PLOT:
It's been one week since Bruce escaped from the clutches of the imposter Batman and already things are
beginning to get back to normal in Gotham City (well, as "normal" as things can get in Gotham). Bruce is on a date with Jezebel Jet
at the Alhambra Rooms while Robin and Nightwing are busy taking out the Dog Bandits and the Ray Gun Raider. Even Damian has returned his his training at his mother's hidden mountain retreat.
Jezebel seems distressed with the fact that she feels like Bruce is keeping something from her - something much darker than he could ever fully bring himself to admit to. The conversation is cut short
however, when the night makes a turn for the worse and Ten-Eyed Man shows up and takes Jezebel hostage.
Disgusted by the two children of
privilege dining in such extravagance, Ten-Eyed Man reveals that he has ties to Jezebel's father's enemies who want to see her country return to the poverty-stricken state it once came from. Not intimidated by Bruce in the slightest, Ten-Eyed Man orders Bruce brought along and escorts them towards the exit through the kitchen.
When news reaches Talia of Bruce's kidnapping she and Damian both sense that a much larger plan is afoot. She, Damian and Merlyn begin to determine a course of action for rescuing Bruce.
While wrapping things up with Ray-Gun Raider, Tim asks Dick questions about Batman's isolation experiments with Dr. Hurt. Before the discussion can go too far, Tim notices the smoke pouring out of Alhambra Rooms and the two rush to Bruce's aid. Upon arriving at the restaurant they immediately rush towards the sounds of screaming coming from the kitchen
After taking out the lights, Bruce immediately seizes the opportunity and begins to apply a vicious beating to Ten-Eyed Man, going so far as searing off his tattooed finger-tip eyes. Bruce demands to know exactly who Ten-Eyed Man is working for - is it Black Glove? The King of Crime hinted at by the Third Batman? Are they one in the same?! Fully cloaked in the darkness of the room, Bruce's Batman persona begins to take hold and the beating worsens yet. A flash of lightning illuminates the room and Jezebel gets a
glimpse of the dark ferocity in Bruce's eyes.
Bruce screams at her telling her that she was right
all along - Bruce Wayne is nothing more than a mask for a selfish reckless man
who never grew up. As Nightwing and Robin come bursting into the room things begin to click into place. Bruce Wayne's darker side goes much deeper than she
initially thought.
Coming in closer to embrace him, Jezebel lets Bruce know that she knows his darkest secret - Bruce Wayne is actually Batman!
NOTE:
This issue explains the inconsistencies in Alfred's last name. Apparently Bruce Wayne's
butler, Alfred Pennyworth, went by his stage name of "Alfred Beagle" for a time.
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