Rebirth Year Five

Rebirth Era (Post-“Superman Reborn”) Chronology

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YEAR FIVE (2006)
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–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Urban Legends #22 Part 4—and referenced in Batman: Urban Legends #21 Part 4, Batman: Urban Legends #22 Part 4, and Absolute Power #4. Originally told in The Brave and The Bold #59. Batman and Hal Jordan team up to defeat Time Commander (John Starr), who can manipulate time via a special hourglass device, which he constructed from spare parts in prison. Batman notes that Time Commander is one of the smartest men he’s ever met. The Justice League keeps Time Commander’s hourglass as a trophy. Notably, in Absolute Power #4, which occurs in 2024, Batman says he’s fought Time Commander “many times.” Therefore, we’ll have to imagine a few extra Time Commander battles sprinkled throughout our timeline ahead (because they definitely won’t actually be there).

–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 2 #21, Flash Vol. 5 #21, Titans Vol. 3 Annual #1, Titans Vol. 3 #19, Nightwing Vol. 4 #21, Deathstroke Vol. 4 #19, Dark Nights: Death Metal – The Last Stories of the DC Universe #1 Part 1 Epilogue, and World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1—originally told in The Brave and The Bold #54 and The Brave and The Bold #60. The Teen Titans debut, helping out in the New England town of Hatton Corners by defeating Mr. Twister (Bromwell Stikk) and then the bizarre Separated Man. The hero group features the sidekicks of the Justice League, including Robin, Speedy (Roy Harper), Aqualad (Garth), Wonder Girl (Donna Troy), and Kid Flash (Wally West). The Teen Titans make their HQ on a small island in Hatton Corners. Batman does not approve of Robin’s new venture and makes it known to his sidekick. It’s also worth mentioning that, just as Batman has his Bat-Family, Flash has now started a growing Flash-Family, which includes Kid Flash and Jay Garrick.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 3—and referenced in The Joker Vol. 2 2021 Annual. January. For Batman’s monthly fake birthday celebration, an escaped Joker dresses up like Mirror Master to challenge Batman and Flash. The heroes bust the villain. As noted in The Joker Vol. 2 2021 Annual, this is the start of Joker’s pop-crime phase where he won’t commit any murders—only heists involving silly gags and clownish pranks. It’ll last for just this year.

–DC’s Saved By the Belle Reve #1 Part 4 Intro
January. Oliver Queen gets a report from Smithson High School Vice Principal Ms. Parks that his ward Roy Harper is failing the ninth grade and may have to repeat unless things turn around quickly. At the Secret Sanctuary in Happy Harbor, the Justice League trains with the Teen Titans. Green Arrow talks to Flash about Roy’s educational troubles. An eavesdropping Batman tells Green Arrow that he needs to be a better guardian to Roy. Green Arrow tells Speedy that he must go on sabbatical until his grades improve. Speedy will be on superhero hiatus for the next nine weeks.

–Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #5 Part 4
Winter. Batman and Commissioner Gordon work the murder case of Rudy Barnett, founder of a group called the Angels of Gotham, who stand vigil in places where unsolved murders occurred or where justice has not been brought to the victims. Batman learns that the woman for whom Rudy was standing vigil, Mandy Mercer, worked as a waitress at the Iceberg Lounge where she was assaulted by a bouncer. Batman pays Penguin a visit, but Penguin reveals that the bouncer is already dead (and thus couldn’t have killed Mandy). Near to the scene of Rudy’s death, Batman is approached by an unhoused man, who saw the murder. Soon, Batman finds DNA that leads to the killer, a random guy that was tripping on drugs and didn’t even realize what he was doing at the time. Bruce attends Rudy’s funeral.

–FLASHBACK: From Absolute Power: Origins #1. Batman goes on patrol and busts a bunch of random bad guys.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #14 Part 5. This item vaguely shows twenty to twenty-five of Batman’s random patrol actions, which could occur in as short a span as a few days or as long as a few weeks—though, we’ll go with the former to better fit our timeline. Mostly of these patrols are fairly generic in nature, featuring a yellow oval-chested Batman battle random thugs and suffer various injuries. However, towards the end of this marathon, Batman also fights Killer Croc, gets help from Commissioner Gordon against Riddler, receives a stolen diamond (along with a scratch) from Catwoman, and takes down Poison Ivy. Following the Poison Ivy encounter, Batman accidentally tracks home a leaf on his shoe. He keeps the leaf as a Batcave trophy, placing it in a tank, in which it will grow into a vibrant flowery plant. Notably, creator Hayden Sherman’s gist with Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #14 Part 5 is that the leaf on the shoe inspires Batman to begin collecting trophies for an empty Batcave. Of course, Batman has already long been collecting trophies prior to now (and even prior to Poison Ivy’s debut), so, while the thought is cute, it’s totally bunk. In fact, Sherman goes so far as to then show other trophies being collected via separate flashbacks, some of which are definitively obtained prior to now (and prior to Poison Ivy’s debut). As such, the scene of Batman standing in an empty Batcave (sans trophies) should actually be regarded as a flashback that is wholly separate from the rest of this item, happening at the point where Batman first decides to begin collecting trophies.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #14 Part 5. Batman takes on Scarecrow again, this time creating a unique gas-mask cowl to stop a new strain of Fear Gas. Afterward, Batman puts the novel gas-mask cowl on display as a trophy in the Batcave.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics 2022 Annual and Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #2 Part 4. Batman fights Poison Ivy again. I’ve taken the liberty of combining these two similar flashbacks.

–REFERENCE: In Flash Vol. 5 #21. Batman deals/interacts with the US Government’s primary organization that deals with metahuman, superhero, and super-villain affairs: the DEO (the Department of Extranormal Operations).

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #6 Part 5. Batman and Robin fight Two-Face.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #93. Batman fights Joker and Harley Quinn. Joker tells Batman that he (Batman) is the funniest person he knows.

–FLASHBACK: From Nightwing Vol. 4 #69. Batman and Robin spar in a boxing ring in the Batcave.

–FLASHBACK: From Nightwing Vol. 4 #79. Batman and Robin spar in the Batcave.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: The Detective #4. While in France for unspecified reasons, Batman saves the life of teenager Thierry Mornet, who is nearly trampled to death by French police during a riot.

–REFERENCE: In Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #36. Batman and Robin bust the debuting Condiment King.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #999. February—Bruce’s birthday. As he does every year on his birthday, Batman runs Program 2.1, placing himself into a virtual world that challenges him by pushing him to his most extreme limits.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #1 Part 2—and referenced in Catwoman Vol. 5 #58 and Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War – Scorched Earth #1. Originally told in “SNOW” (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #192-196). Batman fights an escaped Mr. Freeze, who also dons a fancy new (albeit temporary) costume. Note that this JH Williams scene visually calls back to Williams’ own non-canon Modern Age Mr. Freeze origin story, entitled “Snow.” Obviously, the Rebirth version of “Snow” cannot be an origin story, but this item still counts as the canonization of Williams’ tale, albeit as a generic Batman versus Mr. Freeze battle. Following this encounter, Batman keeps Mr. Freeze’s “freeze-gun 2.0” as a trophy for the Batcave.

–FLASHBACK: From Catwoman Vol. 5 #46. Batman and Catwoman (in her purple costume with black knee-high boots and black elbow-length gloves) team up against Mr. Freeze and his henchmen.

–FLASHBACK: From Robin Vol. 3 #9. Batman and Robin patrol together.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Secret Files: The Gardener #1. Batman fights Poison Ivy again.

–Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 Part 2
Batman spars with Wildcat (Ted Grant) at the latter’s gym in Brooklyn, as he does on a regular basis. As he is getting ready to depart, Batman spots Green Arrow coming in for his own boxing lesson with Ted. Batman scoffs at Green Arrow, giving him shit for being an archery-themed ripoff. After Batman leaves, Green Arrow learns that Ted is Wildcat. (I thought everyone already knew that, but I guess Ollie never figured it out.) Then, semi-immortal super-villain from the 20th century, Yellow Wasp, strikes. Aided by Ted and Black Canary, Green Arrow bests Yellow Wasp with a brand new spur-of-the-moment invention, the boxing glove arrow.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point #6. Batman claws with Catwoman.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Three Jokers #1. Batman puts Catwoman’s purple-and-green dress costume on a mannequin display in the Batcave.

–REFERENCE: In DC’s Saved By the Belle Reve #1 Part 4. The Teen Titans try to visit Roy Harper (who is still on sabbatical in an effort to improve his high school grades) at the Queen household in Star City. Ollie Queen chases the Titans away. Dick tells Bruce all about it.

–REFERENCE: In DC’s Saved By the Belle Reve #1 Part 4—originally told in Justice League of America #32 and Justice League of America #36. The Justice League defeats the debuting Brainstorm aka Brain Storm.

–DC’s Saved By the Belle Reve #1 Part 4
Mid March. The Justice League defeats a returning Brainstorm. Afterward, Batman tells Green Arrow he’s been acting more like an authoritarian than an authority figure in regard to his benching of Roy Harper. As coincidence would have it, Green Arrow gets a call telling him that Roy has cut school. Green Arrow rushes to the Arrow Cave to find a disgruntled Speedy waiting for him. Speedy calls out Green Arrow, saying that his grades have improved but the suspension continues unfairly. Speedy tells Green Arrow to fuck off. Ollie meets with Vice Principal Parks, who tells him that while Roy’s grades have improved, he’s become dark and miserable. Realizing he’s overcorrected, Green Arrow ends his sidekick’s sabbatical and gives him a heart-to-heart. Green Arrow and Speedy patrol, busting The Red Dart.

–Detective Comics #1037 Part 3
Lucius Fox has always been on the secret forefront of helping make Bat-tech, but he’s never truly known that Bruce is Batman—until now. Batman officially reveals his secret ID to his close comrade, giving him the radio codename “Foxtrot.” Lucius is made the lead Bat-armorer and head of Bat-research and development. He’ll work on clandestine “special projects” directly for Batman, moving forward. Right off the bat (pun intended), Alfred and Lucius, from the Batcave, remotely guide Batman and Robin, who get pinned down while battling arms dealers. Lucius uses the Batmobile to send out an EMP blast, which allows the Dynamic Duo to defeat their foes. In the Batcave, Alfred defends Batman’s use of child soldiers to a disapproving Lucius, who says that he’s only onboard to help protect children that are brought into the “cult” of the Bat-Family.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: The Brave and tTBold Vol. 2 #7 Part 1. Now that Lucius Fox is in the know, he begins storing Bat-gear—including extra costumes, utility belts, and more—at various Wayne Enterprises/WayneCorp buildings. Batman and Lucius will coordinate these Bat-caches together, moving forward.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #10 Part 1. While Batman already has a bunch of secret weapon/costume caches in various buildings across the city, he now begins setting up lockbox caches on random rooftops as well. While we won’t see him setting them all up on our timeline, Batman will eventually have 250 cache boxes at his disposal.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #1000 Part 2. April. Batman busts an escaped Two-Face after the villain murders the Vinkledot twins.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #104. Batman and Robin chase a criminal to Singapore, but when they arrive, they find the Ghost-Maker is also working the case. Robin watches from the Batplane cockpit as Batman and the Ghost-Maker argue about jurisdiction. Ultimately, Batman submits, departing with Robin. En route back to the States, Batman tells Robin all about his history with the Ghost-Maker.

–REFERENCE: In Batman and Robin Vol. 3 2024 Annual #1. Batman hunts down an arms dealer in the small Eastern European nation of Markovia. For the first time ever, the Batplane is shot down, forcing Batman to crash into the woods. Batman makes a swinging log trap to take out a bunch of militiamen, who want to strip the Batplane for parts. Presumably, Batman busts the arms dealer for whom he was originally searching. Lucius Fox is furious when Batman returns to Gotham with the Batplane wreckage.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #6 Part 2. Kirk Langstrom, as he often does, once again loses control, becoming Man-Bat. Batman fights Man-Bat, crashing together with him through the window of a young boy. Batman then injects Man-Bat with serum that reverts him back to normal.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #5 Part 5. After a rough patrol, Batman and Robin return to Wayne Manor, light some incense, and do a deep meditation together for a couple hours.

–FLASHBACK: From DC: Love is a Battlefield #1 Part 5—and referenced in Knight Terrors: Batman #1. Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn both attempt to pull off the exact same heist at the exact same time at Gotham National Bank, thus getting in each other’s way. Batman, Robin, Commissioner Gordon, and the GCPD are all on-hand to chase them both away. Notably, this is the first time Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn meet as super-villains. Poison Ivy met Harley Quinn once before, but that was years ago when Harley was still a therapist at Arkham Asylum. Also note that Poison Ivy has green skin in this flashback. While this is the first time we’ve seen her with a chlorophyll tone, her skin actually does turn green every once and while (as we’ll see in other comics of this era, including Batman: Urban Legends #1 Part 2).

–REFERENCE: In Batman: One Bad Day – Clayface #1—originally told in the Batman the Animated Series TV show. When a bomber begins mirroring scenarios from classic TV episodes of The Gray Ghost, Batman consults the actor that played the Gray Ghost, Simon Trent. (Trent is currently an acting teacher at Gotham Academy.) Batman and Trent bring the bomber to justice.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #1 Part 2. Batman fights an escaped Victor Zsasz.

–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Batman Vol. 3 #136. May 1. Batman begins working a case where Riddler delivers calendar clues on a daily basis after which he pulls off a heist based upon said clues. Batman will work this case every day for the next several weeks.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Three Jokers #3—and referenced in Batman: Three Jokers #1 and Harley Quinn 30th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 Part 6. Originally told in Batman #186. An escaped Joker debuts a new diminutive sidekick Gagsworth Gagsworthy, better known as Gaggy. At the Gotham Historical Society, Batman and Robin take down Joker and Gaggy. Joker will use Gaggy on-and-off for years to come.^[1]

–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #1 and Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #4. Joker takes on an additional new sidekick, the snow-themed Jack Frost. Batman and Robin deal with Jack Frost, although it is likely a one-shot encounter. Don’t forget, while the second feature to Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #1-9 is non-canon, it exists as a comic book on Earth-0 (as revealed in Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #4 and Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #10, in which the comic book itself factors into the main narrative of the issue). This comic, despite being surreal and comedic, is based upon real people that exist on Earth-0. The inclusion of Jack Frost in the story speaks to his existence on the timeline, hence his inclusion here.

–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #1, Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #4, and Ape-ril Special #1. Joker takes on yet another additional new sidekick, the talking ape known as Jackanapes. Batman and Robin deal with Joker and Jackanapes.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #1 Part 2. Batman fights an escaped Clayface. JH Williams draws this scene in the style of Bruce Timm, mirroring the look of Batman the Animated Series.

–REFERENCE: In Flashpoint Beyond #6—Challengers of the Unknown #87. The Justice League help the Time Masters (Rip Hunter, Jeff Smith, and Bonnie Baxter) defeat time-traveling interdimensional monsters. (Rip Hunter is Booster Gold’s biological father.) Both Batman and Superman find the Time Masters to be the most annoying and arrogant people they’ve ever met. Having appointed themselves as protectors of time itself, they have knowledge of everything past, present, and future, including the secret IDs of all heroes.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #1 Part 2. Batman fights an escaped Poison Ivy. Note that JH Williams draws this scene in the style of Kelley Jones, although I’m fairly certain this item isn’t meant to reference a specific Jones story.

–the second feature to Batman Vol. 3 #136
Late May. Batman goes on routine patrol, slipping up against a random mugger, who lands a few blows before the Caped Crusader is able to take him down. Meanwhile, a sleepless Batman continues working the ongoing Riddler calendar clue case. Exhausted and struggling with the case, Batman’s Zur-En-Arrh backup persona kicks in, causing him to black out. Zur-En-Arrh takes over his mind and body, entering his secret lab within the Batcave to inspect and update programming for the dormant Failsafe. Zur-En-Arrh tests Failsafe’s directives and spars with the robot. Satisfied for now, Zur-En-Arrh tells Failsafe he will return to finish his programming and make necessary software and hardware updates. After resetting Failsafe into dormant mode, Zur-En-Arrh ascends into the Batcave proper above to view Batman’s recent case-files. Eventually, Batman regains his senses, totally unaware that he’d reverted back to his Zur-En-Arrh persona at all. Batman continues working the Riddler case, realizing that he is likely allied with Calendar Man. While we don’t see it in this issue, we can presume that Batman busts Riddler and Calendar Man. We can also assume that Zur-En-Arrh, in the years to come, will continue to periodically take over Batman’s mind and body, during which he will do all sorts of clandestine things, including work on Failsafe.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #101. Batman meets with Commissioner Gordon, who produces a joker playing card, signifying that an escaped Joker is active. Soon after, Batman and Robin chase after Joker. A bruised and battered Batman, with Alfred’s help, studies Joker’s possible plans in the Batcave. Later, Batman responds to the Bat-signal yet again.

–FLASHBACK: From Tales from the Dark Multiverse: The Death of Superman #1. Batman fights Joker. It’s possible this item is linked to the previous one.

–FLASHBACK: From Superman Giant #9 (Superman: Up in the Sky #4)—and referenced in Flash Vol. 5 #33 and Flash Vol. 5 Annual #1. Originally told in Superman #199 and Flash #175. Millions, including Batman and Robin, watch as Superman competes against Flash in a UN-sponsored charity race across the globe. They tie. Shortly thereafter, Reverse-Flash (aka Professor Zoom aka Zoom aka Eobard Thawne) and Abra Kadabra kidnap the JL and force Flash and Superman into having a rematch, only this time they race through the whole expanse of the universe, which includes a quick stop on Ventura to best Rokk and Sorban. Upon returning home, again in a dead heat, Superman and Flash bust the villains and save their friends. Superman and Flash will have many more races over the course of the following years, although none will be quite as public as these first two.

–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #14. Batman and Robin meet Dr. Will Magnus and his Metal Men (Gold, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Platinum, and Tin).

–REFERENCE: In Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #39. Batman defeats the debuting False Face. Note that False Face has nothing to do with Black Mask’s False Face Society.

–REFERENCE: In Super Sons/Dynomutt Special #1. Bruce meets and befriends fellow millionaire Radley Crowne, who hails from Big City (thirty-five miles to the north of Gotham), while maintaining his haughty playboy act at various elite clubs. Shortly thereafter, Batman learns that Crowne is secretly the superhero defender of Big City, Blue Falcon! Batman and Robin team-up with Blue Falcon and his robotic canine sidekick Dynomutt (aka “The Dog Wonder”), going up against the vile Red Vulture. Afterward, Blue Falcon tells Batman he shouldn’t work with kids because dogs are more loyal.

–REFERENCE: In Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular Part 1 and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #29. Now that Robin has outgrown his Robin costume, he gets a new one that better fits him. Batman puts his old costume on display in the Batcave. Batman will retire Robin’s old costumes to display cases as he outgrows them, moving forward.

–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #22. Superman begins training Batman in the Kryptonian martial art known as klurkor. We must imagine klurkor sparring sessions sprinkled throughout our timeline ahead.

–REFERENCE: In DC Pride 2022 #1 Part 3—originally told in an episode of the Batman: The Brave and The Bold animated TV series. Batman bests the debuting Music Meister.

–FLASHBACK: From Multiversity: Harley Screws Up the DCU #5. Batman fights Joker and Harley Quinn. It’s possible this is connected to the previous item.

–REFERENCE: In Absolute Power #4—originally told in The Brave and The Bold #69. Batman and Hal Jordan defeat Time Commander and a strange monster called Cosmo.

–REFERENCE: In Justice League Vol. 3 #37 and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #17—originally told in Justice League of America #45. The Justice League defeats Dr. Andrew Zagarian’s android sasquatch menace known as Shaggy Man.

–REFERENCE: In The Green Lantern #10 and Knight Terrors #2—originally told in Justice League of America #46-47. A science experiment gone wrong by Ray Palmer’s lab assistant Enrichetta Negrini allows The Anti-Matter Man, a cosmic entity hailing from the Qward system of Universe-3 (aka the Anti-Matter Universe) to enter the Bleed en route to Earth-0. The JL teams up with the JSA, including time-traveling original member Sandman (Wesley Dodds) to deal with the threat. The Spectre tries to stop the Anti-Matter Man’s march, but the former is quickly defeated. Dr. Fate (Kent Nelson) sends the JL to a few different universes and then into the Bleed where they are able to send the Anti-Matter Man back to Qward at last.

–REFERENCE: In Batwoman: Rebirth #1, Dark Days: The Forge #1, Detective Comics #958, and Detective Comics #975—originally told in Batman & Robin Eternal. This item is pushed here to accommodate the fact that Cassie Cain is nineteen-years-old in 2021 (as per The Joker Vol. 2 #11). Batman and Robin chase Scarecrow to Prague, where they learn he has connections to an international crime-boss called Mother. The near-immortal Mother orphans children and then turns them into brainwashed playthings for the rich and powerful, including the sinister Sacred Order of St. Dumas, a violent Christian cult that was once a part of the Knights Templar in Medieval Times. (Since the Dark Ages, the Order of St. Dumas has chosen a continuous line of “avenging angels,” each known as Azrael.) Noting the strangeness and danger involved in this case, Batman begins recording all details and thoughts pertaining to the matter at hand. He stores this secret information, a series of “Shadow Files,” on a secret “Shadow Drive” associated with the Bat-computer. Bruce will record information about his most top secret cases on the “Shadow Drive” for years to come. Not even the highest-ranking members of the Bat-Family will have access. Soon after learning about Mother’s operations, Bruce arranges a meeting with Mother, meeting both the villainess and her top assassin David Cain (aka David Kane, now calling himself “The Orphan”), a man that once trained Bruce years ago. Outed as Batman, Bruce orders a new Robin via her process (as part of a con to expose and bring her down). In Cairo, Batman and Robin bust Scarecrow. Batman fights and defeats both Mother and Cain, but is forced to watch a live video feed from Gotham that shows Cassandra “Cassie” Cain (David Cain’s four-year-old daughter) attacking young Harper Row’s small-time crook parents, Miranda Row and Marcus Row. (Harper is Mother’s young “chosen heir” for Batman. Cassie, on the other hand, has been brainwashed and tortured by her dad into becoming a child soldier. Cassie is mute, able only to speak “the language of violence.”) Miranda is brutally murdered while terrified Marcus runs away. In Cairo, Mother escapes when local law enforcement arrive. Back home, the Dark Knight builds a file on Harper Row and her brother Cullen Row, filled with details about their lives. He will keep tabs on the Rows for years to come.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #64. Batman, Robin, Flash, and Kid Flash team-up to defeat Solomon Grundy. Afterward, all four celebrate in the Batcave.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #961—originally told in the Batman The Animated Series TV show. A robotics company called Cybertron creates the towering sentient stationary AI known as HARDaC (Holographic Analytical Reciprocating Digital Computer), which goes rogue and builds several human-like replica androids in an attempt to kill and replace their real counterparts. Batman defeats the replicants, including a Batman android, and shuts down HARDaC for good. (Years from now, an inert HARDaC will wind up the property of Luke Fox’s company FoxTech.)

–REFERENCE: In Harley Quinn 30th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 Part 6—originally told in the Batman The Animated Series TV show. Batman defeats the diminutive debuting super-villainess Baby-Doll (Marie Louise Dahl).

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #6 Part 5 and Red Hood: The Hill #1. Batman fights Penguin and his henchmen, including hired thug Hank Carson. In the decades to follow, Carson will define himself as a top notch career hencher, working with Penguin, Joker, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy. While we won’t see Batman take on Carson ahead on our timeline, we must imagine Batman fighting him on various sporadic occasion.

–FLASHBACK: From Green Arrow Vol. 7 #1. The Justice League (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Hal Jordan, Flash, Aquaman, the Atom, Black Canary, and Green Arrow) go on an unspecified mission. Green Arrow sports what will become his signature goatee.

–FLASHBACK: From Green Arrow Vol. 7 #4. During a Justice League meeting, Green Arrow and Hal Jordan get into a violent argument, putting hands on one another, nearly coming to blows. These days, Green Arrow and Hal Jordan simply don’t get along with each other.

–REFERENCE: In Titans Vol. 3 #20-21. Green Arrow learns that his sidekick Speedy has become addicted to heroin. The superhero community does its best to support Speedy, who goes into rehab. Batman isn’t directly involved in this item, but he definitely hears all about it.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #102. Batman fights The Grinners, a group of die-hard Joker loyalists, most of whom have permanent facial-scarring or rictus-grins. These henchmen hang out at a seedy dive called The Smile Bar. Batman decides to allow the Smile Bar to stay in business because it allows him to spy on and keep tabs on the Grinners. While we won’t see it on our timeline ahead, the Grinners will face Batman from time-to-time, often with Joker by their side. Likewise, Batman will keep an eye on the Smile Bar for many years to come.

–REFERENCE: In Titans Vol. 3 Annual #1, Flash Vol. 5 #21, Absolute Power #2. The Justice League defeats The Key. Afterward, they put his Keyblaster weapon into their trophy room. The JL also places other Key weaponry into their armory.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Beyond Vol. 8 #14. The Justice League defeats the playing card-themed super-villain group known as The Royal Flush Gang (King, Queen, Ace, Jack, and Ten). Since the team is all spades, each member also sometimes tacks on “of Spades” to their name.

–REFERENCE: In Flash Vol. 5 #21. The Justice League defeats Toyman. Afterward, they put his toy box into their trophy room/armory.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #987. Bruce hires Fred Morgan as a Wayne Enterprises security guard. Bruce will get to know Fred very well, learning all about his family life as the years go on.

–REFERENCE: In Suicide Squad Black Files #1. Batman and Hawkman defeat the debuting Gentleman Ghost (the spirit of villain Jim Craddock).

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Beyond Vol. 8 #10, Detective Comics #1000 Part 11, Robin Vol. 3 #4, Batman Vol. 3 #113, Shadow War: Alpha #1, Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #2 Part 4, and Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #14 Part 5—and referenced in Batman Beyond Vol. 8 #6-11, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #1, Trinity Vol. 2 #16, Deathstroke Vol. 4 #32, Detective Comics #987, Infinite Frontier Secret Files #4 (Infinite Frontier Secret Files Print Edition #1), Batman: Urban Legends #7 Part 1, and Deathstroke Inc #5. Originally told in “THE SAGA OF RA’S AL GHUL.” Batman deals with the threat of the League of Assassins—led by his old sensei Ra’s al Ghul, who still desires to “purge” the planet via a drastic reduction of global population using any means necessary. Batman meets top League of Assassins scientist Dr. Moon and the Ubu Clan, a group of cult-like League of Assassins devotees. (Ra’s al Ghul’s right hand man is the leader of the Ubu Clan, who simply goes by Ubu.) Ever impressed by his adversary, Ra’s al Ghul enacts a plan to partner the Dark Detective with his daughter, Talia. Ra’s al Ghul wants the “perfect detective,” Batman, to bathe in the Lazarus Pits and carry on his legacy. The Caped Crusader becomes infatuated with Talia and they begin a whirlwind affair. Eventually, a shirtless Dark Knight sword-fights both Ra’s al Ghul and Talia in the Sahara Desert. Despite getting stabbed in the chest and left for dead, Batman defeats Ra’s al Ghul with some help from Talia, who seemingly betrays her father.^[2] Batman and Talia then share a romantic night, which leads to Talia drugging and having sex with Batman. It is via this sexual intercourse that a baby is conceived. The conception, birth, and existence of the child will be kept a secret from Bruce for years to come. Batman and Talia’s tumultuous on-and-off-again love affair will continue for the next couple months before fizzling out entirely. During this period, as referenced in Infinite Frontier Secret Files #4, Batman teaches Talia many things, including a mental defense/detection technique to prevent against telepathic manipulation. Also note that, while not specifically listed moving forward on our chronology, Ubu #1 will be at Ra’s al Ghul’s side for pretty much all of his appearances—and Ubu will get his ass kicked by Batman pretty much every time they meet. Notably, Batman keeps the swords used in his desert duel against Ra’s al Ghul, putting them on display as trophies in the Batcave.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #138. Batman’s hidden Zur-En-Arrh persona takes over once again, guiding Batman to come up with a special contingency plan for violent criminals. Ironically, this failsafe involves the kind of mindwipe-esque personality manipulation that the Dark Knight will come to loathe so much. The Batman of Zur-En-Arrh concocts a serum that connects to a strange new machine—a combination, should one get injected with the stuff, that can cause its victim to turn into a scared weakling when their adrenaline spikes due to dangerous (i.e. criminal) activity. As per usual, Batman will have no memory of having created this diabolical new scheme.

–REFERENCE: In Batgirl & The Birds of Prey #11, Batgirl Vol. 5 #14, and Batgirl Vol. 5 Annual #2—originally told in Batgirl Vol. 4 #0. September—late summer. Commissioner Gordon’s daughter Barbara “Babs” Gordon moves from Chicago to Gotham. (Babs had been living in the Windy City with her mom and brother.) Having trained her whole life to be just like her dad, and having heard stories about the great Caped Crusader from her pop, Babs has a strong desire to walk the hero’s path. Babs and her four-year-old brother James Junior (visiting from Chicago), meet their dad at police HQ. While waiting for Jim to wrap-up his day, Babs and James watch as a few cops give theorize about the effectiveness of Batman’s armor, displaying a kludged-together Bat-costume. When super-villain Harry X and his cult of followers take control of the entire building, Babs takes it upon herself to put her years of training to the test. She dons the fake Batman costume and takes on Harry X. The Dark Knight arrives just in time to watch Babs kayo the big lug. In the chaos, little James Junior takes a gun and shoots Harry X to death in a back room. Soon after the Harry X incident, Babs puts together her own unique costume and debuts as Batgirl, piquing the interest of the Dynamic Duo. Batman and Robin meet Batgirl and team with her on several unspecified missions to test her mettle.

–REFERENCE: In Batgirl Vol. 5 #14-17 and DC’s Saved By the Belle Reve #1 Part 8. September—late summer. Batman upgrades his field sound recording equipment. Shortly thereafter, Batman and Robin easily discover Batgirl’s secret identity as Barbara Gordon, who is now a freshman at Gotham City High School. (Dick also attends Gotham City High School.) The Dynamic Duo learns all about Babs’ life, including how her deadbeat mom led to her moving from Chicago to Gotham to live with her dad, Commissioner Gordon. When summer semester students at Babs’ high school begin losing control of their actions, Batman puts Robin on lookout duty at the stadium. There, he runs into Batgirl, who is also working the case. Later, Robin and Batgirl hit it off romantically as they patrol together. They learn that Mad Hatter—along with Babs’ friend Ainsley Wells—is using nanotechnology to cause the students’ conditions. Robin and Batgirl bust Mad Hatter while the drug-addicted Ainsley winds up in a mental hospital. After the case wraps, Dick and Babs share their first awkward kiss.

–REFERENCE: In Batgirl & The Birds of Prey #11 and Batgirl & The Birds of Prey #19. Having earned the trust of the Dynamic Duo, Batgirl becomes an official member of the Bat-Family. Not only that, but Batman shares his secret ID with Batgirl as well. Batman impresses upon Batgirl (and reminds Robin) the importance of maintaining her secret ID, even keeping it hidden from close friends and family. Batman will stress the importance of maintaining a secret ID to all members of the Bat-Family throughout his entire career.

–Detective Comics #1000 Part 5^[3]
September 21—the anniversary of the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Batman, as he always does every year, visits Crime Alley on the anniversary of his parents’ deaths. There, he finds Dr. Leslie Thompkins leaving her clinic for the night. As they chat, some masked teens attack, prompting Batman to whoop their butts. Leslie, as she is wont to do, scolds Batman for using excessive violence. Ever the moral compass, Leslie tells Batman that she feels more sorry for him than she does for the poor unconscious boys that lay at their feet.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #1000 Part 10. September 21. Batman, as he does every year on the anniversary of his parents’ murders, visits the cemetery where his parents are buried.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #1041. Batman sets up a new stash pile in a warehouse near the docks. The stash contains extra Bat-gear and costumes, just in case. Both Robin and Batgirl are made aware of this secret cache. Presumably, Batman sets up multiple stash piles across the city.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1000 Part 1. Batman continues the unsolved “David Lambert’s looking glass case,” tracking the false artifact’s origin to Osumi, Japan. From there, Batman travel to Egypt where he goes in disguise to learn more about the looking glass. Then it’s off to Naples, Italy. But, ultimately, he reaches a dead end. However, Batman does finally realize that someone is toying with him in regard to this case. Stymied, Batman tries to see if Lambert’s looking glass is any way linked to Ra’s al Ghul. After a brief investigation, Batman sees that it is not. Batman will continue working this case sporadically, for years to come.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 1. Batman and Batgirl take on an escaped Two-Face, who tries to crush them with a giant silver dollar coin.

–FLASHBACK: From Shazam! Vol. 5 #4—and referenced in Red Hood and The Outlaws Vol. 2 #18. The Justice League defeats Queen Bee (Zazzala), leader of the evil organization known as HIVE (Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination).

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Urban Legends #22 Part 4. Batman and Batgirl thwart an unspecified heist. The case gets a write-up in the newspaper.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #982 and Detective Comics #1006-1007. Batman meets The Spectre. The Spectre is the physical embodiment of the wrath and vengeance of God—the single Judeo-Christian/Islamic (Abrahamic) god. In order to complete his divine work on Earth, the Spectre must be held within a human host vessel: Jim Corrigan, a police detective that has recently transferred from the NYPD to the GCPD. Notably, God’s commination is a sentient entity unto itself—a former angel named Aztar, now simply called Wrath. The Spectre shekhinah can only take shape when Wrath combines with Corrigan. Batman also interacts with human host Corrigan and Corrigan’s partner, Detective Tony Martinez, during this episode. However, Batman does not learn that the Spectre and Corrigan are linked. Interestingly, Batman takes a liking to Corrigan but hates the Spectre.

–REFERENCE: In Adventures of the Super Sons #2—originally told in The Brave and The Bold #78. The snake-themed villain known as Copperhead debuts and is defeated by Batman, Batgirl, and Wonder Woman.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Beyond Vol. 8 #20 and Red Hood and The Outlaws Vol. 2 #18—originally told in The Brave and The Bold #80 and Justice League of America #70. Gotham TV news reporter/investigative journalist Jack Ryder debuts as the Joker-esque superhero known as The Creeper. Batman teams-up with the strange newcomer in Gotham against Hellgrammite. Shortly thereafter, the Creeper helps the Justice League thwart an alien invasion of Earth. (As referenced in Doomsday Clock #9, unknown to all the heroes, the Creeper is actually a secret agent working for the Department of Metahuman Affairs.)

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Kings of Fear #6. October. Batman rescues an unnamed doctor from a mugger as she is walking home from a film screening.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #2—and referenced in Action Comics #979-980. The Justice League defeats the tyrant ruler of Warworld, Mongul. Notably, all the assigned-male-at-birth members of Mongul’s family are named Mongul, and this has been tradition for generations. Thus, Mongul is actually Mongul MDCCXC. But for simplicity’s sake, we will refer to him as Mongul and all following Monguls as Mongul II, Mongul III, etc.

–REFERENCE: In Deathstroke Vol. 4 #39. The Justice League defeats Ultra-Humanite.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 3—and referenced in Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #10 Part 3. Late August. This item is loosely based on Tim Burton’s Batman film (1989). An escaped Joker trashes the Flugelheim Museum and then celebrates Batman’s faux birthday by holding yet another evil parade in downtown Gotham. Joker dresses up in a garish half Batman-half Joker getup, which is lifted straight from Prince’s “Batdance” music video (from the soundtrack to Burton’s Batman). According to graffiti on a wall, Penguin is involved in the parade as well. Eventually, Batman shuts down the “celebration.” Note that this fun little flashback by creators Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky is meant to be a big meta-nod to all things Batman 1989-related. As such, Batman’s costume is drawn to resemble Michael Keaton’s costume from the movies. At this juncture, Batman would be wearing his blue-and-gray-costume.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 1—and referenced in Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular Part 10, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #1, and Robin Vol. 3 #15. This item is loosely based on Tim Burton’s Batman Returns film (1992). Batman fights Penguin, who rides around in a giant dubber duckie vehicle and enlists the help of the violent Red Triangle Circus Gang. Penguin also unleashes a full battalion of his penguin commandos upon Batman. Eventually, Batman defeats them all, collecting Penguin’s gaudy rubber ducky as a trophy.

–REFERENCE: In Action Comics #978, Wonder Woman Vol. 5 #25, and Superman: Red and Blue #3 Part 1. Having fought side-by-side for a few years now, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have become very closely bonded. From this point forward, their bond will only grow. This trio—from which almost every important thing that occurs in the DCU will center—will now be known as the Trinity. The Trinity decides to make their secret meeting spot, where they will meet on occasion (invisibly and randomly, moving forward), at the Nevada desert site where they all first met. In their civilian guises, the Trinity also meets for dinner, the first of many they’ll share over the decades to come. Bruce and Diana will rarely miss one of these dates, although a busy Clark sometimes will.

–REFERENCE: In Dark Nights: Metal #3. Batman already has emergency codes and alerts for both his Bat-Family and the Justice League, so what’s one more? Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman come up with a simple emergency cipher code in form of an alphabetical Trinity acrostic. If ever in a dire situation, Batman can alert Superman and Wonder Woman using two words that begin with their first names. For instance, “carpe diem” could be used since the first letter of “carpe” equals “C” for “Clark” while the first letter of “diem” equals “D” for “Diana.”

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Prelude to the Wedding Part 2 – Nightwing vs Hush #1. Batman and Robin defeat the debuting mottled super-villain known as Mr. Polka-Dot (aka Polka-Dot Man aka Mr. Polka Dot).

–REFERENCE: In Justice League Vol. 4 #1. The Justice League defeats the immortal Vandal Savage.

–REFERENCE: In Justice League Vol. 3 #39, Adventures of the Super Sons #1, Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular Part 4, Batman Vol. 3 #129, and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #31—originally told in Justice League of America #77. Joker gains access to the Secret Sanctuary in Happy Harbor. After busting Joker, the Justice League keeps one of Joker’s signature playing cards as a trophy. With their HQ exposed, the JL decides to abandon its Earthbound HQs (both the Sanctuary and the Hall of Justice). The JL constructs and launches a brand new orbiting satellite HQ, known simply as the JL Satellite, complete with all the amenities and a full trophy room. Notably, Batman learns all the security and defense activation codes for the Satellite. (He will similarly learn them for all future JL HQs as well.)^[4]

–REFERENCE: In Legends of the Dark Knight Vol. 2 #9 (Legends of the Dark Knight Vol. 2 Print Edition #5), Batman Vol. 3 #127, and Batman Vol. 3 #129. Each Justice Leaguer is given a portable teleportation chamber that allows access to the JL Satellite. This teleportation chamber will be used to access all future JL orbital or lunar HQs as well. Notably, the security attached to these teleporters is extremely high. By design, even Batman will (supposedly) be unable to bypass or hack the measures.

–The Joker Vol. 2 2021 Annual
November. The GCPD busts Anthony Rigalli (aka Tony Rigatoni aka Riga), a capo in the the Falcone Mob that is ready to leave the mafia and flip on his pals. It’s great to have Riga in custody, but Commissioner Gordon knows that half his men are on Carmine Falcone’s take and would jump at the chance to silence the rat. Later, Babs talks to her dad about her new job at the library and about how James Junior is getting into a lot of fights back in Chicago (presumably in pre-k). (Unrelated to Joker Vol. 2 2021 Annual but related to James Junior’s fights, the boy will soon kill one of Babs’ friends, which will be determined as an “accidental death,” after which James Junior will go back and forth between being under the guardianship of his mom and various psychiatric institutions for many years to come.) Jim is preoccupied with the Riga situation and can’t give these things the fatherly attention they deserve. (This issue refers to Jim as a “new” commissioner, but he’s been commish for years, so we should ignore that.) Secretly working for Joker, Catman tries to rob a candy factory, but he’s stopped by Batman and Batgirl. (Note that Batman is depicted wearing the wrong costume in this issue.) Gordon, a drunk Harvey Bullock, and a bunch of corrupt cops watch the fight unfold. The next day, Gordon fires dozens of officers that he knows are crooked. Shortly thereafter, Joker meets with Killer Croc, Penguin, and Black Mask, trying to form an alliance. Penguin notes correctly that Joker has only pulled pop-crime pranks and small time heists in the past year. Joker responds by revealing that he’s successfully recruited all the cops that Gordon fired to be their new henchmen. Not long afterward, Batman and Batgirl come face-to-face with Joker and his ex-cop goon squad. While Batman chases Joker down to Blüdhaven, Gordon and the GCPD shoot their way through their former co-workers into a warehouse filled with piñatas. Inside each piñata is a corpse, signifying Joker’s return to mass murder. One of the victims is Riga. While Joker’s pop-crime phase is indeed technically over, from this point onward, we’ll see a mix of clownish gags and homicidal behavior from him.

–REFERENCE: In The Joker Vol. 2 #15. Joker forms a new gang consisting of Packy White, Philly Jack Barton, Alby, Charles “Bigger” Melvin, and Bing Hooley. After Batman busts Joker and his new crew, the Clown Prince of Crime is irate and comes to blame his cronies for his defeat. With his new homicidal focus (and with his pop-crime phase having ended), Joker vows to kill his entire gang when he gets out of prison. (This is Joker’s declaration of his “Five-Way Revenge” scheme.) When Joker’s men are all set free on a technicality, Batman vows to protect them. Batman will keeps tabs on the five, moving forward.

–REFERENCE: In Dark Nights: Metal #2 and Batman Giant #6 (Batman: Universe #2). The Justice League learns of the existence and location of Gorilla City, a cloaked Central African metropolis (near the Atlantic Ocean) filled with talking telepathic apes. They defeat Gorilla Grodd, ruthless terrorist that hails from Gorilla City. The JL meets ruler of Gorilla City, King Solovar, and researches all they can about the denizens of Gorilla City.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Kings of Fear #6. Batman busts Sammy “Scalpel” Sanchez, a crook who is also an expert knife handler.

–REFERENCE: In Superman: Red and Blue #1 Part 1—originally told in World’s Finest Comics #192-193.^[5] While rescuing a passenger train in the Central European dictatorship of Lubania, Superman is attacked by the Nazi-esque Lubanian military and shot with a synthetic Kryptonite ray. Superman becomes a powerless fugitive in the Right Wing nation. The Man of Steel attempts to flee the country, but gets recaptured by Colonel Koslov, head of Lubanian secret police. Eventually, Batman parachutes into Lubania only to get captured as well. After more than a week straight of brutal torture, our heroes finally escape. In Washington DC, Batman and Superman defeat Koslov’s Lubanian metahumans Steelman and Cowlmask.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: The World Part 4. Batman has been keeping tabs on Cesare, an Italian boy that he saved in Rome a few years ago. Unfortunately for Cesare, his father is a mob boss. After his dad is murdered by a hitman, Cesare’s mom commits suicide, leaving poor Cesare as an orphan. Concerned, Batman travels to Rome to check in on the boy.

–FLASHBACK: From Nightwing Vol. 4 #92. Batman, Robin, and Batgirl deal with chaos associated with two straight days of blackouts in the city. When Robin disobeys Batman’s orders and charges into a violent mob, he gets brutalized and is only saved by Batgirl and the timely intervention of Alfred in the Batplane. Back at Wayne Manor, Alfred patches up the badly injured Robin and stabilizes him in bed. Batman is about to charge in and chew out the Boy Wonder, but Alfred stops him, ordering the Dark Knight to remove his cowl and show Dick some much needed love. Batman complies.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: One Bad Day – Mr. Freeze #1. Batman busts the debuting serial killer known as The Meek, sending him to Arkham Asylum.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #146 and Batman Vol. 3 #149. Batman once again blacks-out and is mind-controlled by his Zur-En-Arrh persona, who begins creating a brand new hidden Batcave in the woods outside of Gotham. While we won’t see it on our timeline ahead, Batman will periodically black-out and go under the spell of his Zur-En-Arrh persona for decades to come, often working on this alternate lair during these time periods.

–Batman: One Bad Day – Mr. Freeze #1
December 20-25. As snow falls over Gotham, Batman and Robin bust an escaped Meek. In the Batcave, the Dynamic Duo join Alfred to decorate a Christmas tree (made out of Batarangs and topped with a dead Starro spore)! Bruce takes note that Killer Croc and Mr. Freeze are both currently at large, but at Robin’s urging, he decides to focus on the latter, citing with empathy that maybe they can rehabilitate him. Batman does some research and rents a special LexCorp lab for Mr. Freeze, with plans of letting him do research into the cryogenically frozen Nora Fries’ condition. After hobnobbing with hoods at a seedy bar (and singing Xmas karaoke!) as Matches Malone, Batman learns that Mr. Freeze is planning to rob an armored car. Sure enough, later that night, Mr. Freeze (along with his new sidekick Frostbite) strikes. Batman and Robin stop Mr. Freeze, telling him about the second chance they are willing to give him. (This is Robin’s first ever meeting with Mr. Freeze, who is surprised to learn that the Boy Wonder isn’t a myth.) Agreeing to his new lease on life, Mr. Freeze is escorted to his new lab by the Dynamic Duo. While Mr. Freeze toils in the lab, Batman and Robin (undercover as a Salvation Army Santa Claus and an elf) patrol the streets. In between patrols, Bruce and Dick watch security camera footage of Mr. Freeze at work. Despite making progress, Mr. Freeze flips out and destroys the lab in a wild rage. While Alfred and Robin winterize the Batmobile, Batman visits on of Nora’s old friends, who reveals that Victor kept all her friends away when she got sick and also that she had a living will that said specifically not to cryogenically freeze her. After a ride in the newly winterized Batmobile, Batman (in the Sun Suit) and Robin confront and battle Mr. Freeze. As Mr. Freeze duels Robin, the villain reveals that he actually likes his relationship with Nora better now that she is frozen. Robin knocks Mr. Freeze through the floor, which allows Batman to finish him off for good. Before being shipped off to Blackgate Penitentiary, Mr. Freeze tells Robin that he wasn’t able to find a cure for Nora, but he did make a big new scientific breakthrough about cryogenics while working in the lab. Mr. Freeze has found a way to keep vaccines and medicines cold for long periods of time without refrigeration. After Nora goes into protected cryo-storage at the Wayne Enterprises Science Division lab, Dick emails Mr. Freeze’s new discovery to Lucius Fox with hopes that it can be used freely across the globe. Bruce, Dick, Alfred, and Ace the Bathound celebrate a happy Xmas together. A Batman-less New Year’s Day epilogue reveals that Mr. Freeze’s new discovery has been shared (anonymously) with the world, free and open source, distributed by Wayne Enterprises.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Urban Legends #10 Part 4. December 25. Christmas. Bruce, Dick, Alfred, and Dr. Leslie Thompkins volunteer and serve food at the latter’s clinic.

–REFERENCE: In Titans Vol. 3 #11 and Teen Titans Vol. 6 #8—originally told in New Teen Titans #2. Batman isn’t directly a part of this item, but he definitely secretly monitors the situation. Deathstroke and his son Ravager (Grant Wilson) attack the Teen Titans (Robin, Speedy, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Aqualad, and new member Omen). Thanks to unstable new powers given to him by HIVE, Ravager has a heart attack during battle and drops dead. Deathstroke takes his son’s corpse and leaves the scene, blaming the Teen Titans for his death. Batman monitors all of this via hidden camera. (Notably, the Batman-less Green Lantern/Green Arrow: World’s Finest Special #1 leads directly into this item, and it reveals that, despite being a main Bat-rogue, Deathstroke doesn’t come onto the rest of the Justice League’s radar until now. Prior to this moment on our timeline, Hal Jordan, Flash, and Green Arrow were not familiar with him at all.)

–REFERENCE: In Doomsday Clock #2-5 and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #13-14. Bruce meets ruthless billionaire industrialist Simon Stagg. They play tennis, and Stagg is furious when he loses. Thus, Bruce learns how vindictive, manipulative, and plain evil Stagg can be, as the tycoon blocks deals intended to help the people of Gotham, costing Wayne Enterprises millions of dollars in the process. Stagg will continue to interfere with Wayne Enterprises deals for years to come. Bruce (as Batman) also meets and befriends element-altering superhero Metamorpho (Rex Mason), teaming with him on an unspecified mission. Out of love for his fiancée Sapphire Stagg, Metamorpho works for his arch-rival Simon Stagg (Sapphire’s father). Batman and Metamorpho will grow closer over the years to come, and the public will eventually come to regard Metamorpho as one of Batman’s primary allies outside of the Justice League and Bat-Family. Unfortunately for Batman, he won’t know the secret truth behind Metamorpho. Like Kirk Langstrom, Metamorpho—along with Metamorpho’s partner Element Girl (Urania Blackwell) and his arch-rivals Simon Stagg, Doc Dread, The Prosecutor, and Stingaree—is a secret agent working for the US Government’s Department of Metahuman Affairs (DMA). Despite maintaining a public origin story about having gotten his powers via magickal means while exploring in Egypt, Metamorpho, like the others, may have been given his powers by the DMA. It’s unclear whether or not Metamorpho’s Egyptian origins are legitimate. It’s also unclear if Metamorpho knows that his arch-rivals are also being handled by the DMA.

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<<< Rebirth Era Year 4 <<< ||| >>> Rebirth Era Year 6 >>>

1. ^[1]COLLIN COLSHER: Matthew Rosenberg and Francesco Francavilla’s amazing second feature to Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #1-9 shows the comedic misadventures of Joker alongside his sidekicks Gaggy, the talking ape known as Jackanapes, and the snow-themed Jack Frost. Unfortunately, these madcap backups, as brilliant as they may be, are all non-canon. However, Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #4 meta-reveals that these second feature Joker tales are actually comic books that exist on Earth-0. Furthermore, Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #10 goes so far as to include one of these Joker comics as part of its main narrative. So these silly stories are comics within the world of the comics. Pretty neat!↩
2. ^[2]COLLIN COLSHER: The flashback from Robin Vol. 3 #4 that depicts this famous shirtless desert duel from “Saga of Ra’s al Ghul” shows Batman down-and-out with a sword impaled in his chest. This iconic image is actually only from Neal Adams’ cover to Batman #244. Nowhere in the original narrative does Batman actually get stabbed like that. But it’s now been canonized thanks to this flashback.↩
3. ^[3]COLLIN COLSHER: Part 5 of the 1000th issue of ‘tec is a killer Denny O’Neil story that acts as not only an homage to the Silver Age/Bronze Age, but also continues O’Neil’s Silver Age/Bronze Age run from back in the day. As such, as stated, it requires some re-jiggering/retconning to fit on our Rebirth Era timeline. Artist Steve Epting draws a Silver Age version of Leslie Thompkins, one who is very elderly/matronly. We have to ignore this look since Rebirth Era Leslie is way younger and looks completely different.↩
4. ^[4]COLLIN COLSHER: In the opening sequence of Justice League Vol. 3 #39, the Fan makes fun of the JL’s previous Watchtower incarnation on the Moon (originally created at the start of Morrison’s “Big Guns” JLA run). Besides this initial reference point, there are numerous references in other Rebirth Era/Infinite Frontier books to the Hall of Justice and to other previous JL satellite HQs, including the lunar Watchtower. Furthermore, in Adventures of the Super Sons #1, Damian says that the JL has gone through a dozen HQs by the summer of 2018. (It’s actually a few more than that!) Note that the complete JL HQ history has been canonized in the Rebirth/Infinite Frontier Era. This includes all story moments that relate to the JL’s HQs, including the creation and destruction of multiple Watchtowers, which you will see further down the road on our chronology.↩
5. ^[5]COLLIN COLSHER: This is a weird John Ridley reference in Superman: Red and Blue #1, which specifically says that Superman was in Lubania during the Soviet regime, placing it at the latest in 1989. Superman would have been like eight or nine-years-old at that point. And if this adventure, based off of WFC #192-193, occurred when it originally did (in the 1970s), Superman wouldn’t have even been born yet. Ridley also specifically says that Superman and Batman were held captive in Lubania for “eight months,” which is also bizarre. There’s really nowhere on our timeline where Superman and Batman could be MIA for that long. Plus, the original story from WFC #192-193 only spanned a couple weeks, so I’m not sure why Ridley changed that aspect. A fanwank could be that Superman and Batman time-travel to 60s, 70s, or 80s Lubania (which would conceivably allow for eight months of imprisonment if our heroes then returned to the moment right after which they departed). This fanwank keeps all of Ridley’s narrative intact, but it’s big and messy, and likely not Ridley’s intent. And with Clark interviewing an elder Koslov in the main action of Superman: Red and Blue #1, time-travel really doesn’t seem to make sense. Therefore, I’ve just ignored the Soviet mention (keep it a simple “authoritarian state” or treat it as the last remnant of an ex-Soviet regime) and retcon the “eight months” to “eight days”.↩