Batman '89 Issue 2

* Main
* Gerads

***Batman '89* #2** is the second issue of *Batman '89* published by DC Comics.

## Solicitation

*A showdown in Burnside leaves both Batman and the Gotham borough reeling. As the community rallies together behind Harvey Dent, can Bruce find a way forward for both Batman and the city?*

## "Shadows: Chapter Two"

* **Writer**: Sam Hamm
* **Artist and cover**: Joe Quinones
* **Colorist**: Leonardo Ito
* **Letterer**: Clayton Cowles
* **Variant cover**: Mitch Gerads
* **Editor**: Andrew Marino

### Synopsis

Batman finds himself surrounded by the National Guard while dangling from his grappling hook. The guardsmen threaten to shoot him if he does not surrender, so Batman claims that he is going to lower himself to the ground before throwing a smoke pellet and ascending on the line. The guardsmen blindly open fire, hitting the youth Batman had just pursued. Batman holds out his hand to try and catch the boy, but he misses and the boy falls to his death, much to his and the guardsmen's horror. The next morning, Alfred brings Bruce's breakfast to his bedroom, but finds he is not there. Alfred descends into the Batcave, where Bruce sits in the Batsuit distraught over unintentionally causing the boy's death.

At a park, Harvey Dent and Barbara Gordon test the confiscated Super-Batarang and its homing capabilities. Dent remarks that the military would pay handsomely for this kind of technology and suggests performing a patent search, but Barbara responds that she already did with no luck. Dent says that the Super-Batarang must be worth millions, meaning that whoever built it must already have access to that kind of money. Barbara then drives Dent to Burnside so that he can attend a community summit.

Amidst protests in the neighborhood, Jerome Otis asks Drake Winston if he is finished fixing Dent's car ahead of his arrival. Otis notices Drake using the computer and asks if he is playing video games, but Drake responds that he is communicating with someone from Omaha, Nebraska to acquire a car part. Otis is impressed, with Drake elaborating that he is building a network and that if he knew how to code he could build a searchable database that would allow garages to post their entire inventories online. Otis compliments the idea and prepares to close the garage, but Dent enters. He asks Drake for help identifying car parts to determine whether they are modified from a production car or machined by scratch. Drake refuses, saying that he simply doesn't trust Dent because he's a "cop." Other members of the community arrive to hold the summit, discussing measures to ensure that the protests remain peaceful so that the National Guardsmen don't have an excuse to exercise force. Dent begins to suggest that they can use the situation to their advantage, but Cecil Culp accosts him for thinking only about his quest to bring down Batman without considering how his actions can negatively affect the people of Burnside. Dent responds that he wants to help however he can.

Later, Culp addresses a crowd of protestors and introduces Dent, who delivers a speech to the crowd. Drake overhears the speech as he walks through the neighborhood, silently mocking Dent's words. He sees a gang of men in Batman attire walking through the neighborhood, and rhetorically asks what brings them to Burnside. They indicate that they are here to make sure there's no trouble, and Drake responds that there won't be any if they don't start it. They respond that they don't start trouble, they end it. Drake sarcastically tells the "Batmen" to enjoy their evening and walks away. One of the Batmen sees a new GameStation in a shop window and picks the padlock before breaking the window. As the man steals the console, he is suddenly attacked from behind by the costumed figure who encountered Batman earlier. The Batmen ask who the hell he is, and he responds in kind. One of them claims to be Batman, but the costumed man says that Batman never meant anything to him as he fights them. As he beats up one of them, the Batman copycat claims that his attacker was robbing the store when bystanders arrive on the scene. A man asks what he should do with the Batmen, and the costumed man says he can either turn them over to the police or tie them to a nearby dumpster. As he walks away, the bystanders refer to him as "Robin," having misheard the comment by one of the Batmen that he was robbing the store.

A delivery truck arrives in front of Wayne Manor, with the driver asking Alfred where he wants "it." Alfred asks what he is talking about, and the driver responds that he means the giant penny Bruce Wayne purchased and hired them to deliver. Alfred finds Bruce exercising in the Batcave listening to a talk show where the host interviews "Dr. Q." She explains how wearing a mask provides anonymity and enables people to do things they wouldn't normally do. As she compares it to a sexual kink, Bruce asks Alfred to mute the television when he sees Alfred enter the Batcave. Alfred mentions the giant penny, and Bruce says that he wants to move it down to the Batcave to "brighten the place up a little." Alfred questions Bruce's logic, causing Bruce to snap back that the penny saved his life earlier. He then apologizes to Alfred for his tone and recounts how in his boredom he chased a boy who stole from a shop only to feed his baby sister. When he realized what he had done, he was suddenly attacked by a costumed figure, and felt as if he was being attacked by himself. He says that because of his actions, the kid is dead and the little girl is completely alone, and that he has no way to make things right. Alfred reminds Bruce that he is a man of many resources, and suggests that when vigilantism fails, he can always resort to philanthropy instead.

Dent discusses with Barbara how all of the major networks have asked him to appear on their Sunday shows, and how national newspapers are calling his office for biographical details. Barbara compliments his speech, and he says that he made it up on the spot. He remarks how once he stopped thinking only about his own career, doors began to open for him. Barbara says she wishes she could have been there, and Harvey says that she couldn't be seen there because she is Commissioner Gordon's daughter. As Dent walks up the stairs to his office, members of the press ask him about rumors that he is planning to run for governor. Dent addresses the press by saying he is more concerned about helping the city than furthering his own political aspirations, only for Harvey Bullock to angrily call him a "two-faced bastard" for selling out the police after he had supported him against Gordon. Dent enters his office, where his secretary Liz informs him that he has a visitor. Dent is surprised to see Bruce waiting for him. Bruce says he saw his speech and that it will anger a lot of people. Dent asks if that was all he came for, but Bruce says that was just a compliment and that he has an idea.

The Batmen angrily discuss being attacked by Robin and vow revenge, with one of them saying he followed him home and found out where he lives. Bruce meanwhile meets with the Burnside Council where they discuss his proposal to personally pay for every school-age child in Burnside's full higher education either at Gotham State University or a technical or trade school. When asked how long he intends to fund the program, Bruce responds until he runs out of money, which won't be for a while. Culp asks Bruce why he is suddenly interested in Burnside, and he says he was inspired by Dent's speech. He also mentions the little girl, Nyesha Burroughs, whose brother was killed by the National Guard, recalling how he lost his own family to gun violence. Drake overhears Bruce's discussion with the council and dismisses his promises. When Bruce leaves, the council members question his motives. Dent mocks them for their distrust, insisting that Bruce means well and has "more money than sense." Dent heads back to his car and meets Barbara, who asks how the meeting went. Dent says that he feels sorry for Bruce because he clearly has a guilty conscience. As Bruce walks back to his car, he sees two children dressed up like Batman playing. He hears a commotion nearby and sees that the Royal Autobody garage is on fire. He dons a ski mask hidden in a briefcase in the trunk of his car and runs toward the scene. He finds several Batmen laying unconscious in an alley, and is shocked when he is greeted by Catwoman. He asks how she found the Batmen, and she responds that she was following him and asks if he's noticed. When he says he hasn't, she remarks that she must be getting good at it. She says she understands he is keeping a low profile right now and that he has fires to put out, but first needs a kiss.

As Dent and Barbara drive away, Dent asks her when the police released Nyesha's name, and she responds that they didn't. When Dent begins to ask how Bruce knew, Barbara sees the fire and tells him to stop the car. Dent sees Otis being held back by Culp, exclaiming that Drake is still in the garage. Dent assures Barbara that he loves her and will be fine, then rushes into the burning garage while she calls after him. Dent calls for Drake to no response, searching his room but finding it empty. As the fire spreads, Harvey descends the stairs which collapse and send him crashing to the ground. Harvey lays unconscious on the ground as nearby batteries begin to leak.

## Trivia

* The main cover for the issue illustrated by Joe Quinones contains several Easter eggs and references.
	+ One of the Penguin's mayoral campaign posters from *Batman Returns* is visible.
	+ A "Harvey Dent - District Attorney" poster from *Batman* is present, with the left side of its face torn off, reflecting Dent's transformation into Two-Face.
	+ A poster with the names "Kane" and "Finger" references Batman's creators, Bob Kane and Bill Finger.
	+ Graffiti reading "Burton" and "Ringwood" references *Batman* and *Batman Returns* director Tim Burton and costume designer Bob Ringwood.
	+ Graffiti reading "Khouri," "Hamm," and "Quinones" alludes to the comic's editor Andy Khouri, writer Sam Hamm, and artist Joe Quinones.
* This issue was originally scheduled to be released digitally first on July 27, 2021, along with the first and third issues.

## External links

* *Batman '89* Issue 2 at Batman Fandom, the Batman Wiki.