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Batman '89: Echoes #1

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Batman '89: Echoes #1 was published November 28, 2023. The issue sees Barbara Gordon investigating reports of Batman copycats whilst the authorities hunt down an arsonist calling himself Firefly. The issue was written by Sam Hamm and drawn by Joe Quinones

"Echoes: Chapter 1"[]

Synopsis[]

Two years following Harvey Dent's disappearance, a gang of criminals crash near Gotham Square whilst fleeing the GCPD. They are soon apparently confronted by Batman, leading one of them to shoot him dead. As the others flee, the member who shot him remains behind and continues firing into the copycat's body. Lt. Bullock arrives on the scene and calls the newly promoted Cpt. Barbara Gordon. The two discuss three other recent events where "amateurs" dress up like Batman and are gunned down by a frenzied criminal. Whilst watching his interrogation, Barbara notices the criminal becomes frenzied at the sight of the man's body and correctly guesses he may be a veteran.

Visiting Wayne Manor, Barbara hopes to meet with Bruce Wayne and discuss it. Meeting Alfred, she reveals the details of the case and checks up on whether Bruce has been active. It is revealed that Barbara had almost exposed his operations as Batman but decided against it after learning that her father had also deduced his identity, instead the two had come to an agreement that he would not be active and give up his operations. As she leaves asking him to relay her ultimatum to Bruce, Alfred reveals that Bruce has actually been missing for a month without letting him know where he's gone.

At ACN, producer Chuck Lantz oversees an interview with Alicia Hunt, complaining about the lack of viewers who'd be interested in the material and the Joker. At the suggestion of one of his staff, he decides to give a spot to Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a controversial psychiatrist obsessed with Joker who has previously given them a massive boost in ratings. As the interview begins, Lantz pulls it at the last second after receiving word that the mad bomber Firefly has been cornered. Quinzel is shocked and vows to make sure the network pays for pulling her interview.

In an unnamed forest, US Marshalls surround a secluded cabin that Firefly is hiding. As they call out for him to surrender, the cabin explodes and apparently kills the bomber. As they investigate, they discover the man they had a visual on was already dead and attached to an automated rocking chair, soon discovering a crawlspace used by Firefly to escape. Their chopper quickly get a heat signature and the marshals pursue the man, who purposely injures himself so they can capture him and his explosive cache.

At Arkham Asylum, Dr. Jonathan Crane learns that Firefly has been deemed unfit to stand trial and committed to the facility. Arranging to take him, he briefly meets with Quinzel as she tries to pull the strings to get over the network. As Crane begins his meeting with Lowery, the mad bomber demands to speak with Dr. Hugo Strange, who Crane claims is unavailable. It is revealed the man the marshals captured is actually a disguised Bruce Wayne...

Appearances[]

Characters[]

Organizations[]

Locations[]

Objects[]

  • Homemade Bat-Costume
  • Firefly Costume
  • Automated rocking chair

Notes[]

  • Firefly's alias "Robert Lowery" is shared with the actor who portrayed Batman in the 1949 serial Batman and Robin.
  • Bullock's comments of "Criminals are a cowardly, superstitious lot" is a direct reference to a phrase spoken during early interpretations of Batman's origin, dating back to Detective Comics #33.
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