Modern YEAR THIRTEEN (Part 2)

2001 (July to December)
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–Detective Comics #618-621 (“RITE OF PASSAGE”)
Summer. When it comes to Batman’s attention that large sums of money have been stolen from various accounts (including WayneTech) by a computer hacker, the Dark Knight investigates. Batman saves a possible culprit—a bank security guard—from gangster Willy the Hat (who he knows about from his vast Bat-computer criminal database). Batman clears the guard of wire fraud but sends him to jail—along with Willy, Willy’s goons, and a fence—on other charges. Back home, Batman tries to out-hack the hacker but he is outfoxed by the mystery foe, who calls himself “Moneyspider.” Unfortunately, the news reports that Tim’s parents—multimillionaire (likely billionaire) industrialists Jack Drake and Janet Drake—have gone missing in the Caribbean. Within twenty-four hours, Batman and Tim learn that Jack and Janet have been kidnapped by The Obeah Man and are being held for ransom in Haiti. While Batman travels to Haiti, following the trail of a crook that he believes will lead him to the Drakes, Tim tries to occupy his mind by remotely-targeting Moneyspider. Tim quickly outs Moneyspider as Anarky, who has been redistributing wealth to the poor from his Juvenile Hall laptop. Tim personally visits Anarky at Juvie Hall and takes him down. Concurrently, in Haiti, Batman tries to save the Drakes, but he is unable to. Tragically, Janet dies (from poisoning) while Jack is left paralyzed in a coma (also from poisoning). Batman returns home to deliver the bad news to Tim. Bruce and Tim watch over Jack in the hospital.

–Batman #455-457 (“IDENTITY CRISIS”)
This item picks up shortly after “Rite of Passage,” which was specifically written by Alan Grant as a summer story. Yet, Grant continues the story here and it’s all of a sudden snowy late December. Sadly, this Christmas setting must be ignored. And note that this is not a sliding-time problem! This is a bizarre continuity error by Grant! Onto a synopsis. Batman gets involved in a case where regular folks begin donning skeleton masks and randomly going on murder sprees across Gotham City. He pauses work on the case to attend Janet Drake’s funeral. Also in attendance are Tim, Jack Drake (still comatose but present in a wheelchair), Alfred, and Dick. Later, Vicki Vale works the skeleton mask case only to get abducted by gangsters. With Lieutenant Stan Kitch’s guidance, Batman tracks Vicki to Gotham Chemical (aka Ace Chemical). Meanwhile, Tim learns that Scarecrow has been drugging people into becoming skeleton-mask killers. Tim, as “Robin,” notifies Commissioner Gordon by phone. Tim mentions the last time Batman fought Scarecrow was in an industrial area, urging Gordon to send his men there.^[1] At Gotham Chemical, Batman gets captured by the gangsters, who are working with Scarecrow. Disobeying Batman’s direct order to stay home, Tim dons a ski mask and, despite taking a dose of Fear Gas to the face, still manages to rescue both Batman and Vicki from the bloodcurdling grip of the Scarecrow. Feeling that Tim has finally earned the title of “Boy Wonder,” Batman orders a modernized Robin costume from the Tailor (as referenced in the second feature to Detective Comics #789). Shortly thereafter, Tim officially becomes the third Robin, posing in the Batcave in his new duds. (“Identity Crisis” is also detailed through flashbacks from Robin Vol. 2 #0 and Secret Origins 80-Page Giant #1.)

–Robin #1^[2]
Picking up directly from Batman #457, Tim continues posing in his new Robin costume, but he expresses doubts about whether he has what it takes to really be Batman’s sidekick. (The start of Robin #1 is also shown through flashback from Secret Origins 80-Page Giant #1.) With Batman’s blessing, Tim travels to Paris and begins training under the martial arts master known as The Rahul Lama and his grandson Shen Chi. In Paris, Tim helps Clyde Rawlins of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) fight against a martial arts gang known as The Ghost Dragons, including members Billy Hue and Ling aka Lynx. Meanwhile Lady Shiva, also in Paris, stalks the leader of the Ghost Dragons, Sir Edmund Dorrance aka King Snake. From this point onward, Robin will remain on his solo adventure for the next month or so.

–REFERENCE: In Robin #2-3 and The Batman Files. Bruce and Alfred receive a post card from Robin, who is now teaming-up with Lady Shiva in Paris, France. Robin’s overseas adventures will continue ahead.

–Detective Comics #622-624
Summer. Mental patient Clyde Harris is inspired by a popular indie Batman comic book to such an extent that he believes he is Batman. Donning Ultimate Warrior-like bat-symbol face paint, Harris goes on a vigilante killing spree. After a few victims pile up over the course of a couple days, Bruce and Alfred review the comic book for clues. Commissioner Gordon sends Batman to examine the bodies with new coroner Ivor Hall. Batman quickly fingers Harris as the culprit and interrogates his former psychotherapist. Soon after, Batman busts Harris. The creator of the indie Batman comic ends his run.^[3]

–Detective Comics #625
Bruce and Vicki Vale travel to attend a rally for mayoral candidate Henry Etchison, who is campaigning against at least Deputy Mayor Harriman and incumbent Mayor Julius Lieberman. (According to Detective Comics #626, there is an election coming up “in a few months” i.e. scheduled for November.) Upon arrival, Bruce and Vicki are shocked to find homicidal killing machine Abattoir, who has escaped from Arkham Asylum, shooting up the event. While Abattoir chases Vicki, Bruce slips into fighting togs. Batman saves Vicki, but Abattoir escapes. After some investigative work and various interrogations, Batman discovers that Abattoir is none other than Arnold Etchison, candidate Henry Etchison’s cousin. Batman also discovers that Henry had orchestrated Abattoir’s escape. Batman eventually finds and busts Abattoir at a cemetery, after which he exposes Henry, leaving him for Commissioner Gordon (who has developed a curious nasty cough). Thus, jailbird Henry is out of the mayoral race.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #861-863. Batman, Commissioner Gordon (incorrectly called “Captain” in this tale), and Harvey Bullock investigate the case of missing teenage heiress Vanessa Hansen-Grey. Batman suspects house-worker Austin Phelps and his suspicion is confirmed when Phelps stabs him with a screwdriver and runs away during their interview. The Caped Crusader tracks down Phelps and beats the stuffing out of him, only to get stabbed yet again by Vanessa Hansen-Grey, who has Stockholm Syndrome and has fallen in love with her abductor. Phelps goes to jail and Vanessa goes into therapy. (Nine years later, Phelps will once again team-up with Vanessa, becoming the super-villain known as Cutter, but we’ll address that in due time.)

–Batman #458-459
These charming Alan Grant-scripted issues redeem some of his earlier stuff from this year. Batman busts some Street Demonz. Meanwhile, a recently divorced Sarah Essen (whom we haven’t seen in many years) returns to the GCPD! Commissioner Gordon greets Sarah at the train station, but the out-of-shape commish gets dizzy and passes out when he tries to stop a purse-snatcher. Thankfully, Sarah can more than hold her own, taking down the thief herself. On a date, Jim tells Sarah that his ex-wife has died, which may have in fact been true in Grant’s headcanon circa 1991, but we’ll see Barbara Eileen Gordon again, alive and well, so this line really stands out as Jim acting like a lying weirdo. It’s also strange any way you spin it because Grant doesn’t even have Jim mention James Junior. Oh well. In any case, sparks immediately fly between Sarah and Jim. Just like old times, they are in love again! Not far away, Batman stops an angry mob from attacking the lovable Quasimodo-esque Harold Allnut, who had been mistaken for a kidnapper. Batman takes in Harold, giving him a permanent home in the Batcave in exchange for his electronics expertise. Batman drives Harold home, which is also shown via flashback from Batman #619. As referenced in The Batman Files and also shown via flashback from Batman #619, Batman takes Harold into the Batcave for the first time and introduces him to Alfred. Harold immediately (and enthusiastically) begins working on electronics projects for Batman, becoming the newest member of the Bat-Family. A few days later, newspaper headlines detail what appears to be Batman’s recent capture of Scarecrow. (Either this is referencing Batman #457, which was weeks ago, or Batman has once again busted Scarecrow. Your call.) Harold’s first finished invention for Batman is a giant holographic bat, which the Dark Knight utilizes as a defense mechanism for the underwater entry to the Batcave. (As referenced in Batman #464, Batman adds the ability to project this hologram to his utility belt.) Batman then routinely patrols, taking down Spades Milligan and Freak Curtis (both of whom he knows from his Bat-computer database). Batman then shuts down the Rassler Mob, chasing Danny Rassler into the street. Batman takes down Rassler in front of a repertory theater that is screening Hollywood classic The Mark of Zorro. For the Dark Knight, this bust hits close to home for obvious reasons. Coincidentally, Jim and Sarah, who happen to be at the theater on a date, rush outside to witness the tail end of Rassler’s arrest. Sharing a Hollywood kiss of their own, Jim and Sarah are on cloud nine—that is until Jim suffers a heart attack! (This isn’t out-of-the-blue as Marv Wolfman and Grant have been leading up to this for the past year or so, slowly showing Jim get out of shape and smoke more and more cigarettes).

–Detective Comics #626
Picking up shortly after Batman #459, the news of Commissioner Gordon’s cardiac arrest shocks the city. Sarah Essen watches over Gordon in the hospital. Batman also makes sure Gordon is okay. Meanwhile, a new (one-shot) Electrocutioner debuts by killing a bunch of thieves (but curiously leaves one witness alive). Batman, Dana Hanarahan and Sarah Essen examine the crime scene. Later, at GCPD headquarters, a vulture-like police official named Haney, gunning for Gordon’s job, pleads his case to the campaigning incumbent mayor of Gotham, Julius Lieberman. (While not specifically named, this is the first comic book appearance of Lieberman. We know this is Lieberman because he will definitively appear in two upcoming arcs.)^[4] Batman targets the Uptown Mob only to run into the Electrocutioner, who does the same schtick as before, killing several crooks but leaving one alive. Batman soon realizes that the Electrocutioner has been hired by a mafia consortium to execute specific gangsters that have violated the relative mob truce that has been in existence since Tony Zucco’s death. After some quick research, Batman deduces that the Electrocutioner will target Enrico Valdez (a mobster that stole from another mobster) at the hospital. Batman dons his electric-proof costume and phones the hospital, warning them to move both Valdez and Gordon to safety. Hiding in Valdez’s room, Batman gets the jump on the Electrocutioner, taking him down while also saving Gordon, who hadn’t been moved.

–Captain Atom #50
Captain Atom, along with friends and family, attend the wedding of Randy Eiling and Theresa Delgado. Meanwhile, ex-CIA super agent turned supernatural super-villain The Ghost (Alec Rois), who has been playing the role of evil arch rival to Captain Atom and General Wade Eiling for months, activates a number of brainwashed sleeper agents and sends his fanatical ninja followers (The Cult of the Faceless One) into action. At the wedding, Jeff Goslin is activated but manages to fight off the Ghost’s brainwashing to assassinate Captain Atom. Goslin gets shot by his handler, a ninja cultist, who had been pretending to be his fiancée. After making sure Goslin is okay, Captain Atom (with the help of Goslin’s girlfriend Sally Stone) prevents an activated Babylon from killing Dr. Heinrich Megala. Babylon then shakes off the Ghost’s influence as well. Captain Atom assembles a strike force—consisting of General Wade Eiling, Plastique (Cap’s presidentially pardoned ex-con girlfriend), Red Tornado (resurrected into a new Firestorm-built body), Douglas Elliot, Randy Eiling, and Charlie Hendel—to attack the Ghost and his cult in Nevada. (Unknown to the crew, Hendel is secretly working for the Ghost as Dr. Spectro II.) Captain Atom also recruits various members of the superhero community to protect his friends and family. The JLA and JLE are put on high alert. Batman, Martian Manhunter, and Blue Beetle are stationed in Las Vegas to protect the King family (Zelda Rest, Chester King, Bonnie King, and Beth King) and Silver Shield (the gentle quantum humanoid life-form that originally endowed Captain Atom with his powers). In Washington DC, Theresa waits anxiously with Harris Eiling (Wade’s father) at Smitty‘s bar. In Nevada, Captain Atom’s team is able to defeat the Ghost, his ninjas, and a few B-list super-villains (including Dr. Spectro II, The Cambodian, and Ironfire). (Ironfire is Captain Atom’s former friend Martin Allard.) The Ghost’s forces are defeated, and the Ghost himself dies in the battle, but not before killing Megala. Black Racer, the New God of death, ushers Megala into the afterworld. (Black Racer is not the Death, but he does act as the psychopomp that typically takes the New Gods to their final resting place on behalf of Death of The Endless. Megala isn’t a New God, but he must have some association with them.)^[5] Afterward, on Tod Donner‘s nationally televised news show, Captain Atom publicly clears the air about a bunch of confidential government stuff and officially severs his ties to the US Army, telling Army media rep Tracy Farrell to piss off. Captain Atom also gets engaged to Plastique! Angered at Captain Atom’s actions, General Eiling begins his descent into the dark side.

–REFERENCE: In Starman #34. Batman hears about Starman’s new philanthropic charity called the Star Fund.

–REFERENCE: In New Titans #72 and New Titans #75-77. Batman isn’t involved in this item (the first half of the long “Titans Hunt” storyline), but he’d surely be in the know. The New Titans (including new members Red Star and Pantha) take on Jericho’s Wildebeest Society, which leaves Golden Eagle dead, Aqualad badly hurt, and Cyborg injured to the point where he loses all semblance of humanity. While remaining with the New Titans, Cyborg will have none of his old personality or memories. Moving forward, he will be virtually mindless, functioning as more of an automated weapon for the team.

–Starman #34
Starman (Will Payton) and Officer Glenn Wharton (of the Phoenix Police Department) chased after the Shadow Kings, who have started dealing drugs in Phoenix. Having followed the Shadow Kings to Phoenix from Gotham City, Batman joins forces with Starman to bring down the bad guys. Starman asks if Batman will publicly endorse his Star Fund charity, but Batman says no. However, Bruce immediately has the Wayne Foundation send a huge check to the Star Fund. Wharton immediately quits his job as a cop to become executive director of the Star Fund. Taking it easy for a change, Bruce takes a commercial flight back to Gotham. (Bruce taking commercial flights to work cases outside of Gotham will be a somewhat regular occurrence, moving forward.) A flashback from Starman Vol. 2 #36 shows this story as well.

–Justice League Quarterly #3
Batman briefly cameos for a gathering of the JLA and JLE at the Paris Embassy. The newest JLA members, Kilowog and General Glory (with his dog Liberty), are present. Also in attendance are L-Ron and Oberon (who are now splitting duty as co-JLA managers), Catherine Cobert (who is now the JLE’s manager), and Power Girl’s cat. Max Lord, still running both teams, is there too. Afterward, Kilowog and Mitch Wacky (Angor’s Walt Disney analogue) time-travel to Angor prior to its nuclear annihilation. This prompts a mix of JLA and JLE members (sans Batman, of course) to follow them through time and space. (We are told the heroes go back ten-and-a-half years, but this can’t be true. It’s gotta be closer to eight years ago to make any sense.) Wackiness (no pun intended) ensues as the time-travelers are shrunk to miniature size.^[6] Eventually, back on Earth-0, the heroes briefly travel to the early days of the JLA before returning to present day, upon which everyone is returned to macro size. Notably, Guy Gardner is swallowed by Liberty the dog and pooped out before returning to normal size. As referenced in JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2, following this adventure, the JLA keeps Mitch Wacky’s time machine for its trophy room.

–Detective Comics #627^[7]
Theodore “Ted” Lambert is cited for authorizing his company, CLRS Chemicals, to illegally dump into the river. Ted’s son Ted Lambert Jr publicly protests against his father. Soon after, Lambert Sr is killed by an over-the-top toxic waste-spewing villainess named Pesticyde. While working the case, Dana Hanrahan mentions to Batman that Commissioner Gordon has been in the hospital for four weeks. This can’t be true, so ignore it. (Thanks to sliding-time and compression, Gordon’s been in the hospital for closer to two weeks.) Hoping to grill Lambert Jr, Bruce visits him for a friendly game of tennis. Later, Pesticyde kills CLRS executive Steven Crane (along with nearly a dozen other bystanders), after which she fends off Batman and escapes. Later, Batman prevents Pesticyde from killing another CLRS executive, Paul Rogers. Pesticyde is outed as a revenge-seeking Priscilla Stryker, daughter of the final CLRS executive Alfred “Fred” Stryker, who had been permanently injured by his partners years ago. While fighting Batman at the chemical plant, Pesticyde falls to her death (into a toxic vat).

–REFERENCE: In Robin #4 and The Batman Files. Bruce and Alfred receive a post card and some Chinese yuan from Robin, who is now in Hong Kong. The Boy Wonder’s overseas adventure (from Robin #1-5) continues as he, Clyde Rawlins, and Lady Shiva battle against King Snake and Lynx, who reveals herself to be King Snake’s protégé. This is the beginning of a grudge that King Snake will hold a against Robin for the rest of his life.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #628. Batman puts in a request with Arkham Asylum officials, asking them to increase security protocols by doing nightly cell checks and incoming/outgoing vehicle searches. He also suggest they install x-ray systems.

–Batman #460-461 (“SISTERS IN ARMS”)
Teetering between villainy and vigilantism, Catwoman pauses to save some muggers after committing a theft. Upon returning home, Catwoman chats with her new roommate, wayward teen Arizona. Meanwhile, Batman and Joe Potato begin working a human-trafficking case. Worried that Catwoman will make an attempt on the Ancient Egyptian cat exhibit at the museum, Bruce visits the institution with Vicki Vale, who is looking for a scoop. Also present is Sarah Essen, who is looking for an arrest. Later, Batman visits Commissioner Gordon in the hospital. While Batman and Potato continue working their human-trafficking case, Catwoman breaks into the museum. However, both Sarah Essen and Vicki Vale are already waiting for her. In a twist, the three ladies have to team-up to stop another crook, Leo Londis. (Coincidentally, Londis is the leader of the human-trafficking ring and is attempting to kidnap Catwoman.) Batman isn’t able to make it to the museum on time to assist, but Catwoman—having stolen the Dark Knight’s ultrasonic bat-attracting tech (and applied it to cats)—summons a swarm of felines to help take down Londis and his henchmen.

–Detective Comics #628
Thanks to a secret deal with Arkham Asylum’s cleaning company, Abattoir proves he can pretty much come and go whenever he wants. Believing an ancient cult ritual can give him ultimate power, the mentally-compromised Abattoir plans on killing 2000 birds, 4000 cows, and 6000 humans. Sure enough, the escaped villain kills thousands of birds at both Penguin’s old hideout and the aviary in Wayne Tower (aka the Wayne Foundation Building). A longtime Wayne Enterprises employee (who knew Bruce’s father) is also killed. Soon afterward, Abattoir begins slaughtering bovines and workers at a dairy. Batman intervenes, but Abattoir escapes. Later, Batman prevents Abattoir from derailing a passenger train and then busts him.

–Batman #462-464 (“SPIRIT OF THE BEAST”)
Bruce has lunch with Richard Rantzen, after which the latter is murdered during a robbery of a Native American artifact. Afterward, Batman chats with Lieutenant Stanley Kitch and then Commissioner Gordon, who is now out of the hospital and has quit smoking. Under the guise of Wayne Foundation/WayneTech business, Bruce follows the clues to San Francisco where a second similar murder/theft occurs. Batman confronts a gang of Native American killers, but they escape, leaving behind clues that point toward Las Vegas. En route to Vegas, Batman stops in Death Valley, following a stray dog that leads him to stop crooks from assaulting a 140-year-old Navajo elder named Black Wolf. The old man reveals the existence of an oppositional group within his tribe (led by the warrior shaman Two-Hearts) that harbors revenge against the white man for their genocide. This group is responsible for the recent murder/thefts. In Las Vegas, Batman leaves Black Wolf and the dog with the Batmobile, switching to Bruce Wayne mode to spy on the bad guys in a casino. Batman, Black Wolf, and the dog then trail the villains to the Grand Canyon. Sounds like a nice family vacation, eh? The trio then finds Two-Hearts preparing a mystic ritual that involves the execution of several kidnapped descendants of genocidal US Army soldiers from the late 19th century. Naturally, Batman gets drugged and begins hallucinating, but he is still able to defeat Two-Hearts. Black Wolf kills Two-Hearts before committing ritualistic suicide. Batman adopts the dog. Bruce phones Wayne Foundation West Coast, telling them to focus their efforts on helping Native Americans. Bruce attends a meeting the next day in San Francisco to ensure this happens. And then Bruce returns to Gotham with his new pet! The pup’s name? Are you kidding me? What does Bruce name all his pets? Meet Ace number two. I’m surprised he didn’t name it “Jason Todd.” Note that different illustrators will draw Ace the Bat-Hound II in different ways (i.e. as varying breeds) over the course of the next few years. Despite these artistic liberties, the new Ace is supposed to be an English Mastiff.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #630. Batman has a dream about Stiletto’s execution, which is coming up in a few days. In his dream, the executioner wears stiletto heels.

–Detective Comics #629-632
We are treated to four Peter Milligan tales (as he takes over the ‘tec reigns from Marv Wolfman for a bit)! In issue #629, ex-con Dean “Hungry” Fahy uses his Irish witch grandmother’s magickal “Hungry Grass” to cause murderous chaos all over the city for four days straight. (When spread across the ground, the grass re-activates any past horrible occurrences that have taken place at that very location. For instance, an old man beats his wife after treading over a grass-strewn street where an assault happened years ago.) Batman and Lieutenant Stan Kitch work overtime trying to solve the case. Eventually, Batman confronts Hungry at the abandoned Blackgate Prison, which was shut down by Amnesty International five years ago. Using the power of the grass, Hungry bests Batman, although the latter discovers the secrets of the strange dried vegetation. After a second confrontation with Hungry, Batman learns that he had gone to prison for a crime he didn’t actually commit, thus prompting his current revenge against the city. Batman takes down Hungry and then burns the grass.^[8] Issue #630 is a follow-up to the Stiletto/Two Tone case from three months ago. The March 15 date must be ignored. On the day of what was supposed to have been Stiletto’s execution, the fugitive arranges for Two Tone to get electrocuted to death in front of Batman’s very eyes. Later, Batman (with Alfred) struggles to process having been made a fool of by Stiletto. Issues #631-632 feature Batman investigating a Neo-Nazi group that has been terrorizing a multicultural neighborhood. Local Jewish man Saul Zwemer creates a golem to fight against the white supremacists, but the monster quickly gains autonomy and begins a killing spree. After the racists kidnap Saul, the golem slaughters most of them. Batman is able to save Saul and convince him to destroy his creation.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Shadow of the Bat #11 and Detective Comics #644. Batman isn’t involved in this item, but he definitely hears all about it. Blackgate Penitentiary (aka Blackgate Prison) reopens. Many Gotham State Prison inmates are transferred there. Blackgate’s previous (and longtime) warden Sidney Lester is put back in charge of the facility, but he’s really just there to make sure the reopening goes smoothly as he will retire in less than a month.

–Batman: Run, Riddler, Run #1-3 (aka Batman: Run Riddler Run #1-3)
Summer. This item goes prior to Bruce and Vicki dating more seriously in upcoming issues. At a gala, Bruce meets billionaire real estate tycoon Donna DiForza, who tries to sexily sell him on a business proposition. However, Bruce sours on DiForza upon learning firsthand that she’s hired Riddler—who is inexplicably free on parole—as a security consultant. Soon after, Batman meets DiForza’s biggest challenger Roberta “Bob” Cifuentes, leader of a queer grassroots organization called Dykes for Fair Housing. While speaking with Bob, Batman butts heads with Perfect Security, a team of Iron Man-esque warriors-for-hire, who begin forcibly evicting minorities from the slums to pave way for DiForza’s new construction projects. Talk about gentrification! Later, Commissioner Gordon finally returns to action to help monitor an anti-DiForza protest led by Bob. Also present are DiForza herself, Bruce, and Mayor Julius Lieberman (drawn incorrectly by Mark Badger as a generic thin guy). Perfect Security storms in and attacks the protestors. Later, the Perfect Security troops are deputized by Mayor Lieberman, upon which they arrest Bob and frame both her and Batman for murder. Meanwhile, after Riddler proves to be more trouble than he’s worth (obsessed with shark death traps, giant typewriters, etc), DiForza fires him. After paying for Bob’s bail and lawyer fees, Batman meets with Bob to discuss how to clear their names. Bruce also keeps trying to talk sense into DiForza. Batman fights Perfect Security, stopping them from killing Riddler. Riddler then tries to convince Batman to team-up with him, during which he makes a quick phone call to a confused Joker. With Bruce’s urging, DiForza meets with Bob’s group, but Perfect Security, acting on their own authority, violently interrupt. Eventually, Riddler and Batman team-up (just like they did for the King Tut affair a few years ago) against Perfect Security, who begin to control DiForza as their unwilling puppet. Fed up with Mayor Lieberman’s over-reliance on Perfect Security, Commissioner Gordon resigns! Later, while Bob’s group forms a distraction, Batman and Riddler infiltrate DiForza’s HQ. Batman fights the head of Perfect Security, who falls to his grisly end at the bottom of Riddler’s shark death trap. Unfortunately for Riddler, he misses a meeting with his parole officer because Batman punches his lights out. Thus, Riddler returns to jail. With Perfect Security ousted (and both Batman and Bob’s names cleared), Commissioner Gordon retakes control of the police force. Bruce and DiForza initiate a new city plan (led by Bob) that focuses on affordable housing.

–REFERENCE: In Batman #465. Bruce and Vicki finally elevate their relationship and begin dating more seriously.

–Robin #5 Epilogue
Batman is surprised to learn (from Henri Ducard of all people) that Robin secretly returned to Gotham City a week ago, having come home to wrap up his monthlong solo adventure. Seeking out his sidekick, Batman catches up with Robin at the wharf, just in time to see the Boy Wonder defeat King Snake’s final Ghost Dragon warrior, Lynx, once and for all. Robin is officially back in town. As referenced in Batman #467, Robin tells Batman all about his solo adventuring, including the fact that he believes that King Snake is dead. Of course, King Snake is actually still alive and well.

–REFERENCE: In Batman 80-Page Giant #2 Part 4 and Batman #465. Having been notified by Alfred that Tim is now the new Robin (and back in town), Nightwing tails Tim, who gives him a playful chase. Upon catching up with Tim, Nightwing is ready to give him a “new Robin pep-talk,” but it’s Tim that winds up giving words of wisdom to his elder. (Notably, we must ignore the snowy weather in this item.)

–REFERENCE: In Batman #480. Batman and Robin begin a regular daily patrolling routine together.

–Batman #465-466
Wow. Alan Grant really comes into his stride here, cleverly writing issue #465 with a playful TV melodrama theme. Bruce gives Tim a special signal device that can send an alert to his wristwatch in case of emergency. Soon after, while Alfred, Harold, and Ace all watch their favorite soap opera Calistoga in the Batcave, Batman takes Robin out for his first official crime-fighting patrol! (A flashback from Robin Vol. 2 #182 shows Robin on this first patrol.) Batman trusts Robin so much that he splits off, allowing him to patrol solo, during which the Boy Wonder briefly meets Commissioner Gordon (having been back in action for a week now) and Sarah Essen. Meanwhile, Bruce helps out his neglected I Have a Dream Foundation kids (Chico Mendez and Larry Doofner), getting them jobs at the Wayne Foundation. After that, Bruce goes on a date with Vicki Vale at a charity gala featuring the stars of Calistoga, including starlet Meara, who shamelessly flirts with Bruce. When a mentally-unwell stalker fires a gun at the actors on stage, Bruce saves the day. Later, Jim and Sarah tell Batman and Robin that they are engaged to be married! Last but not least, Tim’s dad wakes up from his coma! (Despite being conscious, Jack Drake will continue to remain in recovery at the hospital for months to come.) In issue #466, Batman and Robin chase gangsters into the Hero World theme park, which boasts a heroic Mike Tyson statue. (This was published a month prior to Tyson’s rape charge in 1991, people). While Batman fights the gangsters, Robin deals with a separate active shooter situation in the park. Finding the sniper is just a troubled youth, Robin offers him brotherly advice and talks him down. Robin then swoops down to take out the last gangster, saving a hostage at the same time. Tim is awesome, and Batman knows he’s made the right choice with this Boy Wonder.

–FLASHBACK: From Robin Vol. 2 #152-161 and Robin Vol. 2 #166. Batman trains Robin. Each of these Robin Vol. 2 issues contains a short flashback—eleven in total—detailing Robin’s training.

–REFERENCE: In Robin Plus #2 (Robin Plus Fang). Batman and Robin begin practicing throwing handguns as projectile weapons. The idea is that, once a crook has been disarmed, their firearm can be used non-lethally against them from a safe distance. Batman and Robin will practice this trick together for years to come.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #648. Batman and Robin bust smalltime crooks Mousie and Moosie. These bad guys will get out of stir within weeks, but Batman will keep close tabs on them, moving forward.

–Batman versus Predator #1-3^[9]
Summer. Gotham’s elites—including Bruce, Commissioner Gordon, and Mayor Julius Lieberman (now drawn with full white/gray hair)—watch as Marcus King wins the Heavyweight Championship of Gotham City at a boxing event put on by infamous rival promoters Alex Yeager and Leonard Brodin. (Bruce knows all about Yeager, an untouchable top gangster, from his Bat-computer files.) At an after-party at Yeager’s penthouse suite, Bruce hobnobs with tuxedos and meets new faces—like real estate tycoon Raymond Squire—until he is called away by Alfred and told of the murder of the new champ. Batman visits the bloody crime scene and learns that King’s hands and head were chopped off and stolen by the killer. Batman then interrogates Brodin and his fighter Bull Bersaglio at their gym across town. Back at Wayne Manor, Alfred chats with Bruce about Bruce’s grandfather’s hunting trophies and famous rifle, which was once evidence in a famous criminal case. Bruce tells Alfred to remove the animal heads. Batman then visits another bloody scene after Bersaglio is killed in a similar fashion, with his head and hands taken. A laser blast kills one of Bersaglio’s bodyguards, revealing the killer as an invisible warrior that only kills prey worthy of fighting back. (This is but one of a race of alien Predators, who have hunted “dangerous prey” for sport all over the galaxy, including Earth, for centuries.) After Brodin and Yeager agree to a very public meeting, Batman secretly listens in until the invisible killer, the alien Predator, materializes in their midst. Batman (with Alfred’s guidance) chases the Predator to a junkyard. There, the Predator thrashes Batman and nearly kills him before the Dark Knight escapes by remote-controlling the Batmobile to come get him. While the Predator goes on a wanton killing spree for days, murdering both Squire and Brodin, Bruce—unconscious and with multiple near fatal wounds—is stabilized and put into a full body cast by Alfred. Bruce, now conscious but still unable to move, can do nothing as the Predator assassinates Mayor Lieberman! Commissioner Gordon puts out a televised plea for help to Batman, but the injured Bruce is unable to respond. The Predator then tries to kill Gordon, but winds up killing Gordon’s new top detective instead. Bruce suits up in an experimental armored costume and makes his return to take on the Predator. Their epic battle takes them all over Gotham and even into the Batcave and up inside Wayne Manor where Alfred shoots the Predator with Bruce’s grandfather’s gun. Batman unmasks and chases the Predator into the woods adjacent to Wayne Manor where he beats the Predator with a baseball bat. Defeated, the Predator’s kin arrive via spaceship and punish him with an execution for his dishonorable defeat. The Predators, before departing, give Batman their defeated warrior’s sword, which he and Alfred keep as a trophy of their own.

–REFERENCE: In Batman versus Predator II: Bloodmatch #3. As a wrap-up to the recent Predator case, Batman stores the anti-Predator auxiliary Bat-suit in a messy corner of the Batcave.

–NOTE: As referenced in Batman #469, Robin II #3-4, Robin Vol. 2 Annual #1, and Justice Society of America Vol. 2 #1. In the wake of Mayor Lieberman’s assassination by a Predator, a politician named Goode becomes Gotham’s new top governmental official (interim, at least). It is likely that he was one of Lieberman’s deputy mayors. (Goode’s name can be seen on his desk nameplate in Robin II #3.) Despite the incumbent’s death, the upcoming November election date remains in place, so the campaigning will continue for Mayor Goode, Armand Krol, and Deputy Mayor Harriman.

–Detective Comics #633-634
For my money, issue #633 is one of the best ‘tec stories of the year (by Peter Milligan, of course). Bruce comes home to the manor to discover that he isn’t Batman and he never was! There’s no Batcave and both Alfred and Tim don’t know what he’s talking about. Furthermore, the Dark Knight himself is live on TV dealing with a hostage situation. Naturally, Bruce flips out because he knows he’s Batman. The big twist at the conclusion is that we haven’t been following along from Bruce’s point of view, but instead from the point of view of the psychic villain, Synaptic Kid, who has discovered that Batman is Bruce Wayne by using a telepathic probe during their battle. As a defense while his mind is being probed, Batman is able to trick the Kid into thinking that he (the Kid) is Bruce Wayne but not Batman. We (the readers) are explained the big reveal through a vignette of the Kid doing a tell-all on a TV talk show. In reality, he’s in a coma. Okay, it sounds confusing, but it’s damn good and you should read it. Issue #634 is a laugh-out-loud Kelley Puckett whodunnit that is notable for the appearance of the Biddee sisters (Beatrice and Penelope), two gun-toting geriatric old ladies that drink tea and solve crimes. After busting a mobster known as The Thespian, Batman winds up working the same multiple-murder case that the Biddees are working. Upon meeting Batman, the Biddees break the fourth wall and correct the Dark Knight’s spelling in a word balloon! Amazing. Batman, who knows all about the Biddees from his Bat-computer database, scolds them for interfering in his business. Despite this, Batman and the Biddees follow the clues, stepping all over each other’s detective work. Eventually, after consulting with government agent Briggs, Batman figures out that hitman extraordinaire Andrev is the culprit, having gotten revenge against a cabal that botched a prior attempt on his life. After saving the Biddees from an international gangster involved in the case, Batman confronts Andrev, who surrenders without a fight. Later, Batman tries to put the Biddees on a train out of Gotham, but, when a bizarre ritual killing hits the police blotter, the Biddees are stuck to Batman like glue. Our story ends here, but Batman and the Biddees presumably team-up to solve the second case.

–Batman #467-469 (“SHADOWBOX”)
Batman and Robin prevent the Ghost Dragons from robbing a government weapons depot. (They had been raiding it for what we are told has been a month, but, due to compression, this must be changed to mere weeks.) Commissioner Gordon tells the Dynamic Duo that the Ghost Dragons have wrested control of Chinatown from Jimmy Wing, starting a Southeast Asian gang war. After interrogating Wing, Batman and Robin fight Lynx and the Ghost Dragons, who manage to steal a bunch of military-grade weaponry. King Snake makes his return (and intentions) clear, sending a dead boy dressed in a Robin costume to the police. Batman and Gordon discuss the horror that King Snake is about to unleash upon Gotham, during which the Caped Crusader makes some topical references about Hong Kong that should be disregarded. A worried Batman benches Robin (citing a need for him to focus on school i.e. the ongoing summer semester). Soon after, Batman dangerously inserts himself into a gunfight between the Ghost Dragons and the Steel Unicorns gang. Back home, Tim convinces Batman to rest his injuries before heading back out. After another threatening message from King Snake, Batman heads out to confront him. (We are told that a month has passed since the Robin #5 Epilogue, but it’s only been a couple weeks.) While the GCPD deals with the other Southeast Asian gangs (the Steel Unicorns, Steel Sevens, and Black Clouds), Batman handles the Ghost Dragons and takes down King Snake solo. Batman reveals to King Snake that is was Lady Shiva that tried to kill him, not Robin. (King Snake says his encounter with Robin and Shiva was “six months ago.” This is wrong, as it would have been much more recent—mere weeks ago.) Robin shows up just in time to save Batman from a surprise sniper shot from Lynx. Batman is furious that Robin disobeyed orders. Robin reminds his boss that he isn’t Jason Todd, but the Dark Knight angrily swings away.

–Detective Comics #635-637
A fourteen-year-old metahuman (Fidel Finnegan)—manipulated by an evil Arkham Asylum doctor (Dr. Wyse)—causes video games to morph into reality, thus bringing bedlam to Gotham City. When one-shot Arkham inmate Professor Powder gets spooked by what’s going on, he escapes and runs amok, forcing Batman to confront him. Powder gets decapitated by a video game monster. Thanks to Robin’s extensive gamer background, the Dynamic Duo is able to survive the hallucinatory video game creatures that keep showing up in real life. After discovering Finnegan is the cause of the reality-warping, Batman and Robin enter Arkham only to get detained by Wyse. After studying up on video games, Commissioner Gordon visits Arkham, but Wyse covers up and sends him away none the wiser. Eventually, though, Commissioner Gordon and Sarah Essen enter Arkham to help Batman and Robin deal with the ever-spreading video game reality. With the inmates (including Joker, Two-Face, and Penguin) contained, our heroes—assisted by a defiant Finnegan—defeat Wyse. (Notably, we see a lot of the original Nintendo Entertainment System in this arc, which makes sense for a tale published in 1991. For our contemporary canon, we must substitute a Playstation 2 or an X-Box instead of the NES. Either way, this incredibly dated story is one of the worst of the year.)

–Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgment on Gotham
When the vile Judge Death steals an inter-dimensional/alternate universe-hopping device, he leaves his post-apocalyptic alternate Earth and winds up in present day Gotham. Batman defeats Judge Death and then accidentally activates the belt, sending him to Judge Death’s Earth. On this alternate Earth, in which it is the early twenty-second century, Batman finds himself in Mega-City One, a war torn city state located in the former US. Batman learns about the bizarre new world he has entered from Mean Machine Angel before getting arrested by Mega-City One’s top law enforcement officer, Judge Joseph Dredd! After being unmasked and interrogated by Dredd and the telepathic Judge Cassandra Anderson, the Dark Knight escapes with the help of Anderson. Meanwhile, Mean Machine uses the dimensional jump belt to zap to Earth-0 to search for Judge Death, who has met and teamed-up with Scarecrow. Batman and Anderson then jump to Earth-0 from an experimental lab in Mega-City One. By the time Batman and Anderson catch up with the villains, they have already started a bloody massacre at an open-air heavy metal concert in Robinson Park. Dredd shows up just in time to help the good guys put a stop to the gruesome villainy. With Scarecrow apprehended, Dredd and Anderson return to their correct Earth and time.

–Justice League Europe #22
The irreverent adventures of the Justice League Europe continue as some catnappers abduct Power Girl’s cat in London. Sue Dibny and Power Girl call Batman at the NY Embassy to ask for his help, but he immediately hangs up on them. Much to the relief of the JLE (and Rocket Red’s son Mischa Pushkin), the kitty is quickly returned unharmed, but not before crime-boss Mr. Bigger implants a secret camera into the feline.

–Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #57
When mass murders at a Gotham hotel and a Boston museum are attributed to the Amazons, anti-Amazon sentiment reaches an overnight fever pitch. TV news anchor Ronnie Sarasky reports live. Wanting to calm things down, Wonder Woman turns herself over to the Boston Police Department. Wonder Woman is questioned by Commissioner Peter Donnelly, her friend Detective Ed Indelicato, and Captain Bobby Ablamsky. Wonder Woman learns that, across several US cities, other Amazons (including an injured Menalippe, an injured Philippus, Timandra, and Mnemosyne) have been taken into custody. (Mnemosyne is not to be confused with her namesake, a Titan of Myth.) Several Amazons have gone missing (including Hippolyta, Euboea, and Pythia). (Pythia is not to be confused with her namesake, the Oracle at Delphi). Hellene has been killed. And the Greek god Hermes has also gone missing. (Typically, the Roman gods and Greek gods are each one and the same, just named differently. However, in the DCU, Darkseid split the Greco-Roman pantheon into separate Olympian beings thousands of years ago.) Wonder Woman is then visited by her friend Vanessa Kapatelis, who reports that her mom Julia Kapatelis has also gone missing. (Kapatelis is also spelled Kapateus.) With Bruce and Alfred watching live on TV, Wonder Woman holds a press conference, during which an assassin shoots at her, accidentally killing a child instead. Wonder Woman then travels to Gotham to view Hellene’s body, confirming that she was killed by Cheetah, who has escaped from Arkham Asylum. (Cheetah had recently been transferred to Arkham.) When Commissioner Gordon tries to arrest Wonder Woman, Detective Indelicato helps her escape. Wonder Woman immediately frees Menalippe and joins up with Euboea and Pythia, who are fleeing angry mobs and cops. The foursome retreats to Themyscira. In Washington DC, Steve Trevor tells his superior, US military general George Yedziniak, that there’s no way the Amazons could be behind mass murder. The war-mongering general doesn’t buy it, saying that war will be declared against Themyscira. (Spoiler: The immortal Greek sorceress Circe has caused all of this chaos, which will soon spill into War of the Gods.)

–Justice League America #52-53
In Justice League America #52, Batman makes what will be his final trip to the JLA’s NYC Embassy. The Dark Knight walks-in on a boxing match between Blue Beetle and Guy Gardner. Beetle is winning until Gardner viciously attacks him from behind after the first round ends. J’onn is furious and immediately fires Gardner! Feeling disgusted with the JLA’s pathetic state, and with his own part-time hours on the team having diminished in the past few months, Batman makes himself scarce. He won’t make another appearance with this version of the League for quite some time. Meanwhile, Gardner’s termination doesn’t stick because, before the gruff Green Lantern can even leave the Embassy, Max Lord (while visiting with his girlfriend Wanda Epstein) is shot by a mystery assassin on the front steps of the building. After an immediate Batman-less interlude in Justice League America Annual #5, which is an Armageddon 2001 tie-in, we pick up with Justice League America #53. A concerned Bruce watches a TV news report that says Lord is hospitalized and in a coma. The world—including the JLA, JLE, ex-members of the now defunct JLAntarctica, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Claire Montgomery, and the UN—reacts to Lord’s assassination attempt with shock. UN Ambassador Kurt Heimlich (who has secret ties to Bialya) becomes the new head of all the Justice Leagues. Thus, the long “Breakdowns” story-arc begins.^[10]

ARMAGEDDON 2001
———————–Batman Annual #15
———————–Detective Comics Annual #4
The events of both War of the Gods and Armageddon 2001 have been going on in the background of the DCU for the past few days, but Batman has wholly avoided involvement in both—until now. In Gotham City, Batman beats-up some crooks that threaten a homeless man, who reveals himself to be the superhero Waverider (Matthew Ryder), a time-traveller from fifty years into the future of what will come to be known as the Armageddon 2001 timeline—where Earth is a dystopian hellscape ruled by the evil Monarch. (The Monarch was one of Earth’s greatest superheroes, but he betrayed his comrades and murdered them all to gain control of the planet.)^[11] Determined to alter time and prevent the Monarch’s rise to power, Waverider aims to solve the mystery of the Monarch’s identity in order to assassinate him before he turns evil. In order to judge Batman’s character, Waverider psychically links with the Dark Knight—a scene also depicted via flash-forward from Captain Atom #57—to show him a vision of an alternate future timeline. (See the footnote above for an explanation as to why this Captain Atom #57 scene is a flash-forward.) In this alternate future, Batman is on death row for the murder of Penguin, who has actually been killed by Joker, and Tim is campaigning to be a senator. Shortly thereafter, still not quite satisfied that Batman won’t become the Monarch, Waverider psychically links with the Dark Knight again. As before, Batman and Waverider bear witness to yet another alternate future. This vision shows Batman taking on Ra’s al Ghul for the final time—a battle in which Bruce, Tim, Ra’s, and Talia all die. After viewing this second alternate future, Waverider is finally convinced that Batman won’t become the Monarch.

ARMAGEDDON 2001 Conclusion
———————–Armageddon 2001 #2
———————–Action Comics #670 Epilogue
This item picks up shortly after Detective Comics Annual #4, but don’t forget that, thanks to sliding-time, the specific dates in this arc must be changed. The Monarch, hero-turned-villain from a horrible dystopian future, appears in present day, hoping to stop Waverider’s plan to prevent him from coming into existence. After taunting Waverider, Superman, and the JLE, the Monarch kidnaps Dove (Dawn Granger) and kills her boyfriend Captain Sal Arsala (of the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department). After kidnapping Dove’s partner Hawk (Hank Hall), the Monarch reveals himself to be none other than Hawk himself. When the Monarch kills Dove (!), Hawk flips out and kills the Monarch, taking his armor and not only becoming The Monarch anyway, but also doing so a decade earlier than Waverider had expected. (Waverider’s time-traveling actions have already rendered his future into an alternate reality that won’t come to be on our primary timeline. As such, Waverider has also relegated himself into an anomalous being untethered to any specific reality.) Also, as we will later find out in JSA #14, super-villain Mordru plays a secret hand in causing Hawk to snap here.) Notably, Waverider had previously ruled out nearly every hero of being the Monarch, including Hawk. So how could Hawk still have become the Monarch? Waverider realizes his method of clearing the heroes (by viewing them in alternate realities) was highly flawed. Anyone could still become the Monarch, even those he had previously determined to have a “zero probability” of becoming the tyrant. It’s very important to highlight that the traitor in Armageddon 2001 was originally meant to be Captain Atom, but the news was leaked to the public early, so DC editors changed the big reveal at the last second, not only ruining the story, but creating plot-holes as well. Although, by the time of Infinite Crisis, as specifically detailed in the Battle for Blüdhaven series, Captain Atom will take up the title of the Monarch anyway. It’s hard to tell (and we never actually learn) if this was meant to be a face-saving retcon (returning Captain Atom to his rightful role as the originally-planned Monarch here in Armageddon 2001) or if Captain Atom simply becomes another separate Monarch. Messy, innit? For continuity’s sake, I’ve gone with the latter. Back to our synopsis. In Metropolis, the Team Titans (a version of the Teen Titans from the now-alternate Armageddon 2001 future timeline) appears, but they stay in the shadows. The Team Titans lineup consists of an alternate Terra, an alternate Mirage, Redwing, and Killowat. Across town, Hawk reveals himself as the Monarch and fights a large group of heroes (including Batman). During the chaos, an entire skyscraper is leveled. The Metropolis STAR Labs facility is destroyed. Waverider saves a young Matthew Ryder (the Earth-0 version of himself). Eventually, Captain Atom defeats the Monarch, thus rendering all versions of the dystopian future null-and-void. However, both Captain Atom and the Monarch get lost in the timestream. The battle against the Monarch is also shown via flashback from Armageddon: The Alien Agenda #1, which adds a scene of the heroes lamenting Hawk’s heel turn while mourning the disappearance of Captain Atom. The battle against the Monarch is also shown in the Action Comics #670 Epilogue, which then continues the story directly. With the threat of the Monarch over, the heroes perform clean-up duty, pulling people from the rubble. A chemical leak in the decimated Metropolis STAR Labs facility leads to the creation of Atomic Skull II (Joe Martin). Meanwhile, in his 21-year-old clone body, Lex Luthor masquerades as his son “Lex Luthor II,” with plans of taking over LexCorp. Having already leaked to the press that “his father” had a child with former lover Dr. Gretchen Kelley, Luthor visits Gretchen and her partner Dr. Sydney Happersen in Australia. As Luthor Jr, Luthor will soon make a public claim that he is the long lost heir to his father’s empire, upon which he will indeed fool everyone, taking control of LexCorp in his new younger persona. (However, Luthor’s ruse will begin to unravel when his clone body begins to deteriorate, but that won’t be until a year from now. We’ll get to that when we get to it.)

WAR OF THE GODS
———————–Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #59
———————–Batman #470
As stated above, Batman had, up to this point, wholly avoided getting involved in War of the Gods, which has been showcasing the fictive indifferentism of the DCU for the past week or so. What’s been going on? Let’s get caught up to speed. The immortal Greek sorceress Circe manipulated the ancient gods to begin a massive battle-royale on Earth. Thus, the Roman gods and Greek gods began rumbling with one another, spurring the involvement of the Amazons, the superhero community, and several international militaries. (As a reminder, in he DCU, Darkseid split the Greco-Roman pantheon into separate Olympian beings thousands of years ago. Following War of the Gods, the Roman and Greek gods will re-merge back into single entities.) Circe also stirred up global anti-Amazon sentiment to the point that several countries declared war against Themyscira (and outlawed Wonder Woman). Additionally, the Norse gods, Egyptian gods, Babylonian gods, Yoruba gods, Aztec gods, Hindu gods, and Thanagarian gods mobilized into combat readiness. Cut to now. The Dynamic Duo—having been briefed and urged by Black Canary—reluctantly meet with Wonder Woman, who tells them that rampant rumors of Amazon woman running amok are untrue, and that Circe is the sole party responsible for the war. From a distance, Detective Ed Indelicato keeps watch as Wonder Woman tasks the Dynamic Duo with a specific mission—to locate an antique Themysciran goblet, which is connected to the disappearance of her mother (Hippolyta). This sequence is shown shot-for-shot in War of the Gods #2. As referenced in Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #60, Batman gives Wonder Woman a communicator. Meanwhile, US military generals George Yedziniak and John Hillary interrogate Steve Trevor, hoping to learn more about the “evil” Amazons. The generals also interrogate Etta Candy. The US military also unnecessarily quarantines and examines a family (Vincent Anderson, Helen Anderson, and their baby) that had been rescued by the Amazons. On Themyscira, Greek demigod Heracles (aka Herakles) and the Amazons (including Euboea, Iphthime, Myrrha, and Menalippe) perform a clean-up of what has become a war zone. At Circe’s HQ in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil, Circe and her servant Mikos remotely commune with cautious ally Dr. Psycho. Aided by occultist Konrad Kaslak (who has betrayed Circe), Pythia (the Themysciran, not the Oracle) infiltrates the Brazilian HQ and attacks the Bana-Mighdall tribe (a group of rogue Amazons loyal to Circe) en route to rescuing a kidnapped Julia Kapatelis and captive Amazons Epione, Timandra, and Mnemosyne (the Themysciran, not the Titan). In Boston, Vanessa Kapatelis (Julia’s daughter) is stalked by Cheetah. In Gotham, Harold gives Batman and Robin some new night-sight lenses for testing. Batman and Robin (tailed by Indelicato) then begin searching for the goblet, shaking down several leads. Upon learning about Cheetah’s escape from Arkham, Batman and Robin visit the prison, learning that Killer Croc has also flown the coop (and Maxie Zeus has been paroled). After besting one of Circe’s Beastiamorphs (aka Bestiamorphs), Batman and Robin bust Maxie Zeus, retrieving the goblet (which had been given to him by Cheetah). In the Batcave, Batman runs tests on the goblet, discovering the goblet is an Egyptian fake. (This scene is also shown, with added detail, via flashback from Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #60.) As referenced in Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #60, Batman also hears details about a recent battle in Keystone City involving the Keystone City PD, Flash (Wally West), and the Greek god Hermes.

WAR OF THE GODS Conclusion
———————–Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #60
———————–War of the Gods #3-4
Batman debriefs Wonder Woman, telling her the goblet he found for her is an Egyptian fake. Meanwhile, General George Yedziniak continues interrogating people affiliated with the Amazons, including feminist sociologist Phyllis Haller, whom he allows to speak with the injured captive Philippus. In Boston, Captain Bobby Ablamsky (of the Boston PD) searches for the missing Vanessa Kapatelis. Across town, Ed Indelicato questions Cheetah about Vanessa’s whereabouts. In Brazil, Pythia’s crew flees through the jungle. An angry Circe takes her frustrations out on her servant Mikos, killing him. Having followed the trail of the goblet to Egypt, Wonder Woman finds Lobo (currently representing the Licensed Extra-Governmental Interstellar Operatives Network aka LEGION) fighting a masked Bana-Mighdall warrior called Shim’tar. When more Bana-Mighdall tribeswomen arrive, Lobo and Wonder Woman team up against them. Wonder Woman defeats Shim’tar, who is revealed to be her brainwashed mom (Hippolyta). Soon, Stavros Christadoulodou fights Beastiamorphs on Circe’s former island home of Aeaea (aka Dianata), where an Amazon-worshipping cult (led by Katina Leiko) have all been slaughtered by the aforementioned Beastiamorphs. Meanwhile, the Greek gods (Ares, Aphrodite, Artemis, Phobos, Eris, Hephaestus, Artemis, Hera, Hades, Hippolyte, Hermes, Harmonia, and Poseidon) war against the Roman gods (Diana, Vulcan, Jupiter, Pluto, Mars, Minerva, and Neptune). (As to be expected, there’s also a lot of infighting within the Greek pantheon.) In Will Magnus’ lab, guided by the wizard Shazam, Son of Vulcan takes control of the Metal Men, putting the essence of the SHAZAM elders (Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury) into the robots’ bodies. Wonder Woman asks Hermes and Harmonia to save her badly injured mom. They say they can’t help, sending Wonder Woman and Hippolyta back to Themyscira. In the Amazon rainforest, Black Adam and half of the Sucide Squad—including newest members Maser (former Air Wave, Harold Jordan) and Silver Swan—infiltrate Circe’s HQ. Outside, Aquaman and Dolphin save Pythia’s crew from Beastiamorphs. (Also in the jungle, Major Victory accidentally mistakes Deadshot for the recently deceased Enforcer.) In Gotham, Batman intercepts a leaked government message, revealing that the US Air Force is planning on bombing Themyscira. Batman notifies new Hawkman (Katar Hol) and new Hawkwoman (Shayera Thal). (Fel Andar and Sharon Parker have been outed as phonies, to which the Thanagarian planetary government—wanting to assuage its worried populace—responded by creating official replacements in Katar and Shayera, clearly modeling them off of the originals.) In Egypt, Black Adam joins Lobo and Son of Vulcan to fight the Bana-Mighdall. In the skies above Themyscira, the Amazons (including Wonder Woman, Calyce, and Venilia) watch as Starman, Hawkman, and Hawkwoman take down US fighter jets. On Apokolips, Darkseid makes plans to enter the fray, but Orion stops him, thus spawning an all-out war between New Genesis and Apokolips. Back on Earth, new Dr. Fate (Inza Cramer-Nelson), Zatanna, Madame Xanadu and Animal Man use magick to turn most of the Beastiamorphs back into harmless animals. In Boston, Detective Indelicato rescues Vanessa. Shortly thereafter, Circe kills Hermes and seemingly kills Wonder Woman as well, causing Olympus—now “New Olympus” to appear in Earth’s orbit. Meanwhile, Pariah makes his presence known, soon heralding news of Wonder Woman’s death to the greater superhero community. Taking the throne of New Olympus as her own, Circe causes the goblet to unleash its magick in Gotham, which causes the skies to burn red there. (Despite being an Egyptian fake, the goblet still holds unfathomable power.) Batman and Robin go on high alert, remotely forming a plan of action (via radio comms) with the rest of the superheroes, who gather on Aeaea and Themyscira. On Aeaea, Flash (Wally West) talks to the New Titans about the last week or so of the team’s life (stemming back to the Armageddon 2001 tie-in New Titans Annual #7). Wally hates that Deathstroke has been operating as a superhero as of late. On New Olympus, a large group of superheroes, gods, and Amazons (including Penelope) fight the gods that are loyal to Circe (including Eris, Hecate, and Charon). On Apokolips, the New Gods of Apokolips (including Kalibak) continue battling the New Gods of New Genesis (including Fastbak). Harbinger and Highfather are able to barter a truce, ending the New God conflict. In Gotham, Batman, Robin, Katana, Looker, and Black Lightning fight swarms of new Beastiamorphs. Eventually, on New Olympus, dozens of heroes fight Circe, who holds power over an astral projection of Donna Troy (Troia). (Donna will remain unconscious at her apartment for the remainder of this arc.) Son of Vulcan, Menalippe, Hermes, Eris, and Harmonia are killed. Gods from various pantheons—including Mars, Hera, Darkseid, Huitzilopochtli (and his human agent Azure), Kingu, Loki, Set, Shango, and Siva—demand an immediate end to the war. Circe responds by resurrecting a bunch of dead heroes and villains into her zombie army. Among the zombified are Abin Sur, Iron Major, Valda the Iron Maiden, Little Mermaid II (Little Mermaid’s twin sister), Mindboggler, Aquagirl, Queen Bee II, Golden Eagle, Mr. Terrific, Skyman, Vigilante (Adrian Chase), John Zatara, Dove (Don Hall), and others. Notably, Commander Steel and Nemesis (Tom Tresser) are shown as zombies, but their inclusion here is extremely bad continuity since they aren’t dead! Even worse, Dove (Dawn Granger) is shown to be alive, but she is dead! (In George Pérez’s defense, Nemesis was thought to have been dead at the time of publication and Commander Steel always had a sort of die-and-return kind of vibe. There’s no excuse for Dawn showing up though. She was killed mere months before publication, but Perez should’ve been—and clearly wasn’t—in communication with other writers.) In Egypt, Black Adam helps the wizard Shazam save Billy Batson’s life. The duplicitous Shazam rewards Black Adam by banishing him into the ether. On Themyscira, Wonder Woman is resurrected via the power of the Greek goddess Gaea. She is joined by Hindu goddess Maya and Yoruba god Obatala (who uses the human host body of Dr. Efraim Ngai). Wielding the power of all the gods, Wonder Woman (along with astral Donna) defeats Circe and Hecate once and for all. After all has settled, Phantom Stranger communes with The Fates (Ananke, Atropos, Clotho, and Lakhesis). (“War of the Gods” is also shown via flashback from Tales From the Dark Multiverse: Wonder Woman – War of the Gods #1.)

–Batman #471
Late August—roughly six months before Batman #489. Writer Alan Grant shows us a more human side of Killer Croc, as the escaped reptilian behemoth moves in with some homeless underground-dwellers. Of course, Killer Croc soon winds up in Batman’s sights. Batman has Robin create a new map of all the underground systems beneath Gotham, and he has Harold make a tracking collar for Ace. With Ace’s nose leading the way, Batman finds and takes on Killer Croc, but they team-up to save the lives of the unhoused from a water tunnel tidal wave. Killer Croc gets washed out of the sewers and goes into hiding. (This issue is also shown via flashback from Batman #489.)

–Detective Comics #638
When an explosion-creating metahuman called The Bomb seemingly teams-up with a terrorist, the US Army calls in Batman for help. After an explosion at a bus station kills several people, Batman makes a warning video for Commissioner Gordon. Soon after, Batman locates and takes down the terrorists, discovering that the Bomb is just an 18-year-old named Rebecca, who has been held captive and been experimented upon by the military for years. Batman also learns that Rebecca had been kidnapped by the terrorists. Army higher-ups arrive, revealing that they caused the bus station massacre. Batman isn’t cool with the Army doing shit like that, so he fights them off. Rather than return to the Army base, Rebecca lets her metapower overwhelm her body, effectively committing suicide, but she thanks Batman for allowing her the choice to die free and happy.

–Suicide Squad #59-62 (“LEGERDEMAIN”)
In Gotham, Batman shakes down a crook named Monte Walsh, who says that the Suicide Squad was involved in the death of Ray Palmer. Following up, Batman examines Palmer’s “corpse.” At Dr. Simon LaGrieve’s Institute for Meta-Human Studies (IMHS) in Pittsburgh, the CIA’s Micro Force (including Blacksnake and Palmer disguised as “Sting”) spies on half of the Suicide Squad. (Palmer faked his death to go undercover to investigate corruption within The Cabal, a clandestine organization led by General Wade Eiling.) At the other end of the IMHS building, Batman meets with Oracle, who is working for the Suicide Squad under the pseudonym “Amy Beddoes.” This leads to an excellent confrontation between Batman and Oracle, during which they challenge each other and talk about old times. Unfortunately, in this conversation, Babs tells Batman that she can find out his secret identity whenever she feels like it. Ummm, she was Batgirl. She’s known Batman’s secret ID for years. Maybe she meant she can reveal his ID whenever she feels like it? Otherwise ignore. In any case, Oracle gives Batman intel, which he shares with Superman and Aquaman. Meanwhile, the Saddam Hussein-esque ex-dictator of Qurac, Hurrambi Marlo, is supposedly being held at the Guantanamo Bay-esque Blood Island, where the Suicide Squad is supposedly active. Both Israeli and Arab metahuman teams are trying to get to Marlo first—the former trying to assassinate, the latter trying to rescue. (The Israeli team is called Hayoth, consisting of Colonel Hacohen, Dybbuk, Judith, Ramban, and Golem. The Arab team is called The Jihad, consisting of Agni, Badb, and Piscator.) With Oracle’s intel, Batman, Aquaman, and Superman converge on Blood Island. The heroes clash with the Israelis and Arabs, but all soon realize that the Suicide Squad has already nabbed Marlo. (Nemesis Tom Tresser has been posing as a fake Marlo.) Elsewhere, remotely-backed by Oracle, Waller and new Suicide Squad member The Thinker (Cliff Carmichael) interrogate the real Marlo, hoping to find out details about the Cabal. Waller and the Thinker (and Oracle) learn the Cabal has manipulated Hayoth, the Jihad, and the Micro Force in an effort to control all metahumans on the planet. At Blood Island, Batman puts two-and-two together, discovering the same. Soon, a huge battle erupts, involving the superheroes, Hayoth, the Jiahad, the Micro Force, and the US military (represented by Sarge Steel). During the chaos, Blacksnake kills the new Atom (Adam Cray) and fellow Micro Force members Everett Bailey and Miss Hubbard. Palmer retakes the mantle of the Atom and takes down Blacksnake. Eventually, the heroes bring own all the antagonists. Batman, Superman, and Aquaman reunite with Palmer. Meanwhile, at the White House, Sarge Steel and Waller debrief the President about the exposure and defeat of the Cabal.

–Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #1
Batman busts an escaped Joker overseas. While Batman extradites Joker back to the United States, their plane crashes in the snow-capped Korean mountains. Gathering some gear and rations, the badly injured Batman begins dragging a bound Joker through the snowy terrain. They soon pass by Kirigi’s temple where Batman learns his old master has died. Batman then hallucinates for three whole days due to a severe concussion, but he still manages to successfully drag the tied-up Joker back to civilization through an extremely thick blizzard, eventually repatriating the Clown Prince of Crime.

THE IDIOT ROOT
———————–Batman #472
———————–Detective Comics #639
———————–Batman #473
———————–Detective Comics #640
When Bruce hears that the Queen of Hearts is loose in Rio de Janeiro, he takes a commercial flight down to Brazil. Batman chases the Queen of Hearts but stumbles upon something even worse—children are getting hooked on a new drug known as “The Idiot Root.” Synthesized from an ancient jungle plant, the Idiot Root causes users to enter a supernatural realm where a bogeyman known as The Idiot is able to drain their minds, lobotomizing them. With each brain sucked-dry, the Idiot gains more and more power. Naturally, Batman chases the Queen of Hearts right into drug dealer Zeno’s lair. Batman and the Queen of Hearts get accidentally dosed, begin tripping, and enter the nightmare realm where they meet the Idiot, who lobotomizes the Queen of Hearts. Batman busts Zeno, forcing him to help track down the nefarious Dr. Crosby, who plans to feed more kids to the Idiot. After the Idiot causes their plane to crash into the jungle, Batman and Zeno take down Crosby and his child soldiers. Batman eats some Idiot Root in order to face the Idiot head-on, but the weird villain tricks Batman. The Idiot enters the real world where he goes on a brain-sucking spree and makes people’s heads explode! After some help from the local police, Batman discovers that the Idiot has a dominant persona that has a phobia of birds. With Batman using this to his advantage, it’s game over for the Idiot. With the case wrapped, Bruce books a flight back to Gotham where Robin has been dealing with an escaped Joker one-on-one for the first time (as seen in Robin II #1-4).

–Robin II #4 Epilogue
First off, the snowy Xmas setting must be ignored. Second, the Batman-less opening to Robin II #4 incorrectly shows what appears to be a still-comatose Jack Drake. While Tim’s dad would still be in the hospital at this juncture, he’s definitely awake (and has been for weeks). Maybe he’s just sleeping? Sigh. Picking up directly from Detective Comics #640, Batman returns home from Rio to learn that Robin (thanks to help from Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, and Mayor Goode) has successfully sent Joker back to Arkham Asylum.

THE DESTROYER
———————–Batman #474
———————–Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #27
———————–Detective Comics #641
As before, the winter season should be ignored. While Batman busts art forger Zeko, a midcentury tenement collapses across town. Unknown to all, a man named Andre Sinclair is blowing-up buildings in order to make the Gotham skyline look more beautiful. (Gotham’s most famous architect was Cyrus Pinkney, whose bizarre Gothic towers have slowly become overshadowed by newer, “uglier” buildings, and Sinclair is upset about it.) When a second building implodes, Batman shakes down its owner, mistakenly thinking they guy might be involved in an insurance scam, but a third building detonation proves his innocence. At a Wayne Enterprises building, Batman gains insight into the mid 19th century life and times of his great-great-great grandfather, Judge Solomon Wayne, who had a large hand in ensuring that Pinkney’s blueprints would be used in Gotham’s later modernization. (Solomon and Pinkney worked on various small projects together in the mid 19th century, but it would be Solomon’s son Alan Wayne that would oversee construction of several Pinkney skyscrapers, including the famous Corolla Building, decades later.)^[12][13] When Sinclair blows up the Wayne Enterprises building, Batman barely escapes with his life (stripping down to his underwear and tapping Morse Code to get rescued by first responders). After fingering Sinclair as the culprit, Bruce donates to Gotham State University (aka Gotham University) to gain an audience with one of Sinclair’s former professors, who says he’s crazy. Batman soon confronts Sinclair, but they fight to a stalemate. Sinclair then blows up the modern police headquarters adjacent to a separate Pinkney-designed police building (which has also been in use by the GCPD for many years). Bruce baits Sinclair by purchasing the Corolla Building and announcing that it’ll be demolished. On cue, Sinclair shows up and fights Batman again, only this time the villain walks in front of a wrecking ball, ending his life. Now that the Corolla Building is back under the Wayne family umbrella, Bruce officially makes it the new Wayne Foundation HQ. (There are now three active Wayne Towers.) Likewise, the GCPD moves its primary operations into the Pinkney-designed police building.

ARMAGEDDON: INFERNO
———————–Armageddon: Inferno #1
———————–Armageddon: Inferno #4
Before we begin, this series requires some serious retconning thanks to lots of topical references and some pre-Zero Hour contradictions. First of all, Batman and company supposedly time-travel to August 21, 1991 where Mikhail Gorbachev is leader of Russia and a rookie Creeper makes an appearance. For this to make sense, Batman and company have to go back to 1996 (Year Eight) instead. Sadly, we must simply ignore the topical 1991 Gorbachev stuff. So what happens in this story, anyway? Waverider (Matthew Ryder of the defunct alternate Armageddon 2001 future timeline) learns of a threat from the interdimensional tyrant known as Abraxis, who plans on using his Daemen minions to take control of Universe-0. But, in order to do so, he must erect giant magickal “simulacra” of himself on four different points on the timeline. Waverider sends heroes to each point, specifically sending Batman and Spectre to Russia, dateline August 21, 1996 (see above for pertinent retcon info). Joining them are heroes from other times: Ultra Boy (Legionnaire from the 31st century), a rookie Firestorm (from Year Ten), and a rookie Creeper (from Year Eight). In 1996 Russia, Batman and friends deal with Daemen (as other hero groups similarly deal with them in other time periods).^[14] Eventually, Waverider and Spectre locate the Justice Society of America, which has been missing ever since the time of Crisis on Infinite Earths (ever since the beginning of Year Eleven)! Spectre sics the JSA on Abraxis, who is defeated in his own home dimension. Afterward, the JSA permanently returns to Universe-0 and reunites with Earth’s heroes. Batman and his pals wanna know where the JSA has been for the past “three years.” (They’ve been gone closer to two-and-a-half years.) The answer is a tough pill to swallow. Shortly after the original Crisis, the JSA time-traveled back to 1945 where they wound up stuck in a limbo-like space outside of Asgard, merged with Norse gods, and fighting an endless Ragnarok simulation thanks to the manipulations of Odin. So while they appeared to be missing for only two-and-a-half years, they were actually gone for fifty-six years! Damn. Welcome back JSA! Notably, Hawkman (Carter Hall) and Hawkwoman (Shiera Sanders Hall) meet Hawkman (Katar Hol) and Hawkwoman (Shayera Thal). There will now be two Hawkmen and two Hawkwomen operating simultaneously until next year’s Zero Hour.

BREAKDOWNS
———————–Justice League America #59
———————–Justice League Europe #35
The Justice League’s UN charter has recently been revoked, causing the embassies to close down and forcing the JLA to move back into the old Happy Harbor cave. Also, Max Lord has recently been taken over by Dreamslayer, who has used Lord (and his psychic abilities) to take over the living island of Kooey Kooey Kooey. The JLA and JLE respond by attacking Dreamslayer/Lord on the island. However, Dreamslayer/Lord takes control of the intervening heroes. Now comprised of brainwashed heroes, the “New Extremists” assault the Happy Harbor cave, challenging several of their friends—including Batman, who happens to be checking-in on the emergency situation. Just when things look ugly, on Kooey Kooey Kooey, Silver Sorceress enters Lord’s mind and expels Dreamslayer, an act that wins the day, but at the cost of her own life. Afterward, Batman and the heroes mournfully lay Silver Sorceress to rest on Kooey Kooey Kooey. As referenced in JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2, following this episode, Booster Gold and Blue Beetle donate a few items to the JL trophy room, including an old Booster Gold costume, some Blue Beetle gadgets and weaponry, some Blue Beetle security drones, and some ephemera from the now defunct Kooey Kooey Kooey casino.

–REFERENCE: In Justice League America #60 and Justice League Europe #36. Batman is not present for this item, but it’s definitely worth mentioning (and he’d know all about it). The JLA/JLE “Breakdowns” storyline concludes with the dissolution of the JLA and JLE (as mandated by the United Nations). It’s a damn shame, but Keith Giffen and JM DeMatteis’ brilliant Justice League run comes to an end. Also, Martian Manhunter goes missing.

–REFERENCE: In New Titans #83-85. Batman has nothing to do with this item (the conclusion and aftermath to the long “Titans Hunt” storyline), but he’d be in the know. Still acting as a superhero and teamed with the New Titans, Deathstroke is forced to kill his son Jericho to end the threat of his Wildebeest Society. After the defeat of the Wildebeest Society, one of their members switches sides, joining the New Titans as the aptly named Wildebeest.

PANIC IN THE SKY!
———————–Superman Vol. 2 #65
———————–Adventures of Superman #488
———————–Action Comics #675
———————–Superman: The Man of Steel #10
———————–Superman Vol. 2 #66
This arc occurs after the conclusion of “Breakdowns.” Brainiac—with Maxima, a mind-controlled Draaga, and a mind-controlled Supergirl (Matrix)—takes over Warworld, captures a few New Gods, and threatens Earth!^[15] In response, Superman personally assembles his own planetary defense force—including Deathstroke, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Captain Marvel, Batman, Nightwing, the Metal Men, Gangbuster, Dr. Fate (Inza Cramer-Nelson), the Guardian (a clone of Jim Harper), Flash, Dubbilex, Mon-El, Agent Liberty (Benjamin Lockwood), and others. (Notably, Agent Liberty is a member of the right wing group known as the Sons of Liberty.)^[16][17] In Metropolis, Batman, Nightwing, Aquaman, Blue Beetle, Gangbuster, Thorn, and Crimson Fox—alongside the MPD’s Special Crimes Unit and Lex Luthor’s privately-contracted militia known as Team Luthor—defend Earth from hordes of alien gladiators from Warworld. Newstime and Daily Planet reporter Ron Troupe, along with Jimmy Olsen, report on the war live from the frontlines. (In a side-plot, Newstime‘s editor-in-chief, Colin Thornton, is actually the disguised demon from Hell, Satanus. What fun!) Batman’s ground team is eventually aided by Lex Luthor and STAR Labs’ top scientist Emil Hamilton to defeat their foes. Meanwhile, Superman leads the other heroes on a direct strike against Warworld. Supergirl and Draaga are able to shake off Brainiac’s influence, but everyone else (sans Superman) quickly succumbs to his control. Draaga sacrifices his life to break Brainiac’s control over the heroes, after which Maxima betrays Brainiac to join the good guys. Eventually, Superman’s infiltration team defeats Brainiac, who gets lobotomized by Maxima. Earth is saved.

–REFERENCE: In Batman #477-478. Hoping to pin all his crimes on his partner David Creighton, the Gargoyle (Morris Eagleton) injects Creighton with Gargoyle Serum and shoots him dead. A public inquest is held, which determines that David must have been the Gargoyle the whole time. Dissatisfied with the findings, Batman conducts his own investigation, which leads him to visit David’s teenage daughter (Christina Creighton) in London. Together, they discover that not only is Eagleton the real Gargoyle, but he killed David as well. Thus, Batman sets up an elaborate ruse to get Eagleton to confess to his crimes. Christina will invite Eagleton to her late father’s “Treasures of the Canterbury Tales” exhibit, which is set to open in Gotham in three weeks, during which she, Batman, and the GCPD will set a trap for the villain.

–FLASHBACK: From Challengers of the Unknown Vol. 2 #4. First the backstory. Duncan Pramble aka Multi-Man has recently blown up Challengers Mountain, killing hundreds of innocent people. (Professor Walter Haley and June Robbins are presumed dead, but they are actually lost in a pocket dimension.) Note that the unpredictable Multi-Man was last seen protecting his benefactor Max Lord in the “Breakdowns” arc. As we can see, the recent dissolution of the Justice Leagues—specifically his Justice League Antarctica—has sent Multi-Man into a dark spiral of villainy. Cut to now. The remaining Challengers (including Ace Morgan, Red Ryan, Rocky Davis, and Corinna Stark) have all scattered across the globe and gone their separate ways. Making a name for himself in Gotham City as the violent “.9mm Vigilante,” Red Ryan quickly draws the ire of Batman, who gives him a one-way ticket out of town. Ryan decides to join a guerrilla group in war-torn El Segundo.

–Justice League Spectacular #1
Any topical references to springtime must be ignored in this one. Max Lord contacts Batman, asking him to lead a new Justice League. Batman is into the idea of a new JL, but he doesn’t want to join. Several days later, in a misguided attempt to manufacture a scenario that will cause the rebirth of a new Justice League, Lord hires the Royal Flush Gang—featuring a new Ace of Spades (Ernest Clay) and new Jack of Spades—to attack Elongated Man at the Funny Stuff World amusement park in Florida.^[18] When the Royal Flush Gang goes off script (they are actually working for a new Weapons Master and his girlfriend Kiki), Batman visits Superman in Metropolis, asking if he will lead a new JL to help with the situation in Florida. Superman says no but heads to Florida anyway. Eventually, the villains are defeated and a new Justice League America reforms with Superman (as leader), Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Fire, Ice and Guy Gardner. Likewise, a new revamped Justice League Europe forms with Hal Jordan, Aquaman, Elongated Man, Flash (Wally West), Power Girl, Dr. Light (Kimiyo Hoshi), and Crimson Fox. Elsewhere, a disguised Martian Manhunter debuts as Bloodwynd. (The original Bloodwynd is trapped in a magickal gem that has physically bonded with J’onn.)

–DC Retroactive: Batman – The ’90s #1
This item goes right before “The Return of Scarface.” The Ventriloquist (with Scarface) celebrates getting released from prison (pending final appeal) by holding a private party at the Gotham Museum of Natural History. Batman takes down some Street Demonz and then follows Bobby Vin (one of the Ventriloquist and Scarface’s lieutenants, who he recognizes from his Bat-computer database) to the museum. At the shindig, the Ventriloquist, Scarface, and Rhino expose Vin as having gone into business for himself while the boss was behind bars. They begin torturing Vin, prompting Batman to intervene. Things escalate when the Ventriloquist and Scarface’s dead rival Big Mel (having been resurrected into a zombie by the chemicals at Freshfields Landfill where his body was dumped) shows up and begins running amok. In the chaos, the Ventriloquist and Scarface escape. Batman not only defeats the zombie, but he also saves the life of Mike Riley (a minor character from Detective Comics #613) and delivers his pregnant wife’s baby!

THE RETURN OF SCARFACE
———————–Batman #475
———————–Detective Comics #642
———————–Batman #476
The Ventriloquist’s appeal hearing is held, confirming his prison release on account of a technicality. (The Ventriloquist says he spent the last year in jail, which technically is true, but, more accurately, he spent the past two years in the slammer.) As the Ventriloquist and Scarface begin warring with the Street Demonz, Batman meets Commissioner Gordon’s new assistant, Sgt. Renee Montoya! (Montoya has been appointed to the GCPD’s Major Crimes Unit.) We saw her briefly way back in Year Four when she was a fresh recruit in the police academy. Renee will go on to become one of the most important characters in the entire DCU. Also, in case you forgot, Bruce and Vicki Vale have been dating for a few months. While on patrol, Batman sees Vicki kissing fellow journalist Horton Spence. The next day, Vicki breaks up with a defensive Bruce, who has the stark realization that he loves her. After night falls, Vicki and Horton find themselves caught in the middle of a shooting war between the Street Demonz and the Ventriloquist’s crew. Vicki and Horton both wind up in the hospital. In the morning, Bruce visits Vicki at the hospital and desperately wants to tell her that he is Batman, but he can’t do it. Later, the Ventriloquist and Scarface set a trap for all their rivals, getting the Street Demonz, Mexican drug cartel, GCPD, and Batman to converge upon Gotham Chemical (aka Ace Chemical). When all these disparate elements collide, a shootout erupts, ending with the Ventriloquist and Scarface detonating bombs remotely. Batman is able to save Commissioner Gordon’s life, but the leaders of the Street Demonz and the entire cartel are eliminated. The Ventriloquist and Scarface are victorious. Afterward, Bruce visits Vicki at the hospital once more. Their relationship is definitely kaput, but they decide to remain friends.

–Detective Comics #643 Intro Part 1
Batman and police take notice when exhumed corpses begin randomly getting dumped across the city. Unknown to all, these are the test runs by Stanislaw Johns, a mentally unstable ex-librarian that is planning on murdering people and categorizing them according to the Dewey Decimal System. Hey, Peter Milligan can’t always be perfect. While we won’t see it ahead, Batman will quietly follow the news as more dug-up corpses will continue to appear in the coming week.

–Deathstroke the Terminator #6-9 (“CITY OF ASSASSINS”)
Any seasonal references to winter, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve must be ignored in this one. A couple weeks ago, a mob enforcer named Jeremy Barker supposedly went rogue and started killing members of Gotham’s mob families. (It’s unclear who the major mob families are the moment, but Emile Jarrett is the top guy.) After four mobsters die in one night, this piques the interest of Deathstroke, who has recently returned to a life of crime. Deathstroke ditches his ex-wife Adeline Kane and his righthand man William Randolph Wintergreen to travel to Gotham (with thoughts of earning big bucks by offering his services to Jarrett). Deathstroke meets with Jarrett’s men but ultimately turns down an offer to work for their boss. Barker gets brought in by the GCPD but, much to the chagrin of Commissioner Gordon and Detective Pat Trayce, he’s granted immunity (as a federally protected witness) by FBI Agent Lorna Gaines. (Unknown to all, Gaines—working a shady deep cover FBI mission—is the actual mob assassin, not Barker. Also, Detective Trayce hates Barker because he killed her partner a couple years ago.) While Batman busts some of Jarrett’s men at the wharf, a masked Gaines tries to assassinate Barker, but Deathstroke—with plans of his own—abducts Barker. After a briefing from Commissioner Gordon, Batman gets recent intel on Deathstroke and calls Nightwing, who confirms that Deathstroke has once again become a villain. Meanwhile, Detective Trayce says goodbye to her family—young adoptive son Luis Trayce (her deceased partner’s son) and Luis’s aunt Louisa—and heads out after Barker. Following a shakedown of Deathstroke’s former assistant Scoops, Batman confronts Jarrett only to find that Deathstroke is already there with the same idea. Deathstroke then fights and actually defeats Batman. After besting a masked Gaines as well, Deathstroke dons a tuxedo and crashes a party at Wayne Manor. There, Slade asks Bruce to help him out. Together, they come up with a plan that involves Slade (disguised as Barker) getting kidnapped by Gaines. This outs Gaines’ big money boss Okada, upon which Batman rescues an injured Deathstroke. Batman takes a blood sample from Deathstroke and learns that he’s been doping with a high-octane but extremely dangerous cocktail of various performance enhancing serums and steroids. (Batman taking Slade’s blood is also shown via flashback from Deathstroke the Terminator #11.) On Dick’s urging, Bruce and Alfred meet with Wintergreen, who helps Slade recover. Across town, Detective Trayce quits the police and becomes the fourth Vigilante. Eventually, Batman, Deathstroke, and the new Vigilante take down a ton of mobsters and Gaines. The Vigilante shoots Gaines dead. Later, Deathstroke and the Vigilante (now partners and soon to be lovers) warn Barker that they’ll be keeping an eye on him for the rest of his life.

–Detective Comics #643 Intro Part 2
It’s been one week since Stanislaw Johns started dumping exhumed corpses across the city. Batman watches from a distance as police examine the latest body, which has been left in a garden.

–Batman: Gotham Nights #1
This is a great John Ostrander tale that intricately intertwines the lives of everyday people to show us a side of Gotham City less often seen. While the ode to Gotham plays out in the background, Batman chases after and busts Dio Viella’s associate Pack, who has kidnapped a baby. We meet a motley cast of characters, including Ray Fenton, Migdalia Viella (Dio’s wife), Migdalia and Dio’s unnamed baby, Jenny Lee, Jimmy Ciccerone, Joel Mayfield, Emma Mayfield, Dr. Leonetti, Rosemary Hayes, and Frank.

–Batman: Gotham Nights #3-4
Picking up immediately after Gotham Nights #1 and the Batman-less Gotham Nights #2, Batman locates the missing baby that Pack had taken. Having learned that the elderly Joel and Emma Mayfield used to know Thomas Wayne personally, Dr. Leonetti phones the Wayne Foundation. Dr. Leonetti tells Bruce that the Mayfields have fallen on hard times. Bruce agrees to help them out. Shortly thereafter, fate brings Dio Viella, Migdalia Viella, Jenny Lee, Jimmy Ciccerone, Joel, and Emma together on a Gotham street, just as a mentally-distressed Rosemary Hayes begins shooting at them from an observation tower above. Dio begins shooting back at her from below. Batman and Commissioner Gordon are quickly on hand to settle the situation. Afterward, Bruce meets with Dr. Leonetti and the Mayfields, giving the couple a Wayne Foundation annual charity stipend of $100,000 per annum plus full health insurance coverage.

–Detective Comics #643
It’s been two weeks since Stanislaw Johns started dumping exhumed corpses across the city. Batman watches from a distance as police examine the cemetery from where all the bodies have been stolen. Finally feeling confident in his abilities, Johns turns from the graveyard to live prey, beginning his Dewey Decimal System killing spree. This prompts Batman into action. With the help from the Johns’ former library co-worker, Batman brings the serial killer to justice.

–Batman #477-478 (“A GOTHAM TALE”)
The multi-year (albeit sporadic) reign of terror by the Gargoyle (Morris Eagleton) comes to an end in this slow-paced but rewarding John Wagner tale. It’s been three weeks since the death of David Creighton. At the “Treasures of the Canterbury Tales” exhibit, Batman and Christina Creighton enact their elaborate ruse, which involves a fake robbery-turned-massacre staged by the GCPD and getting “trapped” inside a walk-in safe with Eagleton. The trickery works like a charm. Eagleton makes a full confession and goes to jail.

–Ragman Vol. 2 #5-8
What is up with Gotham City and villains dressed as clowns or mimes? What is also up with Gotham City and vengeful golems? Batman has seen it all before, but apparently Ragman hasn’t and wants a piece of the action. The snowy winter weather must be ignored in this one. When a golem, aptly called The Golem (but he also goes by “Bud” and “Paul”), begins killing drug dealers and gang members (from The Mimes and The Nats) in one of Gotham’s poorest neighborhoods (i.e. in Ragman’s home neighborhood), the latter crews arm themselves, leading to even more deaths. (While there have been a couple golems in the history of the DCU, this is the second recurring Golem, not to be confused with the one from the Israeli super-team Hayoth.) Unknown to all, billionaire real estate mogul Howard Spratt has manipulated the gangs into feuding as part of a scheme to buy housing in their territory on the cheap. Soon after, at the Rags ‘n’ Tatters pawn shop, Rory Regan hangs out with his friend Rabbi Liebowitz, who is responsible for unleashing the Golem. Nearby, an unhoused Betty Boyg (aka Betty Berg) hangs out with the Golem and her doctor pal named Doc. After busting some Mimes, Ragman (Regan) fights and defeats the Golem. Afterward, Batman examines the scene of their combat. Later, having discovered that they’ve been played by Spratt, the gangs kill him. Ragman takes down some more Mimes and Nates before running smack dab into an angry Batman, upon which they engage in an epic fight. Eventually, the fights spills in front of dozens of neighborhood locals—including Betty, Rollie, Doc, and others. The crowd tells Batman to beat it, citing that Ragman is their hero and he (Batman) hardly ever bothers to show up in their neck of the woods. Batman stands down, upon which Betty tells him not to take it personally. Upon learning that Rabbi Liebowitz has died (of natural causes), Ragman moves to New Orleans.

–The Demon Vol. 3 #23-24 (“THE RETURN OF THE HOWLER”)
Ordered by Batman to surveil crook Pretty Boy Froyd, Robin watches as he purchases jewelry from Glenda Mark. Afterward, Robin is shocked as a Howler (a type of demon/werewolf crossbreed) kills Froyd. A friendly Etrigan helps Robin chase away the Howler, who returns to its handler, Professor Puckett. (Jason Blood and Etrigan now have an amicable shared body/mind host relationship.) Meanwhile, Batman tails Froyd’s associates, who get attacked by more Howlers, who subsequently turn them into Howlers as well. Etrigan finds Puckett and a bunch of Howlers at an abandoned factory, learning that the professor has been experimenting on people in an effort to find a cure for his brother (the Howler that killed Froyd). Soon, Etrigan, Batman, Robin, and a gun-toting Glenda fight a horde of Howlers, which tear Puckett to shreds. After killing all the Howlers, Glenda professes her undying love to Jason Blood. Batman and Robin swing away, giving the smooching lovers their privacy.

–Detective Comics #644-646 (“ELECTRIC CITY”)
Elmo “Buzz” Galvan (who has survived the electric chair and become a vindictive super-villain) returns with a vengeance, killing a couple men involved with his case. Commissioner Gordon mentions that one of Galvan’s victims—former Blackgate warden Sidney Lester—retired “last August.” Since Blackgate wasn’t operational last August, Gordon must mean the most recent August (i.e. two months ago). When another victim is electrified to death but in a slightly different way, everyone quickly realizes that there’s a second electricity-themed villain on the loose. This is the debuting Electrocutioner III (Lester Buchinsky), the second costumed vigilante/villain to go by the name Electrocutioner this year. Ever hear of originality? Come on, rogues—you can do better. Although, in this Electrocutioner’s defense, he is the brother of the original. While Batman fights Galvan, the new Electrocutioner—who is also trying to bring down Galvan—makes his presence felt. Feeling that Batman is in his way, the Electrocutioner kills him! It’s true! Kinda. Batman flatlines and is technically “dead” for nearly two minutes until Robin is able to convince the Electrocutioner to use his shockers as defibrillators, which restarts the Caped Crusader’s heart and saves his life! Later, Batman tells Gordon, Sarah Essen, Harvey Bullock, and Renee Montoya that either a judge or a Gotham Gazette reporter will be Galvan’s next target. The cops and the Electrocutioner butt heads at the judge’s estate while the Dynamic Duo fight Galvan at the Gotham Gazette building. Galvan kills the journalist and begins destroying an entire city block. As the city falls into a panic, Galvan says he’ll kill Gordon next. As they prepare for his assault on the precinct, Gordon and Sarah show some doubt about their engagement, but mostly on Gordon’s end, stemming from fear that his dangerous and busy life could interfere with their relationship. Wanting to re-emphasize his love and devotion to his fiancée, Gordon has finally purchased a proper engagement ring for Sarah, but he struggles to find the right moment to give it to her. And the moment is very bad as Galvan attacks them head-on. In the end, Batman, Robin, Gordon, and Sarah prevent the Electrocutioner from interfering while bringing down Galvan as well. Both villains go to jail. Sarah lovingly accepts Gordon’s ring, reaffirming their engagement.

–Justice League Europe #37-40
Bruce is asked by the United Nations to attend a black tie fundraiser at the JLE’s London embassy, which is now their new primary headquarters. The JLE prepares for said fundraiser by getting fitted for brand new outfits (courtesy of designer Paul Gambi). Meanwhile, Scotland Yard’s Inspector Marple talks with Sue Dibny about the potential threat of newcomer Deconstructo, whom Bruce sees protesting outside the building. Catherine Cobert, now holding a higher-up position at the UN, is also in attendance for the gala. When Deconstructo proves to be a legitimate threat (by wielding an alien trans-position wand that can warp reality), Sue asks Batman to be the JLE’s new leader. Batman declines the offer to lead, but he does help the team take on Deconstructo. After speaking with Bruce’s connections in the London art world, Batman discovers that Deconstructo is radical artist Archie Tipple. Using this intel to their advantage, Batman and the JLE defeat Deconstructo. As referenced in JLA Secret Files and Origins #2 Part 2, the JLE keeps Deconstructo’s wand as a trophy. Afterward, Batman turns down another offer to lead the team. While Batman may not be onboard, Hal Jordan takes the job and joins the JLE. Soon after, the JLE (sans Batman but with Metamorpho) takes on the demigod-monster Chthon in Greece.

–Batman #479-480
In issue #479 the ultra-buff Pagan is out for revenge against the two men who brutally assaulted her sister, causing the latter to commit suicide. After Pagan kidnaps and tortures the first man, Batman begins working the case. Batman interrupts Pagan torturing the second man, busting both of them. In issue #480, after the Y-Dogs gang vandalizes his mother’s grave, Tim roughs some of them up. Later, in an important moment for Tim’s character development, he struggles with whether or not to tell his father that he is Robin. Batman says he will support whatever choice he makes. Robin mentions that his dad is receiving care from Dr. Shondra Kinsolving. Shortly thereafter, Batman and Robin take down the Y-Dogs, who are in league with a corrupt CEO from Drake Industries. In the end, Tim decides to keep his secret from his dad. Alfred suggests that the Drakes move into the vacant estate adjacent to Wayne Manor.

–Aquaman Vol. 4 #8
Aquaman has a heart-t0-heart with Aqualad, who has spent the past few months rehabilitating from injuries suffered at the hands of the Wildebeest Society. Later, Aquaman—along with his political advisors Richard Mission and Martina Mericloinka—visits New York City as part of a push to get Atlantis recognized by the United Nations. Immediately after addressing the UN about the importance of environmentalism, Aquaman is shot at by a brand new NKVDemon, who has been secretly hired by crooked businessman Jordan Wylie. Wylie has ties to an evil oil company (think Halliburton) that wants the eco-friendly hero out of the picture. Having tracked NKVDemon to NYC, Batman was not only able to hear Aquaman’s speech, but he now saves his life as well. Going solo, Aquaman defeats NKVDemon. Afterward, a disguised Batman helps bandage up his injured friend. Upon being sent to jail, NKVDemon is quickly killed by Wylie’s agents.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Birth of the Demon. This item occurs weeks prior to the Batman: Birth of the Demon introduction/prelude and one month prior to the main action of Batman: Birth of the Demon. Bruce’s scientists finally decipher the ancient manuscript that tells of Ra’s al Ghul’s entire history, upon which Bruce reads about the origin of his immortal rival. Bruce continues funding the Wayne Foundation’s efforts to locate Lazarus Pit locations.

–Batman #481-482
When Batman catches wind that Maxie Zeus is planning a remote strike upon him from Arkham Asylum, the Dark Knight shakes down one of his top lieutenants (whom he knows about from his Bat-computer crime database). Meanwhile, Maxie’s girlfriend Iris Phelios is assaulted by Maxie’s own men, who have now betrayed him. Iris goes briefly into the care of Dr. Shondra Kinsolving. Batman visits Arkham to discuss Maxie with the director of the institution, who mentions that their conversation will be his last official duty as the head of the prison. He’s set to be replaced by Dr. Jeremiah Arkham in a mere forty-eight hours. Later, by day, the Drakes tour the vacant mansion adjacent to the Wayne property (and decide they are going to move in). By night, Tim guides Batman toward a museum heist being perpetrated by Maxie’s former crew. To Batman’s surprise, he finds Iris—now the one-shot super-villain known as The Harpy—avenging her man against the thieves. The Harpy turns her attention to Batman, holding her own against him, which inadvertently allows the thieves to lam. The next day, while the Drakes move in next-door to Wayne Manor, Batman meets with Arkham’s director for the final time, chats with Maxie, and then finds that the Harpy has killed several members of Maxie’s old gang. Eventually, after the Harpy takes down her final target, Batman takes her down.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1. The eccentric Dr. Jeremiah Arkham is put in charge of Arkham Asylum, officially taking over the family business. (Jeremiah is the nephew of Amadeus Arkham, who was the original founder and director of Arkham Asylum back in the 1920s and 1930s.) With complete control of all the prison and its inmates, Jeremiah’s first act is to renovate the premises and initiate the construction a brand new state-of-the-art security wing. As such, all the inmates are temporarily moved (likely into Blackgate Penitentiary) to allow the upgrades to take place. Zolly Hiram‘s construction firm begins work right away. As per Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1, it’ll take mere weeks for the construction to wrap. Because we don’t have much room on our timeline, the absolute most that the renovations and construction can span is a week-and-a-half, starting now. (It’s entirely possible that metahumans assist on the project, thus speeding things up.)

–Batman/Green Arrow: The Poison Tomorrow^[19]
When Black Canary contracts a potentially fatal virus from a contagious Dr. Efrem Parsons, Green Arrow follows the trail of contamination from Seattle to Gotham City, soon teaming up with Batman on the case. After Dr. Parsons dies of the virus, Batman delivers his body to Dr. Albert Lyle for autopsy. There’s a scene in which Batman blindfolds Green Arrow before taking him into the Batcave—and, throughout this item, Batman is extremely secretive around Green Arrow in general. Of course, thanks to Identity Crisis retcons, Batman and Green Arrow shared their secret identities with each other years ago, so all of this added caution on Batman’s part must be ignored. Thanks to Dr. Lyle’s autopsy, our heroes link the virus to Poison Ivy. After busting Benny Stout at Dr. Parson’s hotel room, Batman learns that Poison Ivy is hiding out in Appleville, a nearby town that has been quarantined due to toxicity in its building materials. After researching Appleville’s history, Batman accompanies Green Arrow there, learning further that Poison Ivy (along with an evil business tycoon named Fenn) has a plot to put the virus into baby food on the shelves of grocery stores. Batman stops the poisoned shipments, during which one of the truck drivers crashes to his death. (Notably, I haven’t included this as an instance of Batman killing someone because I think that the driver’s own actions were mostly the cause of his demise.) Meanwhile, Green Arrow confronts Poison Ivy for the very first time in his career! When Feen sees that he’s about to be implicated, he remotely blows up Appleville. Poison Ivy is seemingly killed in the ensuing fire, but we’ll see her again, so she must make a last minute escape somehow. Eventually, Black Canary is cured thanks to a bone marrow transplant. Batman then busts Fenn.

–REFERENCE: In Underworld Unleashed: Batman – Devil’s Asylum #1. Batman apprehends the terrorist poisoner known as Kryppen after the villain poisons an entire boy scout troop. This case has never been written about in detail, but I’ve placed it here because Dr. Arkham is very familiar with Kryppen when we next see him next year.

–Catwoman: Defiant (aka Batman: Catwoman Defiant)
This weird Peter Milligan story goes in close proximity to Penguin: Triumphant. (Catwoman: Defiant and Penguin: Triumphant were released together in 1992 to promote Tim Burton’s Batman Returns film.) Batman reluctantly recruits Catwoman to help him take down the gang known as the Model Army, which is run by the elusive crime-boss known only as Mr. Handsome. Mr. Handsome’s modus operandi is to collect “beautiful things” and destroy them. Naturally, Batman wants to use the gorgeous Catwoman, with whom Mr. Handsome is madly in love—as bait. Mr. Handsome takes the bait and sends the Model Army to kidnap Catwoman. Even with Batman’s pre-planned protection, Catwoman is nabbed, chained, and thrown into an abandoned mineshaft, which contains a sci-fi cannibalistic ogre creature. A woman named Mary (who has botched plastic surgery scars all over her face and claims to be Mr. Handsome’s wife) shows up out of nowhere to save Catwoman, but Mary seemingly falls to her death at the bottom of the mineshaft in the process. Catwoman then angrily rushes into Mr. Handsome’s chamber to kick some ass, but—what a twist (!)—Mr. Handsome is Mary! Catwoman locks Mary and the ogre inside the mine. Batman arrives on the scene to help Catwoman, who nonchalantly ushers him into the mine (without informing him about the ogre). Our story ends with a smiling Batman in an arm-sling, shaking his head. Oh, Catwoman. Oh, you.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1-4 (“THE LAST ARKHAM”)
November. The week-and-a-half-long renovation and construction at Arkham Asylum is complete, so all the inmates are returned to the premises where Dr. Jeremiah Arkham wields an iron fist over them. When a family is seemingly slaughtered by Victor Zsasz, Batman and Commissioner have their first meeting with Dr. Arkham, who assures them that Zsasz remains safely locked up. But when more bodies appear, having clearly been diced-up by Zsasz, our Batman and Gordon know the killer has somehow been getting in and out of the new facility. Thus, Batman and Gordon concoct a scheme where the Dark Knight gets in a public argument with Stan Kitch and seemingly kills him. This gets Batman committed to Arkham Asylum where, undercover as an inmate, he can figure out how Zsasz keeps escaping and returning. While Robin keeps the streets safe on the outside, Nightwing breaks into Arkham to check on Batman. Together, Batman and Nightwing rummage through Dr. Arkham’s office and fend off angry orderlies, but Batman eventually returns to his cell in chains. The next day, as punishment, Dr. Arkham siccs twenty inmates on Batman, including Joker, Scarecrow, Cornelius Stirk, Amygdala, the Spook, Riddler, Black Mask, Mad Hatter, Penguin, Egghead, Poison Ivy, Maxie Zeus, and more. Despite the odds, Batman bests them all at once! When Zolly Hiram dies of mysterious causes, Nightwing follows clues that lead him to the sewer exit of a secret tunnel that Zsasz has been using to leave jail. Leaving through the same passageway, Batman joins up with Nightwing to help bust Zsasz.

—^[20]

–Penguin: Triumphant Part 1 (aka Batman: Penguin Triumphant Part 1)
November. Penguin gets paroled and announces that he’s cleaning up his act and going into legitimate business! Batman and Robin read about it in the paper, with the latter quipping, “I bet Donald Trump is shaking in his boots.” In reality, Penguin hasn’t gone straight. In fact, he’s invented a computer program that allows him to manipulate the stock market. Almost instantaneously, Penguin begins raking in what appears to be totally legitimate money. Crooked financier Randall Holmes doesn’t know Penguin’s secret methodology, but he wants to find out so he can get rid of Penguin and use it for himself. Holmes tasks his bodyguard Cale to keep a close eye on Penguin.

–Batman #483
Crash and Burn are the new one-shot Bonnie and Clyde. After running amok in Gotham, Batman and Robin bring them to justice.

ECLIPSO: THE DARKNESS WITHIN
———————–Detective Comics Annual #5
———————–Green Arrow Vol. 2 Annual #5
———————–Robin Vol. 2 Annual #1
———————–Batman Annual #16
After the Ventriloquist and Scarface re-open their old club, they bust Joker out of Arkham Asylum, hoping he can tell them where he’s hidden millions of dollars of loot from a previous heist. Meanwhile, Batman busts some robbers, earning him a curious black diamond as a trophy. Soon after, Dr. Bruce Gordon, the original host-body for the demonic force known as Eclipso, warns Jim Gordon (no relation) and Batman that some of the black diamonds that hold Eclipso’s essence have found their way into Gotham. Batman tells him his diamond is safe in the Batcave. However, a perturbed Commissioner Gordon comes into contact with one of the other diamonds, allowing a negativity-fueled Eclipso beast to emerge and begin immediately hunting Joker. (We are told that Commissioner Gordon is upset because it’s the the second anniversary of Babs’ shooting, but it’s nowhere near the anniversary, so we must retcon the commish’s bad mood to be on account of the simple fact that Joker has flown the coop.) Batman, Commissioner Gordon, and Stan Kitch take down the Eclipso beast (and the Ventriloquist), but Joker escapes clean. Later, in Seattle, more diamonds turn Black Canary, Wren Cole, and Gan Williams (formerly known as the superhero Thunder) into evil Eclipso monsters. Batman travels to the Pacific Northwest to assist Green Arrow with the situation. Back in Gotham, Robin searches for more diamonds, quickly running into  Anarky, who has escaped Juvenile Hall and stolen five diamonds. (This is Tim’s first in-costume meeting with Anarky. Robin refers to Anarky as being fourteen-years-old, but he definitely can’t be older than thirteen at this point.) Anarky uses the diamonds to wreak havoc before making a public list of demands from Mayor Goode. Anarky asks for the creation of a metropolitan inclusion zone for automobiles, an increase in welfare payments, the housing of the homeless, and Commissioner Gordon to be replaced by a citizen’s committee. Aside from his ultimatum that involves blowing up a new bridge, this is incredible. Anarky is the hero Gotham needs! While Batman chats with Anarky’s parents, Anarky succumbs to the power of the diamonds, weilding it to knock down the bridge. Robin stops Anarky from destroying a telecom tower, after which the diamonds turn a young girl into a vicious Eclipso-powered T rex. Robin and Anarky team-up to defeat the dinosaur, after which Robin busts Anarky. Later, Batman shakes down one of Joker’s former associates in an effort to locate the fugitive villain. After some routine patrolling, Batman soon comes across another Eclipso beast, which leads him to a waxworks. There, Joker gives himself Eclipso powers, prompting Batman to do the same! The two monster versions of each other battle it out like King Kong and Godzilla until the sun comes up, reverting them back to their correct sizes. Once in their natural states, Batman easily apprehends Joker.

–REFERENCE: In New Titans #89-90 and Deathstroke the Terminator #14. Batman is not involved in this item (which goes shortly after “Eclipso: The Darkness Within”), but he would certainly be informed. Donna Troy (Troia) not only learns that she is pregnant, but, due to her goddess DNA, her fetus is growing at a rapid pace and she’ll have to deliver the baby within days! Thus, Donna gives birth to little Robert Long. Unfortunately, Donna and her husband Terry will get divorced in the near future.

–Batman: Birth of the Demon Intro
Batman has spent months trying to pinpoint the locations of the mystical Lazarus Pits. In this short prelude to Birth of the Demon, Bruce finally gets some viable intel, which leads Batman to take down Ra’s al Ghul’s men at a Lazarus Pit dig site. During the fight, Batman falls into some toxic waste, getting badly poisoned. Elsewhere, Ra’s al Ghul also suffers from illness, desperately overdue for  a Lazarus rejuvenation. While we won’t see it on our timeline ahead, in the coming weeks, Batman’s condition will quietly worsen. Additionally, while we also won’t see it on our timeline, in the coming weeks, Batman will take down more of Ra’s al Ghul’s men at five other Lazarus Pit dig sites.

–Detective Comics #647-649
Note that we must ignore the topical Labor Day time setting of this arc. The authoritarian Armand Krol campaigns for mayor, running on a “tough on crime” platform that cites Jim Gordon as weak. (Gordon says that Krol has been Gotham’s district attorney for the past eight years, but this can’t be the case since Richard Jaynes was DA last year. Maybe Gordon meant to say eight months? Or it’s possible that Krol was DA for a first term starting eight years ago and then was recently re-elected.) Meanwhile, Cluemaster returns, committing a series of high-profile puzzle-themed heists. Gotham’s newest teenage superhero, Stephanie Brown aka Spoiler aka Cluemaster’s daughter, debuts, hoping to spoil her dad’s plans. (She will also become the first female Robin a few years later, and then one of several new Batgirls.) Unable to link Cluemaster to the crimes, the GCPD gets blasted by candidate Krol, who espouses anti-Gordon rhetoric. Batman and Robin shake-down low-level crooks Mousie and Moosie and now ex-gang member Jimmy Wing for information. Wing confirms that Cluemaster is behind the crimes. At the Mayoral Mansion, Gordon meets with Mayor Goode and Krol, learning that they’ve cut a backroom deal. (Goode’s hair is drawn too thick while his skin is accidentally colored too dark, but this is definitely meant to be Goode.) Goode has decided not to run in the upcoming election. I can’t blame him. Much to Gordon’s chagrin, Krol has gotten Goode’s endorsement and will basically be running unopposed. Shortly thereafter, Batman and Robin meet Spoiler. Robin tracks Spoiler to her suburban home where she lives with her mom Crystal Brown, thus confirming her identity. Eventually, Spoiler helps the Dynamic Duo bust her dad. A flashback from Bruce Wayne: The Road Home—Batgirl #1 also details this arc.

–Detective Comics #651
Prior to the excellent Harvey Bullock one-shot Detective Comics #651 (by Chuck Dixon), we have Detective Comics #650—a cute issue that details both the adventures of Harold and the adventures of Alfred and Tim driving around in a van. Batman is absent from this issue, hence its absence from our list. Moving onto our issue at hand, Detective Harvey Bullock enlists Batman to find out who has been making recent threats upon his life. Several assassination attempts follow. Batman and Bullock bust Bullock’s old rival Vinnie “The Shark” Starkey, but he’s ruled out as the assassin. (Bullock sent Starkey to jail eight years ago.) Bullock’s actual would-be-killer is revealed to be his landlord Nivens, who wants him to move out because he’s a slobbish tenant.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #5
Motivated by the fact that his ex-girlfriend (and mother of his child) is hooked on heroin, the previously retired Black Spider returns to kill drug dealers, thus butting heads with Batman. Later, Black Spider’s ex dies of an overdose and their son dies by accidentally mistaking her heroin for sugar and putting it on his cereal. Batman bears witness as Black Spider tracks down the culpable dealer and detonates a bomb strapped to his chest, committing suicide and getting revenge in one fell swoop. In a side note, Lucifer abdicates his throne, allowing many of the eternally damned to escape Hell (as seen in Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman aka Sandman Vol. 2). As such, Black Spider quietly returns from the dead. It’s worth noting that, the new rulers of Hell consist of a triumvirate of demons, which include The First of the Fallen, The Second of the Fallen, and The Third of the Fallen, while the angels Remiel and Duma nominally rule, having been granted authority by Dream (aka Morpheus aka The Sandman) of the Endless.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #6
John Kennedy Payne is your average racist xenophobe, who happens to have been granted an early release from prison in exchange for allowing the CIA to experiment on him (resulting in him gaining super-strength). (This story was written in 1992, but, on our time-slid chronology, we’d are months after 9/11, which retroactively seems quite apropos for Payne’s sick motivation.) Payne runs foreign cars off the road, stomps out puppies, and flips his lid when he discovers his daughter is married to an Southeast Asian man. The Dark Knight beats-up the cracked-out “Captain America,” who eventually gets shot dead by CIA agents. Batman then leaks the details of Payne’s connection to the CIA to the press.

—^[21]

–Justice League America #66
Batman hears that Guy Gardner has recently quit the JLA, leaving the JLA’s current lineup featuring Superman, Bloodwynd (Martian Manhunter), Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Fire, Ice, and Maxima (who has been wrongly accused of murder). Concerned, Batman visits Superman in Metropolis to discuss the team. Meanwhile, at the recently upgraded NYC embassy (which is run by Max Lord and Oberon), Guy Gardner picks a fight with his former teammates. The JLA, Batman, and the Atom watch as Gardner fights Superman. Afterward, Batman convinces Superman to allow Gardner to rejoin the team.

–Penguin: Triumphant Part 2 (aka Batman: Penguin Triumphant Part 2)
Ignore the topical summer setting in this one. Mere weeks after announcing that his life of crime is over, Penguin has become an ultra wealthy socialite thanks to his computer manipulation of the stock market. After schmoozing with big-wigs at a Wayne Manor party, Bruce invites Oswald Cobblepot to house-sit while he is away on vacation. As Oswald throws a raucous nouveau riche party, Batman and Robin spy on the parvenu from the Batcave in an attempt to figure out his computer scheme. Batman and Robin solve the mystery at the same time as Penguin’s bloodthirsty business “partner” Randall Holmes, who sends his bodyguard Cale to assassinate Penguin. Batman takes down Cale, but Penguin gets shot in the shoulder and then attacked by his rival Bethany Wilcox. Holmes goes to jail and Penguin goes back to Arkham Asylum.

–Batman: Birth of the Demon
Birth of the Demon is incredibly hard to place, but it should definitely go prior to the main thrust of Doug Moench’s run, which is why I’ve placed its primary action here. Batman’s intel points him to a specific spot in the desert of North Africa where he confronts Talia by the side of a Lazarus Pit. Batman mentions that his scientists found Ra’s al Ghul’s manuscript six months ago, but, due to compression and sliding-time, it was more like five months ago. Talia then spins Batman a yarn, detailing the ancient origins of her father as told in said manuscript. (Notably, Talia tells Batman that her mother Melisande hooked up with her father at Woodstock in 1969. Obviously, at the time of publication—in 1993—this made sense, but, due to compression and sliding-time, that simply can no longer be the case since Talia was born around 1976.) Talia kisses Batman, learning that he is near death thanks to toxic waste exposure from a couple weeks go. An emaciated Ra’s al Ghul then appears, leading the an epic shirtless fight. Eventually, Ra’s al Ghul kicks the shit out of Batman. After a moment’s hesitation, Ra’s impales a shovel deep into Bruce’s chest, seemingly murdering him! Luckily, Bruce topples into the Lazarus Pit. He later awakens with his wounds healed, but Ra’s al Ghul (now also rejuvenated) and Talia have long gone. Bruce’s revitalization in the Lazarus Pit is extremely important because this act will have long-term effects upon his physical nature. Bathing in the primordial ooze in Birth of the Demon is one of only a few reasons why Bruce’s body is able to retain its youth and resiliency as he starts to reach an age where he should be losing a step-or-two.

–FLASHBACK: From Bruce Wayne: The Road Home—Oracle #1—and also referenced in The Batman Files. Oracle (Barbara Gordon) unveils her clocktower apartment headquarters to Bruce. She even gives him an architectural blueprint of the HQ. This more-or-less cements the working relationship between Batman and Oracle. Don’t forget, according to flashbacks from The Batman Chronicles #5 Part 1, Babs took the Oracle name earlier this year, implying that she was using the name prior to (and simultaneously with) her “Amy Beddoes” persona. (Aside from flashbacks and the forthcoming Batman: Sword of Azrael and Batman: DOA, we won’t really see Oracle commonly used by writers again until after Zero Hour.)

–Detective Comics #652-653
November 19-21—our story culminates on the fictional Volzcek Day (an annual Transbelvian festival celebrated in Gotham). Helena Bertinelli has moved back to Gotham. By day, she is a high school teacher. By night, she is Huntress. After disguising himself as a homeless man to surveil Helena, Batman confronts her in his fighting togs. Soon, they team-up against Eastern European terrorists (from Krasna-Volny), who claim diplomatic immunity. Despite not getting along, Batman and Huntress work the case together. A vague flashback from Huntress Vol. 2 #2 shows Batman and Huntress wailing on some random bad guys. This flashback might not necessarily show them fighting the Krasna-Volnians, but it sure could (and makes quite a bit of sense attached to this item). In the end, Huntress winds up killing one of the retaliating villains, much to the chagrin of Batman.

–Batman #484-486
While Batman does his routine patrol, a Wayne Enterprises-owned property is burned by an escaped Black Mask and his False Face Society. Bruce briefly chats with Vicki Vale, who says she is still dating Horton Spence. Soon, three more arson fires are set at Bruce’s real estate holdings. Bruce and Lucius worry about the fires and the potential they could have in convincing the public to vote for mayoral candidate Armand Krol. (The election is mere days away.) An escaped Black Mask, with the assistance of his new top henchman Tattoo, kidnaps Lucius. Black Mask also finds his old flame Circe (the former supermodel, not the ancient Greek sorceress) and forces her to join his ranks. The bad guys continue their slow assault on Wayne Enterprises by kidnapping WayneCorp executive Howard Rambeau. Eventually, Batman and Robin (with some help from Circe) take down the False Face Society and rescue Fox. Batman then busts Tattoo, but Black Mask escapes and Rambeau is killed. (Batman’s fights against Black Mask and Tattoo are shown via flashback from Batman #497.) Despite Black Mask’s clean getaway, Batman refuses to give up the chase. The Dark Knight hunts Black Mask for a full twenty-four hours before calling it a day because his nose is broken and it’s been gushing blood at a steady pace. In fact, Batman has dried blood all over his face for the entirety of issue #486 when Metalhead interferes with his search for Black Mask. The Metalhead scuffle features some very badass Doug Moench writing as he’s slowly setting the pace for “Knightfall.” Batman is becoming more and more obsessive, with less regard for his physical well-being. “To hell with the blood,” grumbles Batman. To hell, indeed! Awesome. Despite getting bashed pretty badly, Batman defeats Metalhead in a cemetery. (Batman’s fight against Metalhead is also shown via flashback from Batman #497 and Batman #500.) Alfred and Robin then usher the injured Batman back home.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman #497. Picking up immediately following Batman #486, Alfred and Robin help the injured Batman (following his battle against Metalhead in the cemetery) into the Batcave. Although he can barely stand on his own, Batman prepares to ascend the staircase up to Wayne Manor.

–Batman #487 Part 1
Picking up directly from Batman #486 and our previous Batman #497 flashback bridge-sequence, the badly injured Batman stumbles up the stairs from the Batcave into Wayne Manor above. In the morning, Bruce sees Dr. Morris Gribbens and has some tests done. Meanwhile, from behind bars, gangster Vincent Morelli confers with his underling Johnnie, putting a hit out on Commissioner Gordon. Thus begins what we are told is a week of total inactivity from Batman while he rests and tries to recover. There’s really not room for such a break on our tightly-compressed timeline, but if you want to include this, that’s up to your own personal headcanon.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Shadow of the Bat #7. Armand Krol is elected the new mayor of Gotham.

–REFERENCE: In Batman #487 Part 2. Jim Gordon and Sarah Essen get married! It’s unclear if Batman is directly involved with the wedding, but he’d definitely know about it either way. Notably, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #2 (1992) depicts their marriage, but it’s out-of-continuity because it contradicts Arnold Flass’ death in Dark Victory (1999-2000). Some online sources have tried to do unique retcons of LOTDK Annual #2, splitting it up so parts of it can be included in earlier areas of the chronology, but that seems like taking extreme liberties with the urtext and really doesn’t make much sense. Because LOTDK Annual #2 is definitively out-of-continuity thanks to Dark Victory, the first canonical mention of Jim and Sarah’s nuptials is in Batman #487 Part 2 (which originally took place immediately after LOTDK Annual #2 anyway).

–Batman #487 Part 2
It’s supposedly been a week of inactivity for the Caped Crusader since Batman #487 Part 2, but, as stated above, due to time compression, this isn’t quite possible. Only a day or two could have passed at most, although it’s up to you if you want to include the full hiatus. Dr. Gribbens tells the battered Bruce he should consider seeing Dr. Shondra Kinsolving for professional therapy. Soon after, Sarah Essen-Gordon tells Batman that an assassin named Headhunter is planning on collecting Vincent Morelli’s bounty on her husband. Angry that Batman won’t bring her along, Sarah shoots the Bat-Signal with a gun. After stalking Headhunter (whom he knows about from his Bat-computer database), the beaten-down Batman saves Commissioner Gordon’s life and busts the hitman. (Batman’s fight against Headhunter is also shown via flashback from Batman #497.) Afterward, a frazzled Sarah thanks Batman for saving Jim but tells him to stay out of their lives. Since we’ll see the Bat-Signal in upcoming stories (as notably referenced in Batman: Shadow of the Bat #8), we must assume that it gets fixed right away.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #7-15
These are primarily a bunch of one-shot stories that DC editors get out of the way before Doug Moench’s emergent “Knightfall” arc (the seeds of which have already been sewn in Batman #484-487) kicks into high gear. In SOTB #7-10 (an arc entitled “Misfits,” beautifully drawn by Tim Sale), Batman loses track of a newcomer named Chancer after another vigilante called Nimrod the Hunter gets in the way. Chancer then joins other C-List rogues Killer Moth, Calendar Man, and Catman to kidnap Jim Gordon, Bruce, and newly elected Mayor Armand Krol. (Technically, Krol is mayor-elect and won’t be inaugurated until January, but because Mayor Goode had already stepped aside for him during the election, Krol is more-or-less already running the municipal government.) After conferring with Sarah Essen-Gordon, Robin (with Ace the Bat-Hound) teams-up with Nimrod the Hunter to rescue everyone. Batman and Nimrod then take down the bad guys. In issue #10, a letter addressed to Thomas Wayne arrives at Wayne Manor. In the envelope is an invitation from an old Scottish man named Angus MacAbre to attend a dinner (along with some of Thomas’ old associates at the hospital) at his MC Escher-inspired castle on the outskirts of Gotham. Bruce investigates, finding that his dad and the other invitees delivered Angus’ baby Lachlan thirty years ago. Unfortunately, the mother died and Lachlan came out as a little fur-ball with adult teeth. Sensing a revenge plot, Batman visits Angus’ castle only to run into Lachlan, who is basically now Sloth from The Goonies. Eventually, it turns out that Angus isn’t out for revenge, he just wanted to teach his guests a lesson about compassion. In SOTB #11-12 (entitled “The Human Flea”), Mortimer Kadaver, who has terminal brain cancer, breaks out of Blackgate Penitentiary with the intention of releasing a deadly pneumonic plague across the city as his final act. Meanwhile, Batman meets rookie hero The Human Flea, even attending the vigilante’s grandparents’ flea circus as part of his investigation into the newcomer. After Kadaver kills his grandpa, the Human Flea teams-up with Batman. Eventually, Kadaver kills his partner, anti-capitalist animal rights activist Jan Bodie, after which Batman and the Human Flea prevent him from releasing his plague. In SOTB #13, an unhoused man learns Batman’s secret identity when his mask falls off while knocking-out a bad guy named Johnny Zero. The unhoused man then reveals Batman’s secret to crime-boss Doc Creasey, who stabs him and leaves him for dead. Before dying, the unhoused man visits Bruce and tells him what has occurred. Batman crashes an auction in which Creasey is trying to sell off the information to the highest bidder. No super-villains are present, but they have sent representatives in their place. Joker, for example, somehow attending via remote video from Arkham Asylum, sends his man Studs Dolan (who Batman knows about from his Bat-Computer database). The auction ends with Dolan shooting Creasey dead before he can spill the beans to anyone. In SOTB #14-15 (entitled “Gotham Freaks”), Batman is called in to work an ongoing robbery case against the returning minor villain Mirage (Kerry Austin). When Mirage loses Batman by sneaking into Gina Corolla’s freak show at the Gotham Funfair amusement park, Batman goes undercover as Gina’s newest employee. In doing so, Batman quickly learns that the Funfair is hemorrhaging money and that Gina’s boyfriend (Mirage) has been stealing to keep the freak show operational. Batman busts them both. Feeling bad about the freaks potentially losing their jobs, Bruce purchases the Funfair.

–Batman: Sword of Azrael #1-4
November—our story begins during Gotham’s annual Founder’s Day Parade. An unending chain of Azrael knights have served the Sacred Order of St. Dumas as their avenging warrior knights since the 15th century. In a public scene, the current Azrael is murdered by international arms dealer Carlton LeHah, who has betrayed the Sacred Order and now serves the demon Biis. Batman immediately begins investigating LeHah, soon learning about the Sacred Order’s history from Oracle. Meanwhile, the deceased Azrael’s son, unassuming graduate student Jean-Paul Valley, is whisked away to the Swiss Alps by the Sacred Order’s servant Nomoz, who “activates” Jean-Paul’s hidden combat power known as The System, which has been secretly subliminally-programmed into his mind for years. Thus, Jean-Paul turns into the newest Azrael, an incredibly skilled war-machine, haunted by random hallucinatory visions of former Azrael warriors. Bruce and Alfred trail LeHah to the Swiss Alps only for the villain to shoot down their helicopter. Batman (in a new heated costume) winds up fighting Azrael to a stalemate. (This fight is also shown via flashback from Batman #488 and Batman: Shadow of the Bat #19.) Soon after, in Geneva, LeHah kills a Sacred Order member before taking down Azrael and Batman, back-to-back. LeHah kidnaps Batman, discovers his secret identity, and moves him to Calais, France. There, LeHah kills another Sacred Order member and then drugs Batman with a powerful truth serum, but the Caped Crusader is able to resist it. Azrael, Nomoz, and Alfred try to rescue Batman in London, but LeHah (having killed another Sacred Order member and now wearing Batman’s costume) fends them off. LeHah then takes the captive Batman to Texas. Before LeHah can torture Batman, Azrael saves Batman’s life and finally defeats LeHah with his newfound fighting abilities.

–Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1
Sword of Azrael introduced us to Jean-Paul Valley. And now, Vengeance of Bane introduces us to Bane! The wheels are ever turning us closer to “Knightfall.” This issue gives us the detailed history and origin of Bane, a man raised from birth in a prison on the Caribbean isle of Santa Prisca. Backed by henchmen Trogg, Zombie, and Bird (and Bird’s pet falcon Talon), Bane dons a signature luchador mask, hulks up on Venom, and takes out some of Gotham’s top mobsters. Batman works the case, going after some suspects. As Batman works, he is silently stalked by Bane—which is also shown via flashback from the second feature to Countdown to Final Crisis #7. Bane then kills Batman’s prey before confronting the Caped Crusader face-to-face. Batman doesn’t know who Bane is, but it won’t be long before he’ll never forget him. If there ever was a truly great introduction to a new villain, this book is it.

–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Detective Comics #782. Late November—the anniversary of Batman’s parents’ deaths. Batman places two roses at his parents’ Crime Alley murder site.

–Justice League America #70
Late November—a tie-in to part one of “Funeral For a Friend.”^[22] Superman has just been killed by Doomsday (as seen in Superman Vol. 2 #75). Doomsday has also fallen in battle. As seen via flashback from Justice League of America Vol. 2 #0, Batman and Wonder Woman mourn as they first hear about Superman’s death. The stunned superhero community (including several JLA members that had been hospitalized by Doomsday) reacts to the terrible news. Batman, Robin, Hal Jordan, Hawkman (Katar Hol), Nightwing, Starfire, Flash, Alan Scott, Jay Garrick, Power Girl, Elongated Man, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Etrigan, Oberon, Max Lord, Maxima, Fire, Ice, and Bloodwynd (Martian Manhunter) all gather in New York City to give each other support. Loners Guy Gardner and a new Black Condor (Ryan Kendall) pay their respects from a distance. Oberon gives everyone black arm bands to wear in honor of their fallen friend. The heroes will wear the arm bands on-and-off for the next few months. In order to cover the deceased Superman’s secret identity, Lois will report that Clark went missing during the Doomsday chaos.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #683 Part 2. Batman shuts down a numbers racket run by an unnamed gangster in the Glendale section of Gotham.

–FLASHBACK: From Nightwing Vol. 2 #75. Batman, Robin, Nightwing, and Spoiler go on an unspecified mission, after which Batman tells a dejected Spoiler she’s not ready to be a superhero.

–Batman #488
Bruce comes to suspect WayneTech employee Tony Chekko of being a member of The Skulls, a notorious biker gang that is now in the industrial spy game. Soon after, Batman briefs Robin about Azrael. Bruce (and Lucius Fox) give Jean-Paul Valley a day job as a security guard at WayneTech. By night, Batman orders Robin to begin training Jean-Paul. Batman hopes that Jean-Paul will be able to control his twisted “System” mind-programming and use his abilities for good. Completely burned out, Batman collapses out of sheer exhaustion in the Batcave. The next morning, Jean-Paul starts work under his new boss, Wayne Enterprises security chief Sal Fiorini. Alfred descends into the Batcave with breakfast in hand only to find Batman still passed out on the stairs. Batman shakes it off and tries to meditate, but he just can’t focus. Later, Robin gives Jean-Paul a new superhero costume designed by Harold. Training begins and includes the duo busting Chekko and the Skulls. Meanwhile, Bruce finally gets around to scheduling an appointment with Dr. Shondra Kinsolving.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: DOA. Batman meets Gotham’s new coroner Dr. Lawson.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Unseen #5. WayneTech scientist Dr. Nigel Glass works on a top secret invisibility serum. When it’s brought to Bruce’s attention that Dr. Glass might be a bad seed, Bruce reviews his file and dismisses him.

–Superman: The Man of Steel #20
December—part of the ongoing “Funeral For a Friend” arc. It’s taken a little time to organize Superman’s public funeral ceremony, but the event is now ready to be held. At the far end of the galaxy, K’Raamdyn tells a stunned Lobo that Superman is dead. In Metropolis, literally all the superheroes attend the funeral service, which includes a parade. Batman, along with hundreds of thousands, mourn Superman’s passing. Present are Allie the Daily Planet intern, Bibbo Bibbowski, and Mildred Krantz. Watching from the sewers are Superman’s mutant pals Charlie Dawson, Stretch, Grub, and an unnamed snail man. (A bunch of Project Cadmus-created mutants, collectively known as Underworlders, reside underneath Metropolis.) Also pictured are the Forever People, but, thanks to retcons, this is a continuity error and they should be ignored. During the funeral parade, Batman stops a terrorist bomber while Robin stops bad guys from hurting Jimmy Olsen. When the swarming crowd breaks out into a riot, Wonder Woman and Hal Jordan corral them. Guest speakers are Lex Luthor, the new President of the United States, and the new First Lady. (Since this issue was originally published in February 1993, the latter duo is depicted as Bill and Hillary Clinton. However, due to sliding-time retcons, the correct POTUS and First Lady should be George W Bush and Laura Bush.) After Superman’s burial, a depressed Lois phones Ma and Pa Kent, who were too sad to come.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: DOA. December 21. Bruce meets Senator Vance Landis and his little daughter, Clancy Landis, at a charity banquet.

–Superman Vol. 2 #76
December 24—the long “Funeral for a Friend” arc continues. Superman Vol. 2 #76 takes place about a week after Superman’s funeral. On Christmas Eve, a large gathering of superheroes visits Metropolis to fulfill the deceased Superman’s “Metropolis Mailbag” tradition. Every Xmas, the Man of Steel combs through a trove of mail from needy folks and visits with all of them to help them out (sort of like his own version of the “Make a Wish Foundation”). In Superman’s honor, the heroes carry out this mission, which—this year—includes rebuilding the home of the Anderson family, which was destroyed by Doomsday. (The Andersons are Roger Anderson, Claire Anderson, Mitch Anderson, and Becky Anderson.) Meanwhile, Lana Lang, Ma Kent, and Pa Kent spend the holiday with a depressed Lois. Concurrently, Project Cadmus secretly steals Superman’s corpse in order to study it with hopes of either cloning or reviving him.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics Annual #12. Every year for the past twelve years, Batman has visited Huntsville, Alabama on the anniversary of Harvey Harris’ death, bringing Dr. Malcolm Falk along with him. It’s possible that Batman continues this tradition, moving forward, but it’s also just as possible that the elderly Dr. Falk dies, upon which Batman stops this annual ritual. Since we don’t have any definitive proof of Batman and Dr. Falk visiting Harris’ grave from this point onward, I’m making the assumption that Dr. Falk has now finally died and Batman, having heard about his passing, decides to end his yearly trips to Huntsville.

–Superman: The Man of Steel #21
Late December—the long “Funeral for a Friend” arc continues. Back in Smallville, Ma and Pa Kent mourn the loss of their son. Likewise, in Gotham, Batman and Alfred continue to mourn too. In Metropolis, the Project Cadmus-employed teen group known as the Newsboy Legion (Flip, Big Words, Gabby, Scrapper, and Tommy Thompkins) come across Superman’s corpse in their lab, and they are none too happy that their organization has committed such a nefarious act of grave-robbing. (Note that the members of the Newsboy Legion are each clones of the original Newsboy Legionnaires, who were active in the 1940s.) Lois Lane visits Superman’s memorial, dodging members of the Superman Cult (mentally-disturbed folks that have been camping out by the Man of Steel’s grave ever since his funeral) only to find that the body has been taken. After getting more details from Maggie Sawyer, Lois realizes that an widely-reported nearby underground flood is no coincidence. With help from the Underworlders (including Teletype), Lois goes into the sewers and infiltrates a Cadmus lab. With help from the Newsboy Legion, Lois finds Superman’s body in the lab. After escaping, Lois writes a scathing expose in the Daily Planet. In Smallville, tragedy strikes as Pa Kent suffers a heart attack. (Don’t worry, he’ll be okay.)

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1. ^[1]COLLIN COLSHER: Tim’s mention of the last time Batman fought Scarecrow being in an industrial zone is a direct reference to Detective Comics #571 (1987), which occurred two years ago. However, this isn’t the last time Batman fought Scarecrow. Batman teamed with Captain Atom to fight Scarecrow last year (in Captain Atom #33, 1989). However, thanks to a later-slotted-in flashback from the second feature to 52 #31 (2007), Tim himself actually aided Batman against Scarecrow several months ago. This flashback is vague and could easily have occurred in an industrial zone. Therefore, Tim’s mention, which was originally a continuity error when it was written in 1990, gets a perfect fix in 2007.↩
2. ^[2]COLLIN COLSHER: In 1991, Robin got his very own title for the first time ever, but there would be several follow-up series to come as well. A point of clarification about these multiple Robin series: Some argue that Robin II and Robin III should be considered official volumes (i.e. Volume 2 and Volume 3 of the series), thus making the final Robin run the fourth volume. Others claim that the first Robin volume is merely a miniseries like Robin II and Robin III, which would make the final Robin run the first official volume of the series. However, I’ve gone with a more traditional version: The first official volume of Robin is the initial five issue miniseries. It is followed by two more short miniseries, Robin II and Robin III. Robin Volume 2 (including the first of the Robin Annuals) begins shortly after that and runs for 183 issues, detailing the bulk of Tim Drake’s adventures as the Boy Wonder. Robin II and Robin III are not official volumes of Robin because they technically are titled differently.↩
3. ^[3]COLLIN COLSHER: Behold the brilliance of John Ostrander, writer of Detective Comics #622-624. It’s a shame that most of Bat Year Thirteen up to this point has been written by Marv Wolfman and Alan Grant, who have adopted a more cheesy/campy tone (in a way where the silliness just doesn’t land, as opposed to, say, the comedy of Keith Giffen or JM DeMatteis). It would have been nice to have had more Ostrander, Peter Milligan, or more like them. And while some might say we’ve been there done that in regard to the Bat-maniac storyline, think again. These three amazing issues of Detective Comics are rich in meta-fictional glory, examining the Dark Knight from sophisticated never-before-seen angles. Highly recommended.↩
4. ^[4]COLLIN COLSHER: Here are the confusing details surrounding Mayor Julius Lieberman. The first time Lieberman is specifically shown (and named) is in Dave Gibbons and Andy Kubert’s Batman Versus Predator (January to March 1992). Kubert drew Lieberman as a broad-shouldered stocky man with white hair and a thick white mustache. Lieberman’s only other named appearance is in Gerard Jones and Mark Badger’s Batman: Run Riddler Run series (June to August 1992). Badger drew Lieberman differently—as a rather generic thin guy with no defining features other than white-ish hair. Notably, Batman Versus Predator features Lieberman’s death, meaning that, despite having been published months prior to Run Riddler Run, Batman Versus Predator actually occurs chronologically after Run Riddler Run. In Marv Wolfman and Jim Aparo’s Batman #626 (February 1991), which obviously predates both Batman Versus Predator and Run Riddler Run in regard to publication date by a year-plus, we see an unnamed incumbent mayor, drawn as a brad-shouldered stocky man, albeit with black hair (that has a white streak running through it) and a thick black mustache. Again, while he isn’t named by Wolfman, he is definitively the incumbent, who is campaigning for an upcoming election. It’s very likely that DC editorial had a generic note in 1991-1992 for Bat-line writers that Gotham’s mayor was “Julius Lieberman” without much other detail about the character. Kubert and Badger, penciling their respective issues simultaneously (and clearly without communicating with one another), drew Lieberman in totally different ways. Because Kubert’s Lieberman, in 1992, looks similar to Aparo’s unnamed mayor from the prior year, it’s possible that Kubert referenced Wolfman’s mayor, but simply deciding to show that he’d gone gray/white-haired since that time. Or maybe Kubert referenced Wolfman’s mayor, but colorist Sherilyn Van Valkenburgh skimped on the details. Or maybe Kubert’s Lieberman looking anything like Aparo’s mayor is sheer coincidence. Suffice to say, the current mayor of Gotham is indeed Lieberman, who chronologically first appears (unnamed) in Batman #626. We’ll see him next in Run Riddler Run (where he’ll be drawn incorrectly but be specifically named). And then we’ll see him get killed in Batman Versus Predator (where he’ll be specifically named albeit gray-haired while looking otherwise more-or-less correct). Despite all of this, Lieberman won’t even make it to November Election Day, thus paving the way for other candidates. But we’ll get to that when we get to it.↩
5. ^[5]COLLIN COLSHER: In 1991, Cary Bates and Greg Weisman had been interchangeably using Death of the Endless and Black Racer as DC’s aspects of Death. However, Bates and Weisman were ignoring the fact that Neil Gaiman had already arranged with DC higher-ups for Death of the Endless (his character) to be the one sole Death, above all others. (Death of the Endless isn’t an aspect of Death. She literally is Death.) As such, the inclusion of Black Racer here could very well be a continuity error, meaning that Bates and Weisman should have used Death of the Endless instead and that Henirich Megala truly has nothing at all to do with the New Gods. In my personal headcanon, Megala is affiliated with the New Gods, but this is just me having fun with the situation.↩
6. ^[6]COLLIN COLSHER: In the early days of Angor (Earth-8), we see a bunch of Marvel analogues, including: the Avengers analogue known as the Justifiers (Hawkeye analogue Bowman, Quicksilver analogue Captain Speed, Wasp analogue TA, Iron Man/Tony Stark analogue Tin-Man, Thor analogue Wandjina, an unnamed alternate version of Giant-Man, and an unnamed alternate version of butler Edwin Jarvis), an unnamed Iron Man/James Rhodes analogue, the Spider-Man analogue known as Bug, the X-Men analogue known as the G-Men aka Zen-Men (including Cyclops analogue Uni-Orb aka One-Eye and an unnamed alternate version of Wolverine), an unnamed Klaw analogue, an unnamed Punisher analogue, and the Extremists (various Marvel super-villain analogues).↩
7. ^[7]COLLIN COLSHER: This is an anniversary issue which includes two reprints of old non-canon stories plus two new stories. The two new stories are both reimagined accounts of Batman’s first ever appearance from Detective Comics #27 (1939’s “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate”), but they are re-written for this juncture of our timeline. (Don’t forget, a wholly different “Case of the Chemical Syndicate” is already canon in Year One.) The first reimagined yarn, by Marv Wolfman and Jim Aparo, is in-continuity. The second reimagined yarn, by Alan Grant, is basically the original “Case of the Chemical Syndicate” beat-for-beat, but taking place on our Modern Age timeline in this era (although at a point where Gordon is healthy). As such, it is non-canon. Technically, it’s possible that both Detective Comics #627 reimagined accounts of the “Case of the Chemical Syndicate” could be non-canon, but I’ve regarded Wolfman’s as legit. For more details on this, see a footnote in Year One.↩
8. ^[8]COLLIN COLSHER: In Peter Milligan’s Detective Comics #629, topical references to David Lynch’s Wild at Heart having recently been released should be ignored. Also, Batman mentions to Alfred that he’s never been sent to prison before, but, thanks to later publications that retcon his past, this line doesn’t ring true anymore. It’s also worth noting that Milligan originally debuted Blackgate Penitentiary here in Detective Comics #629. Yes, Blackgate is an original Milligan creation! It won’t be too long before Blackgate is re-opened as the primary correctional facility in town (aside from Arkham Asylum, of course), as writers will slowly phase out Gotham State Prison in favor of the scarier Blackgate.↩
9. ^[9]COLLIN COLSHER / ANTONIO: The Dark Horse co-published Alien/Predator crossovers with DC are in a pretty strange boat, even strange as far as out-of-company crossovers go. In regard-to and from-the-perspective-of Dark Horse’s Alien/Predator-verse, the Batman/Superman crossovers are definitively non-canon. Logic would dictate that they would therefore be non-canon for Batman and Superman in the mainstream DCU as well. However, a counter argument can be made since these crossovers make obvious references to very in-canon DCU stuff, especially the death of Mayor Julius Lieberman. If official canon in the DCU, however, this would mean that the Aliens and Predators that are used in the narrative are totally separate from the primary world of the Alien/Predator films, books, and comics. To reiterate, the Predators and Aliens that we will see in the DCU proper are alternate universe Predators and Aliens, different from the ones seen in cinema and other Dark Horse media. A similar thing happened with the two Dark Horse Grendel/Batman crossovers, released in 1993 and 1996. Batman’s altercations with Grendel are totally non-canon in the DCU. However, Batman’s altercations with Grendel are canon in Dark Horse’s Grendel-verse. This means that Grendel didn’t meet and fight DC’s primary Earth Batman, but instead fought an alternate universe Batman on these occasions. This might be a bit confusing to grasp and it is definitely a topic worthy of some difficult debate. Therefore, feel free to include the Alien/Predator material (this item and its several sequels), or disregard it (and the sequels) if you want to.↩
10. ^[10]TROY DOLINER / DAVE CHALLIS / COLLIN COLSHER: As we move ahead, several series—including Justice League America, Justice League Europe, Captain Atom, War of the Gods, and Armageddon 2001—will rather complexly (and somewhat clumsily) overlap with one another. Batman will only make sporadic appearances in some of the issues in these series, but how these series fit together is highly important to the overall integrity of the timeline. Our current item (Justice League America #52-53) overlaps entirely with Justice League Europe #23-28 (an uninterrupted continuous arc). Justice League Europe #28 contains an ellipsis between its main action (the defeat of Starro) and its epilogue (Manga Khan turning up to collect Starro, plus Martian Manhunter informing Catherine Cobert that Max Lord was shot in Justice League America #52). In between the main action of Justice League Europe #28 and the epilogue to Justice League Europe #28 goes War of the Gods #1 then Captain Atom #54-57 (another uninterrupted continuous arc). Captain Atom #57 then overlaps with Batman Annual #15 (part of the ongoing Armageddon 2001 arc) below.

    Captain Atom #57 is supposedly a double tie-in to both Armageddon 2001 and War of the Gods with trade-dressing that says “War of the Gods Part 18.” However, editors messed this up big time—like horribly. First of all, Captain Atom #56 is correctly listed as “War of the Gods Part 8” (i.e. post-War of the Gods #2), but Captain Atom #54-57, as one connected story, should have been listed as “War of the Gods Part 8” (i.e. post-War of the Gods #1) as a whole. Thus, Captain Atom #57‘s connection should be to War of the Gods #1, but writer John Ostrander, seemingly led astray by his editors, instead forces anachronistic connections to War of the Gods #2, an issue that has yet to chronologically occur. Therefore, any references to War of the Gods #2 (and there are a lot) in Captain Atom #57 must be summarily ignored. But it gets worse. Captain Atom #57 connects to Armageddon 2001 specifically by showing a scene from tie-in issue Batman Annual #15. In order to jibe with everything else, though, Captain Atom #57 actually shouldn’t connect with Batman Annual #15 either! There’s an immediacy to Lord being shot, his subsequent trip to the hospital, and the retooling of the JL—including (importantly) Captain Atom being fired and (consequently) beginning an investigation into Bialya (i.e. the start of the long “Breakdowns” arc). This means that the start of “Breakdowns”—beginning here with Justice League America #53 and then continuing with Justice League Europe #29, and Justice League America #54—must also go prior to Batman Annual #15. To reiterate, Captain Atom #57 incorporates bits of War of the Gods #2 and Batman Annual #15 into its narrative, but Captain Atom #57 definitively occurs prior to both of those stories. As such, as we’ll notate below, we must ignore much of Captain Atom #57 (or, as the Batman Chronology Project has done, treat its anachronistic bits as flash-forwards). Or, hell, maybe there’s a Dr. Manhattan-esque experiential time anomaly at play here? Dr. Manhattan was modeled on Captain Atom, after all. Your headcanon call.↩

11. ^[11]COLLIN COLSHER: Armageddon 2001 (published and originally set in 1991) was entitled as such because the Monarch turns on his fellow heroes in the year 2001. However, after Zero Hour sliding-time, the Monarch turns on his fellow heroes in 2012. Therefore, we should really re-think of Armageddon 2001 as Armageddon 2012. Alternatively, although this is just a bit of luck, we could view the “2001” in the title as a reference to where we currently are on our time-slid chronology. Yes, Waverider has chosen to conduct his investigation in the year 2001.↩
12. ^[12]COLLIN COLSHER: The “Destroyer” arc originally debuted Cyrus Pinkney and his Corolla Building. Aside from making Solomon Wayne the patron of Pinkney, this storyline never refers to the Corolla Building as the original Wayne Tower. However, later items (like Batman Secret Files and Origins #1, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #4, and Batman: Gates of Gotham #1-5) further flesh-out and partially-retcon the history of the Corolla Building, linking its construction to Solomon’s son Alan Wayne. According to Gates of Gotham, the Corolla Building was built primarily between 1877 and the late 1880s. In Gates of Gotham, there is no specific mention of the “Corolla” name being attached to the skyscraper at its inception and, in fact, Alan refers to it as “Wayne Tower” during its construction phase. This tells us that “Corolla” was never meant to be a surname but, instead, a descriptor. The skyscraper looks like a Gothic flower stem with upturned/enclosed petals at the top i.e. it literally has a corolla at its highest point. As such, the Corolla Building is indeed the original Wayne Tower—Gotham’s first ever skyscraper. However, since we want the “Destroyer” arc to jibe as much as possible, and since, in it, the Corolla Building is clearly owned by someone else other than Bruce, this means the Corolla Building must have been sold off by the Wayne Family at some point long ago. As such, in Detective Comics #641, Bruce isn’t purchasing a random building an re-christening it as a brand new Wayne Tower—he’s actually bringing an old family asset (the original Wayne Tower) back into his portfolio. In other words, to reiterate, the Corolla Building is the original Wayne Tower aka Old Wayne Tower, not to be confused with the primary Wayne Tower (aka the Wayne Enterprises Building) or the second Wayne Tower (aka Wayne Foundation Building), which was built back in Year Two.↩
13. ^[13]COLLIN COLSHER / ANTHONY FALLONE: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #27 places Solomon Wayne’s first meetings with Cyrus Pinkney in 1865. However, the second feature to Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #27 mentions that Cyrus Pinkney died at the young age of forty. To jibe with everything else, this latter note in the back-matter points to Solomon Wayne first meeting Pinkney in the late 1850s. Batman: Gates of Gotham #2 later retcons (or, rather, confirms) the 1850s version of events.↩
14. ^[14]COLLIN COLSHER: Although Batman has no interaction with them in Armageddon: Inferno, Easy Company (Sgt. Frank Rock, Little Sure Shot, Wildman, and Bulldozer), The Losers (Sgt. Sarge Clay, Lt. Flying Cloud, Gunner MacCay, and Pooch), and Enemy Ace (Hans Von Hammer) fight Abraxis and his Daemen in the 1940s.↩
15. ^[15]COLLIN COLSHER: In case you forgot, this Supergirl is Matrix, an artificial shapeshifting life-form from an alternate universe. At the moment, (when she’s not being mind-controlled) she’s happily dating Lex Luthor, who is currently in a 21-year-old cloned body and is pretending to be his own son. Now you know!↩
16. ^[16]COLLIN COLSHER: As mentioned earlier, Mon-El has gone through significant retcons over the years. At this point, in the early 1990s, Mon-El’s history would have been the one connected to the Glorithverse, but this gets retconned-out by Infinite Crisis. Because our timeline is operating with post-Infinite Crisis retcons in full effect, we should regard Mon-El as having his original history, meaning that he has time-traveled here from the 31st century as a member of the Legion of Super-heroes.↩
17. ^[17]COLLIN COLSHER: The Forever People (Beautiful Dreamer, Big Bear, Infinity Man, Mark Moonrider, Serifan, and Vykin the Black) are also shown to be a part of Superman’s army, but, thanks to post-Zero Hour retcons from John Byrne’s New Gods Vol. 4 #14 (1997) and Byrne’s Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #18-20 (1998), their appearance here must be ignored. Thanks to Byrne, the Forever People would currently be in exile on the planet Adon, not to return until New Gods Vol. 4 #14. Thus, Byrne erases about thirty Forever People appearances from the original Crisis through New Gods Vol. 4 #14, including this one. As such, we must ignore all the Forever People sequences in “Panic in the Sky!” even though there are quite a few.↩
18. ^[18]COLLIN COLSHER: The Funny Stuff World amusement park has rides based on licenses for Funny Folks (including cartoon animal characters Nutsy Squirrel, Peter Porkchops, and others), Sugar and Spike, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Sugar Plumm and Spike Wilson are classic comedy characters from prior DC continuity. The Funny Folks characters are also from prior DC continuity, dating back to the 1940s and originally appearing on Earth-C, which was also home to Captain Carrot and his Zoo Crew. Connections between the Funny Stuff Amusement Park characters don’t end there—as the 1986 Oz-Wonderland War (a late Bronze Age series) saw Captain Carrot and his Zoo Crew assist Dorothy Gale, Glinda, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow in both Wonderland and Oz. Clearly, within the world of the Modern Age DCU, the characters of Earth-C, Wonderland, and Oz are interconnected fictional IPs, all coexisting under the same fictive shared universe (or at least all owned by the same parent company, ready for synergistic crossover).↩
19. ^[19]BARDIA: Batman/Green Arrow: The Poison Tomorrow goes here for a couple reasons. First, it should be in close proximity to other stories published in 1992. Second, it should go after Poison Ivy is no longer with the Suicide Squad. Poison Ivy is with the Suicide Squad for about six months of in-story time—from Suicide Squad #33 (1989) to Suicide Squad #66 (1992) in real world publication duration. The latter Batman-less issue, in which Amanda Waller shuts down Task Force X, occurs shortly before this juncture on our timeline.↩
20. ^[20]COLLIN COLSHER / BARDIA: Batman doesn’t appear in Showcase ’95 #11 Part 2, although he is shown in a hallucination suffered by a cracked Arkham Asylum doctor’s hallucination. Because this item features an incarcerated Joker, Poison Ivy, and Killer Croc in a Jeremiah Arkham-run asylum (prior to its destruction by Bane), it must go somewhere between Shadow of the Bat #1-4 and the start of “Knightfall.” Unfortunately, Killer Croc is on the lam for that entire time period, meaning that his appearance in Showcase ’95 #11 Part 2 is a major continuity error no matter how you spin it. As such, we must ignore his presence in the story.↩
21. ^[21]COLLIN COLSHER: The beautiful year of 1993 gave us View-Master Mini Comics: The Joker’s Wild, which was a film-comic based on the classic “Joker’s Five Way Revenge” story, specifically designed for a Fisher-Price View-Master. 1993 also brought us Justice League America vs. Amazo, a mini comic found in boxes of Kellogg’s Cinnamon Mini Buns. These items are obviously 100% non-canon in the Modern Age, but have their place, fitting neatly as a continuation of the pre-original Crisis Earth-B timeline (referred to as the “Earth-32 timeline” by DC historian/researcher John Wells).↩
22. ^[22]COLLIN COLSHER: Roger Stern’s novel The Death and Life of Superman (1993) details Superman’s death at the hands of Doomsday and the “Funeral For a Friend” and “Return of Superman” comic book arcs in prose format. The Death and Life of Superman is a mostly faithful adaptation of these comic book tales, so we can think of it as quasi-canonical supplementary material.↩