Comic Recap/Thoughts: Detective Comics Volume No. 1: The Rise of the Batmen, Part 1

The Bat-Family saga continues in this week's posts. I am pretty excited to cover this one because I love Batwoman and this is definitely a story that features her heavily. Another important note, Detective Comics, much like Action Comics, changed their number systems when New 52 ended. The easiest way to think about it is that the New 52 run was double numbered. (Does this make sense? I do not know...) Moving on, today we are covering Detective Comics Volume No. 1: The Rise of the Batmen, issues #934-940. Since I am incapable of keeping these recaps brief, this is going to be a two parter, so buckle in everyone as I cover issues #934-937!

Rise of the Batmen, Part 1: The Young and the Brave: In Gotham City, two days ago, it is a snowy night and Batman is confronting Azrael. (I do not know a lot about Azrael. If you want to read about his complicated life and back story click here.) They are fighting and Batman wants something from Azrael, but he can't do it because he, "Answers to a higher power." Batman quips about sending Azrael to meet said higher power. (This is weird and not how Batman rolls.) Batman appears to win the fight, because Azrael gets hit by lightning. (Unrelated note: I am liking the art and colors used in this fight.)

Batman asks Alfred who did that, but there is no trace or heat signatures. Nothing gets by Batman though, he throws his Bat-a-rang and hits a drone. He figures the drone is a test of some sort, and the lightning was a message. Batman asks Azrael who did this to him and Azrael tells him that he (Batman) did it. Elsewhere, the person watching the drone footage laughs. (To quickly recap all that. Someone who looked like Batman was fighting Azrael, not the real Batman.)

Now, Batwoman is swinging through the streets and talking to her father over her coms. He wants her to come and work with him. He thinks she is better on a team and it has been months. She arrives home and basically deflects the conversation, then ends the call. She knows someone is watching her and when he gets too close she tosses him over her shoulder. The he in question is Batman, so he lands on his feet. She demands to know why he is there. He shows her a small drone that looks like a one eyed bat camera. She asks what it is and he tells her it is a mystery.

Batman is kind enough to recap what happened to Azrael and who he is (I'll share a picture of it below). Azrael felt hunted and while Batman wouldn't have usually trusted Azrael's word, the drone made him think twice. Batwoman is impressed, assuming Batman made the tiny drone. He didn't, it is way advanced, but he was able to figure out it is part of a swarm. Kate still doesn't get what this has to do with her. Batman tells her that he was not the only one that the drones have been watching. Whoever is running them has been watching all of the Bat-Family's new kids.

Batman tells her that he was planning to bring in all the new kids one by one and test them. Make sure they have what it takes to go at it alone. Kate thinks he wanted to test her and she is not happy at the implication. He clarifies that he didn't mean her, in fact he wanted her to help train them. He even goes so far as to admit that she would be better suited to training them then he would. She asks why and Batman takes off his coul. Kate smiles and tells him it is about time that he admits who he is. Bruce is shocked and asks how she knows, but she just smiles and asks who the recruits are.

Down at the Bay Street seaport, some Penguin goons are shocked that their robbery is not going well. The Spoiler, aka, Stephanie Brown is in the rafter, she tells the goons she called the cops. Stephanie is the daughter of the villain, Cluemaster. She was raised by geniuses and trained by Catwoman. Batman is narrating how impressive he thinks Stephanie is. Red Robin joins the fight with Stephanie and Batman tells us about him. Red Robin, aka, Tim Drake, has the best tactical mind of any of his partners and will be Batwoman's lieutenant.

At the fight, Spoiler and Red Robin are sharing banter while fighting the penguin goons. In reality Red Robin joined the fight to share some good news with Spoiler. Lots of little things are happening, there is a drone watching, Red Robin got a letter, but is unsure what to do about it and Batwoman and Batman show up with some news too.

At the Cauldron (a now derelict industrial park in Gotham), some super creeps are about to sell a bunch of children that just arrived from the Philippines. In drops Orphan, aka, Cassandra Cain. Batman tells us that he thinks she might be the most dangerous fighter that he has ever seen. She doesn't say much, and quickly takes down all the goons. A moment before she is about to go too far, Batman and Batwoman show up, telling Orphan, "We've got work to do."

Midtown, in the theater district, a bunch of people are fleeing a movie theater. Batwoman thinks Batman is kidding with this recruit. We see Clayface sitting in the middle of the theater, watching one of his movies. Clayface tells them he just scared the people because he wanted some quiet. Clayface broke out of Arkham to see his face in the last movie he made before his accident. He'll go right back to prison right after the movie. Batman instead offers Clayface an opportunity, with only one catch. He does whatever Batman and Batwoman say.

Later on the roof of the police station, our whole group is standing around the Bat-signal. Batwoman gives them all a speech about protecting Gotham and being ready. They might all have Batman's trust, but not hers. Batwoman welcomes them to bootcamp and tells them good luck keeping up. As they all jump off the building into the night, Batwoman asks Batman what he isn't telling her. She knows he is afraid and that something bad is coming for him to make a move like this. She makes it clear that she is not his subordinate, she is his partner.

We see another drone watching. Somewhere else we see an army of soldiers dressed like metal Batman and see the silhouette of their leader.

Rise of the Batmen, Part 2: Apocalypse Now: In what appears to be the end of days in Gotham, Spoiler, Clayface (in human form), Red Robin, and Orphan are fighting an army of Jokers. Batwoman tells them to strike, but they continue to get their butts kicked. Red Robin shouts for an end, but Batwoman says no. He ignores her and uses an override code. All the Jokers melt away. Seems our would-be heroes where in a mud room simulation for three hours. They were fighting a program meant to stump Batman, in a room built using Clayface material. Red Robin tells her that could have hurt them.

Batwoman explains that she wanted to see how they each responded past the point of exhaustion. She then lays it out. Spoiler has no stamina, Orphan was doing too much, Clayface needs to learn basics without his powers. Batwoman does not think any of them are taking this seriously. Red Robin tries to interject but Batwoman is not having it. Spoiler proves Batwoman's point by walking off talking about the new base of operations.

It does look like an awesome space. Red Robin gives us the rundown on The Belfry. He built and suped up the place in the heart of Gotham to help people. Batwoman points out that someone is out hunting vigilantes and if they got beef, they can take it up with Batman. Then Batwoman later days. Clayface asks to borrow the device Red Robin made to help him hold his form.

Red Robin does in fact catch up with Batman and tells him that he can tell Batwoman thinks they are ready for action. He asks Batman the same question Batwoman did. What does Batman know that they don't? They arrive at what looks like an abandoned building. It was Azrael's base of operations and it is now where Dr. Thompkins is treating him. (I love Dr. Thompkins. She is always giving Batman sass.) Batman wants to talk to Azrael, but Dr. Thompkins is against all of this. Before the argument goes further Jean-Paul (Azrael) wakes up.

Batman asks him what he knows and Jean-Paul says a lot of words that don't make a ton of sense. Stuff about a war and the colony before passing out again. Later on a roof (these guys love roofs) Red Robin wonders what Jean-Paul meant. Batman doesn't know and when Red Robin asks what all of this is about Batman changes the subject. He compliments Tim and tells him how much safer Gotham is with him in it. Red Robin can only say thanks.

Back at what I assume is the home of Stephanie Brown, Tim admits he did not tell Batman about the letter. While Tim is getting undressed, he explains he got a Genius Grant to an Ivy University that means he could help the world, not just Gotham. Cassandra pops into the window. Stephanie asks her for the space for the evening, because she needs to have a chat with her boyfriend. Cass smiles and jets. Seems Cass has her own place, but never stays there, preferring Stephanie's or Harper's places. Steph tells Tim to do what his heart tells him to do. They kiss and I admit they are pretty cute.

At the home of Jacob Kane, Jacob is getting dressed all fancy. Kate joins him and he tells her off for saying yes to Batman. She is mad at him for listening in. We learn that the Kanes and Waynes were never friends and that Jacob never liked Thomas Wayne. He really dumps on Bruce and the idea of Batman. That Batman is not a team guy and is not a good leader. Kate helps him with his tie and leaves.

In the Batmobile, Batman asks Alfred to check all military databases for "The Colony." Alfred asks if Batman has told "her" yet? (Safe to say he means Kate.) Batman says no, because of some lame excuse, but before he can make more justifications, he points out that his sensors say he is alone on the road. He is for sure not alone on the road. Batman is getting attacked by two very large tank-like cars. Batman tries to drive away, but one the metal Batmen soldier hits the car with some kind of EMP gun. He jumps out of the car only to be confronted by 50 of the metal Batmen, who have orders to take Batman in.

Rise of the Batmen, Part 3: Army of Shadows: Kate is giving us a run down of her time at bootcamp. I very much want to break it down but I will sum it up to her wondering if she is cut out for being a leader. She is telling this story to Renee Montoya, who is her ex and a badass. Kate is vague, but basically says that the thing she is doing right now might be the most important thing she has ever done. Renee gets up and tells her thanks for the drink, but she doesn't really have time for this. She stops for a moment and tells Kate to just be a leader and trust herself, then walks. Red Robin calls her and tells her to get to the Belfry.

At the Belfry, Red Robin and Batwoman are watching footage of Batman getting beaten by the army of Batmen. They are three hours behind. Batwoman knows these are military guys and Red Robin knows they are part of some organization called "The Colony." He asks her what they should do and she doesn't reply. Red Robin lays it all out, Batman is frustrating but he knows people and he made her the leader for a reason. Batwoman knows what Batman would want, just the two of them, but she figures this is her team and her call. So they call everyone in, including Colonel Kane.

Cass is on her way, but many jets distract her. Stephanie arrives ready for training, but is shocked to see Batman getting beaten. Clayface is impressed with this team that is able to take down Batman. Batwoman thinks this is the thing that Batman wanted them to be together for. She called in an expert to help. Colonel Kane walks in and they break down the video of the fight. A military group that is modeled after Batman, because he is one man who is as effective as a whole platoon. They take him down because they are after something in Gotham, something that Batman would have stopped them from getting. Red Robin notices Orphan isn't there yet. What brought this group out of the shadows? Clayface figures it is them, the team. Elsewhere, Orphan is about to fight the army of Batmen.

Tim is getting worried. He realizes that she is on the roof of the Belfry and now sees her about to fight all the Batmen. Colonel Kane steps up to the computer and turns off the Belfry's defensive shielding. Kate asks what he is doing and he simply replies, "My duty." (Man what an asshole.)

They close ranks, but are not confident as more and more Batmen arrive. All systems have been taken over. Orphan drops in, having taken down the men on the roof. Kane orders his men to fire on Orphan. It isn't bullets though, it is tranq darts. Kane wants to talk and Red Robin tells Batwoman to do just that. Batwoman asks what the actual hell is up? (Paraphrasing.)

Jacob decides to monolog. (It is long and if I am honest, old white dudes talking is a bit boring to me.) Batwoman assumes Batman is dead, but Kane tells her he is just subdued and that he is not the bad guy. Kane wanted to bring her in but she kept pushing him away. She points out it is because he is a liar. He goes on about how this was all for her, he wanted her to lead this army. He figures that is why she called him in, because she wants to be told what is right. Batwoman asks about her team. Kane says they are welcome to join.

Red Robin got the time he needed to hack back in. He didn't make it as far as he thought, but it was enough to shut the system down and make their escape. As Clayface is using his body to surround them, Batwoman tells her dad that he is about to find out what kind of leader she is. All our heroes get away and Kane says not to pursue them, but to focus on getting the computer back up and running. Kane says the "strike" is tomorrow and he knows his daughter will come back to them.

Rise of the Batmen, Part 4: The Great Escape: Some of the Batmen are cataloging Batman's utility belt. They are at item 42 and only 30% of the way through it. In the background Batman is hanging in a cell. They are trying to keep him sedated, but he keeps waking up. They haven't taken the mask off yet because of some kind of short-circuit it will cause in the suit, the first team that tried was electrocuted. They notice Batman doing something just in time for him to spit out a tooth that is also a smoke bomb. Batman is now free and gets a good look at the place a bat soldier told him is called, "The Cave."

Batwoman and her group are now deep in the underground. Red Robin is confident they are not being followed. They are in the original Gotham subway system built in 1898 that was abandoned, a new one built above it. Tim has been working on rebuilding parts of it to improve the mobility of the Bat-Family team. He even built a Bat-train. Not really a Bat-train, more like bullets that can travel quickly throughout the city. Batwoman tells them all to go into hiding. Red Robin tells her no, he goes on to say that he was able to counter hack the Colony long enough to get their location.

Batman has found a server room that also seems to house the best hacker that Colonel Kane mentioned before. He is just a kid (sporting a Batman shirt) who is excited to be chatting with Batman. His name is Ulysses and was recruited by the Colony at 14. The kid is stalling because the longer Batman is in the room, the more he will learn from Batman. Batman demands info and Ulysses tells him that he changed the game. Batman showed that one very skilled man could do more than a government.

Ulysses proceeds to show Batman a video clip of these Batmen soldiers breaking into a compound of people and killing everyone. The clip was from two years ago and not the grisliest of the videos he has. Batman is pissed, but pushes on. The little bat drones are called Bat-eyes and are a Red Robin design that Ulysses stole. They stole Batman's moves too, it is how they have been training. Ulysses goes for a gun and Batman breaks his arm (dumb move kid). Batman wants to take the kid with him, but a group of Batmen soldiers show up.

Colonel Kane shows up too and he asks Batman when he knew that he was behind the Bat-eyes and that he should take Kate from him. Batman tells him that it was clear, since she had more drones following her than everyone else combined. Kane is mad about Kate telling Batman that he started building his army too late. Batman doesn't work for the Army, for good reason. (This feels like an interesting commentary.)

Kane tells Batman that the League of Shadows is in Gotham. Batman says the League of Shadows is a myth created by Ra's Al Ghul, but the League of Assassins is real. Kane is pretty crazy and convinced the conspiracy theory is real. He puts a gun to Batman's head and says that Kate and all the others will soon come to his side. At that moment, Batwoman and her team arrive and she shows him exactly what side she is on.

Welp, there is some crazy shit happening and we still have three more issues to go! Poor Kate, but I will dive deeper into my thoughts later this week in part 2. I will say right now that I am digging the art in this volume quite a bit. More to come, tune in on Friday for more thoughts, favorite cover, and best line from the volume. 

Next Post: Detective Comics Volume No. 1: The Rise of the Batmen, Part 2

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