Batman '89 #2

Batman '89 #2"Shadows: Chapter Two"
General Information
Series:	Batman '89
Issue Number:	2
Cover Date:	September 14, 2021
Previous Issue:	Batman '89 #1
Next Issue:	Batman '89 #3

Batman '89 #2 is the second issue in the Batman '89 series. The issue was written by Sam Hamm, drawn by Joe Quinones, and colored by Leonardo Ito. It was released on September 14, 2021.

"Shadows: Chapter Two"

Synopsis

"I screwed up, Alfred. This time, I really... well and truly... screwed up."

―Bruce Wayne to Alfred Pennyworth.

Bruce contemplates his actions to Alfred.

To escape the National Guard, Batman pretends to surrender before throwing a flashbang capsules from his utility belt. However, the blinded guards shoot at him. When the youth who he was chasing investigates, the soldiers accidently shoot him. Batman attempts to save him, but he falls to his death. Bruce returns to the Batcave to mull over his actions until the morning. Taking custody of the confiscated Super-Batarang, Barbara demonstrates the systems to Harvey. In addition to the systems, they begin to suspect Batman is well funded to access the equipment.

Meanwhile, protests take place in Burnside after the National Guard's actions. Otis and his employee, Drake Winston, watch the events. As they close up, Harvey visits to ask whether Drake can track down certain car components, though he refuses. Moments later, members of Burnside's council arrive to discuss the incident. Under their persuasion, he agrees to show his support for Burnside's residents by taking part in the protests.

During the event, Drake encounters several Batman copycats. After watching them attempt to break into a local electronics shop, he dons his costume and subdues the group. After the incident, several bystanders begins to refer to him as "Robin", due to interrupted comments made by a member of the gang. Unknown to Drake, one of the members had been absent and follows him to the Royal Autobody. When the others are released, the group decide to get payback on him.

On Alfred's advice, Bruce decides to help support the family's of Burnside. Meanwhile, Dent begins to lose trust in the GCPD due to his appearance. Together, they arrange a meeting with the Burnside Council where Bruce offers to help fun the educations of the borough's children of borough. As leaves the meeting, Bruce learns that the Royal Autobody has been set alight by the Batmen. As he chases after the group, he discovers the gang have been subdued by Catwoman.

Whilst also leaving, Harvey and Barbara realize Bruce had private information about the incident due to a name he mentioned in the meeting. However, their discussion is interrupted when they notice the fire, leading them to return. Learning Drake is still inside, Harvey ventures into the garage and finds he's disappeared. As he attempts to leave, the staircase give in and Dent is knocked out in the fall. As he lies, several nearby batteries begin to leak.

Appearances

Individuals

• Batman/Bruce Wayne
• Robin/Drake Winston
• Harvey Dent
• Barbara Gordon
• Catwoman/Selina Kyle
• Alfred Pennyworth
• Jerome Otis
• Cecil Culp
• Miss Kitty
• Harvey Bullock
• Liz
• Nyesha's Brother (Dies)
• Nyesha Burroughs (Mentioned only)
• Dr. Q (Cameo)
• Thomas Wayne (Mentioned only)
• Martha Wayne (Mentioned only)

Organizations

• Gotham City Police Department
• Batmen
• National Guard

Locations

• Gotham City
  • Burnside
    • Royal Autobody
    • Burnside Park
  • Gotham Square
    • City Hall
    • Arnee's Bar
• Wayne Manor
• The Batcave

Objects

• Third generation Batsuit
  • Utility Belt
    • Batarangs
    • Flashbang Capsule
    • Spring-Action Reel
• Super-Batarang
• Giant Penny
• Batcomputer
• First generation Batsuit
• Second generation Batsuit

Gallery

Mitch Gerads variant

Notes

• Mitch Gerads contributed a variant cover for Batman '89 #2.
• The issue was originally scheduled to be released digitally-first on July 27th 2021, along with #1 and #3 of the series. However, these plans were postponed for unknown reasons.

Trivia

• The main cover by Joe Quinones includes various Easter Eggs and references to DC creators and Tim Burton's Batman movies:
  • One of Penguin's old campaign posters from Batman Returns is visible next to the fire escape.
  • A Harvey Dent - District Attorney poster from Batman is shown and the part with the right side of Dent's face on it was torn off - reflecting the scarring that turned him into Two-Face.
  • A poster with the name "Kane" on it and a Finger graffiti appear as an homage to Batman's creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger.
  • The graffiti with the names "Burton" and "Ringwood" are references to Batman and Batman Returns director Tim Burton and costume designer Bob Ringwood, who helped design the original Batsuit.
  • Graffiti with the names "Khouri", "Hamm" and "Quinones" are allusions to DC staffer Andy Khouri, writer Sam Hamm and artist Joe Quinones, all of whom worked on the Batman '89 comic series.
  • Part of the word "Burnside" is visible, a Gotham borough and the main location for the story.
• The psychologist "Dr. Q" is visually suggested to be the "Burtonverse" version of Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn. Her role in the issue resembles one of the "talking heads" from The Dark Knight Returns; characters and personalities who debated the ethics and psychology of Batman.
• One of the demonstrators resembles Steve Urkel from sitcom Family Matters.
• When talking about "Drake", one of the children present mention that he's based on Robin Hood, a reference to the original basis for the character.