(2015)
–REFERENCE: In Super Sons Annual #1. Batman moves Bat-cow into a barn and spacious grazing field on the edge of Wayne Manor property. Unknown to the Bat-Family, Bat-Cow begins secretly moonlighting as a member of the all-animal team known as the Super-Pets! The team comprises Detective Chimp, Bat-Cow, Titus (aka Bat-Hound), Flexi the Plastic Bird, Clay Critter (seemingly a sentient piece of Clayface’s body), Krypto, and Streaky the Super-Cat. The team will be quite short-lived, disbanding after Dex-Starr (the evil Red Lantern cat) murders Clay Critter at the Gotham Zoo!
–REFERENCE: In Dark Nights: Metal #2—originally told in “TRINITY WAR.” When the promise of great danger arises in the form of the godlike Pandora and the return of her terrible box of myth, the heroes are assembled at the supernatural House of Mystery by The Phantom Stranger to discuss a plan of action. After Batman, Katana, and Deadman briefly visit Heaven, they rejoin the rest of their fellow heroes. However, the good guys fight amongst themselves over control of Pandora’s Box before winding-up fighting against a large group of super-villains known as The Secret Society—(basically a new version of the Secret Society of Super-villains). Eventually, the box goes into the hands of Secret Society leader Earth-3 Alfred Pennyworth, who uses it to open an interdimensional gateway that allows his Crime Syndicate brethren to come to Earth-0 and defeat all the heroes with ease.
–REFERENCE: In Titans Vol. 3 Annual #1, Nightwing Vol. 4 #22, Nightwing Vol. 4 #28, Red Hood & The Outlaws Vol. 2 #13, Batman Vol. 3 #33, Detective Comics #969 Part 1, and Justice League Vol. 3 #39—originally told in Forever Evil. The Crime Syndicate and Secret Society take over the Earth, defeating most of the Earth’s heroes and destroying the JL Watchtower satellite. Lex Luthor, thinking of himself as the last possible savior of the planet, suits up and activates a clone of Superman known as Bizarro (not to be confused with Earth-30’s Bizarro #1). Batman and Catwoman bring the injured Cyborg to his father Dr. Silas Stone. Concurrently, Superwoman (a couple weeks pregnant) tells Ultraman that Owlman plans on betraying the Syndicate. Lex and Bizarro join with Captain Cold, Black Adam, and Black Manta to form an anti-Syndicate League (basically a new incarnation of the Injustice League). Things look bleak until Sinestro kills Power Ring, whose ring immediately shoots off in search of a new host. Batman, Catwoman, and Sinestro join Luthor’s group and infiltrate the HQ of the Crime Syndicate where they find and rescue Nightwing from a death trap. While Nightwing’s life is saved, his secret ID as Dick Grayson is exposed and the entire world believes he is killed. Captain Cold releases another Syndicate prisoner, Earth-3’s version of Lex Luthor, the deranged Alexander Luthor, who is the father of Superwoman’s unborn child. While Alexander and Superwoman team-up to defeat the Crime Syndicate, Cyborg and Batman are able to free the heroes. Alexander then fights Lex, who realizes he has the same voice as his attacker and calls down the magick lightning of “Mazahs.” Alexander is struck and killed. Lex, with help from his team, defeats Ultraman as well. With most of the Crime Syndicate dead and Earth saved, Lex is hailed as a hero. Luthor retires his bright green war-suit, going with a new hero model. Later, the Dark Knight tells Dick that he has a new mission for him. Dick will remain “dead” to the world (including the members of the Bat-Family) in order to go deep undercover as a Spyral secret agent. The Bat-Family mourns Dick’s “passing.” A small private funeral is held with Bruce, Alfred, and Babs. Dick joins Kathy Kane’s Spyral—working directly under Mr. Minos and Helena Bertinelli while teaming with The Tiger King of Kandahar as his partner. (Minos is an AI construct sleeper agent implanted into Spyral by Max Lord.) Dick immediately begins secretly reporting back to Batman, telling him that Tiger King is the best intel man in the world. Dick will continue to report to Batman in secrecy, moving forward.
–REFERENCE: In Flash Vol. 5 #21, Trinity Vol. 2 #9, Titans Vol. 3 Annual #1, Justice League Vol. 3 #34, Justice League Vol. 3 #37-41, Super Sons #12, and Superman Vol. 4 #39—originally told in Justice League Vol. 2 #30-34. Following the events of Forever Evil, Lex Luthor rides the media whirlwind of positive PR, having been Presidentially-pardoned and been declared a superhero on the front pages of newspapers across the globe. Lex asks to join the Justice League, but they deny him. Determined to gain acceptance, Luthor orders the construction of a brand new Watchtower satellite as a gift to the JL. The satellite is assembled by thousands of contractors working under the direction of dozens of top technicians, including LexCorp technicians Joshua Andre Christian (who was saved by the JL years ago) and Christian’s unnamed friend (who was not saved by the JL years ago). The latter installs undetectable microphones that he will use to secretly listen-in on the team for the next decade-plus. He also codes backdoor passwords into the Watchtower computer system and infests the satellite’s controls with undetectable nanobots and viruses. The JL accepts Luthor’s gift, moving all of its stuff, including trophies, into the new HQ, which floats in Earth’s atmosphere. Despite this, Luthor is still denied entry onto the team! Batman sets-up an alarm that will go off in the Batcave if things are tampered with on the Watchtower. He also installs a hidden Watchtower teleporter inside a Wayne Manor walk-in wardrobe closet. And he also stores extra Bat-costumes, clothes, gear, and spacesuits aboard the Watchtower. (Each Justice Leaguer has their own locker.) Shortly thereafter, at the Portland, OR home of sisters Sara Cruz and Jessica Cruz, the deceased Power Ring’s power ring finds its next host: Jessica. In Gotham, Luthor visits Wayne Manor and confirms that Bruce is Batman. The JL and the current Doom Patrol—Professor Niles Caulder, Robotman, Negative Man, Elasti-Woman (formerly Elasti-Girl), and Element Woman—both go to Portland to deal with an out-of-control new Power Ring. There, the Volthoom soul entity inside Power Ring’s ring tells Cyborg that his goal is to bring The Anti-Monitor to Earth-0. (The Anti-Monitor is one of the few characters cosmically powerful enough to have survived across multiple comic book reboots. This is indeed the Anti-Monitor from the original-Crisis. Same guy!) A spike of Jessica’s green energy is enough to alert the Anti-Monitor to the location of the ring on Earth-0. Batman talks down Jessica and takes the ring onto his own finger, easily suppressing the evil within. Later, Flash teaches a nervous Jessica—the new Power Ring—how to control her power ring and how to suppress the Volthoom soul sliver inside.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #960. Batman discovers the existence of the League of Shadows for a third time, but, for the third time, Ra’s al Ghul captures the Dark Knight and magickally mind-wipes his memories about it.
–REFERENCE: In Dark Days: The Forge #1. Looker, Windfall, and Atomic Knight join Batman’s secret Outsiders team. The Outsiders will continue going on unspecified missions and investigating the “dark energy” signature found in geological anomalies across the globe.
–REFERENCE: In Titans Vol. 3 Annual #1 and Super Sons #15—originally told in Justice League Vol. 2 #35-37 (“THE AMAZO VIRUS”). Neutron attacks LexCorp, causing the sentient Amazo Virus to become accidentally released. Within twenty-four hours, the virus has spread all over the United States, causing those infected to manifest random metahuman powers before dying. It isn’t long before Batman and Superman come face-to-face with “patient zero,” Lexcorp scientist Dr. Armen Ikarus. Batman, Neutron, Ikarus, and several infected Justice Leaguers rise up as evil metahumans. Lex creates an anti-virus vaccine out of Superman’s blood. The vaccine cures all except for 3% of the infected, who keep their powers, including Ikarus, who becomes the new Amazo. Afterward, Hal Jordan starts training Power Ring (Jessica Cruz).
–REFERENCE: In Superman Vol. 4 #22. Batman upgrades the Batmobile, giving it new defense systems. Batman also builds the Hellbat-suit, a heavily armored anti-Apokoliptian mech-costume designed for heavy combat. The Hellbat-suit is integrated into the Batmobile’s computer system, allowing its wearer to summon the car via remote control and to utilize the car’s defense and auto-driving features with voice-verification.
–REFERENCE: In Dark Days: The Forge #1. Batman disbands the Outsiders and forms a new version of his covert-ops team, featuring Martian Manhunter, Grace Choi, Thunder (Black Lightning’s daughter), Catwoman, Francine Langstrom, Green Arrow, ReMAC, The Creeper, Owlman (Roy Raymond Jr), Freight Train, and Olympian. The Outsiders will continue going on unspecified missions and investigating the “dark energy” signature found in geological anomalies across the globe.
–REFERENCE: In Deathstroke Vol. 4 #20 and Deathstroke Vol. 4 Annual #1—originally told in “FIRST CONTACT.” Batman meets Earth-2’s Huntress (Helena Wayne), who is his adult daughter on her world. (Earth-2’s Bruce Wayne was killed long ago.) Batman and Superman then team up with Earth-2’s top heroes, Huntress and Power Girl to take down Kaizen Gamorra and his army, which includes a host of Parademons and a Bizarro from Earth-2. (Gamorra is working for Darkseid.) Shortly after defeating Gamorra and company, Huntress and Power Girl decide to return to their Earth-2 home. (Huntress will stay put on Earth-2, but Power Girl will visit Earth-0 every now and again, moving forward.) Before departing, Power Girl appoints Tanya Spears as her replacement on Earth-0. Tanya debuts as the new Power Girl.
–REFERENCE: In Superman Vol. 4 #21-22, Super Sons #8, and Super Sons #10 Part 1—originally told in “The Hunt for Robin”/”Robin Rises” and Batman & Robin Vol. 2 #38-40. Damian and Talia are stolen from their graves by Ra’s al Ghul, who takes them to a Lazarus Pit under Nanda Parbat with the goal of resurrecting them using a magickal sliver of the Chaos Shard, a crystal from Apokolips. Batman tracks attempts to take back his deceased family members, but they are immersed in the Lazarus Pit. Glorious Godfrey and Kalibak, looking to retrieve the crystal, steal Damian’s casket with his body still inside. This prompts the Batman to don the Hellbat-suit and travel to Apokolips. On the fiery planet, Batman kicks ass and gets Damian, who is resurrected thanks to the power of the shard! But not only is Damian redivivus, he gains flight, super-speed, super-strength, and heat-vision as well! The Bat-Family celebrates the return of Damian. In the Himalayas, Talia is resurrected as well. Robin, with his new metapowers, begins cleaning cleaning-house in Gotham, scaring his dad, who runs constant tests on him and discovers that the Boy Wonder should be able to burn-out his dangerous powers if overexerted. Batman has Robin battle a gigantic robotic kaiju (remote-controlled by Cyborg), which does the trick. Robin’s powers disappear and all is back to normal.
–REFERENCE: In Green Arrow Vol. 6 #32—originally told in Detective Comics Vol. 2 #31-32. Batman beats the crap out of the aptly-named sumo-wrestling super-villain Sumo, who is running a child slavery ring.
–REFERENCE: In Batwoman: Rebirth #1, Batwoman Vol. 2 #2, Batwoman Vol. 2 #11, Detective Comics #957, Detective Comics #967, and Harley Quinn Vol. 3 #40—originally told in Batman Eternal. When Commissioner Gordon is framed for manslaughter, the Bat-Family is on the case. With Commisioner Gordon in trouble, chaos reigns in Gotham as a returning Carmine Falcone wars with Penguin. While Catwoman deals with Penguin’s capos Lark and Otto “Fishnet” Kruft (aka “Fishnet Face”), Batman defeats Professor Pyg and Carmine Falcone, both revealed as red herrings. The Caped Crusader’s investigation then takes him to Hong Kong where he meets Alfred’s daughter, British secret agent Julia Pennyworth. When Julia is injured by a gangster, Batman brings her to Wayne Manor, where she becomes a temporary resident, eventually discovering Bruce’s secret. Julia quickly becomes a member of the Bat-Family, remotely guiding Batman from the Batcave, helping them unravel the devious plot to smear Gordon and bring chaos to Gotham. Soon after, the scheme is shown to be masterminded by Cluemaster. Estranged by her father’s criminality, Stephanie Brown becomes the superhero Spoiler, helping the Bat-Family against a bunch of super-villains being manipulated by her dad. Longtime Bat-fan Harper Row takes it upon herself to become the superhero Bluebird, assisting the Bat-Family as well. Batman reluctantly accepts her help. In the end, Cluemaster’s scheme to put Gotham in ruins is foiled when he is betrayed by Lincoln March, who murders him by slitting his throat. The heroes then bust March.
–REFERENCE: In Teen Titans Vol. 6 #15 and Superman Vol. 4 #38—originally told in Superman Vol. 3 #40-43. Superman blasts the powerful super-villain Ulysses with heat vision for such an extended interval of time that the Man of Steel’s entire body erupts like a nuclear explosion, knocking-out Ulysses. Superman goes unconscious as well and is retrieved by Batman, who performs medical tests, discovering Superman’s newest super-power: the “solar-flare” (aka “super-flare”) ability. Batman also warns Superman that every time he uses the solar-flare he will be powerless for twenty-four hours afterward. Batman does a litany of tests on Superman.
–REFERENCE: In Justice League Vol. 3 #21 and Nightwing Vol. 4 #23—originally told in “POWER AND GLORY.” Clark Kent meets Alexis Martin and Vincent, super-scientists working for The Infinity Corporation. (SPOILER: The Infinity Corp crew is from the future and Alexis Martin is actually Alexis Luthor, Lex’s daughter.) Using Kryptonian “Stones of Forever.” Vincent shows Superman portentous visions of the future. In Metropolis, the Justice League fights Parasite, who has been unleashed by Jane Jones (another member of the Infinity Corporation). Afterward, the Infinity Corporation’s HQ completely vanishes. (The HQ can travel through time to hide itself.) Shortly thereafter, a massive spacecraft appears, out of which emerges the Kryptonian sun god Rao. Thanks to Rao, all across New York, people instantly begin feeling deep love and affection. Even incurable ailments are healed. The global populace is open to Rao’s incursion on Earth, except for the skeptics, Batman, Cyborg, and Aquaman. Simultaneously, Flash and Green Lantern wind up on Krypton 250,000 years in the past where they meet Rao (who is benevolent and has not yet been corrupted). Batman and Cyborg learn that evil Rao is harnessing power and energy from the network of docile humans via the combination of the “Stones of Forever” and his own “Stones of Life.” Their healthy and happy state is forced and fatal. The heroes, using Parasite, are able to defeat evil Rao and strip him of his powers. Superman nearly dies in the exchange. In retaliation, evil Rao’s Dwalu warriors and a time-displaced army of ancient Kryptonians attack Earth. The JL and Infinity Corp are able to fend-off the assault. Angered at what his future self has done, good Rao murders evil Rao—committing suicide by time-traveling to the future and killing his older self. The Forever Stones and Life Stones are stored inside Infinity Corps HQ. Significantly de-powered due nearly being killed by Rao, Superman will go through a short period wearing jeans and a Superman t-shirt instead of his normal costume, starting now. Once his powers fully return, Superman will return to his normal threads.
–REFERENCE: In Detective Comics #979. Batgirl retires her costume and switches to her much more fashionable purple-and-yellow “Burnside” duds. The old skin-tight black-and-grey leather goes to Batman, who puts it on display in the Batcave.
–FLASHBACK: From Flash Vol. 5 #36. When a few fake Batmen appear on the scene, the Bat-Family mobilizes. Nightwing, Batwoman, Batgirl, and Robin capture and restrain four Batmen, but they can’t tell which is the real one. Flash comes in to assist, running a DNA test that shows they each have Bruce’s genetic makeup. The heroes eventually figure out this case, which Flash calls “A Study in Black.” We are never told what was going on or who was responsible, but we can assume isomorphic cloning or magickal doppelgängers—likely the latter.
–FLASHBACK: From Dark Nights: Metal #2 and Batman & The Signal #2—and also referenced in Dark Days: The Forge #1, Dark Days: The Casting #1, Dark Nights: Metal #2, All-Star Batman #11, Detective Comics #959-961, Batman: The Merciless #1, and Batman & The Signal #3. Originally told in “ENDGAME.” Bruce begins constructing his “Final Invention,” a cloning machine made out of Promethium, the mystical metal that comprises Cyborg’s body. Bruce’s cloning machine, if completed, would theoretically ensure that there would always be a Batman in the future. Bruce plans to clone himself and give the clone memory implants of everything he himself experienced from his own birth until when he decided to become a superhero. Thus, a new almost-perfect replica of Bruce can be created and activated every 27 years like clockwork. While the cloning function of the machine is still in its infancy and not anywhere close to being ready, the memory siphoning portion is completed. Bruce hooks-in and uploads all his memories to date. A data-personality map of Bruce’s mind is stored into a high-tech computer system attached to the machine. Batman also designs and tailors a new costume that has an altered chest insignia and purple on the underside of his cape (but will save it for later). Soon after, Joker attacks the Justice League, neutralizing them. The Clown Prince of Crime then Jokerizes all the citizens of Gotham and once again reaffirms his knowledge of Batman’s secret ID by luring the Dark Knight into a Crime Alley stage-set. There, a Jokerized and drugged-up Joe Chill is forced to reenact the death of the Waynes, except with teenager Duke Thomas’ parents as substitutes. Batman saves the elder Thomases, but they get permanently Jokerized into a grinning catatonic state. Batman escapes through a window, fleeing with Duke in his arms. Soon after, Batman deduces that Crazy Quilt has helped Joker. Batman fights Crazy Quilt, who monologues in fustian about he and Joker having found the mythical immortality compound Dionesium. Crazy Quilt mentions that Dionesium first granted immortality to Vandal Savage, who encountered it in its “rawest form” (i.e. the defeated Hyper-Adapter spiraling backward through time)! Crazy Quilt also notes that Ra’s al Ghul’s Lazarus Pits are filled with a weaker “corrupted” version of Dionesium. He also uses the word “Barbatos” interchangeably with the word “immortal” several times! After defeating Crazy Quilt, Batman visits the remnants of the Court of Owls. They tell him that Electrum is nothing more than an “imperfect version” of Dionesium. Batman begins to question whether or not Joker might be hundreds of years old. The Dark Knight then assembles the Bat-Family for the fight of their lives. The Bat-Family teams-up with Batman’s deadliest rogues to combat Jokerized people in downtown Gotham. Batman fights Joker solo in a bloody brawl, during which the Dionesium in Joker’s bloodstream enters Batman’s bloodstream. Batman eventually ends Joker’s threat and saves the city, but both men are killed. However, they are both immediately resurrected as amnesiacs thanks to the Dionesium in their systems. (Originally, in the New 52, all of Bruce’s scars were healed thanks to the Dionesium. However, a reference in All-Star Batman #12 tells us that this is not the case in the New Age. Bruce’s scars remain. Also note that this entire fight and getting Dionesium into Batman’s bloodstream has been manipulated and orchestrated by the Court of Owls, who are doing the bidding of the Strigydae high priests of Barbatos’ Judas Tribe as part of their ongoing “Mantling” ritual.) Joker, totally cured of his insanity, wanders the streets of Gotham. Batman wanders aimlessly into the nearby forest. The Bat-Family mourns the loss of Batman, but soon find him. Bruce is taken-in by Alfred, who refuses to tell him about his past as Batman, hoping he can live a normal life now. With reports of Batman’s death hitting the mainstream news outlets fairly quickly, the GCPD, along with tech entrepreneur Geri Powers (owner of Powers Industries), builds a one-person-controlled Batman-robot mech to replace the Dark Knight. Jim Gordon steps down as commissioner to pilot the mech (which has a semi-sentient Batman AI that has been programmed with the Dark Knight’s positive morals). Gordon becomes the new Batman! Maggie Sawyer replaces him as commissioner. With an ops team of Julia Pennyworth and Daryl Gutierrez (a friend of Duke’s) backing him up, robo-Batman takes to the streets for regular patrols. Meanwhile, Bruce takes a job at The Lucius Fox Center For Gotham Youth and begins working with and dating Julie Madison.
–REFERENCE: In Nightwing Vol. 4 #27 and Batman & The Signal #1-3—originally told in We are Robin and Robin War. A teenage superhero group that idolizes Robin—aptly calling itself “Robin”—forms in Gotham. Their numbers range into the dozens, but members of the “Middleton Robin Cell”—Duke Thomas, Isabella “Izzy” Ortiz, Troy Walker, Andre “Dre” Cipriani, Riko Sheridan, Shug, and Daxton “Dax” Chill (Joe Chill’s son!) take charge as leaders. After teaming with Robo-Batman (Jim Gordon) and the Bat-Family to stop the resurgent Court of Owls, the Robin gang is vitiated, outlawed, and impelled to disband. Only Duke keeps his Robin gear and continues to play superhero afterward. Afterward, Dick learns about the existence of the Paliament of Owls and is sworn-in as a member. (He hopes to bring the group down from within.)
–REFERENCE: In Batwoman: Rebirth #1 and Detective Comics #958—originally told in Batman & Robin Eternal. When Mother returns—along with David Cain and new Azrael (Jean-Paul Valley Jr)—to threaten the entire planet, a group of heroes join forces to fight her. Dick returns to the fold, revealing to the Bat-Family that he is alive and well. Dick leads Robo-Batman (Jim Gordon), Helena Bertinelli, Batgirl, Red Robin, Robin, Red Hood, Spoiler, Cassie Cain, Duke Thomas, Bluebird, Cullen Row, and Midnighter to fight Mother and her brainwashed soldiers across the globe. Dick talks down Azrael, causing him to see the error of his ways. Likewise, David Cain betrays Mother, sacrificing his own life to end hers (and her threat).
–REFERENCE: In Dark Days: The Forge #1, Dark Days: The Casting #1, Dark Nights: Metal #2, and Batman: The Merciless #1—originally told in “SUPERHEAVY.” Geri Powers shows Jim Gordon a Collider (of the Large Hadron variety) in one of her science facilities. She reveals that, with this Collider and decades of development, Powers Industrial scientists have developed a brand new bizarre element—the darkest-colored and heaviest metal known to man. In honor of the hero of Gotham, they’ve named it Batmanium! (Unknown to Geri, the Court of Owls—mostly via the prior owners of Powers Industrial, Geri’s Court of Owl member parents—has been funding the creation of this new element with the sole purpose of its use as the final metal needed in the “Mantling” ritual to summon Barbatos and his minions through Batman’s body.) Shortly after the Batmanium reveal, new super-villain Mr. Bloom attacks Gotham, spreading grotesque metahuman powers to Gotham’s citizens via bizarre seed capsules. Robo-Batman (Jim Gordon) fights the debuting Mr. Bloom, but is defeated. Duke Thomas, having deduced that Bruce Wayne is Batman, talks to him, jogging part of his memories. Against a saddened Alfred’s wishes, and with Julie Madison now knowing his secret and present, Bruce uses the memory data-personality map from his unfinished cloning machine to irradiate himself with Promethium rays, returning himself back the good ol’ Dark Knight we know and love. As Bruce’s memories return, lingering Dionesium in his body causes him to witness a vision of alternate versions of himself dying on other timelines. Donning his recently designed new costume, the real Batman returns and kicks Mr. Bloom’s ass. Using the strange mystic powers of Batmanium, robo-Batman delivers the finishing blow on Mr. Bloom. Most of Gotham is then returned to normal, although Daryl Gutierrez remains trapped with a deformed body and metahuman powers that make him evil. Daryl goes into Arkham Asylum. Gordon retires as Batman, returning to his position as commissioner. Finally back, Batman visits with the Bat-Family. (A single-panel flashback from Batwoman Vol. 2 #9 shows the reassembled Bat-Family—Batman, Batwoman, Batgirl, Red Hood, Nightwing, Robin, and Bluebird—posing during this reunion gathering.) After the Bat-Family fills-in Batman on all that he missed while he was an amnesiac, the Dark Knight researches the mysterious Dionesium. Later, Bruce offers Duke a spot in the Bat-Family. Cassie Cain officially joins the Bat-Family, taking the superhero codename “Orphan.” Bluebird retires as a crime-fighter, choosing to go to college instead. Bruce, back in his full-time role as Batman, ends his relationship with Julie.
–REFERENCE: In Super Sons #5. Having switched to his new costume, Batman puts his previous one (as he always does) on display in the Batcave.
–REFERENCE: In Action Comics #980. Batman learns about (and possibly confronts) Superman’s newest arch-rival, Blanque.
–REFERENCE: In Dark Days: The Forge #1, Dark Nights: Metal #5, and The Terrifics #1. Mr. Terrific meets with a troubled and completely unstable Plastic Man, who has been suffering increasingly worse nightmares night by night. Realizing that Plastic Man’s dreams are linked to the ongoing dark metal investigation, Mr. Terrific runs tests on him with Batman. They learn that Plastic Man is a superconductor for dark cosmic energy—he’s literally been experiencing the nightmares of every living being on multiple universes. Further examination and extraction of molecules reveals that Plastic Man can physically access the Dark Multiverse! After Batman preps him and explains theories about the Dark Multiverse, Plastic Man agrees to help his friends by acting as a human probe of the Dark Multiverse. However, shortly after he crosses over, Plastic Man quickly returns in a state of utter catatonic shock. His nightmare visions increase tenfold and his impulse to give into pure evil becomes overpowering. Thus, Plastic Man puts himself into an inert (and unconscious) permanent egg shape. Batman, Mr. Terrific, and select unknown others (likely the Outsiders) discuss the danger Plastic Man poses, even as an egg. They decide to put him into stasis and top secret storage.
–REFERENCE: In Doomsday Clock #2. Bruce lies through his annual Wayne Enterprises psych exam in order to pass.
–REFERENCE: In DC Holiday Special 2017 #1 Part 10. December 22. Bruce meets with Diana for their yearly tradition of lighting a winter solstice pyre in the woods.
