Season Four

**Season Four**is the fourth season of *Batman: Shadow War.*It introduces the first Robin, Dick Grayson, and Barbara Gordon becomes Batgirl, as well as more villains including Harley Quinn and Professor Milo.

## E1: Robin Part One

Haley's Circus arrive in Gotham City; a traveling circus run by Mr. Haley and it's most notable and famous performers are the Flying Graysons. The Flying Graysons are acrobats comprising of John and Mary Grayson along with their son, Dick. Dick wore a Robin costume along with his parents for the act however crime boss Tony Zucco threatened Mr. Haley for protection money however it was actually extortion, the services he offered were merely a protection from the damage Zucco would otherwise inflict. John came to Haley's help and threw the criminal out, warning him to never return. Zucco then gave Dick an angered look, making the boy nervous.

The night of the act, Bruce was among the crowd watching and was entertained especially by the Flying Graysons. Unfortunately, Zucco was along among the crowd and passed one of his henchmen some nuts and bolts in a bag while grinning evily, revealing he is sabotaging the act and the swings the Flying Graysons was using disconnected Mary and John falling to their deaths while Dick watched in horror. Dick mourned his parents to the crowd's dismay including Mr. Haley and Bruce. Out of great sympathy and relating to the boy when he lost his parents, adopting Dick and while he was sleeping after dinner; Bruce became Batman, enraged and on a mission to hunt down the Flying Graysons' killer.

After investigating, Batman was interrupted by a group of thugs trying to extort money at a construction site and threatening a wealthy architect. Batman arrives with most of the thugs escaping until the Dark Knight used a smoke pellet to stop one. Coughing and disoriented, Batman interrogated the shivering gangster who he is working for but he refuses; so Batman decides to call the Batmobile and tied him up, threatening to crush his head with the wheel if he doesn't talk. The man pleaded and revealed he's working for Zucco; Batman revealed he was among the crowd, then further interrogated him on his location. The henchman told him he doesn't know however he has a close associate named Eddie Skeevers and revealed the nightclub he owned, then Batman left the thug still bound for the police.

In his nightclub, Skeevers is seen with some ladies however there is a knock on the door so Skeevers' doorman answers, revealing it to be Batman, who blows up the door and knocks the doorman unconscious. Skeevers ordered his men but after Batman swiftly takes down some, the rest of Skeeves' people flee instead, including the ladies, leaving Batman to grab Skeevers and takes him on top of his club, demanding to know Zucco's location. Skeevers comments that the fall wouldn't kill him, so Batman says he's counting on it and throws him off, breaking one of his legs. Skeevers then reveals Zucco's secret safehouse and that he knows Batman is looking for him.

## E2: Robin Part Two

It opens with Alfred serving Dick some food, Dick then asked him why Bruce isn't around often to Alfred saying he's got too much work. When Dick goes seemingly to sleep, Alfred heads down to the Batcave only for Dick to follow and discovers Batman's true identity unexpectedly, then sneaks while Alfred is talking to Batman about spending more time with Dick however Batman tells Alfred he will after he's brought Zucco to justice, commenting that he can't be on the loose after what he's done. While Batman is researching on the Batcomputer, Dick unexpectedly shows up and coldly says it's his job to make Zucco pay, shocking both Batman and Alfred. Batman tries to comfort and help Dick through this, claiming Zucco will pay for his crimes but Dick remains stubborn.

While Batman left to continue the hunt, Dick found his old Robin costume and found a bo staff in the Batcave, then used a tracker to find Batman going to Zucco's hideout and took Batman's motorcycle despite Alfred trying to stop him. At his hideout, Zucco gets increasingly more nervous and scared upon hearing Skeevers snitched on him and that Batman broke his leg, then suddenly one of his bodyguards was thrown through the door and as Zucco fled, Batman fought his henchmen. Upon reaching the exit, Robin ambushed and attacked Zucco much to Batman's surprise.
Zucco drew a switchblade in an attempt to kill Robin, only for Robin to use his staff to disarm the crime boss and angrily broke his hand.
Zucco ran up to the stairs with Robin in an enraged pursuit and after Batman knocked out the last henchman, he joined in the chase, believing Robin will kill Zucco to avenge his parents if he doesn't intervene. Meanwhile, Robin effortlessly fights Zucco on the rooftop and easily defeats them, then grabbed Zucco and was about to throw him off the rooftop to his death. However, Batman arrived and talked Robin into stopping him, saying the courts will make him pay for what he did and that killing him is cowardly and wrong, it would turn Robin no different from Zucco. Calming down and realizing that Batman is right, Robin aggressively threw Zucco back onto the rooftop and then stepped on his chest before hitting him in the head with his staff, knocking him unconscious. Batman and Robin talked as the police arrive to capture Zucco and his wounded men.

Several months later, Zucco was about to face death due to being sentenced to death after his murder of the Flying Graysons. As he was getting strapped onto the electric chair, Zucco seemed emotionless but then suddenly deduced that Robin was Dick. When he was about to reveal his discovery in order to ruin him before he died, the executioner pulled the lever and executed Zucco.

## E3: Clowns in Love

In his office, Mayor Hamilton Hill announces Wayne Enterprises' new project will help Gotham, however suddenly smoke grenades fall into the room with the news crew. The camera man inspects it but it then releases Joker Venom to kill the crew which cause them to literally die laughing. Joker and his thugs rush into the office with Johnny Frost picking up the grinning corpses' camera to record the situation live with Joker strapping a bomb to Hill and calls it breaking news. Hill attempts to take the bomb off until Joker's men stop him and force him back into his chair, sadistically grinning while doing so. Batman intervenes with the attempted mayor assassination, taking down Frost with the camera breaking for the audience to witness Batman stopping Joker. Joker activates the bomb and flees, so Batman disarms it while Robin, with a new armored and improved suit, arrives to stop Joker from escaping. Robin is shocked by how dangerous the clown is however he overcomes him and takes down Joker with Batman's help. Joker is sent back to Arkham Asylum where Batman and Robin leave to go to Wayne Manor.

At Arkham Asylum, Harleen Quinzel is the new psychiatrist who is warned by Dr. Gretchen Whistler about the aggressive and extremely mentally unstable patients. Quinzel then becomes interested in the Joker and managed to gain the authorization to have a session with him. While Harleen tries to stay strong against Joker, the evil clown manages to get into her head and even gain her sympathy while telling her false stories of how his father abused him and even how Batman changed his life forever, blaming all of his unforgivable crimes and murders on the Dark Knight; saying he is a victim of Batman's "psychotic obsession". This manipulated Quinzel enough to cause her to fall in love with the Joker after the Ace of Knaves shared some comedy as well as telling her "secrets". One night, Harleen helped him escape from Arkham and so he wreaked havoc once again but Batman stopped and beat him bloody, bringing the Clown Prince of Crime back to the asylum with Harleen desperately hugging him until she was held back by guards and Aaron Cash then escorted him to his cell while Quinzel began tearing up.

When Quinzel began remembering that night where the Joker called her Harley Quinn, she dressed up in her new costume and is now armed with a new set of gadgets and weapons, she decided to return to Arkham, breaking out Joker and knocking out a guard with a baseball bat. With security led by Cash chasing, Joker and Harley escaped in a getaway car laughing maniacally together while Joker was still injured however he formed a bloody grin at Harley and held her hand, wanting to give her a "hell of a night". The two villains then start a crime spree until Batman and Robin intervene.

The Dymanic Duo take down Joker but Harley attacks Robin and then attempts to stop Batman only to be unmasked, revealing it to be Harleen Quinzel however Quinn reveals she has fully turned into Joker's girlfriend and accomplice. Joker then finds some citizens and tosses an explosive doll at them to distract the heroes, allowing the psychotic couple to escape. Later during the night while watching television in their hideout, it is revealed Harley's identity as a criminal has been publicly exposed and multiple psychologists plan to televise them live using Harleen as an example of what Arkham's inmates can do to unprofessionals. Harley is angered and Joker cheers her up, saying they should kill them all as revenge for "mocking" her, hugging her with Joker sadistically smiling.

After the Joker disguises himself as a security guard at the live television building and kills another with a silenced submachine gun while infiltrating the building, Harley then unexpectedly shows up publicly and shoots one of the psychologists dead to the crowd's terror. When the crowd attempt to escape, Joker is at the door and stops them from escaping by threatening to kill them with his lethal laughing gas. While Harley held the psychologists hostage and threatened them, then suddenly Batman and Robin showed up to stop the two and save the hostages. While Robin fights the Joker, disarming him of his laughing gas, Batman fights Harley and attempts to convince her to surrender but she refuses and throws a explosive at the crowd, only for Batman to jump in and use his cape to deflect it back at Harley, knocking her back and injuring her. When Robin took down Joker and had him pinned to the ground, he revealed a trigger which would blow up the building and detonated it, laughing maniacally.

As the bombs went off, Robin had the citizens evacuate to safety while Batman, Harley and Joker were caught in the explosions. Batman was injured and Harley was knocked unconscious, but the Joker remained fine and saw Harley in the flames, but bidded her farewell and ran away as Batman approached him, leaving Harley to die. Batman then rescued Harley and escaped the building as it fell apart. While Joker got away and was still in the loose, Harley was arrested and Batman explained to her that the Joker only cares about himself. Harley is then sentenced to Arkham and she is shown, injured and hurt physically and mentally, being locked in a cell before receiving flowers and a letter reading "Keep Smiling, Harl. Love, Mr. J". Harley then broke into hysterical laughter.

## E4: Riddle Race

One night at Riddler's hideout, he was speaking to Commissioner Gordon via the phone and warned Gordon against attempting to trace him. Gordon asked the psychopath what his plan or demands are after recent criminals have been missing and suspected him however Riddler simply taunts him with riddles much to Gordon's frustration. However it was revealed that Batman was secretly hacking into the Riddler's line and then tracked him, smashing through his glass ceiling suddenly and bashed Riddler's head against his computers, then prepared to cuff him. However, Riddler revealed that he knew Batman would find him and counted on it, before having his two henchwoman, Echo and Query, ambush Batman and knock him unconscious with powerful tasers. Riddler then had Echo take Batman away while he and Query prepared his "project".

Meanwhile, Dick is picked up by Alfred from his university and discusses about where Bruce is with the elderly butler mentioning his recent mission in recapturing Riddler however he hasn't returned but hopes he comes back soon. Meanwhile, Batman wakes up without his utility belt inside of a car and a massive box entrapped him. Batman attempted to escape however it soon opened with more kidnapped victims including many criminals, cops and even Killer Moth, Victor Zsasz and Calendar Man.
Riddler then announced the death race energetically and says their options can be either victory or death; then allowed the victims to race the death track filled with deadly traps and dangerous ramps. Batman began racing but discovered Riddler hadn't managed to get rid of his communication devices, he then called Dick in a hurry and explained the situation; then used his tracker for Robin to find and rescue him and the others and stop Riddler. Many victims were killed during the race and Zsasz even tried to kill Calendar Man by running him off the edge, leading Calendar Man to run him into a trap but Batman rescued Zsasz as well as render him unconscious and disabled his car.
Killer Moth then attempted to find any of his weapons but he couldn't, so he got angered and used this rage and try to kill Calendar Man only for the serial killer to end Moth's life by running him into a trap which crushed Moth to death.
Robin then discovered Batman's location and sneaked in, finding the Dark Knight's utility belt but was caught by Echo and Query. Robin used a Disruptor to disable their guns and then took them down, taking back Batman's possessions and then locked them up in a room bound and gagged. Robin then confronted Riddler and ordered him to stop the race, but Riddler refused and destroyed the panels to prevent Robin from stopping it.
Robin furiously knocked the Riddler out and threw Batman's utility belt back to Batman, who used it to disable Calendar Man's car with explosives. Batman then disabled all of the other thugs' cars and had the rest stop before having Robin find more panels to deactivate the traps and let everyone out of their cars. Batman was attacked by a thug, but the Dark Knight swiftly subdued him before Gordon and his cops were called. Gordon arrested the Riddler and other criminals, and the citizens were evacuated.

## E5: Girls' Night Out

In Arkham Asylum, Poison Ivy is seen in the cafetaria sitting next to Harley Quinn eating their food. However, Ivy speaks to Harley about an escape plan, frustrated with the lunatics in the asylum, and when Harley is about to inform her notorious boyfriend on the plan, Ivy stops her; wanting a "Girls' Night Out". Despite Harley's love for Joker, she reluctantly agrees before remembering how they got arrested in the first place: Joker and Harley hijacked an armored truck full of cash and were on the run from Batman and Robin, however the Joker, attempting to escape, kicked Harley out of the van and she was injured on impact, so Robin arrested her while Batman pursued and eventually recaptured Joker. Ivy then seduces a security guard into letting her and Harley escape but on their way out, Aaron Cash and two other guards spot them and try to get them back to their cells. Harley kills the guards while Ivy knocks out Cash and when she is about to execute him, more security come so they escape while they still have the chance.

Joker, still in his isolated cell, hears of Harley's and Ivy's escape from some panicking guards. The Clown Prince of Crime is more than displeased with Harley not helping him escape Arkham, remarking that it's not funny. Joker then growls; claiming she might have found a new guy or even betrayed him, so then he wishes to find out. Joker then fakes sickness so a guard comes to try to help him but loads his pistol, knowing of Joker's tactics before opening his cell. Joker however has a hidden knife up his sleeve and slits the guard's throat before stealing his uniform and his gun. A disguised Joker then hijacks a car, kills the driver and smiles menacingly as he drives out of Arkham on the hunt for his moll.

Meanwhile, Ivy and Harley are in their new hideout with Ivy injecting Harley with an immunity to any toxins, bacterias and diseases. Both villainesses then go on a crime spree which involved attacking "sexist" meetings and even raiding Gotham; causing chaos and anarchy in their names as powerful female criminals. Batman and Robin, while in the middle of arresting the Penguin, hears from Gordon's radio of the two criminals' activities, so they decide to go stop them. While in pursuit, Harley attempts to use a bazooka to kill Batman and Robin however they avoid the rockets and eventually Joker joins in the pursuit with his new henchman, Mr. Hammer, who fights Batman and Robin while he pursues Harley and Ivy himself with his gang.

Back at their hideout, Harley and Ivy are seen worried that Batman and Robin would find out their location; only for someone much worse to turn up. The Joker made his welcome into their home while Ivy and Harley were packing their belongings to relocate, with Joker killing some plants and placing some leaves on a plate to form a smiley face. Ivy was angered as she was confronted and shocked by the Joker, who ate the leaves to her dismay however the clown grinned and closed the door, saying he came what for is rightfully his. He then seemingly holds Harley's hand in compassion which makes her excited but tells him she has a new friend and claims she promised to come back for him after a night to themselves. Joker however becomes irritated of Harley's initial refusal to break him out, however Ivy suddenly attacks Joker and tells him it was her idea of leaving him behind. Joker then says he hates people "touching his stuff" and mocks her undying love for plants and flowers as he uses his flower lapel to spray his deadly Joker Venom on her to Harley's horror.

Ivy then begins laughing but then reveals her immunity to such poisons which annoys Joker, so he claims he'll do it the old fashioned way before drawing a gun and shoots at Ivy however she flees into another room. Harley begs her puddin' to stop only for Joker to angrily pistol whips her and claims it'll only take a second before starting to hunt Ivy with his knife. Ivy then fires a poison arrow at Joker but she misses and then pins her to the ground while attempting to stab her in the throat with his knife, until a defeated Mr. Hammer is sent flying through the door by Batman and Robin who have just arrived. Joker laughs maniacally and says they're late for the party, then fires at them with Batman throwing a Batarang to disarm him. Ivy then attempts to kill Joker only for Robin to save the madman by throwing a shuriken at her. In a fight which leads to Ivy being trapped by her own plants and Joker being knocked out after Batman smashes him through a pool table, Harley attempts to use a bomb to throw at Batman however he throws a Batarang at it, causing it to explode mid-air which knocks her out.

When the police arrive and the Joker slowly forms a bloody smile at Ivy, the villains are arrested and taken back to Arkham Asylum. Robin then talks to Batman and the heroes return to Wayne Manor where Alfred has made them chicken dinner.

## E6: Sabotage

At Wayne Manor, Bruce is suddenly called by Lucius Fox about a problem at Wayne Tower. Batman and Robin go in to investigate to find out what happened and finds some devices and equipment burnt and destroyed. Batman suspects Firefly to be involved, then goes to Arkham Asylum to question him.
Batman confronts Firefly in his cell, who claims that he doesn't know anything, so Batman and Robin reluctantly leave the pyromaniac after obtaining no information. Then one night the Dynamic Duo, outside of their vigilante personas, find the saboteur infiltrating Wayne Tower and using a flamethrower to burn many things. So Bruce calls Lucius Fox to stop him however the suspects retreats, using a jetpack similar to Firefly's. Bruce then has a meeting with Mayor Hamilton Hill about GothCorp CEO John Erickson planned on taking over Wayne Enterprises and having his company run throughout Gotham City. However, Bruce thinks something is odd and then Hill claims that Wayne Enterprises' "difficulties" were recently holding it back, criticizing Bruce's playboy persona, as well as the destroyed equipment and new technology being sabotaged.
Bruce then leaves and plans on working on stopping the man behind the sabotages, he then becomes Batman while ordering Dick to stay in the Batcave as his "eyes". Batman sets up cameras around the Wayne Tower area and Robin eventually spots the suspect, so Batman pursues him. The suspect was using Firefly's weapons, jetpack and battlesuit, turning into a battle between the two. Batman eventually brings down Firefly and tears off his mask, revealing it to be Erickson. Erickson reveals he stole Garfield Lynns' gear in an attempt to make Wayne Enterprises go out of business for GothCorp. However Batman cuffs him and leaves him hanging from a GothCorp building with the evidence linking him to his crimes for the cops. Erickson is then arrested and imprisoned in Blackgate Penitentiary, then Wayne Enterprises is put back in business and GothCorp takes a mighty blow again.

## E7: Fever

In one alleyway, one black cat was seen walking until a van stopped next to it and a man in a hazmat suit came out to inject the cat with a virus. He then leaves after dropping the cat, and the cat began dying and infected other cats. Catwoman discovers this and manages to signal the Batsignal herself where Bruce is soon talking to Harvey Dent and then leaves to go there as Batman along with Robin. Catwoman requested them to help her stop the virus infecting cats and killing them, with the Dymanic Duo accepting and the trio worked together but Batman warned Robin about Catwoman.

During the investigation, Catwoman started flirting with Robin and they eventually discovered the virus' creator is Professor Milo. Meanwhile, Milo was speaking with Roland Daggett, CEO of Ace Chemicals, about their plan to create such a deadly virus in order to infect and kill humans and then create and sell the cure to a desperate society for a large amount of money. When Milo finished cooking up the cure, however realized he could have all the money to himself, so he secretly paid Roland's bodyguards into assisting in his betrayal. When Roland discussed their cuts and Milo sarcastically thanked Roland for the resources before revealing his betrayal, having the bodyguards tie Roland into a chair and Milo injects him with a new strain of the deadly virus to see how it works against humans. After seeing Roland get severely weakened and dying, he plants a camera to witness his death while he leaves with his new men.

Batman, Robin and Catwoman then go to Ace Chemicals during their investigation and find the nearly dead Roland. Batman desperately questions Roland, who informs Batman of Milo, the betrayal and his plans, but when Batman asked where Milo is, Roland succumbed to the infection and died. Investigating the chemical factory, Batman goes on a walkway, receiving flashbacks of him stopping a heist of a man dressed up as the Red Hood criminal and Batman accidentally causes him to fall him into a vat of chemicals, leading to the possible transformation of the Joker. Batman then finds Milo's camera and uses it to track down Milo with it's data.

The trio head to Milo's hideout but Milo simply grins and has the bodyguards attempt to kill them, only to be defeated. Milo tries fleeing with the cure but Catwoman ambushes him and uses her whip to hang him above deadly chemicals he was using to create the virus. Catwoman was tempted to drop him to his death only for Milo to reveal the cure, threatening to destroy it, leading to Catwoman rescue him reluctantly and Milo smashed the cure on the floor, angering Catwoman, who nearly killed him but Batman and Robin stopped her. As Milo laughed, Batman beat him up and forced him to create a new cure, which he did reluctantly after Catwoman threatened to drop him into the chemicals. Milo was then arrested and sent to Blackgate while the cats were cured.

## E8: Faded Clay

In Arkham Asylum at the Medical Facility, Clayface is seen and restrained by his doctor. The doctor worringly informs him that he doesn't have too much time to live due to his clay body wearing off from constant use. Clayface is a silent for a while with the doctor leaving him to cope with such news, but as he walks out of the door, he hears maniacal laughter. The doctor walks back on Clayface only to find a dead guard in Clayface's place, the shapeshifting criminal then escapes the asylum.

At Wayne Manor, Bruce is seen looking at a painting of his deceased parents while Dick and Alfred came in, staying silent until the Batsignal lights up the skies and Bruce heads to the Batcave. On the GCPD building rooftop, Batman and Robin arrive, with Gordon informing them that Clayface has escaped Arkham Asylum, then tells him of the news of Clayface's short life. Batman tells Gordon that they'll stop him and return him to Arkham.

Wishing to desperately find a cure for his dying state, Clayface goes to GothCorp and confronts a scientist named Dr. Grant Walker, forcing him to create a cure for him and threatens to kill him if he refuses. Walker runs several tests on Clayface and says he'll try his best, but he cannot make any progress without any funding, to which Clayface say he'll get him it before ordering him to make a start. Clayface then commits several bank robberies and in one bank, he disguises himself as the bank manager after killing the original manager, going into the vault and stealing the money but is confronted by Batman and Robin after the silent alarm was pulled when the murder victim's body was found. They attempt to defeat him in battle, Clayface fights them off and the fight causes some of his clay to be left behind as he escapes. Batman uses the missing clay to track down Clayface back to GothCorp.

Walker is then seen being forced by Clayface to cook up the cure for him, with Clayface remembering his old life. However, suddenly Batman and Robin break in, ordering Clayface to surrender but Clayface tries to convince them to leave as he's only trying to save himself and even promises he'll return to Arkham when he's done. Batman, however, doesn't believe Clayface and claims he'll just kill more people if he's still on the loose despite his attempts to save himself from death. Clayface then does battle with Batman and Robin, while Walker continues with the cure.

After Clayface defeats Batman and Robin, Walker announces that he's finished the cure and tells him to not kill the Dymanic Duo and return to Arkham in exchange, saying he needs serious help. Clayface though becomes angered and demands Walker to give him the cure, however Walker refuses unless he makes his promises. Clayface then begins to crumble, causing him to desperately promise he'll return to Arkham peacefully, so Walker grants him the cure and Clayface drinks it. However, despite this, Clayface still painfully crumbles slowly and breaks apart, disintergrating much to everyone's shock. Batman then places Clayface's remains in an evidence bag and voices that Clayface may be dead and have succumbed, but then thanks Walker for trying to bring Clayface to justice and get help instead of just letting him die. Gordon is then given Clayface's remains by Batman, who is also shocked that the cure didn't seemingly work and locks the bag in an evidence locker but then clay begins to seap through the locker, implying Clayface's reign of terror isn't finished yet..

## E9: Gotham's Christmas Special

### December 22

In an apartment, the Sirens composing of Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Catwoman are seen miserable however Ivy claims that they'll have the best Christmas ever when she plans to collect their goods illegally. When Bruce is ambushed by Ivy and she manages to kiss him to control him into buying them presents at the mall. Though Catwoman says it's more fun stealing before taking a golden cat statue and manages to escape from a high-security store. Dick then spots Bruce being controlled with Harley carrying a christmas tree, and then realizes the situation when Ivy confronts a spying Dick and tells him to back off. Dick then hides and gets a pellet used to free Bruce, throwing at him and he is freed when he is about to kill himself on Ivy's orders. The two then become Batman and Robin.

Batman and Robin attack Ivy and Harley in their apartment, which results in them crashing their battle into an alleyway below. Catwoman joins in the fight and, to Ivy and Harley's surprise, uses her caltrops against them and this results in them tripping before escaping into a nearby store. In the shop, Robin topples a large christmas tree which falls on Harley and Ivy, incapacitating them for the cops to arrest.

### December 25

In Arkham Asylum, Ventriloquist is nervous and Scarface is very annoyed at getting nothing for Christmas. Scarface then lashes out on Ventriloquist and after killing the guard in a rage, Ventriloquist escapes Arkham. Scarface says he wants something big for the holiday before drawing a knife and stabs it on a newspaper clipping about Batman stopping the Penguin, claiming he ruined his Christmas.

Ventriloquist is then dressed as an ice cream man and is given ice cream to children, but poison is actually inside which kills them to Ventriloquist's horror however Scarface tells him not to worry as it's all part of his plan. Batman then sees this and arrives alone, however is shocked by the poisoned children and seathes with rage. Ventriloquist attempts to surrender out of guilt, but Scarface says he needs to get a big present with the plan, then draws a gun and fires at Batman. Batman throws a Batarang, resulting in the machine gun exploding in the Ventriloquist's hand, both injuring him and charring Scarface. Batman angrily stands on Scarface and grabs Ventriloquist, tempted to punch him but doesn't, instead having Gordon return him to Arkham without beating him.

### December 31

In Commissioner Gordon's office, Batman and Robin have just reviewed a tape left for them from the Joker, who claims he has a present for Gotham City to make up for his absence this Christmas before cackling madly and it ends. Gordon informs the Dymanic Duo that only one murder has come up at GothCorp, with a scientist being found with a smile carved into his face and that an invention he was working on had been stolen. Gordon reveals that the invention was a powerful machine that is designed to emit any gas of any kind with security measures as well; with the scientist having allegedly been planning to sell it for chemical warfare.

In an alleyway, Joker is seen wearing a santa costume and has redesigned such a weapon with his gang wearing elf costumes and gas masks. He then rolls the present onto the streets, which opens, revealing a massive mechanical head of Joker laughing loudly into the city and emits the deadly Joker Venom from it's mouth. Batman and Robin arrive wearing rebreathers, with Gordon and his men evacuating the civilians but when Robin comes into contact with the weapon, he is hurt by a security electrical shock. Batman then draws the Cryptographic Sequencer to disable the machine however Joker's men arrive to stop them only for Batman to take them out. One attacks a weakened Robin only to be knocked out and his mask is accidentally knocked off, with the gas causing him to literally die laughing. Robin looks on in terror but then moves up to confront Joker, armed with a pistol, and starts shooting at him until he runs out of ammo. Joker then draws a second pistol but this gun reveals a flag however fires the flag, intending to impale Robin but Robin dodges it and throws a shuriken to disarm Joker. Batman then disables the machine and stops the gas, infuriating Joker. Joker then uses his lapel flower to try to squirt acid at Batman only for Robin to ambush and knock Joker out, taking him back to Arkham.

## E10: Dreams in Darkness

Bruce wakes up in his bed and is greeted by Alfred, who seems ignorant to Bruce's life as Batman and mistakes the name Robin for a woman that Bruce may be dating. Bruce decides to get back to work as normal, but when he tries to open the clock, he discovers the secret entrance to the Batcave isn't there. Bruce's frustration turns into shock when he sees that Thomas and Martha Wayne are still alive. Worried, Thomas examines Bruce and asks him if he's okay. Bruce answers that he is and continues the day.

Confused, Bruce talks to Alfred and asks to learn about his own life. Alfred explains that Bruce is the head of Wayne Enterprises since his father retired, but Lucius Fox really runs the company, and that he's due to be married to Selina Kyle. Later that day, Selina goes to cheer up Bruce however Batman appears outside. Shocked and determined to discover what's going on, Bruce races outside and witnesses Batman stop a jewel store heist from the oddly-named store "Alice's Pearls". Selina explains that Batman just appeared in Gotham a while back and no one knows who he really is. Trying to make more sense of all this, Bruce asks Selina if she knows about Catwoman. This just worries Selina.

Confused by his memories of his previous life as Batman, Bruce goes to see Dr. Leslie Thompkins, the doctor that Bruce is friends with as Batman in his other life. She clears up that Bruce is simply identifying with Batman, because he feels that he's been given everything his whole life and the lack of real accomplishment is manifesting the fantasy that he is Batman, who has worked for everything he has and every deed is a great value. Relieved, Bruce determines that the nightmare is over.

He goes to his home, and is "his normal self" according to Alfred. Bruce is feeling happier than he has for years, however when he tries to read a newspaper, the words appear jumbled. This confirms Bruce's fears and something strange is happening when he tries to read some of the books in the library, and the words are also completely jumbled. Bruce starts to lose his mind and realizes that this life he is living in is not real at all. He sees a news report about Batman and realizes he has something to do with all of this.

Bruce races to a sports shop and buys a grappling hook, a rope, a flare gun and some flares. Things go easily enough until he goes outside and the police confront him on parking in a no-parking zone. When they realize he's Bruce Wayne, they ask him to come with them as his strange behavior has been reported. Bruce refuses and makes a break for it. Evading the police, he heads to the Gotham Cemetery and he climbs to the top of a bell tower.

Batman arrives just shortly after and Bruce attacks him, saying that he's figured it out: this is just a dream. Batman questions him how he knows and Bruce explained when he tried to read, he couldn't because reading is a function of the right side of the brain, while dreams come from the left side. When Bruce can't explain how Batman is behind everything, he continues to fight him while Harvey Bullock arrive with the cops to call out as they just want to talk. Ignoring them, Bruce continues to fight and pulls off Batman's mask to reveal the Mad Hatter. Mad Hatter explains that this is indeed a dream world, which the real Mad Hatter invented to simulate everything that Bruce wants. Bruce is worried that this means his secret is out, but Mad Hatter assures him that the mind control device reveals nothing to the outside world. Bruce demands him that Mad Hatter release him, but is told there is no way out. Bruce looks over the side of the tower and realizes a possible way out. Refusing to live a lie, Bruce leaps to his death.

As Batman's mind is unable to create a scenario in which he died, he awakens back in reality. He finds himself in a room with Mad Hatter and a mind control mask is on his head. Batman makes short work of Tweedledee and Tweedledum and angrily asks Mad Hatter why he did this. Mad Hatter angrily breaks down in tears and admits that he wanted Batman out of his life so badly, he was willing to give him a dream world of his own. The police arrive and Hatter is taken into custody, being sent back to Arkham. Batman then leaves, hurt by the loss of his dream life.

## E11: Psychotic Teamwork

Scarecrow managed to break out of Arkham Asylum while the guards were busy trying to recapture an escaped Killer Croc, so Batman attempts to recapture him however loses him in a mist of Fear Toxin which he is effected by, but manages to overcome it eventually. Scarecrow then heads into the sewers to retreat from the Dark Knight and the cops only to encounter Croc, who is seen eating a rat and is very hungry, so he tries to devour Scarecrow. About to die, Scarecrow manages to persuade Croc to spare his life and work together to get revenge on Gotham for what the city did to them. Scarecrow then said he wished to spread his Fear Toxin throughout Gotham which Croc agreed to as he claimed that he wants to make Gotham suffer like he did.

Croc and Scarecrow then commit multiple heists to collect the necessary equipment needed for the plan but Batman and Robin intervene in their last robbery. Robin is terrified by the sadistic and frightening criminals, however overcomes this and heads to fight them along with Batman. Batman gives tactics to Robin on how to beat their enemies, warning Robin of Scarecrow's Fear Toxin and Croc's animalistic abilities. While Batman was dealing with Croc, Robin went to stop Scarecrow from storing the stolen pieces into their getaway truck.

Scarecrow though injected Robin with his signature toxin to cause him to see Scarecrow as a grinning Tony Zucco with the stolen equipment inside the truck being his dead parents. Robin goes to violently assault Zucco but his blind rage makes it easy for Scarecrow to disarm him of his bo staff and pin him against the van, preparing to inject him with another dose, planning to drive him insane. Batman though injures Croc and stops Scarecrow, breaking Robin out of his Fear Toxin effects. Croc then knocked down Batman and Robin angrily, allowing the two villains to flee in the truck. Batman tried to convince Robin to go home so he can stop them alone, but Robin refuses. They then track the two to their hideout in the sewers.

Batman and Robin witness Scarecrow working up the machine while Croc watched in interest until Robin throws a shuriken at Scarecrow's hand, piercing it to the device when he is about to activate it. With Scarecrow hurt and immobilized, Batman and Robin take on Croc together, though Scarecrow pulls the shuriken out in pain and activates the device to contaminate Gotham's water supply with Fear Toxin as he laughs in victory. Batman leaves Robin to battle Croc while he goes to the device, punching Scarecrow in the face to knock him unconscious in anger, and then goes to disable the machine. When the machine is finally disabled, Batman goes to eat Robin however Batman throws an electric Batarang at Croc to electrocute and greatly weaken him, allowing Batman and Robin to take him down with one combined attack. Scarecrow and Croc is then dragged out of the sewers by the crime fighters, allowing Gordon to capture them and return them to Arkham in more secure cells.

## E12: Freeze's Assistance

One night at Arkham Asylum, a group of masked men enter it and manage to silently take out any guards or anyone who pose a threat to them. Eventually they reach Freeze's cold cell and while he is asleep, the group manage to take Mr. Freeze with them, providing him with his suit and equipment, promising to break him out and help him cure his wife in exchange for them to come with them and give their boss a favor. When Freeze asks what the favor, the men tell him to ask their boss, so Freeze reluctantly agrees and wears his suit and arms himself with his Freeze Gun, escaping Arkham. Batman and Robin arrive later at Arkham, reviewing footage of the escape and the killed victims, noting that Freeze escaped but some men in masks took him. Batman then spotted some symbols on the masked men linking to the Gotham Docks, so the two vigilantes head there.

Meanwhile, Freeze arrives on a ferry ready to be set off and the man behind this is revealed to be Alberto Falcone. Alberto reveals that his mental instability has been causing him to lose the respect and power of his father, Carmine, so he wants Freeze's help to get revenge on Carmine and become a major figure in the criminal underworld. Alberto then added that he'll give Freeze a special place in his empire, promising he'll give him the necessary funds and resources in exchange to save Nora Fries. Freeze agrees to Alberto's proposition, albeit reluctantly due to his deranged behavior. Alberto notes that he is aware of Freeze being practically immortal, stating he wants to become immortal too, in order to outlive his family and become the top kingpin. However, Freeze warned Alberto that his state is a curse instead of a gift, to which Alberto denies.
After much investigation, Batman and Robin are led to Gotham Docks, where Alberto's ship has already left, so the Dymanic Duo beat up an entire group of armed guards that attack them and interrogate the last one: who tells them he's working for Alberto and their ship has set off. Batman then calls in the Batboat to pursue the ship. Freeze eventually refused Alberto's offer of giving him immortality, saying no human deserves such a fate, before ordering him to get his wife so he can leave. Alberto refuses and has his mobsters deactivate Freeze's suit and then restrains him, then orders his research team to experiment on Freeze and create the serum to make Alberto immortal. Alberto then orders his men to execute Nora, to which Freeze shouts at him not to and threatens to kill him in the most excrutiating way if he does, but Alberto ignores his threats and smiles sadistically.
Batman and Robin then arrive at the ferry, witnessing Alberto's thugs preparing to throw Nora's cryochamber into the sea, but they stop them and defeat them before saving Nora and reconnecting her cryo chamber to keep her alive. Alberto's new serum is then finished and he drinks much to everyone's horror, becoming slowly transformed and colder in his blood, much like Freeze.

The vigilantes then break into the room with Robin throwing a lasso at one of the mobsters, tying him up, before taking down the rest of the guards. Batman then helps Freeze out of his restraints and Alberto reveals a trigger used to blow up the ship, planning to test his immortality with such destruction while also killing everyone else to tie up loose ends and to eliminate the only people capable of stopping him. Freeze then punches Alberto in the face, causing him to bleed from his mouth, and the trigger is dropped on the floor. Batman stops Freeze from further hurting Alberto anymore, claiming he'll be punished in Blackgate for his crimes by staying there forever. Horrified by such a miserable fate, Alberto grabs a gun and shoots at the three in anger, but Freeze attempts to stop him only for Alberto to accidentally fall off the ship and into the raging seas below. Batman and Robin return Freeze to police custody and had attempted to search for Alberto's body but were unable to find him, presuming him dead or had just escaped with his immortality allowing him to survive.

## E13: Batgirl Begins

At a restaurant where Gordon is spending time with his wife Sarah and daughter Barbara eating dinner, with Gordon discussing his views on Batman with Barbara. On the TV suddenly, it is revealed that the Joker had just escaped Arkham Asylum, concerning Gordon, who becomes worried for his family that the murderous madman is on the loose yet again. Barbara attempts to comfort her father, claiming that Batman is bound to stop him again and send him back to the asylum. A waitress then came to collect the Gordon family's dinner, but then begins laughing uncontrollably and dies with a large grotesque grin on her face, causing Gordon to pull out his pistol when he spots the Joker at the bar, drinking some red wine and then pulls out his revolver on Gordon, wanting him to put the gun down. The bartender, armed with a shotgun, suddenly attacks Joker only for the clown to smash his wine glass and use the glass shard to slit his throat while Gordon attempts to shoot him only to be knocked out from behind by Harley Quinn with her baseball bat. Sarah becomes enraged and tries to attack Harley, but she is swiftly taken down by Quinn, who is about to finish her off with her bat, only for Barbara to stop her and plead her to not kill anyone else. Joker agreed and captured Gordon, then drove away with everyone at the place hostage due to the explosives planted there. While driving, Joker presses the trigger to kill everyone there however Batman disarmed the bombs in time and had everyone evacuated, including Sarah and Barbara.

Barbara then begs Batman to save her father and, wanting to help, follows him throughout his entire mission, investigation and even his return to the Batcave. She discovers Batman's secret and an unmasked Bruce finds her, startled by her unexpected appearance however accepts the situation and informs her of his duty. Barbara wants to help but Batman says he already has enough help, introducing Robin to her, then leaves to rescue Gordon from the Joker. Barbara ignores Batman's orders to stay put and manages to make her own bat costume with her keen intellect and take some gadgets.

Batgirl witnesses both Batman and Robin take out Joker's goons at an ice cream factory then infiltrate the building, Batgirl then goes another route inside. Batgirl horrifyingly spots Joker sitting atop a throne made up of a large amount of skulls eating popcorn with a suspended and restrained Gordon watching Batman and Robin run throughout Joker's numerous traps. Batgirl states they're too slow, then goes in to take care of Joker herself in an overconfident manner, using some explosives to make her way in and confront him. Joker didn't expect a Batgirl, however laughed and taunted her, showing great doubt she could save Gordon. Batgirl attempted to throw a Batarang however, due to her poor aim and lack of training, missed Joker; Batgirl was disappointed but Joker expresed his feelings on the situation by maddenly laughing. Batman and Robin arrive after surviving a trap full of exploding marbles, while Joker is in the middle of attempting to kill Batgirl. While strangling her, Joker claimed he didn't know she was in the Bat Family. The Dymanic Duo were surprised and shocked by this, knowing it was Barbara, with Batman knocking aside Joker to stop him from killing Batgirl.

Joker then revealed a pool of acid underneath Gordon and called out Harley to help attack the heroes, then tried to drop Gordon to his doom only for Batgirl to stop him and threaten to break his arm, only for the clown to get her off of him angrily. The trio fought the two clowns, Gordon managed to free himself midst of the battle while also jumping over the trap door of acid smartly. Joker, who held Batgirl at gunpoint, was jumped by Gordon and the Commissioner beat up the Joker aggressively while Harley fought Batman and Robin. Harley was then subdued in combat and Joker, left with a broken nose, black eye, shattered teeth and a bloody face, was then cuffed and arrested by Gordon to be returned to Arkham along with Harley. Batman then reluctantly promised Batgirl training for managing to survive and even help defeat the evil Joker.