Rebirth Era (Post-“Superman Reborn”) Chronology
_______________________________________________________________________________
YEAR THREE (2004)
_____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
–The Penguin #7
January—it’s been one year since Carmine Falcone went down. (The story tells us that we are at some point prior to opening week of the Broadway, which is scheduled for February, further cementing the January date.) Batman and Commissioner Gordon go after an escaped Joker, who has been on the loose for nearly a week. (Tom King inserts a large continuity snarl here, showing Gordon still as a captain.) Meanwhile, the Bertinelli Mob begins to move in on some of Oswald Cobblepot’s territories. Shortly thereafter, Cobblepot gives Batman a treasure trove of intel about the Bertinelli Mob. Later, at the Iceberg Lounge, Cobblepot gets the contact information of Ra’s al Ghul’s biological son, known only as the Help—a legendary assassin and cleaner, now 73-years-old but still one of the deadliest men on the planet. After killing the low-level hood that gave him the information, Cobblepot reports it as an accidental death to Commissioner Gordon. Upon getting the call from Cobblepot, Gordon lights up the Bat-signal, summoning Batman for a briefing. Soon after, Batman examines the murder weapon in the Batcave, linking it to Franco Bertinelli Jr (via fibers from his mom’s handkerchief, which Bertinelli bought at auction a few months ago). Meanwhile, Cobblepot meets with the Help, tasking him with finding out who actually purchased the Iceberg Lounge for him following the arrest of Carmine Falcone. Suspicious of Cobblepot, Batman searches his apartment and the Iceberg Lounge, but both locations are clean. Batman meets with Cobblepot and accuses him of trying to orchestrate the downfall of the Bertinelli family for his own personal benefit, which Cobblepot denies. Batman can tell that he’s lying, but he can’t prove it. Later, Batman kayos Bertinelli, taking back his mom’s handkerchief for analysis. Unfortunately, Cobblepot is already one step ahead of the Dark Knight, having had his ex-wife Lisa St. Claire access and manipulate the evidence in his favor. Nevertheless, sensing that Batman is still getting close to exposing him, Penguin realizes the only way to dodge a long prison sentence in Blackgate Penitentiary is to become a costumed super-villain. With Lisa’s help, Cobblepot decides to embrace his opprobrious nickname and exaggerate his most extreme qualities, becoming Penguin! At their next meeting, a monocle-wearing Penguin attacks Batman with a sword-umbrella. Penguin has always had a thing for umbrellas, but this is the first time he’s ever gimmicked one as a weapon. (This first encounter with Penguin is also visually referenced in New History of the DC Universe #2. Two generic flashbacks from Robin Vol. 3 #9 and Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #2 Part 4 also show what could very well be this first encounter between Batman and Penguin. The latter flashback reveals that Batman gets a permanent scar from Penguin’s sword-umbrella. Batman easily defeats Penguin, sending him to Arkham Asylum. Soon after, Penguin is released. Avoiding jail time will be Penguin’s special talent—he’ll be an expert at making his actions seem licit throughout the rest of his criminal career. Note that The Penguin #7 contains a Batman-less epilogue that supposedly takes place about a year later, in which the Help is finally able to report back to Penguin that it was Bruce Wayne that purchased and transferred ownership of the Iceberg Lounge to him after the downfall of the Falcone Mob (thus telling Penguin definitively that Bruce is Batman). Since this epilogue must go prior to Batman: Killing Time (and also jibe with Batman and Robin: Year One) it must occur in late August, so about eight months from now, not a full year.
–REFERENCE: In Punchline #1. Joker briefly takes control of Arkham Asylum, demanding that Batman commit himself. Batman puts an end to Joker’s game.
–REFERENCE: In Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 Part 2. Batman begins regularly training with Wildcat (Ted Grant) at the latter’s boxing gym in Brooklyn. While we won’t see it on our timeline ahead, Batman will spar with Ted regularly.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #6 Part 5. Batman fights Joker.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #999. February—Bruce’s birthday. As he did last 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. Batman will continue to run Program 2.1 on his birthday every year, moving forward.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Giant #6 (Batman: Universe #2). Batman goes on an unspecified mission and collects a full-face armored metal helmet as a trophy, which he displays in the Batcave.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: One Bad Day – Bane #1—and referenced in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #3, Deathstroke Vol. 4 #30, Batman: Urban Legends #7 Part 1, The Joker Vol. 2 #9, The Joker Vol. 2 #15, and Batman and Robin Vol. 3 #13. Originally told in “VENOM” (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #16-20). Feeling inadequate after being unable to save a girl from kidnappers, Batman begins taking the performance-enhancement drug known as Venom—created by disgraced former US Army scientists Timothy Slaycroft and Dr. Randolph Porter. (Dr. Porter is also the father of the girl Batman had failed to save.) Venom, a derivative of Hourman’s Miraclo that Bane will pump into his veins years later, is manufactured primarily on the Caribbean Island nation of Santa Prisca in conjunction with their corrupt dictatorial junta and US military official Dr. Friedrich Baum, who is a secret member of the global cabal known as The Network. Batman becomes aware of the Network, but only through rumor. (Moving forward, he will brush up against the edges of the Network from time-to-time, but never directly encounter the organization.) On Venom, which is given to him directly by Dr. Porter, Batman quickly becomes a hulked-up drug abuser, which leads to Alfred resigning from his post. After a couple weeks of nonstop Venom dosing for patrols, the heavily-addicted Batman burns-out and breaks-down. In tears, he calls Alfred and convinces him to come home. With Alfred’s support, Batman quarantines himself in the Batcave and quits cold-turkey. When Dr. Porter conspires with Slaycroft to blackmail the druggie Batman, the Dark Knight chases them out of the country but realizes he’s become everything he hates. Alfred returns to help Batman clean-up and quit Venom cold turkey. Soon afterward, in Santa Prisca, a drug-free Batman kicks ass and defeats Slaycroft and Dr. Porter, shutting down the latter’s unsavory super-soldier experimentation program. Dr. Porter fakes his own death and goes into hiding.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #1090. Following his experience with Venom addiction, Bruce vows to reject the lure of all bodily enhancements of any kind, and he’ll do so for the rest of his life.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #968, DC Talent Showcase 2018 #1 Part 1, Detective Comics #1002, and Batman Giant #6 (Batman: Universe #2). Batman links a majority of his Bat-vehicles into the Bat-computer network, thus making them able to be remote-controlled (among many other things). Only a handful of fighter jets remain “analog.” Most of the networked vehicles can also be voice-activated, and all can be viewed on the Bat-computer via remote camera (although Batman will often shut off this feature, along with comms, when out and about). Notably, Commissioner Gordon is added as an authorized user. Furthermore, Batman constructs an ultra-magnetic collar, which he links to several of the newly-networked vehicles. This ultra-magnetic collar goes into his utility belt. Also, Batman programs a hyper-realistic 3D virtual reality version of the Batcave that can be accessed and interfaced-with from the networked vehicles. Using this tech, Batman can “access the Batcave” remotely.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: Gotham Nights Vol. 3 #10. Alfred tells Bruce about trips to hunt cape buffalo in Central Africa during his youth.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Giant Vol. 2 #5 Part 1 (Batman: Gotham Nights Vol. 3 #7). Wanting to be taken more seriously, Killer Moth burns down his own clubhouse. The super-villain challenges Batman on the roofs of Gotham where Batman busts him.
–REFERENCE: In Batwoman Vol. 3 #6 and Green Arrow Vol. 6 #29. Batman meets and befriends GCPD Detective Harvey Bullock.
–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 3. April. Joker orchestrates a downtown parade for Batman’s monthly “birthday” gift. Batman flies-in on the Batplane and takes care of business. (At first glance, this parade looks like it’s meant to be a version of Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film, but it’s not—because we’ll see that parade a little bit later in the very same issue.)
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #90. Spring. An escaped Joker takes over a TV studio, killing multiple people in the process. Presumably, Batman busts him.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: One Bad Day – Two-Face #1—and referenced in Batwoman: Rebirth #1 and Batman Vol. 3 #26. Batman defeats Cluemaster (Arthur Brown) in front of his own young daughter, Stephanie Brown. Afterward, Batman gives Cluemaster a little more leeway than other criminals, hoping that it’ll guide the villain toward a focus on raising Stephanie as opposed to committing heists.
–REFERENCE: In Batman and Robin: Year One #2. Joker unveils a beta-test version of his “Laughing Fish” gag, putting his signature smile on some fish in a local waterway. Batman keeps some of the fish, putting them in a tank in the Batcave for study. Joker remains at large. (Note that this item is not to be confused with Joker’s bigger “Laughing Fish” gag, which we won’t see for a few years.)
–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Mother Panic #1, the second feature to Mother Panic #5, and the second feature to Mother Panic #7—originally told in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #156-158 and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #164-167. Batman meets and saves the life of Lee Hyland (Blink), a metahuman conman who is completely blind but can see through the eyes of any animal or person he touches. Shortly thereafter, despite Blink using his powers to steal from people’s bank accounts, Batman saves the villain’s life a second time. Afterward, Batman lets Blink go, encouraging him to use his powers for good. Blink promises to do so.
–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1000 Part 11—and referenced in Batman Vol. 3 #25, Detective Comics #1000 Deluxe Edition Part 12, Batman: Urban Legends #19 Part 5, and Batman: Dark Patterns #2. The sewer-dwelling Killer Croc (Waylon Jones) debuts against Batman. The Caped Crusader is able to capture Killer Croc thanks to the assistance of Nicky Harris, a schlock journalist that was fired from the Gotham Gazette one year prior for writing a lawsuit-instigating conspiracy theory exposé on Ace Chemicals. Despite Killer Croc’s completely animalistic and vicious nature, Batman will always harbor a measure of sadness and sympathy for the villain on account of the fact he was born different and suffered abuse and exile his whole life. After the case wraps, Batman reads a ridiculous tabloid article that Harris had previously written about him.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #2 Part 4—and referenced in All-Star Batman #10, Year of the Villain: Black Mask #1, The Joker Vol. 2 #2021 Annual, and Batman: Killing Time #5. Bruce’s troubled childhood friend (he had a a lot them!) Roman Sionis has hit rock bottom. Having recently killed his own parents by burning them alive in an arson fire and lost control of his Janus Cosmetics business, Sionis now becomes the skull-faced super-villain known as Black Mask (Roman Sionis), simultaneously starting a cult known as The False Face Society. Batman defeats Black Mask and the False Face Society, earning a permanent scar in the process.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman Vol. 2 #7 and Batman: Killing Time #5—originally told in the Batman The Animated Series TV show. Batman defeats the second incarnation of the Clock King, who is clearly modeled after the Animated Series‘ Temple Fugate. Yes, there are three active Clock Kings—the one featured here, the original Clock King, and the third Clock King. Batman will eventually deal with the other Clock Kings, but not quite yet. In any case, Batman likely does his research on the strange loosely-affiliated trio, learning that each of them uses the pseudonym “William Tockman.” The Clock King featured here is a white man, who wears a top hat and sometimes goes by “Bill.” The original Clock King is a white man, who wears a garish blue-and-green costume adorned with images of clocks. The third Clock King is a Black man with a face tattoo, who primarily goes by “Billy.”
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #26 and Batman: Killing Time #5. Batman busts the scarified knife-wielding serial killer Victor Zsasz and his henchmen. Zsasz’s trademark is cutting a tally mark into his own flesh whenever he kills someone.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Killing Time #2—and referenced in Batman: Killing Time #2. Late May—this item occurs three months prior to the main action of Batman: Killing Time. (The date range specifically given for this item is December 26-29, but we cannot take any date specificity by writer Tom King at face value, especially if Batman: Killing Time is meant to jibe with his own The Penguin #6-7 timeline (and with Mark Waid’s Batman and Robin: Year One timeline). However, while we’ve been forced to shift month specificity, we could technically still honor the 26th through 29th date range, which I’ve more-or-less done here.) Joker abducts Batman, binds him in chains, hangs him upside down, and injects him with truth serum, hoping to learn all of his secrets. Batman is able to restrain himself from spewing forth confidential information—except for the location of the Eye of Christ artifact (a gift Bruce received from Ra’s al Ghul a few years ago), which is currently stored in a United Bank of Gotham vault thirty miles outside of Gotham. Batman then escapes from Joker’s clutches. Joker remains at large. Three days later, Joker commits the so-called Massacre of Newton Hill. It’s unknown if Batman is directly involved in the massacre, but even if he isn’t, he obviously would be aware and on the case. Joker remains at large.
–REFERENCE: In Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #38, Year of the Villain: The Riddler #1, and Batman: Killing Time #5. Batman busts pharaoh-themed super-villain King Tut. While we will rarely ever see King Tut on our chronology, Year of the Villain: The Riddler #1 tells us that King Tut will often challenge Batman, but the Dark Knight will usually ignore his threats. Thus, while they won’t have much interaction, moving forward on our timeline, we should imagine Batman shaking his damn head at a lot of King Tut notes left for him at the police station.
–REFERENCE: In Batman and Robin: Year One #1. Batman upgrades the Batmobile so it can drive vertically up the side of buildings.
–REFERENCE: In Shadow War: Alpha #1. Batman defeats the debuting femme fatales Silken Spider, Tiger Moth, and Dragonfly, who are all secretly members of the League of Assassins.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: Lost, Batman and Robin: Year One #3, and Batman and Robin: Year One #9—loosely based on “DARK VICTORY.” Batman and Robin: Year One #3 clearly canonizes the Five Families as originally depicted in Batman: Dark Victory, meaning that, at this time, the ruling players are the Falcone Mob, Maroni Mob, Skeevers Mob (first Black family to ascend into the typically racist Cosa Nostra hierarchy), Viti Mob (having moved into Gotham City from Chicago), and Gazzo Mob. However, beyond confirming this mafia stratum, the Batman and Robin: Year One narrative wholly replaces most of Dark Victory, so not much else of the latter can be in-continuity. The extremely truncated version of this item, lasting only a few days at most, sees the following occurrences: Bruce meets Mario Falcone (Carmine Falcone’s son); Catwoman and Batman deal with Sofia Falcone Gigante, who leads a revenge squad coalition consisting of Tony Zucco, Lucia Viti (Carmine’s niece), Angelo Mirti, Edward Skeevers (Jefferson Skeevers’ brother), and Umberto Maroni and Pino Maroni (Sal Maroni’s twin sons); Sofia herself masquerades as the serial killer known as The Hangman, killing people left-and-right; Two-Face (romantically involved with Gotham’s new district attorney Janice Porter) orchestrates a mass Arkham Asylum breakout, with which Batman and Commissioner Gordon must deal; Sofia kills her brother Alberto; Two-Face kills DA Porter; Batman outs Sofia as the Hangman. After the dust settles and the blood is washed away, the organized crime pecking order has been restructured yet again with the Five Families now being the Falcones, Maronis, Berrettis (also spelled “Beretti”), Gazzos, and Bertinellis. There is also an unofficial “sixth family”—the Giacomo Mob led by Edgar Giacomo. Additionally, gangster (soon to be city councilman) Rupert Thorne runs his own dominant Thorne Mob outside of the Italian hierarchy.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #1075. While on a nostalgia kick, Bruce purchases the long abandoned Morton’s confectionary shop, which was one of his favorite places to visit as a child.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #54. Batman goes on an unspecified mission and then adds another commemorative plaque to his trophy wall. This one features a ghoulish white hood or shroud. I’m sure this is a reference to a specific story, but I’m not sure which one.
–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #17—and referenced in Batman Vol. 3 #42. Batman chats with Joker’s primary Arkham Asylum psychiatrist, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a famous gymnast cum genius neurologist that has been Joker’s therapist ever since his debut. This flashback is just a single image from a title splash page attached to this second feature.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: One Bad Day – Mr. Freeze #1. Batman and Alfred build the Sun Suit, a highly experimental flame-based Bat-costume.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: The Detective #4. Batman defends a deli from some would-be thieves, earning the praise and thanks of the deli’s mom and pop owners.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #79. Catwoman steals the Coner Diamond from the Gotham Museum, but Batman steals it back.
–FLASHBACK: From Nightwing Vol. 4 #32, Nightwing Vol. 4 #69, Batman Vol. 3 #54, Strange Love Adventures #1 Part 6, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #12, Nightwing Vol. 4 #111, Batman and Robin: Year One #6, and Batman Vol. 3 #162—and referenced in The Green Lantern: Blackstars #2, Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular Part 1, Detective Comics #965, Detective Comics #1037 Part 3, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #20, and Nightwing Vol. 4 #109, Batman and Robin: Year One #1, and Batman and Robin: Year One #12. Early August—the time period is confirmed by Batman and Robin: Year One #4. Bruce visits Haly’s Circus with an unnamed date. There, they witness the Flying Graysons (Mary Grayson and John Grayson) fall to their deaths during a trapeze act. Ten-year-old Dick Grayson is orphaned. Also in the audience are: seven-year-old boy genius Tim Drake;[1][2] Tim’s parents Jack Drake and Janet Drake; Mary Grayson’s circus performing acquaintance and bodyguard Richard aka Mr. Numb (who will eventually become the super-villain Raptor); young Shelton Lyle (who will eventually become the super-villain Heartless); and Shelton’s guardian Gerald Chamberlain.[3] Upon learning that the trapeze act was sabotaged by crooks under the employ of gangster Tony Zucco, Batman is not only there for Dick to lean upon, but he immediately begins stalking the killers as well. That very night, Batman busts those responsible for hands-on murdering the Flying Graysons. Batman is unable to find evidence directly linking Zucco to the murder even though he knows Zucco pulled the strings. Zucco escapes and goes into hiding. Batman puts a newspaper with a headline article about the Flying Graysons case on display in the Batcave. Immediately afterward, Dick moves into an orphanage where he spends a couple nights sneaking out to beat up gang bangers. Wanting to adopt Dick but aware of the hurdles involved with the state allowing a notorious playboy care for a child, Bruce throws money at the problem, making strategic donations and endowments where necessary. With additional approval from Dick’s distant relative Aunt Harriet Cooper, Bruce legally adopts Dick as his ward. (Aunt Harriet will be an infrequent part of both Bruce and Dick’s lives, moving forward. Bruce will come to regard her as his “aunt” as well.) Jim Gordon escorts Dick to Wayne Manor, after which Alfred tucks the emotional boy into bed. After settling into Wayne Manor, Dick begins to have night terrors about his parents’ deaths. Bruce will comfort the boy as best he can. At first, Dick hates living in Wayne Manor, rejecting the care of Bruce and Alfred, constantly saying he hates everything, including Alfred’s cucumber sandwiches, which he refuses to eat. After Dick injures himself while swinging-on and destroying a chandelier, Bruce tries harder to connect with him. (Bruce also hated the cucumber sandwiches at first when he was a kid, and he injured himself on the same chandelier when he was a kid too.) Dick quickly warms up, revealing a love for potato chips, football, and sit-down dinners with Bruce. Dick also sees Bruce working out in the Wayne Manor gym and is very impressed. They do handstands together until Alfred serves up his signature sandwiches. Dick finally tries them and will eventually grow to love them.
–REFERENCE: In Batman and Robin: Year One #4. Bruce and Alfred complete all steps required of taking a boy into their home, including enrolling him for the upcoming school year.
–FLASHBACK: From Nightwing Vol. 4 #111. A sad Dick reads JRR Tolkien alone in his Wayne Manor room. Alfred suggests Bruce go sit with the boy, giving him a copy of the Sesame Street story entitled The Monster at the End of This Book. Despite it being targeted to younger kids, Alfred thinks it’ll help put Dick at ease. Bruce spends quality time with Dick.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: Killing Time #2. August. This item occurs seventeen days before the start of the main action of Batman: Killing Time. (The date specifically given for this item is January 18, but, as stated earlier, we cannot take any date specificity by writer Tom King at face value, especially if Batman: Killing Time is meant to jibe with his The Penguin #6-7 timeline.) Catwoman and an escaped Riddler rob a jewel shop. Batman busts them, sending both to Arkham Asylum. Behind bars, Catwoman and Riddler will continue to scheme together.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #5 Part 5—and referenced in Batman and Robin: Year One #1. It’s been a couple weeks since the death of the Flying Graysons. Batman unmasks to reveal his identity to Dick. Bruce and Dick embrace as the former vows to bring Tony Zucco (who has gone into hiding) to justice.
–Detective Comics #1000 Part 9
Having just revealed his superhero secret to Dick, Bruce discusses with Alfred whether or not to train Dick to be Batman’s sidekick. Bruce is on the fence, but Alfred thinks it is a good idea, enthusiastically encouraging it. (Alfred’s opinion of using child soldiers will dramatically move in the opposite direction over time.) Dick, who has been hanging from the new chandelier, listens-in and swoops down, telling Bruce that he is ready to fight by his side. By candlelight in the Batcave, Dick swears a formal oath to honor all of Batman’s values. (This swearing-in ceremony is also shown via flashback from Dial H for Hero #5, Strange Love Adventures #1 Part 6, Dark Crisis #1, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7, Batman Vol. 3 #138, World’s Finest: Teen Titans #6, Nightwing Vol. 4 #112, and Batman and Robin: Year One #6.) The Batman Family aka Bat-Family is officially born.
–REFERENCE: In Deathstroke Vol. 4 #19 and Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #5 Part 1. Batman tells his “criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot” mantra to Dick. He’ll tell this to all future allies as well.
–REFERENCE: In Batman and Robin: Year One #5. Bruce hangs out with his friend Martin Koski, who gets his wrist tattoo laser removed.
–Batman: Killing Time #1-6[4]
Late August—it’s supposedly been nearly a year since The Penguin #7, but the most amount of time that could possibly have elapsed is eight months. (The date range specifically given for this item is March 4-8, but we cannot take any date specificity by writer Tom King at face value, especially if Batman: Killing Time is meant to jibe with his Penguin #6-7 timeline and with the Batman and Robin: Year One timeline.) Penguin has hired Catwoman (who rocks a new all-black leather costume), Riddler, and Killer Croc to pull off the heist of the Eye of Christ artifact, which Bruce received from Ra’s al Ghul a few years ago and is currently stored in a United Bank of Gotham vault thirty miles outside of Gotham. (Note that, starting now, Catwoman will go through a variety of different costumes—including her latest—over the course of the next few years.) Unknown to Penguin, the villains (plus Clock King II) are playing/using him. While Catwoman fleeces and kidnaps the United Bank president’s wife, Croc robs a different bank as a distraction for Batman and the cops. Commissioner Gordon, who is said to be “newly appointed” (this is another King continuity error), calls on Batman for help. While Batman is engaged with Croc, the United Bank president, with his wife being threatened by Catwoman, is forced to access the vault and hand over the Eye of Christ to Riddler. The Help acts as a courier, delivering a ton of Penguin’s cash to Croc’s girlfriend Vera Angleton aka Vera Miles. This is payment to Croc for having been bait and taken the fall. As planned, Penguin meets Catwoman and Riddler. But instead of turning over the Eye of Christ (in exchange for a large cash sum that has already been given to them), Riddler and Catwoman betray Penguin. Riddler beats the shit out of him, specifically in a way that leaves a morse code message in his bruises and contusions. (Riddler can’t help but leave clues for Batman and will do so throughout this arc.) Riddler plans to sell the Eye of Christ to a buyer willing to pay even more—the US government. Batman quickly realizes that the villains have stolen the Eye of Christ. Batman also realizes that Clock King is involved. A day later, Catwoman and Riddler hide at Clock King’s lake house forty miles north of Gotham (which is also paradoxically stated to be 120 miles southwest of Gotham). Meanwhile, Batman and Gordon visit Arkham Asylum. Gordon tells Batman, “This is all new. These Arkham people… You don’t know them and they don’t know you.” (This references the fact that Dr. Jeremiah Arkham has recently—within the past couple years—carried on his family legacy and taken control of the prison.) Batman and Gordon interrogate Croc, connecting him to Vera. Batman interrogates Vera, which leads him to the Iceberg Lounge where he learns of Penguin’s condition. Batman visits Penguin at the hospital, which points him the address of the lake house. On Penguin’s dime, the Help goes to the lake house and shoots Riddler in the stomach. Batman arrives and begins fighting the Help. (Our story narrator, Clock King, regards this as the first of several epic scuffles between the two, but they definitely only clash this one time in this arc, so who knows about that line.) The Help kicks Batman’ ass, leaving him unconscious. Meanwhile, Catwoman and the badly wounded Riddler escape in the stolen Batmobile. After they leave, a US government representative arrives (the new buyer) only to get tortured and killed by the Help. Batman comes-to, finds the burning Batmobile down the road. Catwoman has taken Riddler to an acquaintance that runs a big cat sanctuary with hopes of getting him surgical help. A day later, the Help tortures and interrogates the hospitalized Penguin to learn that the Eye of Christ is the MacGuffin at the heart of the story. Batman borrows a motorcycle, leaving an envelope containing $100k (presumably Catwoman and Riddler’s Penguin payoff recovered from the lake house) for the bike’s owner. Upon arrival at the big cat sanctuary, Batman fights released tigers. Meanwhile, a recovering Riddler meets with US government agent Nuri Espinoza at a diner to explain what went south with the lake house exchange. They argue, after which Nuri’s government comrades point guns at Riddler. Catwoman emerges and kicks all their asses. Back at the big cat sanctuary, the Help saves Batman from the tigers. They reluctantly join forces. Later, a vengeful Penguin begins hiring the henchmen of all of Gotham’s prominent super-villains, with plans to create a goon army to unleash upon Riddler and Catwoman. While we don’t see every henchman-loan approval, we do see Penguin chatting with Two-Face about hiring his muscle. A day later, Riddler and Catwoman meet with Nuri at Gotham’s Moldoff Park to exchange the Eye of Christ for more cash. The deal is authorized by US President George W Bush, who also green-lights military action should things go badly again. And of course, things go very badly. Riddler is betrayed by both Catwoman and Nuri. Penguin’s army of hundreds of henchmen arrives along with Batman, the Help, and a squad of FBI agents.[5] Chaos ensues. Dozens are violently killed. While this is a henchmen-only conflict, the real Joker shows up and kills a bunch of folks. The Help fights Catwoman. Batman fights Nuri. Clock King, as planned, recovers the Eye of Christ and makes a clean escape. The military attempts to drop a bomb on Moldoff Park, but Batman stops them. Riddler shoots Nuri, who survives but with a brain injury. (Nuri will eventually recover, garnering an intense hatred of Batman for the rest of her life.) Batman drops knockout gas on the park from above to neutralize the situation. Riddler, Catwoman, and the Help all flee the scene. A day later, Batman puts together all the pieces of the puzzle. He punches out Penguin in the Iceberg Lounge. Meanwhile, Clock King takes a commercial flight to Europe. Bored now that the game is over, he gives the Eye of Christ to a flight attendant. (By year’s end, the Eye of Christ will wind up in Nat Yellin’s pawn shop where it’ll get purchased by Vera Angleton.) Note that Killing Time has two epilogues yet to come (roughly a month from now). These will be listed below on our timeline.
–FLASHBACK: From The Batman Who Laughs #4, Robins #2, Robins #6,Dark Crisis #1, Multiversity: Harley Screws Up the DCU #6, Batman: City of Madness #2, and New History of the DC Universe #2—and referenced inNightwing Vol. 4 #43, Nightwing Vol. 4 #71, Teen Titans Vol. 6 #8, Detective Comics #965, The Batman Who Laughs #4, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #6, Batman and the Outsiders Vol. 3 #7, Batman: One Bad Day – Mr. Freeze #1, Batman and Robin: Year One #1, Batman and Robin: Year One #9, Batman and Robin: Year One #12, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #35, and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #44. Originally told in Batman Chronicles: The Gauntlet and Batman and Robin Vol. 2 Annual #2. Late August. Batman draws up an on-the-job sidekick training regiment and study program. (Batman and Robin: Year One #1 radically retcons Detective Comics #965 and all prior canon by eliminating the typical six month training time, putting Dick in costume almost right out of the gate and making his training an on-the-job experience. Batman likely fast-tracks Dick because he already has highly-advanced circus-level skills.) Note that Batman will teach Dick (and all future Robins) everything that he has learned. These teachings—which include awareness drills, detective schooling, combat practice, choreographed fighting combo maneuvers, and more—will come to be known as the “Robin Training Protocol.” Training begins immediately. Based on Dick’s own designs (modeled after his circus gear), Batman and Alfred tailor two additional bright yellow-red-and-green costumes for the boy—a classic-looking speedo outfit and a more modern-looking (New 52 style) full body-coverage outfit. Dick will wear both of these interchangeably, moving forward.[6] Using a new WayneTech innovation, Batman makes Robin’s cape bulletproof. Batman and Alfred design several speciality costumes—including a scuba outfit—for Dick as well. (All of Dick’s costumes will be re-designed to fit the growing boy in the years to come.) Despite having helped make Dick’s primary costume, upon seeing Dick wearing it for the first time, Batman warns him that yellow might be too bright. When Dick says he’s chosen the name “Robin,” Batman pauses for a moment, thinking of the death of AJ Dodge. Batman secretly imbeds hidden cameras into the breastplates of all Robin’s costumes (and into the breastplates of each spare costume as well). From these cameras, Batman can (and will) monitor Robin when he gets out of his line of sight or does anything solo. The cameras will also save video footage and archive cases on the Bat-computer. (Note that, while it won’t be listed on our timeline moving forward, Batman will have the inveterate tendency to embed hidden cameras and/or homing beacons on many future Bat-Family members’ costumes in order to keep tabs on them. It is thanks to these secret costume cams and homing beacons, for instance, that Batman will be able to log and view all of Robin’s future Teen Titans cases. Some of the more savvy Bat-Family members—such as Damian, Batgirl, and an adult Dick—will be able to avoid their mentor’s spying.) To Robin’s utility belt, Batman also adds a non-secret proximity beacon, which Robin can activate to summon Batman in case of emergency. As part of his training, Bruce and Alfred give Robin a series of special exams, which, among other things, require him to learn about all of Batman’s rogues and learn how hack into a STAR Labs satellite. For his final exam, Batman puts Robin through a “gauntlet” exercise, tasking him with a six-hour game of rooftop tag. However, during the challenge, Robin winds up going solo to help bust gangster Joe Minette and his right hand man Lou Delcaine, shutting down the entire Minette crime organization. On this same night, Robin busts mutated the warthog gangster called Tusk.[7]
–REFERENCE: In Batman Giant Vol. 2 #4 Part 2 (Batman: Gotham Nights Vol. 3 #8 Part 1), Nightwing Vol. 4 #109, Batman and Robin: Year One #1, Batman and Robin: Year One #6, and Batman and Robin Vol. 3 #25. Late August. Batman and Robin quietly apprehend Tony Zucco and his associates, leaving them for the police. Notably, Batman and Robin are still unable to find any hard evidence linking Zucco to the deaths of the Flying Graysons. Thus, while Zucco has a long rap sheet, the one charge that matters the most to Robin doesn’t stick. Following this affair, in very early morning, Batman notices a beautiful red and blue glow painted across the city skyline just before it begins to rain. While we won’t see it ahead, Batman will often take note of and view this specific light phenomenon (emanating from the power plant and bridges), which only occurs at the exact time each morning and only just before rainfall.
–Batman and Robin: Year One #1-2
Late August—the time period is confirmed by Batman and Robin: Year One #1 and Batman and Robin: Year One #4. It’s been three weeks since the death of the Flying Graysons. Robin has been active but still hasn’t publicly debuted yet. That all changes now as Batman tells Robin that he will make his official public debut as soon as the next Bat-Signal calls them into action. In the meantime, as part of his ongoing training, Bruce tells Dick to read a criminology book. Meanwhile, Bruce and Alfred chat about the boy’s hidden rage. When the Bat-Signal lights the night sky, an excited Dick suits up and hops in the Batmobile with his mentor. Batman introduces Robin to Commissioner Gordon. Robin refers to himself as the “Boy Wonder.” Gordon shows immediate concern over the fact that Batman is using a child soldier, but he quickly moves on, telling our heroes that Two-Face’s top man Pippo Pizarelli has stolen a top secret police file. After consulting with his street informant embedded within Two-Face’s ranks, Batman rejoins Robin to chase Pizarelli to Two-Face’s location, quickly coming face to face (to face) with the villain. Two-Face tells Batman and Robin that a new mystery crime boss is in town to kill the Dark Knight. Stuck atop a death trap, Batman and Robin are unable to stop Two-Face and his crew from getting away. An entire building explodes, but our heroes escape unscathed. At the airport, ruthless Miami crime boss General Anthony Grimaldi arrives with his elderly father. Later, Batman and Alfred test Robin’s mettle in the Batcave, shooting at him with rubber bullets. Shortly thereafter, Laura Lyn (of Child Protective Services) visits Wayne Manor to check-in on Bruce and Dick. Meanwhile, Two-Face offers his services to Grimaldi. After night falls, Batman and Robin (acting on a tip from an informant) go after some arsonists working for the Maroni Mob. When one of the arsonists (Tommy Maretti) seemingly loses control of his mind, he fricassées his partners to death, which also causes a nearby building to catch fire. (“Maretti” is actually none other than the debuting Matt Hagen aka Clayface II, who is working for Grimaldi.) Robin saves a bunch of people from the flames while valiantly announcing his arrival to the public. (A reference from the second feature to Batman Vol. 3 #122 reveals that Robin first becomes headline news following an adventure that involves and Batman sprinting in front of a burning building. Even though Batman Vol. 3 #122 came out well before Batman and Robin: Year One #2, retroactively, the newspaper story can and absolutely should connect to this case. Unfortunately, in Batman Vol. 3 #122, Batman is shown wearing his yellow oval costume, which is an out-and-out error that must be ignored.) With his dying breath, one of the arsonists tells Batman and Robin that Maretti was the one that lost his senses, but that his face seemed to be made of wax and was melting.
–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 3. Early September. For his monthly “birthday” present to Batman, an escaped Joker kidnaps a bus full of children. Batman saves the kids.
–Batman and Robin: Year One #3-5
September 3-6—the time period is confirmed by Batman and Robin: Year One #4, which shows issue #4 ending on the first Monday of September. Batman reviews security footage that seems to show Carlo Falcone, Bennie Gazzo, and others striking out against the other mobs for no apparent reason. (These doppelgängers are all played by Clayface II, who, on behalf of General Anthony Grimaldi, has spent the week inciting a gang war between the Falcones, Maronis, and Gazzos.) Alfred angrily interrupts Batman’s investigation to complain that Dick won’t listen to him and has locked himself in his room to eat junk food and watch TV. Batman and Alfred discuss the boy.[8] Later, Batman and Robin respond to the Bat-Signal, which sees Gordon point them to a shady cargo ship in international waters. Aboard the ship, Carlo Falcone, Alfonso Falcone, and Dario Falcone interrogate and torture a captive Two-Face, looking for information about who is behind stirring up the gang war. Under pressure, Two-Face reveals Grimaldi’s name. Sensing that he’s being watched, Two-Face says a lie that draws Robin out of the shadows, creating a scene that allows Two-Face to escape. Above deck, Batman is struck by a shipping container and falls into the sea. He barely survives, departing with Robin in the Batboat. Upon arrival back to Wayne Manor, Bruce and Dick have to pretend they’ve just started their day thanks to a surprise visit from Laura Lyn. After convincing a concerned Laura that all is well in Wayne Manor, Alfred reminds Dick that he’ll be starting school the following day. After doing research on Grimaldi, Batman ships a crate full of live bats to his office, arriving immediately thereafter to threaten Grimaldi and take down his cronies before hang-gliding away. In the morning, Alfred takes Dick to school, but he only lasts one hour before causing trouble and getting kicked out. A livid Bruce throws money at the school, which buy’s Dick’s continued enrollment. Batman and Robin meet with Commissioner Gordon, who tells the Dark Knight that he’s learned the new Clayface is a crook named Matt Hagen. Bruce then attends socialite Martin Koski’s impromptu going away party, which is also attended by Penguin. At the shindig, Bruce hangs out with a babe named Tiffani. Upon chatting with Koski, Bruce realizes that he might be Clayface in disguise. Suited up in his crimefighting costume, Batman confirms that Clayface has murdered and taken the place of Koski. While Batman fights Clayface, Robin decides to patrol solo. The Boy Wonder rides a Batbike into the East End, passing by the apartment of Selina Kyle and Holly Robinson. Unfortunately, Robin is ambushed and captured by Grimaldi’s men.
–Batman and Robin: Year One #6-8
September 6-14—picking up directly from Batman and Robin: Year One #5. As a decoy, Batman sends an empty hang-glider crashing into the penthouse of General Anthony Grimaldi’s HQ. Meanwhile, he sneaks onto a mid-floor lab, finding Grimaldi’s scientists running experiments on henchmen using Hugo Strange’s Monster Serum. (Hugo Strange is working directly with Grimaldi.) Coincidentally, one of the newly created Monster Men breaks free the moment Batman arrives, destroying the lab (and the entire building). By the time Batman gets to the top of the burning tower, he finds that Robin has already escaped and is tightrope-walking to freedom. Back home, Batman orders Alfred to put thumbprint activation on all Bat-vehicles. Batman and Robin argue but calmer heads ultimately prevail. Robin then teaches Batman how to walk a tightrope. Meanwhile, Two-Face meets with Grimaldi and gives him the stolen police file, which contains the GCPD’s full list of potential people that could be Batman. Later, Grimaldi chews out Clayface II (Matt Hagen) while Two-Face secretly listens-in. Batman and Robin spend the next week going on routine patrols and busting bad guys that have been stirred up by Grimaldi’s influence, including the debuting thrill-seekers known as The Terrible Trio (The Shark, The Vulture, and The Fox). Batman prevents a bombing at a Bertinelli hang-out, convincing the Bertinellis to call a truce with the Maronis after revealing that Grimaldi is behind their current feud with the Maronis. In the Batcave, Alfred delivers MI5 intel about Grimaldi to Batman and Robin. The next day, Laura Lyn visits Dick at school and sees bruises on his arms. In order to cover for his costumed crimefighting, Dick goads a bully into punching him in the face, making Lyn and his teacher think the bruises came from schoolyard scraps. Meanwhile, Bruce catches wind that he’s being targeted by Grimaldi. At Clayface’s apartment, Two-Face meets and allies himself with Clayface, turning him against Grimaldi. Across town, Grimaldi’s men—guided by the stolen police file—begin killing everyone on the list of possible Batman suspects (and their families). Batman and Robin immediately go into action, protecting those on the list, during which Robin snatches a gun from an attacker and then threatens him with it as a bluff. Batman chews out his partner for this. Afterward, Batman meets privately with Gordon to discuss both the case and fatherhood. The next night, Bruce and Alfred (and their police escort) are attacked by Clayface, who replicates Bruce and sneaks into Wayne Manor hoping to prove that he’s Batman. Dick instantly senses “Bruce” is a phony and tries to trick him, but the villain catches him making an emergency call. Batman arrives and wards off Clayface, taking a clump of his left-behind body for analysis. Clayface retreats to Two-Face instead of Grimaldi.
–Batman and Robin: Year One #9-10
September 14-18—picking up directly from Batman and Robin: Year One #8. Carmine Falcone, Edgar Giacomo, and Rupert Thorne join forces, sending assassins after General Anthony Grimaldi. The assassins are curtailed by more of Grimaldi’s Monster Men, who are now a bit smarter and have Matt Hagen’s claylike DNA mixed into their bodies. Batman and Robin arrive just in time to take down the Monster Men, although the assassins detonate a bomb that demolishes an entire building. Later, while Bruce attends a Wayne Industries gala, Dick mopes in his Wayne Manor bedroom, depressed on account of the fact that today would have been his mother’s birthday. Alfred suggests that Dick take time to properly mourn the loss of his parents. For the first time in weeks, Dick breaks down and weeps. Alfred embraces the boy lovingly. Downtown, Grimaldi chews out his men for having failed to discover Batman’s secret ID. Grimaldi discovers Batman’s secret ID on his own, but he is immediately killed by Clayface (Matt Hagen). Two-Face and Clayface secretly take over his operations. Meanwhile, Two-Face, Clayface, and Hugo Strange concoct a new Clay Monster Serum that turns henchmen into shapeshifters. After kidnapping Commissioner Gordon, Carmine Falcone, ex-commissioner Gillian Loeb, Gotham’s archbishop, the city comptroller, Rupert Thorne, and dozens of other influential people, the villains replace them with doppelgängers. During this time, Robin teaches Batman a thing or two about the art of trapeze. Batman also makes some upgrades to some of the Batmobiles. Eventually, Batman and Robin visit “Gordon” only to learn the hard way that he and a bunch of other cops are Clay Monster Men doubles. The GCPD blow up the newest Batmobile, believing Batman and Robin to have been killed. Batman is able to keep a severed clay finger from one of the fake cops. In the Batcave, Batman, Robin, and Alfred watch the local news, noticing that anchorman Telman Davies is also a fake clay double. (Batman has detailed files on Davies in his vast Bat-computer database.) Batman worries that anyone could be a phony now. Upon studying the severed finger, Batman and Robin learn that the Clay Monster Men will only be able to hold their altered forms temporarily. In Wayne Manor above, Bruce and Dick are greeted by Laura Lyn and several policemen, who reveal that the attorney general (having been replaced by a clay double) has ordered the arrest of Bruce for stock fraud. Both Bruce and Dick are handcuffed and taken into custody.
–Batman and Robin: Year One #11-12
September 18-24. Picking up directly from Batman and Robin: Year One #10, Dick goes into a foster home while the local “authorities” kick Alfred out of Wayne Manor and begin auctioning off Wayne assets. Bruce sits in jail for five days straight (missing his usual visits to Crime Alley and his parents’ gravesite on September 21). Once the federal government takes over the case, Bruce posts bail. In disguise, Batman descends into one of the alternate downtown Batcaves where he meets Alfred, who has prepared the classic red sedan Batmobile (now with black paint and a face plate) for use. After Alfred briefs Batman (and vice versa), the Dark Knight pays a visit to the attorney general’s office where he eavesdrops on a conversation between a fake attorney general (a Clay Monster Man named Brumley), Two-Face, and Clayface II (who is pretending to be General Grimaldi). All of Grimaldi’s men—now Clay Monster Men doppelgängers—still think they are working for Grimaldi, unaware of their boss’ death. Batman confronts Brumley, who painfully crumbles to death. Thus, Batman learns that the Clay Monster Men not only have a short shapeshifting window, but they also die when said window ends! Batman gathers evidence from the office. Later, at the foster home, Batman spies on Dick, who pretends he’s having a happy time to such an extent that the Dark Knight comes to believe that Dick might be better off without him. Later still, Batman rescues Commissioner Gordon and a bunch of others that have been doppelgänger-swapped. Batman delivers evidence necessary to blow the case wide open to Gordon. Fighting his way through the building above the makeshift prison, Batman punches a Clay Monster Man who is at the end of his lifespan. The henchman turns to dust. (Batman radios Alfred and kinda sorta owns up to accidentally killing this guy, which would be a first on our timeline, but since he had already hit his end phase and was turning to dust as Batman swung at him, there’s a good argument to be made that Batman had nothing to do with this death.) The Caped Crusader holds back against a bunch of Clay Monster Men, who all crumble to death on their own. In the penthouse, Batman learns the hard way that Clayface has been posing as a deceased Grimaldi. Two-Face and Clayface take him down and toss him out a window. Thankfully, Robin swings in and rescues his mentor. Later that night, Robin sneaks out of his foster home and joins Batman at the cleaned-out Grimaldi’s office. Alfred sends Batman and Robin to the Gotham Reservoir, where Two-Face and Clayface are deciding whether or not to dump the rest of the Clay Monster Man Serum into the water system. Batman and Robin show up just in time to bust them both. Batman is then able to get Robin home just before dawn so that his foster parents are none the wiser. Batman tells Robin that he’ll do all he can to regain custody, but suggests, until then, he shouldn’t sneak out to join him on cases.
–REFERENCE: In Batman and Robin: Year One #12 Epilogue. Late September. Bruce (and all the others copied by Clayface II) are exonerated. Bruce and Alfred talk about Laura Lyn, setting in a plan of action to regain custody of Dick. With Lyn’s support, Bruce begins building his case. While we won’t see it listed on our chronology ahead, he and Laura will work on this together for the next three weeks.
–Batman: Killing Time #6 Epilogue Part 1
Late September. This item occurs about one month after the end of the main Killing Time narrative. (The date specifically given for this item is April 8, but we cannot take any date specificity by writer Tom King at face value, especially if Batman: Killing Time is meant to jibe with his Penguin #6-7 timeline and with the Batman and Robin: Year One timeline.) Following clues Riddler left for him, Batman tracks Riddler and Catwoman to Morocco where he busts them, sending them back to Arkham Asylum.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #971, Detective Comics #995, and the 2nd feature to Batman Vol. 3 #128. This item specifically goes after Batman and Robin: Year One. Batman activates the “red phone,” a direct “hotline” connection to Commissioner Gordon. Batman has long been able to phone Gordon, but now Gordon can phone him too. The red phone exists in the form of both a kitschy scarlet antique phone in the Batcave and a crimson-colored cellphone in Batman’s utility belt. Gordon’s hotline is also connected to Wayne Manor so that Batman and Alfred can receive calls at home too. (Note that Batman, as new tech becomes available, will always upgrade his cellphone to new models throughout the years to come.)
–REFERENCE: In Batgirl & The Birds of Prey #12, Nightwing Vol. 4 #30, Batman: Urban Legends #4 Part 3, and Batman: One Dark Night #1. The fundamental structure of the Five Families mafia system has been shaken to its core now that the age of super-villainy has become the way of Gotham City’s underworld. Moving forward, instead of five top dogs, the landscape of organized crime will make room for a variety of players—including brand new mobs, resurgent bloodlines of yesteryear, and resilient remnants of formerly big-time firms. As such, Batman now confronts Gotham’s new Italian-American Cosa Nostra, including the Bertinelli Mob (led by Alfredo Bertinelli, Franco Bertinelli Jr, and Maria Panessa-Bertinelli), Galante Mob (led by Junior Galante and Henry Aquista), Cassamento Mob (led by Santo Cassamento), Berretti Mob (led by Angelo Berretti and his Z-Boys Gang), Panessa Mob, Inzerillo Mob, Falcone Mob, and Maroni Mob. As he takes out various gangsters, Batman impresses young Helena Bertinelli, who will be inspired to become a superhero one day. (Note that Helena’s biological father is Santo Cassamento, but she has been and will continue to be raised by her legal guardian Franco Bertinelli Jr.)
–Batman: Killing Time #6 Epilogue Part 2
October. (The date range specifically given for this item is April 17-21, but we cannot take any date specificity by writer Tom King at face value, especially if Batman: Killing Time is meant to jibe with his Penguin #6-7 timeline and with the Batman and Robin: Year One timeline. This item can still occur nine days after the prior epilogue, though.) Batman visits Ra’s al Ghul, asking if he knows where the Help is hiding. Ra’s al Ghul tells him he doesn’t know and they sword duel. Four days later, Batman catches up with Clock King II in Athens, Greece. Batman busts him.
–REFERENCE: In Batman and Robin Vol. 3 #27-30. At a Gotham City warehouse, police find five dead Falcone Mob gangsters and a badly injured unnamed Army vet, who refuses to speak and has no identification, thus earning the nickname of The Quiet Man. Batman conducts an investigation, hearing only rumors that Two-Face and the Ventriloquist (with Scarface) were involved. Batman shakes down all the crime families, but no one will say a word about what really went down in the warehouse. (The Quiet Man and his son Alvin were trying to sell some antique coins to Falcone’s crew, but the sale was interrupted by the super-villains, which led to the truck carrying both the coins and the boy getting shot at by the Ventriloquist and Scarface. Subsequently, the truck at its loot—along with driver Michael Brazzi and Alvin—the latter presumed dead—went missing.) Soon after, in a fast-tracked trial, the recovering Quiet Man—revealed to be an Army vet named Cyrus “Cy” Mercer—refuses to speak except to say that the Ventriloquist killed his son. For his vague involvement in the warehouse massacre, the Quiet Man is given a long jail sentence.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #2 Part 4. Bruce falls asleep while doing some book research. Alfred checks up on him and serves him a beverage.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: Dark Patterns #1. Joker kills the GCPD coroner. It’s unknown if Batman is directly involved in the massacre, but even if he isn’t, he obviously would be aware and on the case.
–Batman and Robin: Year One #12 Epilogue
Mid October. Batman also tailors a new blue cape-and-cowl, which he will wear interchangeably with his black cape-and-cowl, moving forward. Thanks to Laura’s influence, a judge grants Bruce legal guardianship of Dick for a probationary period of twelve months, appointing Laura to check in on the boy for that duration. The next evening, Commissioner Gordon calls a public press conference. In attendance are various members of the media, including Vicki Vale and Summer Gleeson. Gordon introduces Batman’s partner to the world. The self-proclaimed “Dynamic Duo” hops into the Bat-plane and flies off before a stunned group of reporters. (This is also the first time the public is seeing the Bat-plane too.)
–REFERENCE: In The Batman Who Laughs #4, Flash Vol. 5 #64, Nightwing Vol. 4 #21, Nightwing Vol. 4 #37, Detective Comics #971, Batman Vol. 3 #33, Batman Vol. 3 #55, The Terrifics #3, Justice League Vol. 4 #53, Robins #1, the second feature to Batman Vol. 3 #122, and Batman Vol. 3 #130. Presumably having re-thought his stance (and probably having gotten pushback following the police-sponsored Boy Wonder debut conference), Commissioner Gordon tells Batman that he does not approve of a kid fighting in the Dark Knight’s war on crime, making his views on child safety very clear to Batman. The Commish will never fully accept minors battling alongside Batman, but he will soon come to respect Robin (and the other future Bat-Family kids to follow). Meanwhile, the Dynamic Duo have already become a global news sensation. The media labels Robin as his self-proclaimed nickname of “Boy Wonder” but also “Teenage Typhoon,” “Young Daredevil,” “Living Hurricane,” and “Hard-Fisted Little Scrapper.” Note that Dick has realized that part of his “job” as Batman’s sidekick is to mellow out the grim n’gritty attitude of the Dark Knight. Dick will be quite good at this, putting a smile on Batman’s face quite often by making near-constant jokes and puns while on patrol. This includes Robin saying his signature “Holy, Batman!” catchphrase, which will soon enter the cultural lexicon. Dick will often tell Batman it’s okay to smile every once in a while. This concept of Robin being the “light that brightens the darkness” will get passed down the line to each new Robin. Batman notices that Dick loves swinging from rooftop to rooftop whereas he prefers to be at street level. (Batman will notice that all future Robins will enjoy rooftop swinging.) Note that Dick is emotionally damaged at this juncture, especially with the recent deaths of his parents. For Dick, being a crime-fighting jester of sorts is his only outlet to deal with his loss. Also note that Robin will sometimes be headstrong, disobeying direct orders and going off-script. This will result in an angry Batman benching Robin from time to time. (This will also happen with Robins 2, 3, and 4.) Dick will also spend a lot of time trying (and failing) to sneak up on his mentor. Not all of these incidents are specifically shown on our timeline. As such, they will not all be specifically listed, moving forward. We must simply imagine them scattered throughout the chronology.
–FLASHBACK: From Nightwing Vol. 4 #35, Nightwing Vol. 4 #37, and Nightwing Vol. 4 #39. We are told it’s been a few weeks since Dick debuted as Robin, but, thanks to Batman and Robin: Year One #12, it’s been closer to two months. Batman and Robin go on an unspecified mission and the green Boy Wonder messes up badly, which puts him in the Dark Knight’s dog house. Shortly thereafter, an anti-gambling activist known as The Judge (the immortal founder of Blüdhaven, Jacob De Witt) uses telepathy to force random folks to kill three casino developers at Gotham City Hall. A gold casino chip is left on each victim as a calling card. While Dick trains in the Batcave, Batman quickly learns the Judge is responsible and has fled to Blüdhaven (less than an hour away by car). Batman and Robin to Gotham’s sister city and team-up with Blüdhaven’s own baseball-themed resident superhero, Baby Ruthless (Lucy Weatherton), against King Sturgeon, a TMNT-style mutated shark villain that wears a pro wrestling title belt around his waist. A pro wrestling shark! Batman, Robin, and Baby Ruthless then fight the Judge and his henchmen aboard a ship, but the Judge escapes scot-free. Robin, worried that Batman will be upset with his failure, runs away and hides in the Justice Tree, an over 700-year-old tree marking the site of Blüdhaven’s first colonial court held by Jacob De Witt. Batman gives his sidekick a pep talk and all is right in the world again. Before departing for Gotham, Batman and Robin follow-up on the Judge case and learn all about the history of Blüdhaven.
–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 3. October—the editorial caption mistakenly says January of Year Three, but, due to its narrative content, the earliest this flashback can go is right now, making it slightly out of order compared to what the issue shows. As he does every month, Joker sends an evil “birthday” present to Batman. This time, it’s an odd birthday card that is seemingly co-signed by Penguin. Batman puzzles over the nonsensical card, which reminds Batman to “water his Robins or they’ll never grow into strong and strapping Batmans.” Obviously, this is a reaction to the recent debut of Robin. We shouldn’t take Joker’s bizarre poetic license to mean that there are already multiple Robins.
–REFERENCE: In Dark Days: The Casting #1, Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #36, and Batman Vol. 3 #54. Dr. Paul Dekker debuts as Crazy Quilt, a gaudy super-villain, who has deep knowledge of the occult and bizarre chemical science. Crazy Quilt tries to hypnotize Batman and Robin using the color spectrum, but the heroes put him behind Arkham bars.
–FLASHBACK: From Poison Ivy #21. First, Batman is wearing his yellow oval costume in this story, which must be ignored. At Seattle University, Dr. Pamela Isley experiments with Ophiocordyceps Lamia fungus alongside fellow botanists (including her lovers Dr. Jason Woodrue and Dr. Bella Gartner, her married friends Dr. Alec Holland and Dr. Linda Holland, and her associate Dr. Philip Sylvian). The experiments leave Pamela with plant powers and a connection to the Green (the mystic force that binds together all vegetal life). Pamela travels from Seattle to Gotham City where she learns how to use her powers, badly injuring a man with her deadly pheromones. While this man isn’t named in Poison Ivy #21, it must be Guy Mandrake, who gets saved by Batman but will later become the super-villain Mr. Noxious (as per reference in Batwoman: Rebirth #1). Soon after, Pamela debuts as the super-villain Poison Ivy, publicly threatening to release bio-toxins across the city. Batman and Robin meet and defeat Poison Ivy, who accidentally runs into the waiting arms of Commissioner Gordon and the GCPD. At Arkham Asylum, Poison Ivy chats with a fellow patient named Violet before being quickly released. Outside, Poison Ivy sees a patrolling Batman, who confronts her a few days later. For a moment, Batman and Poison Ivy tease joining forces, but Batman ultimately parts ways, telling Poison Ivy he’ll never trust her terroristic ways. As referenced in Poison Ivy #25, an unnerved Batman will always associate the scent of wet earth that accompanies Poison Ivy with the smell of a freshly dug grave. As referenced in Batman Giant Vol. 2 #2 (Batman: Gotham Nights Vol. 3 #3) and Poison Ivy #25, following this encounter, Batman begins stocking herbicide/defoliant and anti-hallucinatory medications in his utility belt. Notably, while a most of the public will quickly come to regard Poison Ivy as a mass murdering eco-terrorist (as mentioned in Batgirl Vol. 5 #35), she won’t actually kill anyone for many years to come (as referenced in Batman Vol. 3 #43).
–the second feature to Batman Vol. 3 #122-123
First, as previously mentioned, Batman is shown wearing his yellow oval costume in this story. This is wrong. Someone puts a hit out on Robin, prompting Batman to go into protective mode. Batman meets with Commissioner Gordon to discuss the hit, after which he comes across Deathstroke. (Notably, Batman encountered Deathstroke once before but, heretofore, had never known his name. Also of note, Deathstroke is already wearing a different costume than before. Like Catwoman, he’ll wear a few different costumes rather interchangeably.) A grinning Deathstroke (dosed with Joker Venom) unmasks, revealing that he’s been hired by Joker. Batman offers to help Deathstroke if he stands down, but the assassin shakes off the effects of Joker Venom while swearing vengeance against the Clown Prince of Crime. Batman trails Deathstroke to Joker’s hideout where the trio engage in a fight. Batman busts Joker, allowing Deathstroke to flee. Later, Batman and Robin debrief with Commissioner Gordon while Deathstroke debriefs with his right hand man William Randolph Wintergreen.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #44, Batman Vol. 3 #78, Batman Vol. 3 #85, and Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point #6—and referenced in Batman Vol. 3 #24, Batman Vol. 3 #50, Batman Vol. 3 #79, and Detective Comics #1012. Originally told in Batman #1 Part 3. Batman and Robin board a boat called the SS Dolphin to prevent the theft of a priceless diamond by an escaped Catwoman, who is disguised as an old woman. After unmasking Catwoman, Batman recovers the diamond, hidden in a bandage around her ankle. Batman, sensing empathy in her eyes, falls for Catwoman and allows her to go free. Later, Bruce realizes that the love he feels for Catwoman is legit. He knows that he’s met his equal and there will never be another quite like her. Bruce purchases the diamond that Catwoman had attempted to steal on the boat and stores it in a safe place, knowing deep down that one day, he will give it to her.[9]
–Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular Part 6[10]
Batman learns that Catwoman has stolen an antique mezuzah, so the Dark Knight confronts Selina at her apartment where she is still plying her trade as a sex worker. They flirt, but Batman can’t get her to say why she took the Jewish artifact. Later, Catwoman gives the mezuzah to one of her childhood foster mothers, who is on her deathbed in an old folks home.
–Batman Vol. 3 Annual #2 Part 1
The crafty Catwoman, having discovered Batman’s secret ID, breaks into the Batcave via the manor above, stealing the Batmobile! Alfred alerts a patrolling Batman, who chases after Catwoman, who crashes the car into Porky’s Bar. Present at Porky’s are owner Porky and the watering hole’s usual offbeat customers, including Silver St. Cloud, Elmer Fudd, Taz, an unnamed guy and his pet frog named Michigan J Frog, Bugs the Bunny, Yosemite Sam, and William Ernest Coyote.[11] Notably, Tom King writes this scene as if Porky gives Batman the name “Batmobile” for his cars, but that must be ignored as a continuity error. Batman has been using the term “Batmobile” for a long while already. The Dark Knight retrieves the smashed-up Batmobile, in which he finds that Catwoman has left him a mouse. Batman keeps the mouse as a pet in Wayne Manor. Shortly thereafter, Batman busts Riddler and turns him over to Commissioner Gordon, at which time the villain delivers a cryptic riddle. A day later, Bruce lounges at Wayne Manor and tries to make sense of the riddle. When a pen goes missing, Alfred jokes about calling Superman for help. (Batman and Superman have yet to meet.) Bruce realizes that Catwoman is inside the house again. He chases her, but she hops out the window and gets away. Outside, police and news media have gathered—called to the scene by Catwoman herself in order to make a spectacle. Inside, Catwoman has left Bruce another mouse, which goes in the cage with the other rodent. Bruce immediately installs extra security alarms in Wayne Manor. A few days later, Catwoman breaks into Wayne Manor again, taking Bruce’s mother’s pearl out of the safe to examine it. Batman enters and they talk about their orphan childhoods while flirting with each other. (This scene is shown via flashback from Catwoman Vol. 5 #17, although Catwoman is wearing the wrong costume in it.) Catwoman sets off one of Batman’s smoke pellets and escapes, leaving another mouse, which gets added to the cage. A couple days later, Batman catches Catwoman atop Wayne Manor, trying to break in yet again. He chases her while she tells him that she’s testing him to make him stronger because she wants him to survive his dangerous vigilante quest. Catwoman disappears into the woods, but once again leaves another mouse, which joins the rest of the little squeakers. After some quick detective work, Batman is able to locate Selina’s new apartment. There, Bruce and Selina kiss for the first time ever! They then jokingly argue about how they first met, debating which encounter—their actual first meeting on the street or their recent meeting on the boat, during which they discovered their love for one another—is more legit. This debate will be an in-joke that will stay with the duo for decades. Despite being at odds and occasionally warring with one another, Batman and Catwoman will remain on-again-off-again lovers from this point forward. Their intermittent love affair will continue for years to come, although most of it will remain invisible on our timeline.
–REFERENCE: In The Green Lantern: Blackstars #2. Due to what must be some Silver Age-y sci-fi chicanery, Aunt Harriet Cooper is forced to play the role of Batman for what we are told is a full month! However, a full month has to be a bit of an exaggeration—a shorter duration (likely only a few days) would be much kinder on our timeline. In any case, we aren’t given any details about this (or told what happens to Bruce), which is probably for the best. (Moving forward, we won’t really see Aunt Harriet involved much with Bruce and Dick, but—as referenced in Gotham Academy: First Year #1—she will get a job running the dorms at Gotham Academy.)
–REFERENCE: In Justice League of America Vol. 5 #20—originally told in Detective Comics #50. Batman and Robin defeat the acrobatic super-villain team known as The Three Devils.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: Urban Legends #7 Part 1—originally told in Batman #9. This reference actually just shows the cover of Batman #9, featuring a posing Dynamic Duo. While certainly iconic, this cover image in-and-of-itself was never canonical material. For the purposes of our current timeline, we can regard this item as Batman and Robin going on an unspecified adventure together.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #53 and Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #1 Part 2—and referenced in Doomsday Clock #2, Batman Vol. 3 #49, Batman Vol. 3 #54, Batman Giant #6 (Batman: Universe #2), Monkey Prince #4, Batman: Killing Time #1, and Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #2 Part 4, Batman and Robin: Year One #2, and the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2. Originally told in Detective Comics #58. At the Stahl Auction House, Batman and Robin match wits with Penguin, who wears a top hat and tuxedo, displays new bird-themed motifs (including Hitchock-ian attack birds), and uses a variety of new trick umbrellas. (Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #2 Part 4 gives us a random visual reference showing a bird marking Batman with a permanent scar, which I’ve attached to this item.) Eventually, Batman punches-out Penguin, after which he collects several of Penguin’s trick umbrellas, Penguin’s top hat, and a stuffed emperor penguin wearing a top hat. He puts them all on display as trophies in the Batcave, adding a mannequin complete with a tuxedo. Following this affair, Batman puts an umbrella plaque onto his commemorative trophy wall as well.[12]
–REFERENCE: In the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2—loosely based on Detective Comics #40, Detective Comics #66, and Detective Comics #298. In quick sucession, Batman and Robin take on Clayface (Basil Karlo), Two-Face, and Clayface II (Matt Hagen). This item features Robin’s very first encounter with Clayface I.[13]
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #52—and referenced in Batman Vol. 3 #25, Batman Vol. 3 #52, Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #1 Part 3, Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #6 Part 5, Batman: Urban Legends #22 Part 4, Catwoman Vol. 5 #58, and the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2. Loosely based on Batman #121. Dr. Victor Fries (Mr. Zero) escapes from custody, makes himself a new costume, and changes his name to Mr. Freeze. Despite the new look and new attitude (and new henchmen), Mr. Freeze gets busted by Batman and Robin. Batman: Urban Legends #22 Part 4 shows us a newspaper headline that reads “Crime Stopped Cold,” which would very well be associated with this case. Afterward, the Caped Crusader keeps Mr. Freeze’s costume and one of his freeze-guns (aka ice-guns), putting them on display in the Batcave. In Batman Vol. 3 #52, which occurs in 2018, Bruce says that Mr. Freeze has had “dozens and dozens and dozens of plans and plots in Gotham. And all of them ended the same way.” They all ended with Batman besting him. This tells us that, while not specifically logged into our chronology, we must imagine Batman challenging an escaped Mr. Freeze quite frequently on the timeline, moving forward. The insinuation here is that Batman, in the future, will encounter Mr. Freeze more than his other rivals, aside from Joker, of course.[14]
–REFERENCE: In the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2—loosely based on Batman #181. Batman and Robin take on Poison Ivy.[15][16]
–REFERENCE: In Batman: Penguin – One Bad Day #1. Batman encounters a handful of Penguin’s top henchmen and co-conspirators, including personal assistant The Umbrella Man, top goon Frank, gun runner Freida (and her crew of lady assassins), and underground money lender/launderer Johann Haxel. Notably, Batman busts Frank. While we won’t see it on our timeline ahead, we can imagine Batman coming toe-to-toe with these characters on-and-off for decades to come.
–REFERENCE: In The Penguin #11. Despite all that has gone on between them, Batman works out a deal with Penguin where the crime-boss will be allowed to operate with relative impunity, so long as he feeds Batman some intel about Gotham’s underworld every now and again. While we won’t always see the specific part of their relationship on our timeline ahead, this will be the status quo (with some sporadic periodic changes) for decades to follow. Neither will really trust one another, and they’ll always be bitter rivals at heart. In the future, Batman will often visit the Iceberg Lounge, seeking information.
–REFERENCE: In Deathstroke Inc #9—originally told in Detective Comics #77. Batman and Robin deal with the Crime Doctor (Dr. Bradford Thorne aka Matthew Thorne), an underground surgeon for injured mobsters.
–REFERENCE: In Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1 Part 1—originally told in Detective Comics #81. Batman and Robin defeat the debuting Cavalier II (Mortimer Drake), a copycat of the original Cavalier (Hudson Pyle).
–REFERENCE: In Bane: Conquest #10—originally told in Batman #14. Batman and Robin investigate the mysterious shooting death of super-sleuth Dana Drye, proving that her murder was actually a suicide. Afterward, Batman and Robin put Drye’s diary in their Hall of Trophies.
–REFERENCE: In Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1—originally told in Batman #24 Part 1 and Batman #700. Batman and Robin befriend Professor Carter Nichols, a genius that has invented a method of traveling through time. While we aren’t given any specifics about the use of this time machine, we can assume that, at the very least, the Dynamic Duo’s original Nichols time-jaunt from the Golden Age and their most important Nichols time-jaunt from the Modern Age are canon in some fashion on the Rebirth/Infinite Frontier timeline. As such, for the purposes of this item, Nichols sends Batman and Robin, first, to Ancient Rome and, second, to Ancient Egypt.
–REFERENCE: In Harley Quinn Vol. 4 #29—originally told in Detective Comics #107. Batman and Robin have already faced off against a handful of evil cults that have tried to kill them, but they haven’t dealt with a cult specifically trying to ritualistically sacrifice them until now. Bugs Scarpis aka Scorpio hypnotizes wealthy bankers into joining his cult in order to embezzle money from their firms. After hypnotizing Robin and nearly getting him to kill himself, Scorpio is busted by Batman, who rescues the Boy Wonder and shuts down the cult. Note that in Harley Quinn Vol. 4 #29, which occurs in 2022, Batman implies that many cults have tried to sacrifice he and Robin over the years. While we will see a lot of cult action on our timeline ahead, there won’t be much in the way of specific attempts to ritualistically sacrifice the Dynamic Duo. There were a some instances in previous continuities, but it’s unclear which of those occurrences are canon now. As such, we’ll have to imagine most of these items sprinkled throughout our timeline ahead. I’ve included this reference to Detective Comics #107 since it is the first time in the comics that a cult tried to use either Batman or Robin as a victim of sacrifice.[17]
–REFERENCE: In Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #14 Part 5—originally told in Batman #35 Part 3 and Detective Comics #112. Batman and Robin bust old-school gangster Duke Ryall. Afterward, they keep Ryall’s retro tommy gun as a trophy for the Batcave.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #104—originally told in World’s Finest Comics #30. Batman and Robin battle the returning Penny Plunderer.
–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 1 and Legends of the Dark Knight Vol. 2 #4 (Legends of the Dark Knight Vol. 2 Print Edition #2)—and referenced in Titans Vol. 4 2025 Annual #1. Originally told in Detective Comics #140. Batman and Robin challenge and best an escaped Riddler, who throws extra large puzzle traps (aka Houdini traps) at his foes.
–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 1. Batman and Robin confront Catwoman (who debuts a new purple-and-green caped-dress costume) at a circus.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: Urban Legends #17 Part 2 and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #20. Batman and Robin go on an unspecified case, earning a giant 8-ball as a trophy.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #20—originally told in Batman #50 Part 2. Batman and Robin bust a crook pretending to be Two-Face, after which they keep a giant bust of Two-Face’s head as a trophy for the Batcave. Batman and Robin also obtain a matching giant bust of Joker’s head as well. It’s unclear if the Joker bust is connected to the Two-Face bust. It’s also unclear if the Dynamic Duo goes up against Joker or a fake Joker to win this second bust. Nevertheless, Batman and Robin put both statues on display next to each other (and next to the giant 8-ball) in the Batcave. Note that the 8-ball and giant busts are a direct nod to Dick Sprang’s Secrets of the Batcave lithograph (1995).
–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Nightwing Vol. 4 #106-108—originally told in Detective Comics #154. When prison inmates begin escaping through an “underground railroad of crime,” Batman and Robin expose and bust its ringleader, a crook named Hatch Marlin.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #28—originally told in Batman #59 Part 3. Professor Carter Nichols sends Batman and Robin one hundred years into the future where they engage in a rocket ship race through the solar system and help Gotham Chief of Police Rekoj (Joker’s descendant!) bust some pirate saboteurs. Chief Rekoj shines a giant Bat-Signal on the face of the Moon.
–REFERENCE: In Titans Vol. 4 2025 Annual #1. Batman and Robin go on an unspecified case, after which they net a giant chess set with pieces that are ten-feet-tall, which they add to the Batcave’s Hall of Trophies.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #50. Amid a bunch of cats purring at their ankles, Batman and Catwoman (in her purple-and-green caped-dress costume) share a passionate kiss.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #50 and Detective Comics #1076. Batman busts Catwoman (in her purple-and-green caped-dress costume) and handcuffs her on a rooftop. They lean-in close to each other for a kiss. Batman definitely doesn’t take Catwoman to jail here. Batman Vol. 3 #50 and Detective Comics #1076 are two separate flashbacks, but both depict a fairly generic image of Batman and Catwoman kissing, so I’ve combined them.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #44—originally told in Batman #62. Batman and Robin go after Catwoman (wearing her purple-and-green caped-dress costume). She shows her callous evil side to the Boy Wonder, evading capture. Soon afterward, the Dynamic Duo finds themselves chasing after Catwoman again. This time, however, she shows a completely different side of her persona, initially eluding the Dynamic Duo but then backtracking to save the Dark Knight’s life from a collapsing building. During the implosion Catwoman is knocked unconscious. When she comes-to, Catwoman vows to leave her criminal days behind. Convinced, Batman lets her go free. Selina winds up opening a pet shop in Gotham.
–REFERENCE: In Catwoman Vol. 5 #57. Bruce and Selina visit the Gotham ballet, dancing together at the fancy masquerade ball that accompanies the show afterward. While we won’t physically see it on our timeline ahead, Bruce and Selina will visit the ballet/ball dance together frequently for the next couple years. Dick will often ask to come, but they usually won’t ever let him.
–REFERENCE: In Fire and Ice: Welcome to Smallville #2—originally told in Batman #69. Batman and Robin defeat the King of Cats (Drew Dworkin). In earlier continuities, the King of Cats was Selina Kyle’s brother, but that doesn’t appear to be the case now.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #975—originally told in Batman #75. George “Boss” Dyke is executed by the state, after which a scientist in his employ revives his brain and transplants it into the body of a giant gorilla. Dyke, now going by “Gorilla Boss,” terrorizes Gotham, but is eventually defeated and jailed by Batman.
–REFERENCE: In Catwoman Vol. 5 #57. Bruce, Selina, and Dick see a ballet performance of Turandot, which is Selina’s favorite. This is the first time Bruce and Selina finally let Dick join them at the ballet/masquerade ball.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #44—originally told in Detective Comics #203. Selina Kyle has quietly worked at her new pet shop for about a week with no inclination of returning to costumed thievery. However, when a vituperative series of articles are printed in the Gotham Gazette that poke fun of her time as a kitty-themed villainess, Selina is furious. When some cheap hoods harass Selina in her own store, Batman is there to shoo away the jerks. Batman tells Selina not to take the objurgation and harassment personally. But for Selina, it’s too much to bear. Selina re-dons the purple-and-green caped Catwoman costume and commits a series of daring public heists, disappointing the Dark Knight. Catwoman, now a wanted criminal again, goes into hiding.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #10 Part 3—originally told in Batman #81 Part 2. Batman and Robin best Mr. Camera, a caped super-villain that wears a goofy box-shaped camera helmet with a giant lens faceplate.
–REFERENCE: In Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #10 Part 3—originally told in Batman #90 Part 3. One-shot baseball-themed superhero Batboy (Midge Merrill) helps the Dynamic Duo bring down some gangsters.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #28—originally told in Detective Comics #241. While fighting bad guys, Robin is badly hurt while being filmed by a live TV news crew. In order to downplay the injury and keep attention away from his injured sidekick, Batman engages in the strangest act of media spin ever. He creates a series of differently-colored Bat-costumes, wearing a brand new bright-toned suit on several successive patrols. Sure enough, the news cycle shuts up about an endangered child soldier and begins obsessing over Batman’s odd fashion. Notably, this item is pretty clearly shown in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #28, although Tamra Bonvillain seems to have forgotten to color each Bat-costume a different color. I guess she missed the memo! We can also simply regard the image, which shows a bunch of Bat-costumes on mannequin displays, as Batman setting out his duds just prior to dyeing them.
–REFERENCE: In Doomsday Clock #4 and the second feature to Batman Vol. 3 #128—originally told in Detective Comics #247. Batman defeats Professor Achilles Milo, who uses hallucination-inducing chemical attacks against him.
–REFERENCE: In Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #39—originally told in Batman #113. Batman defeats the debuting False Face. Note that False Face has nothing to do with Black Mask’s False Face Society.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #14 Part 5—and referenced in Harley Quinn Vol. 4 #31. Originally told in Batman #115. Batman battles some gangsters atop a giant typewriter (a famous Gotham City prop), after which the Dark Knight keeps several of the oversized typewriter keys as trophies for the Batcave. Interestingly, the editorial note from Harley Quinn Vol. 4 #31 references the handful of giant typewriter adventures from prior continuities (mostly the Golden Age), labeling the typewriter itself with “As seen in countless Batman stories since 1949!” We could take this to mean that Batman has several adventures with the giant typewriter on the Rebirth/Infinite Frontier timeline, but this is a pretty cheeky line, so I wouldn’t use it as gospel guidance. Suffice to say, we can confirm this giant typewriter appearance and an upcoming one with Riddler. The inclusion of any others is up to your own personal headcanon.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #1 Part 2—and referenced in Harley Quinn Vol. 4 #31 and Batman and Robin Vol. 3 #27. Batman returns to Gotham’s famous giant typewriter, this time to duel an escaped Riddler atop its oversized keys. Riddler isn’t the first to use the giant typewriter in a campaign against Batman, nor will he be the last. However, for unknown reasons, the oversized prop will come to be closely associated with him more than others. (Riddler will essentially claim ownership of it.)[18]
–REFERENCE: In Red Hood and The Outlaws Vol. 2 #20 and Batman/Superman Vol. 2 #22—originally told in Detective Comics #259. Batman fights the debuting Calendar Man (Julian Day), who strikes first at a garden show, dressed in a flowery “spring” costume. The next day, Calendar Man, dressed in a “summer” hazmat suit, attacks a swimsuit contest. On day three, Calendar Man bests Batman with an autumn-themed wind-blower assault. On day four, Calendar Man dresses up like a snowman for a “winter” blitz on the Dynamic Duo. Finally, Batman and Robin bust Calendar Man in his maharajah gimmick, foiling his “monsoon season” strike.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #28—and referenced in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #8 and Detective Comics #1076. Originally told in Batman #125. Batman and Robin get a dog, naming it Ace aka Ace the Bat-Hound. Bruce and Dick hang out and play with their new pet. While we won’t see it much on our timeline ahead, the dog will sometimes patrol with the Dynamic Duo.
–REFERENCE: In The Green Lantern #1—originally told in Batman #128. Batman and Robin stumble upon an alien conflict in the outskirts of Gotham. They watch as one being is mobbed by a large group of crustacean-like aliens. Choosing to help the outnumbered party, Batman and Robin are bested and teleported to an intergalactic prison light years away on the penal moon of Ergon. The Dynamic Duo was too hasty in their discernment and had aided a wanted pirate named Kraak against the Ergonian Space Police. Batman and Robin are soon released from jail, after which they bust Kraak on a nearby asteroid.
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #27, Detective Comics #967, and the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2. Kathy Webb-Kane, daughter of notorious ex-Nazi Otto Netz (Dr. Dedalus) and ex-wife of Bruce’s long-deceased uncle Nathan Kane, becomes Bat-Woman. She goes on adventures with Batman and Robin, even debuting her own sidekick, Bat-Girl (Bruce’s cousin Bette Kane). Batman and Bat-Woman become lovers, but the relationship is ill-fated. Bat-woman breaks up with Batman and the female Dynamic Duo retires from crime-fighting. Kathy, while at odds with her father, will retain connections to his evil spy organization called Spyral.
–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Batman Vol. 3 #128—and referenced in Dark Nights: Metal #1-2, Nightwing Vol. 4 #29, Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #38, Detective Comics Annual #2 (2019), Robins #6, Batman Vol. 3 #126, and the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2. Billionaire John Mayhew attempts to recruit Batman and Robin onto a new team of international heroes dubbed The Club of Heroes. Of the recruits are the so-called “Batmen of All Nations,” including Knight (Percival Sheldrake), The Squire (Cyril Sheldrake), Wingman (Benedict Rundstrom), El Gaucho (Santiago Vargas), Man-of-Bats (William Great Eagle), Little Raven, The Legionary (Alphonso Giovanni), The Musketeer (Jean-Marie), and The Ranger. (Most of these international heroes are also part of a UN-like international policing collective known as “The Dome,” which is a direct precursor to what will eventually become a revived Global Guardians. Gaucho was also the inspiration for and current ally to the Argentinian superhero team known as Súper Malón.) Once assembled, Mayhew’s Club of Heroes venture fails immediately. The team doesn’t get along and disbands in less than half-an-hour. Shortly thereafter, during an encounter with Achilles Milo and agents of the evil spy organization known as Spyral, the Dark Knight is sprayed with a gas weapon that causes a vivid hallucination. Batman lucidly dreams that he is on a distant planet known as Zur-En-Arrh, where he is endowed with super-powers and gets to meet his perfect alien double, who wears a garish purple-and-red bat costume. (Note that “Zur-En-Arrh” unwittingly comes from the deep reserves of Bruce’s memory where on the fateful night of his parents’ murders, his father said, “they’d probably throw someone like Zorro in Arkham.”) As Batman hallucinates, Robin busts Milo. Batman eventually comes-to, but he is shaken to his core. Not long after, Dr. Simon Hurt implants post-hypnotic suggestions into Batman’s psyche while the Dark Knight is undergoing sensory deprivation tests. Hurt is actually Thomas Wayne, Bruce’s great(x5) uncle born in the 1700s, endowed with quasi-immortality. During these sensory deprivation tests, Hurt is able to psychoanalyze Batman and literally hear in detail about all of the Dark Knight’s hallucinations, new and old. Hurt implants a post-hypnotic trigger word into Batman’s brain. Once triggered, Bruce will “shutdown” and lose all memory of having ever been a crime-fighter. After a lengthy period of sleep-deprivation in an isolation chamber, Batman temporarily believes Robin has died as a result of an alien encounter (another vivid hallucination). Afterward, Batman forgets ever meeting Hurt thanks to hypnosis. Hurt also blocks all of Batman’s memory of him using hypnosis. Batman then begins having blackouts and night terrors as a result of his sleep-deprivation testing. Things get so bad that Batman is defeated by a group of ape-masked rookie gangsters known as the Gorilla Gang (Ceasar, Joe, Bingo, Magilla, King, and one unnamed other). Troubled, the Dark Knight considers retirement. However, Batman shakes the cobwebs out as best he can, summoning up enough courage to bust the Gorilla Gang in a rematch. Immediately thereafter, Hurt sics three substitute Batmen (cops Josef Muller, Branca, and Michael Lane) against a groggy and confused Batman, who still easily defeats them. Hurt blocks Batman’s memory of the fight against the substitutes and then sends the Dark Knight on his way. Batman still has no real memories of ever meeting Simon Hurt or of fighting his substitute Batmen, only extremely hazy dreamlike visions of them instead. Batman writes about these strange fleeting visions, which he regards as a drug-induced hallucination, into his Black Casebook. Hurt will retrain (and sadistically torture) his substitute Batmen for many years before unleashing them upon Gotham again.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #28 and the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2—originally told in Detective Comics #267 (but placed out of publication order by Dave Wielgosz in the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2). Batman and Robin meet Bat-Mite, a magickal imp from the 5th Dimension, who adores Batman and even wears a mini Bat-costume. Bat-Mite very publicly bothers and pranks the Dynamic Duo while they are on an unspecified case.
–Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #18-19 (“THE ORIGIN OF THE WORLD’S FINEST TEAM: PHANTOM RIDDLES”)
Batman begins investigating strange public vanishings—what the media calls the “Ghosting of Gotham.” Soon after, following a big heist, Riddler leaves behind a riddle written in Kryptonese. Commissioner Gordon, Detective Harvey Bullock, and photographer Charlie examine the scene, with the latter snapping a few shots. In Metropolis, Clark Kent and Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen view Charlie’s photos. Superman immediately visits Gotham, meeting Gordon for the first time. In conversation, Gordon says he doesn’t have a means of signaling Batman. (This is meant to be a lead-in to the debut of the Bat-Signal, but, as per Mark Waid and Dave Wielgosz’s own narrative in New History of the DC Universe #2, the Bat-Signal already debuted a year ago. As such, this conversation about a lack of means to signal Batman must be regarded as an out-and-out continuity error.) An eavesdropping Batman interjects, meeting Superman for the first time as well! (Superman and Batman’s first meeting is also shown via flashback from Superman Unlimited #1.) As they discuss the case, Batman and Superman team-up to bust a debuting Spellbinder and Magpie. They then shake down multiple informants, hoping to find Riddler, but they come up short. Unknown to our heroes, Riddler is being abused and used by Kryptonian villain Jax-Ur, who has escaped from the Phantom Zone. The Phantom Zone (aka Ghost Zone) is an extradimensional tesseract hyperspace that is home to a litany of Krypton’s worst criminals, who were ironically spared their lives when Krypton exploded. Jax-Ur was sent to the Phantom Zone by Superman’s father Jor-El using a device known as a Phantom Zone Projector. The Phantom Zone is one of many realms within the Underworld (which also includes Hades, Erishkagal, Annwn, etc).[19] In the morning, Bruce chats with Alfred, who is still reluctant about fully supporting Bruce’s war on crime. In the middle of their conversation, Alfred vanishes. Having been monitoring Superman for years now, Bruce quickly deduces his secret identity. Bruce phones Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White to arrange an interview with Clark. At Wayne Manor, Bruce confirms that Clark is Superman. Bruce shares his secret with Clark as well, but Clark reveals that he also already knew. Shortly thereafter, Batman and Superman study another Riddler clue, which leads them to his location at a shipyard. There, Jax-Ur ambushes Superman and exiles Batman into the Phantom Zone. Alfred greets Batman, explaining to him what he has learned about the Phantom Zone. He also tells Batman that strange portals between Universe-0 and the Phantom Zone have been opening, resulting in the “Ghostings” and Jax-Ur’s escape. Superman telepathically contacts Batman, telling him about his deceased biological parents (Jor-El and Lara), Jax-Ur’s various crimes, and the destruction of Krypton. After Batman is able to exit back to Earth via one of the mysterious portal openings, Superman realizes that Jax-Ur is now planning to destroy the Bottle City of Kandor. En route to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic, the Man of Steel tells Batman all about the Fortress, Phantom Zone Projectors, and Kandor. (Specifically, as referenced in Justice League: No Justice #1, Man of Steel #3, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #7, and the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #4, Batman learns that Superman’s arch rival Brainiac had shrunk down and bottled-up whole cities, including Kandor, a Kryptonian city filled with the last survivors of the planet. Unable to bring the Kandorians—including the Science Council led by Professor Kim-Da—back to full-size, Superman kept the Bottle City inside the Fortress of Solitude for safe-keeping.) (This Brainiac, of course, is one of many Brainiac doubles that serve the real Brainiac aka Vril Dox, who won’t actually appear for another decade from now. Until the appearance of the true Brainiac, any Brainiac we see on our timeline could be a unique copy.) As Superman battles Jax-Ur inside the Fortress of Solitude, Alfred telepathically tells Batman that a strange being (Aethyr the Messiah aka Aethyr the Oversoul) is trying to weaken the boundaries between the Phantom Zone and Universe-0. As per Superman’s plan, Batman tricks Jax-Ur and uses a Phantom Zone Projector to send him back to the Phantom Zone. In victory, Batman tells Superman they should do battle training together. The heroes then bring all the missing Gothamites home. In Gotham, Batman and Superman bust Riddler. For Superman and Batman, Alfred draws a picture of Aethyr, whom they realize was responsible for creating the portals opening and closing. Afterward, Batman and Superman part ways, having discovered newfound respect for one another. (It’s unclear whether or not Batman and Superman were serious about training together, but we can imagine that they actually do start training with one another in some fashion, moving onward from this point.) Meanwhile, in the Phantom Zone, Aethyr vows to one day free everyone.
–FLASHBACK: From Absolute Power: Origins #2—and referenced in Trinity Vol. 2 #8, Superman Vol. 4 #20, Wonder Woman Vol. 5 Annual #1 Part 1, and Super Sons #5. Batman meets Superman’s love interest, intrepid reporter Lois Lane. Despite having gotten to know one another better and respect each other, Superman and Batman remain completely at odds—so much so that Batman builds an armored anti-Superman suit (based on the Frank Miller-designed costume from The Dark Knight Returns) and challenges Superman to a fight. Batman and Superman scrap, but cooler heads eventually prevail. (This fight is loosely based on their combat from Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice film.) Suffice to say, Batman won’t come to fully trust Superman (and vice-versa) just quite yet—not until the Justice League forms next year. In fact, Batman and the “Man of Steel” will often get into heated arguments when they cross paths. Most of these fights will happen invisibly, scattered throughout our timeline below.
–REFERENCE: In Trinity Vol. 2 #13 and Justice League Vol. 3 #29. Batman pontificates upon Superman’s origin story, noting how lucky the world is that two benevolent kind-hearted people raised Clark to be a decent human being. Any number of alternatives could have been disastrous. Batman will think about this circumstance of fate quite often over the course of his crime-fighting career. The Dark Knight begins studying Superman very closely, also noting that the Man of Steel typically holds back his full power while in combat, aware of the destructive capability of his Kryptonian abilities. Batman also notes that Superman gets his power from the rays of Earth’s yellow dwarf sun (i.e. white sun), while discovering that red solar rays nullify his power.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics Annual #2 (2019) and Detective Comics #1030. Having now seen a metahuman hero (Superman) up close and gone on a bunch of fantastic adventures, Batman decides to begin keeping a log of any bizarre events involving metahumans, supernatural occurrences, aliens, or anything else seemingly beyond the realm of human comprehension. Batman and Alfred begin compiling this intensive log, which is known as “The Black Casebook.” Batman decides the Black Casebook should also contain details about personal failures and unsolved mysteries. Notably, Batman creates a section of the Black Casebook dedicated to the (unsolved) multiple assassination attempts upon him when he was a teen. Batman will also fill the Black Casebook with various newspaper clippings. Batman and Alfred also begin logging “The Red Casebook.” We can only wonder what is in that one. In any case, both these casebooks will get filled-out accordingly, moving forward. Batman and Alfred also put the Dark Knight’s case-files (so far) into chronological order! Yes, they have their very own Batman Chronology Project! They will bind all the Dark Knight’s case-files into physical tomes—”Year One,” “Year Two,” “Year Three,” etc—and keep them in the Batcave library. Likewise, in the future, Batman and Alfred will bind very special cases into physical books for their library too.[20]
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #24 and Batman Vol. 3 #36. Batman first hears what will become Superman’s very public signature catchphrase: “Up, up, and away!” Possibly inspired by Superman’s pulpy argot, Batman coins his own catchphrase, “Vengeance is the night!” which he begins growling at criminals while on patrol. Thankfully, Batman won’t say this very often.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman Vol. 2 #1. Batman and Superman begin a hypothetical debate about superhero ethics and morality, asking each other what would happen if they used the same methods super-villains use, but instead to fight against crime. This complex conversation will happen on-and-off between the super-friends for decades to come.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #7. Superman introduces his puppy Krypto (aka Krypto the Superdog) to Batman.
–REFERENCE: In Super Sons #5, Superman Vol. 4 #37, Batman/Superman Vol. 2 #5, Justice League Vol. 4 #38, and Superman: Red and Blue #3 Part 1. Batman and Superman haven’t truly clicked and found mutual respect for each other—until now. Realizing that they actually have a lot more in common then they thought, Bruce and Clark become best friends. Bruce gets to know all about Clark’s life as a respected journalist (and he’ll follow Clark’s career very closely for decades to come). Bruce also comes to place Clark’s Midwestern values on a pedestal. Batman begins sharing most of his case-files and crime-reports with Superman. Likewise, Superman agrees to do the same. Both the Caped Crusader and the Man of Steel will continue to share information at regular intervals, moving forward. Over time, their friendship will grow to be one of the strongest bonds in the DCU. With burgeoning trust developing between them, the two heroes, while having contrasting personality types (Batman is ostensibly more worrisome, for example), will only grow closer, moving forward. However, despite the camaraderie and mutual respect they share for one another, Batman and Superman will still butt heads and fight each other quite often. Most of these fights will happen invisibly, scattered throughout our timeline below. Whenever they fight, Batman will wonder what it would feel like if Superman wasn’t pulling his punches.
–REFERENCE: In Action Comics #1003 and Justice League Vol. 4 #61. International news-media begins referring to the team-up of Batman and Superman as “The World’s Finest.” This moniker will be used in reference to the duo every now and again, moving forward. Batman and Superman set up an emergency communication frequency just for the two of them to use, naming it the “World’s Finest Frequency.”
–REFERENCE: In Action Comics #982, Superman Vol. 4 #36-37, Dark Nights: Metal #4, Heroes in Crisis #2, Batman Vol. 3 #68, Superman Vol. 5 #16, Event Leviathan #6, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #7-8, and Detective Comics #1103. Batman learns about Superman’s major weakness to Kryptonite (and his inability to see through lead with X-ray vision). Batman immediately adds a safe lead lining into all his cowls (and will do so for all future costumes). Batman also learns and studies the different types of Kryptonite and their various effects on Superman. There are many Kryptonite variations, including Green, Red, Gold, Periwinkle, White, Anti, Yellow, Blue, Black, and others. Batman then builds a data file, detailing how to surmount Superman in the off chance that the Man of Steel turns evil or is mind-controlled by an evil force. Batman will continuously catalog information about Superman, starting now. This information will be stored on the Bat-computer network. Notably, Superman actually gives Batman a Green Kryptonite ring with the expressed idea that he use it against him should he ever get mind-controlled or lose control. Batman also acquires various colored Kryptonite shards, storing them safely in the Batcave. Batman places a tiny sliver of Green Kryptonite (in a lead-lined case that blocks its radioactive emissions) into his utility belt. Batman also gives Superman a private communication device so he can reach him with ease. And last but not least, in the Fortress of Solitude, Batman meets Superman’s robot assistant Kelex. While the Fortress is all about solitude (as the name clearly states), Batman will spend a lot of time there, especially as his relationship with Superman matures over the years. We should imagine Fortress hang-outs sprinkled throughout the chronology. Furthermore, Superman allows Batman to link his Bat-Computer network with the advanced Kryptonian computer network inside the Fortress.
–REFERENCE: In Superman: Man of Tomorrow #19. Batman and Superman discuss who would win in a fight if the latter was de-powered. Batman will often think about this, and it’s a subject the two will chat about every once in a while, moving forward.
–REFERENCE: In Superman Vol. 5 #9. Batman and Superman discuss Superman’s sleeping habits. The Man of Steel doesn’t ever need sleep, but he chooses to sleep like a human anyway.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #130. Batman and Superman discuss their trunks. (They both wear underwear on the outside of their costumes as superheroes are wont to do.) Batman tells Superman that wearing trunks is a good idea that offers many benefits.
–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #37. Bruce tells Clark about his ginger-ale-swilling drunk act that fools people into thinking he is wasted at parties. Clark begins doing it too.
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #129. Dick is sidelined with a 102 degree fever, forcing Batman to patrol alone.
–REFERENCE: In Wonder Woman Vol. 5 #22 and Action Comics Special #1 Part 2. Bruce meets Superman’s arch-rival Lex Luthor. Luthor, having been bested by Superman on many occasions already. Bruce and Luthor will be business rivals for decades to come. Presumably, Bruce also meets Luthor in his Batman role.
–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Batman Vol. 3 #125-129, the second feature to Batman Vol. 3 #136, Batman Vol. 3 #138, and Batman Vol. 3 #143. Batman reflects upon his hallucinatory experiences of the past year, terrified of what could happen if a villain were able to access or break his mind. With this very concern, Batman applies the teachings of his mentor Dr. Daniel Captio to create a special brain helmet, with which he utilizes to initiate grueling private “self-therapy” sessions intended to of strengthen his mental faculties. With his brain helmet, Batman creates for himself the ultimate defense mechanism against psychological attack—an anti-trigger backup personality, complete with garish red-and-purple costume, based upon his “Zur-En-Arrh” hallucination from earlier this year. Should he come under psychological attack, Batman’s mind will be temporarily overwritten, automatically turning him into the “Batman of Zur-En-Arrh.” Batman immediately begins beta testing his wild Zur-En-Arrh persona, but in order to do so, he will black out completely, giving full control of his mind and body to the alternate persona. While blacked-out as Zur-En-Arrh, Batman even creates a secret lab for his alter ego, hidden within the Batcave. Additionally, the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh creates a Robin costume that matches his own in color scheme and pattern. For the next month or so, Batman will endure brain helmet sessions with increasing frequency as he perfects his alternate persona. We can imagine these sessions scattered in-between the items listed below.
–Wonder Woman Vol. 5 Annual #1 Part 1
Batman goes on patrol, which ultimately ends in stitches from doctor Alfred. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman (Diana of Themyscira) makes her debut at a mall outside of San Diego. Diana is one of the race of semi-immortal warrior women known as Amazons, who are linked to the Greco-Roman pantheon of gods. Diana’s mother is the original Wonder Woman (Queen Hippolyta) that debuted in the 1940s.[21] With the help of her friends Steve Trevor, Etta Candy, and Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva, the powerful Amazonian foils a terror plot by The Sear Group (aka The Ares Group, human soldiers loyal to the Greco-Roman God of War, Ares). As referenced in Justice League Incarnate #5, Ares is also connected to the primordial evil known as The Great Darkness aka The Hand of the Great Darkness, who is one of the original super-celestial beings part of a race called Great Hands. We’ll hear more about them a bit later. (Note that Diana’s debut versus the Sear Group is also shown in Wonder Woman Vol. 5 #10 aka “Wonder Woman: Year One.”)[22] When video of Diana hits the mainstream media, Lois, Clark, and Jimmy Olsen hightail it to California. As Batman returns home from the next day’s patrol, once again requiring stitches, Alfred directs his attention to the big Diana news on TV. Superman learns that Diana is testing her powers on behalf of the US Army in a Nevada desert, so he goes there. Batman, having acquired the same intel, goes there as well. Wonder Woman gets the jump on the boys, sneaking up on them from behind. The first meeting of DC’s Big Three occurs! Diana offers effusive greetings and tells the male heroes to take ahold of her magick lasso, which they do. Forced to tell their true names, Batman says his is “Batman,” showing that he identifies with that name just as much (if not more) than “Bruce Wayne.” Seeing into Diana’s soul via the lasso, the boys learn that she is pure of heart and has good intentions. Diana will be praised by international press a couple days later, after she defeats Ares in battle—as seen in the conclusion of “Wonder Woman: Year One” (Wonder Woman Vol. 5 #14). (Note that a visual reference in Batman: Urban Legends #7 Part 1 also nods to this first meeting of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.)
–REFERENCE: In Wonder Woman Vol. 6 #20. Batman stopped believing in (i.e. stopped worshipping) the God (the Abrahamic God) way back when his parents were killed, but meeting and befriending Wonder Woman has made him acutely aware of the presence of the gods and their influence upon humanity. With this vast pantheon of gods in mind, Batman thinks of his dead parents, looks to the skies, and—for the first time since he was a child—prays.
–FLASHBACK: From Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman #3. This item doesn’t feature our present day Batman, only a time-traveling future Batman (Damian Wayne from the early 2040s) that has also been magically turned into a corgi. On Themyscira, a time-traveling Trinity (Lizzie Prince from the early 2040s) attempts to retrieve the Bat-puppy but winds up confronting Cerebus, which inadvertently causes the death of Damian, Steve Trevor, and Wonder Woman. Thus, Trinity uses her time-bubble to redo the rescue over and over (dozens of times) to get it right. Eventually, Trinity saves the Bat-puppy and returns to the future.
–Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #25 Part 1
Batman and Superman bust Joker, returning him to Arkham Asylum. After they depart, a disguised Lex Luthor frees Joker. (This is the first ever meeting between Luthor and Joker.) At LexCorp in Metropolis, Luthor explains that he wants Joker to help him decipher a hundred-year-old occult manuscript that has made all his scientists go insane. Luthor puts an explosive collar on Joker, just in case. Joker responds by shaving his head bald in an attempt to look more like Luthor. Disgusted, Luthor has his men give Joker a green toupee. Soon after, following the manuscript’s instructions, Luthor and Joker cross through a wall at an abandoned subway stop to find a magick train. One trippy ride later, Joker and Luthor find themselves inside the Rock of Eternity—the home of the wizard Shazam (and source of extremely powerful magick). As they navigate through the Rock, Joker and Luthor gaze through time portals, viewing Jonah Hex in the Wild West and Abra Kadabra in the 64th century. Finally, they come across the Heart of Eternium, which can grant wishes. Joker takes down its guardian monster (using one of Penguin’s umbrellas) only to steal the Heart from out of Luthor’s hands. Luthor sees a vision of Joker’s chaotic evil wishes and tries to wrestle the Heart away only for it to fall and smash into bits. (The Joker vision reads a bit like the Modern Age’s “Emperor Joker,” a version of which will occur a few years from now. Thus, we can assume that plans for “Emperor Joker” exist within Joker’s mind.) Joker is zapped back to Arkham while Luthor is zapped back to Metropolis.
–REFERENCE: In Superman vs Lobo #1.[23] Batman teaches Superman everything he knows about detective work, but tailoring things to Superman’s power set. For example, the Dark Knight tells Superman to examine heart rates and body temperatures during interrogations.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #14. Batman and Superman go on an unspecified adventure in which Superman utilizes his cadre of subservient Superman Robots. Superman will use his robots on occasion, moving forward.
–REFERENCE: In Super Sons #6—originally told in World’s Finest Comics #101 (but placed out of publication order due to Dave Wielgosz’s second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2). Batman and Superman defeat Atom-Master.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #2 Part 4—and referenced in Batman Vol. 3 #25, Batman Vol. 3 #54, Detective Comics #1000 Deluxe Edition Part 12, Detective Comics #1000 Deluxe Edition Part 13, Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #8 Part 1, and Batman: Dark Patterns #5. Batman defeats The Ventriloquist (Arnold Wesker) and his gun-toting dummy Scarface. During the fight, Batman suffers a permanent scar. Notably, Scarface has such an aversion to Batman that he can’t even say the letter B, although this tic only happens sometimes. Afterward, Batman adds a plaque with a picture of Scarface on it to his commemorative trophy wall. Batman also psychoanalyzes the captive Ventriloquist, learning that he’s actually quite meek and timid, and that his evil side only manifests as a wholly split personality through the catalyst of the Scarface dummy. Notably, while nature of Scarface remains mysterious, he definitely has some sort of supernatural sentience of his own.
–REFERENCE: In The Green Lantern #1—originally told in World’s Finest Comics #150 (but placed out of publication order due to Dave Wielgosz’s second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2). Batman and Superman take on Rokk and Sorban, aliens from the gambling planet of Ventura. With Batman captured, Superman agrees to enter into a high-stakes cosmic casino challenge that will decide Batman’s fate. Superman wins a game of Planetary System Roulette, in which the competitors maneuver actual planets into suns, earning Batman’s freedom.
–FLASHBACK: From Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Vol. 3 #5—and referenced in Batman Vol. 3 #68. In Gotham, a “Toy War” erupts between Toyman (Winslow Schott) and the Ventriloquist (with Scarface). Batman and Superman team-up to tackle the situation. A few days in, Superman introduces Batman to Jimmy Olsen. Batman is disgusted that Superman would bring a civilian, and one carrying a camera no less. Batman knocks Jimmy’s camera out of his hands and swings away to deal with the villains by himself. Later, Batman learns how close Superman and Jimmy really are, including the fact that Jimmy has a special signal watch that he can use to call the Man of Steel for help at any time.
–REFERENCE: In Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2025 Annual #1—originally told in World’s Finest Comics #98 (but placed out of publication order due to Dave Wielgosz’s second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2). A Kryptonite comet turns astronaut Brice Rogers into Moon-Man aka Moonman, a costumed super-villain that strikes by night. By morning, Rogers has no memories of his actions the night prior. Batman and Superman defeat Moon-Man and get Rogers the help he needs.
–REFERENCE: In Superman Vol. 4 #43, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #12, and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #41-43. Superman tells Batman all about Bizarro #1, a strange backwards version of the Man of Steel, who was first created years ago via a sci-fi Duplicator Ray. (This happened when Superman was still a teenager—originally told in Superboy #68.) Superman reveals that he recently bested a returning Bizarro #1, who has not only created his own planet called Htrae aka Bizarro World, but also populated it with millions of Bizarros using a giant Duplicator Ray. In order to appease Bizarro #1, Superman helped him re-design the planet into the shape of a cube. (Bizarro World is located in Universe-0, but it shifts between dimensional planes, causing it to randomly move around the multiverse. Bizarro World will come to occupy space most regularly in Universe-29, thus giving it the alternate moniker of Earth-29. Bizarro World is a strange place that has a deep mysterious connection to Bizarro #1 himself, and it’ll go through patterns of cataclysm and rebirth over the years to come.) Superman also gives Batman details about Blue Kryptonite (Bizarro #1’s only weakness, created by fusing Green Krytponite with a piece of the Duplicator Ray) and Bizarro Red Kryptonite (which affects humans the way that regular Red Kryptonite affects Kryptonians). Superman also tells Batman about notable Bizarros, including Bizarro Bibbo Bibbowski. (This is how Batman learns about Superman’s pal, the Earth-0 version of Bibbo Bibbowski.) Notably, a couple years ago, Lex Luthor created Bizarro II (nicknamed B-0) using a combination of DNA from Bizarro #1 and Superman.
–REFERENCE: In Trinity Vol. 2 #8. Batman helps Superman defeat his arch-rival, the 5th Dimensional imp Mr. Mxyzptlk. (Mr. Mxyzptlk is from the same realm as Bat-Mite.)
–REFERENCE: In Dark Days: The Casting #1. Batman outfits one of his Batplanes with a metal extending arm that can grip things via a claw at its end. This silly-looking thing seems to be a nod to Superman’s Supermobile, a jet that has a metal extending arm with a fist at the end of it.
–REFERENCE: In Batman and Robin Vol. 3 #18. Batman tells Robin about his time working against the legendary Memento serial killer from years ago. Notably, still troubled by the case, Batman will choose not to speak about Memento with any other people, moving forward.
–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #90. Batman and Robin chase after Catwoman, who is wearing a brand new skintight purple costume with black knee-high boots and black elbow-length gloves. (While unconnected to Batman, it’s around this time that Joker, Catwoman, Riddler, and Penguin meet with the Designer, which results in Joker killing the legendary super-villain. Notably, prior to his murder, the Designer helps Catwoman come up with a complex “dream heist” plan that maps out how to rob a billionaire of all of his wealth in one fell swoop. Joker will later use this plan against Bruce many years down the road. Since Catwoman wouldn’t be targeting Bruce this way, especially after learning his secret ID as Batman, we must assume that the plan she devised with the Designer was a generic template targeting a typical billionaire magnate and that the plan will only later on be specifically tailored for/against Bruce by Joker.)
_________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
<<< Rebirth Era Year 2 <<< ||| >>> Rebirth Era Year 4 >>>
- [1]COLLIN COLSHER: In Batman and Robin: Year One #12 (2025), Mark Waid specifically gives us Dick’s age of ten-years-old. The Batman and Robin: Year One arc concludes in September—and, the older Dick is now, the smoother things are for the rest of our timeline, so let’s assume that he’s turning eleven this year. But when exactly? In the Silver/Bronze Age, Dick’s birthday was November 11 (as per the 1976 Super DC Calendar). In post-Crisis Modern Age continuity, it was October 24 (as per 1990’s Secret Origins Vol. 2 #50. For post-Zero Hour continuity, this was retconned to March 20 (as per 1995’s Robin Vol. 2 Annual #4). The Young Justice animated TV series states that Dick’s birthday is December 1. Interestingly, while writing Teen Titans Academy #1 (2021), which features a birthday party for Nightwing, writer Tim Sheridan debated with editor Mike Cotton whether Dick’s birthday should be in March or November. By avowing that the primary choices should be either March or November, Sheridan and Cotton gave these months added weight over any others. Eventually, since the publication date of the issue was scheduled for March, they went with March (which is hinted at but not actually specifically mentioned within the comic itself). Ironically, though, by choosing March, Sheridan and Cotton actually more-or-less cemented November as Dick’s actual birthday. Since Nightwing’s birthday party is a public event that includes students, the Titans wouldn’t risk incurring a major security breach by openly giving away Dick’s real birthday. So, March is a nice meta-reference to prior continuity, but that’s all. Getting back to Waid’s Batman and Robin: Year One, we know Dick’s birthday has gotta be at the end of the year, thus confirming it can’t be in March. Knowing Waid’s reverence for the Silver/Bronze Age, he’s likely partial to the 1976 Super DC Calendar. Therefore, I’ve gone with November 11, although, moving forward, I’ll mark it simply as November (sans the actual date specificity, just in case).↩
- [2]COLLIN COLSHER: Regarding the age of Tim Drake (seven-years-old at the time of the death of the Flying Graysons), the reasoning comes from Joshua Williamson’s DC KO: Knightfight #3 (2026) in which Batman says outright that “A Lonely Place of Dying” (Year Nine, 2010) occurs when Tim is fourteen-years-old. Since Tim debuts as Robin a few months after that (Year Ten, 2011), we can assume that he is fourteen-years-old at that time. Unfortunately, this doesn’t jibe with James Tynion’s Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular Part 7 (2020), which tells us that Tim is nineteen-years-old when the Gotham Knights team is formed (Year 16, 2017). Therefore, as we will see with a handful of other later generation characters, Tim will eventually get de-aged by cosmic hoodoo during the Flashpoint event. We’ll address this when it occurs. For now, Tim is a just a seven-year-old kid visiting the circus.↩
- [3]COLLIN COLSHER: Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #4 Part 5 tells a tale of Batman meeting the Flying Graysons for the first time while working a case at Haly’s Circus. However, this story is non-canon because it shows a pacifier-sucking eight-to-twelve-month-old Dick Grayson. There is no primary timeline in which Batman exists a decade prior to Robin’s debut.↩
- [4]COLLIN COLSHER: Killing Time occurs definitively after Penguin’s debut but definitively before Batman and Catwoman have become a bonafide couple. We know the former because the Help (whom Penguin meets in The Penguin #7) is featured in Killing Time. We know the latter because Batman and Catwoman are most definitely not yet a thing in Killing Time. Creator social media accounts generally provide guidance in terms of order, and a Twitter comment from Tom King seemingly helps elucidate in this fashion. In 2022, King tweeted, “Batman: Killing Time is an in-continuity Batman story. It takes place in the time between ‘Year One’ and Dick Grayson becoming Robin. Before Batman and Catwoman first hooked up.” While this comment helps us with placement, King’s dates and “years priors” are way off in Killing Time, containing several big errors (and even internal contradictions from issue to issue). Notably, Killing Time‘s “Day 2” is labeled with a specific date in issue #1 but then labeled with a wholly different date in issues #2-3. In later issues, there are also other date captions that change randomly despite referencing the same day. Plus, if we are to go by King’s math (determined by supposed number of years after the origin of the Eye of Athena artifact), the main action of Killing Time would occur in the mid 18th century instead of the 21st century. Last but certainly not least, issue #2 includes the character of bartender Rich Capobi, who is said to have fixed drinks for Penguin for the past five years. By King’s own over-arching Penguin origin, the villain hasn’t been around for that long—not even close. Because of all this, we shouldn’t trust any dates or “years prior” mentions in this series.↩
- [5]MARTÍN LEL: In the Killing Time #5 hench-war, there are three hench-folk covered in ivy leaves, one of whom is specifically highlighted and dressed very similarly to Poison Ivy. While these three are never directly linked to Poison Ivy in the text, nor is Poison Ivy’s name mentioned once by Tom King, it’s clear that he meant for these people to be Poison Ivy’s goons. At the time of Killing Time‘s publication in 2022, Poison Ivy might’ve been fair game to use in the sandbox, but that’s not the case in current canon. We must ignore these characters outright or link them to another villain because, thanks to G Willow Wilson’s Poison Ivy #21 (2024), Poison Ivy hasn’t arrived on the scene yet, nor will she until after Robin’s upcoming debut.↩
- [6]DYLAN ROBINSON: Certainly long tights or long sleeves with boots would be warmer than a speedo and pixie shoes, so we could surmise that Dick has a costume for warmer weather and a costume for colder weather. While there’s a nice logic to the idea, nothing has ever been specifically stated about this, and in fact, it’s been fairly clear in the Rebirth/Infinite Frontier continuity that the costumes aren’t really meant to signify cold weather, instead rather to simply point toward a particular timeline era. This is definitely a personal headcanon decision.↩
- [7]COLLIN COLSHER: Robin & Batman #1-3 by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen (2021-2022) tells a tale of Dick’s final days of training prior to debuting as Robin. However, it’s in the running for most out-of-continuity story ever. Robin not only debuts after all the other pre-teen and teen sidekicks, he debuts after Elongated Man and Firestorm have joined the Justice League. Plus, this arc double-functions as a Teen Titans origin story, with the team going on its first missions alongside the JL, immediately upon Robin meeting his comrades. This story doesn’t fit on any primary timeline of any era. It’s a wholly Elseworlds-type of yarn. Lemire and Nguyen’s Robin & Batman: Jason Todd #1-3 (2025), a sequel to the first series that focuses on Jason Todd’s early days as Robin, is also non-canon, getting details wrong about Willis Todd and also showing Babs Gordon as Oracle way too soon. I guess we could call this the Lemire/Nguyen-verse.↩
- [8]JASPER DERKLIN: In their discussion about Dick’s behavior, Bruce asks, “Are all boys his age like this?” to which Alfred quips, “I wouldn’t know. You were born 25-years-old.” While it’s possible Alfred’s reply simply means that Bruce never had a proper childhood in a general sense, the specificity of citing age 25 is curious. This could be Mark Waid very purposefully marking Bruce at age 25 when he returned to Gotham to become Batman. At the very least, it could be Waid’s way of cementing Bruce in his mid twenties at this juncture. Nevertheless, shortly after the release of Batman and Robin: Year One #3, Waid’s own New History of the DC Universe #2 unequivocally retconned Bruce to being 25-years-old at the time of his superhero debut, so there you go.↩
- [9]COLLIN COLSHER: Bruce and Selina have a running joke where they talk about the two separate times they first met—on the street (a reference to Frank Miller’s “Year One,” the first Modern Age meeting between Bruce and Selina) and on the boat (a reference to Batman #1, the first Golden/Silver Age meeting between Bruce and Selina). In Batman Vol. 3 #79, Selina explains this contradiction, saying that the first time they actually met was on the street. But the boat happened “later,” she says, “[after] you’d been Batman for a while. You had the sidekick and the mask and the belt and all of that.” The general idea behind the two different “first” meetings is that Bruce and Selina literally met for the first time on the street, but it was on the boat that they first truly fell in love. Here’s where added confusion enters the narrative. The boat meeting reads like it should go much earlier on our timeline, but Robin is undeniably a part of this item, which is why we have it later. Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point #6 shows Robin present via flashback, while Batman Vol. 3 #79 specifically mentions Robin being present. Writer Tom King, who already has a dubious track record when it comes to matters of continuity, only further confused matters, stating on Twitter, “I struggle with [knowing whether or not the boat scene occurs earlier on the timeline sans Robin versus later with Robin’s involvement]. In my mind, Batman spent years fighting all the rogues before he met Robin, but I know in that first Catwoman boat appearance in 1941, Robin is there… blame it on Superboy Prime banging on the wall.” Sigh.↩
- [10]JACK JAMES: Mindy Newell’s Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular story is set before Batman Vol. 3 Annual #2 Part 1, seeing how, in Newell’s story, Catwoman mentions not knowing Batman’s identity yet but intends to find out: “who is under that suit… watching me… two can play at that game… even if it kills me.” Thus, it actually ties in nicely into Batman Vol. 3 Annual #2 Part 1 as its direct precursor.↩
- [11]COLLIN COLSHER: A note about these Looney Tunes-inspired characters. On the Rebirth Era Earth-0 timeline, thanks to writer Tom King, the slapstick Looney Tunes characters have all been reverse-anthropomorphized (or de-toon-ified) into grim-and-gritty versions of themselves, all of whom hang out at a Gotham dive bar called Porky’s—as we see in Batman/Elmer Fudd #1 and Batman Vol. 3 Annual #2 Part 1, and as referenced in Batman Vol. 3 #67. Note that all of the DC/Looney Tunes comics published in 2017-2018 are out-of-continuity on the Rebirth Era Earth-0 timeline except for Batman/Elmer Fudd #1.↩
- [12]COLLIN COLSHER: This was originally Penguin’s debut, but, thanks to Tom King’s Killing Time and The Penguin, this is now Oswald Cobblepot’s second appearance as Penguin. Mirroring old canon, the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2 by Dave Weilgosz (with research by Mark Waid) lists this Stahl Auction House episode as “Batman and Robin’s first encounter” with Penguin. Of course, while this is indeed the Boy Wonder’s first encounter Penguin, it’s definitely not Batman’s. Again, to reiterate, despite any implication by Wielgosz and Waid, because of King’s prior work, this has to be Cobblepot’s second appearance as Penguin.↩
- [13]COLLIN COLSHER: Just like with our previous Penguin entry, the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2 by Dave Weilgosz (with research by Mark Waid) specifically references old canon debuts for Clayface I, Two-Face, and Clayface II, claiming “Batman and Robin’s first encounters” with these characters happen here-and-now. Again, we can’t take this at face value. After all, Robin already met Two-Face and Clayface II in Waid’s own Batman and Robin: Year One, weeks into his crimefighting career. And, while this item can feature Robin’s very first encounter with Clayface I, it’s definitely not Batman’s first time facing him. Clayface I has already appeared in both Detective Comics Annual #1 (2018) and the second feature to Detective Comics #1047-1048.↩
- [14]COLLIN COLSHER: Again, just like our previous entry, the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2 by Dave Weilgosz (with research by Mark Waid) specifically references an old canon debut for Mr. Freeze, claiming “Batman and Robin’s first encounter” with Mr. Freeze happens now, modeled after Batman #121. Similarly to before, we can’t take this at face value. Technically speaking, this is the Dynamic Duo’s first encounter with Victor Fries as Mr. Freeze (since he previously went by Mr. Zero). So, in that sense, Waid and Wielgosz aren’t wrong. However, the second feature to Detective Comics #1085 specifically places Batman versus a debuting Fries (as Mr. Zero) in Year One. Waid and Wielgosz’s intent here (seemingly to put Fries’ debut as a criminal here-and-now) is erroneous. To reiterate, Fries has previously acted as Mr. Zero, but he is now coming out as Mr. Freeze.↩
- [15]COLLIN COLSHER: Just like with our previous entries, the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2 by Dave Weilgosz (with research by Mark Waid) specifically references an old canon debut, this time for Poison Ivy. Waid and Weilgosz claim that “Batman and Robin’s first encounter” with Poison Ivy happens now. As before, we can’t take this at face value. After all, Batman and Robin already met Poison Ivy via flashback from G Willow Wilson’s Poison Ivy #21.↩
- [16]RUSTY SHACKLEFORD: New History of the DC Universe is a deeply confusing and frustrating series, particularly in its handling of Mark Waid and Dave Wielgosz’s supposed post-Robin debuts for Two-Face, Penguin, Clayface, and Mr. Freeze. As discussed above, the authors are clearly drawing from outdated canon—namely the Golden and Silver Ages—when referencing these villains, a choice that clashes directly with firmly established contemporary continuity. In current canon, Two-Face, Penguin, Clayface, and Mr. Freeze all unquestionably appear before Robin’s debut, making any attempt to place their origins afterward untenable. Rather than presenting these contradictions outright, Waid and Wielgosz could have made an effort to creatively reconcile their favored Golden and Silver Age elements with contemporary continuity. For instance, these villains could have initially confronted Batman in secret during his earliest years, operating outside the public eye, before later making their well-known public debuts against Batman and Robin. Instead of attempting such a reconciliation, New History of the DC Universe simply combines old canon with conflicting contemporary canon wholesale, resulting in avoidable inconsistencies and errors.↩
- [17]COLLIN COLSHER: In current continuity, the only example of Batman being specifically being captured and made into an attempted ritual sacrifice (prior to 2022) is during his Omega Sanction time-jaunt when the Black Glove tries to kill him. Even the Dynamic Duo’s major cult opponents—the cult of the Mad Monk, Kobra cult, Church of Blood, Religion of Crime, Order of St. Dumas, Deacon Blackfire’s cult, False Face Society, etc—won’t really attempt to sacrifice them. Yes, they will definitely try to kill Batman and Robin, but not via ritualistic sacrifice. In fact, while there are plenty of instances of Batman and Robin dealing with cults sacrificing other people, there are only a few prior-continuity instances of Batman and/or Robin themselves winding up captive and in a ritualistic sacrifice situation (aside from the aforementioned Black Glove incident and Detective Comics #107). Theses instances include Batman #142 Part 3 (versus Dr. Hartley’s cult), The Brave and The Bold #98 (versus Clorinda and Enoch’s coven of witches), Batman #271 (versus a Vedic Agni-worshipping cult), and Batman Annual #27 and Detective Comics Annual #11 (versus La Saligia).↩
- [18]COLLIN COLSHER: The JH Williams flashback scene from Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #1 Part 2 (2020) is meant to be a generic nod to the Golden Age, specifically paying tribute to Dick Sprang (although it’s curiously drawn in the style of Paul Pope). As noted above, while there were indeed a few giant typewriters in Batman’s past (mostly in the Golden Age and Silver/Bronze Age), the only time Riddler canonically engaged with a giant typewriter was in Gerard Jones’ Run Riddler Run #3 (1992), which itself falsely insinuated an apocryphal prior Riddler typewriter story. Riddler also has also been shown with a giant typewriter (albeit non-canonically) in Neil Gaiman’s Secret Origins Special #1 Part 3 (1989), Bill Messner-Loebs’ Batman newspaper strip story “The Deadly Riddle” (1991), a DC Nation Shorts animated episode (2013), and the Justice League Action cartoon series (2016). In any case, we can probably take our Rebirth/Infinite Frontier Era Riddler typewriter item as a unique Golden Age-inspired flashback. As referenced in Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s Batman and Robin Vol. 3 #27 (2025), many years from now, Batman will refer to the giant typewriter specifically as “Riddler’s old typewriter,” so—in contemporary canon—even the Caped Crusader will come to link ownership of oversized machine with Riddler. To reiterate, while Riddler was never originally connected to a giant typewriter in the Golden Age or Silver/Bronze Age, the Mandela Effect of him using one in Batman’s earliest days (which first reared its head with Gaiman, Messner-Loebs, and Jones in the 80s and 90s) has long since carried over into present continuity, backed by Williams (the first creator to give it life via a fully fleshed-out flashback image) and Johnson (the first creator to say outright that Riddler used the oversized prop back in the day). Notably, Tom King’s non-canon Batman: One Bad Day – The Riddler #1 (2022) also connects Riddler to the giant typewriter.↩
- [19]COLLIN COLSHER: Here’s a quick rundown of the Map of the Multiverse. The outermost layer is the infinite-sized sentient lacuna known as the Overvoid/Monitor-Mind, which is comprised of the living Source. (The God of the Abrahamic faiths is pure Source.) Moving inward, we cross through the Source Wall to enter the Monitor Sphere (aka Nil). Moving inward still, there exist various pockets of Limbo, including The Place Between Pages (aka Comic Book Limbo) and Purgatory. The next layer is the Sphere of the Gods, which is home to the Underworld realms (the Phantom Zone, Hades, Erishkagal, Annwn, etc), Hell (yes, Christian Hell is its own thing, separate from the Underworld), Apokolips, Nightmare, and more. Notably, Purgatory is the Limbo space directly adjacent to Hell. Likewise, the Place Between Pages is a Limbo space beyond the fourth wall of fiction where unused characters are banished.↩
- [20]ISRAEL SILVA: One of the books shown on the Batcave library shelf in Detective Comics Annual #2 (2019) is entitled “Lost Year.” This could be a random book, but it could also be a reference to Kate Kane’s “lost year” when she went on a bender after being kicked out of the army. In the Modern Age, Nightwing had a “lost year” in the form of Marv Wolfman’s “Nightwing Year One,” but this is not canon in the Rebirth/Infinite Frontier Era, so it is unlikely that the “Lost Year” book is a reference to that. It’s also possible that “Lost Year” nods to the Modern Age’s so-called “Missing Year,” a full year hiatus that Batman took during the 52 and “One Year Later” series. Referenced in many comics, the hiatus from 52 is definitively canon on the Rebirth/Infinite Frontier timeline. However, thanks to sliding-time and compression, there’s no room in contemporary canon for Batman to be away for a full year (even if a lone reference in Blue Beetle Vol. 10 #7 implies at a specific yearlong duration). Therefore, while the “Lost Year” book could have been intended as an acknowledgement of 52, it simply cannot be. Also note that one of the books on the shelf is entitled “Year Zero.” This is not a reference to Batman’s first year in action. It is merely a log of Riddler’s “Zero Year” scheme, which briefly occurs during Batman’s first year.↩
- [21]COLLIN COLSHER: Geoff Johns’ Doomsday Clock (2020) retconned things so that Diana debuted as Wonder Woman in the early 1940s as a founding member of the JSA. However, Mark Waid’s New History of the DC Universe #1 (2025) undid that retcon, returning Queen Hippolyta to her role as the original Wonder Woman while making Diana’s debut as new Wonder Woman here-and-now. While mentioning Waid’s New History of the DC Universe, we should also note that issue #2 of that series pushes the meeting of Batman and Superman (as seen in Waid’s own Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #18-19) from Year One or Two to here in Year Three, which also subsequently forces the introduction of Diana into this year as well. Prior to Waid’s retcon (and as the text in Wonder Woman Vol. 5 Annual #1 Part 1 more-or-less still reads despite the change), Diana’s debut originally took place earlier as well. To reiterate, just as before, Superman and Batman still meet Diana shortly after meeting each other, but, thanks to Waid, it now occurs here in Year Three.↩
- [22]KIPFAN: Wonder Woman Vol. 5 Annual #1 Part 1 is part of Diana’s origin story i.e. the “Wonder Woman: Year One” from Wonder Woman Vol. 5 #1-14. It occurs shortly after the events of Wonder Woman Vol. 5 #10. Notably, in the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2, Dave Wielgosz erroneously places “Wonder Woman: Year One” prior to a bunch of key events, including the first ever meeting of Batman and Superman. This obviously is very incorrect—not only contradicting Mark Waid’s overall narrative, but also the narrative of Wonder Woman Vol. 5 Annual #1 Part 1 itself. This is an especially odd mistake since Wielgosz is a close writing partner to Waid. Not to mention, Wielgosz was even an editor on Wonder Woman Vol. 5 Annual #1 Part 1.↩
- [23]COLLIN COLSHER: Note that Superman vs Lobo is a Black Label title, meaning that its canonicity could go either way. Since there is nothing within the Superman vs Lobo arc that seems to contradict continuity, I’ve regarded it as canon. Bear this in mind as you regard future instances of this title.↩
I think Superman’s relationship with Lori Lemaris only happened back in his college years prior to becoming Superman, not in the present day.
Ohh I was trying to do a brief refresher of their relationship and Wikipedia wasn’t helping me lol. I’ll def fix that!
I wanted your thoughts on whether or not Batman: Dark Patterns is canon or not. It’s stated to take place three years into Bruce’s career as Batman.
It’s definitely meant to be canon. I already have the first couple issues up in Year Four. As always, we’ll keep a close eye on it lol
>”Notably, James Tynion’s Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular Part 7 tells us Tim is specifically four-years-old at this time”
I read the issue and i couldn’t find any reference to Tim being 4 years old. All i did find was that he is “not even 20 years old” by the time the Gotham Knights were created.
Huh, yeah I don’t know where I read that specific “4-years-old.” I wonder if it was in another story from that issue? Maybe I imagined it? I’ll erase it for now. Thank you!
In Batman: Lost we see various books detailing Batman’s previous cases and adventures. Notably, “Dark Victory” is among these books. I wanted to know how valid this is as reference material as, despite being part of a dream/hallucinatory sequence, it is still meant to reflect actual cases that Batman went through like The Case of the Chemical Syndicate was.
Hey Israel. I have a footnote about Batman: Lost in the Early Years section of the site that addresses it. “Batman: Lost is canon, featuring Batman having a hallucinatory trip. While most of the story is basically an intense fever dream, it does wink and nod at various points of Bruce’s life. As such, Batman: Lost can and should be used as a reference for various important (and some much less important) events of Bruce’s life. But, due to its aforementioned dreamlike nature, we may not be able to trust all of the nitty-gritty details that can be gleaned from it. Make of that what you will, moving ahead.”
I think, though, since “Dark Victory” is mentioned, Batman: Lost can stand as a reference to it. I will add! Thanks.
Upon rereading that scene, He mentions that all those events happened, but simultaneously notes that about half of the events in his own timeline are contradictory.
I’m fairly sure everything on the Batman: Lost “hallucination bookshelf” is accounted for in some, way, shape, or form on our timeline now anyway. So it all worked out in the end!
–REFERENCE: In Batman and Robin Vol. 3 #18. Batman tells Robin about his time working against the legendary Memento serial killer from years ago. Notably, still troubled by the case, Batman will choose not to speak about Memento with any other people, moving forward.
Third entry references Robin at the beginning of this year.
Good catch. Thanks, Mike!
Batman #1 Part 3 “The Cat”. If this occurs after Robin’s debut, does this mean that Batman& Catwoman manage to go through Dark Victory without actually meeting? That’s impressive.
Both “Long Halloween” and “Dark Victory” are bare bones versions of what they were in current canon. In fact, many would argue that the are both non-canon (and they’d have a fair point to make). For me, since there are some minor elements that still remain from both stories, I’ve kept them in but with “loosely based on” language (instead of “originally told in”). For contemporary “Dark Victory,” it’s really just the mafia scene stuff that must be factored in, setting that stage for Waid’s Batman & Robin: Year One, which more or less replaces the meat-and-potatoes of “Dark Victory.” So, yeah, Catwoman really has nothing to do with either version on our contemporary timeline.
That’s basically what I thought. The language implies that Batman & Catwoman take them on together, but i figured it must be essentially separate parallel adventures if she appears at all
Bat and Cat def meet in Year One, but they only have a super-villain vs superhero relationship, nothing romantic whatsoever. Not until the boat in Y3, where they realize they are in love. So any item featuring Catwoman prior to that can include her interacting with Batman, but the context might need to be reimagined.
Whereabouts would Superboy #68’s Bizarro story fall upon this timeline? Does it occur in the 90s alongside Batman’s globetrotting?
Similarly, is there a specific story and time referenced for the cloned Bizarro from Lex?
And actually while I’m asking these pain-in-the-butt Superman questions, which origin is actually canon for this Superman? I’ve been hunting online and they basically just say read all Modern & New 52 stories and call that the origin, but obviously that’s not.. well that’s just stupid lol
Superboy #68 happens while Clark is a teenager, so yeah, likely while Bruce is training abroad. Bizarro (from Red Hood’s Outlaws) and Forever Evil being canon in some form (and featuring Luthor’s B-0) speaks to Luthor’s original Bizarro clone being canon. There are likely a handful of specific issues that could function as a canonical reference of sorts.
I have a question about this timeline. Looking at Batman: Dark Patterns #9, there’s an implication that the series is set not long after the Dark Victory event. Does this have any impact on the current Earth-0 timeline?
Hi Ben. Other than Hayden Sherman’s art being clearly influenced by Tim Sale’s, there’s nothing that connects Dark Patterns to Dark Victory, which itself is a very pared down version of the original on our contemporary timeline. In any case, while I’ve split up the individual arcs of Dark Patterns to give them some breathing room (and because they seem to have some space in between each part), I still have the entire series in Y4-Y5, which is not long after where Dark Victory is in Y3. (Dark Patterns #1 undeniably begins in Y4.) While there’s nothing definitive, there’s probably a viable version of Dark Patterns that is less spread out than what I have, one where maybe even all its issues go in Y4. Either way, I’ll think about it some more. Thanks!
It’s a rather minor Easter egg, but in Issue #9, the suit worn during the LH & DV events is stored in the Batcave, and concept art suggests these incidents also occurred on Prime Earth.
The suit worn in Long Halloween and Dark Victory isn’t a different suit than the one he wears in Frank Miller’s Year One. It’s the same one. It’s just that Tim Sale stylizes the Bat-symbol a little differently. Admittedly, though, I agree with you—Hayden Sherman is definitely making a very specific reference here. However, imo it’s less of a canonization of Long Halloween and Dark Victory—it’s a simple nod to the artist that has most clearly influenced his style, the late great Sale. Suffice to say, I already have listed entries for Long Halloween and Dark Victory on our contemporary timeline, so this Easter Egg (taken in any capacity) wouldn’t have any significant bearing. No matter what, Long Halloween and Dark Victory can only exist as highly compressed skeleton versions of what they were in the Modern Age.
Thanks for the input, Ben! I will definitely make note(s) of this on the site. It’s a very fascinating (and rare) scenario if you think about it. An artist is clearly referencing a specific story via Easter Egg but it’s carefully not anything specific from said narrative—really only the specific artistic style of something from said comic (and something that wouldn’t really shake up continuity in any way).