Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman #96
In the latest issue of Batman, the Dark Knight is in a coma for three days thanks to the Joker and a new potent strain of his gas mixed with Scarecrow toxin. During that time, Batman dreams, having a fantasy of the shining future of Gotham City that wold presumedly be the happy ending he's always desired and wished for. However, given the state of Gotham City's present with the Joker War, it seems doubtful that that any version of the future will come to pass. Read on to learn more about the happy ending Batman's always wanted.
In Batman #95, Batman was dosed by the Joker's new girlfriend Punchline at the issue's end. Now, it's revealed in Batman #96 from writer James Tynion IV with art by Jorge Jimenez that Harley Quinn saved Batman. She's been watching over him for the last three days during his coma. During that time, Joker has well and truly turned Gotham into his own personal domain, using his own men and the resources he stole from Batman to keep the entire city in his grip. Batmobiles have become Jokermobiles, tearing around the city and causing absolute terror and mayhem.
While the present is dark, Batman had been dreaming of a brighter future. In his dream, it's a beautiful shining day in the city and Gotham has the makings of a near perfect utopia. On his comms, Batman has Alfred in his ear, still alive, directing him in pursuit of Mr. Freeze and the sons he'll have in this supposed future. During their chase, Alfred informs him of a young boy whose getting too close to the path of the chase, so Batman requests that a "Bat-Signal" be sent. The boy looks at his phone, and the bat logo with a message appears, asking him to please stand back, right as the chase speeds past him. It's a great example of Batman's technology being used for the sole purpose of saving innocents, rather than a weapon that's currently being used against him like in the present. After successfully apprehending Mr. Freeze and Sons, Batman returns to the Batcave, and Alfred informs him that it must be a record: he hadn't had to put on the Batsuit for a whole month, showing the progress Batman has made in making his city safe in this fantasy.
Sadly, it truly is just a fantasy and reality quickly comes crashing in when Alfred's neck snaps, reminding Batman of his death. The Joker speaks through Alfred in the dream turned nightmare, telling him that he doesn't get a happy ending, and that he dies alone, with no family, and no one to love, with Gotham falling into the Joker's hands, waking Batman up to face the current war happening in his city.
Will this fantasy future, or a version of it, come to pass? Perhaps it still could and Batman will one day be that Shining Knight in the light as opposed to the Dark Knight in the shadows he still needs to be in the present. At any rate, Batman still has to get through and survive the Joker War if he even wants a chance at making that dream of a bright future a reality.
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August 09, 2020 at 06:46AM
