One of his most iconic pieces Batman lore is destroyed by the Dark Knight's own hand. Bruce Wayne has been through a lot in the past few months, and now he's focused on a terrifying new threat as he fends off a monster of his own making.
In the midst of all the turmoil in Batman's life, the immortal villain Vandal Savage has arrived in Gotham and has been appointed the city's new Police Commissioner. Now he's ready to make a crooked deal with the Caped Crusader, but Batman's response hints at what lies ahead for Bruce and every hero in Gotham.
Batman is officially done with Gotham PD
In Batman #149 By Chip Zdarsky, Steve Lieber, Michele Bandini, Nick Filardi, and Clayton Cowles, Batman finally defeats his twisted doppelganger, Zur-En-Arrh. But the backup personality left a trail of destruction that Bruce had to clean up, starting with Robin of Zur-En-Arr, a clone of Bruce who had been abandoned. Batman takes the boy in, only to discover that Zur-En-Arr is accelerating Robin's aging.but there was nothing to stop him. Batman decides to find a way to help his clone.
Batman is looking for a way to save the life of clone Bruce. Thankfully, cash left behind in one of the secret bank accounts of the original Bruce Zur-En-Arrh arrives. Bruce spends weeks trying to find a way to save his clone's life, even consulting Mister Terrific. But after it becomes clear that Bruce is not a savior clone, Batman takes him to Wayne Manor, the current home of Vandal Savage. Thankfully, Savage isn't home, allowing the old man a moment of peace before dying.
A week later, Savage calls Batman with the Bat-Signal and offers Batman a deal. The new commissioner will allow the Bat-Family to operate, and Savage will even give Bruce his cave and mansion back. In return, Savage asks Batman to “handle” any situation Savage requests. Batman responds to Savage's offer by destroying the Bat-Signal, impaling Savage in his dismembered remains. Batman leaves the new commissioner on the roof and vows that he will bring Savage down soon and he can keep Savage Wayne Manor.
How Vandal Savage Became One of Gotham's Most Powerful Figures
When the Joker steals Bruce's fortune, Batman is forced to leave Wayne Manor back. The Dark Knight's ancestral home has been seized and he is forced to find a new residence within Gotham City. Batman watched over Wayne Manor to make sure it never fell into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, the intense stress of his fight against Catwoman in “Gotham War” caused him to fail to see that his house was being bought right out from under him. To make matters worse, it was purchased by Justice League villain Vandal Savage.
The Savage had come to Gotham for a reason: His immortality was waning, and he needed to fix it immediately. The Beast manipulated events so that he could summon a meteor similar to the one that gave him his immortality in the first place. Savage's plan worked, but Savage got a little more than he bargained for with this new meteor. He is still immortal, but within the confines of Gotham. With him gone, Savage is weaker and more fragile. With no other option, Savage stayed in Gotham and decided to become its ruler.
Vandal Savage's journey to becoming police commissioner begins in The Savage Garden of Gotham.
Batman #139 (2023)
Savage's iron-fisted and conquering attitude caught the attention of several movers and shakers in Gotham, who informed him that the role of Police Commissioner was a destined one. But before Savage could take this position, he was captured by Zur-En-Arr and thrown into the Blackgate. Savage managed to escape by chasing Batman when he confronted him. Despite Zur-En-Arrh's best efforts, Savage became the new commissioner. Savage wasted no time in applying his powers as Commissioner to take down Zur-En-Arrh.he even calls in Amanda Waller and the United States Military for help.
What does destroying the bat signal mean to Batman
Unfortunately, Savage's rise to one of Gotham's most powerful positions was completely overlooked by Batman. Bruce was too busy dealing with Zur-En-Arrh to even consider how damaging it could be to have Savage in charge of Gotham's police force. But now, Zur-En-Arr is gone and Batman has nothing to distract him from focusing solely on Savage, other than what he's going through in Absolute Force. Bruce knows how cruel Vandal is And having Savage as Gotham's Police Commissioner puts everyone in Gotham in danger.
The Bat-Signal is a powerful symbol in Gotham. Not only does he act as a warning light for criminals, but he also represents the partnership between the Gotham police and Batman. But times have changed, and with Savage in charge, Bruce doesn't even want people to associate his alter ego with a monster like Savage. But now Bruce defies Savage by rejecting his offer and destroying his Bat-Signal, Vandal could use all the powers at his disposal to make Batman's life a living hell.
Gotham already has a mayor who isn't too keen on vigilantism, now the city's Police Commissioner has a serious bone to pick with Batman. Not to mention that Savage is comfortable with Amanda Waller, who really ups her game when it comes to taking on superheroes. If Savage wanted to, he could easily grant Bruce and the rest of the Bat-Family a few favors. Plus, Savage already knows Batman's true identity, so how long until he issues an arrest warrant? evidence was found in Wild Wayne Manor and the Bat Cave?
Batman vs. Vandal Savage is the next Big Gotham Story
Batman has a lot on his plate right now, but the Vandal Savage situation arguably demands Bruce's attention right now. Wild, the Caped Crusader is in a position to destroy everything the Bat-Family has if he doesn't take care of him soon. It's hard to imagine how Batman can take down Vandal (especially since he can't get him out of Gotham). The destruction of the Bat-Signal is just the start of the war Batman and Vandal Savage, which could have serious consequences for the Dark Knight.
Batman #149 available now from DC Comics.
Batman
One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Tragedy struck by the death of his parents, Bruce has dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and helpers, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown Gotham City.