Rebirth Year Nine

Rebirth Era (Post-“Superman Reborn”) Chronology

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YEAR NINE (2010)
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–REFERENCE: In All-Star Batman #10. Bruce and Alfred visit Miami. Alfred takes notice of the construction boom that is going on in the city.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #12 Part 5. At a carnival, Batman fights longtime henchman-for-hire Barney, who now works for Joker and is dressed up like a clown.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics 2025 Annual #1 Part 2. Batman fights Scarecrow, shutting down his laboratory. Afterward, the lab is torn down and cleaned-up. Bruce helps fund the building of Gotham Public Middle School 96 on the very spot of Scarecrow’s former lab. Construction begins. Bruce also sets up the Wayne Family Trust to provide food subsidies to the school.

–REFERENCE: In Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War – Battle Lines #1 and Batman Vol. 3 #137. Batman fights Mr. Freeze, who uses new henchmen Marcus Tolliver, Stan Bevington, and Jimmy Milford. Moving forward, Tolliver and Bevington will primarily work for Mr. Freeze, but they will also occasionally work for Joker. As far as we know, Milord will stay loyal to Mr. Freeze. While we won’t actually see Tolliver, Bevington, or Milford listed on any jobs on our timeline ahead, we know that Batman will indeed encounter them again, so we can imagine them randomly attached to future items.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #3 Part 1. As Matches Malone, Batman befriends affable gangster Mikey Briffa, who is a part of the Grande Mob (led by Vito Grande). Matches and Mikey become good friends, finding legitimate common ground over baseball. Moving forward, Matches and Mikey will often watch baseball games together, during which Batman will pump Mikey for intel. We’ll have to imagine Batman’s visits with Mikey happening sporadically ahead on our timeline.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1100 Part 3. Batman fights some of Riddler’s henchmen, two buff dudes with question marks on their foreheads.

–REFERENCE: In Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War – Battle Lines #1. Batman fights Riddler, who uses a new henchman named Roland Garner. Moving forward, Gardner will work for Riddler, Mr. Freeze, and eventually Professor Pyg. While we won’t actually see Roland listed on any jobs on our timeline ahead, we know that Batman will indeed encounter him again, so we can imagine him randomly attached to future items.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Urban Legends #20 Part 4. Bruce’s longtime friend Liza Nielsen is murdered by her abusive partner. Batman works the case, but fails to achieve justice when the culprit commits suicide.

–REFERENCE: In Batman vs Robin #1. Zatanna gives Batman a tour of her new magick home, which includes sentient paintings that act as defense sentries. Zatanna gives Batman a magick key that can be used to turn any door into an entryway to her home. Batman stores the key securely in the Batcave.

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

–FLASHBACK: From Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular Part 5. February—Bruce’s birthday. Robin gives Batman a birthday gift—Thomas Wayne’s old broken wristwatch, which he and Alfred had found hidden in Wayne Manor months ago. Since the watch is broken, Robin asks to keep it, saying he will return it to Batman when it is fixed.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Urban Legends #19 Part 4. Bruce and Alfred meet and befriend James Dagota, billionaire head of Dagota Industries, and his executive valet Danny Starr. Dagota and Starr, who maintain a large art collection, bond with both Bruce and Alfred over their shared love of art and antiques. While we won’t see it on our timeline ahead, Bruce will interact with Dagota and Starr off-and-on for many years to come. Bruce and Alfred also meet the loathsome art dealer Gregory, who they will see every once in a while but much less often than Dagota and Staff.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Urban Legends #19 Part 3. Batman confronts an escaped Two-Face, who briefly regains control of his dark half, allowing his Harvey Dent persona to soberly emerge. During this period, Harvey tells Batman that he hates flipping his coin and feels burdened by its binary limitations. In the seconds before the heads or tails is revealed, while the coin is still in the air, Harvey feels solace imagining all the endless possibilities that could occur if only he’d give himself the opportunity to be free. Tragically, the moment passes, darkness takes over, and Two-Face flips his coin as he always does.

–Batman: Urban Legends #14 Part 2
The Question (Vic Sage) finds evidence that Wayne Enterprises is involved in corruption, so he starts messaging Batman (who ignores him). Eventually, the Question shows up in Gotham to show Batman his evidence—secret military R&D and off shore bank accounts, which are linked to Batman’s operations (although the Question doesn’t know that). Together, Batman and the Question enter a WayneTech distribution center where they discovers that some WayneTech security guards have been skimming off the top of Batman’s own skimming. When the Question attacks Batman thinking he’s at the heart of a conspiracy, the only thing for Batman to do is unmask and reveal his secret ID. Batman then explains that he uses WayneTech for his war on crime, but that these bad seeds need to be rooted out. Batman and the Question then bust the crooks.

–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Detective Comics #1055. Bruce partners with Ted Kord to open the Wayne-Kord Rehabilitation Center in Gotham.

–FLASHBACK: From The Silencer Annual #1. Talia al Ghul sends her brainwashed League of Assassins agent (and lover) known only as The Silencer to Gotham on a mission to protect Batman from The Reaper, a hitman sent after the Dark Knight by Ra’s al Ghul. (This is a third Reaper, not to be confused with the previous two Reapers on our timeline.) The Silencer, using the cover name “Honor,” moves into a Gotham brownstone, meeting real estate broker Blake Guest. On her big night, the Silencer pauses to save a family from being mugged, which allows Batman to get the jump on her. They fight to a stalemate. The Reaper then shows up and injures Batman, but the Silencer chops the Reaper’s head clean off before fleeing into the shadows. Later, Honor has a pleasant exchange with Blake, taking his card. (She’ll later marry Blake and have a child with him.) Honor returns to Talia, who tells her that she plans on starting her own organization separate from her father’s. This organization will be known as Leviathan.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 1. Batman fights Clayface (Basil Karlo).

–REFERENCE: In Doomsday Clock #6—originally told in Detective Comics #591. An Australian Aborigine vigilante named Umbaluru travels to Gotham City to retrieve an ancient artifact stolen from his people during a massacre by White settlers. Upon arrival in the big city, the Aborigine warrior starts killing people. Batman gets involved, but, in the end, Umbaluru escapes without a trace.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #79. For the third time, Catwoman steals the Coner Diamond from the Gotham Museum, but as before, Batman steals it right back.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #982—originally told in Batman: The Cult. Immortal Christian preacher Joseph Blackfire obtains converts to his fanatical patristic sect by spiking homeless shelters and pantries’ food offerings with mind-altering drugs. These poor folks quickly become Deacon Blackfire’s cult of followers, helping him capture Batman. For a week, Batman is chained-up beneath Blackfire’s church where he is tortured and drugged. Batman eventually musters up enough thew to break free. Blackfire’s followers then turn on and kill their own leader.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #6 Part 5 and Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #18 Part 1. Batman fights strongman newcomer Amygdala (Aaron Helzinger).

–Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #18 Part 1
When a super-villain called Doubt (Benjamin Bilk) begins using his metapower of persuasion to rob WayneTech’s Wayne Investment banks, Batman is on the case. The Dark Knight equips himself with a liquid muzzle spray and confronts Doubt mid-heist. Despite spraying Doubt’s mouth shut, the villain is able to kayo Batman with a pre-recorded message of his voice, causing Batman to have nothing but anxiety and doubt regarding his war on crime. With Doubt’s recorder in hand, Batman returns to the Batcave only to collapse as a result of a severe panic attack. Worried, Alfred immediately calls Nightwing, who rushes over. Thankfully, Batman is able to overcome the demons in his head by thinking of Alfred and his destiny as a superhero. Back to his senses, Batman creates a fake recording of Doubt’s voice. He confronts Doubt again, using the recording to nullify the super-villain’s powers, leading to an easy bust.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1000 Part 11 and Detective Comics #1004. Young Astrid Arkham watches through a hole in an Arkham Asylum wall as Batman violently ends yet another prison riot. Astrid will secretly watch Batman from afar whenever he sets foot inside Arkham Asylum. Over time, she will grow to deprecate Batman.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: The Detective #3. Henri Ducard meets up with Batman, revealing that he knows he is Bruce under the mask.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #1. Bruce, Dick, Jason, and Babs pose for a photograph together. The photo gets developed and framed before getting hung up in Wayne Manor.

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–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #161—and referenced in Batgirl & The Birds of Prey #11, Doomsday Clock #2, Doomsday Clock #6, Batman Beyond Vol. 8 #18, Batman Vol. 3 #49, Batgirl Vol. 5 #47, The Joker Vol. 2 #3, The Joker Vol. 2 #10, Knight Terrors: Batman #1, Batman Vol. 3 #139, and Batman Vol. 3 #158—originally told in The Killing Joke. Joker kidnaps Commissioner Gordon and shoots Barbara Gordon in the spine. The sadistic Joker undresses Babs, takes pornographic pictures of her, and leaves her for dead. Thankfully, Babs is rushed to the hospital and stabilized, but she is permanently paralyzed from the legs down. Batman brings Joker to justice at his brand new abandoned Amusement Mile lair (aka the Ha-Ha-Cienda), rescuing Gordon from further physical and psychological torture. As the cops arrive in the pouring rain, Batman throttles a laughing Joker and, due to the futility of their never-ending war, can’t help but sonorously laugh out loud as well. Things’ll never be the same after this. Batman does his best to console Commissioner Gordon. Shortly thereafter, Batman and Commissioner Gordon visit the hospital to oversee Babs’ operation. They learn she will likely never walk again. The mayor orders Commissioner Gordon to take mandatory time off (psychiatric leave) following the tragic incident, appointing Captain Dave Wójcik as interim commissioner. A crestfallen Batman puts Batgirl’s costume on display in the Batcave. (Note that Batman: Knightwatch – Batman Day Special Edition #1 aka Batman: Knightwatch #1 also shows Batgirl’s costume on display in the Batcave, although colorist Carrie Strachan takes some cheeky liberties by making it purple à la Batman ’66.)

–FLASHBACK: From Bug! The Adventures of Forager #1—and referenced in Justice League Vol. 4 #1-2, Justice League Incarnate #4, Batman Vol. 3 #129, the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #3, and DC KO: The Kids are All Fight Special #1. Originally told in Cosmic Odyssey #1-4. Darkseid has long searched for the Anti-Life Equation, the cosmic sentient mathematical formula with which one can dominate all life. Now, Darkseid thinks he’s finally found it, but in actuality he has only discovered an aspect of it in the form of the Anti-Life Entity, which, now stirred-up, threatens to destroy everything. (The Anti-Life Entity is secretly controlled by the Great Darkness aka the Hand of the Great Darkness.) The other aspect of the Anti-Life Equation lies within the Great Darkness’ polar opposite—a numinous entity called The Source, which exists/resides beyond the cosmic barrier at the edge of the universe known as the Source Wall. The Source is also known as The Presence, The Hand of the Light, The White Hand of Creation, and The Great Hand of Creation, and the Abrahamic God. These super-celestial beings are known as Great Hands.^[3] Unable to control the Anti-Life Entity, Darkseid asks for the aid of his rivals, the “good” New Gods of New Genesis. After forming a truce, the New Gods’ leader Izaya—known as Highfather—recruits Earth’s top heroes to save the universe. The New Gods tell Batman information about the Source Wall and their myths regarding the Source/the Source Wall. Afterward, the heroes split up into pairs. Batman and Forager save Earth. Superman and Orion save Thanagar. Lightray and Starfire save Rann. Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern John Stewart fail to save Xanshi. Because of a grave error in judgment by John Stewart, millions perish. Stewart goes into a dark emotional state and will never be able to forgive himself. Despite this, in the end, the heroes prevail. Unfortunately, Forager falls in battle, going into a dormant state akin to death. The heroes assume Forager is dead, mourning his loss. Orion makes a racist/classist comment about the fallen Forager, so Batman punches-out Orion! Afterward, the Earth heroes keep some New Genesis weaponry, stocking it in the Justice League armory. The heroes also keep Orion’s astro-harness as a trophy. The heroes will keep New Genesis weaponry and tech in all their HQs, moving forward.

–REFERENCE: In the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #3—originally told in Justice League International #11-14. Rocket Red Dmitri Pushkin officially joins the JLI, helping them defeat the evil AI known as Kilg%re, severing its influence over Max Lord. Afterward, Fire (Beatriz da Costa) and Ice (Tola Olafsdotter) officially join the JLI as well.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III #5, Batman: Black and White Vol. 5 #1 Part 2, Batman: Urban Legends #4 Part 1, The Joker Vol. 2 #9, Batman Vol. 3 #125, Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #14 Part 5, New History of the DC Universe #3, and Detective Comics #1106—and referenced in Trinity Vol. 2 #12, Detective Comics #965, Detective Comics #968, Detective Comics #987, New Talent Showcase 2017 #1 Part 1, Red Hood & The Outlaws Vol. 2 #23, Batman: Kings of Fear #2, Batman Beyond Vol. 8 #26, Truth and Justice #12, Batman: Urban Legends #7 Part 1, Batman: Legends of Gotham #1, Knight Terrors: Robin #1, Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #13 Part 4, and Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman #5. Originally told in “A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.” Note that Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman #5 specifically places this item in February, but that’s totally incorrect and must be ignored. While the Dynamic Duo is taking down a ring of child pornographers, Robin disobeys Batman’s orders. The bad guys are still busted, but Batman is so angry, he suspends Robin from further action. Soon afterward, Robin learns that his mom (Dr. Sheila Haywood), whom he thought died years ago, is actually still alive. Tracking her to Ethiopia, Robin finds her mixed-up with Joker. The super-villain has already obtained a cruise missile from the Santa Priscan military (courtesy of the Network’s Dr. Friedrich Baum) and is now planning on smuggling deadly nerve gas out of Ethiopia. While Batman chases the warhead and nerve gas, Robin and his mom are brutally murdered by Joker, who beats the former to death with a crowbar. Batman weeps while holding Robin’s body, but he removes his costume in an effort to keep the Bat-Family secrets safe. Back in Gotham, a funeral is held and Batman puts the second Robin’s tattered costume on display in memoriam in the Batcave. Batman also puts one of Jason’s unblemished costumes on display, along with a sign that reads “A Good Soldier.” The Dark Knight is emotionally shattered by Jason’s passing. (From this point forward, Batman will still take on young sidekicks, but he will question whether or not he’s helping or ruining their lives. Batman will be plagued with these thoughts for the rest of his life.) Unknown to the Bat-Family, Talia al Ghul digs up Jason’s corpse and revives him via Lazarus Pit. Jason, angry at both Batman’s failure to save him and his non-lethal position in regard to punishing Joker, won’t make his return for a couple years, choosing to train for the perfect revenge in the meantime. (As referenced in Red Hood: Outlaw #33, Jason will travel to the mystical “Thousand Acres of All” to train with Ducra and the warrior people known as The All-Caste.) Talia’s ultimate plan for Jason is to have him crush Batman and eventually take over the League of Assassins in place of her father.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #984. Alfred, who has always been enthusiastic about Batman’s teen sidekicks, now, in light of Jason’s murder, does a complete 180 degree turn. He doesn’t think Batman should use child soldiers anymore. Bruce and Alfred have a long discussion about the problematic nature of Batman using child soldiers. They will have many discussions about this topic, moving forward. These discussions won’t physically appear on our timeline—for the most part—and will have to simply be imagined scattered throughout the chronology, especially whenever a new sidekick comes along.

–DC Horror Presents… #3 Part 2
It’s very difficult to tell whether or not this item is supposed to be canon, but, presuming a happier ending (or any ending, for that matter) is tacked on, it’s plausibly canonical, especially since other stories in this anthology series seem to be in-continuity. Adam Strange accidentally and unwittingly carried parasitic alien spores to Earth where they infect and kill millions of people, causing their heads to swell up until they explode, releasing worms that form twisted horns that spike out of the split skulls. The worms then release more spores as a means of further propagation. It’s unclear how much of the planet is affected by the spores, but it’s highly likely that it’s contained to just one city or maybe a single seaboard. Either way, those affected adjust to the terrifying new status quo, wearing gas masks to go about their daily business. By the time Adam Strange returns to Earth (from his home planet of Rann), things have gotten exponentially worse within the affected area. An infected Superman (with a giant swelled-up noggin), Batman, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter approach Adam Strange, hoping to figure out how to stop the alien plague. The story ends there, but we can presume that the aliens are purged. Nevertheless, with millions killed, this is one of the most devastating and catastrophic events to ever occur to humanity.

–REFERENCE: In Robin Vol. 3 #1. Batman helps Green Arrow find his long lost son, Connor Hawke.

–REFERENCE: In Flash Vol. 5 #21, Doom Patrol/Justice League of America Special #1, and Batman Vol. 3 #151—originally told in Justice League International #19-21. Big Barda, Martian Manhunter, and Green Lantern G’nort go on a mission to deep space to rescue Mister Miracle from the interstellar villain Manga Khan. Meanwhile, Lobo joins the JLI, but is outed as a double-agent working for Manga Khan. He is kicked off the team and his hook and chain are put into the Justice League Trophy Room. Batman does a lot of homework on Lobo, learning that he is the last of the Czarnian people, having murdered everyone else on his home planet. Batman studies up on Czarnian life and history. Eventually, the whole JLI chases Manga Khan to Apokolips. After a fight against Manga Khan and a bunch of Parademons, an annoyed Darkseid teleports everyone away.

–REFERENCE: In Titans Vol. 4 2025 Annual #1. July 14. Batman is not involved in this item, but he would certainly be informed. Donna Troy gives birth to a baby boy, naming him Robert Long. Unfortunately, Donna and her husband Terry will divorce soon after this.

–The Joker Vol. 2 #10
Fed up with sitting at home and having refused to speak to a shrink, Jim Gordon goes back to work, defying his mayoral-mandated psychiatric leave. Interim Commissioner Dave Wójcik discusses the fact that Joker is loose again and there are even Joker copycats running about, but he ultimately tells Jim to go home. Back at the Gordon household, Jim finds his ex-wife Barbara and eight-year-old son James Junior waiting for him. Barbara says that James Jr needs to stay with him in Gotham for a little while, citing that he’s become darkly troubled and obsessed with Joker. After dinner, James Jr rummages through his dad’s Joker files. Batman visits the house, but a stressed-out Jim tells him to piss off. Later that night, James Jr steals his dad’s gun and runs away. A panicked Jim meets with Harvey Bullock, who tells him there’s nothing he can do. When a possible Joker case comes through on the radio, Renee Montoya gives Jim a sidearm and allows him to charge ahead solo. Jim finds a face-painted James Jr hand-in-hand with a Joker copycat. Batman prevents Jim from firing his piece and takes down the copycat. After securing the area, Batman pulls Jim aside to tell him some disheartening facts. First, only James Jr handled his stolen gun. Second, James Jr used household cosmetics (Babs’ makeup) to paint his own face. Combined with the fact that eyewitnesses saw James Jr laughing and playing with the copycat, this points to a scenario where the boy was certainly not kidnapped, and in fact sought out the copycat. Batman, having learned all about Jim’s recent sabbatical, urges him to take care of his family and to see a shrink.

–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #22, Doomsday Clock #2, Doomsday Clock #5, Batman Vol. 3 #68, Justice League Vol. 4 #40, DC’s Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun #1 Part 6, DC Power: Rise of the Power Company #1 Part 1, and New History of the DC Universe #3—originally told in the Invasion! arc. Several intergalactic alien races form a military alliance with the goal of eradicating all metahuman life on Earth (the planet deemed most threatening because it has the most metahumans). Secretly, The Dominators, evil leaders of the so-called “Alien Alliance,” want to replicate the metagene and create their own super-warriors. (In addition to the Dominators, the alliance comprises the following alien races: Khunds, Thanagarians, Psions, Durlans, the Gil’Dishpan, the Warlords of Okaara, Citadelians, and Daxamites.) During the alien invasion, human scientists become aware of the metagene that causes superpowers, which exists in around 12% of the population. After several nations fall under alien control, dozens—including the JLI, the Doom Patrol, the New Guardians, Green Lantern Corps (Hal Jordan, Kilowog, and Medphyll), Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, the Atom, Deadman, the Creeper, Power Girl, the Spectre, Animal Man, Hawk, Dove (Dawn Granger), Black Orchid (Susan Linden), Swamp Thing, new Starman (the spirit of previous Starman Gavyn merged with the living body of host vessel Will Payton), Amanda Waller, Max Lord, and General Wade Eiling—gather at a superhero summit to determine a plan of coordinated action.^[4] The war kicks into high gear, resulting in casualties on both sides, notably new Doom Patrol member Celsius and Blaze (Scott Fischer). (Note that Celsius comes back from the dead.) Eventually, the war is won and the Alien Alliance is defeated, but not before the Dominators detonate a “Gene Bomb.” The resulting massive energy explosion causes widespread global death to aliens and humans alike. Interestingly, the Gene Bomb also causes some people to gain super powers, most notably Max Lord, Crazy Jane, and Roland Desmond (who becomes the new Blockbuster).^[5] The Australian superhero known as The Tasmanian Devil is mutated by the Gene Bomb. Also notably, before their defeat, the Dominators do experiments on some humans, turning them into metahumans as well. These poor folks, known collectively as The Blasters, include Looking Glass and Snapper Carr. By the end of this episode, Batman has obtained a wealth of information about various extraterrestrial species, races, and planets.

–Batman: The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2 #20 Part 1
Batman saves a man that falls out of a burning building. As she’s done before, Zatanna prevents Bat-Mite from interfering.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Secret Files: The Gardener #1—originally told in Black Orchid #2. Black Orchid (Susan Linden) dies, leading to an Earth Elemental to become the new Black Orchid. Batman meets the confused new Black Orchid, telling her to chat with Floronic Man, Poison Ivy, and Swamp Thing to find out more regarding her origin.

–FLASHBACK: From The Human Target #1—and referenced in The Human Target #1 and The Human Target #3. The JLI, including newest official member G’nort, poses for a photo. The team also travels to the Ringbrak Dimension on an unspecified case. While there, each member of the team is exposed to a mysterious poison that will remain within their systems for decades to come.

–REFERENCE: In Doomsday Clock #5, Adventures of the Super Sons #1, and Justice Society of America Vol. 4 #6—originally told in Justice League International #24 and Justice League Europe #1-10. A splinter Justice League group is formed in the wake of the recent invasion. Thus, Justice League Europe is formed. Batman, while still remaining on the JLI, is heavily involved in the organization of the JLE. Operating out of the former JLI embassies and a castle in England, the JLE consists of Animal Man, Captain Atom, Crimson Fox, Elongated Man, Power Girl, and Rocket Red Dmitri Pushkin. Elongated Man’s wife, Sue Dibny, is an honorary member. Crimson Fox is initially a pair of twin sisters, Vivian D’Aramis and Constance D’Aramis, who switch on-and-off in the costumed superhero role. Note that the JLE will only last for less than a year before disbanding. Meanwhile, Dr. Fate and a rookie Huntress (Helena Bertinelli) join the JLI. Dr. Fate is still a merger of Eric Strauss and Linda Strauss, but Nabu does a gender switcheroo. Instead of using Eric’s mind/body as host, Dr. Fate now uses Linda’s mind/body (with Eric’s consciousness attached), giving us the first ever assigned-female-at-birth Dr. Fate.

–REFERENCE: In Batgirl Vol. 6 #7—originally told in Detective Comics #601-603 (“TULPA”). Tibetan-American mystic Tenzin Wyatt creates a monstrous Tulpa (a magickal doppelgänger), which—modeled after the demon god Mahākāla—runs amok in Gotham City. Batman—aided by Etrigan, Randhir Singh aka Randu Singh, and GCPD Lieutenant Stanley Kitch—fight and defeat the Tulpa.

–REFERENCE: In Harley Quinn Vol. 4 #47—originally told in Detective Comics #604-607 (“THE MUD PACK”). Clayface (Basil Karlo), Clayface V (Sondra Fuller), and Clayface III (Preston Payne) try and fail to animate the remains of the deceased Clayface II (Matt Hagen). The Clayfaces then capture Batman, but Karlo turns on his muddy pals, which leads to Batman defeating all four villains. Karlo is trapped deep underground. Concurrently, Sondra and Preston escape and fall in love. Preston impregnates Sondra. (In the Modern Age, Looker was a major part of this arc, but her appearance was later entirely retconned out. Therefore, it’s unknown if Looker is a part of this item in current canon. It’s likely she isn’t.)

–REFERENCE: In Event Leviathan #6 and DC/Marvel: Batman/Deadpool #1—originally told in Manhunter #17. Former attorney, anti-hero, ex-con, and ex-Suicide Squad member Manhunter (Mark Shaw) teams-up with reluctant partner Batman to bust a new Sportsmaster (ex-NFL player Victor Gover), a copycat of the original Sportsmaster (Lawrence Crock).

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #1000 Part 5, Detective Comics #1000 Part 10, and Batman Vol. 3 #159. September 21. Batman and Dr. Leslie Thompkins visit Crime Alley (as they do every year on the anniversary of the Wayne murders). Batman also visits the cemetery where his parents are buried.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Vol. 3 #101, Batman: Urban Legends #1 Part 4, Batman: Urban Legends #2 Part 4, and Batman: Urban Legends #3 Part 4. Batman learns about the secret machinations of billionaire tech pioneer Jacob Marlowe‘s Halo Corporation, which is secretly linked to several covert vigilantes and military operatives. Impressed but also wanting to keep tabs, Bruce initiates a partnership with the Halo Corporation, which includes the funding of a state-of-the art biotech research center and surgical facility. Lucius Fox is made an integral hands-on part of this venture. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Freeze and the Kobra Cult go into battle in Midway City against the Halo Corporation’s top group known as Team 6, which consists of handler John Lynch and his agents Deathblow (Michael Cray), Grifter (Max Cash), Deadeye (Cole Cash), Sleeper (Holden Carver), Backlash (Marc Slayton), and Slaphammer (Alex Fairchild). (Note that the Team 6 members aren’t aware that Halo Corp funds their ops.) Team 6 is decimated and Max Cash is seemingly killed. Superman and Wonder Woman come in to save the day, busting the bad guys. Bruce and Lucius arrange for Cole Cash to be saved and brought to the new facility where he is essentially turned into a super soldier. A “Dr. Stone” is said to conduct the surgery, and this is likely Silas Stone, especially since we are talking about a biotech procedure. Lucius tells Cole that his brother Max has died and left him his vigilante mask. Thus, Cole becomes the new Grifter. Bruce is debriefed by both Lucius Fox and John Lynch. (As per The Outsiders Vol. 5 #7, New History of the DC Universe, and the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #4, Jacob Marlowe and all the Team 6 members originally came from Earth-483 aka Wildstorm Earth, but, for some time now, they’ve lived on Earth-0 as permanent residents and will continue to do so.)

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: Urban Legends #14 Part 1. Batman and Zatanna (now back in her original sexy magician tuxedo costume) team up to fight an unnamed minotaur-like villain.

–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Detective Comics #1074. Batman saves a fella named Pete (owner of Pete’s Pizza) from some muggers. Pete will be inspired to go charitable deeds because of this experience.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #965, Robins #2, Strange Love Adventures # 1 Part 6, and Tim Drake: Robin #6—and referenced in Batwoman: Rebirth #1, Batman Beyond Vol. 8 #7, Detective Comics #967, Batman: One Bad Day – Two-Face #1, and DC KO: Knightfight #3. Originally told in “A LONELY PLACE OF DYING.” Batman, increasingly haunted by Jason’s death, becomes reckless to the point of sloppy—barely surviving regular patrols, losing fights, and badly hurting low-level opponents. After Batman struggles to defeat a pathetic copycat Ravager, the autodidactic Tim Drake, a fourteen-year-old boy genius that has followed his favorite hero’s career (and been secretly stalking Batman) for most of his life, makes his presence known. Having long ago deduced the secret IDs of Batman and his first two Robins, a worried Tim approaches Dick at the circus and begs him to become Robin again to re-inspire his old mentor. Dick takes Tim to Wayne Manor and he explains his story to Bruce and Alfred, who give the boy a tour of the Batcave. Nightwing then teams-up with Batman for the very first time to take on Two-Face. During the fight, the heroes wind up in dire straits. Tim dons Dick’s original Robin costume and gets a ride to the crime scene from Alfred! Tim, who has trained since he was very young, is able to bust Two-Face and save the lives of both Batman and Nightwing. Afterward, Bruce allows Tim to begin training to become the new Robin. Tim will train for the next six months. Strange Love Adventures #1 Part 6 shows a scene of Bruce taking Tim into Wayne Manor as a stone-faced Alfred watches on. This scene mirrors Bruce returning home to Wayne Manor from training abroad, Dick coming to Wayne Manor for the first time, and Jason Todd coming to Wayne Manor for the first time. Of course, the difference here is that Tim still lives with his dad, so this is more symbolic than literal in regard to Tim. Note that there’s currently nothing in contemporary canon that says how long Tim’s training period lasts. While Dick’s training period was virtually non-existent before he donned the Robin costume (as per Batman and Robin: Year One #1), Dick was already at an advanced level by the time he met Batman. In previous continuity, six months was the standard protocol, which is what I kept for Jason. Tim is arguably at a similar level as Dick, so it stands to reason that Batman would get him in costume right away. However, being that this is his third sidekick, coming off a tragic death of the previous Robin, it’s also easy to imagine Batman putting Tim through the full six months.

–REFERENCE: In Deathstroke Vol. 4 #35. Bruce and Tim get to know one another. Tim talks about his love of Ignatius Paul Pollaky, a 19th century private detective.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman: The Detective #4. Batman saves an entire bus full of people when their ride nearly slews over a cliff edge.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 3 #147. Bruce takes Tim to the Wayne family cabin in the woods. There, he teaches the inexperienced Tim the skill of archery.

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics Annual #3 (2020) Part 1—originally told in Batman #445-447 (“WHEN THE EARTH DIES!”). Batman travels to Moscow to fight KGBeast’s protégé Gregor Dosynski, better known as NKVDemon.

–Our Fighting Forces Giant #1 (Batman: Gotham Nights Vol. 3 #1)
November 16. Batman and a squadron of GCPD officers charge in a hail of gunfire to rescue a kidnapped Commissioner Gordon, who has been taken hostage by a gang of killer clowns. Gordon takes a bullet, but Batman saves him and busts most of the clowns. This action is mirrored by President Barack Obama delivering a speech and bestowing the Medal of Honor to war veteran Salvatore A Giunta, who went through a similar experience in Afghanistan a few years prior.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Giant #11 (Batman: Universe #5). Batman, Alfred, and Nightwing come up with a loose contingency plan for protecting Gotham, should Batman ever go missing in action. Basically, Nightwing will step in as Gotham’s temporary number one protector should the need ever arise.

–REFERENCE: In The Batman Who Laughs #4-5. Blackgate Penitentiary (aka Blackgate Prison) opens a special wing for Arkham Asylum inmates that are on the road to transfer. Batman will closely monitor this wing, moving forward. Batman also begins surveilling and familiarizing himself with the prison guards at Blackgate, especially its Adult Protective Services squad. This surveillance and familiarization includes not only building detailed files on the guards themselves, but also on their families. It’s likely that Batman initiates this protocol for Arkham Asylum’s staff too. In an unspecified incident in the Arkham Wing of Blackgate shortly after its opening, Batman teams-up with Blackgate APS officers David Harper, David Jimenez, Laurie Lenner, Pine, and Gantz.

–REFERENCE: In Batman Secret Files #1 Part 3 and Red Hood: The Hill #3. Batman makes his first patrol of Gotham’s poorest neighborhoods, the mostly African-American populated locale known as The Hill. Batman will rarely visit the Hill, unless he is shaking down corrupt GCPD cops. The few visits to the Hill that Batman will undertake in the future will happen invisibly on our timeline below. Notably, Batman will routinely drive through the Hill (without stopping) to get from Point A to Point B on his regularly scheduled patrols.

–FLASHBACK: From Detective Comics #1027 Part 3. December. An escaped Joker dresses up as Santa Claus and terrorizes a mall in celebration of Batman’s “birthday.” Batman busts the faux Santa.

–Joker: The World Part 5 (Joker: The World – Batman Day Special Edition #1 Part 4)
As part of a radical partnership between the US government and Brazilian government, Arkham Asylum opens a “franchise” prison called Arkham Colony in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Wanting to prove Arkham Colony’s legitimacy, its wardens obtain approval for Joker to be transferred into their ranks as prisoner number one. Concerned, Bruce flies down to Brazil under the guise of a Wayne Enterprises philanthropic campaign. As Joker is ushered into the new prison by Brazil’s homegrown superhero Fire (Beatriz da Costa) and some Amanda Waller-trained soldiers, Bruce trepidatiously watches the live newsfeed from his hotel. A prison barber tells Joker about the nearby Museu da Loucura, which was formerly home to one of the most notorious prisons in Brazilian history—the Hospital Colônia of Barbacena. Joker escapes custody, taking out Fire in the process, thus proving the Arkham Colony venture a failure. Batman swoops in and busts Joker, who mentions potentially franchising out his Joker image the same way Arkham just tried to copy itself. (We’ll see Joker try to start his international Joker franchise in the Batman-less Joker: The World Part 7. It won’t take off, but many years from now, inspired by Batman’s own Batman Incorporated, Joker will eventually create a short-lived Joker Incorporated.)

–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #957, Detective Comics #963, and Detective Comics #971—originally told in Detective Comics #608-609 (“ANARKY IN GOTHAM CITY”). Batman encounters teenage left wing anti-hero Anarky (Lonnie Machin), who hides beneath a large red cloak, holding his mask on a stilt above his head, in order to make himself look taller and hide his age. Anarky’s goal is to, by any means necessary, radicalize the lumpen masses by exposing the damage that decades of neoliberal disinvestment have caused to America. Batman takes umbrage with this, especially the “by any means necessary” part, and sends Anarky to Juvenile Hall. (Dave Weilgosz, in the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #3, incorrectly places Anarky’s debut after Tim’s debut as Robin. While Anarky does debut while Tim is training to become Robin, his debut—similarly to how it was in the Modern Age—is not after said training has finished.)

–REFERENCE: In Fire and Ice: Welcome to Smallville #3 and Fire and Ice: Welcome to Smallville #5—originally told in Justice League America #34. Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, and Kilowog embezzle funds from the JLI to open a resort casino on an island in the Pacific. Max Lord is furious when he finds out, while Batman is somewhat amused. The resort casino doesn’t last long, though, as everyone realizes it’s been built on a sentient living island known as Kooey Kooey Kooey. The angry island crumbles the structure to the ground.

–REFERENCE: In Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #36—originally told in “THE PENGUIN AFFAIR.” Batman brings down Penguin and his new henchwoman Lark.

–NOTE: Referenced in Teen Titans Vol. 6 #6, Batman Beyond Vol. 8 #7, Trinity Vol. 2 #16, Batman: Prelude to the Wedding Part 1 – Robin vs Ra’s al Ghul #1, Deathstroke Vol. 4 #32, Adventures of the Super-Sons #6, New History of the DC Universe #3, and Batman Vol. 4 #3—loosely based on Batman: Son of the Demon. Batman and Talia set aside their differences and meet peacefully. Old passions flare, but, despite this, Talia drugs Batman before having sex with him. Thus, a baby is conceived. Shortly afterward, the fetus is removed from Talia’s womb, grown using weird sci-fi technology, and delivered from an artificial incubator. Damian al Ghul (also known as Ibn al Xu’ffasch) is born.^[6][7] The entire existence of the child will be kept a secret from Batman for years to come. Damian will be raised by the League of Assassins and spend his entire youth training to be a killer. Ra’s al Ghul has specific plans to one day transfer his soul into Damian’s body, but Talia secretly isn’t (and never will be) on board with that idea.

–REFERENCE: In Action Comics #1082—originally told in Justice League America Annual #4. Batman isn’t directly involved in this item, but he would be in the loop. With Superman’s blessing, Max Lord reforms the members of the latest incarnation of the Injustice League (Big Sir, Clock King I, Cluemaster, Major Disaster, Mighty Bruce, Multi-Man, and Scarlet Skier) into the Justice League Antarctica. Lord appoints G’Nort as team leader. Suffice to say, this team will be very short-lived.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman Vol. 4 #7. Batman chases after Joker. Soon after, Joker dons a long purple trench coat and tries to steal a large diamond. Batman chases him again. (This item comes from the very psychedelic trifold splash page in Batman Vol. 4 #7, so it’s pretty vague.)

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Lost #1—originally told in Batman #452-454 (“DARK KNIGHT, DARK CITY”). Riddler, possessed by Barbatos, tricks Batman into going through a series of syncretist rituals that lead him to a hidden tomb. There, Batman witnesses hazy vision of 1765 in which several prominent figures, including Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Wayne (Simon Hurt), engage in an occult ritual to summon Barbatos. Hurt sacrifices a young woman named Dominique and considers the summoning a success, coming into contact with the defeated Hyper-Adapter in bat form (which he mistakes for the actual Barbatos). Hurt feasts upon the flesh of the Hyper-Adapter, which endows him with extended life/semi-immortality. Unknown to Hurt and company in 1765, Barbatos has used them as part of an opening rite of his “Mantling” ritual. The City of Gotham is now prepped to become the place of his arrival in just over 250 years’ time. After the vague and inscrutable flashback vision ends, Batman can’t quite make sense of it. Despite having just witnessed the origin story of Simon Hurt and a key part of Barbatos’ plan, Batman has no clue what this hallucinatory trip was all about. Nevertheless, the Caped Crusader finds the skeletal remains of Dominique and gives her a proper burial.

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<<< Rebirth Era Year 8 <<< ||| >>> Rebirth Era Year 10 >>>

1. ^[1]COLLIN COLSHER: A flashback from Harley Quinn 25th Anniversary Special #1 Part 2 shows Batman, Robin, and Batgirl busting Joker and Harley Quinn on Harley’s birthday. However, thanks to retcons by Mark Waid and Dave Wielgosz in New History of the DC Universe #3 and the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #3, this flashback is non-canon. (Waid and Wielgosz’s retcons move Harley’s debut later, but, for several reasons, we can’t just slide this item later.) First of all, this flashback was already on highly dubious continuity ground even before the retcons. One, it’s a memory narrated by Harley (a notoriously untrustworthy storyteller). Two, it supposedly takes place at a time period where Harley is dating Joker seriously (and will be for at least a year to follow) but paradoxically includes Batgirl, who is wearing her Burnside costume. I originally had this flashback here on the timeline, fully acknowledging Batgirl’s presence while including a major caveat that her incorrect costume must be ignored. But with Waid and Wielgosz’s additional retcon in play, it’s safe to say this flashback is fully non-canon. Be aware, though, it is possible that the main (non flashback) portion of Harley Quinn 25th Anniversary Special #1 Part 2, which details Harley’s birthday party a few years down the road, is still canonical.↩
2. ^[2]COLLIN COLSHER: Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red #9, which shows Poison Ivy teaming with Harley Quinn against Batman and Batgirl, is non-canon thanks to retcons by Mark Waid and Dave Wielgosz in New History of the DC Universe #3 and the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #3, which move Harley’s debut later on the timeline. Since this story features a pre-Killing Joke Batgirl, I originally had it here. Obviously, post-retcon, there’s simply no place for this story without radically ignoring most of the narrative details.↩
3. ^[3]COLLIN COLSHER: The Source (and Anti-Life) exists/resides beyond the cosmic barrier known as The Source Wall, which exists at the edge of each universe and operates as as the first barrier between gaining access to an alternate universe (although there are other means of traveling to alternate universes, such as Boom Tube technology, metahuman speed/vibrational/teleportation abilities, and weird sci-fi devices). Also beyond the Source Wall exists the Bleed, a tesseract space that serves as the final blank void/highway between universes. As revealed via flashback from James Tynion IV’s Justice League Vol. 4 #22, the Source Wall was created 15 billion years ago when the Judges of the Source, the Monitor, the Anti-Monitor, and the World Forger fought against Perpetua and her army. (Despite being associated with the Light, Perpetua went rogue and rebelled against the Source.) Upon defeat, Perpetua and her army were trapped in the Source Wall by Perpetua’s fellow Great Hand super-celestials. (The Source Wall was created by the Source specifically to be a prison for Perpetua and her cronies.) Notably, DNA from Perpetua’s warriors wound-up providing the evolutionary building blocks for proto-human life and proto-Martian life to emerge on their respective planets billions of years later. Also notable, since that time, the Source Wall has trapped many other adventurers that have dared attempt breaching through to the other side. These imprisoned explorers appear—intermixed with Perpetua’s frozen warriors—as gigantic stone idols attached to the face of the Source Wall.↩
4. ^[4]COLLIN COLSHER / ISRAEL SILVA: In the Modern Age, Batman teamed-up with the Will Payton/Prince Gavyn Starman prior to the Alien Alliance invasion, but this team-up clearly never occurs in the Rebirth/Infinite Frontier Era. We know this because, in Justice League Vol. 4 #9, which takes place years down the road, Batman will meet Payton for the first time. Because of this, we know that Batman doesn’t meet Payton during the Alien Alliance invasion either. Also of note, Justice League Vol. 4 #8 reveals that Payton received his superpowers from Perpetua’s Totality in 1988. However, New History of the DC Universe #3 makes it clear that Payton doesn’t become Starman until this year (not until he merges with Prince Gavyn). While Payton’s powers might indeed derive from a combination of energy from Prince Gavyn and the Totality, thanks to New History of the DC Universe #3 retcons, there’s simply no way that he got his powers in 1988. Justice League Vol. 4 #8 has a flashback that seems to show a time-traveling Lex Luthor attacking Starman (Payton) in 1988 and then keeping him imprisoned until 2018. Again, thanks to New History of the DC Universe #3, Starman couldn’t have been caught that early since he didn’t debut until this year. Instead, Luthor must capture Starman at some point in the early 2010s.↩
5. ^[5]COLLIN COLSHER: Originally, in the Rebirth Era, Roland Desmond didn’t become Blockbuster until shortly before Nightwing Vol. 4 #22—sometime around early Year 16. Of course, this was a radical departure from all prior canon. Thanks to several later references, Roland Desmond’s debut as Blockbuster (attached to the Gene Bomb) has been restored.↩
6. ^[6]COLLIN COLSHER: Originally, as per Robin Vol. 3 #1 (2021), Damian was fourteen-years-old by early 2021, requiring a timeline in which Damian was born in early 2007 (Year 6). However, thanks to retcon in Batman Vol. 4 #3 (2025), Damian is still fourteen-years-old in 2025. This means Damian must be born here in 2010 (Year 9). In the second feature to New History of the DC Universe #2, Dave Wielgosz (backed by Mark Waid’s research) leans into Grant Morrison’s vague concept that Damian has little to no gestation time (with his fetus being removed from Talia’s womb and immediately grown into a newborn baby via sci-fi methods). In New History of the DC Universe #3, Waid confirms this, saying outright that Damian was “artificially accelerated in age.” However, with this language, Waid and Wielgosz also (and maybe most importantly) give us the reason that a three-year-old Damian can appear to be in the age range of seven to ten-years-old when he gets dropped in his dad’s lap in a few years. His artificial aging isn’t just about gestation and infant development. Damian will get significantly aged up in a few years.↩
7. ^[7]COLLIN COLSHER: According to family history, like his mother before him, Damian does not really have a last name. However, the Westernized version of his full name, while incorrect in Arabic, is “Damian al Ghul.” The use of “Damian al Ghul” (with surname) is basically acceptable grammar even though it’s technically wrong.↩