Modern YEAR SIX

1994

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–FLASHBACK: From Batman Hidden Treasures #1. The tale recounted in Ron Marz and Bernie Wrightson’s “Splash” occurs now. When a serial killer begins knocking off homeless people in the sewers, Batman suspects a reincarnated Solomon Grundy. Batman tracks Grundy to Slaughter Swamp after the villain kidnaps a homeless man. In a twist, the Dark Knight learns that Grundy’s “victim” is actually the serial killer. Thus, Grundy, who surprisingly (or not surprisingly) has a bunch of hobo pals, saves the day.

–REFERENCE: In JLA Classified #1. Batman becomes closer with Knight and Squire and gives them the special “hotline” phone number to contact him in case of emergency. As mentioned before, the hotline isn’t a big deal in the Modern Age. In fact, Knight and Squire might be the only ones who ever make use of it (aside from Gordon using it once).

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #52. Batman puts a Native American headdress on display in the Batcave. It’s possible he gets this from Man-of-Bats.

–FLASHBACK: From the B&W second feature to Batman: Gotham Knights #47. Batman confronts and busts Riddler as the villain attempts to exit a bank vault with a large cash haul.

–Robin: Year One #4 by Chuck Dixon/Scott Beatty/Javier Pulido (2000)
Mid January. Joe Minette, from prison, hires Shrike to kill Two-Face. Meanwhile, a mopey Alfred muses how the holidays have come and gone and still no word from Dick. Batman chats with the Joker at Arkham. Meanwhile, Dick continues his training with the Vengeance Academy. Dick befriends fellow trainee Boone and even commits museum robberies with the group. Shrike then orders the hit on Two-Face to be completed by his boys. The Vengeance Academy team assaults Two-Face head-on, but Dick can’t pull the trigger when it comes to executing the super-villain. Shaken, Dick returns to the Batcave for the first time in weeks, chats with Alfred, and leaves a note for Bruce about Shrike’s operation. In Blackgate Prison, Minette gets shivved to death, which serves as a murderous message from Two-Face on the outside. At the Vengeance Academy hideout, Dick fights his former team until Batman comes and helps him take down Shrike. The reunited Dynamic Duo then hugs it out before taking down Two-Face. A reference in Batman #710 also specifically makes mention of this Robin: Year One scene where Batman and Robin bust Two-Face.

–FLASHBACK: From Christmas With the Super-Heroes #2. Mid January. Alfred and Bruce lead Dick down into the Batcave where a Christmas tree and decorations have been set up. (Bruce is shown chewing on a pipe in this scene, a bogus callback to the Golden Age, which we should probably ignore.) Dick opens a present and receives a fresh Robin costume. Batman and Robin then suit up and ceremonially shake hands before heading out on patrol. Obviously, this is mid January and Christmastime is over and I would regard this flashback as non-canon, but it actually works since Dick missed the holidays (as seen in Robin: Year One). We can imagine this as a surprise belated Xmas the morning after the conclusion of Robin: Year One #4. The Robin costume gift and handshake can be seen as Batman officially “swearing Robin back in.”

–REFERENCE: In Robin Annual #4. Robin learns that Tony Zucco is still alive when the criminal escapes from jail and goes back into hiding. This note is inferred from the fact that Batman and Robin will recapture Zucco this spring.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman #438—and referenced in Batman #437-439. Batman and Robin bust up Tony Zucco’s drug operations, which are being run by his top men (including Louis, Taft, José, and Drexel) while Zucco himself remains in hiding. Via Zucco’s henchmen, Batman sends Zucco a case of live bats in an effort to scare him. Notably, this item originally was meant to occur eleven years prior to the “Batman: Year Three” arc, but—thanks to retcons from The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and Robin Annual #4—it actually occurs only six years prior.

–REFERENCE: In The Batman Files. Robin suggests adding an open canopy top to one of the Batmobiles. Despite having reservations, Batman does so. The boys will use the Batman ’66-style convertible periodically, moving forward.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #149-153. Batman and Robin defeat the twin sister duo of Cyanide and Mother Grimm. (LOTDK #149-153 is a five-issue flashback story entitled “Grimm” by JM DeMatteis and Trevor Von Eeden. It is narrated by Nightwing as he peruses archived files on the Bat-computer in 2002.)

–FLASHBACK: From Secret Origins Vol. 2 #13. Cousins Tweedledum (Dumfree Tweed) and Tweedledee (Deever Tweed) debut and are bested by Batman and Robin. (Batman is shown wearing his yellow oval costume, but this is a continuity error that must be  ignored.) After his first tangle with Dum and Dee, Batman keeps their hats and puts them on display in the trophy room of the cave (although, for the life of me, I cannot recall in which issue the hats are shown on display). Scott Beatty’s Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight places a generic hat display in the Batcave, but I’d hardly rank this as a canonical source. Later, Bruce and Dick attend a swanky society soiree.

–FLASHBACK: From New Teen Titans Vol. 2 #47 and the second feature to 52 #25. Batman and Robin are shown posed in the Batcave, ready for action.

–FLASHBACK: From Robin Vol. 2 #0, the second feature to 52 #6, and the second feature to 52 #25. Batman and Robin patrol together.

–FLASHBACK: From JLA: Secret Origins. Batman perches atop the Gotham skyline before swinging into action below where he busts some would-be muggers.

–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Countdown #33—originally told in Detective Comics #140. Batman and Robin defeat Riddler, successfully dealing with his oversized puzzles, wild lethal contraptions, and funhouse trickery.

–REFERENCE: In Flash Vol. 2 #210 and The Batman Files—originally told in Star Spangled Comics #123. Batman and Robin bring down the debuting Crazy Quilt, with emphasis on Robin being the one who brings him down. Because of this, Crazy Quilt will have a vendetta against Robin for the rest of his life. The Boy Wonder now starts his own measly Hall of Trophies, adding Crazy Quilt’s helmet as his first prize.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Confidential #50. Batman begins working a kidnapping case. He’ll work this investigation, overlapping with other items on our timeline, for the next two weeks.

–FLASHBACK: From Robin Annual #4—and referenced in Batman #436-439. Late March. Batman and Robin apprehend Tony Zucco. Zucco, who has heart problems due to his weight, has yet another heart attack and slips into a coma shortly after getting nabbed. Zucco will eventually recover in prison and serve a long sentence.

–REFERENCE: In Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #4-9 and Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #10 Part 1. Late March. Even though Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #3 is out-of-continuity, the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel still commemorate the death of Harrison Grey (the second annual springtime meeting between Batman and Superman), as referenced in Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #4-9 and Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #10 Part 1. As mentioned specifically in the latter, Two-Face shows up during this meeting to taunt and threaten our heroes.

–REFERENCE: In Batman #438. Batman begins hounding crime-bosses Agoura and Grenada (along with their nameless associates), who attempt to fill the void left in Gotham’s underworld now that Tony Zucco is behind bars. While we won’t physically see it on our timeline ahead, Batman will consistently make trouble for Agoura, Grenada, and their pals for the next six years to come. Batman will also make six major busts of Agoura and Grenada’s comrades at some point within the next six years. Again, we have to simply imagine these six busts sprinkled throughout our chronology ahead. Notably, this item originally was meant to occur ten years prior to the “Batman: Year Three” arc, but—thanks to retcons from The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and Robin Annual #4—it actually occurs only six years prior.

–REFERENCE: In a flashback from Batman Confidential #52. Bruce Wayne is named People Magazine‘s “Sexiest Man Alive” for the second year in a row. What a heartthrob.

–REFERENCE: In Legends of the DC Universe #26-27—originally told in Detective Comics #475-476. Joker unveils his infamous “Laughing Fish” gag (one of the most beloved Steve Englehart Joker tales of all time), putting his signature smile on all the fish in Gotham Bay, and killing many people in the process. Joker’s toxins spread across the entire Eastern seaboard, destroying aquatic life across half the Atlantic. The “Laughing Fish” event originally took place later, as part of Englehart’s “Dark Detective” arc (which we will see in Bat Year Nine). However, the upcoming “The Fishy Laugh / Reign of the Joker!” places the “Laughing Fish” gag shortly after Aquaman’s debut on our chronology and shortly after the initial formation of the JLA—hence the reasoning for why it goes here and now on our timeline.

–“The Fishy Laugh / Reign of the Joker!” by Steve Englehart/Trevor Von Eeden (Legends of the DC Universe #26-27) March to April 2000
Immediately following the events of Englehart’s “Laughing Fish” story, Joker escapes from Batman and dives into Gotham Bay. Nearly drowning, Joker is rescued and given oxygen by an invading Atlantean army which has traced the source of the devastating pollution to Gotham. Aquaman meets Joker for the first time, and despite having been recently drafted into the JLA, Aquaman doesn’t have much experience interacting with humans yet, nor does he seem to have any knowledge of human culture or history. A confused Aquaman is fooled into believing that Joker is “King of the Land.” When Joker promises to help formulate a cure for the poisoned fishies of the sea, the invasion is halted, and the “King” is escorted to Atlantis. In Atlantis, Joker is able to seduce high ranking scientist Felua, who uses her political pull to influence the royal council to dethrone Aquaman. A disgraced Aquaman travels to Gotham and meets with Batman. (NOTE: Batman should not be wearing the yellow oval costume yet. Ignore.) The two heroes have only recently met and are wary of each other, despite the fact that they are both now affiliated with the JLA. Batman gives Aquaman the Joker Venom antidote and sends him on his way. In Atlantis, Aquaman outs Joker as a fraud and reclaims his throne from a puppet monarch that had been appointed by Joker and Felua. Joker escapes back to Gotham unharmed with his Atlantean lover, but the GCPD and the Dark Knight find Felua’s grinning corpse washed up near the docks a day later.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Confidential #50-54—and referenced in JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2. The “Super Powers” storyline supposedly takes place “seven years” before the Year Ten portion of the “mind-wipe scandal.” However, this item should occur two years before the start of the “mind-wipe scandal” (and four years before Year Ten) to fit correctly onto the timeline. This tale details how and why Batman finally decides to interact more closely with his fellow JLA teammates, whom he has been avoiding ever since forming the team following the Appelaxian affair. After over two weeks of investigation into a string of random kidnappings, Batman follows the criminal trail to an abandoned hockey arena where he discovers the barely-alive, emaciated victims attached to a giant alien-looking machine. Batman then fights a grotesque green-skinned, bug-eyed humanoid named Fortas and winds up with three broken ribs and a concussion. The Caped Crusader heals up and then breaks into JLA HQ to search the team’s records for information regarding Fortas. (Ever since its inception last year, the JLA has been building a vast criminal database and archiving detailed case-files after each mission. The case-files are analog and physical, typed-out and added to a giant tome while the criminal database is digital. The JLA will continue to record detailed case-files and build its database for the entirety of its existence.) While Batman scans the computer files, the JLA returns and attacks the intruder! Batman then defeats the entire JLA with ease! IMPORTANT RETCON INFO: Before continuing, I should mention that author Marc Guggenheim writes this story as if this is the first time Batman is interacting with these other heroes. Obviously, this is completely untrue. While the JLA very well might attack Batman for breaking into the HQ, they do know Batman way more than Guggenheim elaborates. For example, Bruce would have been close friends with J’onn and Diana at this point. Moving on, J’onn has the team back down, leaving the Dark Knight to go fight Fortas alone. In the end, the JLA helps Batman defeat Fortas and an army of “highly evolved” monster-people (the kidnapped victims transformed by the machine in the hockey arena). Following the victory, Bruce accepts his JLA transmitter and will begin regularly joining the team on missions from now on, although he still has yet to verbally/officially join the team full-time. We can also assume that, from this point onward, Batman will routinely train with his JLA teammates (although we’ll have to imagine these training sessions sprinkled throughout the chronology ahead).

–REFERENCE: In Action Comics #650, JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2, and Hourman #16—originally told in The Brave and The Bold #29. The JLA defeats Xotar aka The Weapons Master. After wrapping the case, the JLA keeps Xotar’s gauntlets, deciding to start-up an official team trophy room at their HQ. Note that the JLA—and its many future incarnations—will constantly collect trophies, moving forward. Batman won’t always be present for all the collecting. Despite the fact that the JLA will have multiple HQs destroyed and move multiple times, the majority of the trophies will always be saved and moved along to each new HQ location.

–JLA: Year One #7 by Mark Waid, Brian Augustyn, Barry Kitson, Michael Bair, & Pat Garrahy July 1998
Several members of the JLA (sans Batman) visit the Gotham City Executive Club hoping to find out who is secretly funding their team. They approach Simon Carr, misbelieving Snapper’s uncle might be the mystery money man. Meanwhile, Bruce chats on the phone with Oliver Queen and then meets the detestable Maxwell Lord. Later, Locus continues to spy on the JLA. The criminal organization notes that the JLA has recently defeated Invisible Destroyer, Gorilla Grodd, the Icicle, and Phantom Doom. (Batman was not present for any of these fights.) The JLA (again, still sans Batman) then defeats a returning Xotar. Our tale ends with multiple continuity errors (mostly due to retcons). First, Superman acts like he’s never heard of Xotar before. (He has.) Second, Superman acts like he’s visiting the Secret Sanctuary for the first time. (This should be read as his teammates showing him new security upgrades.) And third, the rest of the JLA invite Superman to join the team. (He’s already a team member, but this should be read as his comrades asking him to join full-time or more often.)

–JLA: Year One #11-12 by Mark Waid, Brian Augustyn, Barry Kitson, Michael Bair, & Pat Garrahy November to December 1998
Seven thousand Appelaxians invade Earth. Using stolen files about superhero secret IDs and weaknesses that Martian Manhunter had compiled, the Appelaxians are able to quickly ambush and kidnap a ton of Earth’s heroes, imprisoning them in a gulag on Blackhawk Island. Among the first to be captured are JLA members Superman, Batman, the Atom, and Green Arrow. Also captured are the semi-retired Blue Beetle (Dan Garrett), The Freedom Fighters (Uncle Sam, Black Condor, Doll Man, Human Bomb, Phantom Lady, and The Ray), The Blackhawks, Sargon the Sorcerer, the entire JSA, the retired Crimson Avenger, Speedy, Plastic Man, Dr. Will Magnus and his Metal Men (Gold, Lead, Mercury, Platinum, and Tin), and The Doom Patrol (Robotman, Elasti-Girl, and Negative Man). (Note that Negative Man is the combination of Larry Trainor and the spirit symbiote called Keeg Bovo. Also note that Niles Caulder—the DCU’s version of Professor X—is the founder of the Doom Patrol.) Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Black Canary, and Martian Manhunter are the only heroes not to be captured. In Metropolis, these five fight the Appelaxians with all they’ve got. Snapper Carr reveals that his uncle Simon was used as a host body by the eighth Appelaxian (back when Locus took it after the original invasion attempt). Using Simon’s influence, the eighth Appelaxian used Locus to set up the current invasion. Eventually, the remaining JLAers trick the Appelaxian invaders into thinking they have been captured, but it’s all just a ruse to get to Blackhawk Island. There, our fighting five free everyone else. The tide is turned and, following an epic battle involving nearly all the heroes, the Appelaxians are defeated.^[1] As referenced in JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2, the JLA keeps the semi-retired Ray’s helmet as a trophy following this adventure.

–REFERENCE: In JLA Secret Files and Origins #3 Part 1. While not made explicit in any particular comic, it is clear that, as per “Tower of Babel,” that there must be some agreed upon protocol among the JLA in regard to Martian Manhunter’s telepathy (particularly in how it is used to invade minds, both friend and foe alike). Batman, at the very least, now becomes acutely aware of how Martian Manhunter’s telepathy/mind-reading ability function.

–FLASHBACK: From Blackest Night #0 and Action Comics #850—and referenced in Hourman #1. Originally told in The Brave and The Bold #30. Flash decides to build his very own janky trophy room above his garage at home. Following a JLA victory over the vile Professor Anthony Ivo and his super-android Amazo, Flash gets Superman’s autograph for his garage trophy room. Green Lantern asks Flash if he wants his autograph as well, to which Flash says, “Maybe later.” Ha! (The killer diss on Hal Jordan is seen specifically in Action Comics #850.) As we learn in Hourman #1, the JLA puts an inert Amazo into its trophy room. Snapper Carr will sneak a piece of Amazo out of the room as a keepsake.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman #678—and also referenced in The Outsiders #22. Originally told in Batman #134. Batman fights the nacreous Rainbow Creature,” a razor-toothed monster made entirely out of light. Part of this adventure is merely hallucinated, directly linked to drugs running rampant in his system courtesy of the Spyral organization and Dr. Achilles Milo. However, the Rainbow Creature definitely is a real being that gets documented in news reports and scientific journals (as specifically referenced in The Outsiders #22).

–REFERENCE: In Hourman #1 and Justice League of America #253—originally told in Justice League of America #1. The JLA, with help from Snapper Carr, defeats the debuting alien tyrant known as Despero.

–REFERENCE: In Final Crisis #1 Part 2 and Final Crisis #2 Part 3. The JLA creates tiered and color-coded emergency alert levels for all manner of situations.

–REFERENCE: In The Batman Files. Snapper Carr begins publishing a quarterly Justice League fanzine. Distribution numbers are unknown, but Batman will receive a copy every three months for the next two years.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Shadow of the Bat #0. Batman and Robin patrol, encountering an unspecified villain, who nearly crushes Batman with a giant stone bust.

–“The Trust” (Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross) by Chip Kidd & Alex Ross (2003)
When Superman loses control of his senses and begins raging across Metropolis, Batman fashions a Kryptonite dart and goes after him with a dart gun. With some remote guidance from Robin, Batman tranquilizes the Man of Steel, discovering that Brainiac is responsible for what has occurred. Having regained his composure, Superman joins Batman in busting Brainiac at the Metropolis Observatory.

–REFERENCE: In JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2. An unknown time-traveling villain from the 64th century—meaning either Abra Kadabra or, more likely, Brainiac 13—steals the JLA case-file tome from right out of JLA HQ. This prompts the JLA to begin recording its case-files via computer.

–REFERENCE: In Batman #440. A smiling Batman and Robin complete an unspecified case, which they publicly wrap-up as news photographers snap pictures of them. The Dark Knight couldn’t be happier to have the Boy Wonder at his side.

–FLASHBACK: From New Teen Titans Vol. 2 #47. Batman and Robin fight the team-up of Joker and Penguin.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #725. Batman and Robin encounter the one-shot villain known as The Bowler. Bruce takes giant bowling pins as trophies from this encounter and displays them in the Batcave. Interesting note about the Bowler: Originally, in the Golden Age, the Bowler was never actually shown. He was merely a one-time retcon reference in 1952’s ‘tec #238 where Batman recalls defeating him and collecting his giant pin(s) for the trophy room. Cut to 1998! Chuck Dixon and William Rosado have a bit of fun and, after almost 35 years, finally create/show the “Batman & Robin vs Bowler battle” for the very first time in a ‘tec #725 flashback.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman #682. Batman has become more mellow, relaxed, and light-hearted with young Robin at his side. Not to mention, finally accepting the trust of his JLA teammates has probably made him feel a bit relieved as well. While hunting down an escaped Joker—who now enters his “pop-crime” phase, scheming with extreme silliness, using wild puzzles, gags, and Joker-faced helicopters and such—Robin tells jokes of his own and muses about what life would have been like in the “time of Hamlet.” (Alfred has Dick reading Shakespeare at the moment.) This series of flashback images from Batman #682 also shows the transition from different Batmobile style to newer version of Batmobile style and even includes an image of Batman and Robin riding in the Golden Age “red roadster.” Remember folks, in the Modern Age, Batman uses different Batmobiles pretty interchangeably at this point in his career. Notably, while Joker’s “pop-crime” phase has indeed begun, it won’t be a whole transition from evil darkness into fun silliness. We will still see instances of Joker committing mass murder and causing decidedly wicked mayhem interspersed with (or in connection with) sophomoric comedy hijinks.^[2]

–“Geometry” by Dan Jurgens/Norm Rapmund (Superman #700) August 2010
Bruce plays billionaire party-boy dummy for a night instead of patrolling. Dick is confined to quarters and must finish his homework before Bruce gets back home. No solo costumed adventuring! But when arms dealers are up to no good in Gotham, Robin sneaks out and fights them on his own. Robin nearly dies until Superman shows up, saves him, and nabs the bad guys. Supes then rushes Dick home and into bed, even doing Dick’s homework for him. Bruce is fooled! That is until Clark and Dick realize they’ve left Robin’s motorcycle at the scene of the crime. Nice try.

–FLASHBACK: From Nightwing Vol. 2 #75. A four-month-long government investigation culminates with charges being brought against Bruce, citing that he is an unfit guardian for Dick. At a custody trial, an attorney cites seven bachelor parties, eighteen late night female guests, and several injuries that Dick has sustained as reasons that the boy should be remanded to state custody. The parties and late night guests have not been listed on our chronology, but they are a part of Bruce’s ever ongoing campaign to appear as the ultimate playboy. Bruce is constantly keeping up appearances, so we must imagine these items, along with many others, scattered randomly throughout the timeline. Of course, the state loses this case and Bruce gets to keep custody of Dick.

–“Teenage Sidekick” by Paul Pope (Solo #3) April 2005
Paul Pope’s short from his award-winning Solo issue. Robin gets nabbed by a more-than-usually sadistic Joker. Batman saves the Boy Wonder. Cool stuff!

–FLASHBACK: From Batman #682—and referenced in Batman #682. Batman gains a giant golden crown as a trophy on an unspecified mission. Later, the Dynamic Duo catches up with a yet-again-escaped Joker. Robin challenges him to a laughing contest. Joker accepts, is soundly defeated, and sent back to Arkham Asylum. Afterward, Batman and Alfred re-organize the Batcave trophy room, which is now filled with items that Batman barely recalls ever receiving. Batman, with the Bat-Radia in hand, ponders aloud, “It seems like our entire lives these past couple of years belong in the Black Casebook.” Batman also mentions that “the old Arkham Asylum” is set to reopen, which merely means that Arkham had been temporarily closed with its inmates moved, but is now reopening with its inmates returning to the original location.

–FLASHBACK: From the B&W second feature to Batman: Gotham Knights #2. Batman and Robin stop the drug-trafficking Lyman Brothers. Note that the entirety of this B&W second feature is a flashback, so it does not appear anywhere else on our chronology. Also note that Crisis on Infinite Earths: The Compendium and The Crisis on Infinite Earths: Absolute Edition state outright that this item occurs on Earth-3839—part of the “Generations” Elseworlds Universe. However, it just as easily fits on the main chronology error-free, meaning it actually occurs on both timelines.

–REFERENCE: In Final Crisis: Requiem #1. The JLA goes on an unspecified case, during which someone snaps an action photo of the team. They get a copy of the picture and frame it as a keepsake for the trophy room.

–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Countdown to Final Crisis #5. Batman saves Robin from Mr. Freeze, busting the villain in the process. Notably, the panel that depicts this scene was likely originally intended by creators Scott Beatty and Thomas Derenick to be linked to the prior panel, which shows Mr. Zero’s debut. However, the two panels cannot be linked, and they actually make more narrative and visual sense as completely separate items.

–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Countdown #29. Batman and Robin fight Penguin at a bird statue exhibit.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman/Nightwing: Bloodborne. Batman and Robin go on routine patrol through the mean streets of Gotham. When some extra-tough bad guys get in their way, Batman tells Robin to hide in the shadows and let him handle it solo. A terrified Robin rushes out after Batman seemingly takes a bullet in the chest while busting the hoods. However, the Dark Knight is fine. Later, at Wayne Manor, Dick examines Batman’s costume, finding a bullet hole in the Bat-insignia. Batman had survived only due to his bulletproof vest.

–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 2 #103. Bruce, Alfred, and Dick go on a fishing trip. Alfred takes a photo of Bruce and Dick, which gets developed and framed before going into Wayne Manor.

–REFERENCE: In Creature Commandos #1—originally told in Justice League of America #2. The JLA summons the ancient wizard Merlin to help them defeat Simon Magus, Saturna, and the Troll King.

–FLASHBACK: From Silver Age: Secret Files and Origins #1—and referenced in JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2, JLA #78, and JLA: Liberty and Justice. Originally told in Justice League of America #3. The JLA fights the debuting Kanjar Ro, a vile despot from the planet Dhor, who puts all of humanity into suspended animation using his powerful Gamma Metal Gong. Kanjar Ro forces the JLA to challenge and defeat his evil alien rivals—Hyathis, Kromm, and Sayyar. Eventually, the Justice Leaguers turn the tide at the far end of the universe and take all four tyrants captive, freeing the people of Earth simultaneously. Following Kanjar Ro’s defeat, the JLA keeps his Gamma Gong as a trophy.

–REFERENCE: In JLA: Earth 2, Final Crisis #4, Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #10 Part 1, JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2. The JLA takes on the diabolical team-up of the toy-themed Toyman and the magick-user Abra Kadabra, who create miniature evil robot versions of the JLA to attack the team. The JLA easily defeats the teeny tiny duplicates, imprisoning them in a glass dome in their trophy room.

–FLASHBACK: From Silver Age: Secret Files and Origins #1—and referenced in JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2, JLA #78, and Green Lantern: Circle of Fire #1. Originally told in Mystery in Space #75. An already-returning Kanjar Ro travels to the planet Rann to challenge human space adventurer Adam Strange, Strange’s girlfriend Alanna, and Alanna’s father Sardath. (Adam Strange is the champion of the planet Rann. He is able to travel back and forth between Earth and Rann via bizarre Zeta-Beam technology that only he has mastered.) After Kanjar Ro captures Adam Strange, the JLA intervenes on Rann, making the rescue and busting the Dhorian despot. Following Kanjar Ro’s defeat, the JLA keeps his Gamma Metal Gong as a trophy.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Incorporated #4—originally told in Batman #139 Part 3. Bat-Woman debuts her sidekick Bat-Girl (Bette Kane aka Betty Kane). The Dynamic Duo begins going on routine vigilante patrols with Bat-Woman and Bat-Girl. In case you were wondering, Bat-Girl is Bat-Woman’s niece.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman #682. While the Dynamic Duo collects evidence while working an unspecified case, Robin tells Batman that he doesn’t trust Bat-Woman or Bat-Girl. Batman, who is completely smitten, hints that wedding bells might be ringing in his future. He’s really serious and wants to put a ring on Kathy Kane!

–REFERENCE: In JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2, Legends of the DC Universe #12, and Hourman #16—originally told in Justice League of America #4. Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) joins the Justice League. On his first mission, Green Arrow rescues the entire JLA from an exiled Dryannan humanoid alien called Carthan, who is actually a hero, but needs to act like a villain in order to manipulate the JLA into helping free him of the bonds placed upon him by the vile dictator of his home planet. Following this mission, Green Arrow donates a few of his most interesting trick arrows to the JLA trophy collection. (Note that Green Arrow’s MO, for the next couple years, will be to frustratedly quit the JLA only to rejoin shortly thereafter.)

–FLASHBACK: From Black Canary Vol. 3 #1. Black Canary meets the newest JLA member Green Arrow as they go on their first mission together in Las Vegas. The rookies have been sent to protect the Prime Minister of Japan from a troupe of League of Assassins dressed as Elvis impersonators, led by Merlyn. This is Green Arrow’s first legit meeting with Black Canary, who he at first confuses with her mom. (Technically, Green Arrow met Black Canary once prior to this—for literally five seconds when he stopped to make a bawdry pass at her after the JLA’s public debut conference.) After the Prime Minister is safe, Batman, who had been overseeing, grades the duo, while the rest of the JLA checks in. NOTE: Batman is shown wearing his yellow oval costume here. This is the wrong costume.

–REFERENCE: In Sandman Vol. 2 #2 and Sandman Vol. 2 #5—originally told in Justice League of America #5. The JLA defeats the master of dreams, Dr. Destiny (John Dee).

–REFERENCE: In The Outsiders #22—originally told in Detective Comics #294. Batman defeats Elemental Man.

–REFERENCE: In The Outsiders #22—originally told in Detective Comics #296. Batman defeats Planet Master.

–REFERENCE: In Hourman #16—originally told in Justice League of America #7. Evil aliens from the planet Angellax lure all the JLA members to a fun house where they capture them and send out doppelgängers in their place. The doppelgängers get Batman and Superman out of the way by sending them on a wild goose chase to 10,000 years in the future to make sure Xotar is still safely in jail. While Batman and Superman are gone, the rest of the JLA holds its own and defeats the Angellaxians.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Incorporated #4. After another outing with Bat-Woman and Bat-Girl, an angry Robin returns to the Batcave complaining of Batman’s love affair with Kathy. Robin also complains that the Bat-Girl keeps forcing herself upon him. A reference in Superboy Vol. 4 #65 tells us that Bat-Girl acts like a “superhero groupie” during this time period. The Boy Wonder then discovers Batman and Bat-Woman “in flagrante delicto” inside the Batmobile! Bruce informs Dick that he and Bat-Woman are engaged, even speaking of forming a more traditional “Bat-Family.” Batman and Bat-Woman have only known each other for less than a year, but the passion between the lovers is clearly steamrolling ahead. Batman and Bat-Woman are legitimately very much in love with one another—as evidenced by the marriage proposal, undeniable connection, steamy romance, and hot sex. Despite this, Bruce still hasn’t revealed his secret identity to her! The costumes come off, but the masks stay on.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: The Killing Joke. Following an unspecified Dynamic Duo team-up with Bat-Woman and Bat-Girl, a photograph is taken that includes Batman, Robin, Commissioner Gordon, Bat-Woman, Bat-Girl, Alfred, Ace, and Bat-Mite. This suggests that, on this wild adventure, Batman meets Bat-Mite again, but actually engages with him and has a (relatively) positive experience. Not sure how Alfred’s presence doesn’t immediately out Batman’s secret identity to Gordon, but oh well. Maybe Bat-Mite mind-wipes the Commish? In any case, Batman develops the Bat-Family picture, frames it, and keeps it in the Batcave.

–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Countdown to Final Crisis #3. The JLA takes on a returning Amazo. Oddly, it looks like artist Doug Mahnke draws John Zatara fighting alongside the JLA—well, either Zatara or a maybe a hatless Phantom Stranger? Hard to tell. We’ll go with Zatara because Phantom Stranger wouldn’t have debuted yet.

–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Countdown to Final Crisis #6—and referenced in Hourman #16 and Superman/Batman #79. Originally told in Justice League of America #10-11. The JLA faces off against the debuting Epoch the Lord of Time (aka The Time Lord). During this battle, the evil occultist Felix Faust also debuts, attempting to manipulate the heroes into obtaining a few magickal artifacts—the Jar of Calythos, the Wheel of Nyorlath, and the Bell of Uthool—for him. Once gathered, Faust uses these items to summon the extremely powerful Demons Three (Abnegazar, Rath, and Ghast). Eventually, the JLA defeats Faust, Epoch, and the demons, keeping the artifacts as trophies.

–REFERENCE: In The Batman Files—originally told in Detective Comics #304. Clayface II (Matt Hagen) breaks out of jail and invents the persona of rich socialite “John Royce” to get close to Gotham’s wealthiest people. After impersonating several of Gotham’s leading citizens in order to commit robberies, Clayface is outed by Bruce. Soon after, Batman is able to freeze Clayface and put him back in jail.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman #682 and Batman Incorporated #4—originally told in Batman #153. Batman and Bat-Woman, who have been dating for months, have their penultimate “extraplanetary adventure,” which includes a drug-induced hallucination of an evil alien named Karn and an alternate dimension complete with dragon-monsters and winged bird-people. This psychotropic gassing is orchestrated by the Spyral organization (which secretly employs Bat-Woman). Feeling an intense panic induced by the drugs, Batman and Bat-Woman kiss passionately. Afterward, Kathy meets with the head of her intelligence agency, who not only chastises her for failing to learn Batman’s secret ID, but gives her shit for sleeping with and getting engaged to a man she doesn’t even know. The head of Spyral reveals his own true identity: the Nazi war criminal Doctor Dedalus. Dedalus also shockingly reveals that he is Kathy’s biological father!

–FLASHBACK: From Batman #673-674 and Batman #682—originally told in Batman #156. Dr. Simon Hurt implants post-hypnotic suggestions into Batman’s psyche while he’s undergoing ten days’ worth of sensory deprivation tests on behalf of a joint venture between the US military and the GCPD. (SPOILER ALERT: Dr. Hurt is actually Thomas Wayne, Bruce’s great great great great great uncle born in the 1700s, endowed with quasi-immortality due to an encounter with a Hyper-Adapter. If you are totally confused by this, don’t worry. This is a complicated story that we really won’t have to deal with until much later.) During these sensory deprivation tests, Hurt is able to psychoanalyze Batman and literally hear in detail about all of the Dark Knight’s drugged-out hallucinations, new and old. Using dialogue specific to one of Batman’s recent hallucinations, Dr. Hurt implants the trigger word “Zur-En-Arrh” into Batman’s brain. Once this word is uttered, Bruce will “shutdown” and lose all memory of having ever been a crime-fighter. (In any case, we won’t hear the word “Zur-En-Arrh” for many years, but when we do… Oh, boy). Anyway, after ten days of sleep-deprivation in an isolation chamber, Batman temporarily believes Robin has died as a result of an alien encounter on Mars (another vivid hallucination). Afterward, Batman has sporadic blackouts for two weeks and even considers retiring. During this two week period, Dr. Hurt begins training three replacement/substitute Batmen; Josef Muller, Michael Lane, and Branca. (Several GCPD officers are selected as candidates for Hurt’s Batmen Program group, including Officer Pete Farelli, but only Muller, Lane, and Branca are chosen by Hurt in the end. The rest of the Batmen Program group—i.e. Farelli and the other few cops that failed to make the cut—will form a small fraternity tasked with protecting the secrets of Dr. Hurt’s replacement Batmen, a job they will successfully do for years to come.) Dr. Hurt will spend the next nine years studying Batman’s psychology and secretly training his own trio of Batmen. Meanwhile, Batman forgets ever meeting Hurt thanks to hypnosis. Through Grant Morrison’s masterful back-engineering, we view many of the “hallucinogenic” experiences Batman goes through during this time period via Modernizations of old Golden Age Batman material. In a historicist vein, Morrison also reveals that many of Batman’s adventures around this time were clouded by a drug-induced haze due to the after-affects of toxic gas poisoning from villains like Joker, Scarecrow, the Spyral organization, Professor Milo, and others.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Incorporated #4—originally told in Batman #162. Batman is transformed into a rampaging King Kong-like “Bat-creature” by crooks using a bizarre transmogrifying laser. Robin reluctantly teams-up with Bat-Woman to stop the bad guys and revert Bruce back to human form.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Incorporated #4—and also referenced in The Batman Files. Shortly after the adventure of the “Bat-creature,” Bat-Woman (Kathy Kane), ashamed of her secret ties to Spyral and Doctor Dedalus, breaks-up with Bruce. She teaches him the “Tango de la Muerte” and they part ways for good. Bruce is devastated. Moving forward, Bruce will think of Kathy, one of the true great loves of his life, quite often. Note that Grant Morrison writes “Tango del Muerte” in the pages of Batman Incorporated, which is wrong. The correct Spanish grammar is “Tango de la Muerte,” hence the corrected version above. Maybe Kathy’s Español isn’t quite up to snuff.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman #682 and Batman Incorporated #4. Bruce, having had his heart broken by Bat-Woman (Kathy Kane), goes into a dark emotional state.

–Batman: Ego by Darwyn Cooke (August 2000)
It’s a toss-up whether or not Ego is canon, as there are just as many reasons to label it out-of-continuity as there are to view it as in-continuity. In Ego, Batman implies that he’s been in action for merely three years, but that line must be summarily ignored. Nevertheless, Batman’s costume and use of the Batcave reflect early days, and the Batman Chronology Project has attempted to the spirit of this story by placing it as early as possible. Also, Ego seemingly occurs in snowy winter, but we have to simply assume that this is an autumn snowfall. Onto a synopsis. Batman chases an escaped Joker, who goes on a twenty-seven-hourlong killing spree. (This may not seem very “pop-crime,” but we aren’t given all the details. Maybe Joker added some weird comedy gags while he was killing. After all, he does refer to the whole thing as a “game.” Also, let’s not forget that Joker’s foray into “pop-crime” isn’t a 100% transition from evil to silly.) Batman gets stabbed twice by Joker but still busts the Clown Prince of Crime and his gang. A bloody Caped Crusader tracks down Joker’s driver Buster Snibbs, who reveals that his entire family is dead—pawns in the “game” between Batman and Joker. Rather than allow the Dark Knight to apprehend him, Snibbs commits suicide. With heavy blood loss, the injured Batman begins seeing visions, but he makes it home. Thinking of Snibbs and his family, Batman sobs uncontrollably in the Batcave. Batman’s existential crisis manifests into a full blown hallucination as his ego—in the form of a dark humanoid bat creature—unrelentingly mocks him. They debate about his entire life, discussing Batman’s origin, Joker, Two-Face, and more. In the end, Batman overcomes his darkness, as he is able to self-psychoanalyze and totally separate his two personalities to maintain his sanity. When Joker escapes from police custody and takes hostages, Batman is on the case. Presumably, he jails his rival.^[3][4]

–REFERENCE: In Batman #703—originally told in Batman #170. The Getaway Genius (Roy Reynolds) debuts versus Batman and Robin, pulling a string of heists and getting away scot-free via unique means each time. The Dynamic Duo eventually busts him. Notably, in Batman #703, which takes place many years down the road, we’ll see panels lifted straight from Batman #170 as photo files on the Bat-computer. This means, as the Dynamic Duo was clashing with the Getaway Genius, a remote auto-drone must have been snapping photos. We can imagine Batman used the drone to take photos as an effort to better understand the Getaway Genius’ stellar ability to evade capture during this case.

–Batman: Gotham After Midnight #1-6 by Steve Niles/Kelley Jones (July to December 2008)^[5]
Late October. Batman takes on an escaped Scarecrow, the Axeman, and Man-Bat before realizing that they are all acting strangely and obviously under the control of another person. Meanwhile, a mysterious serial killer has been literally stealing people’s hearts. It doesn’t take long for Batman to discover that the killer, known as Midnight, is controlling the villains using experimental drugs. Soon after, Bruce, in and out of costume, meets the beautiful GCPD Lieutenant April Clarkson. Midnight then hires Clayface II (Matt Hagen) to attack Batman, which results in a Godzilla-like battle with a kaiju Clayface fighting Batman in a giant mech robot. On Halloween weekend, Midnight drugs Joker, causing him to assist in the kidnapping of some kids. When Batman tries to save the abducted children, he faces off against the troubling team-up of Midnight and Joker. However, Joker quickly shakes off the effects of the drugs, ending their brief partnership. Once again solo, Midnight attempt to kill the Caped Crusader goes unsuccessfully. Despite this, Midnight is able to abduct GCPD cop Barry Lucas and make an clean escape with Lucas in tow.

–Batman: Gotham After Midnight #7 Part 1 by Steve Niles/Kelley Jones (January 2009)
Late October—Halloween weekend. Part 1 of Gotham After Midnight #7 is listed as “Chapter 1” in the issue, and it picks up directly from Gotham After Midnight #6. Batman, Gordon, and GCPD Lieutenant April Clarkson discuss the disappearance of her partner, Barry Lucas. They fear he is dead at the hands of Midnight. (He is.) Batman vows to locate Midnight’s secret lair.

–“Shipwreck” by Dan Vado/Norman Felchle (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #112-113) November to December 1998
Halloween. The big problem with most later LOTDK stories is that they are so generic, you can’t tell whether or not they take place in the “Early Period” or post-“No Man’s Land” (where Batman gets rid of the yellow oval). Such is the case of the largely forgettable “Shipwreck,” in which Batman stops the terrorist known as Demise from hijacking a Caribbean-bound masquerade party cruise ship. One of the partygoers is dressed in a crude Martian Manhunter costume, so we know that this item goes post-JL debut.

–FLASHBACK: From Secret Origins Vol. 2 #37—originally told in Justice League of America #12. Dr. Light debuts and is defeated by the JLA. Hawkman is also shown in this flashback. It is entirely possible that he helped out, but he is not yet a member of the Justice League yet.

–REFERENCE: In Secret Origins Vol. 2 #29, Justice League #4, DC Universe Legacies #4, Identity Crisis #1, and Adventure Comics #517 Part 2—originally told in Justice League of America #14. The Atom (Ray Palmer) officially joins the JLA. Having only been distantly familiar with Palmer prior to now, the JLA finally gets up-close-and-personal with their new teammate. They also meet Palmer’s fiancée, the lovely Jean Loring. Upon meeting the Atom for the first time, Batman asks him specific questions about his shrinking abilities. The Atom’s first mission with the JLA is against the super-villain team-up of Amos Fortune, Angle Man, Sea Thief, Hector Hammond, Pied Piper, Dr. Davis, and Joker.

–REFERENCE: In Crisis on Infinite Earths #11—originally told in Justice League of America #16. Super-fan and comic book creator Jerry Thomas mails a terrible story to the JLA. With the help of the JLA, Snapper Carr edits the story and publishes it in his fanzine.

–REFERENCE: In the second feature to 52 #38—originally told in Justice League of America #17. The JLA deals with the Air/Wind Elemental known as Ulthoon (aka Tornado Tyrant aka Tornado Champion). I guess I should explain the concept of Elementals. In a nutshell, they are beings (usually metahumans) linked to the primary elements of the planet and endowed with the powers of their respective element. In addition to Air/Wind Elementals, there are also Earth Elementals, Fire Elementals, Water Elementals, Plant Elementals, Lightning Elementals, and extremely rare Trash Elementals. The forces of creation within the DCU often select a specific individual to represent one or more of the elements. These specific high-ranking Elementals are usually referred to as Avatars.

–FLASHBACK: From DC Universe Legacies #4 and the second feature to 52 #49—originally told in Justice League of America #21-22. The JLA has its first interactions with their semi-retired elder counterparts in the Justice Society of America. The JSA is the original superhero team that banded together during World War II. Thanks to magick that masks the ravages of age, these geriatric heroes are still in fit fighting shape. The team features: The Atom (Al Pratt), Dr. Fate (Kent Nelson), Dr. Mid-Nite (Charles McNider), Johnny Thunder, Yz, Flash (Jay Garrick), Hawkman, Hawkgirl (Shayera Thal-Hol/Shiera Sanders-Hall), Green Lantern Alan Scott, Hourman (Rex Tyler), Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Starman (Ted Knight), Black Canary (the JLA Black Canary’s mom Dinah Drake Lance), and Wildcat. The first team-up between the JLA and JSA is against the one-shot Crime Champions, a super-villain team that includes Felix Faust, Dr. Alchemy, Chronos, The Wizard, the Icicle, and The Fiddler. (The Crime Champions are not to be confused with the Injustice Society aka Injustice Society of America, although some villains are members of both teams.) When the Crime Champions debut, the JLA magickally summons the JSA for assistance. Batman and Flash (Barry Allen) team with Dr. Fate to defeat Felix Faust, while the other JSA and JLA members defeat the other Crime Champions. NOTE: The unreliable narrator of DC Universe Legacies #4 infers that the first ever JSA-JLA team-up occurs after the Teen Titans have already formed. This cannot be the case. The Teen Titans won’t form until later this year. ALSO NOTE: Dr. Fate’s power comes from his helmet, which houses the occult being known as Nabu, an agent of the cosmic Lords of Order in their indefatigable war against their opposites, the Lords of Chaos.

–REFERENCE: In 52—originally told in Detective Comics #319. Batman and Robin capture the nefarious Dr. No-Face.

–“A New Dawn” by Nunzio DeFilippis/Christina Weir/Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Batman Confidential #26-28) April 2009 to June 2009
“A New Dawn” brings Victor Goodman aka King Tut into official continuity! Last time (and the only time) he was ever seen was on the old Adam West TV show from the 60s! Anyway, Batman teams-up with The Riddler (!) to bring King Tut to justice. Also, on the final page of the series, Tut’s partner, Ankh, makes her debut. Let’s hope we never see her again.

–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Detective Comics #782. Late November—the anniversary of Batman’s parents’ deaths. Batman, as he always does on this date, places two roses on Crime Alley.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Confidential #13—as originally told in Batman Special #1. Late November. With a thirteen-year-old Dick away on a short training vacation, Batman deals solo with the one-shot villain known as Wrath. When Wrath discovers Batman’s secret ID, he attacks Alfred, Leslie Thompkins, and Commissioner Gordon. Alfred and Gordon wind up with serious injuries in the hospital. Eventually, the war between Batman and Wrath ends with the untimely death of the latter, whose own secret ID is never discovered. Not even Wrath’s lover, Grayle Hudson, knows who he really was.

–REFERENCE: In Superman/Batman #6. Robin shares his wild design concepts for new Batmobiles with Batman.

–REFERENCE: In The Final Night #2. The JLA defeats Vandal Savage.

–REFERENCE: In Secret Origins Vol. 2 #30 and Final Crisis #6—originally told in Justice League of America #23. The JLA defeats Zazzala aka Queen Bee. Afterward, the JLA keeps some of her alien henchmen’s sting-guns as trophies.

–REFERENCE: In JLA Incarnations #6 Part 1. The JLA defeats The Cheetah.

–Batman: Gotham After Midnight #7 Part 2 by Steve Niles/Kelley Jones (January 2009)
December 19-20. Part 2 of Gotham After Midnight #7 is listed as Chapter 2 through Chapter 6 in the issue. Batman is finally able to find Midnight’s secret lair. Batman infiltrates the lair and recovers the corpse of Barry Lucas, but Midnight is long gone and continues to murder dozens, even assassinating Mayor Gill!^[6] In spite of all the chaos, Batman begins a romantic affair with Lieutenant April Clarkson! (A flashback from Batman: Gotham After Midnight #10 re-shows Batman talking to April about the death of Barry Lucas, just before they begin their romance.) Note that Killer Croc appears in this issue as a mind-controlled antagonist inside Midnight’s lair. This must be 100% ignored! Croc hasn’t debuted yet and won’t until Bat Year Ten! Also note, as referenced in Huntress: Year One #4-6, Hamilton Hill is sworn in as the new Mayor of Gotham. (Note that the mayor shown in Huntress: Year One is not specifically named. My labeling him as Hill is speculative. This is a highly debatable point.)

–Batman: Gotham After Midnight #8-9 by Steve Niles/Kelley Jones (February to March 2009)
December 21-31. Picking up directly from Gotham After Midnight #7 Part 2, Batman attends the funeral of Barry Lucas and then continues the hunt for Midnight by interrogating Joker at Gotham Mercy Hospital. (Joker is at the hospital recovering from having been drugged by Midnight on Halloween weekend. Joker certainly hasn’t been in the hospital for two months, so we can only assume that the drugs have now caused complications, which has led him to be temporarily moved to the hospital.) Later April Clarkson cancels dinner plans with Bruce to hang out with Batman instead. Batman meets up with April for a sexual liaison at the latter’s apartment. An angry Catwoman spies on them. On Xmas Eve, Batman’s girlfriend April Clarkson is seemingly killed by Midnight. SPOILER ALERT: April has faked her own death. She is Midnight. Catwoman is then kidnapped by Midnight and drugged, falling under the villain’s complete control. The Dark Knight, still deeply saddened by the loss of April, continues the hunt for Midnight, but the latter keeps on killing and killing.

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1. ^[1]COLLIN COLSHER: JLA: Year One #11-12 is said to occur “months” after the original Appelaxian invasion. This is right on the money. However, there are some caveats that go along with these issues. The Seven Soldiers of Victory and Metamorpho all appear in this issue, but thanks to retcons, these characters should be ignored. Much of this issue is simple “let’s stick as many characters in there as we can bullshit,” so ignoring the anachronistic appearances of a few shouldn’t matter. Generally speaking, JLA: Year One #11 contains much less anachronism and error than JLA: Year One #12. Read the finale with a skeptical eye, especially in regard to all the eye-rolling Easter egg cameos thrown in just for kicks.↩
2. ^[2]COLLIN COLSHER: Grant Morrison’s partitioning of Joker’s history into phases was originally meant to reflect the Modern Age’s use of prior canon—the Golden Age, Silver Age, and Bronze Age. In the Golden Age, Joker was a homicidal criminal. In the Silver Age, Joker was not really homicidal at all, acting more as a silly clown. And then, the Bronze Age returned Joker to his homicidal roots. As such, we can view (as Morrison does) Joker’s life on the Modern Age timeline as follows: Joker debuts as a homicidal criminal mastermind in Year One. By this point on our timeline (Year Six), Joker becomes the silly clown, starting his “pop-crime” phase. By the end of Year Eight, Joker enacts his “Five Way Revenge” scheme, returning to his homicidal roots. Of course, as mentioned above, the Modern Age is complex and messy, and it has a lot of people contributing material, meaning that these specific phases, while generally correct, don’t always show Joker’s persona as it is “supposed to be” at that moment. For example, Joker sometimes kills during his pop-crime phase. And sometimes he’s a harmless clown outside of his pop-crime phase. Nevertheless, while not exact foolproof science, these Joker phases, which directly reflect old continuity shifts, help us to Joker items on our Modern Age timeline.↩
3. ^[3]COLLIN COLSHER: Batman: Ego is very hard to place, but there’s rationale for it to go in three different positions. First, it fits very nicely here, right after Bruce’s breakup with Kathy Kane. In Ego, Bruce is extra down-in-the-dumps, which leads him to being extra-melancholic about his war on crime and his identity. Option number one is backed by myself along with site-contributors Jack James and GF. Second, Ego could go in Year 8 after the flashback from DC Universe Legacies #5 and near ”Joker’s Five Way Revenge,” definitively after Joker’s “pop-crime” phase has ended. This placement depends on your perspective regarding Joker’s “pop-crime” phase, which is certainly open to reader interpretation. It also requires caveats about Batman’s costume and use of the Batcave instead of the penthouse. Option number two is backed by site-contributor Milo Nousiainen. Third, Ego could fit earlier this year, right before Batman meets Simon Hurt. While arguably the most speculative of the placement options, it works narratively that Batman’s weird hallucinatory or dreamlike experience with his “ego” would be enough to convince him to undergo testing with Simon Hurt. After all, Batman goes to Hurt to better understand both his own mind and the rationale of villains like Joker. Hurt’s sleep deprivation testing (from Batman’s perspective, anyway) is also meant to strengthen internal fortitude in the face of hallucinatory experiences akin to the one in Ego. While Jack James supports option one, his actual top choice is this third option.↩
4. ^[4]GF: Batman: Ego definitely goes here, right after Kathy Kane breaks up with Bruce. Not only has Joker not fully adapted into his “pop-crime” self yet, he’s still quite dark as well (as evidenced by other stories of this era, including “Teenage Sidekick” and “Gotham After Midnight”). Therefore, Joker’s murderous tendencies make sense in Ego. Placement here in Year 6 also gives rationale to things that would be errors if Ego was in Year 8: Batman operating out of Wayne Manor (instead of the Penthouse), Batman wearing his black insignia costume (instead of the yellow oval costume), and Batman having a dark mental state (which connects directly to his breakup with Kathy Kane). Notably, we don’t see Dick Grayson in the story proper, so he doesn’t affect placement in any way. Overall, placement of Ego here makes the most sense, especially because the story as a whole is clearly presented as an early Batman story and putting it here requires the least caveats.↩
5. ^[5]COLLIN COLSHER: There are a few big errors in regard to Gotham After Midnight. First, Jeremiah Arkham is mentioned as the head of Arkham Asylum. However, he won’t be working there until 2001. Second, Batman and Green Arrow are shown patrolling Gotham on Halloween night, and Ollie addresses Batman as “Bruce.” This is dead wrong. Ollie doesn’t know yet. Third, Jim Gordon’s characterization is a tad off. Fourth, Killer Croc appears in the latter half, but he won’t actually debut until Bat Year Ten. And last but not least, Niles and Jones have given Batman a whole new array of science gadgets and vehicles that we’ve never seen before and will never see again (outside of this arc), so I don’t even really know what to say about that. Oh well. The authors not only add a crap-load of weird, campy Bat-gadgetry in Gotham After Midnight, they include the first canonical use of the Bat-poles. Sigh.↩
6. ^[6]COLLIN COLSHER: Steve Niles and Kelly Jones do not refer to the mayor by name, and they also have the mayor look as generic as possible (heavyset White bald man) so as to make Gotham After Midnight easier to fit anywhere on the timeline. So while we aren’t told this is Gill, it very well could be and makes a lot of sense if it is. Of course, we saw Mayor Gill only a couple weeks ago (again unnamed) and, while he looked like he packed on a few pounds and had noticeably thinner hair than before, he wasn’t bald. I guess we can assume that Mayor Gill just said “the hell with it” and went the Bic Lex Luthor route.↩