But if Bruce taught me anything, it's that you have to have a game plan. For everything. Even for death. 
- — Robin
Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1 is an issue of the series Batman: Battle for the Cowl (Volume 1) with a cover date of May, 2009.
Synopsis for "A Hostile Takeover"
Following Batman's death, hundreds of criminals in Gotham attempt to rise and take over the city. Two-Face and the Penguin are leading a mob war while, unbeknownst to them, a third candidate arrives into the battle, Black Mask. After forcing Arkham's inmates into working for him, Black Mask begins his attacks on Two-Face and the Penguin's supplies.
The Bat-Family is trying desperately to bring order to Gotham. Nightwing leads the effort but refuses to become Batman despite Robin's urging. Meanwhile a man impersonating Batman begins his war on crime using lethal tactics and leaving slips of paper saying "I AM BATMAN". Drake begins a search to stop the impostor and takes one of the Batsuits from the Batcave in order to demonstrate how the real Batman would have acted.
Meanwhile, Damian Wayne irresponsibly drives the Batmobile until Oracle takes control of the vehicle, but it is attacked by Killer Croc and Poison Ivy. Damian is saved by Nightwing but on their escape, they end up cornered by Black Mask's men. The stand-off is interrupted by an unidentified individual wearing armor vaguely similar to Batman's costume and carrying a pair of high-tech firearms, who claims to be the Batman.
Appearing in "A Hostile Takeover"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Squire
- Knight
- Wildcat
- Black Canary
- Batwoman
- Huntress
- Oracle
- Lady Blackhawk
- Alfred
- Catwoman
- Batgirl
- Man-Bat
Antagonists:
- Batman Villains
- The Nixons
- The Clowns
- The Devils
- Pigskin Gang
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Batcave
- Arkham Asylum (Destroyed)
- Gotham Harbor
- Wayne Tower (Cover only)
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue shipped on March 11th, 2009.It shipped with an alternate cover, also illustrated by Tony S. Daniel.
- This issue is reprinted in Batman: Battle for the Cowl.
- Batman was presumably killed in Final Crisis #6.
See Also
- Cover gallery for the Batman: Battle for the Cowl series
- Images from Batman: Battle for the Cowl Vol 1 1