Batman #92

Issue Details

Synopsis

THEIR DARK DESIGNS PART 7 After being kidnapped and almost killed by Deathstroke, Oswald Cobblepot gets questioned by the GCPD and Commissioner Bullock, who tries to pin on him three murders of police officers. Of course, Cobblepot is already protecting himself with his lawyers, but while Bullock and the Penguin argue, the whole city of Gotham turns green, and of course it's part of a big game that speaks Edward Nygma, the Riddler. Of course, Batman is the one who must play the Riddler's game: it's a crosswords game in the city, with some explosive effects in case of mistakes and cheating. This includes any communication with other people, so Nygma cuts the comms between Batman and Lucius Fox.   Bruce must play the game, but he tries to do that by his own set of rules: while he answers the first riddles of Eddie, Batman, together with Deathstroke, takes a Bat-Train to get to another part of the city, bypassing several of the Riddler's blocks. Eddie is frustrated by the fact the Dark Knight is bonding the game's rules in his favor, and goes nuts when Bruce starts guessing words even before Nygma tells him the questions. Angry, Eddie decides it's time to bring the game to another level.  While Bruce tries to fend off the plan of Nygma, turned out to be an unexpected ally of the Designer, Selina, helped by Harley Quinn, is trying to steal the fortune of the Wayne Family before the Designer gets it, as part of his masterplan to take out the Dark Knight and rule the city. While searching for a certain spot in Gotham's sewers, the two ladies are attacked by some zombified GCPD agents, sent of course by their rival.   Selina got there to get into a passage, leading to the office of the Underbroker, a criminal who can help her with the heist that seemingly serves thieves around the city who are part of an exclusive club. Showing off her membership, Catwoman is granted access, bringing Harley as an authorized guest and saving both of them from the Designer's zombies. But once inside, several clownish armed goons are there: men belonging to the Joker. There, Selina and Harley meet for the first time the Joker's new sidekick, Punchline. Of course, Harley does not like to meet Joker's new girlfriend, as Selina defines her, and the two start fighting. Selina, opportunistic as always, takes the Underbroker and makes him do what she tells him, bringing her plan a step closer to fruition.  Batman breaks through, together with Deathstroke. The Riddler is there: the Detective recognized the room from where he was broadcasting. Of course he did, as he owns it, but Nygma does not know that. After taking out Eddie and surprising Slade with an heavy narcotic shot, the Caped Crusader is welcomed by the Designer himself. He must know that he knows his true identity, given the place he decided to meet him, but the Designer confirms that he knows the Bat's true identity, addressing him as Bruce. They will talk and then the Designer will kill him.