Batman: Shadow of the Bat #94

Issue Details

Synopsis

NO MAN'S LAND PART 88: ENDGAME EPILOGUE - DAYS OF AULD LAND SYNE It is December 31st. James Gordon, Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Lex Luthor and the Gotham City Police Department are at the funeral ceremony for Sarah Essen, grieving over her untimely demise. When the ceremony is over, Lex offers any help to the Gordons but they refuse. Dick tells Barbara that he will see her that night and after he leaves while Barbara and Jim stay until everyone is gone. Batman shows up in front of them and Jim asks him if it was all worth it. Batman doesn't answer.  Lex Luthor starts to execute his master plan and begins buying real estate in Gotham City.   Later, at Oracle's Watchtower, Batman and Oracle learn about Luthor's activites. Lex is buying real estate from land owners that died during the earthquake, using a fake account and name. Batman arranges a meeting with Lucius Fox to prevent Luthor from achieving his goal.   In the GCPD Headquarters, the members of the force are remembering their times and experiences with Sarah Essen and they celebrate her life. Renee Montoya, however, notices that the Jim Gordon isn't present and she looks for him and finds the man, alone and devastated in the backyard of the building.   Meanwhile, Robin sneaks back into Gotham and talks to Nightwing about their possible future. Nightwing tells him that he will go to the city opening gala with Barbara, and Robin assumes that, as it was New Year's Eve, Nightwing and Barbara are formalizing their relationship.   At Wayne Enterprises, Lucius Fox meets with Bruce Wayne and explains to him about Luthor's irregular activities. Lex is planning to own Gotham by buying the majority of the real estate in the city. Bruce fakes surprise and Lucius tells him that we is going to talk to Luthor personally. After Lucius is gone, Bruce knows that Fox will be killed by Luthor if he confronts him directly. Alfred provides him with a Batsuit and Batman follows Lucius to Lex's building.   In said building, the Gala for the reopening of Gotham is being held. The Gordons arrive feeling completely awkward and out of place. Soon, Dick joins Barbara while Jim sneaks from the crowd and goes outside.   Meanwhile, Lucius confronts Lex and tells him all that he has discovered. Lex tries to be subtle and lets Fox get out of his office without causing trouble, but as soon as Fox is outside, Lex tells Mercy to follow Fox and kill him before he is out of the building. Mercy heads for the door when Batman comes crashing in. They engage in combat and after exchanging a few hits, Batman defeats Mercy. Batman stares at Luthor and warns him again not to mess with Gotham as it isn't for sale.   At midnight, Nightwing goes to Park Row's medical center and visits the recovering Helena Bertinelli. When the clock strikes midnight, they kiss.   James Gordon is at the Gotham Cemetery, in front of Sara's tombstone with a couple of champagne flutes. The New Year's fireworks are already shining in the sky across the city. Jim shares the coming of the new year with his bride, in a symbolic way. At the same time, Batman leaves a couple of roses at the Waynes' tombstone and looks to the sky with renewed hope.