(January to December 2024)
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–Wonder Woman Vol. 6 #7
February. Superman and Wonder Woman decide to buy a birthday present for Batman at the Andromeda Mall, the largest shopping complex in the universe. Superman and Wonder Woman have coffee, light conversation, fight an alien assassin, and see a 5D movie (which turns out to be a brief Mr. Mxyzptlk run-in). Over dessert, Superman mentions that Batman “doesn’t even have a cave” at the moment, which is a reference to Vandal Savage and Zur-En-Arrh having had recent control of the Batcave under Wayne Manor. I’m not sure, at this point on our timeline, that’ll still be the case, but we’ll see! Superman then broaches the tough conversation, bringing up how the US government has been targeting Amazons. Superman’s warmth and kindness is enough to bring Wonder Woman to tears. After window shopping, a mani-pedi, skipping Booster Gold’s book signing, snacks, and further gift debate, Superman and Wonder Woman settle upon simply taking photo booth pictures for Batman. (They also opt to give Batman a coal-crushed diamond.) Later, in the Batacombs, Batman finds (and loves) his gifts. He pins the photo to the dashboard of the Batmobile and donates the diamond to the Wayne Home for Wayward Orphans.
–Nightwing Vol. 4 #111-113
March—Dick’s birthday is featured in this item. Also, Nightwing Vol. 4 #112 specifically says this item occurs “a few weeks” after Titans: Beast World, but that cannot be the case, more like “a few months.” Batman visits a murder scene, finding an orphaned a young boy named Iko Wahid and delivering him into the care of Commissioner Renee Montoya. Thinking that Heartless is behind the fatality, Batman investigates, viewing previous crime scene photos and learning that the super-villain recently killed Bea Bennett’s father, Captain Ruben Blüd (as seen in Nightwing Vol. 4 #106). (Bea Bennett is the new Captain Blüd.) Batman immediately calls Babs and Dick to let them know that he thinks Heartless is in Gotham. Soon after, Nightwing helps Batman take down some small arms dealers while they chat about Heartless. Batman asks about how Bea fits into his life, to which Nightwing says that his lovelife/relationship with Babs has never been stronger. Batman and Nightwing then visit GCPD HQ where the latter chats with Iko until the boy is picked up by his uncle Loc Wahid. Later, Nightwing reveals to Batman that, for a couple weeks now, he’s developed a fear of jumping off rooftops. At the coroner’s office, Batman and Nightwing examine the corpse, determining that the fatal wound is merely meant to look like Heartless did it. In actuality, Loc is responsible for killing Iko’s dad. The next day, Batman is determined to solve both the murder case and the mystery behind Nightwing’s condition. He starts off by requesting Nightwing’s exact location details for the previous month. Nightwing tells Babs to send the information. After kissing Babs goodbye, Nightwing meets with Batman at Iko’s house, quickly learning that Uncle Loc has abducted and taken Iko to Vietnam. Batman and Nightwing make a quick stop at Titans Tower where Batman gives a depressed Beast Boy a pep talk. After a quick jet ride to Ho Chi Minh City, Batman and Nightwing bust Loc and rescue Iko. Batman and Nightwing then bring Loc and Iko back to Gotham. The next day, Nightwing, Robin (Tim), and Robin (Damian) take down more small arms dealers. In the morning, in Blüdhaven, Babs wishes Dick a happy birthday. Nightwing then visits Bea, learning that the small arms dealers work for Heartless. Later, at a televised event, Mayor Melinda Grayson-Lin awards the key to the city to Dick and Babs for their work on the Alfred Pennyworth Foundation. Present at the ceremony are Bruce, Damian, Tim, Cassie, Stephanie, Jim Gordon, Meili Lin, Audre, and Haley the dog. Watching on TV are the Birds of Prey (Big Barda, Black Canary, Sin, Zealot, Vixen, and Meridian aka time-traveling adult Mia Mizoguchi), the Titans (Cyborg, Starfire, Raven, Donna Troy, and Beast Boy), Nite-Mite, Bat-Mite, Red Hood, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jon Kent, and Jay Nakamura. Afterward, Dick celebrates his birthday with everyone that attended the ceremony at Marv Wolfman’s pizza place. Across town, Heartless, Tony Zucco, and Gerald Chamberlain vow to destroy Dick.
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