(July 2021 to December 2021)
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–Robin Vol. 3 #1
Wearing a spiffy new black costume, a fourteen-year-old Robin (Damian) has left Gotham to compete in the League of Lazarus’ version of Mortal Kombat, a secret fighting tournament held once every hundred years. In order to do this, Damian has gone completely off the grid, which brings concern to his dad, who orders the Bat-Family to search for him. Nightwing, Robin (Tim), Spoiler, Orphan, and Oracle are unable to earth the well-hidden teen. In a qualifying match, Damian defeats King Snake, earning entry into the tourney. After a long boat ride, the competitors arrive at Lazarus Island. Gathered before tourney judge Mother Soul (Ra’s al Ghul’s mother, Rúh al Ghul!) are: Black Swan, Raptor, Ravager, Respawn (a clone made of DNA from Deathstroke and Talia), Flatline, Brutale, Connor Hawke (now simply going by his real name and representing the League of Shadows), Tigress (representing the Secret Society), Johnny Fist, Shooter Jackson, Nite-Wing, Double Dare (Aliki Marceau and Margot Marceau), Lady Vic, Batman Japan (now going by the terrible secret ID-exposing name Jiro), Blue Shrike, Constantine Drakon, Tengu, Drenched, Game Over, Vaudevillainess, Old Dirty Fighter, Sumo, GI Jax, Firefite, Negative One, Richard Dragon Jr, Mud, XXL, and Rox. The first preliminary match is Damian versus Flatline, and the latter makes quick work of the former, ripping his heart clean out of his chest! (On Lazarus Island, it takes three deaths before death actually sticks, and you get automatically resurrected the first two times. The actual official tournament won’t begin until Robin Vol. 3 #5.)
–REFERENCE: In Robin Vol. 3 #5, Robin Vol. 3 2021 Annual, and Deathstroke Inc #8. Ravager notifies Red Hood that Damian is going to fight in the League of Lazarus tournament of death, prompting the Bat-Family—Nightwing, Robin (Tim), Spoiler, and Red Hood—to chase after him.[1] After Nightwing has a beautiful heart-to-heart with Damian, he lets him go, giving him an escrima stick as a parting gift. Nightwing tells the Bat-Family that they will tell Bruce the truth about Damian—that Damian is safe, and that they trust and have faith in him. However, upon giving their report, the Batm-Family doesn’t give any further details, keeping Bruce totally in the dark about the whole “tournament of death” thing. Nightwing puts one of Batman’s hidden trackers inside the gifted escrima stick. This way, Nightwing will be able to track Robin’s every move, moving forward.
–the second feature to Justice League Vol. 4 #60
Famed immortal wizard Merlin has returned with evil plans for humanity. Wise to his presence, the current Justice League Dark (Zatanna, John Constantine, Etrigan, and Detective Chimp) brief the Justice League. Batman appoints Zatanna as the new leader of the JLD. After the meeting breaks, Batman warns Etrigan to be on his best behavior. Elsewhere, at an antiquarian bookstore, Merlin picks up a large collection of Jorge Luis Borges manuscripts. Using his magick, Merlin causes nightmares from within the books to come to life. Ragman, who happens to be a patron of the shop, soon finds himself battling the creatures.
–the second feature to Justice League Vol. 4 #63-65 (“THE ETERNAL KNIGHT”)
Picking up shortly after the second feature to Justice League Vol. 4 #60, the Justice League Dark (now joined by Ragman) traverses Jorge Luis Borges’ Library of Babel, meeting the fussy Librarian of Babel. Aware that Merlin has used magick to turn fiction literature into reality, Constantine doubles down on the meta and begins to literally write the ongoing narrative onto a blank sheet of paper, thus moving the plot along. Meanwhile, at the Tower of Fate, Dr. Fate (Khalid Nassour) and Man-Bat run cosmic tests on the Helm of Nabu. (As revealed in the second feature to Detective Comics #1040, Man-Bat is possessed by a fear demon during this test session.) Meanwhile, at a cathedral in Gotham, the Merlin-worshipping Brothers of Ambrosius gather only to be confronted by Merlin’s time-displaced rival, Elnara Roshtu, a female knight of Arthur’s Round Table. Batman watches from the shadows as she kicks their asses, then jumping down to meet her. Batman is tickled by Elnara’s story, but tells her to leave the Brothers of Ambrosius to him. Elnara responds by disappearing into the shadows. Meanwhile, the JLD shows Ragman around their Hall of Justice digs. In Gotham’s Old Industrial District, Batman confronts the leaders of the Brothers of Ambrosius, but they use a psionic attack, temporarily disabling the Dark Knight until his cowl tech can cancel it out. Elnara takes down the villains and rescues and unconscious Batman, finding the source of the cult’s power—Randhir Singh, who is strapped to a bizarre machine. (Note that writer Ram V makes it seem like Batman is meeting Singh for the first time, but he’s definitely known Singh for a long time.) A recovered Batman hacks into the machine, allowing Elnara to enter Singh’s illusion simulation. She battles through illusory warriors to meet an avatar of Singh, who tells her about Merlin’s plans. Meanwhile, in the depths of Atlantis, the Justice League Dark joins Aquaman to challenge Merlin.
–the second feature to Justice League Vol. 4 #66
Picking up immediately after the second feature to Justice League Vol. 4 #65, with Batman watching, Elnara Roshtu frees Randir Singh from mental captivity. Meanwhile, in Atlantis, Aquaman and the Justice League Dark fight undersea kaiju, set loose by Merlin. John Constantine trails Merlin, who prepares to enter the “Darkworld” and “Dreaming” via a gateway at the bottom of the ocean.
–REFERENCE: In Justice League Dark Vol. 2 2021 Annual. Batman tells Zatanna all about Randir Singh.
–Wonder Woman #780
Diana returns from the dead! (We are told she’d been dead “for the better part of a year,” but that must be poetic license because it’s only been about six months. This item also goes prior to “Fear State”—as per reference in Nightwing Vol. 4 #85.) All of Diana’s friends at the Hall of Justice greet her and hear her resurrection story. Dr. Fate (Khalid Nassour), coming straight from the pages of the second feature to Justice League Vol. 4 #68, begs Diana to help her Justice League Dark teammates in Atlantis, but Diana is too busy reuniting with her mom. Hippolyta convinces her daughter to take some time off, so Diana flies toward Themyscira, stopping briefly to save some people from a shipwreck, and thus publicly announcing her return to the entire world. The next day, those linked to Diana—including Steve Trevor, Cassie Sandsmark, Donna Troy, Etta Candy, the Holliday Girls Motorcycle Club, Artemis, Queen Faruka, the Bana-Mighdall tribe, Yara Flor, Queen Nubia, Dr. Psycho, respond happily to the news of her resurrection. On Themyscira, Diana greets Nubia and an epic celebration is had by all the wonderstruck (pun intended) Amazons. Nubia then gives Diana her golden lasso. In the morning, Diana awakes and takes to the skies. Wonder Woman is officially back!
—[2]
–the second feature to Detective Comics #1040
Very recently, as seen in the second feature to Justice League Vol. 4 #64, Man-Bat was running some cosmic tests on the Helm of Nabu. During those tests, Man-Bat was exposed to a fear-mongering demon, which has been hiding within his body ever since. Now, the demon causes Man-Bat to flip-out and return to his wild ways. Batman confronts Man-Bat, who forces the demon out of his body for a moment. Sensing that there’s only one course of heroic action, Man-Bat takes the demon back into his system and sacrifices his own life in order to destroy the monster. Batman attends Kirk Langstrom’s sparsely-attended funeral the next day. Francine Langstrom attends. The world once again thinks that Man-Bat died as a raging out-of-control super-villain, but Batman knows the truth.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #107 Part 2 and Batman Vol. 3 #108-110. It’s been a few months since A-Day. (As mentioned above, Batman Vol. 3 #107 is split in half because, while Batman Vol. 3 #107-110 seems to be one continuous narrative, issue #107 specifically occurs one month after A-Day yet issue #110 specifically occurs a few months after A-Day. This means we have a hidden ellipsis in the only place it can fit.) At Saint Industries, Ricardo tells Simon Saint that Mayor Nakano has invited him to the groundbreaking of an A-Day memorial, which will honor Sean Mahoney. Scarecrow then chats with Saint. Concurrently, in an effort to infiltrate the Unsanity Collective, Batman disguises himself as Matches Malone for the 2020s, a cyberpunk named “Match.” Twelve hours later, Mayor Nakano holds his A-Day memorial. Oracle watches on TV as Dr. Chase Meridian provides analysis. Using her super-enhanced TV, Oracle is able to spot Scarecrow watching from a nearby rooftop. After the memorial, Mahoney accepts Saint’s offer to become a cyborg soldier known as “Peacekeeper-01.” At the Unsanity Collective’s HQ, “Match” has already been outed as a spy and brought before Master Wyze and his top lieutenants, Miracle Molly and Breaker. But rather than doing something villainous, Miracle Molly takes “Match” and shows him “Gotham Two,” a high tech cyber city hidden atop several unfinished skyscrapers leftover from the shuttered Wayne Rebuild Program. Molly introduces “Match” to a young cyber-enhanced non-binary kid named Squeak, explaining that Wyze erases everyone’s memories when they join the Collective, after which they can start anew with cybernetic upgrades. Molly delivers a long monologue about the Collective’s techno-utopian vision before revealing that she knew “Match” was Batman all along. Seeing that Batman has reacted amicably to the Collective lifestyle, Molly tells Batman that it was Saint that hired the Collective to kidnap the media moguls. Across town at Saint Industries, Saint turns Mahoney is into Peacekeeper-01. Meanwhile, in his Fort Graye brownstone, Bruce contemplates everything that Molly has told him. When other scarecrows begin popping up all over the city, Batman tells Oracle to dig up dirt on Simon Saint and call the Ghost-Maker into action. The Ghost-Maker receives the call and takes Harley Quinn to his very own version of the Batcave known as The Haunt. (It even has a Spinosaurus.) The Ghost-Maker flirts with Harley and they sip champagne while sword dueling until the Gardener arrives with her plant hounds. Harley reveals that the Gardener is the college ex-girlfriend of Queen Ivy. (Poison Ivy has been going by “Queen Ivy” ever since Death Metal). The Gardener reveals that Queen Ivy is in hiding, and if anyone tries to find her, a secret underground jungle growing beneath everyone’s feet (known as Eden) will swallow the city whole. In spite of this, the Gardener tells Harley that Queen Ivy needs her more than ever. Oracle, who has been remotely-eavesdropping, reminds the Ghost-Maker that he’s on the clock. The Gardener gives Harley a shred of flora, telling her to use it to summon her when she is ready to face Queen Ivy. At Saint Industries, Simon Saint tells Hue Vile that Mayor Nakano needs to keep Roland Worth and Deb Donovan in line, as both pose a threat to the Magistrate Program. Just after Vile leaves, Batman busts into the building, quickly taking out Ricardo before confronting Simon Saint, who unleashes Peacekeeper-01 on him. As Peacekeeper-01 pummels Batman, Saint says that Nakano has green-lit his program. In that moment, Saint detonates a bomb at City Hall, a move designed to frame the Unsanity Collective, sow chaos across Gotham, and increase public approval of his martial law. Batman kills the lights with an EMP pulse and lasers his way into a lower floor. Batman and Peacekeeper-01 slug it out as Gotham descends into chaos. Panicked, Mayor Nakano authorizes Simon Saint’s Magistrate Program to enact martial law. Aboard Magistrate Skybase-01 high in the sky, Saint monitors his war machine. Batman struggles with Peacekeeper-01, who admits to bombing City Hall on behalf of his benefactor. On the verge of defeat, Batman signals the Ghost-Maker, who rescues him. Aboard the Ghost-Stream (the Ghost-Maker’s stealth jet), Batman licks his wounds as Saint and Nakano publicly announce that the Magistrate program has gone live with Sean Mahoney as super-soldier numero uno. Harley tells the boys that Mahoney is a sadist, who was extremely abusive as an Arkham Asylum guard. Meanwhile, Saint’s Peacekeepers infiltrate Gotham 2.0 to wipe out the Unsanity Collective.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #111 Part 1. Picking up directly from the flashback from Batman Vol. 3 #110, Miracle Molly and a bullet-injured Squeak flee to Master Wyze while Breaker fights Peacekeeper-01. Batman, Harley Quinn, and the Ghost-Maker arrive to protect the Unsanity Collective. Meanwhile, Scarecrow and Simon Saint manipulate social media to paint Batman as the villain behind the bombing of City Hall. Breaker is defeated by Peacekeeper-01, but the rest of the Unsanity Collective escapes into the Ghost-Stream. The Ghost-Maker performs life-saving surgery on Squeak. Mayor Nakano delivers fake news to the public, stating that Batman and Scarecrow are jointly in league with the Unsanity Collective. Nakano declares that all costumed vigilantism is illegal in Gotham. Batman orders the Ghost-Maker and Harley to keep the Unsanity Collective safe, to which Harley responds by preparing to contact the Gardener. (It is at this juncture that we have yet another hidden ellipsis in the “Fear State” narrative. Since Catwoman Vol. 5 #35 overlaps with Batman: Fear State – Alpha #1, this means Catwoman Vol. 5 #33-34 must be next, occurring after Magistrate Peacekeepers have been unleashed upon the Unsanity Collective but prior to Batman getting captured by Scarecrow at Arkham Asylum. Both of these occurrences happen in the flashback from Batman Vol. 3 #111, so there has to be an ellipsis between them, splitting the issue in twain.)
–Catwoman Vol. 5 #33-34
Late July. Mayor Christopher Nakano has initiated Simon Saint’s Magistrate Program, which has led to civil unrest over the imposed state of martial law thrust upon the populace of Gotham. With protests ramping up in Alleytown, open clashes between police and protestors erupt, prompting Nakano to shut down cellular and broadband and send in the Peacekeepers. Catwoman meets with the Alleytown Strays (including Billy, Dex, Shoes aka Cheshire Cat, Skidmark, and Joey Allen), who have teamed-up with Riddler, Clayface (Basil Karlo), Cheshire, Killer Croc, Knockout, and Firefly. (Spoiler: Shoes/Cheshire Cat is none other than a resurrected amnesiac Lian Harper!) At Alleytown’s GCPD precinct, Catwoman’s friend Detective Dean Hadley argues with his partner Detective James Rigs about Catwoman’s involvement in all the chaos. Worried for Catwoman, Detective Hadley summons Batman with the Bat-Signal. Detective Hadley briefs Batman on the situation and begs him to watch over Catwoman. Batman departs to conduct intensive research on Father Valley. Soon after, Catwoman and her motley crew meet with Alleytown gangster Pit Rollins, setting up a plan to help civilians escape from the Magistrate’s iron fist. Before the rebels can initiate anything, Catwoman is attacked by assassin Father Valley (Karl Wasieman aka Karl Senke aka Karl Valley), the adopted son of Jean-Paul Ludovic Valley. Catwoman is stabbed, thrown into the bay, and left for dead, but Batman saves her life. Bruce and Selina sit atop a nearby roof in each other’s loving arms. They canoodle and kiss, reminding each other that they are still supposed to be on a break. (The sequence of Batman saving Catwoman and then sharing a tender moment with her is also shown via flashbacks from Catwoman Vol. 5 #35 and Catwoman Vol. 5 #37.) Note that the Bat-Cat yearlong separation is set to end any day now, so it’s likely they discuss this more (off-panel). We don’t know what they say specifically, but their break will continue beyond the one year mark (with a few meetings here-and-there whenever they break the rules). Batman then gives Catwoman a flash drive containing files on Father Valley. Catwoman then fights Father Valley, who keeps his foe at bay by pointing a sniper rifle at Maggie Kyle. Detective Hadley arrives just in time to take the bullet, sacrificing himself to save Maggie.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #111 Part 2. This item picks up directly after Catwoman Vol. 5 #34. At Arkham Asylum, Scarecrow receives a video call from Simon Saint. Scarecrow betrays Saint, severing their partnership. Scarecrow then takes down Peacekeeper-01, dosing him with a new strain of Fear Gas. Batman arrives only to get dosed with Fear Gas as well.
–Batman Vol. 3 #106-111 (“THE COWARDLY LOT”)
Picking up directly from the flashback from Batman Vol. 3 #111 Part 2, Batman is captured, drugged, and tortured by Scarecrow for twelve hours straight.
–Batman: Fear State – Alpha #1
Picking up directly from “The Cowardly Lot,” Batman comes down from his hallucination only to come face-to-face with his tormentor, Scarecrow. Meanwhile, with Peacekeeper-01 effectively off the table, a worried Simon Saint orders a citywide communications blackout and sends his Magistrate troops into Alleytown as a show of force. Fed up with what’s happening, Commissioner Renee Montoya has an argumentative phone call with Mayor Nakano, effectively severing their working relationship. At the Clocktower, Oracle tries to send a message out to the populace via the emergency broadcasting system. However, she gets overridden by Scarecrow’s very own version of Oracle known as The Seer. This anti-Oracle tells all of Gotham that “Fear State” is just getting started and that Batman is dead. The entire Bat-Family is worried to hear this. Catwoman also hears the message, as seen in the overlapping Catwoman Vol. 5 #35. Damian, who is still prepping with Ravager for the Lazarus Island tournament of death (set to begin in Robin Vol. 3 #5), gets the message as well. Concurrently, Harley Quinn, the Ghost-Maker, and the Gardener take the Unsanity Collective refugees deep beneath Gotham to Queen Ivy’s underground Eden. The Gardener uses her powers to summon Queen Ivy out of hiding. Across town, a second Poison Ivy remains under the safe care of Catwoman in Alleytown. (Pamela Isley has been split in twain, with her heroic/innocent persona having manifested separately as a doppelgänger, a sort of “Innocent Ivy,” for lack of a better term. More on how this happened later!) As the Magistrate troops begin to enter Alleytown, Catwoman meets with her Alleytown Stray allies, including Billy, Skidmark, and Shoes aka Cheshire Cat (Lian Harper). Reacting to the news of Batman’s supposed death, Jace Fox enters a WayneTech lab. Jace dons an experimental Bat-costume, becoming a secondary Batman. In Scarecrow’s lair, a dizzy Batman breaks his restraints and escapes.
–Batman Vol. 3 #112
Picking up directly from Batman: Fear State – Alpha #1, Batman tries to shake-off his drug-induced state, scrambling to the Batmobile where he injects his chest with adrenaline to snap out of the hallucination. Still unsure of what’s real or not, Batman drives toward the city. Meanwhile, a fully hallucinating Peacekeeper-01 lollops through the streets. Batman is collected by the Bat-Family and brought up to speed at the Clocktower. Batman contacts the Ghost-Maker and gets caught up to speed with him as well. He tells the Ghost-Maker to meet him at the Bat-Garage (although their meeting will be quite delayed due to Catwoman, Detective Comics, and Nightwing issues that must go between Batman Vol. 3 #112 and Batman Vol. 3 #113). At Saint Industries, Simon Saint turns Ricardo into Peacekeeper-X, ordering him to bring in Peacekeeper-01.
–Nightwing Vol. 4 #84
Having heard the Seer’s chatter about Batman being dead, Nightwing delivers his pup Haley to his neighbor/friend Dr. Bridgette Clancy before departing Blüdhaven. (Bridgette is now a physician and has two kids.) Upon arrival in Gotham, Nightwing finds Batman alive and well, teaming up with him to fight the Magistrate’s Peacekeepers and drones. Afterward, Batman continues onward while Nightwing joins Oracle. At the Clocktower, Oracle powers down, suits up in a brand new Batgirl costume, and declares herself ready for street action against the Magistrate. (Of course, Oracle will have to power back up and temporarily hold off on her return to street action because Hugh Vile’s parasite eggs are about to hatch, as we’ll see in our next item.)
–Detective Comics #1043-1045 (“FEAR STATE: NAKANO’S NIGHTMARE”)
It’s been a couple weeks since “The Neighborhood” arc. An editorial note also says this item partially overlaps with Batman Vol. 3 #113, which can only really mean that it goes right before it. With the Magistrate Program getting out of control, Mayor Nakano and his staff meet with Simon Saint. Tempers flare and things remain tense. Afterward, fake security guards wearing red crowns try to assassinate Nakano inside City Hall. While attempting to save Nakano, Batman learns that the would-be assassins are being led by their “King,” Nero XIX (Roy Dowd). After a car accident and an explosion, Nakano falls into the sub-levels beneath Gotham’s sewers. Batman follows, but Nakano is already too far away. After recovering, Nakano stumbles across a nest of Hugh Vile’s parasite eggs. While Batwoman takes down Nero XIX and his gang, Batman is remotely-guided by Oracle in search of Nakano. Batman finds Nakano, but the mayor is trapped behind a wall of rubble. Some of Vile’s parasite eggs hatch, releasing fresh parasites that burrow into Nakano’s skin. Batman smashes through the wall and electrifies Nakano and the parasite swarm with a taser. With Nakano’s vitals looking bleak, Batman performs CPR, saving his life and resuscitating him. The parasite larvae then begin to mutate (thanks to toxins in Gotham’s sewer) and spread across the city. Batman tells Nakano that Hugh Vile is responsible for the parasites, citing that he (Batman) himself had been infected a mere “three days” ago. Mariko Tamaki, whose strength is certainly not continuity, contradicts herself here. Clearly, weeks have passed since “The Neighborhood” and “The Jury” (in the latter, Batman gets infected). Plus, Tamaki has already stated multiple times in her own narrative that weeks have passed since “The Neighborhood”. So we should ignore Batman’s “three days” line, as it’s been more like two to three weeks. Aboveground, with support from the rest of the Bat-Family, Batman and Nightwing destroy the parasites, which had merged into a single kaiju-like monster. The next day, having made a truce with Batman, Nakano begins fully cooperating and coordinating with the Bat-Family.
–Batman Vol. 3 #113-115 (“FEAR STATE”)
Batman visits Commissioner Montoya, catching her up to speed. She says that she needs evidence that Scarecrow and Simon Saint are linked, someone from the Unsanity Collective willing to testify against Saint, and Peacekeeper-01 in custody. Batman says he’ll take care of everything on that list. The Dark Knight then sends a message to Saint by beating up some Peackeepers. At the Bat-Garage, Batman finally meets with the Ghost-Maker (who must have been waiting there for at least twenty four to thirty six hours). Hoping to conduct a deep examination of the tinkering that Scarecrow has done to Batman’s mind, Batman and the Ghost-Maker don Bat-mind-control helmets in order to telepathically enter the former’s subconscious together. There, they quickly discover that Scarecrow has imbedded subliminal programming inside Batman’s memory. After the psychic-deprogramming but still telepathically-connected to the Caped Crusader, the Ghost-Maker reveals that he once spent time studying with Jonathan Crane during his training years ago. Crane taught him about his “Fear State” concept, which he had also published in a journal that was widely circulated in Silicon Valley, thus reaching the eyes of Saint. Across town, Peacekeeper-X (along with a squadron of Peacekeepers) challenges Peacekeeper-01, who has fully succumbed to the control of Scarecrow. Batman tries to intervene in the battle, but he gets distracted by dozens of Peacekeepers. Emboldened by Scarecrow, Peacekeeper-01 beats Peacekeeper-X to death. Panicked, Saint orders the self-destruction of the Peacekeeper-X suit and several drones, causing massive destruction in downtown Gotham. He also orders the Peacekeepers to take out the underground Eden. Having just spoken with Queen Ivy in Eden, Miracle Molly arrives to assist Batman. Queen Ivy forms an alliance with Master Wyze. While Scarecrow collects and tends to Peacekeeper-01 in the sewers, the Bat-Family mobilizes: Catwoman, the Gardener, Innocent Ivy, and Harley Quinn fight the Magistrate’s Wight Witch (as seen in Catwoman Vol. 5 #36); Nightwing and Batgirl (Babs) prep for combat in the Clocktower (as seen in Nightwing Vol. 4 #85); the Ghost-Maker patrols solo; Red Robin and Signal patrol together (as seen in Batman: Urban Legends #9 Part 4); the Batgirls (Cassie and Steph) patrol together; Commissioner Renee Montoya fields calls in her office; and Jace Fox adventures through the city in his own Batman costume (as seen in I am Batman #2). (Note that Orphan has now returned to her Batgirl moniker, while Spoiler has returned to her Batgirl moniker as well. So yes, there are three superheroes using the Batgirl name now—Cassie, Stephanie, and Babs. To be clear, Cassie and Stephanie have been going around as “Batgirls” for a bit now, although it had previously just been their duo team name.) Miracle Molly takes Batman to Gotham 2.0, showing him the Mind Machine, a mind-wiping device/storage unit that holds all the recorded former memories of every member of the Unsanity Collective. A Scarecrow-controlled Breaker fights Batman and Miracle Molly, but the duo is able to take him down. Meanwhile, the Magistrate enters Eden.
–Batman Vol. 3 #116-117 (“FEAR STATE” Conclusion)
Picking up directly from Batman Vol. 3 #116, from her underground Eden, a pissed off Queen Ivy causes an earthquake aboveground while the Ghost-Maker slashes through Magistrate troops attempting to get at her. In the sewer, Batman and Miracle Molly are confronted by Scarecrow. With Peacekeeper-01 and Miracle Molly under Scarecrow’s thumb, Batman is forced to hold back. Peacekeeper-01 comes to his senses and shoots Scarecrow, injuring him. While Miracle Molly attempts to disable the Mind Machine, which Scarecrow was going to use as a “Fear Bomb” to sew chaos across the city, Batman fights Peacekeeper-01. In Eden, Harley Quinn and the Gardener introduce Queen Ivy to her Innocent Ivy persona. Coming straight from the pages of Nightwing Vol. 4 #86 (with which Batman Vol. 3 #117 partially overlaps), the Bat-Family (Nightwing, Red Robin, and three Batgirls) infiltrates the Magistrate’s flying fortress just as a panicked Simon Saint is screening an angry phone call from Mayor Nakano. As they cause the fortress to plummet into Gotham Bay, Batman continues pummeling Peacekeper-01 while Molly continues trying to disarm the bomb. In Eden, Harley reveals that, several years ago, the Gardener planted a seed containing the most “innocent” part of Pamela Isley into the caves beneath Gotham. This seed has grown into the alternate Innocent Ivy we see before us now. Queen Ivy merges with Innocent Ivy, becoming whole once again as Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy then stops the earthquake-causing rapid plant growth aboveground and heals Squeak. Overjoyed to have her partner back, Harley kisses Ivy. In Scarecrow’s sewer lab, Batman defeats Peacekeeper-01 and then talks down Molly, who has decided it’s best for Gotham if Scarecrow’s bomb erases everyone’s brains after all. Batman tells Molly to plug into his cowl wifi to see the latest news. She does so, learning that Simon Saint has been arrested, the secrets of the Magistrate have been made public, Mayor Nakano has denounced Saint and the Magistrate, Poison Ivy has spread calm-inducing pheromone flowers across the city, and—for the first time in nearly a year—the Bat-signal is shining in the night sky. Batman removes his mask to give Molly an inspiring speech about the power of humanity, after which they embrace. Aboveground, Jace Fox, Harley Quinn, Batwoman, and Signal join the rest of the Bat-Family to celebrate victory.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Incorporated Vol. 3 #4. Picking up directly from the end of Batman Vol. 3 #117, in front of live TV news cameras, Batman and the Ghost-Maker triumphantly deliver the injured Scarecrow over to authorities.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Fear State – Omega #1—and referenced in Batman: Fear State – Omega #1. Simon Saint and Miracle Molly are both arrested. The Unsanity Collective goes underground. In Eden, Catwoman briefly visits Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and the Gardener. Poison Ivy tells the Gardener that she (Poison Ivy) is no hero, nor is she a villain. Whatever she chooses to be will be her own decision. (Poison Ivy will depart shortly after this and be gone for around a year to adventure in her own debut solo Poison Ivy title.) Soon after, Batman gets post-“Fear State” debriefings from the entire Bat-Family. A recovering Scarecrow remains in jail at GCPD Central Precinct. Batman catches wind that sixteen of Scarecrow’s brainwashed minions are planning on busting him out as soon as he is transferred. Batman will keep tabs on these minions for a few weeks, moving forward. FoxTech takes over handling the downed Magistrate flying fortress. Batman unsuccessfully lobbies for Peacekeeper-01 to go into Justice League custody, after which Peacekeeper-01 escapes from a hospital and goes into hiding. Meanwhile, Batman patrols and visits Clownhunter, who is busy scrapping with some of Joker’s old henchmen. Clownhunter agrees to train under the Ghost-Maker.
–Catwoman Vol. 5 #38
Facing a litany of possible criminal charges in the aftermath of “Fear State,” Selina turns herself in to the GCPD. Along with Clayface (Basil Karlo) posing as her lawyer, Selina is questioned by good Detective James Rigs and crooked Detective Kollak. Despite being absolved of all wrongdoing, Selina knows that Kollak will stop at nothing to ruin her life. Thus, Clayface poses as Kollak, assaults Rigs, and “attempts to kidnap” Selina. The real Kollak gets demoted. In Alleytown, Cheshire reintroduces herself to her amnesiac daughter, Lian Harper (aka Shoes). Catwoman then briefly meets up with Batman atop a roof. After each makes sure the other is okay, Catwoman swings away into the night. (Batman and Catwoman’s self-imposed yearlong separation period has technically ended, but despite this, their relationship status remains murky. They will continue their extended break, unsure of what the future holds for them as a couple.)
–Gotham City Villains 100-Page Anniversary Giant #1 Part 6
Batman busts some thieves, during which hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash blow out of their vehicle into the street. A stalking Killer Moth collects all the loose bills and hightails it home to play video games. A big score without ever having confronted Batman for a second.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #118-119. The former Club of Heroes (Man-of Bats, Bat-Man of China, the Hood, el Gaucho, and Dark Ranger) reform as the brand new Batman Incorprated. (Unknown to the public, they are being secretly funded by Lex Luthor.)
WARWORLD RISING
————————–Action Comics #1030
————————–Action Comics #1032-1033
————————–Action Comics #1035
On Warworld, a cloaked scavenger named Kryl-Ux delivers the severed heads of all of Mongul’s children to Mongul III (Mongul’s grandson), who is pleased that none of his parricidal kin will ever usurp his throne (as Monguls are wont to do). Kryl-Ux promises to deliver Superman as well. Meanwhile, Superman is concerned about his health; he has been ever since going through an interdimensional energy breach a few weeks ago. Spilling the beans to Batman and the Atom, the duo runs some combat tests upon the Man of Steel outside of the Fortress of Solitude. The heroes discover that Superman’s energy output increased but his overall powers have diminished. Notably, Superman seems to be suffering from cellular decay, which could be very bad for him. The Atom downplays the results, thinking it could be flukes, but Batman doesn’t think so. Batman also tells Superman that Superboy (Jon Kent) has become stronger than him, going so far as to suggest that his son replace him as Earth’s primary superhero. In the Middle East, Superboy (Jon) catches up with Robin (Damian). (Superman and Robin Special #1, which goes very shortly after this item, tells us that the official Lazarus Island tournament of death has yet to start, but it will begin in Robin Vol. 3 #5, just after the upcoming Superman: Son of Kal-El #2.) Damian refuses to talk about his dad, but Jon can’t stop talking about his. Jon tells Damian that 31st century history records say that Superman dies by poisoning and is taken away by Kryptonians shortly after his conflict with the aforementioned energy breach. Soon afterward, Superman and Superboy come face-to-face with an armada from Warworld that is shooting at one of their own ships, which contain refugees escaping from Warworld, including Thao-La. In the Fortress of Solitude, Lois is able to calm down a terrified Thao-La, who Superman, Superboy (Jon Kent), and Supergirl discover is Phaelosian, part of a lost colony of Kryptonians that have been enslaved by the new Mongul. In Atlantis, Vulko and Maric study a cosmic stone called the Genesis Fragment, which had fallen into the sea when the refugees were rescued. The stone fragment is part of a godlike sentient energy known as the Genesis, which powers Warworld and gives strength to Mongul. The fragment emits intense energy, turning Maric into a kaiju. Later, Superman visits Gotham to talk to Batman, who is in the middle of busting random crooks. Superman asks for Batman’s approval for the Justice League to attack Warworld, but before a hesitant Batman can respond, Aquaman radios for help. Batman, Superman, Aquaman, Murk, and some Atlantean soldiers take on the transformed Maric along with several other kaiju along the Atlantic Coast of the US. Superman flies into the belly of the beast, which transports him to (or shows him a vision of) the Necropolis, a blue-tinted ancient city made from Genesis energy and located in the nether realm of Warworld. The Genesis energy welcomes Superman aloud, telling him he’ll be visiting the Necropolis again very soon. Superman is able to fly back out of the beast’s belly, freeze the main monster, and help defeat his minions. Steve Trevor, representing the US Government, arrives, demanding the Genesis Fragment from the Atlanteans, but they refuse to hand it over. Soon after, the US Government tries to steal it using Task Force X, but the mission is exposed in a brutal failure, sparking geopolitical tensions across the globe and a military standoff between the US and Atlantis. The JL meets to discuss the situation, but they can’t come to an agreement. Superman tells his teammates that he will liberate all the enslaved people on Warworld—with or without their help. Off the coast of Florida, Superman, Superboy, and Supergirl prevent combat between Atlantis and the US. Meanwhile, Mongul (along with aides Chaytil Ironbled and Orphan) remotely spy on Thao-La inside the Fortress of Solitude. Mongul teleports a trio of Warzoon thugs into the Fortress, and they confront Thao-La, which reveals to Lois that Thao-La is a reluctant double-agent working for Mongul. Lois grabs a laser gun and begins fighting the Warzoons. Shortly thereafter, with his Warzoons bested, Mongul forces Thao-La into fighting the Super-Family by threatening to murder her entire race, which he holds captive on Warworld. After standing down, Mongul remotely strikes at Thao-La, injuring her to the brink of death. Superman vows to avenge her and save her people. A day later, after a funeral for Thao-La’s fallen refugee comrades, Superman begins assembling a new Authority with plans of invading Warworld. Superman’s assembly of this team—Apollo, Midnighter, Manchester Black, Steel (Natasha Irons), Enchantress, Earth-9 Flash (now going by Lightray), and Earth-9 OMAC—is shown in Superman and The Authority #1-4, which also tells us that Superman has begun losing his powers (and had his hair turn grey) due to radiation poisoning. The Man of Steel also tailors a spiffy new “Authority” costume and refers to the Fortress of Solitude as “Fort Superman”—the latter being a fun Grant Morrison reference to the title and title splash page of the Silver Age’s Action Comics #241. Batman catches wind of Superman’s plans and his condition. A day after that, Lois notifies the JL about all that has occurred, prompting the team to visit Superman at Fort Superman. (Superman is wearing his normal costume and looks healthy again, but this is just thanks to a glamour spell cast by Enchantress—as referenced in Action Comics #1036.) Due to the international incidents surrounding the Genesis fragment, Superman is kicked off the JL, effective immediately! Thus, the JL won’t be involved in the Warworld mission, but they give Superman their blessing. Batman tells Superman that he is being reckless, but ultimately gives his blessing as well. Later, Superman says goodbye to Superboy, telling him that the JL might approach him to be his replacement on the team. Superman spends one romantic evening with Lois before rejoining the Authority.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #1000 Part 5 and Detective Comics #1000 Part 10. September 21. Batman, as he does every year on the anniversary of his parents’ murders, visits both Crime Alley (where his parents were killed) and the cemetery where his parents are buried.
–REFERENCE: In Superman: Son of Kal-El #2. Batman and Oracle create a new secret ID of “Finn Conners” for Jonathan Kent, who is about to begin his freshmen year of college. (He never finished high school, but now that he’s been aged up, the genius Jon Kent needs to keep up appearances by going to a university.) Jon’s “Finn Conners” persona gets outed, exposed, and ruined on his first day of school.
–Batman/Superman: Authority Special #1
Batman receives intel direct from a cosmic guardian known as a Fuginaut, who has been kidnapped and remains trapped on an alternate Dark Multiverse world where an alt-Batman and alt-Talia al Ghul (along with their children) have completely taken over the planet. (A subtle origin story for this Dark Multiverse world—also known as Earth al Ghul—can be found in Gotham City Villains 100-Page Anniversary Giant #1 Part 7.) The Fuginaut details how the so-called Empire of Shadows is planning to use his stolen power to invade Earth-0. Batman immediately seeks Superman’s help, with the latter suggesting use of his new Authority team. After making detailed files on each Authority member, Batman meets with the team, who are in the midst of prepping for their assault on Warworld. Batman briefs them, and they put the Warworld mission on hiatus to focus on the Empire of Shadows. After a training session, Batman and the Authority travel to the Dark Multiverse using Enchantress’ magick. Inside the enemy citadel, the heroes are ambushed by an army of zombie ninja man-bats led by Taj al Ghul. Enchantress is abducted and forced to power up a multiversial travel machine made out of the now-deceased Fuginaut’s body. Batman and Midnighter team up to best two Bat-costumed foes (Saif al Ghul and Janan al Ghul) and rescue Enchantress. The Authority returns home with the remains of the Fuginaut in tow, thus sealing off the Empire of Shadows from coming to Earth-0. Impressed, Batman gives his full approval to the Authority.
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
————————–Batman: Urban Legends #9 Part 2
————————–Batman: Urban Legends #10 Part 2
Batman witnesses March Harriet chatting with Deever Tweed (Tweedledee), so he tails them and orders Oracle to send surveillance drones to keep tabs on them. But March Harriet is clean and hasn’t even seen the Tweeds, who have also gone straight, in quite a while. Unfortunately, Dumfree aka Dumfrey Tweed (Tweedledum) is very ill, so much so that he can barely move and pisses himself. By nightfall, Tweedledum collapses into unconsciousness. Tweedledee rushes Tweedledum to urgent care, but can’t get any sympathy (even from March Harriet). Freaking out, Tweedledee starts firing a gun and then attacks a man that is attempting to tow his vehicle. Batman intervenes, taking both Tweeds to Micro-Cave 4B. There, Batman analyzes Tweedledum, discovering he is suffering from “Rabbit Holes” i.e. cerebral degeneration due to prolonged exposure to Mad Hatter’s mind-control. Batman does some quick research, learning that Belle Reve Penitentiary has all of Mad Hatter’s old mind-control tech, and they’ve been studying it for a long time. Relaying all this info to Tweedledee, Batman is able to convince the Tweeds to turn themselves into Amanda Waller’s custody at Belle Reve—the only place where Tweedledum has a chance of survival. Elsewhere, Mad Hatter watches a TV news report about the Tweeds being incarcerated at Belle Reve.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Urban Legends #14 Part 1. Batman, Zatanna, and Green Arrow hang out together. Green Arrow gets bummed and walks off. (This image is extremely vague, so who knows?)
BOUND TO OUR WILL
————————–Batman: Urban Legends #11 Part 1
————————–Batman: Urban Legends #12 Part 1
————————–Batman: Urban Legends #13 Part 1
After a joint JL/JLD meeting at the Hall of Justice, Zatanna and Batman meet separately because it’s time to perform their occult ritual that will keep evil forces (which they accidentally released as teens) at bay. Superman, having noticed that Batman and Zatanna sneak off to do this every few years, confronts Batman about it, citing that the Dark Knight gets extra down in the dumps whenever this happens. Batman and Zatanna travel to the ritual site, which has gotten more negatively affected by dark magick over the years. Batman and Zatanna do their thing, but with slight variation, which causes an explosion of magickal energy that opens a tear in the fabric of reality and releases Cthulhu-esque nightmares. People all over the planet, including various magick users, take notice. Batman and Zatanna are able to fuse their essences to the rift, which closes the tear and sends the monsters packing. After Batman and Zatanna depart, the magick villains Celeste (who possesses an unnamed elderly woman) and Eos (who possesses a man named Jacky Day) feed on the dark energy that remains in the area. At Batman’s nearby church safe house, Batman and Zatanna rest up while discussing their tumultuous emotional history. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of John Constantine, who tells them that they are emitting a magickal signal that will soon bring bad things their way. Constantine temporarily blocks the signal, chats (and flirts) with both Batman and Zatanna, and then does a protective ritual with them. However, their spell is too late as Celeste and Eos arrive to fight them. (Several images from this opening section of “Bound to Our Will” are also shown via flashback from Batman: Urban Legends #14 Part 1.)
BOUND TO OUR WILL (Conclusion)
————————–Batman: Urban Legends #14 Part 1
————————–Batman: Urban Legends #15 Part 1
————————–Batman: Urban Legends #16 Part 1
Picking up directly from Batman: Urban Legends #13 Part 1, Batman fights Celeste and Eos, allowing Zatanna to escape. However, both John Constantine and Batman are zapped to the “in-between” realm where they view “shades” and “shadows” of moments of history that are linked to the case at hand. After witnessing a cycle depicting the rise and fall of Emperor Nero in Ancient Rome, Batman inserts himself into the narrative, plucking Nero from the shade. (It’s unclear if Batman is actually time traveling here or not, likely not though.) Meanwhile, Zatanna performs an occult ritual, during which she witnesses images of her past history with Batman. From the other side of the cosmic “rift,” Batman is able to push Eos out of Jacky Day’s body and possess it himself. With Jacky, Batman speaks to Zatanna, and together they come up with a plan. Zatanna confronts Celeste and Eos, forcing them out of their host bodies and sending them to Batman and Constantine’s location. There, powered by Zatanna on the mortal plane, Batman and Constantine use magick abilities to combat Celeste and Eos in their demonic true forms. With their powers combined, the heroes are victorious, exorcising the demons from their hosts. Finally, the curse attached to Batman and Zatanna is lifted. Later, the duo chats about their relationship at the church safe house. The conversation ends in a hug. Later, following a JL meeting at the Hall of Justice, Superman tells Batman he’s glad that Zatanna and he are doing well. That evening, Zatanna joins the Bat-Family for dinner. Present at the occasion are Bruce, Zatanna, Babs, Tim, Stephanie, Duke, Cassie, Babs. (The youngest of the Bat-Family members are supposed to cook, but the group is shown eating takeout, so they must have botched the meal!)
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #1056. Batman and Mayor Christopher Nakano have been working together for a while now, but they now decide to make this new public. It becomes an immediate headline news story.
–Batman/Fortnite: Foundation #1
Imagined Order opens up another Zero Point dimensional rift, this time in Metropolis, drawing heroes and villains alike. Lex Luthor and a resurrected Batman Who Laughs guide a cadre of hired help—including Clayface III (Preston Payne), Killer Croc, Monsieur Mallah, the Brain, Chemo, Deathstroke, Cheetah, Parasite, Firefly, Kite Man, Trickster, Weather Wizard, Captain Cold, Mr. Freeze, Giganta, Reverse-Flash, Rainbow Raider, Blackfire, Bizarro #1, and a man-bat (if Kirk Langstrom, then the zombified version we’ll soon see more of in Task Force Z)—toward the portal in hopes of gaining control and access. While the Justice League, Titans, Shazam, and Plastic Man fight the super-villains, Batman confronts The Foundation, quickly learning that he is from the Fortnite Island Loop beyond the Zero Point portal but works with an anti-Imagined Order group known as The Seven. Batman and The Foundation join the fray in Metropolis, during which the Foundation tackles the Batman Who Laughs through the portal into the Loop. Using a device given to him by the Foundation, Batman seals the portal, trapping the two on the island. In Metropolis, all the villains scatter. Batman notes that Lex Luthor has technically committed no crime with any action pertaining to the portal, so Luthor walks away clean. On the island, the Batman Who Laughs remains imprisoned but revels in slaughtering Fortnite warriors over and over as the Loop endlessly resets itself.
–Wonder Woman: Black and Gold #1 Part 5
Batman and Wonder Woman team-up to bust and interrogate money laundering investment banker. Batman bets Wonder Woman ten bucks that she’ll have to use her magick lasso in order to get the guy to confess. Wonder Woman takes Batman’s bet. After telling the crook an intimidating story about how she got the Golden Fleece in ancient times and impressing upon him that the lasso is way more intense than a polygraph, the crook folds and spills the beans. Batman pays up.
–Justice League Vol. 4 #64-66 (“UNITED ORDER”)
Note that Justice League Vol. 4 #74 reveals that Justice League Vol. 4 #64-74 spans only one week. Superman’s newest rival, The Synmar Utopica, is put on trial by the United Planets at their HQ on Daxam. But Synmar escapes and bests the United Planets’ super-team known as The United Order (Hawkslayer, Prince Zerep, Bloodstar, Dominator Qq, DivineQ, and several unnamed others) before heading angrily toward Earth. At the Hall of Justice, Aquaman, Black Adam, Hawkgirl, and Hippolyta train Naomi until her parents (Jen McDuffie and Greg McDuffie) arrive for a visit. In Coast City, the Daemon Rose (Leonardo Lane) stalks Oliver Queen and Dinah Drake, but they turn the tables on him. The Daemon Rose surprises Dinah by outing his own secret ID, but also by revealing that Ollie has been bankrolling the new Checkmate. As they chat, one of several fake Deathstrokes (secretly representing Leviathan and the Royal Flush Gang) attacks. Meanwhile, as Superman and Batman join his teammates (and the Wonder Twins) to defend DC against the arriving Synmar. Naomi ushers her parents into the care of John Constantine before joining the fray. Synmar destroys the entire facade of the Hall of Justice, including the lobby. Back in Coast City, Ollie, Dinah, and the Daemon Rose realize that they are dealing with a bogus Deathstroke. After a tense standoff, everyone shoots each other down à la Reservoir Dogs. But everyone survives thanks to the use of non-lethal weaponry, and both fake Deathstroke and the Daemon Rose depart. Meanwhile, at the smoldering Hall of Justice, Synmar easily handles the JL, pausing only to remotely communicate with his ex-partner Galana Rodoso. As the battle versus the Synmar Utopica wages on, more heroes arrive—including Green Arrow, Black Canary, Plastic Man, Firestorm, Blue Devil, Booster Gold, Vixen, Captain Atom, and the entire United Order.
–Justice League Vol. 4 #67-68 (“UNITED ORDER” Conclusion)
Picking up directly from Justice League Vol. 4 #66, the JL, JL reserves, and United Order defeat the Synmar Utopica. Batman uses a Phantom Zone Projector to send him to the Phantom Zone. Afterward, the Uniter Order tries to confiscate the Phantom Zone Projector, but the heroes of Earth tell them to piss off. The United Order argues amongst themselves, ultimately departing without much fuss. Naomi and Dr. Fate (Khalid Nassour) travel through a portal in the JLD’s basement lair, connecting them to his Tower of Fate where John Constantine is hanging out with Naomi’s upset parents. While the JL and JL reserves squabble about the damage done to the Hall of Justice, Superman, Flash (Barry Allen), and Kelex repair all the damage in mere minutes, even adding some upgrades. In Coast City, more fake Deathstrokes attack the Daemon Rose, who kicks their asses and notifies Green Arrow. Later, Checkmate (Green Arrow, Bones, Kate Spencer, Kamandi, Steve Trevor, and the Question) watches video of the Daemon Rose besting the Deathstrokes. The Daemon Rose confronts Checkmate atop city roof, revealing that he was approached by the fake Deathstrokes, who asked for his assistance in destroying the JL. When he refused, he became their target. As the Daemon Rose chats with Checkmate, the fake Deathstrokes attack again, but the JL shows up to stop them.
–Justice League Vol. 4 #69-71 (“THE BIGGEST SCORE EVER”)
Picking up directly from Justice League Vol. 4 #68, the JL and Checkmate interrogate the fake Deathstrokes (which they are now calling “Fakestrokes”), hoping to learn for whom they work. Using some old school spycraft methods, the heroes let one of the Fakestrokes go, allowing him to predictably carjack a nearby vehicle (which is actually a disguised Batmobile). They tail him, but Leviathan assassinates him by blowing up the car. Plan B sees Hippolyta use the Lasso of Truth on one of the other Fakestrokes, who reveals the location of another Fakestroke cell. The heroes beat up more Fakestrokes, learning that they are funded by top players in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and Wall Street. After shaking down just about everyone, the mystery leader at the top of the chain remains unexposed. Shortly thereafter, the Royal Flush Gang sends out a viral video asking people to rise up and join them for a revolution. While the JL tries to make sense of the odd video, Kelex reports that the Fortress of Solitude has disappeared. (The Royal Flush Gang has literally stolen the entire Fortress of Solitude, which they want to use to obtain a priceless meteor.) While Superman fights Ace, Batman discovers the hidden location of the missing Fortress of Solitude, but its emergency interdimensional portal doors have accidentally been opened by the hapless Royal Flush Gang within. The Justice League and Justice League Dark—joined by Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes), Robotman, Ambush Bug, Fire, Ice, OMAC (Kevin Kho), the Atom (Ray Palmer), Metamorpho, Firestorm, Dr. Light (Kimiyo Hoshi), August General in Iron, Supergirl, Steel (John Henry Irons), Atom Smasher, Star Sapphire (Carol Ferris), Swamp Thing (either Alec Holland or Levi Kamei), and others—fend off the Crime Syndicate, an alt-Clayface, an alt-Solomon Grundy, Mammoth, Trigon, Nebula Man, and various interdimensional villains and monsters that come through the portals. After winning the day, restoring the Fortress of Solitude, and jailing the Royal Flush Gang, the heroes return to the Hall of Justice. There, the JL and Checkmate meet, deciding to officially add the Daemon Rose into the Checkmate lineup. The JL and Checkmate also give a warm group thank you to Green Arrow for being a key player across both teams. The meeting concludes with both teams coming up with a joint-plan to take care of remaining Leviathan cells.
–Infinite Frontier #2
Director Bones, running the revamped DEO, sends Cameron Chase to chat with Superman and Batman at the Hall of Justice. Cameron questions the heroes about recent cosmic events involving Flashpoint Batman and the Batman Who Laughs, specifically addressing how the public needs to know more about multiversial incursions and the science behind them. Their conversation is cut short by an Aquaman and Hawkgirl alert about Brimstone. Their alert mentions that this is the fourth version of Brimstone that has appeared this year. Batman and Superman join their comrades to deal with the situation. Director Bones orders Cameron to recruit Captain Atom. Meanwhile, Justice Incarnate (aka Justice League Incarnate) collects strange metal fragments scattered across the multiverse. Notably, Machinehead bests Lord Havok on Earth-8, Captain Carrot bests King Cone on Earth-26, and Earth-5 Mary Marvel bests Earth-5 Sobek on Earth-5, while the others, including Earth-41’s Dino-Cop, meet no resistance while scavenging. Back at the House of Heroes, President Superman and Harbinger show a copy of The Multiversity Guidebook to Flashpoint Batman, who had been part of a botched abduction plot by the DEO’s cosmic bounty hunter X-Tract but wound up in the safe care of the Justice League Incarnate. (X-Tract is an alternate timeline Cameron Chase, supposedly, or so we are told, the original Cameron Chase from the long defunct pre-Crisis Earth-2 or some version of it. Since there was no Cameron Chase from that era, X-Tract being a remnant from that era is technically possible, although I wouldn’t dwell on it too much, especially since it has little bearing on our narrative at hand.) President Superman and Flashpoint Batman travel to Earth-22 to collect another metal fragment only to run into Earth-22 Magog. Meanwhile, on Earth-0, Mr. Terrific, Vandal Savage, Alan Ladd-Scott, and Obsidian investigate the charred ruins of the original JSA HQ, which has just been blown up. Mr. Terrific notes that several prominent superheroes have gone missing, including Jade, Power Girl, Atom Smasher, Wildcat (Yolanda Montez), Dr. Mid-Nite (Elizabeth Chapel), Hourman (Rick Tyler), and Damage (Grant Emerson). Upon hearing that their friends and family are missing, Alan Ladd-Scott and Obsidian angrily depart in search of them. Meanwhile, outside of Metropolis, Roy Harper, having now become the first ever Omega Lantern (basically a quasi-living Black Lantern), tests his powers, during which he sees a hazy vision of Darkseid, Flashpoint Batman, Psycho-Pirate, a chained Barry Allen, and his daughter Lian. At the nearby Metropolis Air Force Base, Cameron meets with Captain Atom, who is quickly revealed to be an alternate universe Captain Atom, masquerading as Earth-0’s version. Upon being outed, the alt-Captain Atom says “Darskeid is” while detonating himself with a nuclear explosion.
–Justice League Vol. 4 2022 Annual
Epoch (the Lord of Time) causes a space-temporal anomaly where he splits into separate versions of himself, appearing in multiple time periods simultaneously. Able to capture Hawkgirl, Epoch traps her in amber in the distant future. In this distant future, in the hub known as Electric City, future OMAC (Buddy Blank)—guided by Brother Eye—finds Hawkgirl, which transports him to present day. The confused OMAC interrupts a Hall of Justice surprise party in celebration of Wonder Woman’s recent return. Present, along with the guest of honor, are the entire JL, Jonathan Kent (who has officially become Earth’s new Superman), Stargirl, Plastic Man, Etrigan, Hal Jordan, Captain Atom, and Dr. Fate (Khalid Nassour). Note that the Egyptian goddess Hauhet is now inhabiting Khalid’s magick helm.) After subduing OMAC, the heroes split up to investigate similar time-anomalies across the globe. Wonder Woman, Hippolyta, and Naomi travel to the swamps of Louisiana to find a version of Epoch inside the abandoned Legion of Doom HQ. Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Aquaman travel to Blackgate Penitentiary where Killer Croc has just escaped and incited a riot. Warden Cotton mentions that Joker is locked up, but this is a Brian Michael Bendis continuity error that clashes with Joker Vol. 2. Superman (Jon Kent) joins the trio of heroes at Blackgate when they fear taking on Solomon Grundy without more backup. But instead of Grundy, they find a strange time-displaced android named Doreen, who morphs into a horrible razor-toothed monster. Flash and Hawkgirl help the heroes defeat the monster, after which an Epoch appears before them. Meanwhile, Black Adam confronts another Epoch in the nation of Leviathan (formerly Markovia). Grundy, having been teleported from Blackgate, attacks Black Adam. Concurrently, another Epoch confronts Batman and OMAC at the Hall of Justice. The Epochs trap OMAC and Hawkgirl, sending them to the distant future. There, OMAC and Hawkgirl are able to defeat Epoch (with help from another Epoch), which defeats all the Epochs. Before fading away, one of the Epochs warns Batman that he needs to destroy Gold Lantern Kala Lour’s power ring. (This warning is also shown via flashback from Justice League vs The Legion of Super-Heroes #3.) With things settled, the heroes debrief, reflecting on what has occurred.
–Justice League Vol. 4 #72-74 (“LEAGUES OF CHAOS”)
Zatanna, Dr. Fate (Khalid Nassour), and Madame Xanadu each have a shared vision of a possessed Black Adam murdering the entire Justice League. Meanwhile, the JL and other heroes run the 7th Annual Washington DC Charities Event for All, held at the Hall of Justice. (Batman is not present, and we can assume he’s never been present for these family events in the past.) Soon after, the JL holds a meeting with other heroes (Beast Boy is present, for example). Zatanna and John Constantine interrupt to deliver the news about the vision. In Khandaq, Black Adam is attacked by Xanadoth (the original Lord of Chaos), who demands use of his body as a host vessel. Flash and Batman rush to Black Adam’s side, but Xanadoth easily bests them and forces Black Adam under her control. Meanwhile, Dr. Fate and Etrigan commune with Nabu, who tells them they are on their own against Xanadoth. The now possessed Black Adam then attacks Zatanna, Madame Xanadu, Etrigan, and Dr. Fate while Xanadoth (still simultaneously in her other body) is confronted by a joint contingent of Lords of Chaos and Lords of Order. Black Adam defeats the heroes, steals the Helm of Nabu and kidnaps Madame Xanadu. The rest of the JL arrives just after Black Adam departs. Concerned about all the magick users involved, Batman sends word to both Supermen to keep clear of Earth for a bit. In yet another joint meeting between the JL and JLD, Zatanna explains that Xanadoth is hellbent on revenge against his ancient rival Nabu. In the JLD library in the basement of the Hall of Justice, the heroes summon Nabu, who exclaims that there’s nothing he can do to stop Xanadoth, citing the possible involvement of the Great Darkness. However, upon seeing Naomi, Nabu perks up in surprise. He instantly disappears while teleporting her to a blank white void. Meanwhile, the JL and JLD assist Madame Xanadu in the fight against Xanadoth at Black Adam’s palace. Nabu and Naomi arrive to help turn the tide as well, with Nabu revealing that Namoi’s powers can amplify magick abilities of those around her. Powered-up by Naomi, the heroes regain Dr. Fate’s helmet, purge Black Adam from Xanadoth’s control, and defeat Xanadoth once and for all. Back at the Hall of Justice, Batman gives his full blessing to Naomi, congratulating her on a job well done. When an alert comes in that the Legion of Doom has returned and taken over the White House, the JL, JLD, Katana, Hal Jordan, and Frankenstein assemble for battle. (Presumably, the heroes defeat the Legion of Doom.)
–Naomi: Season Two #6
With remote support from her superhero aunt Akira, Naomi McDuffie defends the residents of Port Oswego, Oregon (including her adoptive parents and her friends Sooze and Annabelle), against super-villains from her alternate reality home world—Dragon, Jupiter, Kilgore, and an unnamed villain. Members of the Justice League, Justice League Dark, Young Justice, along with some other heroes, arrive to support Naomi just as she defeats her foes. Four days later, Naomi—now with the power to travel freely between Earth-0 and her home world— says goodbye to her parents and Thanagarian pal Dee, departing on a mission to free her home world from tyranny.
–REFERENCE: In Aquaman/The Flash: Voidsong #1. The Justice League fixes up and, for the first time in years, begins using their orbital satellite Watchtower again. The JL will operate out of both the Watchtower and the Hall of Justice, moving forward. Note that—as per Wonder Woman #793 and Batman Vol. 3 #129 (which both occur pre-Dark Crisis) and Harley Quinn Vol. 4 #20-21 (which occurs post-Dark Crisis)—the old lunar Watchtower, while still intact and stocked, still remains abandoned and unused (although Luke Fox secretly has access).
–Aquaman/The Flash: Voidsong #1
In Central City, the Rogues (Captain Boomerang, Mirror Master, Captain Cold, Weather Wizard, and Heat Wave) kidnap Iris West-Allen, prompting a rescue from Flash. Later, Flash promises Batman he will take a monitor duty shift aboard the newly reopened Watchtower satellite. Unfortunately, this clashes with plans he made with Iris, causing a marital spat. Meanwhile, in Atlantis, Aquaman is also arguing with his beloved, Mera. To blow off some steam, Aquaman fights Black Manta. During their scuffle, Black Manta starts singing in and alien language as he becomes possessed by a collective alien force known as The Voidsong. While en route to the Watchtower, Flash comes across an entire city of people that has become similarly zombified. As a Voidsong spacecraft hovers over the planet, Flash and Aquaman realize that only they have been spared the fate of the others. Flash is unaffected due to his unique connection to the Speed Force and Aquaman is unaffected because he had been in the deepest trench on Earth at the time of the possession. Flash and Aquaman travel to the Watchtower to find Superman (Clark Kent), Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, and Batman all mindlessly singing. Flash teleports his defeated comrades into the Watchtower’s panic room. Flash and Aquaman then confront the Voidsong head-on, determined to save the world.
–Aquaman/The Flash: Voidsong #3
Picking up directly from Aquaman/The Flash: Voidsong #1-2, with the entire populace of Earth incapacitated, Aquaman and Flash pilot an Atlantean spaceship head-on into the Voidsong armada. Aquaman and Flash get swept inside a gigantic formless alien overlord. Aquaman tells off the Voidsong and then rescues Flash from a hallucinatory-inducing black goo. In a moment of epiphany, the duo realizes that they both need to treat their wives better. The Speed Force gifts them with the anti-Voidsong “song of the universe,” which they sing together, causing the populace of Earth to awake from its collective slumber. The Justice League, Justice Society, Nightwing, Batgirl (Cassie Cain), Batwoman, Clayface (Basil Karlo), Penguin, Riddler, Harley Quinn, Deathstroke, Jackson Hyde (who has graduated from “Aqualad” to become a dual Aquaman), the Atom (Ray Palmer), Booster Gold, August General in Iron, Green Arrow, Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein, Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes), John Constantine, Blue Devil, and Negative Man destroy all the Voidsong ships, defeating their armada for good. Joker is also shown fighting the Voidsong, but we should ignore his presence as a continuity error that clashes with Joker Vol. 2. Later, Superman (Clark Kent), Batman, and Wonder Woman demand an immediate debriefing from Aquaman and Flash, but Aquaman tells Flash to go home to be with Iris. Before Flash departs, Batman invites him to hang out at the Batcave, but Flash says he’ll be busy. (It’s unknown if they raincheck, but we can assume they don’t on account of how busy they’ll be. Also, Batman wouldn’t have a Batcave at this juncture. He must mean one of the Micro-Caves or the Bat-Garage.) On the steps of the Hall of Justice, Aquaman is given a triumphant celebration befit for a man who just saved the planet. Shortly thereafter, Batman travels to Mars and “brings something back,” although this is only mentioned by Aquaman as an aside in the epilogue of this story, so we don’t have any further details.
–REFERENCE: In Superman: Son of Kal-El 2021 Annual. With Superman (Clark Kent) set to depart on his quest with the Authority to bring down Mongul III and liberate Warworld, he wants to leave behind something special for his son. Using Kryptonian technology, Clark creates a holographic interactive AI version of himself, saving it onto an alien crystal. He gives it to Batman, telling him to give it to Jon once he’s off-world. Note that Action Comics #1044 tells us that Justice League: No Justice occurs months prior to Superman (Clark) liberating Warworld from Mongul. That’s ridiculous as Justice League: No Justice occurred four years ago.
–Superman: Son of Kal-El 2021 Annual
With Superman (Clark Kent) having just departed on his quest with the Authority to bring down Mongul III and liberate Warworld, Batman visits Lois and Jon to deliver Clark’s crystalline AI to the latter. At the Fortress of Solitude, Jon speaks with his dad’s holographic AI. Shortly thereafter, having played some of the wealthiest shady businessmen (including Blockbuster and electronics magnate Luca Maurice) for tons of cash, Lex Luthor (flanked by his assistant Mercy Graves) makes his triumphant return as head of LexCorp. Citing that he’d been mind-controlled by Gorilla Grodd for the past few years, Luthor even obtains a full pardon for all his crimes. When Maurice activates killer robots to attack LexCorp tower, Superman (Jon) reluctantly helps Luthor fend them off. Afterward, Jon and Luthor play chess, with Jon saying that Luthor must take down the gaudy LexCorp sign atop his HQ if he loses. Sure enough, Jon wins. After Jon leaves, and angry Luthor has Maurice killed and sets up a meeting with President of Gamorra Henry Bendix.
–Superman: Son of Kal-El #6
With Superman (Clark) only having been gone for hours, a metahuman named Faultline (mind-controlled by agents of Henry Bendix) tries to assassinate Ma and Pa Kent (and in the process completely destroys their Smallville farm). The attack is monitored by the JL and ultimately fails, but it is highly concerning. (Both the attack and fallout can be seen in the Batman-less Superman: Son of Kal-El #3-5, which occur immediately prior to Superman: Son of Kal-El #6.) While Batman debriefs Lois, Superman (Jon), having recently embraced his bisexuality, hangs out with his new boyfriend Jay Nakamura (aka the superhero known as both “The Truth” and “Gossamer”). Jay is also the leader of the muckraking alt-news group known as “The Truth.” (Jay’s mom Sara Nakamura is the ex-president of Gamorra, who was ousted by Henry Bendix. Jay was also turned into a metahuman by Bendix.) Hoping to find out more information about Faultline, both the Truth and Robin (Damian) break into STAR Labs. Inside, they run into Lois, who has used her press credentials to gain access. After the trio regroups with Superman (Jon), they examine evidence linking Faultline to both Gamorra and a US Senator named James Henderson. Superman (Jon) intercepts a human-trafficking ship and confronts a Gamorran ambassador, the mystery mind-controller, and several metahumans. After rescuing the abductees, Superman takes the ambassador to chat with Jay. In Gamorra, the unnamed mind-controller meets with President Bendix, who initiates “The Rising”—a plan that involves Lex Luthor, kaiju, and a team of homegrown mind-controlled metahumans collectively known as the Gamorra Corps (Sparks, Inferno, and a ten to eleven unnamed others).
–REFERENCE: In Task Force Z #4. Batman catches wind that something fishy is going on at the morgue in regard to some of the super-villains that died during A-Day. Believes that Two-Face may be involved somehow, the Dark Knight meets with Red Hood, tasking him with figuring out the truth. Together, they make a plan of action.
WHAT THE #!$% IS TASK FORCE Z
————————–the second feature to Detective Comics #1041
————————–the second feature to Detective Comics #1043
Jason Todd secretly slips Deb Donovan a note while she’s riding the subway. This leads to Deb working on a story about super-villain deaths, and she visits the morgue to examine the bodies of Bane, Man-Bat, and Astrid Arkham. (Astrid was presumed dead and brought to the morgue following the A-Day massacre. Also don’t forget that Bane is still secretly alive and the “Bane” corpse in the morgue is a body double.) Both the coroner and Deb are surprised to find that Astrid’s body is missing. After leaving, Deb is immediately attacked by thug hired to silence her story. Batman saves Deb’s life, but warns her to back off her story. (Batman has intel that the government is involved.) Deb then meets with Vicki Vale to show her the note and ask for advice. Upon arrival back at her apartment, Deb is greeted by Red Hood. Soon after, Deb and Red Hood are attacked by some hooded assailants. Batman intervenes, rescuing Deb while warning her to steer clear of danger. Batman and Red Hood then have a public argument in front of all the gathered law enforcement, after which Batman angrily departs. (This showy argument is merely subterfuge as part of the heroes’ ongoing plan to figure out what’s going on with the deceased A-Day super-villains.) The hooded goons then take down and kidnap Red Hood, revealing themselves to be disguised FBI agents. By morning, Deb has published an expose in the Gazette highlighting Red Hood’s illegally detainment by federal agents and the government’s theft of A-Day corpses for unknown purposes. At City Hall, Mayor Nakano, who had secretly given approval to the corpse thievery as part of the top secret “Project Halperin”, expresses his frustration over the news leak in conversation with a top tier federal agent named Crispin. (Spoiler: Crispin is actually a disguised Two-Face, who is now working for the US government.) In a prison cell, “Crispin” later speaks with Red Hood, hoping to make the leader of the brand new Task Force Z—a Suicide Squad comprised of undead zombie super-villains, including fake Bane, Man-Bat, Arkham Knight, Sundowner, and Fish Man. While not shown, Mr. Bloom will also be a member of Task Force Z, replacing Fish Man before the team sees any action. Also note that the new fake Bane is an undead Hank “Gotham” Clover Jr, who has been modeled after the fake Bane corpse used by the real Bane to fake his own death during A-Day.
–the second feature to Detective Comics #1044-1046 (“FOUNDATIONS”)
With Hugo Strange’s SAFE Program having failed, Mayor Nakano rebrands the downtown SAFE facility as Arkham Tower, initiating construction updates to the property. (Moving forward, we’ll see numerous artist renditions of Arkham Tower, which are contradictory of one another in terms of both how they look and at what point in the construction process they are at. Sigh.) Bruce is torn on the idea of a new downtown criminal rehabilitation facility, but he knows he doesn’t like the continued use of the Arkham name. As such, Bruce phones the mayor’s office, leaving a message asking not to use the name. When he doesn’t get a response, Bruce confronts Mayor Nakano on the steps of City Hall after a public address about the new Arkham Tower. During their conversation, a homeless man (who is a former Arkham Asylum patient) accosts them, screaming about how Arkham Tower is haunted. After night falls, Batman visits the Arkham Tower construction site to find one of the carpenters, seemingly in a zombie-like state, attacking his co-workers. Batman takes down the zombie dude and saves the other workers. While investigating, Batman stumbles upon Hugo Strange’s stockpile of Fear Gas and begins to suffer an intense hallucination. (This stockpile had been affecting the construction workers.) While tripping, Batman chases the returning homeless man (the one from City Hall) to the top of the tower where Harley Quinn awaits. After coming back to reality, Batman and Harley Quinn are able to stop the man from toppling a crane and unleashing more Fear Gas. Batman and Harley Quinn calm the man down, after which they all agree that the new Arkham might be a good thing after all.
–Detective Comics 2021 Annual
Note that this Annual is subtitled as a prelude to “Shadows of the Bat.” It is specifically a prelude for “Shadows of the Bat: The Tower” but not for “Shadows of the Bat: House of Gotham” as the latter already concluded a couple years ago. Executives in charge of the new Arkham Tower project solicit FoxTech for extra funding. Bruce has had reservations, but he ultimately approves, going so far as to make some affirmative phone calls to people in high places, including chief doctor Chase Meridian. Later, when super-villain called The Meager Man begins attacking blood transfusion clinics and leaving chicken bones behind in his wake, all signs point to Peter Faust, a serial killer that once attacked Bruce and his family when he was young. The only catch is that Faust died last year. Batman and Nightwing soon apprehend the Meager Man, exposing him as Faust’s son, Pete Faust Jr. Nightwing turns the Meager Man over to authorities, but a group of homeless vigilantes led by the Forgotten help the Meager Man escape, taking him into their care. (The Forgotten was killed by Penguin a couple years ago, but he’s clearly been resurrected by Death Metal/Infinite Frontier.) Batman and Nightwing soon find and bust the Meager Man again, taking him to a hospital. There, Nightwing argues with some cops, telling them they need to view super-villains with more compassion and humanity. Dr. Chase Meridian greets Nightwing, praising him for his progressivism. Bruce and Nightwing chat about the new Arkham Tower.
–Batman: Fear State – Omega #1
A month has passed since “Fear State” ended. Miracle Molly testifies against Simon Saint, earning her a shorter stint in Blackgate Penitentiary. Batman visits the site of the still-downed Magistrate flying fortress, which is being directly overseen by Lucius Fox. Saint Industries begins auctioning off the rest of its tech to the highest international bidders. Amanda Waller works to secure a house arrest release for Simon Saint, hoping to control him for her own nefarious needs. Scarecrow is finally transferred out of the GCPD Central Precinct jail. While traveling, Scarecrow’s minions try to free their leader, but Batman is ready to bring them all down. Batman takes Scarecrow into his own custody and drives him to his new home at Arkham Tower. The Dark Knight leaves Scarecrow under the care of Dr. Chase Meridian.
–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1048. Batman bests Mr. Freeze, who gets sent to Arkham Tower.
–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Detective Comics #1059-1060. Gotham Girl (Claire Clover), having fallen back into serious depression, returns to Gotham and confronts Batman. In the pouring rain, Gotham Girl cries and says that she needs people in her life. Soon after, with Batman’s help, Claire checks into Arkham Tower under the care of Dr. Chase Meridian. Batman will follow-up with Dr. Meridian regarding Claire’s progress, moving forward.
–Superman: Son of Kal-El #10-12
Superman: Son of Kal-El #12 states that a few weeks have passed since the attack on Ma and Pa Kent, hence placement here. Jay Nakamura assembles with other members of The Truth (Aerie, Chaos Kitten, Thylacine, and TNTeen) to watch a live Lex Luthor public address, in which Luthor drags Superman (Jon Kent) through the mud and (falsely) accuses him of murdering one of the Gamorra Corps members. Luthor refers to Jon as a seventeen-year-old, but he recently turned eighteen. It’s likely Luthor doesn’t know his exact age, that he’s trying to belittle him, or both. Meanwhile, Superman helps people struggling with a weather bomb in Ireland. In Blüdhaven, Dick and Babs phone Jon to keep him updated about Luthor’s speech. In Metropolis, Lois Lane confronts Luthor on live TV and asks him to be honest, bluffing him with a fake Lasso of Truth. When one of Luthor’s security puts his hands on Lois, Jon shows up and escorts her to safety. Back at the Lane-Kent apartment, Jon and Jay decide to tell Lois that they are a couple, but Lois reveals that she already knew. Meanwhile, Batman interrogates the Gammorran ambassador, but he refuses to speak. Batman then does research on Jay, finding out seemingly bad news about him. The Caped Crusader then arranges for Lois and Jon to go to a Justice League safe house where they’ll be protected from Luthor and Harry Bendix. Batman visits Lois and Jon at their apartment and delivers a custom designed JL business card, upon which the top secret safe house details are written. The Dark Knight then personally flies Jon and Lois to the safe house, telling them both that Jay is not to be trusted. At the safe house (where Ma and Pa Kent already are), Batman cites that Jay is linked to the Badhnisian antihero group known as the Revolutionaries. Pa Kent surprises Batman, telling him that he used to speak with Alfred every week. Pa Kent also tells Batman that Jon can and should love anyone he wants. Jon asks Nightwing for advice before confronting Jay. Jay tells Jon that the Revolutionaries have occasionally gone extreme in their methods, but they are true freedom fighters and legit heroes. Jon then visits Flash (Wally West) at the Hall of Justice to check on the detained Inferno (of the Gamorra Corps). The Atom (Ryan Choi) enters Inferno’s head in an effort to remove Bendix’s mind-control implant, but Inferno activates his flame body in response. Jon performs super-speed emergency microsurgery with his heat vision, safely removing Inferno’s implant before Bendix can cause it to remotely self-destruct. Panicked, Bendix phones Luthor, telling him that it’s time to kill all the heroes. After Superman returns Inferno to his family, he gets an emergency call from the safe house. Thankfully, Krypto is on hand to fend off Luthor’s drone-bots. The next day, Dick Grayson meets with Luthor at LexCorp Tower to discuss a business proposition, but it’s really a ruse so he can bug Luthor’s office. Jon, Jay, and Dick listen-in as Luthor speaks with Bendix on the phone, obtaining proof that Senator James Henderson is in cahoots. In Washington, Superman and a masked Jay publicly accuse Senator Henderson of criminality, during which Krypto attacks the legislator, prompting Bendix to activate him as a monstrous Gamorra Corpsman. Jay is able to take down Senator Henderson, but he gets unmasked in the process, thus exposing himself as the leader of the Truth.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #1058 and Task Force Z #8. Batman sets up yet another new downtown Batcave, bigger than the other ones he’s created in the past year. This Batcave will have all the usual bric-a-brac—weapons, computers, experimental Bat-suits, vehicles, etc.
–Task Force Z #4
Having outed FBI agent “Crispin” as Two-Face, Red Hood confronts the villain, who reveals that he is now legit working for the government as Task Force Z’s handler. Red Hood then meets with Batman to report the news. Batman tells Red Hood it’s time to pull out and end this mission, but Red Hood says he’s going to stay and see it through to the end. Batman and Red Hood bust some muggers before the latter returns to Task Force Z. Meanwhile, a pissed-off Amanda Waller confronts Two-Face, telling him that she is shutting him down and taking control of his assets. Later, Red Hood leads Task Force Z (Deadshot, Man-Bat, Arkham Knight, Sundowner, and Mr. Bloom) in an unsanctioned assault upon the Lazarus Resin-producing facility at Powers Industries (Powers International) HQ. (Only Mr. Bloom knows how to create the mysterious Lazarus Resin.) After Task Force Z fends off a horde of Powers International zombie troopers led by Dr. Amelia Shelley, they come face-to-face with a Task Force X squad consisting of KGBeast, Solomon Grundy, Madame Crow, Victor Zsasz, and Copperhead. (Note that Dr. Amelia Shelley is an identical triplet along with Dr. Delia Shelley and Dr. Celia Shelley. They are the daughters of Resurrection Man, who had also been working for Powers International. Depending on how many Shelleys are present, they also go by the collective names Resurrection Triplets or Resurrection Twins.)
–Task Force Z #6
Picking up shortly after Task Force Z #4, Mr. Freeze and Two-Face join Task Force Z in defeating Task Force X at Powers International HQ. Deadshot’s brain is destroyed, thus returning him from undead back to dead status. Likewise, Man-Bat and Sundowner’s heads get chopped off, leaving their undead status unclear. KGBeast blows himself up in a suicide bombing attempt. The only participants left standing are the fake Bane, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, and Red Hood. Two-Face collects KGBeast’s charred remains. As the foursome flee the scene in a van, Batman catches up to them in the Batmobile. Batman and Red Hood argue, with the former telling the latter that his Task Force Z mission is over and he needs to stand down. Batman and Red Hood fight (sigh), and the latter begs Batman to trust him and his team. Amazingly, Two-Face, fake Bane, and Mr. Freeze stand by Red Hood’s side in confronting Batman. Seeing that Red Hood has actually made a positive impact on the villains and that the case needs to be taken to its final conclusion, Batman gives Task Force Z his blessing. (As referenced in Task Force Z #7, Red Hood gives Batman all the remaining Lazarus Resin he has.) Back at their Chop Shop lab, Task Force Z learns from Delia and Celia that Mr. Bloom has betrayed them and murdered team benefactor Senator O’Connor. Task Force Z, now officially joined by the Dr. Shelleys and a resurrected KGBeast, go to Amanda Waller’s office for help, but she’s long gone.
–Task Force Z #8
Picking up shortly after Task Force Z #6, Task Force Z (Two-Face, Amelia dressed as the now deceased Madame Crowe, and Solomon Grundy) engage in a shootout with the GCPD. Across town, their comrade Red Hood waits for Batman to leave the new downtown Batcave, hoping he can enter and steal some Lazarus Resin. Upon entering, Red Hood is confronted by Oracle, who has been briefed by Batman on all of Red Hood’s recent action. After a brief argument, Red Hood tricks Oracle and manages to steal some Lazarus Resin. (A reference in Knight Terrors #1 tells us that Red Hood only manages to pilfer part of Batman’s Lazarus Resin stash, not all of it. The Dark Knight keeps the rest in storage.) Meanwhile, at Powers International HQ, Mr. Bloom meets Powers scientist Dr. Acheron while performing horrific experiments on a restrained Man-Bat (Kirk Langstrom). Outside of the downtown Batcave, Nightwing (having been sent by Batman) confronts Red Hood, demanding the return of the Lazarus Resin. On Batman’s orders, Robin (Tim Drake) and Batgirl (Cassie Cain) also arrive to confront Red Hood, which leads to a Bat-Family fight in which Red Hood breaks Robin’s nose. Across town, Batman chases off Two-Face, Amelia, and Grundy. After defeating Red Hood and restraining him, the rest of the Bat-Family realizes that he’s already given the Lazarus Resin to Delia. Red Hood tells them that he’s working toward bringing down corruption within Powers International, but he had to do it with Task Force Z because he knew they wouldn’t trust him. Upon being briefed via radio, Batman hauls it to Task Force Z’s lab only to find a mocking note from Two-Face and the team long gone. Concurrently, Red Hood escapes from his familial captors.
–Batman: Urban Legends #10 Part 1
December 22-24. Tim has started dating Bernard Dowd and is nervous about coming out as bisexual to Bruce. After Tim takes a trip to Blüdhaven to get advice from Nightwing (and to help him bust Tusk), Nightwing phones Batman to tell him that he’s worried about Tim. Tim decides the best way to connect with Bruce is to work a case with him, so he invites Batman—who is nursing a nasty wound from patrol—to join him in an investigation into violent attacks by homeless people at churches and synagogues in Gotham. At one of the churches, Batman and Red Robin chat with GCPD Detective Williams. When an angry homeless mob marches toward the church, Batman confronts the leader and gives him a hug, apologizing for all the chaos and terror that he’s failed to prevent in Gotham. After making some calls, Batman helps set up a tent city and a big dinner for the homeless folks. Batman and Red Robin spend some quality time with them as well. Later, Red Robin tells Batman that he’s seeing Bernard and gives him a medical device as an Xmas present. Batman tells Red Robin that he’s happy to have him as a son. Oracle shines a fake Bat-Signal into the early morning sky to celebrate. (As referenced in Harley Quinn Vol. 4 #42, moving forward, Bruce will always be supportive of Tim’s bisexuality, but he won’t really ever talk about it on a deep level.)
–Batman: Urban Legends #10 Part 4
December 24. The Bat-Family gathers at Bruce’s Fort Graye brownstone for Xmas dinner and a Secret Santa gift exchange. Present are Bruce, Babs, Tim, Duke, Cassie, Stephanie, Kate, and canines Ace and Haley. No Jason. Bummer. Nightwing gets sidetracked dealing with some of Scarecrow’s henchmen, who dose him with Fear Gas. Nightwing recovers, makes the bust, and shows up just in time for dinner.
–FLASHBACK: From Tim Drake: Robin #8. December 24. Picking up directly from Batman: Urban Legends #10 Part 1, Christmas dinner is held at Bruce’s Fort Graye brownstone.
–Justice League vs The Legion of Super-Heroes #1-3 (“THE GOLD LANTERN SAGA”)
The Justice League defeats Brainiac, Gorilla Grodd, Black Manta, Captain Cold, and Solomon Grundy. Afterward, the JL is briefly rattled by the Great Darkness—in the form of an almost incomprehensible black cloud of evil energy. In the 31st century, the Great Darkness also attacks the Legion of Super-Heroes (Blok, Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, future Dr. Fate, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Gold Lantern, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Lightning Lass, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Monster Boy, future Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Timber Wolf, Triplicate Girl, Ultra Boy, White Witch, Wildfire, X-Ray Girl, and Computo). The Great Darkness zaps one of Triplicate Girl’s bodies, causing her to rapidly age and teleport to the 21st century where she meets confers with the JL. The Legion briefs United Planets President RJ Brande. On the JL’s orders, Superman (Jon Kent) brings the rest of the Legion to present day. As they discuss the matter at hand, the Great Darkness appears once again, causing everyone (except Gold Lantern) to teleport back to the 31st century. As the JL gets acquainted with the future, the Great Darkness simultaneously appears in the sky above them. In present day, after being briefed by the Guardians of the Universe on Oa, Gold Lantern confronts the Great Darkness. In the 31st century, the heroes figure out a plan of action. Batman remembers Epoch’s words regarding Gold Lantern. In an instant, the Great Darkness causes every single hero to disappear except for Batman, Chameleon Boy, and Computo. The United Planets Science Police the raid Legion HQ looking for answers. Mon-El, Brainiac 5, and Naomi wind up in the distant future where they meet Kamandi. Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, and Cosmic Boy wind up in the less distant future where they meet Batman (Terry McGinnis). Aquaman and Ultra Boy wind up in the age of the dinosaurs.
–Justice League vs The Legion of Super-Heroes #4-6 (“THE GOLD LANTERN SAGA” Conclusion)
Picking up directly from Justice League vs The Legion of Super-Heroes #3, United Planets liaison Rose Forrest briefs Batman in the 31st century. Rose leads Batman, Black Canary, and several Legionnaires to confront the Great Darkness. Having been sent to the 1940s, Gold Lantern meets Green Lantern Alan Ladd-Scott. They witness a biplane fly into the heart of the Great Darkness, causing it to catapult forward through time to the 31st century. On the planet Daxam, the heroes brief all the leaders of the United Planets, including President RJ Brande. Meanwhile, Colossal Boy and Dawnstar wind up in 1962 where they meet Wonder Woman. Others meet Jonah Hex in the 1880s. Eventually, Computo is able to communicate with all the heroes spread throughout time and space, instructing them on how to leave their incorrect time periods. After joining hands, each group is zapped away, but everyone goes to the 21st century. Not only that, but Green Arrow also morphs into a teenager while Black Adam turns into an elderly man. (Several heroes have randomly aged up, while others have aged down.) The confused heroes peer upward to see that the entire sky has now been replaced with the Great Darkness. After the Legion of Doom headquarters mysteriously appears in the sky as well, Gold Lantern turns his ring over to Batman for examination. The heroes all discuss their time displacement experiences. As Triplicate Girl re-merges her three bodies together, she sees a vision of Vandal Savage. In an instant, Vandal Savage appears and seemingly erases all of reality, instead replacing it with a timeline where the superheroes never exist. In this new universe, Vandal Savage lives triumphantly in his favorite era—the American Wild West. Quickly though, the collected heroes are able to figure out what has occurred and undo Vandal Savage’s machinations, instead putting him into a false reality where he thinks he’s won. After getting Vandal Savage to confess to his crimes, the heroes reveal their ruse. The Guardians of the Universe (specifically the Elders of Oa) sentence Vandal Savage to be erased from existence. Vandal Savage is revealed to be “a Great Darkness,” which could mean a lot of different things. Is he a part of the Great Darkness? Is he the source of it? Does he wield it, work with it, or work for it? Unclear. In any case, using the power of the Great Darkness, Vandal Savage attacks Gold Lantern. The Elders of Oa intervene and seemingly remove Vandal Savage from reality, after which they determine that the 31st century will have a brand new Gold Lantern Corps. The Legion thanks the Justice League before sending them home. Meanwhile, Vandal Savage emerges catatonic and without memories in the Wild West, taken into the custody of Jonah Hex. (This Wild West is presumably an alternate reality, not the past of the Earth-0 timeline).
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<<< Infinite Frontier Era Year 20 (Part 1) <<< ||| >>> Infinite Frontier Era Year 21 (Part 1) >>>
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- [1]COLLIN COLSHER / MIKE THOMPSON: In Robin Vol. 3 #5, Red Hood wields what appears to be a handgun, although he then clearly states that he’s only shooting tranquilizers, presumably making the handgun actually some sort of dart gun. Of course, we shouldn’t forget that Red Hood gave up using lethal force (and using handguns in particular) ever since the “Cheer” arc a few months ago. We can either regard Red Hood’s use of a handgun as a continuity error or we can lean into the idea that it’s simply a dart gun (and therefore, he is not breaking his own rule). In any case, this item featuring Robin versus the Bat-Family must go here, shortly before the upcoming Batman: Fear State – Alpha #1.↩
- [2]COLLIN COLSHER: Starting in September 2021, DC and Webtoon began releasing the Eisner-nominated series Batman: Wayne Family Adventures (a digital comic, later collected in print format). While many have called this the best Batman series of all time, it is non-canon. Similarly, in 2022, DC and Webtoon began releasing the digital comic series Red Hood: Outlaws, which is also non-canon.↩
> (Superman’s assembly of this team is shown in Superman and The Authority #1-4, which also tells us that Superman has begun losing his powers—which causes his hair to turn grey at certain times. He also tailors a spiffy new “Authority” costume and changes the name of the Fortress of Solitude to “Fort Superman.”)
This is a teensy, teensy little qibble: ‘Fort Superman’ isn’t a new name; it comes the early Silver Age and the very first apperances of the Fortress of Solitude.
Thanks Dylan! “Fort Superman” is definitely a reference to Action Comics #241, but I think “Fort Superman” was only in the title and title splash, within the issue his HQ is still called the “Fortress of Solitude,” correct? In any case, I can def make note of this on the site, but I’m not sure “Fort Superman” has ever really been canonical before, aside from being in the title page of one issue. Am I wrong, though?
That’s actually a good question. I’ll do some digging. Regardless, it seems more like a nickname than an actual rename of the fortress.
this isn’t immediately relevant to your timeline, but might be helpful in the future:
https://twitter.com/PhillipKJohnson/status/1452791748644773889
a thread full of PKJ providing background details on stuff from the Warworld Saga
This is great, thanks Dylan. I’ve only glanced at it, and it’s already answered some lingering questions I had.
He even answered my question re: the past warworlds that we’ve seen destroyed, which was nice.
“We’ll get into that, but essentially those others were satellite worlds, not the O.G. Warworld”
So… The Long Halloween Special, it’s pretty good but where could it take place? Probably not Pre-Flashpoint since there’s too many contradictions with other stories, so can it take place in the Infinite Frontier continuity?
Wow, I’ve gotten so many messages about the Long Halloween Special, it’s unreal! It’s certainly meant to take place pre-Flashpoint, especially with the pointed reference to Babs as being Gordon’s niece. She was never his niece in current continuity. My best bet is that it’s just a fun return to the old series, set out of continuity.
UPDATE: After reviewing the issue more closely, my belief is that it’s totally out-of-continuity, set in a Loeb/Sale-verse of sorts. Add to the niece line the fact that this story supposedly shows Two-Face learning for the first time that Batman has a Robin… that is very much out-of-continuity on any chronology. A fun story, but certainly not meant to be canon on a primary timeline.
To be honest, I didn’t see a ton of contradictions that preclude the Special from having a place on the timeline. We would have to assume it’s a year out from Dark Victory’s ending. James Jr. should be at least five, and he looks a little young – but could still pass for a five-year-old. The reference to Babs being Jim’s niece is telling. Kind of strange that Robin’s costume looks a little different though.
Plus, all Two-Face says is “There are two of them now. Batman AND Robin.” This doesn’t necessarily have to mean he is just now finding out about Robin’s existence, since he saw him in Dark Victory anyway. Batman claims that Martha’s pearls were purchased at a jewelry shop as opposed to being an ancient relic of the Deer Tribe. Might have to fudge that. Plus it seems this is before Barbara’s proper debut as Batgirl with Dick’s “What are you supposed to be?” comment. Though maybe not.
The only problem is squaring Gilda’s presence with her other contradictory appearances in Tony Daniel’s Batman run, Two-Face Strikes Twice, and Secret Origins Special. Since it seems like Loeb and Sale are planning even more follow-up stories, maybe we’ll learn more about this. (And as I think you’ve noted, Two-Face Strikes twice actually works remarkably well with the mentally-unhinged Gilda of the Loebverse.) Plus it’s interesting that Gilda said she’s been back for “a year, maybe more”. Maybe that could tie into her connection with Mario somehow.
And if Jim and Barbara were still married this late in the timeline, I think that syncs up alright with Night Cries, which has her leaving about six or seven years in. All told I was pretty interested in this comic. Didn’t blow me away, but it was alright. With continuity being in such flux right now I don’t think it would hurt to consider it canon to pre-Flashpoint, and maybe even the current stuff (it would be pretty crazy if Babs was retconned back to Jim’s niece tho). Anyways, yeah. 🙂
Hey! Hope you are doing well, Tip! Nice to hear from you. I still don’t subscribe to the concept of new or current material altering old continuities. The Modern Age imo is for lack of a better term, locked and archived. And this Special was clearly intended by Loeb and Sale (as you’ve demonstrated by your comment) to connect to the original Modern Age storyline—hence the reason I’ve viewed this Special as Loeb/Sale’s way of creating their own Frank Miller-esque “Long Halloween”-verse. Thanks for the comment, and I’m sure I’ll talk to you soon!
This isn’t really specifically connected to anything, but given that we’re getting more and more flashbacks with the classic Robin costumes, I wonder if it’s possible to recontextualize the New 52 Robin Suits that appear in flashbacks as cold weather suits? I don’t really know the history of the classic silver age Robin suits as they pertain to cold weather, but one has to assume that they’d be a bit chilly in the wintertime.
Hey Dylan, in the Silver and Bronze Age, Robin’s costume always looked the same, no matter the time of year or season. There are occasional mentions of thermal/heated costumery, but no visual differentiations. I believe the first ever cold winter Robin outfit isn’t shown until the early Modern Age (although which issue escapes me at the moment, possibly late 1980s though). Certainly, long tights or long sleeves would be warmer than speedo and pixie boots, so there’s a nice logic to what you are saying, although it’s been fairly clear in the current continuity that this isn’t really meant to signify cold weather, instead rather meant to simply point toward a particular era. Of course, current continuity has shown that Dick wore a couple different costumes right from the get-go, so I’ll def mention this concept on the site. Thanks!
Hey Collin, Antonio here.
I’ve just finished reading Joker 9 and it basically says that to create a Joker’s clone is virtually impossible because of the genetic alterations that the Clown Prince Of Crime suffered during his fall into acid.
So… don’t you think that it condraddicts Three Jokers? Plus Joker himself says he would never want that… that he likes being unique… mmmm…
That makes me more and more convinced that EVERY Black Label DC issue is non-canon. Especially Three Jokers.
To be fair, the other Jokers weren’t cloned, they were made by the same process, a process we know is repeatable, because it worked to some degree on Harley.
> EVERY Black Label DC issue is non-canon
This can’t be entirely true, purely because Far Sector was published partially under the Black Label banner.
Thanks Dylan, I think you’re right.
Far Sector isn’t Black Label, it was actually part of Gerard Way’s Young Animal line. However, Dylan is correct about Black Label in general. While the vast majority of Black Label titles are non-canon, there are a select few that are canon on the main Earth-0 line—including Three Jokers, Superman vs Lobo, Strange Adventures, Human Target, and everything related to the Sandman Universe. Rorshach is canon within the Watchmen universe line. Jury’s still out regarding Batman: Reptilian. Batman/Catwoman is definitely non-canon, but it’s such a strange series in terms of how it might possibly still connect, so who really knows there. The rest, like 30+ other titles, are definitively non-canon, though.
Far Sector was initially Young Animal, but after Young Animal was shuttered, it finished out being published under Black Label.
Ah very interesting, I didn’t know that. Surprised that neither the DC website nor wikipedia has that info listed. You should update that, Dylan, lol!
Just came across this comment and thought I’d correct a mistake. Far Sector was published in its intirety under the Young Animal label as was the collection. At no point was it associated with Black Label.
As for the other Black Label books I’m not sure I agree with all of the ones that Collin lists as being canon. Tom King’s books seem to be more like Hypertime versions of the regular universe than actual canon. The characterization in some of them are quite far from what we are used to or they use characterization that the characters have long since moved on from, so until we see them actually referenced in other books I’d say they are spin-offs from established continuity, but not quite canon. That’s just me though.
Thanks, Tenzel! I’m with you tbh, if I went with my full gut, none of Tom King’s Black Label books would be canon. Not a single title. But I’ve had a decent amount of blowback from folks trying to get them to fit, which has had an impact on my grand design. I’ll def keep your thoughts on the subject firmly in mind, moving forward, though!
Oh, so something I caught in the solicits this month: the back-ups in the upcoming ‘Shadow of the Bat’/Detective Comics storyline seem to indicate that we’ll be following one person’s story as they grow up in Gotham, and it seems to be pegged to specific eras (for example, one of them involves his encounter with Azrael!Batman during the Knightfall storyline), which should be an interesting way to judge how much time Batman’s supposed to have been Batman, officially, according to DC.
This is one of the solicits I’m referring to, for reference:
“Then, it’s Knightfall in Gotham during part seven of “House of Gotham,” as the Boy (growing into a man before our eyes) runs afoul of an uber-violent, unhinged Azrael Batman! This latest conflict pushes Gotham’s most vulnerable into madness, and one man’s rogues gallery reveals itself as another man’s salvation.”
Oh cool, thanks for sharing! I usually don’t read the early solicits, so I miss this stuff. I’ll definitely keep an eye on this very closely.
Will you be adding Batman: The Knight to the Salad Days section?
I just added the first issue! One bad error with Hugo Strange saying that Bruce’s parents are killed over ten years prior (which would make Bruce only like 5 years old when it happens, and that ain’t right). Otherwise, no errors so far, but we’ll see as these continue. They are pretending like this isn’t well-tread ground, but there actually already is a decent amount of stories pertaining to Bruce’s training time abroad already…
Isn’t Bruce nearing High School Graduation in this? That’d make him 7/8 when his parents died based on this, which lines up with how it was pre-Flashpoint.
Hey Dylan, yeah you are definitely correct. I’m going to make the switch from 10 to 8.
The upcoming Waid World’s Finest flashback title seems to feature Supergirl during Dick’s tenure as Robin, which is.. interesting. It makes sense, given the mandate of Infinite Frontier, but I was kind of expecting them to go with the Loeb origin.
I would say that this means she must have arrived on Earth when she was about 10 (given that we just witnessed her 21st birthday), but I actually suppose she probably didn’t age after her death during the Crisis and her eventual ‘return’ during the Loeb storyline?
Hm. I trust Waid to make it make sense, though. I can’t imagine the guy who wrote History of the Marvel Universe is going to wreck DC’s history too bad.
Thanks for the heads up, Dylan! Yeah Waid is great, a living legend. Glad he’s doing some DC work. With the Infinite Frontier mandate in full effect, Waid is someone that will definitely have fun leaning into old continuity.
Hi, Collin, I hope you’ve been well! What do you think of the Great Darkness revelation and how it fits into DC history, specifically the 12th footnote in Year 16?
Hey Austin! I love the Great Darkness revelation. It’s a nice unifying theme and much more elegant than anything Scott Snyder has done in his entire career imo. ALTHOUGH I will say that it helps make sense of Snyder’s cosmology, especially Perpetua and the Great Hands! So in this sense, I feel like I’m finally understanding all the gobbledy gook that Snyder was serving up for so long. Everything in the DCU can essentially be framed in a never-ending war between good (the Great Hand of the Light aka The Source) versus evil (the Hand of Great Darkness). And I really dig it, especially because it harkens back to themes that have been prevalent in DC comics dating back to the Silver Age.
There are so many footnotes on the site, I tend to lose track of them, but thanks for reminding me about this massive one. I’ll edit where appropriate!
With the conclusion of “Abyss” now out, how many stories does this make where Batman “learns the lesson” that he must be less cold, more of a team player and promises to improve? Off the top of my head, I can think of the end of Knightfall, the gathering at No Man’s Land, the climax of Bruce Wayne: Fugitive, the ending of Infinite Crisis, and the ending of The Return of Bruce Wayne.
It would be interesting to chart these “up and down” developments and see which one lasted the most.
Too many! Those are good top of the head ones you came up with, but I’m sure there are more as well. The recycled angles are getting out of hand if you ask me. A fresh idea would be nice every once and a while. I agree about charting it, I’m sure it would be interesting. Not sure I have the bandwidth atm, but are you up to the task? 🙂
Hey Collin, is The Killing Time canon?
Sorry, I forgot to ask you… just finished reading Robin 11… do you think they are bringing Aldred back? And… are you in favor of that?
I was genuinely surprised to see that last page hinting at Alfred’s resurrection. Although I guess I shouldn’t have been with all the Lazarus Resin narrative spreading out through multiple titles. I think it was bad form to kill Alfred in the first place, but that being said I think I hate it more when characters are brought back (or brought back multiple times). Then again, it’s odd to me that a handful of dead characters were resurrected during Death Metal but Alfred wasn’t one of them. I guess it was only a matter of time before the beloved Alfred returned. To answer your query though, I don’t think they should bring him back (he’s been gone for a while and it’s been working just fine). HOWEVER, at the same time, personally I will be very happy to see Alfred healthy and well.
Hey Antonio, Tom King already set the first couple years of the timeline himself with multiple stories, most notably “The War of Jokes and Riddles”—which he specifically placed in May-June of Batman’s second year. King also says in that arc that Riddler isn’t active (i.e. in jail) for a full year prior to “The War of Jokes and Riddles.”
King seems to contradict himself here by placing this story in March yet saying that Gordon has been recently appointed as the new commissioner, all while having the Riddler appear. To jibe with his own prior narrative, this might have to go in March of Year Three, two years after Gordon has become commissioner. HOWEVER, I suppose it could actually go literally after Gordon becomes commissioner in Year One. That would mean Riddler is inactive (in jail) for six to seven months prior to “War of Jokes and Riddles,” which would be a minor retcon/small error in the scope of thing.
I’m going to wait until this series wraps (all six issues) before I attempt to place it though.
“They canoodle and kiss, reminding each other that they are still supposed to be on a break.”
Isn’t this a problem? According to your timeline it’s been a year since their one year break began. I think it’s clear DC wanted for that year to still not be over. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to shrink two years into one, just moving that item before July would work. The problem is, as far as I know, their break never ended to this day, right…?
This item occurs roughly in late July of Year 20. Their break begins in late July of Year 19. So it still works (going in the absolute last place possible i.e. just before the year ends). The Bat-Cat break hasn’t technically ended, it’s true, but only because no one has bothered to really follow up on it with specificity. It’s possible they decided to stay apart, or extend their break? We’ll cross that bridge once someone builds it. For now though, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I will certainly make notes here.
Catwoman Vol. 5 #33-34 takes place sometime during the Batman Vol. 3 #111 flashback, and Catwoman Vol. 5 #35 has the announcement of Batman being dead.
Hey Mike, yep I see that Catwoman Vol. 5 #35 overlaps with Fear State – Alpha. The only place Catwoman Vol. 5 #33-34 can go is in the middle of Batman #111, meaning there is yet another hidden ellipsis. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
Not directly related to Batman, but considering Superman and The Authority, what year do you wager the original WildStorm team forms in current continuity?
Urban Legends seems to place the inception of Halo Corp and Team 6, which are proto-WildCATS, Gen 13, and Authority somewhere in Batman’s early years, but not too early. I specifically have Batman interacting with Jacob Marlowe and Cole Cash in Year 9, so we can imagine all the Earth-0 versions of WildStorm characters developing from there onward.