User:Ipstenu/Batman
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[edit] Modern Age
After the 12-issue limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC "rebooted" or revised the histories of some of their major characters in an attempt at updating them for then-contemporary audiences. Frank Miller retells Batman's origin in the storyline "Batman: Year One" (Batman #404-407), which emphasizes a grittier tone to the character and largely ignores the sci-fi and campy elements of the 1950s and '60s Batman comics. Unlike the reboots given to other hero's histories, many stories of Batman's Silver Age Earth-One career remain canonical in the post-Crisis universe. While Dick Grayson's past remains much the same, the history of Jason Todd, the second Robin, is altered, turning the boy into the orphan son of a petty crook, who tries to boost the tires from the Batmobile. Also removed is the guardian Phillip Wayne, leaving young Bruce to be raised by Alfred the butler. Additionally, Batman, as well as Superman and Wonder Woman, are no longer founding members of the JLA. The character changes in Jason ultimately led to his character's death in the 1988 storyline, "A Death in the Family." DC Comics created a 900 number for readers to call to vote on whether Jason lived or died, and Jason was killed by a narrow margin.
In 1993, the same year that DC Comics published the "Death of Superman" storyline, the publisher released the "Knightsaga" series. In the storyline's first phase, "Knightfall", new villain Bane critically injures Bruce Wayne, leading Bruce to ask Azrael to take on the role of Batman. The storylines split in two directions. "KnightQuest: The Crusade", which follows the Azrael-Batman's adventures, and "KnightQuest: The Search", following Bruce Wayne. The story arcs realign in "KnightsEnd", as Azrael becomes increasingly violent and is defeated by a newly healed Bruce Wayne. Not ready to return as Batman, Bruce passes the mantle to Dick Grayson during "Prodigal" before resuming the role himself.
In 1994's company-wide crossover Zero Hour, some aspects of DC continuity are again changed, including those of Batman. Noteworthy among these changes is that the general populace and the criminal element now considers Batman an urban legend rather than a known force. Similarly, the Waynes' killer is never caught or identified, effectively removing Joe Chill from the new continuity.
In 1998, Gotham City is destroyed during the Cataclysm storyline, depriving Batman of many of his technological resources. Lex Luthor rebuilds Gotham at the end of the No Man's Land storyline. Bruce Wayne is framed for murder in the Bruce Wayne: Murderer? and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive story arcs.
Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee began a 12-issue run on Batman in 2003. Lee's first regular comicbook work in nearly a decade, and the series became #1 on the Diamond Comics sales chart for the first time since Batman #500, with the new "Batman: Hush" storyline.
The storyline introduces Tommy Elliot, a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne's, who had signficant influence on him during his youth. Disguised as Hush, Elliot attacks Batman by coordinating many of the hero's enemies, including what appears to be Jason Todd. Though the Jason Batman fights is proven to be Clayface, the real Jason is watching on the sidelines. Batman reveals his identity to Catwoman and the two become romantically involved for a brief time, until Batman's growing sense of distrust ends their relationship.
Jason Todd, returned to life a mere six months after his death, has been operating without detection for so with the help of Talia al Ghul. Only when they fight, with Jason guised as the Red Hood, does he reveal himself to Batman.
DC's 2005 limited series Identity Crisis, reveals that JLA member Zatanna had edited Batman's memories, leading to his deep loss of trust in the rest of the superhero community. He later creates the Brother I satellite surveillance system to watch over the other heroes. Its eventual co-opting by Maxwell Lord, Black King of the governement organization Checkmate, is one of the main events that leads to the Infinite Crisis, which again restructures DC continuity. Undoing the retcon of Zero Hour, the murderer of Martha and Thomas Wayne is captured.
Batman and a team of superheroes, including the new Blue Beetle, destroy Brother Eye and the OMACs. During the Battle of Metropolis, Batman holds Alexander Luthor, Jr. at gunpoint, until Wonder Woman intervenes. Following the crisis, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Tim Drake retrace the steps Bruce had taken when he originally left Gotham City, to "rebuild Batman." Wonder Woman and a depowered Superman are also missing for the following year. Before the three leave, Batman asks Harvey Dent to be Gotham's new protector for the next year.
One year later, Batman and Robin return to Gotham City. Harvey Dent has been the protector of the city, but the investigation of the KGBeast's murder has him pegged as the prime suspect, as all evidence points to Two-Face trademarks.
Writer Grant Morrison and artist Andy Kubert are currently working on the follow-up story arc Batman and Son, featuring Talia al Ghul.
