Editing Batman (section)

== Fictional character biography ==
Batman's history has undergone many [[retroactive continuity]] revisions, both minor and major. Elements of the character's history have varied greatly. Scholars [[William Uricchio]] and Roberta E. Pearson noted in the early 1990s, "Unlike some fictional characters, the Batman has no primary urtext set in a specific period, but has rather existed in a plethora of equally valid texts constantly appearing over more than five decades."<ref>''Batman'' vol. 3 Annual #2 (January 2018)</ref>

=== 20th century ===

==== Origin ====
{{Main|Origin of Batman}}
[[File:Thomas Wayne 1939.png|thumb|right|[[Thomas Wayne|Thomas]] and [[Martha Wayne]] are shot by [[Joe Chill]] in ''Detective Comics'' #33 (November 1939), art by Bob Kane]]
The central fixed event in the Batman stories is the character's [[origin story]].<ref name="pearson pg 186" /> As a young boy, Bruce Wayne was horrified and traumatized when he watched his parents, the physician Dr. [[Thomas Wayne]] and his wife [[Martha Wayne|Martha]], murdered with a gun by a mugger named [[Joe Chill]]. Batman refuses to utilize any sort of gun on the principle that a gun was used to murder his parents. This event drove him to train his body to its peak condition and fight crime in [[Gotham City]] as Batman. Pearson and Uricchio also noted beyond the origin story and such events as the introduction of Robin, "Until recently, the fixed and accruing and hence, canonized, events have been few in number",<ref name="pearson pg 186">Pearson; Uricchio. "'I'm Not Fooled By That Cheap Disguise.'" p. 186.</ref> a situation altered by an increased effort by later Batman editors such as Dennis O'Neil to ensure consistency and continuity between stories.<ref name="pearson pg 191">Pearson, p. 191.</ref>

==== Golden Age ====
{{See also|Batman (Earth-Two)}}
In Batman's first appearance in ''Detective Comics'' #27, he is already operating as a crime-fighter.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Bill Finger]]|penciller=[[Bob Kane]]|story=The Case of the Chemical Syndicate|title=Detective Comics|issue=27|date=May 1939|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> Batman's origin is first presented in ''Detective Comics'' #33 (November 1939) and is later expanded upon in ''Batman'' #47. As these comics state, Bruce Wayne is born to Dr. Thomas Wayne and his wife Martha, two very wealthy and charitable [[Gotham City]] socialites. Bruce is brought up in [[Wayne Manor]], and leads a happy and privileged existence until the age of 8, when his parents are killed by a small-time criminal named [[Joe Chill]] while on their way home from a movie theater. That night, Bruce Wayne swears an oath to spend his life fighting crime. He engages in intense intellectual and physical training; however, he realizes that these skills alone would not be enough. "Criminals are a superstitious cowardly lot", Wayne remarks, "so my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts. I must be a creature of the night, black, terrible&nbsp;..." As if responding to his desires, a [[bat]] suddenly flies through the window, inspiring Bruce to craft the Batman persona.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=Bill Finger|penciller=Bob Kane|story=The Batman Wars Against the Dirigible of Doom|title=Detective Comics|issue=33|date=November 1939|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref>

In early strips, Batman's career as a vigilante earns him the ire of the police. During this period, Bruce Wayne has a fiancé named [[Julie Madison]].<ref>She first appears in ''Detective Comics'' #31 (September 1939)</ref> In ''Detective Comics'' #38, Wayne takes in an orphaned circus acrobat, [[Dick Grayson]], who becomes his vigilante partner, [[Robin (character)|Robin]]. Batman also becomes a founding member of the [[Justice Society of America]],<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Paul Levitz]]|penciller=[[Joe Staton]]|story=The Untold Origin of the Justice Society |title=DC Special|issue=29|date=September 1977|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> although he, like Superman, is an honorary member,<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Gardner Fox]]|penciller= |story= |title=[[All Star Comics]]|issue=3|date=Winter 1940/1941|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> and thus only participates occasionally. Batman's relationship with the law thaws quickly, and he is made an honorary member of [[Gotham City Police Department|Gotham City's police department]].<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Bill Finger]]|penciller=[[Bob Kane]]|story=The People vs. the Batman|title=Batman|volume=1|issue=7|date=November 1941|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> During this time, [[Alfred Pennyworth]] arrives at Wayne Manor, and after deducing the Dynamic Duo's secret identities, joins their service as their butler.<ref>''Batman'' #16 (May 1943); his original last name, Beagle, is revealed in ''Detective Comics'' #96 (February 1945)</ref>

==== Silver Age ====
The [[Silver Age of Comic Books]] in DC Comics is sometimes held to have begun in 1956 when the publisher introduced [[Barry Allen]] as a new, updated version of the [[Flash (DC Comics character)|Flash]]. Batman is not significantly changed by the late 1950s for the continuity which would be later referred to as [[Earth-One]]. The lighter tone Batman had taken in the period between the Golden and Silver Ages led to the stories of the late 1950s and early 1960s that often feature many science-fiction elements, and Batman is not significantly updated in the manner of other characters until ''Detective Comics'' #327 (May 1964), in which Batman reverts to his detective roots, with most science-fiction elements jettisoned from the series.

After the introduction of DC Comics' [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|Multiverse]] in the 1960s, DC established that stories from the Golden Age star the [[Batman (Earth-Two)|Earth-Two Batman]], a character from a parallel world. This version of Batman partners with and marries the reformed Earth-Two Catwoman (Selina Kyle). The two have a daughter, [[Huntress (Helena Wayne)|Helena Wayne]], who becomes the Huntress. She assumes the position as Gotham's protector along with Dick Grayson, the [[Robin (Earth-Two)|Earth-Two Robin]], once Bruce Wayne retires to become police commissioner. Wayne holds the position of police commissioner until he is killed during one final adventure as Batman. Batman titles, however, often ignored that a distinction had been made between the pre-revamp and post-revamp Batmen (since unlike the Flash or [[Green Lantern]], Batman comics had been published without interruption through the 1950s) and would occasionally make reference to stories from the Golden Age.<ref>One example is the Englehart/Rogers run of the late 1970s, which has editorial notes directing readers to issues such as ''Detective Comics'' #46 and ''Batman'' #1 and 59.</ref> Nevertheless, details of Batman's history were altered or expanded upon through the decades. Additions include meetings with a future Superman during his youth, his upbringing by his uncle Philip Wayne (introduced in ''Batman'' #208 (February 1969)) after his parents' death, and appearances of his father and himself as prototypical versions of Batman and Robin, respectively.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Bill Finger]]|penciller=[[Sheldon Moldoff]]|story=The First Batman|title=Detective Comics|issue=235|date=September 1956|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Edmond Hamilton]]|penciller=[[Dick Sprang]]|story=When Batman Was Robin|title=Detective Comics|issue=226|date=December 1955|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> In 1980, then-editor [[Paul Levitz]] commissioned the ''Untold Legend of the Batman'' [[Limited series (comics)|miniseries]] to thoroughly chronicle Batman's origin and history.

Batman meets and regularly works with other heroes during the Silver Age, most notably Superman, whom he began regularly working alongside in a series of team-ups in ''[[World's Finest Comics]]'', starting in 1954 and continuing through the series' cancellation in 1986. Batman and Superman are usually depicted as close friends. As a founding member of the [[Justice League]] of America, Batman appears in its first story, in 1960's ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #28. In the 1970s and 1980s, ''The Brave and the Bold'' became a Batman title, in which Batman teams up with a different [[DC Universe]] superhero each month.

==== Bronze Age ====
In 1969, Dick Grayson attends college as part of DC Comics' effort to revise the Batman comics. Additionally, Batman also moves from his mansion, [[Wayne Manor]] into a [[penthouse apartment]] atop the Wayne Foundation building in downtown Gotham City, in order to be closer to Gotham City's crime. In 1974's "Night of the Stalker" storyline, a diploma on the wall reveals Bruce Wayne as a graduate of [[Yale Law School]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Why Batman went to Yale|url=https://yalealumnimagazine.com/articles/3113-why-batman-went-to-yale|access-date=2020-08-15|website=yalealumnimagazine.com|language=en|archive-date=February 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213091414/https://yalealumnimagazine.com/articles/3113-why-batman-went-to-yale|url-status=live}}</ref> Batman spends the 1970s and early 1980s mainly working solo, with occasional team-ups with Robin or Batgirl. Batman's adventures also become somewhat darker and more grim during this period, depicting increasingly violent crimes, including the first appearance (since the early Golden Age) of the Joker as a homicidal [[Psychopathy|psychopath]], and the arrival of [[Ra's al Ghul]], a centuries-old terrorist who knows Batman's secret identity. In the 1980s, Dick Grayson becomes [[Nightwing]].<ref name="dc-ency">{{cite book | last = Beatty | first = Scott | contribution = Batman | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | pages = 40–44 | publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]] | place = London | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-0-7566-4119-1}}</ref>

In the final issue of ''The Brave and the Bold'' in 1983, Batman quits the Justice League and forms a new group called the [[Outsiders (comics)|Outsiders]]. He serves as the team's leader until ''Batman and the Outsiders'' #32 (1986) and the comic subsequently changed its title.

==== Modern Age ====
After the 12-issue [[Limited series (comics)|miniseries]] ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'', DC Comics [[Retroactive continuity|retcon]]ned the histories of some major characters in an attempt at updating them for contemporary audiences. Frank Miller retold Batman's origin in the storyline "[[Batman: Year One|Year One]]" from ''Batman'' #404–407, which emphasizes a grittier tone in the character.<ref>{{cite book | last = Miller | first = Frank | author-link = Frank Miller| author2 = David Mazzucchelli |author3=Richmond Lewis | title =Batman: Year One | publisher = DC Comics| year = 1987 | page = 98 | isbn = 978-1-85286-077-6| author2-link = David Mazzucchelli | title-link = Batman: Year One }}</ref> Though the Earth-Two Batman is erased from history, many stories of Batman's Silver Age/Earth-One career (along with an amount of Golden Age ones) remain canonical in the Post-''Crisis'' universe, with his origins remaining the same in essence, despite alteration. For example, Gotham's police are mostly corrupt, setting up further need for Batman's existence. The guardian Phillip Wayne is removed, leaving young Bruce to be raised by Alfred Pennyworth. Additionally, Batman is no longer a founding member of the Justice League of America, although he becomes leader for a short time of a new incarnation of the team launched in 1987. To help fill in the revised backstory for Batman following ''Crisis'', DC launched a new Batman title called ''[[Legends of the Dark Knight]]'' in 1989 and has published various miniseries and one-shot stories since then that largely take place during the "Year One" period.<ref name="ComicsVerseReview">{{cite web |last1=Matchett |first1=Glenn |title=Frank Miller's Batman Part One: YEAR ONE, or How Legends are Made |url=https://comicsverse.com/frank-millers-batman-part-one-year-one-or-how-legends-are-made/ |website=ComicsVerse |date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008145746/https://comicsverse.com/frank-millers-batman-part-one-year-one-or-how-legends-are-made/ |archive-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref>

Subsequently, Batman begins exhibiting an excessive, reckless approach to his crimefighting, a result of the pain of losing [[Jason Todd]]. Batman works solo until the decade's close, when [[Tim Drake]] becomes the new Robin.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Alan Grant (writer)|Alan Grant]]|penciller=[[Norm Breyfogle]]|story=Master of Fear|title=[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]|issue=457|date=December 1990|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref>

Many of the major Batman storylines since the 1990s have been intertitle crossovers that run for a number of issues. In 1993, DC published "[[Batman: Knightfall|Knightfall]]". During the storyline's first phase, the new villain Bane paralyzes Batman, leading Wayne to ask [[Azrael (comics)|Azrael]] to take on the role. After the end of "Knightfall", the storylines split in two directions, following both the Azrael-Batman's adventures, and Bruce Wayne's quest to become Batman once more. The story arcs realign in "KnightsEnd", as Azrael becomes increasingly violent and is defeated by a healed Bruce Wayne. Wayne hands the Batman mantle to Dick Grayson (then Nightwing) for an interim period, while Wayne trains for a return to the role.<ref>Dixon, Chuck. et al. "Batman: Prodigal". ''Batman'' #512–514, ''Batman: Shadow of the Bat'' #32–34, ''Detective Comics'' #679–681, ''Robin'' vol. 4 #11–13. New York: DC Comics, 1995.</ref>

The 1994 company-wide crossover storyline ''[[Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!]]'' changes aspects of DC continuity again, including those of Batman. Noteworthy among these changes is that the general populace and the criminal element now consider Batman an urban legend rather than a known force.

Batman once again becomes a member of the [[Justice League]] during Grant Morrison's 1996 relaunch of the series, titled ''JLA''. During this time, Gotham City faces catastrophe in the decade's closing crossover arc. In 1998's "[[Batman: Cataclysm|Cataclysm]]" storyline, Gotham City is devastated by an earthquake and ultimately cut off from the United States. Deprived of many of his technological resources, Batman fights to reclaim the city from legions of gangs during 1999's "[[No Man's Land (comics)|No Man's Land]]".

Meanwhile, Batman's relationship with the Gotham City Police Department changed for the worse with the events of "Batman: Officer Down" and "Batman: War Games/War Crimes"; Batman's long-time law enforcement allies Commissioner Gordon and [[Harvey Bullock (comics)|Harvey Bullock]] are forced out of the police department in "Officer Down", while "War Games" and "War Crimes" saw Batman become a wanted fugitive after a contingency plan of his to neutralize Gotham City's criminal underworld is accidentally triggered, resulting in a massive gang war that ends with the [[Sadistic personality disorder|sadistic]] [[Black Mask (character)|Black Mask]] the undisputed ruler of the city's criminal gangs. [[Lex Luthor]] arranges for the murder of Batman's on-again, off-again love interest Vesper Lynd (introduced in the mid-1990s) during the "Bruce Wayne: Murderer?" and "[[Bruce Wayne: Fugitive]]" story arcs. Though Batman is able to clear his name, he loses another ally in the form of his new bodyguard Sasha, who is recruited into the organization known as "Checkmate" while stuck in prison due to her refusal to turn state's evidence against her employer. While he was unable to prove that Luthor was behind the murder of Vesper, Batman does get his revenge with help from [[Talia al Ghul]] in ''[[Superman/Batman]]'' #1–6.

=== 21st century ===

==== 2000s ====
DC Comics' 2005 [[Limited series (comics)|miniseries]] ''[[Identity Crisis (DC Comics)|Identity Crisis]]'' reveals that JLA member [[Zatanna]] had edited Batman's memories to prevent him from stopping the Justice League from [[Lobotomy|lobotomizing]] [[Doctor Light (Arthur Light)|Dr. Light]] after he raped [[Sue Dibny]]. Batman later creates the [[OMACs|Brother I]] satellite surveillance system to watch over and, if necessary, kill the other heroes after he remembered. The revelation of Batman's creation and his tacit responsibility for the Blue Beetle's death becomes a driving force in the lead-up to the ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' miniseries, which again restructures DC continuity. Batman and a team of superheroes destroy Brother EYE and the OMACs, though, at the very end, Batman reaches his apparent breaking point when Alexander Luthor Jr. seriously wounds Nightwing. Picking up a gun, Batman nearly shoots Luthor in order to avenge his former sidekick, until Wonder Woman convinces him to not pull the trigger.

Following ''Infinite Crisis'', Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson (having recovered from his wounds), and Tim Drake retrace the steps Bruce had taken when he originally left Gotham City, to "rebuild Batman".<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #7, p. 32</ref> In the ''[[Batman: Face the Face|Face the Face]]'' storyline, Batman and Robin return to Gotham City after their year-long absence. Part of this absence is captured during Week 30 of the ''52'' series, which shows Batman fighting his inner demons.<ref>''52'' #30</ref> Later on in ''52'', Batman is shown undergoing an intense [[Transcendental meditation|meditation]] ritual in [[Nanda Parbat]]. This becomes an important part of the regular ''Batman'' title, which reveals that Batman is reborn as a more effective crime fighter while undergoing this ritual, having "hunted down and ate" the last traces of fear in his mind.<ref>''Batman'' #673</ref><ref>''Batman'' #681</ref> At the end of the "Face the Face" story arc, Bruce officially adopts Tim (who had lost both of his parents at various points in the character's history) as his son.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[James Dale Robinson|James Robinson]]|penciller=[[Don Kramer]]|story=Face the Face – Conclusion|title=[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]|issue=654|date=August 2006|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> The follow-up story arc in ''Batman'', ''[[Batman and Son]]'', introduces [[Damian Wayne]], who is Batman's son with [[Talia al Ghul]]. Although originally, in ''[[Batman: Son of the Demon]]'', Bruce's coupling with Talia was implied to be consensual, this arc retconned it into Talia forcing herself on Bruce.<ref>''Batman'' #656 (October 2006):<br />Bruce: "I remember being drugged senseless and refusing to co-operate in some depraved eugenics experiment."<br />Talia: "Believe me, you cooperated&nbsp;...magnificently."</ref>

Batman, along with Superman and Wonder Woman, reforms the Justice League in the new ''Justice League of America'' series,<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Brad Meltzer]]|penciller=[[Ed Benes]]|story=The Tornado's Path|title=[[Justice League]] of America vol. 2|issue=1|date=August 2006|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> and is leading the newest incarnation of the [[Outsiders (comics)|Outsiders]].<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Chuck Dixon]]|penciller=Julian Lopex|title=[[Outsiders (comics)|Batman and the Outsiders vol. 2]]|issue=1|date=November 2007|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref>

[[Grant Morrison]]'s 2008 storyline, "[[Batman R.I.P.]]" featured Batman being physically and mentally broken by the enigmatic villain [[Simon Hurt|Doctor Hurt]] and attracted news coverage in advance of its highly promoted conclusion, which would speculated to feature the death of Bruce Wayne.<ref name="INDY">Adams, Guy. "[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/holy-smoke-batman-are-you-dead-1038882.html Holy smoke, Batman! Are you dead?]" November 28, 2008, ''[[The Independent]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081201055030/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/holy-smoke-batman-are-you-dead-1038882.html Archived] November 28, 2008.</ref> However, though Batman is shown to possibly perish at the end of the arc, the two-issue arc "Last Rites", which leads into the crossover storyline "[[Final Crisis]]", shows that Batman survives his helicopter crash into the Gotham City River and returns to the Batcave, only to be summoned to the Hall of Justice by the JLA to help investigate the [[New Gods|New God]] [[Orion (comics)|Orion]]'s death. The story ends with Batman retrieving the god-killing bullet used to kill Orion, setting up its use in "Final Crisis".<ref name="deadatlast">[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/010915-Batman-RIP-Finally.html Newsarama: "Batman R.I.P. – Finally?"] January 15, 2009 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115100716/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/010915-Batman-RIP-Finally.html |date=January 15, 2013 }}</ref> In the pages of ''Final Crisis'' Batman is reduced to a charred skeleton.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Grant Morrison]]|penciller=[[J. G. Jones]]|story=How to Murder the Earth|title=Final Crisis|issue=6|date=January 2009|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> In ''Final Crisis'' #7, Wayne is shown witnessing the passing of the first man, [[Anthro (comics)|Anthro]].<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Grant Morrison]]|title=Final Crisis|issue=7|date=January 2009|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Grant Morrison: Final Crisis Exit Interview, Part 2 |url=http://newsarama.com/comics/020904-Grant-FC2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207033629/http://newsarama.com/comics/020904-Grant-FC2.html |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 7, 2009 }}</ref> Wayne's "death" sets up the three-issue ''[[Batman: Battle for the Cowl|Battle for the Cowl]]'' miniseries in which Wayne's ex-proteges compete for the "right" to assume the role of Batman, which concludes with Grayson becoming Batman,<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Tony Daniel]]|title=Battle for the Cowl|issue=3|date=May 2009|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> while Tim Drake takes on the identity of the [[Red Robin (comics)|Red Robin]].<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Chris Yost]]|title=Red Robin|issue=1|date=August 2009|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> Dick and Damian continue as Batman and Robin, and in the crossover storyline "[[Blackest Night]]", what appears to be Bruce's corpse is reanimated as a [[Black Lantern Corps|Black Lantern]] [[zombie]],<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Geoff Johns]]|title=Blackest Night|issue=0|date=June 2009|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> but is later shown that Bruce's corpse is one of Darkseid's failed Batman clones. Dick and Batman's other friends conclude that Bruce is alive.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=Grant Morrison|title=[[Batman and Robin (comic book)|Batman and Robin]]|issue=7|date=January 2010|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Grant Morrison]]|title=[[Batman and Robin (comic book)|Batman and Robin]]|issue=8|date=February 2010|publisher=DC Comics}}</ref>

==== 2010s ====
Bruce subsequently returned in Morrison's miniseries ''[[Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne]]'', which depicted his travels through time from [[prehistory]] to present-day Gotham.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news|first=John |last=Geddes |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-12-09-morrison-bruce-wayne-st_N.htm |title=Grant Morrison on return of original Batman |work=[[USA Today]] |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212235048/http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-12-09-morrison-bruce-wayne-st_N.htm |archive-date=December 12, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="Source">{{cite web |first=Alex |last=Segura |url=http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2009/12/09/dcu-in-2010-the-return-of-bruce-wayne-hits-in-april/ |title=DCU in 2010: The Return of Bruce Wayne hits in April |publisher=DC Comics |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213044258/http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2009/12/09/dcu-in-2010-the-return-of-bruce-wayne-hits-in-april/ |archive-date=December 13, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="SourceBatmanMay">{{cite web|url=http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/02/11/take-an-early-look-at-batman-titles-for-may/#more-7397 |title=Batman solicitations for May 2010 at DC's The Source |publisher=DC Comics |date=February 11, 2010 |access-date=June 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306090923/http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/02/11/take-an-early-look-at-batman-titles-for-may/ |archive-date=March 6, 2012 }}</ref> Bruce's return set up ''[[Batman Incorporated]]'', an ongoing series which focused on Wayne franchising the Batman identity across the globe, allowing Dick and Damian to continue as Gotham's Dynamic Duo. Bruce publicly announced that Wayne Enterprises will aid Batman on his mission, known as "Batman, Incorporated". However, due to rebooted continuity that occurred as part of DC Comics' 2011 relaunch of all of its comic books, ''[[The New 52]]'', Dick Grayson was restored as Nightwing with Wayne serving as the sole Batman once again. The relaunch also interrupted the publication of ''Batman, Incorporated'', which resumed its story in 2012–2013 with changes to suit the new status quo.

=== The New 52 ===
During ''The New 52'', all of DC's continuity was reset and the timeline was changed, making Batman the first superhero to emerge. This emergence took place during ''Zero Year'', where Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham and becomes Batman, fighting the original Red Hood<ref>{{Cite book|last=Snyder|first=Scott|title=Batman Vol. 4: Zero Year- Secret City|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> and the Riddler.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Snyder|first=Scott|title=Batman Vol 5: Zero Year- Dark City|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> In the present day, Batman discovers the [[Court of Owls]], a secret organization operating in Gotham for decades.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Snyder|first=Scott|title=Batman Vol. 1: The Court of Owls|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> Batman somewhat defeats the Court by defeating Owlman,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Snyder|first=Scott|title=Batman Vol. 2: The City of Owls|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> although the Court continues to operate on a smaller scale.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Snyder|first=Scott|title=Batman Vol. 10: Epilogue|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> The Joker returns after losing the skin on his face (as shown in the opening issue of the second volume of ''Detective Comics'') and attempts to kill the Batman's allies, though he is stopped by Batman.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Snyder|first=Scott|title=Batman Vol. 3: Death of the Family|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> After some time, Joker returns again, and both he and Batman die while fighting each other. [[Jim Gordon (character)|Jim Gordon]] temporarily becomes Batman, using a high-tech suit, while it is revealed that an amnesiac Bruce Wayne is still alive.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} Gordon attempts to fight a new villain called [[Mr. Bloom]], while Wayne, regains his memories with the help of [[Alfred Pennyworth]] and [[Julie Madison]]. Once with his memories, Wayne becomes Batman again and defeats Mr. Bloom with the help of Gordon.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

=== DC Rebirth ===
[[File:Batman Detective Comics 1000 Variant.jpg|thumb|upright|200px|Batman on the variant cover of ''Detective Comics''#1000 (May 2019). Art by [[Jason Fabok]].]]
The timeline was reset again during ''Rebirth'', although no significant changes were made to the Batman mythos. {{citation needed|date=March 2022}} Batman meets two new superheroes operating in Gotham named Gotham and Gotham Girl. [[Psycho-Pirate]] gets into Gotham's head and turns against Batman, and is finally defeated when he is killed. This event is very traumatic for Gotham Girl and she begins to lose her sanity.<ref>{{Cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref>

Batman forms his own [[Suicide Squad]], including Catwoman, and attempts to take down [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]]. The mission is successful, and Batman breaks Bane's back.<ref>{{Cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Batman Vol. 2: I Am Suicide|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> Batman proposes to Catwoman.

After healing from his wounds, an angry Bane travels to Gotham, where he fights Batman and loses.<ref>{{Cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Batman Vol. 3: I Am Bane|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> Batman then tells Catwoman about the War of Jokes and Riddles, and she agrees to marry him.<ref>{{Cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Batman Vol. 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> Bane takes control of Arkham Asylum and manipulates Catwoman into leaving Wayne before the wedding.<ref>{{Cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Batman Vol. 7: The Wedding|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> This causes Wayne to become very angry, and, as Batman, lashes out against criminals, nearly killing Mr. Freeze.<ref>{{Cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Batman Vol. 8: Cold Days|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref>

Batman learns of Bane's control over Arkham and teams up with the Penguin to stop him.<ref>{{Cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Batman Vol. 9: The Tyrant Wing|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> Bane captures Batman, and Scarecrow causes him to hallucinate, although he eventually breaks free.<ref>{{Cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Batman Vol. 10: Knightmares|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> Batman escapes and reunites with Catwoman, while Bane captures and kills Alfred Pennyworth. Batman returns and defeats Bane, although too late to save Alfred. Gotham Girl prompts him to marry Catwoman.<ref>{{Cite book|last=King|first=Tom|title=Batman Vol. 13: The City of Bane Part 2|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref>

It is revealed that the Joker who was working for Bane was really [[Clayface]] in disguise. The real Joker has been plotting a master plan to take over Gotham. This plan comes to fruition during ''The Joker War'', in which Joker takes over the city. Batman defeats the Joker who vanishes after an explosion.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tynion IV|first=James|title=Batman Vol. 2: The Joker War|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> Ghost-Maker, an enemy from Batman's past, appears in Gotham, and, after a battle, becomes a sort of ally to Batman.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tynion IV|first=James|title=Batman Vol. 3: Ghost Stories|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> A new group called the Magistrate rises up in Gotham, led by Simon Saint, whose goal is to outlaw vigilantes such as Batman. At the same time, Scarecrow returns,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tynion IV|first=James|title=Batman Vol. 4: The Cowardly Lot|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> fighting Batman. During ''Fear State'', Batman battles and defeats both Scarecrow and the Magistrate's Peacekeepers.