One of the biggest thrill rides of DC Rebirth delivers an action and emotion packed surprise first arc finale.
The Batman family is mourning the loss of one of their own after a heroic sacrifice.
One threat defeated? Another born?
Before we break down what this week’s Rise of the Batmen finale means for the newest team on the streets of Gotham City here’s a where we are:
The legendary Detective Comics returned to its original numbering starring new teams in and behind the Bat-book. James Tynion IV and Eddy Barrows relaunched the book that gave birth to Batman in a bold new direction.
The Dark Knight discovered a force in Gotham doing his job with military effectiveness. And the members of the Bat-family were under surveillance.
Batman recruited Kate Kane to join him, train and lead a new team of young heroes: Red Robin, Spoiler, Orphan and Clayface. “Batman Boot Camp” began. The new squad of vigilantes operated with military precision out of their own hq: the Belfry.
Bruce, Kate and the team came face to face with The Colony and an enemy within. Kate’s father was behind the covert military operation to create this army of Batmen.
In the previous issue The Colony launched an army of drones to destroy potential threats to the city. The team divided with Batwoman facing her treacherous father. Tim Drake came up with a solution to stop the drones destroying on Gotham. He gave them a single target: himself.
What happened next is a jolt to the heart and punch to gut.
Before we continue here’s a SPOILER ALERT!
If you have not read Detective Comics #940 yet stop reading now.
Seriously.
OK.
Here it comes.
Drake survived the first wave of drones with painful but minor injuries. A second wave was headed straight for him.
As Batman and the team rush to the Belfry, Drake asks Bruce to tell the team how important they were to him, how thankful he was to be a “Robin”.
But the moment…Tim’s final goodbye to Stephanie/Spoiler.
Then this…
Bruce asks Kate to lock up her father in the Belfry while finds the Spoiler. Stephanie’s devastation is powerful to see as Batman tries to comfort her and make her see Tim knew this was a possibility.
Then, Bruce learns what Tim had been hiding. Stephanie shows Bruce Tim’s acceptance into a university, and his way to a different life.
Don’t pull out more tissues yet because…
Tim Drake?
Alive and captured? A mysterious shrouded enemy tells him he’s been taken “off the field,” as he is too important to let die, but must be kept out of time from the ones he loves.
How did Tim survive what looked like obliteration?
Who is Tim’s captor?
How will Drake escape?
Who will know even know to search for Tim if everyone believes he’s dead?
Will the team stay together after this issue’s victory and price of winning?
Detective Comics, Batman and Nightwing issues will now be part of Night of the Monster Men, the first crossover of the DC Rebirth starting next week.
By Editor