Modern YEAR FOURTEEN (Part 2)

2002 (July to December)
_______________________________

–Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire #1^[1]
As stated above, Lake of Fire is canon on the primary DC timeline thanks to a reference in Batman #509. Marvel’s Punisher (Frank Castle) and Jigsaw have been transported from the Marvel Universe (Earth-616 or Earth-7642, depending on your source) to DC’s main Earth. It isn’t mentioned how or why this happens, nor do the characters speak of alternate Earths, but it does happen some way, somehow. Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) sees wanted posters for the Punisher, alerting him to the fact that a bad dude is in town. Meanwhile, having taken over one of Tony Bressi’s construction companies and poached one of his top men, Jigsaw plans to wreak mass destruction in Gotham and cash in on disaster-capitalism contracts afterward. Batman reluctantly teams up with the Punisher to chase after Jigsaw, but ultimately, the Punisher takes down Jigsaw solo. While Batman fights the Punisher, Joker helps Jigsaw escape. After the case wraps, the Marvel folks return to their correct universe.

–DC Retroactive: Superman – The ’90s #1
It’s supposedly been “nearly a year” since Doomsday killed Superman—actually, it’s been more like eight months, but whatever. (Snow makes sense if it’s really been a year, but, since it hasn’t, we must ignore the seasonal weather.) Metropolis still hasn’t fully recovered from the Doomsday affair. Now, Lex Luthor’s cloned body has begun to deteriorate. Dying and in a panic (afraid he’ll never live his dream of killing Superman), Luthor develops a giant worm-like monster known as a Cruiser, which he plans to sic on the Man of Steel. While neither Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) nor Bruce is seen in this issue, Bruce phones Clark at the Daily Planet offices, warning him that seismic activity has been occurring in the labs beneath LexCorp tower. (The seismic activity is Luthor preparing the Cruiser for attack.) Meanwhile, Lois visits some Underworlders, including Fancy Feet (erroneously called Neep) and Clawster, learning that Cadmus has poisoned many Underworlders. When the Cruiser strikes, Superman springs into action, saving dozens of lives, including the orphanage owner Myra Allen, the orphan Keith, and others. Eventually, Superman defeats the Cruiser, but not before it melts away all the hair on his head. Since Superman will have his usual luscious locks right after this, we must assume he wears a wig for a while!^[2]

–Detective Comics #674
“Knightquest: The Crusade” continues. While Batman patrols, the ruthless Gunhawk (Liam Hawkleigh) and Gunbunny (who will later change her name to Pistolera) enter the Gotham crime game, causing a ruckus when they conduct a few sniper assassinations. Harvey Bullock and Homicide Department detectives Murphy and Moses work the case. After being handed the investigation by Bullock, Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) soon tracks down Gunhawk and Gunbunny and fights them at a gun convention. Bunny is injured, but before Batman can apprehend the couple, they escape.

–The Outsiders Vol. 2 #7-9
This item goes immediately after Detective Comics #674, marking the start of a two-day gap between Detective Comics #674 and Detective Comics #675. The Outsiders—now featuring Geo-Force, Halo, Katana, Sebastian Faust, Charles Wylde, and Technocrat—have been framed for murder, causing them to butt heads with Commissioner Gordon in Gotham. When Halo suffers a schizophrenic meltdown, she turns on her teammates, who are forced to flee from the cops. The Outsiders then tell Gregg Briggs that his wife (Looker) may now be a vampire. Later, the Outsiders fight Sanction, who kills Halo and Marissa Barron (Technocrat’s wife)! Halo’s spirit enters Marissa’s body, allowing Halo to live on. Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) introduces himself to the Outsiders by fighting them. The Outsiders flee to Denise Howard’s apartment, but Faust is captured by Batman and taken to the Batcave. Faust immediately sells out his teammates, allowing Batman to fight the Outsiders once more. Batman defeats the Outsiders, leaving them for Gordon and the GCPD. Before swinging off, Batman tells everyone that he’s more interested in continuing his search for Gunhawk and Gunbunny. Besides Katana, Technocrat, and Halo, all the other Outsiders are jailed in New Jersey’s Slabside Metahuman Prison (aka Slabside Penitentiary for Metahumans aka The Slab). The incarcerated Outsiders are quickly bullied by various inmates, including the Masters of Disaster, King Snake, Blockbuster, Shrapnel, and The Trickster (James Jesse). The Masters of Disaster cause a prison riot, leading to the Outsiders’ escape. Inmates Dervish and the Eradicator (who has merged with Dr. David Connor) also escape, officially joining the Outsiders lineup.

KNIGHTQUEST: THE CRUSADE Continued…
———————–Batman #508
———————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #28
———————–Detective Comics #675
Picking up directly from The Outsiders Vol. 2 #9, Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) pauses his search for Gunhawk and Gunbunny when he realizes where Abattoir is hiding. Batman chases Abattoir into a foundry and dangles him precariously over a vat of molten metal. As Abattoir begs for salvation, Batman begins hallucinating visions of both St. Dumas and his dead father. Robin bursts onto the scene just in time to see Abattoir fall to a gruesome demise! (Abattoir’s final fate is also shown via flashback from Batman/Demon.) By allowing Abattoir to die, Batman, rather callously, has also caused the death of Graham Etchison (Abattoir’s still-missing abductee, who will now never be found). Not only has Batman taken the life of a monster, but he’s also inadvertently caused the death of an innocent victim. In SOTB #28, Commissioner Gordon finds out about Abattoir’s death and accuses Batman of murder. In a brilliant scene by Alan Grant, Gordon breaks down and demands to know what happened to the original Batman. Jean-Paul tells him that he is Batman, he always will be, and he’s not afraid to kill again. Enraged, Gordon smashes the Bat-Signal! Fueled by righteous anger, Batman violently patrols, after which he designs further upgrades to his costume. With exactly two days having passed since Detective Comics #674, Detective Comics #675 sees Gunhawk take over a hospital in an effort to get medical care for Gunbunny. After adding even more armor and lethal weaponry to the Bat-suit, Batman mercilessly brings Gunhawk to justice.

–Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #59-61 (“KNIGHTQUEST: THE SEARCH” Continued… / “QUARRY”)
As “Sir Hemingford Gray,” Bruce rents a flat in London to continue his ongoing search for Shondra Kinsolving. Bruce also tasks Robin with digging up more info about Shondra’s past. After visiting an orthopedist, who says that his spine will likely never recover more than it already has, Bruce phones Robin, who tells him that young Shondra and Benedict Asp once lived with an abusive foster family in Slag Lake, NJ. Meanwhile, Sir Gray’s name popping up in London draws the attention of Benedict Asp, who sends bodyguard Fritz after him. Despite his condition, “Gray” takes down Fritz and his henchmen. Bruce and Alfred then fly to Slag Lake, where they learn more about the psychic link between Shondra and Asp from their former foster mother, Minnie. From England, powered by a drugged Shondra, Asp telepathically murders Minnie. When Asp tries to do the same to “Lord Gray,” Bruce collapses and is hospitalized in Gotham. Using an alias, Asp then threatens to kill five heads of state, including the President of the United States. As the frail Bruce attempts to mobilize, Denny O’Neil gives us some of the strongest and most moving dialogue of the entire “Search” arc as Alfred tells Bruce he won’t help him go down a path that will only lead to his destruction. Alfred then legit quits, resigning from his post (!)—a scene that is also shown via flashback from Nightwing: Alfred’s Return #1 and Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31. The affecting dialogue continues as Alfred and Jean-Paul Valley discuss what it really means to be Batman. With tears in his eyes, Alfred tells Jean-Paul to help Bruce. To draw Asp’s attention, Bruce (as “Lord Gray”) makes a public scene in Gotham. Bruce (as Batman) then phones Commissioner Gordon. To prove who he is, Bruce references details from Frank Miller’s “Year One” that only the original Batman would have known! Bruce tells Gordon that there has indeed (obviously) been a new Batman these past months. Gordon is finally back in the loop! Bruce then records a message for Robin to be delivered to him a couple of days later. Arriving in Gotham, Asp and Fritz capture “Lord Gray.” Batman fails miserably in a rescue attempt, and Bruce is whisked away to Santa Prisca, where he is reunited with Shondra in a holding cell. Unfortunately, the forced use of her metapowers has burned her out to such a degree that her mind has begun to deteriorate. Bruce tells Shondra that, before the original kidnapping, he was planning on proposing marriage to her. As storm winds beat against the island, Fritz tries to kill Bruce, but Bruce kayos him. (We are told it’s the beginning of hurricane season, meaning either May or June, but it’s July, so we should ignore that wee bit of dialogue.) Asp then attempts to kill Bruce, but he is killed himself as Shondra uses her psychic powers on him. With her final coherent act before her mind completely regresses to a childlike state, Shondra heals Bruce’s spine! (This mystical healing is one of several events that have a significant impact upon Bruce’s resilient physical condition and lasting youthful appearance at an age where he should be well past his prime.) In the end, Bruce mourns the loss of yet another love, but he pays for Shondra’s long-term personal care in the hopes that she may one day recover. For anyone wondering, she will eventually recover, but not for many years.

–FLASHBACK: From Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #9 Part 2. Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) meets with Superman one-on-one for the second time. They team up to stop a murderous vigilante from executing mob boss Donnie Riven (twin brother of Metropolis crook Lonnie Riven).

–Robin Vol. 2 #7
This item occurs a few days after “Quarry,” functioning as the conclusion to both “Knightquest: The Crusade” and “Knightquest: The Search.” Robin continues to worry about Jean-Paul Valley’s descent into madness, but he takes solace in convincing himself that Bruce will want to become Batman again now that he’s back. However, Tim faces his worst fear when Bruce, healed but still recovering from his injuries, muses out loud that he may stay retired forever and live comfortably as a regular citizen. Bruce accompanies Tim, who reunites with his father for the first time since his kidnapping. (Jack Drake had been recovering from injuries in England ever since he was rescued.) Bruce is feeling happy-go-lucky until Tim reveals that Jean-Paul killed Abattoir. After breaking into the Batcave, Bruce and Tim soon have a confrontation with Batman. Bruce demands that Jean-Paul step down and return the mantle of the Bat to its rightful owner, to which Jean-Paul responds by punching Bruce and driving off in the Batmobile. Robin engages in a high-speed chase, but his kiddie car is no match for Batman’s ride. Back at Wayne Manor, Bruce tells Robin not to worry, saying he’ll reach out to Lady Shiva for training. Bruce assures Robin that, in due time, the fight will be brought to Jean-Paul.

KNIGHTSEND (aka KNIGHT’S END)
———————–Batman #509
———————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #29
———————–Detective Comics #676
———————–Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #62
———————–Robin Vol. 2 #8
———————–Catwoman Vol. 2 #12
Bruce (wearing a masked ninja costume) finds Lady Shiva on the outskirts of Gotham, hiring her to whip him back into shape. Bruce takes an apartment in the city, training solo there, but also moves into the woods, where Shiva trains him more intensely for three weeks straight. But when Bruce refuses to learn fatal techniques, Shiva decides to take things to another level. Wearing a Tengu mask, Shiva kills the Armless Master (a man who once trained Catwoman), knowing that his assistant Song Li will send his skilled devotees to seek revenge. Shiva gives the unwitting Bruce the Tengu mask and orders him to wear it at all times. (Bruce is familiar with the Tengu imagery from his training in Japan long ago.) Sure enough, two pissed-off martial artists attack, but Bruce takes them both down. Despite feeling better, Bruce still isn’t able to muster up the courage to free-fall from the top of a skyscraper. Meanwhile, on Bruce’s orders, Robin surveils Batman (Jean-Paul Valley), who has become more prone to hallucination as he violently deals with the remnants of the late Carleton LeHah’s crime syndicate, which Penn Selkirk now runs. After catching up with Nightwing and Robin, Bruce defeats the Armless Master’s third disciple. After still not feeling up to the skyscraper dive (twice more), Bruce takes down three ninja students and two disciples. Concurrently, Harold shows Robin and Nightwing around the Batcave. Robin and Nightwing continue to surveil an unsuspecting Batman as he continues to beat up members of Selkirk’s syndicate (and suffer hallucinations). After aborting a free-fall attempt midway, Bruce fights a swarm of ninjas and takes down the seventh disciple. Shiva, Robin, and Nightwing arrive just in time to see what looks like Bruce killing the guy. Of course, this is just a ruse to make Shiva think he’s committed murder. With Bruce’s training now complete in her eyes, Shiva takes back the Tengu mask and departs. Later, Bruce dons the Batman costume and makes the free-fall leap! He’s back! Having been involved in an explosive battle against Selkirk’s men at the Navy Yard, the other Batman (Jean-Paul) takes Selkirk head-on at his headquarters. Catwoman, hoping to steal from Selkirk to help her friend Brendan O’Boyle, is also present. Mistaking Selkirk for the deceased LeHah, Batman (Jean-Paul) goes ballistic. Batman (Bruce), Nightwing, and Robin arrive to intervene, challenging Batman (Jean-Paul)!

KNIGHTSEND (aka KNIGHT’S END) Conclusion
———————–Batman #510
———————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #30
———————–Detective Comics #677
———————–Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #63
———————–Robin Vol. 2 #9
Picking up directly from Catwoman Vol. 2 #12, while Robin, Nightwing, and Catwoman fight Penn Selkirk’s men, Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) fights Batman (Bruce) in the match of the century. Amid the collateral damage, Jean-Paul’s costume is engulfed in flames, leaving it permanently stained bright red. The duel ends in a draw when Batman (Bruce) pauses to save Catwoman’s life. (This battle is also shown via flashback from Catwoman Vol. 2 #13 and DC Universe Legacies #8, although the latter appears as a highly abridged recap that features an unreliable narrator who has only obtained information from newspaper reports.) When Batman (Bruce) tries to access the booby-trapped Batmobile, it explodes, nearly killing him. Batman (Jean-Paul) bests Nightwing before returning to the Batcave, only to find Batman (Bruce) waiting for him. For round two, the Batmen duke it out in Wayne Manor and the Batcave. (Round two is also shown via flashback from Batman #683.) While Bruce is no match for Jean-Paul physically, he easily outwits his raving opponent, tricking him into ditching his armor and crawling out of the caverns. In the light of day, Bruce reclaims the one true mantle of the Bat! Instead of turning the weary Jean-Paul over to the police, Bruce lets him go free. Robin is relieved to find out that Bruce has won the war. Tim then chats with his dad and meets up with Ariana, only for her to tell him that, in his prolonged distance from her, she cheated on him with their schoolmate Glenn Doppler. However, Tim is so exhausted from lack of sleep that he doesn’t even hear what she says. That evening, Batman and an elated Robin bust some museum burglars. For the first time in over five months, the Dynamic Duo is officially back in action!^[3]

–REFERENCE: In The Batman Files. Bruce listens to audio recordings captured by the Batcave surveillance system while Jean-Paul was in charge. Troubled to hear some of Jean-Paul’s hallucinatory ranting and raving, Bruce prints out transcripts of the audio for his crime files.

–REFERENCE: In Batman: Europa #3. Batman, reflecting on all that has happened to him in recent months, dreams of a hopeful future in which—old, broken, and retired from crime-fighting—he eventually settles in Paris, France. (Obviously, this will never happen.)

–REFERENCE: In Batman Versus Predator III: Blood Ties #3 and Detective Comics #821. Now that he’s back in control of the Batcave, Batman puts Bane’s luchador mask on display in the Batcave trophy area. (After Bane’s thrashing at the hands of Jean-Paul, Robin had taken the villain’s torn mask, which was later repaired—likely by Alfred.)

–REFERENCE: In Justice League Task Force #14 and Justice League International #66. Batman isn’t a part of this item (the “Judgment Day” arc), but he would surely be aware of it. Tragically, Ice (Tora Olafsdotter) is killed by the alien super-villain Overmaster, who is killed in turn by Amazing Man.

–REFERENCE: In Huntress Vol. 2 #1-4. Batman isn’t a part of this arc, but he would surely be aware of it, especially since he pretty much hates Huntress’ guts. Huntress and GCPD Sergeant Detective Dan Holtz go after Tony Bressi, who retaliates by putting a hit out on Huntress. In the end, super-villain Redzone winds up killing Holtz and Bressi before being defeated by Huntress.

—^[4]

ZERO HOUR: CRISIS IN TIME
——————–Batman #511
——————–Detective Comics #678
——————–Batman #511 Epilogue
——————–Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #4-2
——————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31
——————–Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #1-0
Zero Hour. Here we go. Batman #511 opens with a time anomaly signaling even more strangeness to come. As Batman and Robin chase Joker, Batgirl shows up to assist them! Joker escapes, but Batman and Robin are more confused as to how and why Barbara is not only in costume again, but walking again as well! Batman learns that this Batgirl is from an alternate reality where Jim Gordon is dead, and Harvey Dent is the police commissioner. This alternate reality has begun to merge with Earth-0’s reality. Not only that, the Joker they’ve just encountered is the Joker from that reality, too. After briefly dealing with the alternate-reality Joker and alternate Harvey Dent at police HQ, Batman consults with Oracle, who is shaken after just meeting her living mirror image. (Batman #511 is also shown shot-for-shot with verbatim dialogue via flashback from Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #4.) The time anomalies continue with Detective Comics #678 as Batman comes home from patrol to find himself in an alt-reality where he had been killed as a child instead of his parents. Batman grumbles about “more time anomalies,” confirming that Detective Comics #678 goes after the main action of Batman #511. After navigating this odd world, Batman phases back to reality. Notably, Zero Hour #4 indicates a 45-hour gap between the main action of Batman #511 and its epilogue. Therefore, Detective Comics #678 goes in that gap, after which Batman meets with Superman (as seen in the epilogue to Batman #511). Batman and Superman’s reunion continues in Zero Hour #4. (Notably, Zero Hour has a numerical order that counts down instead of up.) This is the first time Batman and Superman have seen one another since Batman was paralyzed and Superman was killed, respectively. Metron arrives, revealing to Batman and Superman that time itself is somehow being compressed, and various alternate realities are merging into one timeline (hence the appearance of alt-Batgirl, alt-Joker, alt-Dent, and now many other anomalies, including but not limited to alt-Batmen, alt-Robins, cavemen, and dinosaurs). Meanwhile, the Linear Men (Waverider aka Matthew Ryder of the Armageddon 2001 timeline, Matthew Ryder, Rip Hunter, and Liri Lee)—whose job is to preserve the sanctity of the space-time continuum—receive some upsetting news. Waverider and Metron tell Earth’s heroes that time is being slowly erased in a wave of destruction beginning from “the end of time” and working its way backward. But who is responsible for all of this chaos? At first, the heroes are shocked to learn that Hank Hall (formerly Hawk and the Monarch, now going by the name Extant) is responsible for the chaos, having activated a cosmic artifact known as the Worlogog. The heroes will be even more dumbfounded when they learn the other architect of this crisis is Hal Jordan (aka Parallax), who has just murdered Time Trapper (aka Cosmic Man, formerly Cosmic Boy).^[5] As we already know, Jordan has wished to destroy the universe ever since the destruction of Coast City. All of the superheroes—including Superman, Batman, Robin, Nightwing, the alt-Batgirl, Impulse (Barry Allen’s 30th century grandson Bart Allen), the New Titans, Arsenal (Roy Harper, fka Speedy), Alpha Centurion, Darkstars member Donna Troy, an L-Ron-controlled Despero, Amazing Man, “Warrior” Guy Gardner (who has traded in his power ring for Vuldarian metahuman powers), the alternate “SW6” universe Legion of Super-Heroes (Emerald Dragon, Saturn Girl, Live Wire, and Cosmic Boy), Dr. Mist’s occult order of Leymen (including Donovan and Kryssing), a returning Triumph, and dozens more—unite to battle Extant. Extant reverts the JSA members to their correct ages, putting most of them around 80-years-old. (A magickal effect had kept them from aging since the 1940s.) Extant then murders the JSA’s Atom (Al Pratt), Dr. Mid-Nite (Charles McNider), and Hourman (Rex Tyler)! Notably, both Hawkmen (Carter Hall and Katar Hol) are merged into a single/mashed-up “hawk god” version of Hawkman. Katar Hol becomes the dominant personality, essentially rendering Carter Hall deceased. Hawkwoman (Shiera Sanders-Hall) is killed, too. (In Hawkman Vol. 3 #14-17, an immediate follow-up to Zero Hour, Shayera Hol will permanently quit being Hawkwoman.) With Jordan assisting him from the shadows, Extant mind-controls the Team Titans (including Metallik, a sub-group of the Team Titans that includes Axe, Backbeat, Bongo, Brass, and Fusion), murders Waverider, and begins eradicating all of time and space. Matthew Ryder absorbs his deceased counterpart, becoming the new Waverider. In a quick Shadow of the Bat #31 interlude (which goes in between Zero Hour #2 and Zero Hour #1), time anomalies affect the Batcave, and a version of the rotund pre-Crisis Alfred Beagle shows up to help the Dynamic Duo bust a returning Andy Goodwin and Biff Bannon.^[6] Returning to the primary Zero Hour narrative, Starman meets with his sons Jack Knight and David Knight, passing the Gravity Rod to the latter. Power Girl gives birth to a baby boy named Equinox! In New York City, Jordan appears before the stunned heroes as Parallax, revealing himself as the mastermind behind all that has occurred. Ushering in a spate of whiteness that envelops the comic book page (in a very meta way), Jordan begins re-shaping the multiverse. However, before he can finish, a small group of heroes—sans Batman but including Superman, the Spectre, Green Arrow, Gardner, the new Waverider, Damage (Grant Emerson), and others—challenges him. After the heroes best Extant, they clash with Jordan on a cosmic level, triggering a second white meta-wave that erases and instantly restores the timeline, albeit with distinct differences. Notably, the cosmic force known as the Wild Huntsman is released into the world.^[7][8] Later, Waverider tells the heroes that he has restored the timeline as best as possible—but of course, things ain’t exactly as they were. For Batman, specifically, all the alterations to his personal history will be retconned back to their pre-Zero Hour state (via Infinite Crisis), so they needn’t even be mentioned! Okay, okay, I’ll mention them. First, even after fourteen years in his career, Batman was supposedly still regarded as an urban legend by the general populace, which was not only ridiculous but also impossible. Second, Bruce supposedly never learned who killed his parents. Again, ridiculous. But, as I said, these changes never happened as far as we are concerned since they were canceled out years later.^[9] Editorially, Zero Hour makes all of the superheroes’ origins more recent and contemporary by the advent of the sliding timescale and subsequent compression of all DCU stories. At the end of Zero Hour #0, a detailed DCU timeline is shown. However, because sliding-time will eventually slide Zero Hour onward to 2002, this timeline should be ignored.^[10][11][12]

–REFERENCE: In Justice League America #0 and Extreme Justice #0-1. Under these Zero Hour tie-ins, the Bat-Family—while not directly involved—becomes aware that Wonder Woman has moved the JLA home base to a brand-new satellite HQ made from an escape pod from the recently deceased Overmaster’s ship. Bruce and company would also be aware that the JLA (led by Wonder Woman) and the JL Task Force (led by Martian Manhunter) still have the full backing of the UN. A third “unofficial” branch of the Justice League (led by a frustrated Captain Atom) has now formed as well. (This is Atom’s “Extreme Justice” team that will be featured in the Extreme Justice series, which starts now.)

ZERO HOUR: CRISIS IN TIME Conclusion
——————–Batman #0
——————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #0
——————–Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #0
——————–Detective Comics #0
——————–Robin Vol. 2 #0
Batman’s zero issues mainly consist of flashbacks to Bruce’s youth and training prior to becoming the Caped Crusader. Every flashback regarding Batman’s origins is pretty accurate (though not necessarily in the correct order), but we have to ignore any incorrect references to the Wayne murders or inconsistent references to Batman as an “urban legend.” In his zero issues, Batman takes down a serial killer, the Stone Brothers (whom he is familiar with from his vast computerized crime database), terrorist bombers, corrupt media mogul Randolph Spire, and some kidnappers. Spire says Batman is still in the “early years of his strange career,” which doesn’t seem to reflect our current moment, no matter how you spin it.^[13] In the concluding Robin Vol. 2 #0, Nightwing and Robin bust safecrackers. Later, Bruce decides he needs a reprieve from combat and that Dick will temporarily take on the role of Batman! As referenced in Batman #512, Bruce also makes top-secret plans, which we’ll address on our timeline soon. After Bruce and Tim eat Chinese takeout, they meet with Dick in the Batcave. Dick dons a Bat-costume, officially taking up his mentor’s mantle!

PRODIGAL
——————–Batman #512
——————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #32
——————–Detective Comics #679
——————–Robin Vol. 2 #11
——————–Batman #513
——————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #33
Our story picks up right where Robin Vol. 2 #0 left off. Having decided he’s not quite ready to be Batman full-time yet, Bruce has temporarily bestowed the honor of being Batman upon Dick Grayson! Dick, wearing the Bat-costume, chats with Bruce and Robin in the Batcave. (As referenced in The Batman Files, a bit of humor is added to the Bat-Family conversation in Batman #512, with Bruce saying he hopes Dick will one day become a permanent Batman after his death. Another reference in The Batman Files places the beginning of “Prodigal” shortly before Christmas, but this, unfortunately, must be ignored.) With Gotham’s protection in the capable hands of his talented substitute, Bruce begins a top-secret project. Determined to upgrade his entire system, Bruce will spend the majority of “Prodigal” setting up a bunch of mini-satellite Batcaves all over Gotham (as referenced in Batman: No Man’s Land #0). These are not safe houses (which Bruce already has). These will be legitimate alternate Batcaves: Central Batcave below Robinson Park, Batcave South in a boiler room in the shipping yard across from Paris Island, Batcave South-Central in an abandoned subway station, Batcave East in an abandoned Wayne Enterprises oil refinery, and Northwest Batcave in a subbasement of the abandoned Mercey Mansion (which will coincidentally become the new Arkham Asylum this year). Bruce will also reactivate the Bat-Bunker beneath the Wayne Tower (i.e. the Wayne Foundation “penthouse era” building) in downtown Gotham (as referenced in Batman & Robin #1) and set up a satellite Batcave in a docked submarine in Gotham Harbor (as referenced in Batman #600). Bruce will also make a brand-new, all-black Bat-costume, co-designed and co-created by the Tailor (as referenced in the second feature to Detective Comics #789). This new costume will consist of a full bodysuit (sans gloves or boots) and will feature a steel back brace, superfluous armor, and razor-sharp spikes on the arms and legs. While Bruce is working on all these projects in the background, “Prodigal” will focus on the new Batman’s adventures. Let’s follow Dick as Batman, too. First, the new Batman meets with an overwhelmed Commissioner Gordon, who (once again) realizes immediately that there’s a new face under the mask. Batman (Dick) and Robin then make quick work of Killer Croc. The next day, Dick and Tim clean up Wayne Manor. After night falls, the new Dynamic Duo takes down the Ventriloquist and Scarface. The Ventriloquist goes to jail, but Rhino runs off with the dummy. Meanwhile, Two-Face escapes from prison by assuming the identity of a similarly named inmate, Harvey Kent. For the next few days, Tim pauses his busy masked superhero life to spend time with both his overbearing father and distant girlfriend. Batman chats with Gordon, then busts an escaped Ratcatcher solo. Batman and Robin patrol, eventually briefly taking on a murderous chainsaw-wielding Two-Face, who has destroyed Gotham’s judicial and correctional records.^[14] Two-Face escapes and begins killing members of the district attorney’s office. Meanwhile, Batman and Robin then bust some violent prison escapees. With the city in chaos thanks to Two-Face, municipal authorities begin transferring prisoners into Blackgate, much to the chagrin of Warden Victor Zehrhard. Concurrently, at Wayne Enterprises, a representative of the evil Russian criminal organization known as the Troika threatens Lucius Fox. The Troika stooge also kills some cops on WayneCorp’s front doorstep. (Since Troika means Triad, there are three leaders of the organization: Colonel Vega, Romana Vrezhenski, and the Dark Rider. The Troika employs various henchmen, including KGBeast.) When a breakout attempt occurs at Blackgate, Batman takes down some wily inmates. Concurrently, Two-Face kidnaps Harvey Kent. All of the madness in the city causes marital strife between Commissioner Gordon and Sarah Essen-Gordon, proving it’s hard to be a married cop couple in a place like Gotham.

–Showcase ’94 #12 Part 1
When a stalker begins threatening Babs at her clocktower apartment, she phones Batman (Dick) about it. Dick offers to assist Babs, but she tells him that she has to handle this one on her own. But when two gangsters accost her inside her home, Babs instinctively sends an alert to the Batcave. Batman shows up just in time to watch as Babs easily takes down the bad guys solo.

–FLASHBACK: From the B&W second feature to Batman: Gotham Knights #47. Batman (Dick Grayson) protects Commissioner Gordon and Sarah Essen Gordon when an escaped Riddler invades their home.

PRODIGAL Conclusion
——————–Detective Comics #680
——————–Robin Vol. 2 #12
——————–Batman #514
——————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #34
——————–Detective Comics #681
——————–Robin Vol. 2 #13
An overworked Commissioner Gordon and Sarah Essen-Gordon continue to struggle in their marriage. Meanwhile, Two-Face, with new henchmen, kidnaps Robin. After preventing Cluemaster and Titus Samuel Czonka from escaping a Shotgun Smith-guided prison transfer, Batman takes down Two-Face, rescuing Harvey Kent and Robin. The next day, Tim has to take a dive while fighting teen bullies so Ariana doesn’t discover his secret identity. After Batman and Robin patrol, allowing the latter to vent some frustration, Tim unmasks to meet his dad’s sexy new physiotherapist, Dana Winters. Later, Tim beats up the teen bullies and learns that the Troika has threatened Ariana’s family. Batman then busts three Blackgate Prison fugitives in Battergate. After that, Batman defeats Tally Man. (Shadow of the Bat #34 contains some flashbacks to Dick’s history, some of which are out of order and/or contain small errors.) Soon after, Batman and Robin investigate a series of mob executions, worrying that Jean-Paul might be the culprit. The debuting GCPD Detective MacKenzie Bock (Sarah Essen-Gordon’s new assistant) also works the case. While Batman exonerates Jean-Paul Valley by learning that he is shell-shocked and living in a homeless shelter, Robin exposes the debuting Steeljacket as the mob killer. While Robin takes down the new villain with some help from the GCPD, Dick chats with a returning Bruce in the Batcave. Having finished his top-secret mission, Bruce coldly reclaims the mantle of the Bat and has an intense conversation with Dick (who becomes Nightwing again). Why did Bruce choose Jean-Paul over Dick? Because he knew Dick was his own man and didn’t want to assume that he would be the natural successor to the title. Ultimately, their conversation ends warmly. Batman (Bruce) then shows off his new Bat-costume to Robin and Nightwing.

TROIKA
——————–Batman #515
——————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #35
——————–Detective Comics #682
——————–Robin Vol. 2 #14
Picking up directly from Robin Vol. 2 #13, Bruce is back as Batman, and he’s a lot grittier than usual, sort of like the Giffen-era “angry dad” JLI Batman. He won’t say where he’s been or what’s changed in him, but he’s ready for action. Having been incommunicado with Lucius Fox until now, Bruce only now learns that the Troika has terrorized Wayne Enterprises. When Robin tells him that the Troika has also assaulted Ariana’s family, Batman has a new number one target. Batman then has a long overdue reunion with Commissioner Gordon, who has separated from his wife, Sarah. (Notably, Batman, Robin, and Gordon refer to the overseas Russian mafia as the Molina, a term, so far as I can tell, coined by Chuck Dixon in 1993 to refer to the Russian mob in the Marvel Universe! Also, Gordon notes that Batman’s initial encounter with the Dark Rider occurred before the fall of the Soviet Union. The only year Batman was active before the fall of Soviet Communism was Year One—or arguably Years Two and Three as well, since the USSR didn’t technically end until July 1991. We should disregard Gordon’s Soviet comments and place the Dark Rider’s debut in Year Ten, which aligns with our chronology. Suffice it to say, any mentions of the USSR having dissolved recently should obviously be ignored.) Batman and Robin then save Ariana from another Troika attack, learning in the process that Colonel Vega and Romana Vrezhenski have given the Dark Rider the boot, replacing him with KGBeast. Batman then busts the Dark Rider, discovering that the Troika might have a nuclear device. The next day, Robin tells Batman about vague reports of a new violent vigilante in town. The new person isn’t named, but I’m guessing it’s Wild (Wilde Norton), who will debut in less than a month. While Tim spends time with Ariana, Batman busts Vega solo, after which Romana and KGBeast execute Vega for his failure. Once again, the Troika threatens Wayne Enterprises, blowing up a Wayne Chemical plant. In the fiery wreckage of the plant, Robin, MacKenzie Bock, and Harvey Bullock take on KGBeast, who shoots Bullock, putting him in a coma. After taking down Romana at Lucius’ house, Batman arrives just in time to see Robin best KGBeast. Later, Batman pays for repairs to Lucius’ house. Batman then makes necessary tweaks to his costume. While the all-black color scheme (with the yellow oval symbol) will remain, the Dark Knight ditches the razor-spiked bodysuit and returns to a costume with protective boots and gloves. Concurrently, in Blackgate Penitentiary, Czonk and Cluemaster plan an escape. (Notably, Batman: The Vengeance of Bane II Part 1 adds to the Blackgate coda of “Troika,” showing that KGBeast gets sent to Blackgate, where he meets a soggy, unfit Bane, who is a shadow of his former self and suffers constant nightmares about Batman. The freshly incarcerated KGBeast kicks the shit out of Bane just for fun. While in the infirmary, Bane befriends Buzz Galvan and the Ratcatcher. With their help and inspiration, Bane decides to get back into shape. First, he murders another inmate, which earns him a long stretch in solitary confinement. The second part of Vengeance of Bane II will pick back up after Bane has completed a supposed six-month stint. However, due to compression, we’ll reunite with Bane when his solitary confinement ends in four months.)

–The Batman Chronicles #1 Part 2
Lonnie Machin gives a lesson in anarchy to his fellow juvenile hallmates. Lonnie briefly (and temporarily) sneaks out of juvie, switching to Anarky mode to deface campaign billboards. Batman goes on routine patrol, although he doesn’t see Anarky. This story takes place here because, when we next see Lonnie, he will have been on probation for almost two months.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #36
The Street Demonz kill black Canary’s friend, so she comes to Gotham, seeking retribution. Eventually, Black Canary teams up with Batman to bring the gang to justice. Also, while Harvey Bullock is laid up (still comatose and in intensive care after getting shot by KGBeast), MacKenzie Bock becomes Renee Montoya’s new partner.

–Detective Comics #683 Part 1
It’s been three days since KGBeast shot Harvey Bullock. He remains in a coma. Meanwhile, Batman and Robin—thanks to a tip from snitch Brigham “ZBad” Thomas—bust up a series of Penguin-organized heists, after which Penguin’s men, Nico Vanetta and McQuade, report back to Penguin about their failure. Soon after, Penguin meets a statistics/data analysis genius known as The Actuary, who keeps winning big at the brand new Iceberg Lounge and Casino. (Penguin has owned small clubs prior to this, but a casino is a novel venture for him. Additionally, the recently opened Iceberg is a way larger club than anything Penguin has run before, and it will become his most infamous and lucrative venture ever. It’s a front, of course, but it will allow Penguin to bolster his standing as a legitimate business owner, a role he will continue to build for many years to come. This marks an important transition for Penguin, moving him from just another costumed super-villain to a savvy untouchable casino owner/mobster. Likely, Penguin’s rise to the upper echelon of Gotham’s organized crime is a direct result of Bane having recently eliminated all competition.) Impressed with the Actuary’s gambling strategies, Penguin hires him to plan a Batman-proof heist for him. Penguin also has Vanetta and McQuade kill ZBad for snitching. NOTE: Since ‘tec #683 goes directly into ‘tec #684, which shows Bullock awake from his coma, there is a hidden ellipsis in ‘tec #683, splitting it in twain right here.

–Batman/Judge Dredd: The Ultimate Riddle
Batman chases after the Riddler, but in a flash, both wind up trapped in a cage in a bizarre alternate dimension along with various other warriors, including Judge Dredd! The all-powerful Emperor Xero arrives, seemingly kills Riddler, and then explains that all the kidnapped combatants must fight each other to the death for his entertainment. Once all the fighters are released into a labyrinthine urban alternate dimension, Batman and Dredd team up and defeat a bunch of weird aliens, androids, and killer robots. Eventually, Batman and Dredd confront the mysterious Xero, who morphs into his true form: Riddler! Riddler then reveals that, during Zero Hour, he came across a time-displaced scepter from the far, far future. The scepter endowed him with spectacular cosmic powers, with which he was able to travel throughout the multiverse, kidnap strong warriors from various planets, and imprison them on an alternate dimension of his own creation. After Riddler explains the situation, Dredd shoots him in the arm, causing him to drop the scepter and be defeated. Batman then uses the scepter to return everyone to their correct times and universes. Back in Gotham, the Dark Knight destroys the scepter.

–Azrael #1-2 (“FALLEN ANGEL”)
Jean-Paul is still living in a homeless shelter (with his pal Brian Bryan). Batman finally gets around to feeling a bit responsible for the former Az-Bats and goes to check up on him. After helping him escape from a burning building, Bruce advises Jean-Paul to travel to Europe and settle his unfinished business with the organization that “programmed” him in the first place, the Order of St. Dumas. Bruce then gives Jean-Paul his old Azrael costume, detailed information and maps regarding the Order, one hundred thousand dollars in cash, and access to a bank account with several million dollars in it. You heard me. Bruce just gave Jean-Paul over a million clams and then some! If I were Azrael, I’d say the hell with St. Dumas and hop a permanent flight to the Caribbean! But no, Azrael has a mission, and the avenging angel departs for Europe.

–FLASHBACK: From the B&W second feature to Batman: Gotham Knights #47. Riddler busts into a restaurant while riding a motorcycle. Bruce is dining at the restaurant, which is bad news for Riddler.

–Batman #516-517 (“SLEEPER”)
Leaning into his new grim attitude, Batman captures both a mind-controlled sleeper agent (aptly named Sleeper) and her handler (Remmy). There are a lot of references to CIA sleep-deprivation testing and MK Ultra drugging in this story. We also learn that Jean Paul’s one-time foe, Mekros, underwent the same CIA brainwashing that has been applied to Sleeper. Of interest, Bruce speaks in detail with a sleep-studies expert. I know this is “back-engineering,” but we can easily assume Bruce is worried about his own sleep-deprivation tests from years earlier (as he should be). Other items of note: First, Commissioner Gordon is having a rough time—he no longer trusts Batman, and his separation from his wife continues. Second, Harvey Bullock wakes up from his coma! He immediately gives Detective MacKenzie Bock the nickname “Hardback.” Third, Batman impersonates Commissioner Gordon to have a phone chat with mortician Mortimer Gunt. Fourth, Bruce meets odd socialite Madolyn Corbett.

–Guy Gardner: Warrior #29
Guy Gardner opens a superhero-themed restaurant called Warriors Bar! Nearly every DC character from Ambush Bug to Zebra-Man (okay, not actually Zebra-Man, but, yes, Ambush Bug!) shows up for the grand opening. Hell, even Swamp Thing and John Constantine are there! Also present are: Batman, Superman, Captain Atom, Lobo, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Buck Wargo, Joey Hong, Rita Muldoon, Tiger Man, Veronna, the Blood Pack (Jade, Anima, Ballistic, Gunfire, Geist, Loria, Mongrel, Nightblade, Razorsharp, and Sparx), Animus, Arion, Arsenal, Artemis (the Amazon, not the goddess), Black Thorn, El Diablo (Rafael Sandoval), Fastbak, Flamebird (Bette Kane), Hero Hotline (including Stretch, Microwaveabelle, Private Eyes, Hotshot, and Dinky the Devil Bat aka BatMyte), Judomaster II, Loose Cannon, the Metal Men (including Will Magnus in his “Veridium” persona), Rex the Wonder Dog, the Sea Devils (Dane Dorrance, Nicky Walton, and Judy Walton), Stanley Dover Jr and The Beast With No Name aka the duo known as “Stanley and his Monster”), Thunderbolt Peter Cannon, Lady Blackhawk (former WWII Blackhawk pilot Zinda Blake, who was permanently shot forward in time during the Zero Hour-tie in Guy Gardner: Warrior #24), Fate (new Dr. Fate Jared Stevens),^[15] and many others.^[16] With Cat Grant reporting live from Guy’s wild media event, Blackgate inmates—including Pied Piper and most of Batman’s rogues—watch with keen interest. Dementor visits Blackgate as well. In deep space, the LEGION (including Amon Haak and Davroth Catto) discusses Guy’s new Vuldarian powers. At the opening, Guy gets into a bad fight with Captain Atom and Lobo. I’m really surprised Batman shows up for this.

–Azrael #4-5 
Jean-Paul confronts the Order of St. Dumas and learns that the mantle of Azrael has already been passed on to a new warrior. Jean Paul battles the new Azrael and seemingly kills him to reclaim sole possession of the title. However, as seen through flashback from Azrael #10, we learn that Abra Kadabra saves the alternate Azrael and makes him an offer from his employer, the demon King of Hell, Neron. Kadabra explains that Neron will arrive on Earth to wreak havoc in about a month’s time. In exchange for saving his life, the alternate Azrael must keep Batman occupied upon Neron’s arrival. Kadabra gives him a facsimile of Jean-Paul’s armored Batman costume and bids him farewell. Meanwhile, Jean-Paul’s further investigations into the Order of St. Dumas lead to his first meeting with Ra’s al Ghul. Oracle updates Bruce and Tim on Azrael’s condition. Bruce tells Tim that Ra’s is the only man he truly fears.

–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to 52 #48. Oracle video-conferences with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Flash, presumably discussing a case.

–Flash Vol. 2 #100
Flash tangles with Kobra and his serpent cult. Batman and Robin (along with a bunch of other superheroes) make cameos in this special issue #100 for the Fastest Man Alive.

–Robin Vol. 2 #15-16
Stephanie Brown is kidnapped and held hostage, but Robin rescues her. Robin and Spoiler (with Batman’s help) then bring the kidnappers to justice and learn that Stephanie’s father (Cluemaster) orchestrated her kidnapping from Blackgate. Stephanie visits her dad in prison and beats the shit out of him.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #37-38 (“THE JOKER”)
The Joker wants revenge against all the people who heckled his bad comedy acts before he became a super-villain, so he kidnaps a bunch of people and puts on a comedy show at the massive, vacant North Gotham structure known as Mercey Mansion. Of course, people get their heads blown off at a Joker comedy special, so Batman attempts to intervene. Before he has the chance, Wild (Wilde Norton) attempts to kill the Joker. Turns out Wild’s family was tortured and killed by the Joker years ago. After Wild shoots Joker in his hand and leg, Joker drugs Wild with his signature Joker Juice. Batman sweeps in to rescue Wild, who is taken into custody. Meanwhile, the injured Joker escapes into the night. Dr. Jeremiah Arkham shows up and declares that the new Arkham Asylum will move into Mercey Mansion. If you didn’t already know, Arkham has yet to be rebuilt since its destruction at the hands of Bane. (NOTE: Mercey Mansion was originally 20 miles outside of Gotham. However, retcons place Mercey Mansion well within the city limits, a mere two miles from downtown. Also note that Batman has a secret satellite Batcave in a subbasement beneath Mercey Mansion, so this is pretty good for him.) Across town, the Gordons visit Harvey Bullock, who is fully active but still recovering in the hospital. When they arrive, Bullock is sleeping. A nurse gives the Gordons an update about how Bullock’s recovery has gone since coming out of his coma, waking up the exhausted cop so he can take some medication.

–Detective Comics #683 Part 2
Batman visits Commissioner Gordon and learns that the commish and Sarah have separated. Afterward, Batman and Robin bust Nico Vanetta.

–Detective Comics #684
Having just busted Nico Vanetta, Batman and Robin interrogate him to get dirt on Penguin’s new plan (which has been drawn up by the Actuary). The Actuary’s scheme? A daytime robbery of the Gotham flower show! Batman is still able to stop the burglary, but the Actuary takes the fall for the Penguin. Meanwhile, Harvey Bullock hangs out with Renee Montoya and MacKenzie Bock at the hospital. They note that he is set to be discharged in a couple of days.

–FLASHBACK: From the second feature to Countdown #28. Batman confronts the seemingly untouchable Penguin at his new Iceberg Lounge casino.

–Batman/Demon
Halloween. Batman reluctantly teams up with Etrigan to solve some occult-themed murders. With Etrigan’s assistance, Batman makes a brief stop in Purgatory to visit Abattoir. Then Batman and Etrigan cross the River Styx to enter Hell, where they engage with various demons, including one that is directly connected to the occult murders in Gotham. After taking care of the demon, Batman returns to Gotham to bust the killer.

–Batman #518
Black Mask still hates Bruce Wayne with a passion, so he sends Johnny LaMonica (aka the new Black Spider) to kill someone at random at Bruce’s masquerade ball. Black Spider fails, but it doesn’t matter because he’s secretly working against Black Mask on behalf of rival crime-lord Ottoman Turk. Meanwhile, Mayor Krol comes down hard on Gordon since the former’s re-election campaign is going poorly. Also, Harvey Bullock is officially discharged from Gotham Hospital and will work on a limited-duty basis until he’s fully recovered from his injuries.

–Batman: GCPD #1-4
This is a special GCPD Major Crimes ensemble mini-series. Montoya and a recently returned Bullock are split up as partners. When an undercover Montoya is held captive by the terrorist organization known as Cell Six, the rest of the force bands together to bring her home safely. Everyone (including Kitch, Bullock, Pettit, Sarah, Jim, Hardback, and Detective Kevin Soong) is highlighted in this storyline. Think of this as a very early precursor to Gotham Central. By the end of this mini, Bullock is re-partnered with Montoya after an injured Soong quits the force.

–Detective Comics #685 Part 1
Batman and Robin take down the Karate Creep, a weirdo who thinks he is Bruce Lee and attacks old ladies. Later, after getting word about something big supposedly going to happen with the Asian mobs in Gotham, Batman interrogates former Chinatown gang member Jimmy Wing. Meanwhile, the GCPD issues an arrest warrant for the notorious mobster Tommy Mangles (Thomas Manchester). Nobody wants to deal with Mangles except for Harvey Bullock, who decides to end his limited duty period and put himself back in action full-time.

–Batman #519-520
Jim Gordon’s reputation is permanently stained in the crooked eyes of Mayor Armand Krol. Thus, Mayor Krol calls Gordon into his office and tells him he has been demoted and replaced with his estranged wife—effective immediately. Sarah Essen-Gordon officially becomes the brand new Gotham City Police Commissioner! A disgruntled Jim brutally arrests Tommy Mangles and then immediately resigns from the GCPD! Batman then easily takes down Black Spider, but Black Mask gets away. Because of Black Spider’s failure, he winds up in Blackgate with a “web” of scars strewn across his face, courtesy of his ousted employer, Ottoman Turk. The next day, Batman searches in vain for Black Mask, busting the entire False Face Society in the process. Meanwhile, Harvey Bullock goes on a movie date with his nurse. This outing ends tragically (as most things in Gotham do)—with a mugging and fatal shooting of the nurse.

WAR OF THE DRAGONS
——————–Detective Comics #685 Part 2
——————–Robin Vol. 2 #17
——————–Detective Comics #686
A week has passed since Detective Comics #685 Part 1. Batman interrogates Jimmy Wing again and learns that an Asian mob war is about to erupt. King Snake is back and in charge of the Asian mob in Gotham. This leads to a Chinatown gang war between Snake’s Triads and General Tsu‘s Shan Tribes. Batman and Robin get caught in the middle of a huge battle royale involving Snake, Lynx, a ton of random Asian gangs, and Silver Monkey (the leader of the Monkey Fist Cult). Across town, Gotham County Sheriff Steven “Shotgun” Smith receives a warrant to go after Tommy Mangles, but he decides to ignore it. (Since Jim Gordon already busted Mangles a couple of days ago, this is either a continuity error or the news hasn’t been disseminated yet.) Eventually, Nightwing and Huntress show up to help Batman and Robin with the gang war. Batman accepts Nightwing’s intervention, but he denies assistance from Huntress. Snake is finally apprehended, the gang war ends, and Lynx takes control of the entire Chinatown mob. New Commissioner Sarah Essen-Gordon cleans up the mess afterward. Meanwhile, District Attorney Marion Grange becomes a candidate for the mayor of Gotham.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #39
The new Commissioner Gordon makes Detective MacKenzie Bock her assistant. And in Slaughter Swamp State Park, just miles outside of Gotham, Solomon Grundy returns! Why are there alligators in the Mid-Atlantic marshland, you ask? Either the State Park stocks them in a pathetic attempt to make the tours seem more “adventurous,” or Alan Grant forgot that gators don’t live up North. Bleh. A flashback from Starman Vol. 2 #17 also shows Batman fighting Grundy from this issue.

–The Batman Chronicles #1 Part 1
Ex-cop Jim Gordon meets and teams up with Huntress to stop some train hijackers. Both Batman and Jim say that Huntress reminds them of Babs. Don’t forget, based upon hints in Batman Chronicles #1 Part 1, Legends of the DC Universe #10-11, Batgirl: Year One #8, and Gail Simone’s Birds of Prey series, Jim is aware of Babs’ superhero career (and Batman knows that Jim knows too). Jim will never say it out loud, choosing to wink and nod instead—but he knows.

–The Batman Chronicles #1 Part 3
Batman witnesses the short, sad life of a False Face Society gang member as he hunts the fugitive Black Mask.

–The Batman Chronicles #23 Part 1
This item could essentially go anywhere after Black Mask’s return in Year thirteen and now (anywhere during a phase where Black Mask is on the lam/off the grid prior to No Man’s Land), but I’ve opted toward the latter. When a bomb blows up Bruce’s car, nearly killing Alfred, Batman goes out in search of the criminal responsible, but fails to find him. Meanwhile, Alfred teams up with Harvey Bullock, who thinks he’s solving the case, but in reality, Alfred and Batman solve the entire thing for him, leading to the busts of some False Face Society members.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #40-41 (“ANARKY”)
The prophet of doom, Malochia, wishes to blow up Gotham, but Batman and Robin team up with Anarky and Joe Potato to stop him. “Anarky” is a wonderful story arc that shows just how underrated a character Lonnie Machin really is. These two issues also function as an homage to Batman’s “Dirigible of Doom” case from Bat Year One, as Malochia attempts to use his own Dirigible of Doom to transport his deadly bombs over the city. Anarky crashes the zeppelin into the harbor, but seemingly at the cost of his own life. (We know this isn’t the case because we’ll see him again.) While all of the wildness is going on, Jim Gordon decides to run for mayor! Retcon corrections in these issues: Lonnie is supposedly 15-years-old in this storyline, but he should only be 14 at this point. Also, Malochia foredooms that the world will end in 1999. Since we are already in 2002, we should disregard this. He makes more sense as a 2012 kinda guy anyway. And finally, District Attorney Marion Grange isn’t just now entering the mayoral election race. We’ve known about her candidacy for quite some time now.

–Detective Comics #687-688
Cap’n Fear and his gang o’ pirates attack a yacht party in Gotham Bay that happens to be attended by Bruce and a random date. The next night, Renee Montoya visits Jim Gordon to discuss his mayoral candidacy. Meanwhile, the Dynamic Duo outfits one of Bruce’s luxury speedboats into a brand new Batboat. Despite the new vehicle at their disposal, Cap’n Fear gets the better of the heroes and even captures the Dark Knight! I’m not joking. Robin stops the pirates, and Batman escapes shark-infested waters unscathed. The Cap’n then disappears without a trace.

–Batman #521-522
Having just helped Nightwing wrap up a case in England and been convinced by Nightwing to return to the States (as seen in the Batman-less Nightwing: Alfred’s Return #1), Alfred finally returns home, taking up his old role at Wayne Manor! The reunion, however, is short-lived as Croc breaks out of the new Arkham at Mercey Mansion. Batman tracks Croc all the way to the swamps of New Orleans, where we learn Swamp Thing has summoned the latter! Swamp Thing easily restrains Batman and explains that Croc isn’t responsible for his own actions and is a predatory creature of nature, deserving of protection. Batman reluctantly allows Croc to remain free as long as he permanently remains under the watchful eyes and care of Swamp Thing.

–Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights #1
Note that this item goes here because Alfred is shown to have already returned from his recent soul-searching absence. Also note that Batman has been drawn by John Romita Jr and Klaus Jason wearing the wrong costume. While a minor quibble, he should be wearing his post-“Prodigal” all-black ensemble. Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights begins with Frank Castle aka Punisher (along with his buddy Microchip) once again chasing a facially reconstructed Jigsaw all the way from Earth-616 to Earth-0. And once again, Punisher tangos with Batman, only this time, it’s Bruce under the cape and cowl instead of Jean-Paul. While Punisher and Batman get acquainted with one another, Joker helps his old Marvel pal, Jigsaw, leap to the top of the Gotham mob pyramid, nose-to-nose with super-boss Jimmy Navarone. Batman, in disguise as Matches Malone, joins up with Navarone’s gang only to watch them all get slaughtered during a simultaneous shootout against both Punisher and Jigsaw. During this shootout, Jigsaw’s face is ruined yet again by Punisher. Batman then gets the better of Punisher in combat, the latter leaving Gotham with his ego bruised. Like the previous Batman/Punisher crossover, this one is also canon thanks to nods in mainstream DCU titles—in this case, references in Detective Comics #689 and Nightwing Vol. 2 #44. Like before, there is no reference made to alternate Earths or jumping between them, so we must imagine that the multiverse-leaping happens off-panel before and after this issue.

–Batman: Gotham Nights II #1-4^[17]
This arc is nearly impossible to place—all topical or seasonal references should likely be ignored. Like Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights before it, Gotham Nights II must go here because Alfred is shown, having returned from his recent absence. And like the Punisher/Batman crossover before it, the Caped Crusader has been illustrated (this time by Mary Mitchell) wearing the wrong costume. In Gotham Nights II, a series that scarcely even shows the Dark Knight, someone has been sabotaging Little Paris, an old island amusement park in Gotham Harbor. Batman orders Tim to visit Little Paris with his friends to see what he can find. Meanwhile, Batman visits the park pretending to be an undercover Gotham Gazette reporter posing as a maintenance man. After another ride “accident,” a corrupt city councilman sends in his hired goon Jobe Belden to straighten things out, much to the chagrin of Batman. After interrogating the councilman and the park’s owner, Batman deduces that Belden has been acting alone as the saboteur, collecting large bribes all the while. When confronted, Belden blows up a gas tanker, and the whole park burns to the ground. Belden dies in the inferno along with the park owner, his dad (whose complicated pasts are both revealed), and a misogynistic racist (who learns a lesson and has a change of heart in his final moments). The story ends with the daughter of the ex-racist, who comes to terms with her rough Gotham life and her complex interracial relationships with two guys.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #42 
Johnny Lynx was the former lead singer of The Missing Lynx until he fell into a coma and his bandmates robbed him. Now he’s back, and he gets revenge by killing everyone in the band. Batman and Robin try to catch him, but he gets away. The big reveal at the conclusion? Johnny is a cyborg. Weird. He will show up in our next story with his new super-villain name, Feedback. Batman and Robin won’t be far behind.

–The Batman Chronicles #2
Robin talks down Feedback and the cops arrest him. Then Harold catches some burglars while shopping downtown. Yes, Harold! And Commissioner Sarah Essen-Gordon reflects upon her strained marriage, the mayoral election, and Batman, among other things.

–REFERENCE: In the second feature to Detective Comics #782. Late November—the anniversary of Bruce’s parents’ deaths. Batman places two roses at his parents’ Crime Alley murder site.

–Detective Comics #689-690
Firefly escapes from Blackgate, joins the False Facers, and goes after his rival, Firebug. Batman shakes down Firebug and brutally waterboards him to get information about Firefly, who begins dating his neighbor Deelia Withers under the fake name “Gil Fields.” Eventually, Firefly is apprehended, and Firebug seemingly perishes in a fire. We’ll learn much later that Firebug uses the fact that everyone thinks he is dead as an opportunity to quietly retire from super-villainy. Also, Bruce decides to support Marion Grange’s campaign on the condition that, if she wins, Jim Gordon will be reinstated as commissioner.

–Batman #523-524 (“THE SCARECROW”)
The Scarecrow escapes from the new Arkham Asylum with plans of killing all of the jocks who made fun of him in high school! This marks the second time he’s done this! I guess there were a lot of jock asshole bullies at Crane’s high school.

–The Batman Chronicles #3
The Riddler tries crime without clue-giving, but in the end can’t kick the habit and winds up back in Arkham Asylum. Speaking of Arkham, Zsasz shares his origin story with a doctor, but who knows if it’s true, since it’s coming from him. And I guess Swamp Thing has had more than enough with Killer Croc down South. Croc train-hops back to good ol’ Gotham.

–Robin Vol. 2 #19-21 
Robin deals with the returning General and one of Maxie Zeus’ top men, Julie Caesar. He also deals with some serious rocky relationship issues with his girlfriend Ariana. And last but not least, Tim, using the false persona of “Alvin Draper,” infiltrates a criminal teenage ninja training camp in order to shut it down. Dick infiltrated a similar camp way back in his first year as Robin.

–Sandman Vol. 2 #71
Morpheus (aka The Sandman aka Dream of the Endless) has recently died, allowing Daniel Hall to become the new Dream. Many of Earth’s superheroes, including Batman, attend Morpheus’ wake (although they do so only in dreams and have no recollection of it afterward).

–NOTE: In Action Comics #714. Joker has an unfriendly encounter with Superman, after which the Man of Steel ships him back to Arkham. However, Joker immediately escapes from Arkham yet again, as we will see him free in the upcoming Underworld Unleashed. These seemingly ridiculous stretches of constant breakouts shouldn’t be surprising since the new Arkham at Mercey Mansion has little to no security. In fact, in a month or two, we will see Two-Face escape three times in one week! I know it’s ludicrous, but that is just how it is.

UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED
——————–Underworld Unleashed #1 Part 1
Neron, the King of Hell, is ready to enact an evil plan. With help from his servant Kadabra, Neron tricks five of the Flash’s top rogues (all members of the aptly named group known as The Rogues) into setting off large explosions. The explosions not only kill the Rogues but also open a Hellmouth that unleashes the lord of evil onto Earth. But we’ll get back to that in a little bit. In case you were wondering, the Rogues that are killed are Captain Boomerang, Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Mirror Master II (Evan McCulloch), and Weather Wizard. And, don’t worry, these guys will all be resurrected quite soon.

THE SECRET OF THE UNIVERSE Part 1
——————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #43
This is part one of “The Secret of the Universe.” What is the secret of the universe? Drum roll, please. And the answer is… survival! (and also bizarre abstract art by Barry Kitson, apparently). Some South Pacific Islanders hire Catwoman to retrieve parts of Catman’s cape and cowl, which Thomas Blake had stolen from their tribe. Meanwhile, Ratcatcher escapes from Blackgate and terrorizes Gotham. Batman sets out to stop all three, but before he can apprehend anyone, he gets a call from Robin in Azrael #10.

UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED Continued
——————–Azrael #10
Az-Bats is back! Sort of. But first, we learn via flashback that, one month ago, during Azrael #4, Kadabra not only forewarned of Neron’s impending arrival, but also saved the alternate Azrael’s life in exchange for an unknown favor. We now learn what that favor was. In exchange for saving his life, the alternate Azrael was given a facsimile of Jean Paul’s armored Bat-costume and ordered to distract Batman upon Neron’s arrival. Cut to now. Neron has finally arrived (as we saw in the recent Underworld Unleashed #1 Part 1). Thus, the alternate Azrael comes through on his end of the bargain. Alternate Azrael dresses up as Az-Bats and shows up in Gotham to distract Bruce while Neron begins assembling the world’s super-villain community for his evil plan. Robin calls Batman (this is where we left off in SOTB #43) and tells him about the fake Az-Bats, to which Bruce replies that he is too busy tracking down Catwoman, Catman, and Ratcatcher to assist. In the end, Batman puts his case on hold and easily defeats the fake Azrael/fake Az-Bats.

THE SECRET OF THE UNIVERSE Conclusion
——————–Catwoman Vol. 2 #26
——————–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #44
“The Secret of the Universe” concludes. Catwoman and Batman wind up teaming up, and they bring down both Catman and Ratcatcher.

–Green Arrow Vol. 2 #101 
Ever since Zero Hour, Oliver Queen has been living a hermit-like life at an ashram. (We are told that he’s been there for six months, but that’s impossible continuity-wise and should be reduced due to retroactive compression and sliding-time.) Ollie ends his sabbatical when terrorists threaten to detonate a bomb in Metropolis. Ollie stops the terrorists, but is killed in the process. Yes, this is the tragic death of Green Arrow! Upon hearing the terrible news, Batman is devastated at the loss of such a close friend. Don’t worry too much, though. Like most comic book deaths, Ollie’s won’t last too long. In the meantime, Ollie’s son, Connor Hawke, becomes the new Green Arrow.

UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED Conclusion
——————–Underworld Unleashed #1 Part 2
——————–Detective Comics #691-692
——————–Robin Vol. 2 #23-24
——————–Underworld Unleashed – Batman: Devil’s Asylum #1
——————–Batman #525
——————–Justice League America #106
——————–Underworld Unleashed #2-3
Underworld Unleashed continues, and we learn that this Mark Waid tale basically serves to upgrade all of DC’s super-villains. A week has passed since Neron, the current ruler of Hell, came to Earth. And during that time, Neron has organized a gathering of the entire super-villain community. Note that the Ventriloquist (with Scarface) is pictured in the group, but this is a continuity error.^[18] How did this enormous super-villain gathering go unnoticed? Well, Batman was conveniently distracted by the fake Az-Bats, Catwoman, Catman, and Ratcatcher. And Superman is out of the picture entirely, having been whisked away to another galaxy where he currently remains (as seen/told in Superman: The Man of Steel #50). Neron’s plan? To offer every single DCU super-villain something special in exchange for their soul. Dozens of villains accept. Here are the deals which affect Batman the most: Lex Luthor, whose cloned body had deteriorated so badly he was in a vegetative state, trades his soul for a brand new healthy body; Blockbuster sells his soul for genius level intelligence; Killer Moth trades his soul to become the actual moth monster known as Charaxes; and Deadshot trades his soul to join the new super-villain group called Killer Elite, allowing him to try his “dream assassination”—the murder of an entire kindergarten class; and many other villains gain significantly increased metahuman abilities in exchange for their souls. (Other members of Killer Elite are Chiller, Deadline, Bolt, and Merlyn.) Oh, and of course, the Joker sells his soul for nothing more than a box of Cuban cigars. Seriously. Notably, Poison Ivy, Riddler, and Scarecrow all turn down the deal. Mongul also turns down the deal and threatens Neron in the process, prompting Neron to murder Mongul promptly! Before Batman and Robin are even aware of Neron’s presence, they spoil the criminal plans of Spellbinder and his girlfriend, Fay Moffit, using echo-location visors to ward off their dizzying attacks. Later, while Bruce golfs with J Devlin Davenport, Neron makes a pitch to Spellbinder and Fay. Spellbinder turns him down, but is immediately murdered by Fay, who accepts the offer in his place, thus becoming the new Spellbinder (aka Lady Spellbinder). The Dynamic Duo then squares off with and takes down the new Spellbinder and Charaxes. (The debuting Lock-Up is actually responsible for apprehending Charaxes and detaining the creature inside his own private jail.) Meanwhile, Neron meets with Kryppen at Arkham and offers him ultimate power if he sets a trap for Batman. Kryppen poisons everyone inside Arkham, and when Batman arrives, the former lets him know what’s up. Kryppen explains that in exchange for the antidote to his poison, the Caped Crusader must kill one Arkham inmate of his choosing and turn over his victim’s soul to the devil. Batman refuses, and instead forces Kryppen to drink his own poison, confident that Kryppen will want to survive. Kryppen turns over the antidote. By the end of issue #525, Jim Gordon has dropped out of the mayoral race, Madolyn Corbett has shown up at Wayne Manor acting very bizarrely on multiple occasions, and Batman puts Mr. Freeze back in jail. Concurrently, the Killer Elite run ramshackle across Gotham, prompting the JLA to intervene. Without even knowing it, a patrolling Batman is spared an assassination by the Killer Elite’s Merlyn thanks to the Atom Smasher (Albert Rothstein). In Hell, Luthor and Joker learn that Neron’s goal is to acquire enough soul-power to take over the entire world. Meanwhile, Neron makes his presence known to the world’s heroes by offering each of them seductive deals. For example, Neron offers to resurrect Jason Todd in exchange for Bruce’s soul. This is a clever offer on Neron’s part, because he surely would have known that Jason was already alive again at this point. Bruce denies the devil anyway. Neron offers Oracle superpowers and the ability to walk again in exchange for her services as Hell’s librarian. He doesn’t even ask for her soul, but Babs still turns him down. As Neron collects more souls, his power and influence grow exponentially, thrusting the world onto the brink of chaos and war. In Gotham, Batman and Robin team up with Black Canary and Huntress to prevent Major Disaster, Grodd, Blockbuster, and Metallo (John Corben) from stealing nuclear weapons. (This sequence is also shown via flashback from Showcase ’96 #2 Part 3.) Separately, the rest of the world’s superheroes travel to Hell to confront Neron face-to-face. They are only able to defeat Neron after Captain Marvel accepts a deal with the devil. However, Marvel’s boyish soul is too pure, and when the King of Hell cannot accept the deal, it is broken, and all the souls are released and returned to their rightful owners, thus ending his reign of terror. In the end, Neron winds up giving out a whole bunch of free stuff and winds up with no souls at all.

–REFERENCE: In The Batman Files. Batman, having just dealt with Neron for the first time, doesn’t think much of him. Even though Neron is King of Hell, a powerful high-ranking demon, and a legit fallen angel from Heaven, Batman will think of him as nothing more than a C-list costumed super-villain, even doubting he is a real demon.

–Sovereign Seven #5
The alien superhero team known as the Sovereign Seven (Cascade, Cruiser, Finale, Indigo, Network, Rampart, and Reflex) investigates a bombing in New England. Afterward, they return to their adopted hometown of Crossroads, Vermont, where they commiserate with friends—Sheriff Molly Savoy (head of the Crossroads Police Department), Conal Savoy (Molly’s son), Mitch, Jack (Mitch’s pet wolf), Violet Jones (the Sovereigns’ bankroller), and Pansy Smith (Violet’s sister). When Molly learns that visiting FBI Agent Bobby Barrymore has withheld information from her, she roughs him up. Agent Barrymore (and his partners, including Agent Walter) threaten to arrest Molly and all the Sovereigns, but they eventually back down. Meanwhile, Oracle—having previously been contacted by FBI Agent Laura Tucci—notifies Batman about the situation in Crossroads. Shortly thereafter, Agent Tucci and the Bennington County Police Department‘s Sheriff Jack Mulholland, both under the spell of the super-villain Skin Dance, arrive and attack the gathered group. Network, Rampart, Cascade, and Indigo also fall under Skin Dance’s spell, just as the villain himself joins the scene. Eventually, everyone is released from Skin Dance’s control, and the FBI takes the villain into custody. Having responded to Oracle’s report, Batman shows up in Crossroads. Seeing a large crowd of cops, feds, and costumed heroes (and noticing that the villain has already been defeated), Batman doesn’t even get out of the Batmobile, immediately turning around and heading back to Gotham.

–Azrael #11
Shondra Kinsolving gets kidnapped once again by people who want to abuse her healing powers. Batman and Azrael go after her.

–Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey #1
Oracle hires Black Canary to investigate a string of eco-terrorist bombings all targeted at business mogul Nick Devine. Oracle guides Black Canary into battle at a club where Devine is attacked. Bruce and Lucius Fox are present. Black Canary (along with the queen of the Asian mob, Lynx) then travels to Africa and reveals that Devine is actually behind the bombings and is collecting on insurance fraud. Because the mission is such a success, Oracle decides Black Canary’s next mission will be to put a stop to a Santa Priscan human-trafficking ring. (That mission, shown in the Batman-less Showcase ’96 #3 Part 1, will happen in a few weeks.) The Devine case marks the official beginning of Oracle’s covert-ops team of rotating members, known as the Birds of Prey.

–REFERENCE: In Birds of Prey #6. Now that the Birds of Prey have officially launched, Batman begins secretly monitoring all of Babs’ transmissions and communications. He also bugs Oracle’s apartment headquarters with hidden cameras and audio recording devices. Batman will continue monitoring the Birds of Prey for the next year-plus. (Unknown to Batman, Oracle is aware of his spying and is actually spying on him as well!)

–Nightwing #1
Dick briefly considers retiring from being Nightwing before family papers uncovered by Alfred reveal a possible link between the murder of the Flying Graysons and the Crown Prince of Kravia. Before departing for Kravia (in Nightwing #2), Dick debuts his modernized blue and black costume.

–Nightwing #4
Nightwing returns from a trip to Kravia, having confirmed that Tony Zucco indeed murdered his parents and also that the link to the Prince of Kravia was a false lead. Upon returning to Gotham, Nightwing meets with Batman, and they have a serious heart-to-heart about his upbringing, family, and future.

–FLASHBACK: From Wizard #0 Special: Hush Interlude. Batman fights Catwoman, who leaves permanent scars on his chest.

–Batman: Black and White #3 Part 4
Winter. Batman witnesses a father brutally chastising his young son atop a Gotham roof. The dad throws the boy’s pet cat off the roof to its death, prompting Batman to angrily intervene. Batman does his best to mend the relationship between father and son, but the dad goes on a bogus “it ain’t my fault” rant. Batman is unable to help, but he threatens the long-winded dad to change his ways. The Dark Knight also notifies Child Protective Services.

–Batman: Black and White #3 Part 5
December 24. Batman watches after a man who has just testified against the mob. Outside of the man’s home, a hired Santa Claus shows up for a visit with his young daughter, but Batman sees that the Santa is clearly a disguised hitman. The Dark Knights take down the hitman. Afterward, not wanting to let down the girl, Batman dresses up as Santa and delivers the cheery Xmas Eve visit just as planned.

–Batman: Shadow of the Bat #45
Bruce and Alfred discover a corpse that dates back to the 19th century while digging in the Wayne Manor wine cellar! Bruce and Alfred (and Bullock) soon learn that the body belongs to Joshua Wayne (Bruce’s great-great-great-great uncle). Through a flashback, we learn that Solomon Wayne (Joshua’s brother and Bruce’s great-great-great-grandfather) and Joshua used the Batcave as a key stop on the Underground Railroad to aid enslaved Black runaways! In the 1860s, Joshua was killed by Southern bounty hunters, and his body went missing—until now.

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1. ^[1]COLLIN COLSHER: Denny O’Neil and Barry Kitson’s awesome Marvel/DC crossover occurs now, and, yes, it is canon. But, wait, this must be out-of-continuity, right? Wrong! Amazingly, Jean-Paul Valley’s encounter from this issue is specifically referenced in Batman #509. In Lake of Fire, Batman teams up with Marvel’s Punisher (Frank Castle) against Joker and Marvel’s Jigsaw. Because Jean-Paul mentions Jigsaw by name, we must assume that this encounter does indeed take place, meaning that both Punisher and Jigsaw transport themselves from Marvel’s main Earth (Earth-616) to DC’s main Earth and then back again. It isn’t mentioned how or why this happens in the issue, nor do the characters speak of alternate Earths, but it does some way, somehow. Interestingly, this is the only time (as far as I know) that a Marvel character is directly referenced by name in any Batman comic book. Could I advise my readers to ignore one tiny word of one seemingly insignificant word balloon? I could easily do that, as I have with other inconsistencies in the past. However, keeping this Punisher encounter as canon is so unique and shocking that I’d rather not ignore it. Obviously, Doug Moench, who wrote Batman #509, was feeling jocular at the time, or thought it was cool, too, so there you go. While things are fairly cut-and-dry for DC, which regards the Batman and Joker who appear in Lake of Fire as the primary Earth-0 versions, they are a tad more confusing for Marvel. Originally, Punisher and Jigsaw in Lake of Fire were the primary Earth-616 versions, but, with the publication of the All New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe in 2006, Marvel retconned Lake of Fire (at least for its own IP) as occurring on Earth-7642. Therefore, while Lake of Fire is undoubtedly canon on our DC timeline, Punisher and Jigsaw may be alternate versions of their true Earth-616 counterparts. For our chronology, I’ve regarded Punisher and Jigsaw as true 616ers, but that’s up to you.↩
2. ^[2]CHIP: The “Superman RetroActive” special is impossible to place without major errors. I spent countless hours trying to figure out how it fit into Man of Steel #31, like writer Louise Simonson said it was supposed to, and ultimately concluded that the issue just does not fit into the tightly plotted Superman books during that time frame. There are too many details that just do not fit together. So, if it can’t fit in with the Superman books, I feel it can’t fit into the Batman timeline. But, if it did fit, it would take place after issues with a cover date of March 1994, which would go right around the end of “Knightquest,” although I don’t think Bruce would be too concerned about issues in Metropolis during that crucial time period.

   COLLIN COLSHER: All valid points, Chip. This Retroactive issue was supposed to take place a full year after Doomsday killed Superman, if I’m not mistaken. However, it obviously cannot occur that late (as noted above). Its canonical status is debatable, but if it did fit (as you say), then it goes here (as you say)! And yes, Bruce is extremely busy with his own shit right now, but we have to assume he can’t help but contact Clark when he receives a seismic alert. It’s merely a ten-second phone call after all.↩

3. ^[3]COLLIN COLSHER: The duration of the “Knightfall / Knightquest / KnightsEnd” epic originally spanned over a full year, but, due to editorial compression (i.e. time retcons and sliding-time), the original in-story length of time has been considerably shortened. After time compression, Jean-Paul Valley only serves as Batman for four-and-a-half months.↩
4. ^[4]AVINOAM YAGUR / BYKU: Eric Lustbader and Lee Moder’s Batman: The Last Angel (1994) serves as the final Batman-related tale occurring on both the Earth-B timeline and Earth-32 timeline. In this tale, Catwoman dons a new tiger-striped costume and attempts to steal an ancient Mayan bat mask from the museum. Batman stops her, but once he touches the artifact, he becomes possessed by a Mayan god. Luckily, Catwoman stops Batman before he can do anything terrible. The secret reveal and the returning villain in this story? Rupert Thorne! Catwoman references the events of Detective Comics #469-476 (where Thorne had ascended to the top of the mob food-chain in Gotham, only to be institutionalized after being terrorized by the supposed “ghost” of Hugo Strange). With Catwoman’s assistance, Thorne is rehabilitated and wilier than ever. However, Batman takes him down, shortening Thorne’s return. This story is non-canon on our Modern Age timeline for several reasons. First, Catwoman’s tigrine suit. Second, Catwoman’s hair. Third, Catwoman’s leopard! Fourth, Selina’s dad. Fifth, Selina’s background of having grown up in a rich environment. Sixth, The Last Angel does not fit well with (and outright contradicts) earlier stories like “Catwoman Year One,” “Her Sister’s Keeper,” and more. Sixth, and maybe most importantly, Batman does not know that Selina is Catwoman, but, at the current juncture on our timeline, not only does he know, she knows that he knows as well. Seventh, Rupert Thorne’s narrative contradicts later stories in Detective Comics. And, lastly, The Last Angel‘s campiness—in the wake of Doug Moench’s dark arc of Batman’s burnout, defeat, and struggle to return—feels wrong. Moving The Last Angel earlier on our timeline doesn’t solve any of the above problems either. The Crisis on Infinite Earths: The Compendium also confirms that The Last Angel is non-canon. There are still plenty of holdouts on the internet that won’t let anyone pry The Last Angel out of their dead hands, though, insisting that this story should be canon. If The Last Angel were canon, we could place it in the middle of the upcoming Zero Hour, which could serve as a fanwank for the story’s bizarre campiness and otherworldliness. Your call, peeps.↩
5. ^[5]COLLIN COLSHER: Time Trapper’s metapower (emphasis on meta) is chronokinesis, the ability to not only travel through time, but to manipulate it as well. Furthermore, Time Trapper itself is a physical manifestation of a sentient alternate timeline. (Thank you for this ridiculous concept, Geoff Johns, who was clearly dropping Grant Morrison’s acid when he cooked up this Final Crisis retcon.) In any case, Time Trapper’s secret identity morphs, warps, and alters over time. The Time Trapper killed here is Cosmic Man (an adult Rokk Krinn, formerly Cosmic Boy). Due to Time Trapper’s chronokinesis, he/she/they never really dies—instead, he/she/they simply gets auto-resurrected with a new history. Following Cosmic Man’s murder in Zero Hour, the Time Trapper becomes the alt-Batgirl. Later Time Trappers will be Lori Morning and, after that, an adult Superboy-Prime (which will be Time Trapper’s final incarnation on the Modern Age timeline).↩
6. ^[6]CHIP: While Zero Hour seemingly brings about characters from prior continuity (including a Golden Age-based Alfred Beagle in Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31), these characters aren’t legitimately being pulled from prior/defunct canon. They are, instead, anomalous alternate versions of said characters, merely a part of the weird cosmic shenanigans associated with Zero Hour‘s timey-wimey narrative. Similarly, in Shadow of the Bat #31, in the Batcave, we see novel trophies, specifically a sarcophagus and a medieval suit of armor bearing a Bat-symbol. We must assume these come from an alternate reality. Regarding the placement of Shadow of the Bat #31, there are two “facts” that must be acknowledged. First, Robin mentions meeting the alt-Batgirl “a few nights ago.” Second, Shadow of the Bat #31 appears to span about 24 hours. There’s no place where both of these things can occur simultaneously. There are 24 free hours near the start of Zero Hour, but that wouldn’t be “a few nights” after meeting the alt-Batgirl. If we treat the latter “fact” as gospel (or try to, at least), the latest we can push Shadow of the Bat #31 is between Zero Hour #2 and Zero Hour #1, precisely 67 hours after the debut of the alt-Batgirl. It’s not quite “a few nights ago,” but it’s getting close. Of course, as we draw closer to the conclusion of Zero Hour, there isn’t a place where we have a free 24 hours of extra time. There’s actually only six hours between Batman’s final appearance in Zero Hour #2 and his first appearance in Zero Hour #1. Nevertheless, this is still where Shadow of the Bat #31 seems to fit the best, so, again, chronal aberrations must be rearing their ugly heads.↩
7. ^[7]CHIP: Batman-less Zero Hour spin-offs Catwoman Vol. 2 #14 and Robin Vol. 2 #10 are tied to the end of Zero Hour because of the fade-to-white endings of both titles. Therefore, both Catwoman Vol. 2 #14 and Robin Vol. 2 #10 should completely overlap with Zero Hour #1 since nothing should go between the directly connected Zero Hour #1 and Zero Hour #0. There is enough space in Zero Hour #1 for Robin to get back to Gotham to have his little Robin Vol. 2 #10 adventure, which includes a young alt-Dick Grayson. Robin going back home for a brief spell can be explained away simply as Batman sending Robin back to keep an eye on Gotham, but then Gotham starts disappearing, thus forcing Robin to return to the main action in New York.↩
8. ^[8]COLLIN COLSHER: Much of Hank Hall’s time as Extant is later erased by Metron (as seen in JSA #14). However, we never learn which parts are specifically erased or kept intact. Thanks to the Rebirth Era’s Doomsday Clock #10, we know that all of Hank’s malicious actions in Zero Hour are indeed canon.↩
9. ^[9]COLLIN COLSHER: 2006’s Infinite Crisis will eventually undo Zero Hour‘s retcons, returning things to as they were prior. Unfortunately, there are many instances during the upcoming 1994 to 2006 publication period when we’ll have to ignore references to the Zero Hour retcons—such as the Wayne murder case being unsolved, Batman being an urban myth, and a handful more. While the in-story reasons for the initial retcons and future return to status quo are apparent (Hal Jordan’s cosmic meddling in Zero Hour and Alexander Luthor Jr’s cosmic meddling in Infinite Crisis, respectively), the wishy-washiness registers less like narrative and more like creators simply changing their minds or wanting to cancel out prior creators. It’ll be many years past Infinite Crisis before we really begin to see creators making better in-story excuses for retcon flip-flopping, chiefly through the narrative inclusion of temporary collective memory blockages and/or temporary cosmic erasures.↩
10. ^[10]COLLIN COLSHER: In 1994, DC’s timeline had Zero Hour at the present day with the original Crisis occurring four years prior. My timeline reflects this by having the Crisis about three-and-a-half years prior. The 1994 timeline also placed Batman’s debut only six years before Crisis. My timeline gives a full ten years between Batman’s debut and Crisis. This is because my timeline has the benefit of hindsight and can take into account things not yet published in 1994, such as The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and a bunch of Legends of the Dark Knight material.↩
11. ^[11]COLLIN COLSHER: This note was mentioned in the Modern Age intro but bears repeating here. In 1994, some DC editors wanted the conclusion of Zero Hour to function exactly the same way as the conclusion of the original Crisis, meaning they wanted a full reboot i.e. a blank historical slate leading up to 1994. 2015’s Convergence arc confirms this fact by officially referring to the chronology that spans Crisis #11 through Zero Hour as the “pre-Zero Hour timeline.” (Some folks who share this view use the term “Sigma timeline” instead.) While my Modern Age Batman chronology leaves a blank slate for everything prior to Crisis #11-12, I have not done the same for Zero Hour. Since Zero Hour introduced sliding-time, it is not immune to its own physics, meaning that Zero Hour itself has been time-slid (from 1994 to 1998, then to 2000, and finally to 2002). This means that—if Zero Hour were a true reboot—only stories published from 2002 to 2011 would be officially Modern Age canon, rendering everything prior to that as mere retroactive reference material. This is DC’s majority opinion, further meaning that the company promotes the idea of two separate continuities within the Modern Age: a pre-Zero Hour timeline (aka Sigma timeline) and a post-Zero Hour timeline (aka pre-Flashpoint timeline aka Modern Age Proper). I don’t buy that for a second, and neither should you. Yes, Zero Hour introduced sliding-time to the DCU, but it changed very little narratively. Almost every single retcon that Zero Hour caused—from Batman’s urban myth status to Joe Chill’s erasure—was quickly ignored and reversed anyway, thus rendering Zero Hour as the very definition of a soft reboot (and barely one at that). To reiterate: in my view, Zero Hour was never a real reboot—and, even if we were to label it as such, it would definitely fall into the soft reboot category anyway. Nevertheless, because of Zero Hour, we’ll now begin to see the temporary retcons in our stories. For years to come, folks will say the Wayne murders were never solved, while others will say Batman is nothing more than an urban myth. Again, since these things eventually get undone, be sure to ignore them whenever they pop up. The idea that one of the world’s most famous superheroes—someone who has been on various teams and who has a large family, multiple sidekicks, and a generational legacy—could be considered an urban myth by the public (in his fourteenth year of crimefighting, no less) is absolutely ludicrous. It was a bad idea at the time, so it’s a good thing it got erased.↩
12. ^[12]COLLIN COLSHER: A little more on the behind-the-scenes history of Zero Hour (and the lasting impact of sliding-time). We’ve already established that Batman’s “Early Period” lasts ten years. In Frank Miller’s Year One, originally published in 1988, Batman is 26-years-old. By including the ten-year buffer between Miller’s origin story and the ongoing post-Crisis arcs, DC editors realized that Batman was already in his 40s by 1990. Fearful of a future where all the other heroes were getting too old, and because there was money to be made and tons of great (and bad) tales yet to be told, DC Editors felt they needed to make Batman and company more contemporary, and they did so in 1994 with Zero Hour. Since not everyone can write a badass geriatric superhero the way Miller can, DC wanted to address the issue of superheroes getting too old too fast as soon as possible.

    In the Zero Hour storyline, Green Lantern Hal Jordan, having recently become Parallax, alters time, compacting the entire DCU timeline (at that point, about 18 years’ worth of stuff) into a smaller package. DC’s next move, just as they’d done in previous publishing eras, was to institute sliding-time, making the new compressed package lead up to the current calendar date, which at the time was 1994. The timeline then slid up to 1998, then 2000, then 2002. To keep stories contemporary, editors kept sliding DC’s entire history forward, continually bringing the heroes’ debuts to more recent dates. Technically, the year 2000 was the last time they officially slid the timeline (in Guide to the DC Universe 2000 Secret Files). Still, the Zero Hour place-marker was shifted once more to 2002, based on character ages and the final details of the overall Modern Age über-narrative. (Interestingly, in this sense, Zero Hour, the very Jonbar point that initiated sliding-time to the DCU in the first place, winds up sliding itself from 1994 to 2002.) Some scholars argue that DC slid its timeline beyond 2002, but that’s highly debatable and quite dubious. Our Modern Age timeline places 2002 as the final sliding point, which is why, on our chronology, a 26-year-old Bruce debuts as Batman in 1989 and is 48-years-old at the end of the Modern Age in 2011.

    Sliding-time is a sticky wicket that sometimes makes for funky continuity. Marvel has used it since the 1960s, which is why it’s nearly impossible to create a detailed chronology of Marvel characters. You can compile reading orders for Marvel characters, but that’s about it. Often, and quite problematically, sliding-time will even cause the universal clock in a fictional world to advance ahead of our “real life” calendar. Even more problematic, sliding-time totally shits on stories that use topical references, including a large bunch of late-80s Cold War/Reagan-era stories (“Ten Nights of the Beast” and every single issue of JLI stand out in my mind). For these reasons and more, as a reader in the early aughts, I often dreamed of the Big Two abandoning sliding-time for a “real life” time progression, but it obviously never happened.↩

13. ^[13]COLLIN COLSHER: At the time of its release in 1994, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #0 did an interesting thing by incorporating sneak peeks of future LOTDK stories that were set to be published. Since these stories mostly take place in Batman’s history, these “flash-forwards” actually function as flashbacks in our chronology. Notably, a few preview images were never published with stories, so we have to take a clever approach to them. First, there is a preview image for a LOTDK story entitled “Zero” (by Gerard Jones, David Williams, and Karl Kesel). While this story was never published, the image used, a generic splash of Batman swinging through Gotham, actually fits in well here. Second, there is a preview page for a LOTDK story titled “Taz” (by Brian Murray and Mike Baron), but this story was also never published. I have taken the liberty of adding it as a novel flashback earlier this year. Third, there is a preview image for Batman: Madness – A Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special aka LOTDK Halloween Special #2, which is non-canon. Therefore, the image, a generic scene of Batman versus Mad Hatter, can be seen as a nod to their first-ever encounter. Fourth, there is a pin-up (by Frank Gomez and Roy Burdine) showing maskless future Batman (or Bat-ally) toting a gun. This picture is totally vague, but I’ve noted it in the future section of the site. Fifth, there is a generic pin-up (by Phil Winslade) that depicts Batman perched atop a skyscraper. I’ve included this as a novel flashback earlier this year.↩
14. ^[14]ODI: While there are many artists credited on “Prodigal,” only penciler Phil Jimenez draws Dick’s Batman cape with the infamous spiky shoulder-blade pads (as seen in Robin Vol. 2 #11-13). No one else does this. So, it’s best to take those spiky shoulders as Jimenez’s bizarre artistic liberty.↩
15. ^[15]COLLIN COLSHER: Jared Stevens, the new punk rock Dr. Fate, who goes by “Fate” for short, was hand-picked as the successor to the Helm of Fate (during Zero Hour) by the previous Dr. Fate (Inza Cramer-Nelson, who had merged with her temporarily resurrected husband, the original Dr. Fate, Kent Nelson). With Stevens operating as the new Dr. Fate, Inza (also deceased) and Kent both pass on to the afterlife together.↩
16. ^[16]COLLIN COLSHER: The Forever People (Beautiful Dreamer, Big Bear, Infinity Man, Mark Moonrider, Maya, Serifan, and Vykin the Black) are also shown at the Warriors Bar party, but, thanks to post-Zero Hour retcons from John Byrne’s New Gods Vol. 4 #14 (1997) and Byrne’s Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #18-20 (1998), their appearance here must be ignored. Thanks to Byrne, the Forever People would currently be in exile on the planet Adon, not to return until New Gods Vol. 4 #14. Thus, Byrne erases about thirty Forever People appearances from the original Crisis through New Gods Vol. 4 #14, including this one.↩
17. ^[17]COLLIN COLSHER: Batman: Gotham Nights II is technically also named Batman: Gotham Nights Vol. 2, as it is the follow-up to the previous Batman: Gotham Nights mini. The third volume of the series (Batman: Gotham Nights Vol. 3) gets released in 2019-2020 as Batman Giant Vol. 2, before being reprinted as Batman: Gotham Nights Vol. 3 in 2020.↩
18. ^[18]BARDIA: The appearance of the Ventriloquist, along with Scarface, in Underworld Unleashed #1 is an out-and-out continuity error that doesn’t jibe with the Ventriloquist’s chronological narrative. In Shadow of the Bat #32 (1994), Ventriloquist went to jail, leaving Scarface with Rhino. We then saw Ventriloquist still in jail in Guy Gardner: Warrior #29 (1995). Now, Underworld Unleashed #1 (1995) incorrectly shows Ventriloquist alongside Scarface out and about. Next up (next in-story year) for Ventriloquist will be Shadow of the Bat #59-60 (1997), which will show the villain finally getting out of jail to reunite with Scarface, who is still with Rhino. Underworld Unleashed #1 artist Howard Porter simply throws a ton of random bad guys into the background of a few panels, mistakenly adding Ventriloquist and Scarface. Either they shouldn’t be there at all, or it should be Rhino holding Scarface.↩