through the surface, smashing it into the cosmic giants. They crumble, with all the people that were making up their bodies falling out safe and sound.
–Superman Vol. 4 #7
Superman flies all over the world assisting his fellow Justice League teammates, including the annoyed Batman, whom he helps take down Killer Croc (or some mutated monster man that isn’t Killer Croc—he’s drawn rather strangely). The next night, the “Smiths” go to the County Fair where they have some fun and fraternize with science teacher Tony Martinez, pediatrician Dr. Brooks, newspaper employee Candice, and the Brandens (Kathy, her grandfather Cobb Branden, and their prize-winning cow Bessie). Clark discreetly busts some would-be robbers (Walter and his clown mask-wearing gang) and then rides the rollercoaster with his family. (SPOILER ALERT: Tony Martinez, Dr. Brooks, Candice, and Cobb Branded, just like the Kathy, are not what they seem. All are disguised alien warriors, members of Manchester Black’s Super Elite.)[14]
–Batman Vol. 3 #1[15][16]
Batman learns of a Kobra heist of three surface-to-air missiles and meets with Commissioner Gordon to discuss it. As Gordon tells Batman that his officers have recovered two of the missiles, the third lights up the night sky, having been launched by Kobra cultist Oleg Balinoff, exploding the tail end of a passenger airplane. As Batman rushes to the Batmobile, he is radio-briefed by both Alfred and Duke Thomas. (They all use their real names over the radio, the first time they’ve ever done this in the New 52, which means their security must be mega-beefed up.) With Duke’s guidance, Batman rocket-ejects himself onto the plummeting aircraft (destroying a Batmobile in the process). The Dark Knight then attaches rocket-boosters onto the wings of the 747. He then literally rides the top of the craft giving eyeball directions to Alfred, who remotely controls the boosters to course-correct the plane to a more low-impact area into Blackgate Gulf. (Batman riding the plane is also shown via flashback from Batman Vol. 3 #20.) Meanwhile, Balinoff commits suicide. Hugo Strange stands over his corpse and watches from a distance as Batman faces death, with the plane careening toward the water. Gotham and Gotham Girl then make their dramatic debut and stop the plane from crashing.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #2, Batman Vol. 3 #20, and the Rebirth Era’s Batman Vol. 3 #72. Batman begins keeping an eye on Gotham and Gotham Girl as the rookie superhero duo begin routine patrols of the city. Batman happily daydreams about the possibility of Gotham and Gotham Girl playing the roles of the city’s number one protectors and taking down Joker. Of course, as also revealed at the end of Batman Vol. 3 #20, this is only a fleeting thought. Batman will always be the city’s number one protector. Unknown to Batman, Gotham and Gotham Girl have been given their powers by Bane, who is manipulating them for his own devious ends.
–Justice League Vol. 3 #6-7 (“STATE OF FEAR”)
A week has passed since Justice League Vol. 3 #5. The Justice League fights a giant black blob that causes them to feel intense fear. Eventually, the Green Lanterns are able to destroy it. Everyone then departs, thinking that all is well. Unknown to the bunch, they’ve all been infected with something sinister that is making them all act evil. Batman broods in the Batcave and tries to contact Dick to no avail before telling Alfred to leave him alone. In Seattle, Barry Allen goes on a date with Jessica Cruz, but Jessica loses control of her power ring. Barry goes wonky and begins hounding her in a creepy manor, making the situation worse. Eventually, Jessica vomits up the black fear creature, which has infected all the Justice Leaguers. The creature begins to grow to massive size, enveloping all of downtown Seattle. In Upstate New York, Clark tells Lois that he wants to murder Batman. Superman immediately crashes into the Batcave and begins fighting Batman. Batman controls himself and is able to talk down Superman. Meanwhile, Cyborg, also affected by the fear creature, becomes agoraphobic. An fear-affected Wonder Woman and Aquaman turn on Earth, publicly declaring their intention to dispatch with all human militaries all over the globe. In Seattle, with Barry’s help, Jessica uses her ring to destroy the growing black fear monster. The blob is eradicated, but Jessica is shaken to her core. A day later, she tells Barry that she is, effective immediately, quitting the Justice League.
–Justice League Vol. 3 #8-10 (“OUTBREAK”)
A funeral is held for Diane Palmer, the lone casualty of the Kindred episode from a little over a week ago. Batman and Alfred repair the damages from Superman’s recent fear-invoked attack on the Batcave. They also upgrade security to the computers and vehicles as they watch Diane Palmer’s funeral on TV. Alfred and Batman add two failsafes to the new system: the emergency override code “MarthaWayne1940” and an external hard drive with a high compression “closed loop” algorithm program on it. All of a sudden, a mysterious unknown force hacks into both the Batcave systems, Watchtower systems, and Cyborg’s body all at once. The hacker causes all of the Bat-vehicles to fire their weapons, the satellite HQ to plummet towards Earth, and Cyborg to eject himself out of an airlock. The hacker also steals tens of millions of dollars from several world banks. In the Batcave, Batman evades gunfire and missiles from his vehicles, which get destroyed left-and-right. When the robot T Rex strikes, Alfred blows its head off with a bazooka. While Alfred uploads the “closed loop” program, Batman rides the only analog vehicle he has, his original dirt bike from “Year Zero.” When the algorithm uploads, the threat is over, but every single Bat-vehicle in the cave has been blown-up. In the sky over San Francisco, Cyborg, having regained control of his body, Booms the Watchtower back into orbit. Several Justice Leaguers arrive to assist Cyborg in San Francisco. But the hacker regains control of Cyborg and uses him to access and control Simon Baz’s Green Lantern power ring. The JL is able to trick Simon’s ring into “rebooting” itself, ending the deadly threat of an out-of-control GL. With the Batcave completely destroyed, Bruce and Alfred ascend into Wayne Manor. Batman hacks into the hacker code and finds that it has come from James Palmer, Diane’s bereaved husband. Batman joins the team and they visit the Palmer residence in Denver only to find that he is innocent. James’ young genius daughter Lily Palmer reveals that she has invented an AI search engine called Genie, which is apparently responsible for the hack. Lily’s younger brother Bobby Palmer had been messing with the app on an iPad. The app asked Bobby questions about their mom’s death, the Kindred, and super-villains. Thinking that it was all information for a game, Genie began its “revenge” hack. Genie has also legit offered $750 billion of stolen funds from Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor’s hacked accounts to any super-villain that can bring down the Justice League. Having uploaded this information, along with the JL’s current GPS, to the Internet, super-villains swarm upon the Palmer residence en masse. Double Down, Giganta, Count Vertigo, Girder, Plastique, Heatstroke, Coldsnap, Major Disaster, Scarecrow, Amazo (Dr. Armen Ikarus), and The Fearsome Five (Gizmo, Psimon, Mammoth, Jinx, and Shimmer) all attack at once.
–Justice League Vol. 3 #11 (“OUTBREAK” Conclusion)
In Denver, the Justice League and James Palmer fight off the bad guys. Batman uses Genie to hack into Amazo, turning him against his fellow villains. In Seattle, Green Lantern Jessica Cruz is attacked by King Shark, but easily fends him off. Jessica joins her former JL teammates and ends the threat of the villains. Flash asks if she is back on the team. She says no, but she will always help if asked or if needed. Batman has Wayne Industries cover the rebuilding costs for the ruined neighborhood.
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #1. Batman and Alfred—likely with help from the Justice League—fix up all the Batcave and trophy damage that happened during “Outbreak.”
–REFERENCE: In Titans Vol. 3 #7. Now that Abra Kadabra’s global mind-wipe has finally ended and the world remembers the original Teen Titans, they decide that they might as well form a new team. Bruce bankrolls the brand new Titans—Nightwing, Donna Troy, Arsenal, Omen, Garth (now called Tempest), and Wally West (now Flash number two). Bruce pays for the team’s new gaudy T-shaped headquarters in the middle of the East River in New York City—which is likely constructed at super-fast speed with metahuman help. He will continue to fund the Titans from this point forward.[17]
–Detective Comics #934[18][19]
Finally! A return to the original numbering. Feels good. Here we go. Batman, with Red Robin’s assistance (and likely the help of some of his metahuman pals), finishes construction on the new downtown Batcave known as The Belfry. Located in in Old Wayne Tower, the Belfry includes high-tech computer systems, extra costumes, and various weaponry. In addition, as mentioned in Detective Comics #939, the Belfry comes complete with “healing” wall panels that fix themselves when damaged and giant industrial roomba vacuums that do all the cleaning. Batman also designs and tailors a brand new costume for Red Robin, which he delivers to him. Soon after, Batman comes across the current Azrael (Jean-Paul Valley), who has just been brutalized by someone in a false Batman costume. Batman tends to the comatose Azrael and collects both Azrael’s journal and a tiny bat-shaped camera drone that had been spying on him. Batman reads Azrael’s journal and learns of both Azrael’s recent history and a new mystery threat to the city. Batman also discovers that the drone is a part of a swarm that has been spying on Gotham’s vigilantes for quite some time. The Dark Knight enlists Dr. Leslie Thompkins to personally care for the comatose Azrael in the latter’s apartment. There, Batman scours Azrael’s computers for more information. After two more days of investigation and barely touching Alfred’s dinners, Batman learns that his avuncular relative, Jake Kane, is the secret leader of the new threat to the city. As referenced in Detective Comics #939, Batman hacks into secret government files and does research on Jake’s ascent through the ranks of the military. Batman also researches Batwoman’s recent crime-fighting career and tells Alfred about a plan to bring in his cousin (Jake’s daughter, Batwoman) to help out. Batman visits Kate Kane in her apartment and asks her to be his partner and help burnish the skills of the young members of the Bat-Family. He unmasks and reveals his secret identity to Kate, but Kate already knows, much to Bruce’s surprise. Batman and Batwoman watch as Red Robin and Spoiler bust up Penguin’s men, after which Spoiler gets invited onto Batwoman’s squad. (Red Robin already has known about the new team for months, but gets an official invite here as well.) Next, Batman introduces Batwoman to Orphan as the latter takes down human traffickers. After that, Batman takes Batwoman to visit an escaped Clayface. Knowing that Batwoman has worked with Clayface in the past and that he is actually quite a sympathetic character (thanks to recent brain chart revelations), Batman invites him onto the squad as well. Batman and Red Robin show Clayface his brain charts to help boost his confidence (as referenced in Detective Comics #945). Red Robin also invents a device that allows Clayface to retain his original human form for longer periods of time. Batman and Red Robin secretly also design a device that can take Clayface down as well (as referenced in Detective Comics #947). They can’t be too trusting now can they? After a pep talk atop the GCPD HQ, the new team swings into a practice patrol. Elsewhere, a huge army of bat-themed soldiers–known as the Colony—prepares to strike.
–Nightwing Vol. 4 #1[20]
Dr. Leviticus, a wizened centenarian that has been in charge of the Parliament of Owls’ secret bookkeeping since the early 1900s, has betrayed the organization. The Parliament sends top agent Raptor to execute her, but instead—as we learn in Nightwing Vol. 4 #4—he kidnaps her and holds her captive at his hideout in Istanbul. Concurrently, Nightwing goes to Italy on behalf of the Parliament of Owls and saves one of its members from a Kobra assassination attempt. The very same night, in Greece, Nightwing meets with one of the Parliament leaders, The Orator, who tells him that from now on, he’ll be shadowing Raptor. A night later, Nightwing is in the Batcave to watch Batman and Robin spar. Batman then tells Nightwing that he is more than happy to offer monetary support and weaponry, but Nightwing’s undercover mission against the Parliament won’t be like Batman Inc or his time at Spyral. Nightwing has long graduated to being an A-list solo hero. After meeting up with Batgirl and helping her take down Spinebender, Nightwing heads to Moscow on a Parliament mission. After Nightwing roughs-up some Russians, Raptor introduces himself to his new partner by delivering him a severe beating.
—[21]
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #4. Batman, Robin, and Alfred—seemingly for fun—have a controlled detonation of the bomb that was recently removed from the Boy Wonder’s head a little bit ago.
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #4. Batgirl, having just had an adventure with Nightwing and Raptor (in the pages of Nightwing Vol. 4 #2-3), calls Batman and gives him a report on both Nightwing and Raptor’s actions.
–Nightwing Vol. 4 #4
Nightwing and Raptor visit one of Raptor’s hideouts in Istanbul, where the latter has stashed the captive Dr. Leviticus. The old doc tells Nightwing and Raptor that she has made for them special coin keys that can be used to access the Owls’ “Book of Wisdom,” a ledger of all their dealings that have occurred in the past century, which is at the center of the Owls’ fortress labyrinth known as Parliament Grove. Nightwing and Raptor then meet with Parliament officials at Parliament Grove, which holds dozens of kidnapped people that are to be blood-sacrificed to a monster. In the dead of night, Nightwing and Raptor free the hostages and attempt to lead them to freedom through the maze only to run into one of the Orator, who has mutated into a giant owl beast and now calls himself Moloch. The boys take down Moloch and grab the “Book of Wisdom.” Nightwing tends to an injured Raptor, who reveals that he knew Dick’s mom back in the day. Before a surprised Nightwing can respond, Raptor pushes him out of a trap door. Nightwing reconvenes with the freed hostages, who have been picked up by Tiger and agents of Spyral. A day later, Dick reports hangs with Damian and reports back to Batman in the Batcave. Information from the “Book of Wisdom” has been disseminated to Spyral agents and police all over the globe, meaning that the Parliament of Owls is essentially kaput. Batman questions Dick’s relationship to the loathsome Raptor, scolding him for not learning more about the man while they were teamed. Pissed, Dick bails on Batman, upset that, after all they’ve been through together, he still hasn’t earned his old mentor’s 100% trust. Elsewhere, Raptor meets with his real employers: Kobra! With these series of complex maneuvers, Kobra’s leader Lady Eve has ousted her biggest rivals and propelled her group from second-tier joke squad to one of the top crime organizations on the planet.
–Red Hood & The Outlaws: Rebirth #1
Batman personally asks Red Hood to investigate a connection between Gotham City Hall and an international cartel. But when Red Hood attacks Mayor Hady in front of a group of onlookers, Batman intervenes. Red Hood fights off the Dark Knight and seemingly assassinates Mayor Hady. In actuality, Red Hood has shot Hady with an antidote to a fatal techno-virus in his system, saving the maximalist politician’s life. But the public, seeing things differently, brands him as an attempted murderer. In fact, the public brands Red Hood in such a negative light that Black Mask reaches out via one of his henchmen in a vain attempt to recruit Jason. Later, Batman locates Red Hood’s new hideout, in a bomb shelter beneath police HQ, and confronts him there, vituperating him for his brash actions. Batman gives his “my city, my rules” speech, which Jason once angrily scoffed at in the past. This time, however, Jason can only hang his head in stone cold silence. Despite all the good vibes and family mending that Red Hood and Batman have gained and accomplished in recent years, Batman is pissed and fears that Red Hood has once again crossed the line. He tells Red Hood that he only has one more strike. Semi-alienated from his mentor once again, Red Hood focuses on his mission with Batman watching him with a keen eye.
–Detective Comics #950 Part 3
Batman encounters an unspecified enemy that has razor sharp teeth. After consulting with Alfred, Batman fights the unspecified enemy and winds up getting bitten on the arm quite badly. Red Robin picks up Batman and brings him to his Robin’s Nest HQ. Having just finished networking the Belfry computer system with the Batcave computer system, Red Robin has taken notice of Batman’s plan and wants to chat about it. Red Robin comments on Nightwing’s actions from Nightwing Vol. 4 #4 and Red Hood’s actions from Red Hood & The Outlaws: Rebirth #1. Red Robin also tells Batman that he let his Teen Titans duties slip the second he began to focus on working on the Belfry. (Red Robin has been noticeably absent from Teen Titans activity lately.) Red Robin also mentions Duke’s special “Cursed Wheel” training and Batwoman’s bootcamp, noting that all of these pieces seem to be gearing up for some big war or big strike that is to come in the future.
–Batman Vol. 3 #2-4 (“I AM GOTHAM”)[22]
Batman assists Gotham and Gotham Girl to bring down an escaped Solomon Grundy. Afterward, the powerful but green Gotham begs Batman to show him the ropes with a little on-the-job training. That night, in the Batcave, Alfred reminds Batman of a charity gala that he and Bruce (i.e. just Alfred) set up, which is currently going on in the mansion above. Bruce puts on civilian attire and ascends to greet the culturati. Meanwhile, an odd fellow named Robert Castro enters Commissioner Gordon’s office, confesses to releasing Solomon Grundy, says that “Monster Men” are coming, and then commits suicide. Batman leaves his party at the sight of the Bat-Signal and, despite Duke’s reproof, visits Gordon alongside Gotham and Gotham Girl. Gordon fills them in on the suicide. Concurrently, Amanda Waller, General Sam Lane, and Hugo Strange test the latter’s ability to control Arkham Asylum inmates. After investigating Gotham and Gotham Girl, Batman learns their secret IDs, brother and sister Hank and Claire Clover. As Matches Malone, Batman visits the Clover sibs’ parents and learns the story of Hank and Claire. Ever since the Dark Knight saved him nearly a decade ago, Hank became obsessed with becoming a superhero. Claire followed suit. After leaving, Batman responds to another suicide bombing at a city bridge, this time by a man named Darcy Purnelli. The Caped Crusader helps Gotham and Gotham Girl stabilize the bridge using tech from his Batcycle and the Batplane. Another bombing across town grabs the immediate attention of the Gothams, who fly to the fiery scene to find Psycho-Pirate under the control of Hugo Strange. Psycho-Pirate causes a unit of Task Force X soldiers to scatter, wildly firing their weapons and slaughtering each other. Batman visits the crime scene where 28 dead soldiers lay around a shaken Gotham Girl. He examines the deceased but doesn’t realize they are linked to Amanda Waller. Meanwhile, Gotham tries to talk down a suicidal ledge jumper on the other side of town. The would-be jumper, a man named Joseph Stucci, tells him that the “Monster Men” are coming and detonates a bomb, killing himself and a bunch of cops. Batman delivers Gotham Girl into the Batcave care of Duke and Alfred before confronting a pissed-off Gotham, who destroys the Batmobile. Duke, after remotely analyzing the murder scene, deduces that all of the victims’ dog tags link them to a government group led by Amanda Waller: Task Force X. Batman does his own investigation and, shortly thereafter, infiltrates a hidden underground bunker a mile beneath the city to confront Amanda Waller and Sam Lane face-to-face. Waller tells Batman that Hugo Strange has gone rogue and taken Psycho-Pirate with him. (In actuality, the devious Waller has purposefully allowed Hugo Strange and Psycho-Pirate to do their dirty deeds. But, even unknown to Waller, as referenced in the Rebirth Era’s Batman Vol. 3 #72, Bane is secretly pulling all the strings here as Strange and Psycho-Pirate work for him and are doing his bidding to the tee.) When Batman learns that there is one more soldier still alive, he rushes to Gotham’s parents’ house in the suburbs. But it’s too late, Hugo Strange and company have learned Gotham’s secret ID by spying on him when he took his mask off. The final soldier, having been mind-warped by Psycho-Pirate, has already murdered the Clovers. Batman stands before an emotional Gotham, who snaps the final soldier’s neck, killing him. Angry and in shock at the loss of his parents, Gotham pushes Batman aside and declares that he will destroy the entire city, which he now considers a blight not worth saving. (Gotham grabbing Batman and shoving him aside is also shown via flashback from Batman Vol. 3 #20.)
–Batman Vol. 3 #5-6 (“I AM GOTHAM” Conclusion)
With Batman running behind schedule, Alfred dons the Batman costume (!) and demolishes yet another Batmobile, wrapping its metal frame around Gotham. This is the third Batmobile totaled in this arc alone! Not long after, the real Batman arrives and crashes the Batplane into Gotham as well! Meanwhile, a screwed-up Gotham Girl trashes the Batcave, including tribute displays and the Bat-computer. She tells Duke that she and her brother paid for meta-powers that increase exponentially at the cost of decreased lifespan. Seeing no other option, Batman calls in the entire Justice League (and Jessica Cruz). But Gotham amps up his power and thrashes them all. When only a battered Batman stands in his way, hope seems lost until Gotham Girl interrupts and kills her brother to save the city. Interestingly, this scene includes Gotham Girl narration from an unknown point in the future where she speaks about her marriage to Duke and refers to herself as Batman’s killer. A broken Claire Clover, distraught by all the recent deaths in her family and still messed-up by Psycho-Pirate, shaves her head and begins talking out loud to her dead brother. A day later, Claire suits up as Gotham Girl and, despite being totally out of it, takes down Colonel Blimp as Batman watches from the shadows. The next day, Duke, who has been monitoring Gotham Girl, reports to Batman on her condition. Two days after that, Gotham Girl takes on an equally broken Captain Stingaree before Batman interrupts. Gotham Girl flies away, leaving Batman to take down Captain Stingaree. The next day, Gotham Girl easily busts Kite Man and delivers him to GCPD HQ, where Batman is waiting. The Dark Knight unmasks, reveals his secret ID, and tells Gotham Girl what happened to his parents. They hug as Gotham Girl cries. A day later, Batman meets with Amanda Waller, who tells him that Hugo Strange has handed over Psycho-Pirate to Bane in exchange for a large quantity of Venom. Waller agrees to help Batman invade Santa Prisca at an undetermined point in the near future.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #9. Alfred and Batman discuss whether or not to accept Amanda Waller’s offer to help invade Santa Prisca. They decide not to and also to table the discussion until a later date.
RISE OF THE BATMEN[23]
————————–Detective Comics #935
————————–Detective Comics #937
Batman tells Batwoman to continue training her new team, but not to let them go on any missions until they are ready. In the Belfry, Tim uses Danger Room tech from the old Bat-Computer system to complete and activate the Mud Room, a weird training simulator literally made from Clayface’s body. After failing miserably in the Mud Room, the team is chastised by Batwoman. Red Robin then meets privately with Batman, who takes him to Azrael’s apartment. There, Dr. Leslie Thompkins gives Batman rightful grief about recruiting more child soldiers into his war. Jean-Paul, who has been comatose for about two weeks, wakes up and says that “the Colony” is coming. Tim goes to spend the night at Stephanie’s apartment—(they are dating now)—and talks about how he has gotten a “genius grant” for Ivy University, but isn’t sure if he has the balls to leave Batman to pursue the opportunity. Meanwhile, Kate visits her dad Jake at his house. He scolds her for assisting Batman and tells her that she should be teamed up with him like old times. Elsewhere, fifty Colony soldiers—including Dom and Cooper—attack Batman. As referenced in Detective Comics #936, the Colony warriors kick the shit out of the Dark Knight and render him unconscious. The Bat-squad, having just learned that Jake Kane is the leader of the Colony, flees into the sewers. Red Robin reveals his biggest project, something he’s been working on for years, to the rest of the team: an underground bunker that contains train cars that run on abandoned tracks all over the city. Meanwhile, trapped in the Colony’s own giant version of the Batcave, known simply as “The Cave,” Batman spits out his false explosive tooth and escapes. He interrogates the Colony’s resident genius tech-nerd Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong (aka “TH3_G3N3R4L”), who takes a selfie with the Dark Knight and reveals that the Colony has been clandestinely active all over the globe for years. Not only that, but the Colony has also been secretly surveilling Batman’s every move ever since his debut. Jake Kane and his men interrupt the conversation. Jake tells Batman that the Colony has become active in Gotham because the League of Shadows—a powerful illuminati group at the heart of the League of Assassins—is ready to strike. Batman scoffs at the idea of the very existence of the League of Shadows, which he believes to be a myth. Just as Jake is about to execute his nephew, Batwoman and the Bat-squad crash the party, having been led into the Cave by Red Robin, who had hacked their computer system to find their location.
–Detective Comics #938-940 (“RISE OF THE BATMEN” Conclusion)
The Bat-squad splits up and begins kicking major Colony ass. Eventually, Batman and his team stare down Jake Kane, Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong, and bunch of weary Colony soldiers. Batman and Batwoman scold Jake and tell him to piss off before disappearing as only Bat-Family members can. Armstrong tells Jake that he’s programmed a bunch of Colony drones to immediately kill twenty people on the League of Shadows terror watch-list in Gotham. Jake fears the greater threat of the League of Shadows to such an extent that he gives Armstrong the green light fully knowing that this drone strike will also cause around 600 innocent collateral deaths in the process. The Bat-squad retakes the Belfry and initiates its automated clean-up sequence. Tim tells Stephanie that he has decided to accept the genius grant and attend Ivy University next semester. Batman has a heart-to-heart with Batwoman, promising never to lie to her. Afterward, Alfred connects the Black Line, allowing Batman to speak directly to a surprised President Obama! Batman reveals Jake’s hidden actions to POTUS, which is ironic because Obama’s own secret military actions aren’t that far off from what Jake has been up to. President Obama charges Jake with domestic terrorism, ordering his arrest and court martial. Politics aside, Red Robin learns that Armstrong’s drones are active, prompting the Bat-squad back into action all over the city. The team rushes to scatter the innocent people nearest to Jake’s targets, successfully bringing many to safety. Cassie’s rescue mission is particularly interesting because a mystery person spies on her with keen interest. (SPOILER: It’s her mom, Shiva.) Red Robin is able to re-route all of the drone programming, causing them all to target him instead of the folks on the terror watch-list. As his teammates go into full-blown panic mode, Red Robin, calmly faces-off against hundreds of drones all by himself. While Batwoman busts her dad, Red Robin gets badly wounded but defeats an entire drone army. The second wave of drones, however, proves to be too much and Tim is incinerated. The Bat-squad mourns. Back at Spoiler’s apartment, Spoiler shows Batman Tim’s school acceptance letter. Spoiler and Batman cry in each other’s arms. But not so fast! Elsewhere, the fabulous and mysterious Mr. Oz rematerializes Red Robin inside his lair. Mr. Oz tells Red Robin that he needs to be alive, but needs to be “off the playing field” in order for things to work out in a certain way on the timeline. Confined to a cell, Red Robin vows to escape, even if his friends and family think he is dead.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #943. Batman arranges for Jake Kane and a couple of his Colony soldiers—notably Dom and Cooper—to be imprisoned in special holding cells inside the Belfry. Uncle Jake and his boys officially go into Bat-Family custody.
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #10. The Bat-Family (presumably with Tim’s actual family) holds a funeral for Tim.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #18. In the immediate aftermath of Tim’s funeral, Batman gathers his costumed Bat-Family—Batwoman, Lark, Robin, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Batgirl—in the Batcave. The Dark Knight puts on a brave face and tells his fam that they all are his “true strength.” Of course, Batman will take the loss of Tim very hard and, despite this powerful statement, he will begin to distance himself from his loved ones—as we will see in Detective Comics #943. This flashback goes here because Batgirl won’t see Damian again until after Dick moves to Blüdhaven–as we will learn in Nightwing Vol. 4 #10. When she sees Damian, she will reveal that they do not interact in-between Tim’s funeral and Nightwing Vol. 4 #10.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #943. Batman puts Red Robin’s costume on memorial display in the Batcave. Batman, devastated at the loss, distances himself from the rest of the Bat-Family. He visits the Belfry, but only to angrily interrogate Jake Kane, who is being held in a prison cell there.
–REFERENCE: In Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1. Now suspicious of Amanda Waller more than ever thanks to recent events, Batman investigates a bit deeper and learns a bit more about Task Force X, specifically that it allows for the super-villain super-team known as the Suicide Squad. Batman begins compiling detailed files on the Suicide Squad and will continue to do so for months to come.
–Teen Titans Vol. 6 #5[24]
In the wake of Red Robin’s death, Robin (Damian) has formed a brand new Teen Titans, which includes Starfire, Beast Boy, Kid Flash, and Raven. The new Teen Titans rescue a captive Robin from a League of Assassins prison on Infinity Island. (Robin had been bested and imprisoned by his evil cousin Mara al Ghul i.e. Dusan al Ghul’s daughter.) The Teen Titans soon find themselves face to face with Ra’s al Ghul’s teenage super-villain squad known as The Demon’s Fist (Blank, Plague, Stone, and Nightstorm). Robin reveals to the villains that they are all being manipulated by Ra’s al Ghul and that they were all kidnapped into the League of Assassins when they were toddlers. Realizing the truth, the Demon’s Fist teams-up with the Teen Titans to fight Ra’s al Ghul and a bunch of his ninjas. Sensing defeat, Ra’s al Ghul grabs Mara, who is contemplating whether or not to betray her grandfather too, and disappears with her in a pall of smoke. On the shoreline of the island, the Teen Titans are surprised by the appearance of Batman, who has been dragged there by a worried Goliath. Batman has a one-on-one conversation with Damian and plants the idea in his son that he should try staying-on with a team like the Teen Titans. Of course, Damian cuts off his dad and declares that he will stay with the Teen Titans as if it is his own idea. Robin then asks his dad to fund the construction of a new T-shaped Teen Titans HQ in San Francisco Bay. Bruce funds the construction of this HQ, which begins immediately. Damian moves out of Wayne Manor to live in San Francisco, although the Teen Titan HQ won’t be fully operational for another three months. Moving forward, Damian will still make random trips to Gotham to stay with his dad and to continue his homeschooled tutoring lessons from Alfred, but we won’t see as much of him as we usually do thanks to his new West Coast life.
–Red Hood & The Outlaws Vol. 2 #6
For a couple weeks, Red Hood has been working undercover as one of Black Mask’s men. But now Black Mask, having injected both himself and a freshly-cloned brand new Bizarro II with a techno-virus, which allows him to control the reverse-Superman, points a gun at an exposed Red Hood. Red Hood evades getting killed and teams with his new Amazonian acquaintance Artemis to fight against Black Mask and Bizarro. Eventually, the techno-virus inside Black Mask succumbs to the much more physically powerful link to the alien clone. Black Mask gets overwhelmed and begins to slip into a catatonic state. Red Hood gloats and destroys the antidote. Bizarro regains control of his senses and makes sure Red Hood and Artemis are okay. Police and news media arrive. A photographer snaps a picture of the new Outlaws, which gets published with the legend “Dark Trinity.” Red Hood sticks a slavering hemiplegic Black Mask into the care of Ma Gunn. (Ma Gunn has recently reopened her Home For Wayward Boys and re-connected with Jason, learning about his vigilante life.) A few days later, a secret someone, who has been stalking Jason for years, chuckles as he reads the “Dark Trinity” caption from the paper. (This mystery man, who will also appear again in the Rebirth Era’s Red Hood and The Outlaws Vol. 2 #12 and continue to silently keep tabs on Red Hood for years to come, is none other than Jason’s own resurrected father, Willis Todd!) Red Hood meets with Batman and tells him that he hates his “law and order crap” and won’t ever follow those rules. Batman laughs, telling Red Hood that Batman’s very existence is technically against the law. Jason and Bruce are once again, as they should be, at peace with each other. They then hang out and share take-out cheeseburgers. All is right in the world. (Batman does not eat his with a knife and fork. I guess he only does that when he is at home.)
–FLASH-FORWARD: From The Flash: Rebirth #1 Part 1. As seen in a Flash vision, Batman fights crime in action with Wonder Woman and Superman.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #11—and also referenced in Batman Vol. 3 #9-10, Batman Vol. 3 #12, and Batman Vol. 3 #15. Selina decides to take the rap for her bestie Holly Robinson, who has spent the last few months murdering all 237 members of the Kahndaqi terror cell known as the Dogs of War. Knowing that Batman will now soon come for her, Catwoman writes a letter to him and mails it to Wayne Manor. The letter lies about why she killed the Dogs of War and details why, despite their closeness and intimacy, they’ll never truly be compatible. Batman chases after and reluctantly busts Catwoman, whom he does not believe is truly responsible for the murders. Catwoman is confined to Blackgate. With Catwoman behind bars, Bruce receives Catwoman’s letter. Selina will be quickly tried by Gotham’s fast-track courts of law and put on Blackgate’s Death Row.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #7. Batman orders a special “combat capsule” winged-jetpack from Steel, who constructs the weapon for the Dark Knight and delivers it to him. Batman also upgrades his cowl technology to include wraparound holographic video glasses that can appear and disappear with the press of a button. This new state-of-the-art tech is linked to the Batcave and GCPD computer systems.
NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN
———————-––Batman Vol. 3 #7
———————-––Nightwing Vol. 4 #5
———————-––Detective Comics #941
When a hurricane begins to flood Gotham, Batman orders the assemblage of Batwoman’s Bat-squad and Nightwing to assist in aid relief. The Dark Knight creates a serum that will allow Clayface to hold his form in the pouring rain. As the Bat-Family gathers, Nightwing and Batman talk openly about the death of Tim for the first time. Meanwhile, several cadavers in the morgue, having been injected with Monster Venom by Hugo Strange, become re-animated. The first turns into a horrific towering monster and begins terrorizing the streets. Batman destroys a Batplane by flying it into the creature while ejecting into “combat capsule” winged-jetpack mode. After destroying the capsule as well to take down the monster, the rest of the Bat-Family guides evacuees Alexander Olsen State Park on outskirts of the city. Batman, Batwoman, and Nightwing keep the downed monster sedated and send DNA back to Duke and Alfred, who ID him as Robert Castro, thus linking Hugo Strange to the happenings. Two more giant Monster Men, resembling Godzilla monsters more than men, come out of the morgue and begin attacking the city. Batman and Batwoman fight them while Nightwing heads to the morgue while radioing Alfred. Alfred tells Nightwing that the bio-scan of the chemicals in the creature has turned up multiple partial hits, including nice fanboy references to Penelope Young (from the Arkham Asylum video game-verse) and Jackson Chappell (from the 1990s Batman Beyond DCAU), but it is something entirely new at its core. At the morgue, Nightwing notes that there are four corpses missing. Alfred IDs these corpses-turned-monsters as Darcy Purnelli, Joseph Stucci, and Oleg Balinoff—the other men that committed suicide during the Psycho-Pirate debacle. All these men were formerly treated by Hugo Strange. When Balinoff—now a giant Evangelion-esque monster as well—attacks Blackgate Island, Nightwing rushes to one of Batman’s nearby “tech sites.” In the Batcave, Claire has heard enough. She suits up as Gotham Girl and flies to Blackgate to fight the creature. Meanwhile, some of the refugees in the caves of Alexander Olsen State Park, covered with red goop from the monsters, begin mindlessly aggressing, with the viral rage spreading from person to person. At Blackgate, Nightwing watches as Gotham Girl smashes dozens of mini-monsters that are being birthed out of a grotesquely-mutated Balinoff, now with gross tumefaction to such an extent he has become a full-blown creature of horror. A wild Gotham Girl brutally kills the monster, splashing pink slime all over both herself and Nightwing, turning them into monsters too!
NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN Conclusion
———————-––Batman Vol. 3 #8
———————-––Nightwing Vol. 4 #6
———————-––Detective Comics #942
Batman Batwoman continue fighting the giant monster with Batman eventually electrocuting it with one of the new Bat-cycles. Batwoman branches off to confront the transformed monster Nightwing and Gotham Girl. Nightwing flies off with Batwoman attached to him via grappling hook. Meanwhile, Clayface forms a Batsuit and attaches himself to the Dark Night, allowing him to wallop the mutated Gotham Girl for a short while. Lark arrives with an antidote that he and Alfred have cooked up. At Alexander Olsen Park, Spoiler and Orphan use a bunch of flares to burn away the deadly algae goop that is causing the populace to rage uncontrollably. With everyone calm, things seem good until a new giant monster—made out of the cave rocks and trees themselves—grows itself out of the expelled algae goop. Back downtown, Lark injects Gotham Girl, returning her to status quo. Shortly thereafter, the Bat-team cures Nightwing as well. Within minutes, the new monster is upon the city, hurling train cars and crawling up buildings. With no other option, Batman activates the Wayne Watchtowers. A few Wayne Enterprises-owned buildings become electrically charged, sending a high voltage shock into the monster. The downed creatures all combine to form a destructive mega-monster that stands tall over Gotham. Spoiler and Nightwing locate Hugo Strange at nearby Anders Towers and deliver the news to Batman, also revealing that Strange is obsessed with him and wants him face-to-face. While Batman confronts a Bat-costume-wearing Hugo Strange, the Bat-Family operates the Wayne Watchtowers, grappling the giant mega-monster in its place, but not before it knocks down a dozen skyscrapers. Nightwing dives into the monster’s mouth, causing it to vomit profusely and shrivel-up into a small clump. Unable to touch Hugo Strange because his costume is rigged to kill him upon impact, Clayface seals off the air in the room until Strange passes out. Days later, the Bat-Family and the Justice League (with Jessica Cruz) clean up the horrible disaster area that is downtown Gotham. ARGUS seals off a section of the city around the corpse of the final monster, turning the spot into a weapons research outpost, something that Batman is not happy about at all. Bruce anonymously donates money to have the bodies of the “Monster Men” buried properly. At the cemetery, Bruce and Kate have a genial chat.
–Nightwing Vol. 4 #7-8 (“RISE OF RAPTOR”)
“Night of the Monster Men” has recently ended. While Damian chats with his dad about the “Godzilla” battle he was absent for in Gotham, Nightwing meets up with the Tiger King of Kandahar and Spyral to assist on a Parliament of Owls bust in Sydney. But the bust comes a moment too late as a genetically-engineered Kobra assassin kills all the Parliament members first. After taking down the Kobra assassin, Tiger and Nightwing learn from Spyral tech-whiz and recent Saint Hadrian’s graduate Lotti Duff that the Book of Wisdom is digitally transferring info to Kobra via a result of Raptor’s meddling. Nightwing immeidately pays a visit to the double-crossing Raptor, who thrashes him and sends him crashing into a room filled with pictures of Dick ever since he was a boy. Raptor has known Dick his entire life, used to have a relationship with his mother at the circus, and has been tracking his every movement for decades. Raptor then drugs the pissed-off Nightwing, sending him into unconsciousness. Later, in Gotham, Bruce talks to Alfred, citing worry that Dick hasn’t spoken to him since “Night of the Monster Men.” Bruce publicly addresses a Gotham crowd, assuring them that the city is safe, despite the recent attack of the monsters. Raptor beats up all of Bruce’s security and confronts Bruce head-on, whispering to him that he knows his secret ID. Unable to act in front of so many onlookers, a supine Bruce is kidnapped by Raptor on live TV and taken to Paris. Robin radios Nightwing for assistance. Nightwing wakes up and tells Robin that it’s a personal matter and goes after Bruce solo. In Paris, Raptor straps Bruce into a death trap in which he is unable to move. The deadly contraption will automatically execute Bruce should Wayne Enterprises stock go up past a certain point. Raptor reveals that he has been watching Dick ever since Dick was a boy. Nightwing arrives and immediately brings the fight to Raptor, who slugs it back while monologuing about how much he hates the entitled, privileged, and idle rich. Raptor further reveals that he grew up with Dick’s mom in Paris where they were teenage anarchists and small-time thieves together. Raptor says he hates Bruce for spoiling Dick and for taking Dick away from his roots. Dick defeats Raptor and then catches Bruce, who has dislodged himself from the death trap and jumped down from a great height with his hands bound. Tiger, Keshi, and a Spyral sqaud arrive to clean up and take Raptor into custody. Tiger tells Bruce that they will brainwash him using hypnos so that he forgets Batman’s ID. Bruce and Dick then share a tender moment. Bruce tells Dick that he jumped because he knew Dick would catch him.
–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to All-Star Batman #6. Batman and Lark go on an unspecified mission somewhere where it is snowing. Batman is injured and Lark helps him.
–Deathstroke Vol. 4 #4-5 (“THE PROFESSIONAL”)
When we last saw Deathstroke in Gotham, two years ago, he had become young again thanks to some I-Ching magick. That magick has run its course and Deathstroke is once again a classic gray-haired eye-patch-wearing badass. When someone in Gotham puts a hit out on his daughter Ravager, Deathstroke begrudgingly returns to Batman’s city in an effort to protect her. After prepping for the inexorable battle versus the Dark Knight with some help from hacker Hosun and right-hand man William Randolph Wintergreen, Deathstroke and Ravager wait in the shadows of an elevated train station in a quiet Gotham neighborhood. After learning Deathstroke is in town, Batman does extensive research on the assassin and his family. The Caped Crusader also digs into the hit that has been put on Ravager, finding nothing but dead ends. Batman then learns Deathstroke’s location and disguises himself, entering the street and planting several infra-red jamming tools to mess with the villain. Robin, disguised as a paperboy, rides a bike through the scene as part of surveillance run, unknowingly passing through some sprinkler water that has been dosed with a knockout drug by Deathstroke. While Batman confronts Deathstroke in the latter’s car, Ravager takes down Robin, who passes out due to the drug. Deathstroke’s rigged car explodes and rockets into pieces, allowing the assassin to escape. An hour later, Batman invites Ravager to ride along with him in the Batmobile. Batman plays mind-games with Ravager, talking about her dysfunctional relationship with her dad and calling them both killers. (A panel’s worth of this driving scene is also repeated word-perfectly in a flashback from Deathstroke Vol. 4 #6 and a flashback from Deathstroke Vol. 4 #18.) Downtown, Batman stops the car, pausing briefly to thrash some crooks and relieve them of a nuclear warhead. Batman continues his regular patrol with Ravager tagging along, following a tip and heading to a house in the burbs where he thrashes more young gun-toting thugs. Ravager assists him with would-be fatal violence, which nets her a stern scolding from the Dark Knight. Batman and Ravager eventually arrive at Robin’s location, where the Boy Wonder has spent hours mocking Deathstroke and just escaped a death trap. Batman, mistakenly believing that Deathstroke himself put the hit on his own daughter, reveals this to Ravager. (The hit on Rose was actually set up by Deathstroke’s ex-wife Adeline Kane.) Ravager takes off and calls her boyfriend Luis Trayce, whom she had previously secretly paid to orchestrate a (failed) hit on her dad. Unknown to Ravager, Luis is playing both sides and has also accepted Adeline’s hit on her too! When Deathstroke learns what Luis is up to, he angrily puts a knife to Luis’ throat and kidnaps him.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #13. Batman builds a Bat-Sub, which he stores in a secret location in the Atlantic Ocean.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #18. Batman responds to the Bat-Signal for an unspecified case. As he does so, he talks aloud to his mother, showing us that the neurotic Dark Knight still indeed speaks to his dead mom, even after all these years.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #12. Batman is informed (likely by Commissioner Gordon) that Catwoman has become extremely “problematic and violent” inside Blackgate, so violent, in fact, that she is going to be transferred to Arkham. Batman, unable to face Catwoman, writes a letter, which is delivered to her (probably, again, via Commissioner Gordon). Batman, speaking from the heart in ways he never has before, tells Selina personal details about his parents and his decision to become Batman as a bereaved boy. He also reveals a suicide attempt when he was only ten-years-old. He talks about his pain, saying that his life has been one long drawn-out suicide. He also echoes Selina’s words from months ago, agreeing that the pain goes away every time they kiss. Batman also implies that he doesn’t truly believe she killed those 237 people, and he says that he will find the truth and free her one day.
–REFERENCE: In Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #5. Batman develops new rapid-expanding wire mesh shielding, specifically to catch falling rubble during an earthquake. From this point forward he will keep this tech in his utility belt.
–Detective Comics #943-945 (“THE VICTIM SYNDICATE”)
First off, the 3/11/2016 date given makes absolutely no sense and must be summarily ignored. Lucius Fox refers to the “monster attack” as happening “last month,” meaning several weeks have passed since “Night of the Monster Men.” Our story begins with Bruce and Lucius finalizing a deal to foot the bill for the entirety of last month’s reconstruction. The Victim Syndicate (The First Victim, The Mute, Mr. Noxious, Madame Crow, and Mudface)—comprised of former collateral damage “victims” of Batman’s war on crime who want revenge against the Caped Crusader—enter Wayne Enterprises and kill three security guards before the terrified eyes of Lucius Fox and secretary Ellie. They then spray paint a red Bat-symbol on the wall. This prompts Renee Montoya to call her old flame Batwoman to the scene of the crime. Meanwhile, Batman confronts his Uncle Jake in the Belfry prison, but Jake tells him to piss off. Batwoman chats with Batman via radio about how Tim’s “death” is affecting Stephanie. Across town, Stephanie visits Harper Row, who is volunteering at Leslie Thompkins’ clinic along with Jean-Paul Valley. In the Mud Room, Clayface and Orphan train. Later, the entire Bat-Family puts on their finest fancy clothing to attend a ritzy police charity gala at the museum, outside of which thousands of anti-Batman protesters, angry at the destruction from the monster attack, gather to inveigh against the heroes. Luke Fox, now running his own FoxTech business and playing up a playboy persona akin to Bruce’s façade, arrives in a flying car to a swarm of paparazzi. Bruce reveals to Kate that Luke is Batwing and they are here to recruit him to be the caretaker of the Belfry. Luke introduces himself to Kate, but she isn’t impressed, unable to see past his smarmy celebrity persona. Just then, an explosion erupts through the room and the Victim Syndicate enters. The Bat-Family—joined by Renee Montoya, Harper Row, and Batwing—gathers to confront the Victim Syndicate. The First Victim delivers a long monologue, demanding that Batman unmask and retire in order to “prevent more innocent lives from getting in the crosshairs.” Then, each villain shows off their unique powers, including Mr. Noxious poisoning Spoiler and Madame Crow causing all the cops in the room to become extra trigger happy. They all fire their sidearms randomly, but thanks to a special feature designed into the weaponry by Luke Fox, the guns only fire rubber bullets without proper authorization, saving tons of lives. Orphan and Harper put an injured Stephanie into the care of Leslie Thompkins. Batman, Batwoman, and Batwing go to the Belfry to regroup. Clayface, too upset to join them, goes off on his own. Luke makes himself immediately at home in the Belfry. Batwoman reports on each Victim Syndicate member, revealing secret IDs and how they all fit into Batman’s history. Only the First Victim and the paralysis villain have no information. Leaving the Belfry in Luke’s control, Batman visits Leslie and asks her to do psych evaluations on his team. She flips out and scolds him for endangering the lives of children, specifically referencing Tim’s death and how it is affecting Stephanie, since they were dating. Meanwhile, the First Victim sneaks through the back window and confronts Stephanie, telling her that the Victim Syndicate just wants to make sure she is okay. After Harper and Batman question Stephanie about the First Victim’s visit, Batman meets with Batwoman and tells her that Leslie’s psych evals should commence immediately. Alfred and Batman then try to recollect their vague memories of Batman’s first two nights out in costume. At the Belfry, Clayface gets his head shrunk by Dr. Thompkins while Batwing shows off new anti-Victim Syndicate costumes for each Bat-Family member to Stephanie. Once Clayface’s session ends, Stephanie steps into the doc’s office. Unknown to the Bat-squad members, Batman is secretly watching and listening to their supposedly-private conversations. In another Belfry room, Batwoman watches her dad in his cell via security cam and then argues with Batwing. During Steph’s session with Dr. Thompkins, the former realizes that Batman is listening-in and calls him out. Batman and Steph argue before Batwing reports that the Victim Syndicate is attacking Harper and Jean-Paul at the Thompkins Clinic. Batman angrily suspends Steph from duty and rounds up the other Bat-squad members for action. A dejected Steph visits the Mud Room to find “Android Red Robin” waiting for her. This synthetic Red Robin is a robot copy Tim has made of himself using a combination of Clayface’s DNA and a digital databank of his own brain.
–Detective Comics #946-947 (“THE VICTIM SYNDICATE” Conclusion)
After rounding-up items needed to defeat the Victim Syndicate at miraculously breakneck speed, Batman and the new Bat-squad fight the Victim Syndicate at Leslie Thompkins’ clinic. Back in the Belfry, a distressed Stephanie talks to Android Red Robin. Just as the Bat-squad defeats the Victim Syndicate, Spoiler arrives to challenge her teammates. She has become completely disillusioned with Batman’s war on crime. After taking down the entire Bat-Family by herself, Spoiler punches-out the First Victim and addresses Batman face-to-face, saying that his “costumed games” have hurt too many innocent people, including the love of her life. Spoiler tells Batman that she will reveal his secret ID to the world (using a mobile device connected to the Belfry system) unless he shuts down all crime-fighting operations. She passionately speaks of another world where each Bat-Family member did something positive for the community without having to wear masks and join a paramilitary group. Batman reminds her that they don’t live in that world—a simple statement that rather elegantly reminds us (the readers) that the DCU is truly a unique place, one that might reflect our reality, but one that will always be different. The other members of the Bat-squad stand-up for Batman’s war, delivering their own panegyrics about why fighting crime in-costume is important to them. Batwoman knocks Spoiler’s mobile device out of her hand, preventing her from releasing Batman’s secret ID. Spoiler tells the Bat-Family that she will forever be their rival before motorbiking away. The Victim Syndicate goes into Arkham Asylum. Two days days after Spoiler’s betrayal, Batman brings Spoiler’s cell phone back online, revealing that she was bluffing in regard to releasing Batman’s secret ID. The phone never had the capability to do so. A day later, Batman receives a call from Commissioner Gordon, who tells him that someone (Spoiler) deactivated the Bat-Signal, causing the Bat-squad to miss a shootout between cops and the Black and Whites Gang (the new name for the gang led by the triumvirate of Penguin, Black Mask, and Great White Shark). Batman, Batwoman, and Basil Karlo then pay a visit to Arkham Asylum. Basil visits Mudface in her cell and vows to see her every week if he can. On the other side of the building, Batman and Batwoman view the First Victim in their cell. Batman tells Batwoman that he wants to continue the Bat-squad program, but insert some of Tim’s more egalitarian ideas about rehabilitative social justice. He also says to ask Jean-Paul Valley and Harper Row to join the team. Batman notes that Harper will probably turn them down. The Dark Knight also asks Batwoman to reach-out and try to reconnect with her dad. He tells Batwoman that he failed Spoiler, needs to listen more, and must think more about innocents caught on the battlefield. Batman also says he will let Spoiler operate on her own, but will keep tabs on her. (Note that we won’t see Batman keeping tabs on her on our timeline below, but he will definitely be monitoring her from a distance when he has time. On the flip side, Spoiler will begin a website called “Spoiler Alert,” as referenced in Detective Comics #955. “Spoiler Alert” will crowdsource photos of Gotham vigilantes in action—so Stephanie will be watching Batman quite a bit herself.) Later, Red Robin is able to escape his cell in Mr. Oz’s lair. Before he can make it down the first hallway, he is zapped with a blue electric light and teleported right back into his cell.
–REFERENCE: In Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1. Green Lantern Jessica Cruz rejoins the Justice League. She quit a bit ago but never really seemed to get too far away from her superhero pals and was still making herself available to the team. It’s safe to say (and highly probable) that she is officially back on the team now.
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<<< Year Eight Part 2 <<< | >>> Year Nine Part 2 >>>
- [1]NICK SMILES / COLLIN COLSHER: There is at least a two month gap from late December’s “Darkseid War” to “Final Days of Superman.” We know this because Deathstroke Vol. 3 #14-17 occurs during “Darkseid War,” between Justice League Vol. 2 #45 and Justice League Vol. 2 #46. Deathstroke Vol. 3 #18-20 specifically takes place two months after that, but prior to “The Final Days of Superman” and DC Universe: Rebirth #1. (DC Universe: Rebirth #1 occurs in March.)↩
- [2]COLLIN COLSHER: Grayson #16 starts now and continues straight-on through to Grayson #20. None of these Grayson issues feature Batman. The entire five issue arc takes up a span of nearly an entire month, overlapping with some stories below. In the arc, Dick goes against Spyral and then winds up fighting against a team of international super spies, after which he defeats a reincarnated Otto Netz and his secret identity is re-masked to the world via a brainwashing satellite. At the end of Grayson #20, Dick returns to his Nightwing persona, sporting a blue-and-black costume. A continuity error, unfortunately, must be mentioned: Poppy Ashemore is still shown as Spyral Agent, which is very wrong since the cannibalistic doctor has already betrayed Spyral by this point.↩
- [3]COLLIN COLSHER / NICK SMILES: The entire “Renegade” Hal Jordan/missing Green Lantern Corps Saga occurs in the first two months of Year Nine. In this saga, Hal gets disavowed as a Green Lantern, grows his hair out, and wears a trench coat, eventually making it his mission to locate his disappeared comrades. In the end, Hal finds them and returns to his status quo. Because Hal is his usual self and because the Green Lantern Corps appear in “Darkseid War,” this saga—which includes the following stories in order: Green Lantern Vol. 5 #41-48, Action Comics Vol. 2 #50, Superman/Wonder Woman #27, Green Lantern Vol. 5 #49-52, Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps: Rebirth #1, and then Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1—must go after it, even if such placement causes continuity errors. What are the errors? Green Lantern Vol. 5 #48, Action Comics Vol. 2 #50, and Superman/Wonder Woman #27 each feature the robo-Batman, who should be retired at this juncture. We will explain this situation in greater detail below. In any case, Green Lantern Vol. 5 #41 starts now and continues through to Green Lantern Vol. 5 #48, Action Comics Vol. 2 #50, and Superman/Wonder Woman #27, which are all listed below.↩
- [4]COLLIN COLSHER / NICK SMILES: As briefly explained in a footnote above, the appearance of robo-Batman is anachronistic and incorrect. Either we retcon this robo-Batman to the regular Bruce Wayne Batman or we assume that the GCPD has enlisted Jim Gordon (or someone else) to temporarily wear the robo-Bat-suit for the Sonar case. Obviously, the “vacation” comment was meant as a reference to Batman’s post-“Endgame” status. However, depending on how we read this scene, thanks to the terrible continuity error here, we might be better off regarding Bruce as actually being on vacation right now.↩
- [5]COLLIN COLSHER / NICK SMILES: Again, the appearance of robo-Batman is anachronistic and incorrect. Either we retcon this robo-Batman to the regular Bruce Wayne Batman or we assume that the GCPD has enlisted Jim Gordon (or someone else) to temporarily wear the robo-Bat-suit. If we choose the latter path, then this is the same person in the robo-Bat-suit as seen in the previous Green Lantern Vol. 5 #48, which immediately antedates this issue.↩
- [6]COLLIN COLSHER / NICK SMILES: Since Superman/Wonder Woman #27 is the immediate follow-up to Action Comics Vol. 2 #50, the robo-Batman is again included in the story. And, again, his appearance is still anachronistic and incorrect. We must retcon this robo-Batman to the regular Bruce Wayne Batman or assume that the GCPD has enlisted Jim Gordon (or someone else) to temporarily wear the robo-Bat-suit.↩
- [7]COLLIN COLSHER / NICK SMILES: The Saga of Hal Jordan and the Missing Green Lantern Corps continues immediately following Superman/Wonder Woman #27 and Superman Vol. 3 #50. It continues with Green Lantern Vol. 5 #49-52, Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps: Rebirth #1, and then Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1, the latter of which is listed on our timeline below.↩
- [8]COLLIN COLSHER: The last two stories (the epilogue) of the Superman/Wonder Woman trade paperback Vol. 5 were originally scheduled to be released as Superman/Wonder Woman #28-29. However, somewhere along the way, these issues were scuppered and replaced with a wholly different Superman/Wonder Woman #28-29. (The replacement official Superman/Wonder Woman #29 is featured below on our timeline.) While technically not an official part of “The Final Days of Superman,” the Superman/Wonder Woman TPB Vol. 5 Epilogue takes place chronologically at this moment, hence my reason for its inclusion here. The Superman/Wonder Woman TPB Vol. 5 contains an editorial message stating that this epilogue takes place directly before the Batman-less Superman/Wonder Woman #28, further cementing its placement here.↩
- [9]COLLIN COLSHER: Flash Vol. 5 #21-22 (“The Button”) and Doomsday Clock are only canon in the post-“Superman Reborn” Rebirth/Infinite Frontier Era, but certain plot elements in these arcs are canon in the New 52 because they link directly to DC Universe: Rebirth #1.
Doomsday Clock #7 tells us that Dr. Manhattan caused the death of Alan Scott in 1940, which ensured that he never became a superhero, thus further ensuring that the JSA never formed (and also ensuring that the original version of the 31st century Legion of Superheroes—i.e. the team that helped guide and shape a young Kal-El—would never come into existence ). The supplemental material from Doomsday Clock #3 mentions John Law, Sgt. Frank Rock, Jackie Johnson, Randy Booth, Ted Grant, Libby Lawrence, and others, all of whom were originally either members of the JSA or connected to the JSA. So, while these characters exist in the New 52, they, thanks to Manhattan’s manipulations, never became superheroes. Also note, as per Flash Vol. 5 #21, we know Manhattan prevented several other things from occurring on the New 52 timeline: the original Appellaxian affair, which resulted in the subsequent formation of the JLA; the Identity Crisis affair, which involved lots of terrible things, including the rape of Sue Dibny and mind-wiping of several heroes and villains; and the majority of the original Crisis on Infinite Earths, notably Barry Allen’s death. As per Action Comics #987, we also know Dr. Manhattan saved Jor-El from dying when Krypton exploded. Doomsday Clock #10 tells us that Manhattan was also responsible for the deaths of Jonathan and Martha Kent when Clark was in high school.
It’s been stated on the site earlier, but bears repeating here: One of Dr. Manhattan’s main goals in recreating the DCU was to reshape Superman more to his liking i.e. to make him darker and more introverted. Able to view the entire metaverse (i.e. all previous continuities), Dr. Manhattan pinpointed the people that helped teach young Clark Kent/Kal-El to become the most endearingly hopeful of all the superheroes—Ma and Pa Kent, the Legion of Superheroes, and the JSA. Thus, Dr. Manhattan played a central role in the deaths of Ma and Pa Kent in an effort to make Superman darker and introverted. Keeping alive Jor-El, who has decidedly different values in comparison to the Kents, was was another part of Manhattan’s same effort to re-shape Superman into a darker individual. Likewise, prevention of the existence of the JSA and the Legion, and therefore prevention of them influencing Superman, was meant to grim-darken the Man of Steel as well.↩
- [10]COLLIN COLSHER: The Microverse (previously referred to as the Microcosmos or Microcosmic Universe) is the sub-atomic dimension that is comprised of various nano-structures and nano-locales. According to some views of superstring theory and M theory, the sub-atomic microscopic realm exists either specifically as the 11th Dimension or as one of the other imperceptible quantum realms beyond space-time.↩
- [11]COLLIN COLSHER: The Comedian’s (Eddie Blake’s) bloody smiley face button-pin originally comes from an alternate reality (i.e. the Watchmen timeline, specifically from Watchmen #1-2). In 1985 of the Watchmen timeline (in Watchmen #1), Rorschach picks-up the stained button-pin off the ground after the Blake’s death and gives it to Dan Dreiberg, who cleans it off. In Watchmen #2, Dan tosses the cleaned button-pin into the Blake’s grave during his funeral. HOWEVER, the Batcave’s blood-stained button-pin shown here in the DCU: Rebirth reference is NOT the same smiley from Watchmen #1-2—not exactly. As seen in Doomsday Clock #3, Dr. Manhattan alters time and temporarily saves Blake’s life, causing his fatal fall to land him safely in the ocean instead of splat on the sidewalk. However, the fixity of the original Watchmen series is undeniable. Since its narrative happens unaltered anyway (with Blake’s death still occurring), Blake must die as he originally did or else there would be a time paradox. In Doomsday Clock #12, the loop is closed as Blake gets returned to Earth-Watchmen just in time to complete his fatal cycle. (That’s quite an intense death vision from the penthouse to the sidewalk isn’t it?)↩
- [12]COLLIN COLSHER: Following Harley Quinn Vol. 2 #25, events drastically alter Harley’s life. At this point on our timeline, according to Harley Quinn Vol. 2 #28, Harley Quinn has finally decided to leave the Suicide Squad behind for good. (It is implied in that same issue—via Red Tool’s dialogue—that she left the Suicide Squad at some point in the recent past, possibly in recent months.) But just when she’s gotten out, Amanda Waller begs to differ. Waller ain’t about to let one of her best pet soldiers skip away untrammeled. Harley Quinn & The Suicide Squad April Fools’ Special #1 (aka Harley Quinn & The Suicide Squad Special Edition #1) takes place now and rips Harley Quinn’s empowered agency away, plunging her deeper into unadulterated villainy than she’s ever been before thanks to a Clockwork Orange-style torturing at the hands of Amanda Waller. This long torture sequence features Batman and the Justice League, but they look as they appeared prior to “Endgame.” Waller tells Harley outright that the experience fighting the JL might have been completely fabricated. I’m here to tell you that it definitely was. This April Fools’ Special is part of a “Rebirth” repackaging wherein which Harley Quinn will resemble her Margot Robbie counterpart from cinema and return to the Suicide Squad. (Harley already dyed her hair in the recent Harley Quinn Vol. 2 #26.) Likewise, Amanda Waller has gained quite a bit of weight to resemble her Viola Davis counterpart from the Suicide Squad film as well.↩
- [13]COLLIN COLSHER: The revelation of Kathy Branden as a member of Manchester Black’s Super Elite doesn’t happen until Superman Vol. 4 #22-23, which is non-canon in the New 52. However, since its narrative is directly connected to the New 52, it still rings true. Kathy and—as we will soon find out—a few of Hamilton County’s citizens that are closest to Jon, are all secretly Super Elite members.↩
- [14]COLLIN COLSHER: The revelation of the rest of Manchester Black’s Super Elite doesn’t happen until Superman Vol. 4 #22-23, which is non-canon in the New 52. However, since its narrative is directly connected to the New 52, it still rings true. These characters, along with Officer Haggert and Mayor Dwayne Goodman are all Super Elite members.↩
- [15]COLLIN COLSHER: The main reason Batman Vol. 3 #1 goes after Justice League: Rebirth #1, “The Extinction Machines,” and Superman Vol. 4 #7 is because, in this issue, Bruce tells Alfred to contact “Clark” and “Hal.” It isn’t until after “Extinction Machines” and Superman Vol. 4 #7 that Batman finally begins trusting the Modern Age Superman a little bit more. It would be both strange and out-of-character for Bruce to casually refer to the Man of Steel as “Clark” prior to those issues.↩
- [16]COLLIN COLSHER: Batman Vol. 3 #1 is separated from the rest of “I am Gotham” because in Nightwing Vol. 4 #2, Batgirl mentions being in Gotham during a period where “the Gotham twins” and “Batwoman’s bootcamp” are both concurrent (and both have yet to have gone through their fatal tragedies that are to come). This means that Batman Vol. 3 #1 occurs prior to Nightwing Vol. 4 #1-4, Gotham’s death, and Red Robin’s death. Batman’s dialogue to Gotham in Batman Vol. 3 #2 also implies a gap between Batman Vol. 3 #1 and Batman Vol. 3 #2.↩
- [17]COLLIN COLSHER: Titans Vol. 3 #8, which occurs shortly after Bruce begins paying for the Titans and provides for their NYC HQ, explicitly takes place a “few weeks” after “Outbreak.” Therefore, it is safe to say that Bruce’s involvement with the Titans must occur shortly after “Outbreak.”↩
- [18]COLLIN COLSHER: Detective Comics #934 and subsequent ‘tec issues include the moody backdrop of heavy snowfall, yet we must be in springtime. But hey global climate change, so y’know, who knows, right? There technically could be snow in springtime. Probably best to just ignore the weather in this one, though.↩
- [19]COLLIN COLSHER: Detective Comics #934 is separated from Detective Comics #935 because Detective Comics #950 Part 3 tells us that Nightwing Vol. 4 #1-4 happens before the main action of “Rise of the Batmen” (which really kicks-off with Detective Comics #935). As mentioned in Nightwing Vol. 4 #2, Nightwing Vol. 4 #1-4 occurs both after Gotham and Gotham Girl have debuted publicly and after Batman has assembled Batwoman’s Bat-Squad team (but before the tragedies of Gotham’s death and Red Robin’s death happen).↩
- [20]COLLIN COLSHER: This issue occurs after Gotham and Gotham Girl’s debut (but before tragedy befalls the siblings) and after the Bat-squad has formed (but before tragedy befalls Red Robin)—as mentioned in Nightwing Vol. 4 #2.↩
- [21]COLLIN COLSHER: The Batman-less Batgirl Vol. 5 #1 goes here, immediately following Nightwing Vol. 4 #1. In Batgirl Vol. 5 #1, Babs goes to Japan. The Batman-less Nightwing Vol. 4 #2, which takes place two days after Nightwing Vol. 4 #1, also goes here, partly overlapping with Batgirl Vol. 5 #1. In Nightwing Vol. 4 #2, Babs phones Dick from Japan to tell him about “Batwoman’s bootcamp” and “the Gotham twins.” This puts us squarely after Gotham and Gotham Girl’s debut (but before tragedy befalls the siblings). It also puts us squarely after the Bat-squad has formed (but before tragedy befalls Red Robin). A day after phoning Dick, Babs briefly leaves Japan to meet Dick in Norway (as shown in Nightwing Vol. 4 #2–3).↩
- [22]COLLIN COLSHER: Dialogue in Batman Vol. 3 #3 implies that Hank and Claire Clover returned to Gotham from overseas roughly a month ago. Since they are shown in DC Universe: Rebirth #1, this suggests, if the dialogue is truly to be believed, that “I am Gotham” occurs about a month after DC Universe: Rebirth #1.↩
- [23]COLLIN COLSHER / PURPLEGLOVEZ (TIPTUP JR 94): As mentioned above, we should probably ignore the heavy snowfall in this arc, especially since no other issues around this arc show any snow in Gotham at all. Bizarrely, ‘tec #937 gives us the very specific date of Wednesday, May 31, 2016—a fictional date that not only doesn’t even exist in real life, but one that would also never have snowfall. No matter the case, May 31 seems a bit late for this story any way you spin it. Best to ignore all specificity here. Also, the gap between issues #934 and #935 is meant to exist, but it is written as if it is only a few days long at the most. In order to accommodate other tales, however, this gap must be about two weeks long.↩
- [24]MICHAEL: Teen Titans Vol. 6 begins immediately after Tim Drake dies. We know this because Tim’s death is referenced in Teen Titans: Rebirth and Teen Titans Vol. 6 #1-3.↩
Well… all of that just happened. I don’t know if you’ve seen The Flash show, but they have this concept called Timeline Remnants. Pretty much, when a timeline dies, you can still secure fragments of it. In terms of the show, Eobard Thawne travelled back in time to the present at various stages. After his ancestor commit suicide, though, Eobard was aborted. However, in order for the effects he had on the present to remain in place, the Speed Force preserved him as a Timeline Remnant so that he could still complete the role he had in his time travels.
Looking back at Convergence, I see that as how all of the fragments of the Lost Timelines that Brainiac collected operated. They were Timeline Remnants and when Deimos brought them into Universe 0 the way he did, that’s what caused the temporal disruptions. Either way, where I’m going with this is Wally West: he remembers his life in the Modern Timeline and claims that Universe 0 is the Modern Timeline.
Wally West is a Timeline Remnant. He is of Universe 0 no doubt and no doubt that Universe 0 is just the Modern Timeline altered due to the Flashpoint. However, Wally was preserved by the Speed Force and because he keeps his memories of the timeline before the Flashpoint changed not just Universe 0, but the Multiverse, he is a Timeline Remnant.
Whatever these missing ten years are will probably explain the history of White Wallace due to the alterations put in place by Flashpoint, but that does not change that he’s a Timeline Remnant. Just like Tim Drake in Batman Beyond could be considered a Timeline Remnant of the Brother Eye Future.
Clark White, or SuperDad, is another Timeline Remnant of the Modern Timeline. Of course, whatever is going on with Mr. Oz will elaborate on what he and Superman actually are. But in terms of everything, Clark White is the product of Brainiac preserving the Modern Timeline. Choosing to escape his intended fate and not “merge” back into the Superman of the Modern Timeline, this Clark and his family are Timeline Remnants. Just like Parallax is a Timeline Remnant (and wherever Convergence’s Barry Allen and Supergirl are, they’re Remnants as well).
Now again, the only thing that is confusing are the missing ten years. Did Dr. Manhattan steal a year here and year there, or ten years all within and alter history so that they would proceed without those moments? Wouldn’t that make those ten years a compressed alternate bubble history? Is restoring them just a way to get Bruce Wayne as old as Ben Affleck’s Batman? That’s the only confusing part.
Singh… as for “Remnants”… you mean exact copies of their original characters? (Modern Age Characters)
It’s kind of like Colin wrote in the note for Convergence and this is the theory in which the Modern Timeline is not all wiped away. All of the bottled cities on Telos were Timeline Remnants and any remainders of them (Modern Age Superman, Modern Age Lois, post-Zero Hour Parallax, Modern Age Barry Allen and Silver Age Supergirl) are Timeline Remnants.
When these Timeline Remnants enter Universe 0, they start to rip reality apart because some of them are from the Original Multiverse before Crisis on Infinite Earths, some of them are from before Flashpoint altered the “linear local Multiverse” we’ve had since Infinite Crisis. When Brainaic sends the Timeline Remnants to stop the Anti-Monitor, there’s a number of scenarios which could have happened that I’ve listed before.
Either way, the timeline is reset and everything proceeds how it originally did. Because that happens, the heroes who caused it to reset now exist out of time and are for all intents and purposes, Timeline Remnants. Other Timeline Remnants exist as well, like the Colu of the Modern Timeline (as seen in the Telos comic) which replaces the destroyed Yod-Colu previously seen in the early days of the New 52.
Remember how at the end of Convergence it showed that Universe 0 was just an evolved version of the Modern Timeline’s Earth? Wally West is a Timeline Remnant of the time before the evolution (Flashpoint) took place. So the idea is that Wally was preserved by the Speed Force, but due to the death of Darkseid, either had to break free or be consumed by it. As seen in The Multiversity, the Speed Force is independent of the Multiverse so it makes sense that it could preserve Wally as a Remnant.
Exactly how this all relates to the missing ten years is unknown to me, but if things disrupt this timeline too much, I’d be curious to know if we’re entering a “Post”-New Age.
How in the world will they be able to get back these “missing ten years” without aging characters like Bruce?
In my opinion, as far as Batman, now that the official Superman of the New Age is The Modern Age Superman they want Bruce to be pretty much as old as he is…
They clearly wanted to bring back some of the old relationships of the Modern Age… Ollie and Dinah, Arthur and Mera, Lois and Clark… but doing that with a re-booth is wrong to me. Dunno…
Rebirth was great. I enjoyed it quite a bit. But Johns always starts strong out of the gate, doesn’t he? Lots of campaign promises made here, but will he deliver? Can he deliver? And can he do it gracefully?
IMO, the weak points of Rebirth are Three Jokers and screwing the Black Wally West. We don’t need to crush strong Black characters by relegating them as secondary versions in comparison to the “real” White versions. It’s out-and-out racist and I call bullshit. And I could talk for hours about Alan Moore and fucking over creators and ownership rights, but in the end I’m actually all for using Watchmen characters here. Without the weight of Dr. Manhattan, this doesn’t have any impact. But when delivering his meta-message, Johns should remember that Alan Moore alone didn’t darken comics. It was Frank Miller, Brad Meltzer, Dan DiDio, Jim Lee, and his own New 52 stuff too!
In regard to Singh’s comments: While Modern Superman, Modern Lois, and Parallax could definitely fall into the “timeline remnant” category (if I were to subscribe to such a theory, which I’m not sure I do), White Wally West doesn’t. He may remember/know of the Modern Age, but he’s not from the Modern Age like those others. This is the New 52 White Wally West, who existed in the New 52 but disappeared via mind-wipe with the other Teen Titans after fighting Mr. Twister (in Titans Hunt flashbacks). This is the very reason why Johns gives us a weird clunky “there are two first cousins that don’t know each other well but were both named after their grandfather Wallace” exposition.
Moving on, the question remains: will this really be a reboot or not? Reboot arcs don’t actually do the bit of actual rebooting until their conclusions. We ain’t there yet, but we are treading dangerously close. Even if certain concepts from the “missing ten Modern years” are grandfathered-in, it needn’t be a full reboot. Zero Year did it without a full reboot; Infinite Crisis did it without a full reboot. But if the “ten years” are fully returned in a way that completely changes everything a la the original Crisis, I think it’s a terrible idea and I’m not sure that I have the energy to continue with this shit.
I think that the mere narrative existence of the previous eras (i.e. what exists in those “ten years”) could be enough to change the perspective and attitude of the current DCU (when Earth’s heroes finally deal with the Watchmen antagonist). In this subtler, classier way, the previous era(s) can simply influence the current era rather than mash-up with it or replace it.
So, I was in the middle of writing some book-length thoughts on Rebirth, then my power went out and when I got my computer back on, I meandered over to Collected Editions and read his Rebirth review. This is some spot-on stuff, and one thing he says really got me: “at some point … the course-correcting has to stop and the actual moving forward has to start, and that the problems of the present can’t perpetually be blamed on issues of the past.” I agree 100%. He also talks about how this was the exact same plot as Infinite Crisis, and remember how bright and cheery the DCU got after that?
http://collectededitions.blogspot.com/2016/05/review-dc-universe-rebirth-1-dc-comics.html
Now, I actually liked the Rebirth special itself, but… I don’t know, I think it’s time to stop writing stories ABOUT continuity. It’s time to stop having 10,000 versions of every single character. Are they really saying that pre-Crisis, post-Crisis, and New 52 Jokers are three separate entities? Are they aware of the wildly different interpretations of Joker that appeared during each of those eras? And didn’t a certain someone already consolidate these personalities into a compelling character trait?
I’m a continuity man, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s becoming TOO MUCH of a shackle. It’s simply counter-intuitive to have multiple versions of each character running around in fragmented arbitrary story eras. If you read a story or fact about Batman’s life, no matter when that story was published, you should rest assured knowing that it bears some relevance on Batman’s life today. The entirety of Batman’s publishing history, or Superman’s or Wonder Woman’s, should read like one giant story with the characters learning and growing from each crazy-ass thing that happens to them.
But instead. We have this pre-Crisis Earth-2, Earth-1, Zero Hour, Hypertime, Pocket Universe, Infinite Crisis, Flashpoint, Convergence BULLSHIT that does nothing but confuse longtime fans and keep new ones from ever entering the world of DC. Who cares about this nonsense? Just tell fucking stories. The continuity is such a mess. It’s become such an unwieldy behemoth that no one person is capable of comprehending it. My goodwill towards Johns has disappeared in one department: I am downright ANGRY that he completely ignored Convergence and Multiversity in this. One simple line of dialog, would that be so hard?
Now, I’m actually trying to stay more optimistic than this post makes it sound; I pretty much liked the issue, it did feel like the DC Universe, I love that Damian has been aged up. But about the Wally thing… I actually like how they consolidated the two Wally Wests. It was one of the more respectful avenues they could’ve taken. This way, black Wally can stand on his own and be his own character, but fans of both can have their cake and eat it too since white Wally is back as well. The revelation that they were cousins all along (I think?) was kind of cool to me, it was like an olive branch being extended to BOTH characters, their universes, fanbases, etc. But that’s just me.
Now, I’m kind of confused. The Wally who narrates this issue… he’s the pre-Flashpoint Wally, but also somehow the POST-Flashpoint Wally? I don’t get it. Throw Convergence and Multiversity into the mix, you could have ten Ph.D.s and not make heads or tails of DC continuity right now. What I think they should do is: lay some basic ground rules and parameters for their universe. Say that, within those parameters, every DC comic ever made (and some multimedia) is encompassed in some way by the current continuity. EVERYTHING happened in some fashion, EVERY character still exists, but obviously not every story took place 100% as printed due to temporal references and such. After that, don’t touch it. Leave it alone. Never, ever, ever make a comic about continuity again and never reboot the continuity again. By all means, they can feel free to introduce new universes or allow creators to tell whatever stories they want in Legends of the Dark Knight-type series, but HAVE continuity, MAKE it encompass their entire publishing history, AND LEAVE IT ALONE FOREVER. They like to say “every story counts,” but that’s never actually been true. They can put their money where their mouth is this time and make it true.
Anyways, I have lots more thoughts and some I’m probably forgetting, but yeah. I guess the DCU isn’t shit right now and I am interested in delving into the Rebirth universe in the coming months. I’m just not sure if I want to be in for another endless Infinite Crisis/Countdown-type ride right now. I also don’t like that Johns gets to write in his own pocket universe sometimes, and DC’s stubborn refusal to answer the most basic questions (the post-Flashpoint version of Final Crisis, fucking Convergence) really grinds my gears. BUT, Rebirth felt more like the DC Universe has in a long time. So that’s something.
It’s not the pre-Flashpoint Wally West. He simply remembers/has knowledge of pre-Flashpoint because he was trapped in the Speed Force when Flashpoint occurred. (He also was erased from everyone’s memory while trapped in the Speed Force.) That first page editorial tag of what to read prior to Rebirth #1 should have also included Titans Hunt. Actually, Titans Hunt has more pertinent info than JL #50 or Superman #52, now that I think about it.
These types of superhero meta-narratives have definitely been milked for all they are worth, that’s for sure. Like I said in another comment, what happens moving forward can be done with grace and done in a very interesting way—although I don’t know how they’ll pull of the three Jokers thing with grace, that’s beyond me. But if stories about meta-continuity continue to be the driving force behind the DCU, these cash grabs will be nothing other than cash grabs, with no thought of the future or sustainability.
I like Rebirth #1, but only if it doesn’t fuck with the New 52 too much. Support your current local continuity! Apparently there are people who miss the Silver or Modern Age so much they want to replace the New Age with those eras? That’s stupid. Why not instead SIMPLY DEMAND THAT THE CURRENT ERA BE WRITTEN BETTER? You think Character X sucks now and doesn’t have any of the heart of the old version? Well then writers should write Character X better. Instead we have this insanity of “let’s bring back the old version of Character X and have him fight new Character X and replace him!” What? No.
I’m at my critical tipping point—but I’ve been there before, I won’t lie. Rebirth has a ton of potential, so I will give it a chance. And I’m glad that you (and others) see White Wally and Black Wally existing together as non-offensive. Maybe it’s not as bad as I make it out to be. I like that they are solidly FIRST cousins too. But that goddamn Joker mess… Ugh.
Hi Collin,
I have to agree with your comments about writing the characters better, rather than continually reverting to previous incarnations. I was there for the original Crisis on Infinite Earths. It was a great story, and pretty much a culmination of many Earth-1 & Earth-2 cross-overs which had been around in JLA for 25 years previously.
Many good storylines followed in the DC Modern Age, but there had been many excellent stories in the Silver Age as well. I think we all tend to dislike change, and have a special fondness for the stories and characters as we originally read them, in whatever era that was. I grew up in the Silver Age, and admit a fondness for that era, and i still go back from time to time and re-read some of my favourites from that era.
However, i also want the characters to evolve naturally and they can’t do that in a universe that now reboots every 5 years. The DCU has become a mess, and editorially the company seems stuck in what has become an endless storytelling loop.
The same comments apply the the cinematic DCU, where we keep getting endless reboots, with an origin story every third or fourth movie. Who needs another origin of Superman? Is there a single person in the English-speaking world who doesn’t know the story, whether they read the comics or not, and we all have DVD players. Superman Returns showed great promise by being the first DC movie in years that dared to move the story forward, but that was that. It seems that any attempt to move forward, whether in the comics or in the movies, is constantly stifled by the Powers That Be.
I know it’s a bit of a no-no to mention the opposition, and you’ve stated that your not a fan of Marvel, but they have managed to keep their continuity going for the past 75 years with only occasional and minor glitches. I think DC have shot themselves in the foot with continual reboots, which have become increasingly complex, resulting in stagnation. The only way out for them that i can see, is to take the bull by the horns, say this is our universe now, and let it go forward, preferably with some sort of tighter editorial control, and a writer’s guide, so that they all know how old Bruce was when his parents were killed..
I had not read Titan’s Hunt, so that’s probably why I originally associated Wally as being a Remnant. In that sense, it does make sense that he retains memory of his Modern Timeline history. I do believe that the Remnant Theory works in regards to the Convergence characters especially if the bottled timelines are viewed as copies rather than the original timeline. It also helps explain why reality started to break down at the conclusion of Convergence.
What I would hope, is that instead of the missing ten years being planted back and the timeline being “restored”, those ten years continue to exist in whatever time bubble Dr. Manhattan locked them up in. After all, if ten years are suddenly planted, wouldn’t we be on year 19 now? Does that mean that the timeline started in 1997 or does that mean we’re actually in 2026? Will the characters simply be aged up (I could honestly see Batman being aged up just so that he’s as old as Ben Affleck).
If it does go to 1997, well that would negate a bunch of storylines as being nonsensical. Zero Year is one of those stories, so are pretty much every other superhero origin that takes place around Year Zero and Year One. If it turns out we’re actually in 2026, well, that could pose to be something interesting. Best case scenario, the missing ten years’ memories are restored, but the ten years themselves continue to exist wherever Manhattan stored them.
Honestly, in regards to the two Wally Wests, I kind of find it ridiculous that two brothers would name their sons the same name. Sure it’s after their great-grandfather, but what? I’m sure I have a cousin who has the same name as I do, but not my first cousin. Sure it says both Wally’s never met but that’s not an excuse. If people say they love the attitude of a character more than a character, then they could’ve renamed white Wally and called him Will or something while keeping the same history.
And there being three Jokers? I’m sure that’s something that’ll get resolved easily enough. After all, in Rebirth it shows Batman as having had identified two Jokers, but not three. The third is the one who got cured by the dionesium and probably the same guy who was Red Hood One. Who these other two are, who knows? They may be clones, but if they’re clones then that means there’s technically one Joker and the Mobius Chair should’ve just told Batman who it was. So for all we know, they could just be like a Joker infection like seen in Arkham Knight where the Joker’s blood (it’s weird but it worked in the game) turned ordinary people like him. Or some form of hyponosis was placed on the other two Joker’s and it could be like Tim Drake from the Batman Beyond show.
And about Johns. He delivered great out of the gate but probably luckily for him, he doesn’t have to deliver. It’s up to whoever picks up the story now.
Honestly, you guys are amazing!
Each of you has a point of view which is really interesting.
The thing that worries me right now is a “pissed-off Collin Colsher” who “doesn’t know if he has the energy to go on with this shit”… please Collin don’t do that!
We need you to be the light in this mess!
I honestly think that the three jokers mess will be explained as the result of the messy timeline by Dr. Manhattan and will eventually merge into only one: a bit more violent of a character than the one of the golden age, a bit less violent and more funny that the Snyder’s version (Snyder’s Joker always looked a lot too much like Szasz to me). In a word? The Modern Age version of the character.
In fact I’m asking all of you: was ever there a better version of the character than the Joker in The Killing Joke? Doing atrocities and making people laugh at the same time… that is a legendary character.
I think Rebirth will be some sort of Zero Hour, rather than an Infinite Crisis.
They better not screw up things because people are getting sick of this things like Tiptup brillaintly explained.
The whole “ten missing year” thing is the ticking bomb.
I just think that the only possible explanation is to age your characters. So the continuity has to start ten years prior. And that’s a huge excuse to REWRITE the same stuff all over again and insert them in that ten year gap… NML, Bane breaking Bruce’s back… on and on…
I remember Alan Moore once saying that the DC Comics can write compelling stories anymore.. what they can and can only do is just keep rewriting the same old stuff over and over again every decade or so.
Think he’s right.
We’ll see.
Well, let’s see. Spring seems to be the actual season that Batman: Rebirth takes place in, but it’s hard to tell.
In Batman #3, Gotham and Gotham Girl are stated to have arrived a month ago – so DCU Rebirth would have to take place afterwards and less than a month before I Am Gotham.
Rise of the Batmen is very heavy on the winter setting – and Detective Comics #935 depicts the exact same Batmobile that Bruce drives off a bridge in Batman #1.
Sooo… there are some clues, but I hesitate to say anything definitive yet. It seems like I Am Gotham would lead right into Night of the Monster Men, seemingly placing Rise of the Batmen before it, but we’ll almost certainly get an explanation by then.
Interesting goof in Batman #3, it depicts Bruce in his Rebirth costume at a very early point in his career. On Twitter, Tom King defended it by saying Batman has lots of costumes and that Rebirth changed some continuity – wonder what this means? (The wonderful Birds of Prey Rebirth got their flashback costumes right, on the other hand…)
Mom and dad said they arrived home a month ago, but those two were on some very serious top secret superhero training shit. Maybe they first saw mom and dad a month ago, but I wouldn’t take the parentals’ word as solid gold there. But placing DCU Rebirth a month before “I am Gotham” might still work anyway. Will keep an eye on it for sure. (If it doesn’t work, we have our excuse.)
I think the snow in ‘tec might just be for effect, but we’ll see. I do think that Batman #1 goes after ‘tec, though. And yes, in the horrible global climate change world in which we live, it definitely snows in April.
It’s funny, I didn’t even realize that Batman was wearing his wrong costume. But yeah, sorry Tom King, it’s an error. It’s OKAY TO ADMIT IT SOMETIMES! I’ve been reading every single Rebirth title so far, and so far as I can tell there has yet to be a single retcon or continuity change from the New 52. And again, I can’t stress this enough, WHY WOULD THERE BE? Any change or alteration that might occur will only happen once DC gets around to resolving the Dr. Manhattan plot-thread. And that ain’t gonna be for a while. If you are really paying attention, most of the Rebirth issues have actually either SOLIDIFIED New 52 continuity or filled in empty gaps of New 52 continuity history.
Glad to have your keen eyes on the DC landscape, Tip. Thanks.
Though where I live, we got heavy snow for a week straight all the way into April, so maybe Detective Comics’ snow doesn’t contradict the springtime setting. At any rate, it does seem like they’re putting a modicum of thought into this, which is refreshing.
Heh, now they’re just messing with us. Detective Comics 937 takes place on Wednesday, May 31 according to a computer screen, which couldn’t be true in 2016 where May 31 falls on Tuesday. It falls on Wednesday in 2017, BUT it’s also stated that March 5, 2014 was two years ago.
Do they do this on purpose? What’s the point of putting such needlessly specific but impossible references? Goodness.
But anyway, I really liked all the Bat-titles today, even Red Hood was okay. Two-Face is Jason’s inaugural villain again! Heh. It looks like this League of Shadows thing is gonna be a pretty big deal… the last issue of Deathstroke has Ra’s al Ghul gearing up for some huge war, and they’re gonna be dealing with him in the new Teen Titans too. And I love how the Colony is just a bunch of Arkham Knights – I won’t spoil the game if you don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they plausibly retconned a certain someone’s backstory to involve the Colony at some point…
I think the only explanation is that they feel free to add any mess they like to the titles because they know that they are going to change a good whole bunch o f stuff with the cross over involving the Watchmen characters in a couple of years… As well said by Collin, Rebirth hasn’t changed a single thing from the New 52 Continuity and it must be so! No sense to change things now when a mega (another one!) is under way.
I only hope that they will be able to explain why and how the (ex) N52 universe is (apparently) one and the same with the Modern Age one (with 10 years cut off by DM). How in the world there can be 3 Freaking Jokers at the same time and why there have been 2 Supermen, 78 Clark Kents, 823 Doomsdays, 31 Lois Lanes, 9000 Green lanterns, 653 Wonder Woman Origins and 22 Flashes named Wally West.
Holy Jesus.
The only continuity changes so far are very minor.
1. Amanda Waller gains a lot of weight in a very short amount of time.
2. When Jason Todd met Batman, he wasn’t stealing pills from Leslie Thompkins, he was stealing the tires off the Batmobile.
That’s it.
The Wonder Woman origin will be explained. Three Jokers will be explained. The new Doomsday will be explained. And the current extra Clark Kent mystery will be explained.
My 13-year-old second cousin tried explaining the narrative details of Arkham Knight to me on a two hour car ride the other day, but beyond that, I don’t know much about the game, haha. (I might be even more confused now.)
The specificity of dates in comic books never ceases to amaze and confound me. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised, though. And I took the Two-Face sequence as occurring closer to the end of Jason’s run as Robin. Seemed like there was an ellipsis between first night on patrol and his extreme violence versus Two-Face. Went from panel to panel, I know, but the dialogue seemed to imply an ellipsis. Just my take.
Don’t know, Collin… don’t know.
That’s a man who could take down Superman (the modern age one) we’re talkning about.
50 militaries… no way they can take Bruce down.
Maybe 25 Jason Bourne(s) and 25 Jack Bauer(s) all at once could take him down… and I say MAYBE.
But I’ll admit that the new 52 Batman is a lady sometimes.
Once I read from a Batman fan these words:
“The Modern Age Bruce Wayne was a Genius. And an invincible fighter which only immense stress (see Knightfall) could take down” (and a lot of Venom shit, I’ll add).
“The new 52 Batman is just not.
“Not a Genius of that level and not a master fighter of that level (faster and stronger maybe, but just not as smart as the modern age version, and intelligence is a big part of the fighting skills. You could never take the MA Batman by a surprise!).
So not a genius. Once you accept that, reading the New 52 batman will be much easier for you”
I couldn’t agree more.
The Colony has existed since shortly after Batman’s debut. So each Colony soldier could conceivably be the equivalent of Jason Bourne, no? But I feel ya, Antonio.
Also, interesting to note how DC has doubled and even tripled down on clandestine super-illuminati groups for “Rebirth.” You have the REAL THREAT BEHIND the Court of Owls in the Parliament of Owls. You have the REAL THREAT BEHIND the League of Assassins in the League of Shadows. You have the Colony has having secretly operated for nearly a decade. And Kobra was barely mentioned—if at all—before “Rebirth” and now they are in multiple books, albeit as the weaker cult group that exists primarily for asses-to-get-kicked purposes. I’m probably missing several more as well.
Holy Jesus I just finished watching the killing joke movie and I know it has nothing to do with this space but I had to find a place to express my feelings or I could get mad…
I always hated Brian Azzarello and now I hate him even more. WAAAAY even more.
Don’t want to spoil the movie but that SCENE… THAT SCENE… I just wanted to throw up.
Worst shit I have ever watched or read in a comic book or movie.
Bruce and Babs having sex is just OUTRAGEOUS. To both characters.
Unthinkable.
Horrific.
Thank you Azzarello. You just screwed up a masterpiece. Now keep up with your fantastic career of nonsense and shit.
So much for me thinking he just couldn’t do worse than FOR TOMORROW!!!
I’ve read all about the Killing Joke movie, and I refuse to watch. Sounds like sexist, offensive trash from the top to the bottom—even if you exclude the Batman-Batgirl intercourse scene. I don’t like Alan Moore’s original version either—the only thing I like about Killing Joke-the-comic-book is Brian Bolland’s art, so you can imagine how the idea of an even more offensive and problematic version of this story resonates in my mind. Not well.
And when faced with polite criticism at Comic Con, Brian Azzarello called a fan a “pussy” and then later doubled-down on it, saying it yet again online. I’ve never been an Azzarello fan, having never read his “best” work on Hellblazer and very little of his “masterpiece” 100 Bullets. His 2006 Tales of the Unexpected was nice, but all of his work on Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman is complete shit. Don’t get me started on Before Watchmen. Ugh. Between the misogynist nightmare that is the Killing Joke movie, his own disgusting persona, and current who-gives-a-shit DKIII work with bigot Frank Miller, I’m writing off Mr. Azzarello from this point forward. He’s a scumbag. Fuck that guy. (Azzarello’s wife, Jill Thompson, whose work I am a big fan of, is probably in the best position to give her spouse the reality check that he so definitely needs. After all, we know that Didio, Johns, Lee, Berganza, and company ain’t gonna do it.)
And on a side-note, shame on Bruce Timm for having been involved with the production of the Killing Joke film. (Shame on Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy too!) Although, in regard to Timm’s involvement, let’s not forget that Timm had Babs and Bruce hook-up in the Batman Beyond TV show, so he’s clearly had a hard-on for the Batgirl-Batman sex thing for a long time. No one is probably more responsible for building my childhood adoration for comic books than Bruce Timm (with his amazing prolific animation on the 1990s Batman cartoon series). But in hindsight, I now realize why his female characters were drawn so over-sexualized. It goes beyond claiming Frank Frazetta and Harvey Kurtzman as influences—(although having them as influences certainly doesn’t help). Timm seems to view comic books and comic book characters in a bigoted, stunted, dangerously old-school way. I think he might need a serious reality check. It’s 2016, pal. I’m this close to serving Timm the “fuck that guy” label as well.
Well Collin, I’m well aware why The Killing Joke has been labelled “sexist and offensive” since its original publication time… but I’ve always thought of it as a huge opportunity for the character (I mean Babs) to grow up. It shows, im my eyes, how a strong girl can turn even stronger in a wheelchair.
The story helped me understand that a great life is not supposed to end just because you can’t use your legs anymore… just use your brain and you’ll learn how to be even more invaluable.
In the end, Babs as Batgirl is just another costumed superhero… as Oracle she is the best.
But I know that this is just a projection: the story itself doesn’t tell about Babs being Oracle (but Alan Moore didn’t kill Babs in the story, after all…)
The story itself just tells about proving a point. And, narratively speaking, that’s a great story. The fact that a mad guy is out to show everybody that it was never up to him but it only takes one bad day to turn completely insane… this idea… is just too attractive and brilliant to pass on.
Just that.
So, that’s why I’ve always thought of TKJ as a masterpiece.
Just took the great things out of the story.
But the movie… the movie is crap. That scene is just UNTHINKABLE. Sexist for NO reason. The first 20 minutes are horrible and it shows (in Azzarello’s mind, I suppose) how a girl can use sex to get the job done and that girls are just dolls. Even in Batman’s mind!
Bruce having sex with Barbara is just the worst thing someone could do to both characters. I guess we all can agree with that.
Azzarello is a douchebag. He is the most overrated writer on earth and whatever he touches he immediately makes it shit.
That happened with Broken City… with his Wonder Woman run… the Dark Knight Return sequels (which are idiotic) and with one of the most horrendous stories ever written: For Tomorrow.
Watchmen… Joker… Lex Luthor MOS… I mean… why people keep letting this guy write shit over shit wasting characters all over the place???
About Bruce Timm, I couldn’t agree more with you Collin.
About Mark Hammill, yeah… but I just loooove him when he does the Joker. I would have loved him as the Joker in a movie.
Yeah, like you said, all of the empowerment of a handicapped Babs is a projection. NOT ACTUALLY IN the Killing Joke novel. She’s left crippled and sexually abused and helpless while Batman and Joker crack wise on the final page. Don’t get me wrong, Alan Moore is a genius. Man can write better than just about anyone. No argument there as to the quality of the delivery, mood, set-up, dialogue, pacing, flashbacks, etc… Joker’s origin in Killing Joke is fantastic, and done so well. For me personally, I cannot forgive how horribly Babs is made a plot point and chucked in the fridge. But that’s me.
But that also speaks to my point. It looks like Azzarello and Timm were way more into expanding enlarging the sexism/misogyny of Killing Joke, rather then showcasing all the myriad things that ARE great about Killing Joke. There definitely is an amazing way to adapt Killing Joke. These guys failed on so many levels it is astounding.
Yeah Collin, I couldn’t have said any better.
Instead of showcasing the great things in the original story they decided to enhance the sexist-misogynist part…
That’s not only miserable but also very very stupid.
Honestly, Azzarello and Timm don’t deserve any more of our words.
Screw them both.
I don’t know if you know what’s going on with the TV Show Arrow, but essentially the showrunner, Marc Guggenheim, hired a co-producer in the form of the Desperate Houswives lead writer, Wendy Mericle. So in a Green Arrow show, they kill off Black Canary and have him be the whipped fiancee of a blonde hacker girl named Felicity. All this because of a vocal minority on Tumblr and Twitter who “shipped” Green Arrow and Felicity.
Reading about Timm online, he goes about how he’s always seen Bruce and Barbara as in love. I read he saw signs in Batman ’66, the Adam West one. I can’t help but think, what the fuck? How much control did Paul Dini have on Batman Beyond that Timm was finally allowed to do that? Without the likes of Paul Dini, Eric Radomski and such – I’ll just say it, Bruce Timm is the old age equivalent of internet shippers who ruin shows, as in, one of the teen girls who wanted Black Canary dead because it ruined their “ship”.
It’s a sad sad world the one we’re living in, Singh… idiots wasting iconic characters all over the place…
Yo, Adam West and the gorgeous sex-symbol Yvonne Craig. Yes. Definitely. But Yvonne Craig AIN’T Batgirl, and Adam West AIN’T Batman—outside of extreme camp TV from 1966-1968. It’s a strange reference to make in defense of a gross objectification.
Hi Collin,
I believe there is supposed to be a gap between the end of Darkseid War and Last Days of Superman. Deathstroke #14-17 occurs during the Darkseid War, between Justice League #45 & #46. Deathstroke #18-20 specifically takes place two months later, but prior to Last Days of Superman & Rebirth. Grayson #16-20 probably occurs during this two month period, as well as Batgirl #1 on, where Babs is in Japan & Singapore. Also during this time, Superman would have conducted the innumerable comprehensive tests mentioned in Superman #51..
Nick.
I have another thought for you –
I know that Darkseid War is filled with continuity conundrums, but a major one is the appearance of John Stewart & the GL Corps, who have been MIA since Green Lantern #41, coupled with the fact that in GL #48, Hal heads to Gotham to find Batman, but encounters RoboBat..
I’ve toyed with the idea that the Corps’ appearance was some kind of illusion, but there’s too much interaction between John & Hal to really make that viable
I have an idea that may work – if GL #41-52 is placed in the immediate aftermath of Darkseid War, but prior to Green Lanterns Rebirth #1, and we make an admittedly bold assumption that Jim has possibly continued to fill in for Batman on patrol in Gotham during, and for a short while after Darkseid War, that will accommodate Hal’s encounter with him GL #48. In this issue, Robo never once mentions that Batman is dead, he just tells Hal that he’s his sanctioned replacement. When Hal asks if Batman’s on vacation, Jim says all he needs to know is that he has GCPD’s seal of approval. There’s nothing in the conversation to contradict the idea that Batman may be back in business, and he is on a temporary patrol.
This theory does require forcing the known facts into place, and a compression of story time in GL, but it’s not the first time that’s had to be done. Hal’s sudden long hair may be cited, but he may have used the Gauntlet to grow his hair longer, or he could have been growing it for some time, but it just wasn’t noticed.
This idea would also, possibly, necessetate the moving of Batman #51-52 to a position after Darkseid War & GL #41-52, possibly into the gap i mentioned above..
Nick..
Hmmm. Does GL #41-52 lead directly into GL Rebirth? I just assumed that the final GL arc ends well before, no? If not, then what a mess (as usual). I’ll take a gander. GL #41-52 has to be linked to Action Comics #50 and Superman/Wonder Woman #27 as well, since Hal appears in AC #50. Robo-Batman appears in those two issues as well, no Bruce. The more issues added, the weaker the whole “Gordon is still Batman even though Bruce is back” thing feels. Not to mention, Gordon gets severely injured by Mr. Bloom in “Superheavy” and takes a slow recovery in the hospital. It is strongly implied that he never returns to the robot-suit afterward, especially after Bruce visits him in the hospital. But, as always, thanks for the insight. I’ll see what changes I can make. It’ll get fixed, someway, somehow…
Hi Collin,
GL #41-52 leads directly into Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps Rebirth & his appearance in Green Lanterns Rebirth, and absolutely must take place after his appearance in S/WW # 27, AC # 50 ,and JL #50..
All the way thru GL #41-52, Hal makes continual reference to the Corps being MIA, a theme which is carried into Hal Jordan Rebirth, where he renews his pledge to seek out John Stewart & the missing Corps, who were present & active in JL #50..
I only offer Jim continuing to possibly patrol on a diminishing basis as a possible aid to unravelling this enormously screwed up piece of inconsistency..
or maybe someone else was in the RoboBat Suit in GL # 48…
Could there be a hidden ellipsis somewhere in-between GL #48-52? I’m toying with DEcompression.
All these errors stem from Darkseid War, which was written before the disappearance of the GL Corps and destruction of Oa and Hal’s period on the lam with long hair. Basically, the appearance of these contradictory items in Darkseid War are all HUGE ERRORS.
I’m not against your idea per se, I just hate screwing with a reasonable BATMAN timeline because of big time GL timeline errors. I’d almost rather note the errors and blame it on the GL folks/Darkseid War. But we’ll see…
But basically, GL #41-52+Hal Jordan Rebirth+GL Rebirth should be before Darkseid War (with a hidden ellipses towards the end/significant decompression)
OR
GL #41-52+Hal Jordan Rebirth+GL Rebirth should go immediately after Darkseid War with significant compression plus the notation of the erroneous or odd Robo-Batman appearances.
Which way to go? I’ll def make note of both possibilities, but I think I’m leaning toward the former rather than the latter. For now, anyway.
OK i went in a different direction all together, putting it all BEFORE Darkseid War but SANS decompression or ellipses. Robo-Batman notes instead. It’s messy, but the whole explanation is there. Thanks again, Nick.
No worries Collin..
For myself, i can only place the story immediately after Darkseid War due to the appearance of John Stewart & the Corps in Darkseid War, all of whom are MIA throughout the entirety of the GL story, and are still MIA in Rebirth, with decompression of the GL timeline.. (Harvey Bullock took RoboBat for a spin – just joking..!)..
I believe Darkseid War was what they had in mind with the “Story trumps Continuity” statement.. would it really have killed the writers to check and see what they were all doing.. isn’t that an editor’s job..
cheers, Nick..
I take that back – having perused your new placement i think that works well – hadn’t realized the Corps return during that first Rebirth story arc – as usual i humble myself before you.. 🙂
Of course, there’s also the problem of Jessica Cruse having received her GL ring at the end of JL # 50, which she reminisces about in Green Lanterns: Rebirth # 1, at the end of which Hal tells Jessica & Simon he’s heading off to deal with Sinestro and look for the missing Corps.. gah…
i’m back to thinking GL has to go after Darkseid War..
i’m taking my toys and going home now..
Dammit, she BECOMES a Green Lantern at the end of “Darkseid War.” Fuck it. Damn they really screwed up huh. Here’s the big fat truth: All mention of and appearance of the Green Lantern Corps in “Darkseid War” is bullshit. Must be ignored. It’s a hell of a lot too. But you’ve got to simply ignore it. Game over… Unless, yeah, it’s all compressed and goes in the immediate aftermath of “Darkseid War.” OR OR OR we put all the weight onto “Darkseid War” (as we should, since it was written way to early without giving any fucks about any other stories). I think I’m going to just say fuck it and pile all the continuity errors onto “Darkseid War.” At least that way, all our rotten eggs are in one basket.
HERE’S THE ORDER OR THINGS (as I’m starting to see the full picture):
–Hal is disavowed and the GLC disappears
–Renegade Hal comes to Earth, interacts with robo-Bat (GL48, AC50, S/WW)
–Hal vows to find missing GLC, becomes glowing green Renegade Hal (GL 52)
–**a several month gap must occur in regard to Hal (maybe he is searching)**
–Darkseid War – GLC reappears (HOWEVER, this is either dead wrong or it is like the c-lister squad of GLC members that aren’t lost. Of course, this requires a bunch of nasty retcons on our part. When J Cruz gets her ring, I thought it was from a dead GLC member, but actually the ring just sorta shows up outta nowhere, so the GLC’s involvement in Darkseid War isn’t even necessary! ALSO Hal shouldn’t be depicted wearing his normal GL costume. He should be glowy green Renegade Hal. Everyone in Darkseid War is wearing the wrong damn costume!)
–Darkseid War ends; Hal realizes that the GLC is actually still missing, continues search
–Hal & The GLC Rebirth #1 (all Rebirth stuff has to be post J Cruz becoming GL in Darkseid War)
–Green Lanterns Rebirth #1
DOES THIS WORK!?!?
Ok, i’ve got a whole shitload of notes here –
Justice League #49 – John Stewart is present.
Justice League # 50 (pages 1-33) – John Stewart & major Corps members are prominently featured in battle and shown with Justice League in two-page spread. Hal is wielding ring, not gauntlet. Volthoom, who is possessing Jessica Cruz is destroyed by Black Racer, and Volthoom’s ring dissolves. A GL power ring flies in from soemwhere, declaring Jessica to be a new Green Lantern, complete with Power Battery (which in Green Lanterns: Rebirth she says she didn’t know she had).
Now this one may be important & not previously considered..
Justice League #50 (pages 34-42) – various epilogues to Darkseid War, which could take place at any indeterminate time after the battle is finished. This includes Grail & baby Darkseid, Lex returning to Apokalips, Dr Stone telling Superman he’s dying, and Hal visiting Batman in the Batcave.
GL # 41 – Having taken Krona’s Gauntlet and making himself a renegade to take the heat off the Corps, Hal discovers the Corps is MIA (all 7200 members). Issues 41-44 are continuous, with GL Annual # 4 filling the gap in a space journey between issues 44 & 45-46. All 7200 members of the Corps have vanished, except himself, which he surmises is because he’s using the Gauntlet, not the power ring. Doesn’t explain how Simon Baz wasn’t affected.
GL # 47 – Hal returns to Earth, where his brother Jim tells Hal that Simon Baz stopped checking on them some months previously. Jim takes Hal & the family to a fairground, telling Hal it was finished over the summer, and he’s been there with the kids 6 times. Jim’s son Howard is injured in a terrorist attack.
GL # 48 – Hal heads to Gotham to speak to Batman, but encounters RoboBat, who identifies himself as Batman’s sanctioned replacement, but makes no other identification of himself.
GL # 49 – Hal takes out the terrorists.
GL # 50 – A few weeks have passed since Howard was injured in issue 47. Hal begins glowing during fight with Parallax.
GL # 51-52 – Hal heads back into space, and transforms into his glowing form on occasions. He decides he needs to find the missing Corps or step up to replace them.
Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps Rebirth # 1 – Sinestro moves Warworld into the space formerly occupied by Oa. Hal uses his new glowing powers to create a new homeworld for the Corp from a dead world, then creates a new power ring for himself.
Green Lanterns Rebirth # 1 – Hal returns to Earth to check on Simon & Jessica. He fuses their Power Batteries.
I know this is a biggie, but is it possible, do you think, to place Darkseid War back somewhat in the timeline, allowing for a break between Jessica getting her ring at the end of the battle, and what i’ve referred to as epilogues in the final 9 pages of JL # 50.
GL # 41-52 & Hal Jordan Rebirth could conceivably be placed after the main action of Darkseid War, but prior to the epilogues. Hal’s visit to the Batcave could occur immediately prior to his checking on Simon & Jessica in Green Lanterns Rebirth.
I like where we are headed, but humor me for a second. If we ignore both Hal’s costume/ring issues and the appearance of John Stewart and the GLC in “Darkseid War” entirely, are all of our problems resolved? The main issue is the appearance of all the contradictory GL stuff in “Darkseid War,” correct?
I’m considering keeping it as I have it now versus what you are pitching. I could def go either way. (But I’m leaning toward your version at this point—seems like the whole GL arc probably should go after “Darkseid War” with the epilogues separated and robo-Batman error caveats.)
Also, maybe I’m missing something, but why does it benefit us to separate the epilogues at the end of “Darkseid War”?
Most of the continuity errors in Darkseid War can be ignored for sure, but i have a problem ignoring such a full-on appearance of the Corps, and we’re not talking c-listers, but John Stewart and the AAA-listers. The way i look at it is that character appearances, particularly major characters prominently integrated into the story, have to trump all other continuity issues. Dates, time-lapses, topical references, characters out of uniform, can all be glossed over when absolutely necessary, but actual interaction with characters, not so much..
I offered the possibilty of separating the main action of Darkseid War from what appeared to me to be epilogues simply to provide an opportunity, if one was needed, to place GL and possibly other happenings, within that break, but what you’ve done with the chronology now seems to mesh everything perfectly with no further need to tamper at this point.. I think you’ve nailed it..!
Just a quick question if i may – in your note 13 regarding the placement of Batgirl’s sojourn in Asia – do you have a specific reason for placing it after Batman # 4..?
I’m always an issue behind due to distance, and with the new bi-weekly schedule i’m gonna be two issues behind in each title..
Correction: WE nailed it. Thanks for your help.
I added the note of explanation regarding the placement of Batgirl #1. It’s all from information in Nightwing.
“Nightwing Vol. 4 #1 is up next, which means that Batgirl Vol. 5 #1—where Babs goes to Japan—begins now. (In the upcoming Nightwing Vol. 4 #2—which takes place two days after Nightwing Vol. 4 #1—Babs will phone Dick from Japan and tell him about ‘Batwoman’s bootcamp’ and ‘the Gotham twins.’ This puts us squarely after “I am Gotham” and “Rise of the Batmen.” A day after that, in Nightwing Vol. 4 #2, Babs will leave Japan to briefly meet Dick in Norway.)”
Teen Titans (Vol. 6) #5 doesn’t happen til after Tim Drake dies, due to being referenced in Teen Titans: Rebirth by Starfire, in Teen Titans #1-3 Robin, Beast Boy and one of the villians turns into him to mock Beast Boy. It definitely is set after his death.
Thank you, Michael. I’ll make this change!
The note you left about Batgirl Vol. 5 #1 but it should be between Nightwing Vol. 4 #1 & #4 because she’s in Nightwing #1 in Burnside and by #2 she is in Japan.
Yes, thanks again Michael. Just had this note in the wrong spot, as you spotted! Will fix now.