Robin
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Real Identity: Tim Drake
Appearances (BTAC Comics): Mentors Part 1, Mentors Part 2, Red Son Rising Part 1, Red Son Rising Part 2, Red Son Rising Part 3, Secret Santa, Court Fight Part I, Court Fight Part Two, Mayor Mayhem Part One, Mayor Mayhem Part Two, Mayor Mayhem Part Three, Window Shopping, Crack-Up! Part Two, Crack-Up! Part Three, The Offer Part One, The Offer Part Two, and The Offer Part Three
Skills: Detective, hand to hand combat and technological
Tim Drake is the son of the late Steven "Shifty" Drake, a thug who was known from burglary and armed robbery. He was taken in by Batman after his father betrayed Two-Face and attempted to flee the city. Drake went against orders and joined Batman and Batgirl in fighting Two-Face as Robin. He was allowed to remain on as Robin and was trained by Batman personally.
Batman was forced to flee from a blimp with the Ventriloquist after Scarface's explosives were accidentally triggered. As they fell to the waters below, Scarface was dropped. He called the Ventriloquist a butterfingered jabroni. Robin deployed the net and scooped up Batman and Ventriloquist but asked why he didn't get to have any fun. Some time later, Batman, Robin, and Batgirl responded to Clayface's rampage at a downtown theater. Robin tried to wrangle an arm with rope but was unsuccessful. Batman threw a Batarang then dodged a counterattack. They surrounded Clayface but before they could close in, he split in half and bolted in opposite directions. Batgirl and Robin pursued one while Batman went after the other. Robin ran into Annie, who pleaded for his help. Batgirl tried to warn Robin but he became angry and threw a freezing capsule at her. She began to revert back to Clayface and took a jump kick from Robin. Robin declared that was for Annie. Clayface still fought back and wrapped a tendril arm around Robin's neck while swiping at Batgirl.
Deathstroke leaped down and sliced Clayface's head in half with a sword coated with a fast-acting sedative. Deathstroke promised Clayface would wake up in six hours with nothing more than a bad headache. He helped Robin up to his feet. Batgirl thanked him. Batman arrived with the other half of Clayface frozen and over his shoulder. He already deduced he was Deathstroke based on a code name associated with a mercenary matching his description. Deathstroke quipped he would be the first to advocate using a fear-inducing title then stated tonight, he could call him "friend" then bid them farewell. Sunny stole a Farmer Brown van and timed it to drive by as Deathstroke was saying his goodbyes to Batman. Deathstroke flipped towards the van. Robin commented "awesome." Batman and Batgirl stared at him. During a later encounter with Batgirl, Deathstroke commended her and Robin, a testament to Batman's training, and without them the city would have rotted a long time ago.
Batgirl sensed she was listening to a sales pitch. Deathstroke insisted he just meant there was a bigger theater for a woman of her talents and she could go far under his supervision. Batgirl stated she was doing just fine. Deathstroke questioned that and asked her if she was aware someone was watching her. Red Hood was surprised and bolted from his rooftop position. That morning, Barbara Gordon briefed Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake, and Alfred Pennyworth about the encounter. Drake was excited to hear Deathstroke thought he was good. Wayne told him not to put much stock in his compliments. Drake was bummed. Wayne continued that men of Deathstroke's ilk were only visible only when they needed to be. Pennyworth added and only solicitous when they wanted something. Gordon stated she definitely felt like he was after someone. Wayne advised them to keep their distance from Deathstroke until he learned more. Batman and Robin got a hot tip on the whereabouts of the Wonderland Gang. However, Batman ordered Robin back home since it was school night.
Robin was furious and vented over comms with Pennyworth. Robin noticed Deathstroke up above going roof to roof. Robin lied to Pennyworth that he was on his way home and decided it was up to him to find out what Deathstroke was up to. He tailed him to the Gotham Natural History Museum's Entomology Pavilion unaware it was all a set up. Deathstroke rappelled down from the skylight but Robin was already waiting for him atop a giant mantis statue and surprised him with a wise crack. Deathstroke congratulated him on getting the drop on him but recommended leading with a weapon next time he came upon an enemy. Robin inquired if they were now enemies. Deathstroke reaffirmed they were allies and under his protection for the night since he decided to insert himself into his affairs. Deathstroke asked him if he knew about Firefly. Robin recalled what Batman told him. Deathstroke informed him about a failed job Firefly took in Zurich. A vault exploded. Firefly escaped but was left scarred on his face. He became deadlier and crazier than ever, rebuilding his suit to be stronger than before.
Robin admitted to Deathstroke he didn't inform Batman where he was. Deathstroke stated he wasn't waiting around. Robin claimed he wasn't and could do back up. Deathstroke quipped he wouldn't have it any other way then told him about Firefly's M.O. of collecting insects and clued him in on a low, rising humming. Firefly unleashed a swarm of Asian Giant Hornets on them. Robin and Deathstroke retreated to a giant ant figure hanging from the ceiling. Robin formulated his own plan and told Deathstroke to follow his lead. Robin jumped down, removed his cape, swept several up in it, and immobilized them with a fire extinguisher. Deathstroke thought it wasn't bad but suggested a permanent solution to the giant hornets. Deathstroke's partner Sunny posed as Firefly and opened fire on them. Firefly speculated Interpol was so afraid of him they hired Deathstroke to snuff him out. Robin threw a Batarang but it bounced off his helmet. Firefly wasn't keen on "take your kids to work" day but Deathstroke leaped and knocked the fire gun away with his sword. Robin thought he was finished without it. Deathstroke warned there was more to it.
Firefly asked him to let the kid learn for himself. Firefly's mask revealed a mouth and he unleashed a wave of flames. Firefly unleashed attack after attack. Deathstroke and Robin dodged and jumped away. While Firefly focused on Robin, Deathstroke leaped from the top of a dinosaur and connected with a diving kick. He warned Firefly it was a reminder he was still around. Firefly landed on the back of a Triceratops then quipped he was clearing the field first. Robin was surrounded by flames and started having issues breathing. Deathstroke carried him in his arms and leaped to safety. Batman was not pleased Robin cut off his comm line. From the Batcave, Pennyworth reminded him that Robin was at the age when defiance could be confused with independence. Batman asked him where he lost contact. Pennyworth recalled it was on Morrison heading for K Street. He asked if that helped any. Batman saw smoke. He jumped atop a fire truck responding to the museum. Robin wondered why the sprinklers never activated. Deathstroke deduced Firefly disabled them and decided to confront him alone. Firefly realized Deathstroke was wearing a kevlar suit and raised the intensity of the flames. Deathstroke claimed to have a Hephaestus sword to withstand the attacks.
The sprinklers suddenly turned on. Batman swung in and kicked Firefly from behind. Deathstroke observed and realized the steam created from the water would inhibit Firefly's vision and combined with Batman using infrared filters on his cowl, he had the upper hand. Batman decked Firefly enough to break the right eye glass. Firefly vowed Batman would burn next time then blew open an exit. Robin, Batman, and Deathstroke ran out into the street but Firefly was gone. Robin wanted to continue but Batman ordered him to go home immediately. The next day, Barbara Gordon went to Wayne Manor and found Tim Drake in the living room doing homework. She asked where everybody was. Drake replied there were "downstairs" but he wasn't invited. Gordon confirmed she heard he was grounded. Drake asked her how much she thought an international bounty hunter got paid. Gordon teased he was too young and speculated the CIA commissary was hiring bus boys. Drake was not amused and told her she had no idea what it's like. Gordon did in fact then headed to the Batcave.
Just after dusk, Pennyworth served dinner to Tim Drake and Bruce Wayne. Drake tried to get out of his punishment by mentioning the Bond movie had been out for awhile. Before he could finish his sentence, Wayne told him no. Drake pointed out his sentence was for Robin and he just passed his Geometry final. Wayne still said no. Pennyworth commended him for giving it a try. He stewed in the Batcave and called up Barbara Gordon to vent. She was shelving books at Gotham University Campus Library. Drake couldn't believe Batman cut off all contact after all these years. Gordon questioned "years." Drake clarified it had been almost a year since he became Robin. He asked again if Batman contacted her. Gordon told him she is working in the library and the only action she was getting was stamping due dates. She picked up a Historical Society book and noticed a slip of paper sticking out. She pulled it out and saw a handwritten note that read, "It's a Trap" Drake called out to her and asked her what was going on. Jason Todd left the library undetected. Drake and Gordon noticed the paper was stuck in a book about Old Gotham in a chapter about the building of the Tri-State Dam.
Batgirl and Robin heard Deathstroke boasting about his plan and threw out rope around his arms then yanked him backwards. Robin remarked he thought Joker was a motor mouth. Deathstroke sliced the ropes and lamented the development but proceeded to kill them, too. Batman reached for the packs on the Firefly costume and threw a jar at Deathstroke. He sliced it and accelerant spilled all over him. He lit on fire. Deathstroke pointed out his suit was kevlar and he was only succeeded in making him look more menacing. Batman pointed out his suit would also heat up and guessed it was already 10 degrees higher. Deathstroke swung into a vat and triggered an explosion. He tried to escape and strip off his suit but Batman threw a fire extinguisher at his head and knocked him out. He then sprayed the extinguisher on him to put out the flames. For the record, Robin stated he never thought Deathstroke was great.
Drake later overheard Batman and Pennyworth talking about Jason Todd. Drake felt validated his theory about the stalker being a former member of the team was right and demanded to know the truth about the second Robin. Batman stated he needed to get out to the city and told Pennyworth to tell Drake everything about Jason Todd. As Pennyworth told the tale, Drake found himself relating to Todd as they both saw Batman as an idol to model themselves after. Tim Drake was satisfied with Pennyworth's story but he had one question left. He asked why he was there. Pennyworth didn't understand. Drake pointed out Todd's story was practically the same as his and wondered if he was just a do-over for the mistakes Batman made with the other Robins. Pennyworth stated Wayne always felt a kinship with those who have suffered tragedy and fought back but both he and Wayne saw Drake had two things Todd never had: integrity and dedication. Batman agreed. He walked down the stairs and explained what happened to Jason Todd was the biggest mistake of his life and he would never let that happen every again.
Tim Drake shook Batman's hand then tossed him, already deducing that wasn't the real deal and stated he wouldn't be much of a Robin if he fell for it. Jason Todd was surprised and asked what gave it away like the lack of a Batmobile. Drake pointed out Batman never apologized for making a mistake. Pennyworth fired a bola at Todd but he dodged it then retaliated with a Batarang. It hit Pennyworth in the head and knocked him out. Drake charged him. Todd offered a free lesson: anger was a plus in their world but it was also sloppy. Todd clocked him then knocked him out with a kick. He dragged Drake up the stairs with his Robin suit. Red Hood greeted Robin with one of Alfred Pennyworth's rise and shine lines. Water poured onto Robin's face and he woke up confused. He was trapped in an impenetrable glass tank filling up with water in one of Killer Croc's sewer lairs. Red Hood asked him how many times he heard Pennyworth say it and joked that was half the reason he left.
Robin demanded to know what was going on. Red Hood replied he had to be dressed for the big show and taunted without his belt he was powerless and unable to escape. Robin retorted he didn't need it to take him down. Red Hood told him not to bother. Robin asked him what he wanted. Red Hood suggested a breaststroke or anything really to keep him afloat. Hood returned with Joker and Batman. By the time Batman awoke, Robin was up to his knees in water in a glass tank filling up. Robin informed them they weren't leaving anytime soon then assured Batman is was okay for the moment. Red Hood added that all depended on Batman. Batman pointed out they were all in danger because the old pipes in the lair could blow any second. Hood was sure everything would hold together enough for them to finish their business. Batman already figured out a way for Robin to escape and told Red Hood he underestimated Robin because he was used to pressure and has been around the block. Robin examined his choice of words and realized what he meant then took his cape off and plugged the pipe on the sly.
Batman kept Red Hood focused on him as he and Joker refused to take part in his ultimatums. Robin bided his time in the tank. It was close to bursting. Straightman invaded the lair. In the chaos, Robin escaped from the tank and recovered his belt. Joker applauded Straightman's perfect timing and picked up a hand gun, intending to kill the Robin of the past and present. He noticed Robin was gone and got hit in the back of the head with a crowbar. Robin tossed it to Batman to use against Straightman. When that failed, Batman tricked Straightman into using his powerful punches to cause a cave-in. Robin climbed the stairs halfway to a manhole cover and fired his grapnel line to Batman. He called out to who Red Hood realized Batman never gave up on him but he couldn't change. Red Hood told Batman he was off the hook and he should go save the Robin who needed him. Hood pulled himself off the crowbar and was carried off by the current. The sealed manhole cover suddenly exploded.
Batgirl lowered herself down and asked what she missed. Batgirl's two drones failed to locate any of them. Batman admitted he made a terrible mistake with Jason Todd and wondered about Batgirl and Robin. Robin pointed out Todd at least knew he would never abandon him. Batgirl added Jason Todd made his choice, like they did. Robin stated they weren't going anywhere. During the holidays, Robin and Batman observed Arnold Wesker from a nearby rooftop. Robin concluded he seemed okay. Batman still wanted to keep an eye on him since the holidays put undue stress on people who lived isolated lives and with Wesker still emotionally vulnerable, it would be a disastrous time for him to slip and for Scarface to reappear. Robin quipped he didn't want to know how he knew that. Batman and Robin learned Straightman broke into Arkham Asylum. Robin guessed he wanted one of Joker's toys from storage but Dr. Leland revealed he only stole the Scarface doll. They staked out Wesker's apartment.
Robin operated a drone but found no sign of Joker or Scarface, just Wesker drinking hot cocoa and wrapping a present. Batman couldn't believe it and realized he even looked happy. Robin quipped even crooks felt that way during the holidays. He sent the drone in after Wesker left and saw an invite to Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy's Christmas party at the Iceberg Lounge. He deduced Batman wasn't going to like it. He was correct. They perched on a roof near the Lounge. Robin reckoned Commissioner Gordon was gonna love his Christmas present, all the creeps in one place, practically gift wrapped. Batman wanted to hold off and infiltrate the party as Knute Brody, Gotham's most inept henchman, in order to stop Joker's plans. As Batman suspected, Joker showed up but his plans were thwarted by Knute's bumbling. Batman gave Robin the go-ahead to initiate the "diversion." Robin tipped off Gordon. He found Batman, still in the Knute costume, injured after being clubbed by Straightman.
Batman and Robin stormed Wesker's apartment but they were too late. Robin saw Wesker's present but couldn't believe Batman bought him socks. Batman assured him he was pressed for time. Batman found a Joker card on Wesker's Christmas tree. He mused it was going to get worse before it got better. On New Year's Eve, at 6:36 pm, Batman and Robin met with Commissioner Gordon on the GCPD roof. They learned none of the leads on the Joker panned out. Luckily, Pennyworth was able to identify Eileen Kwan from Batman's sketch and he accessed her customer records and located Ivy's hideout. At 9 pm, Harley returned to the hideout with the food and drinks they needed to celebrate with. She found Ivy tied up and Batman and Robin waiting. Ivy declared the party was stupid. Batman demanded the Joker's location but Harley insisted they were still broken up and she wanted nothing to do with him. Robin persisted she had to know something.
Harley declared he could sink in quicksand, fall in a tar pit, or rot in his Ha-Ha Hideaway. She stopped herself but Ivy quipped that was fast even for her. Batman and Robin stormed the Hideaway but it was already cleared out. Batman found an old subway ticket from the 55th Street Subway Station near Wesker's apartment and deduced he left them a clue without Scarface or Joker realizing it. After Joker set the explosives and betrayed and gassed Scarface and Wesker, he was ready to leave but Straightman pointed out Batman and Robin arrived. Robin went to save Wesker from being run over by the holiday express lane while Batman dealt with Joker and Straightman. Scarface was run over and reduced to pieces. Wesker blamed himself but Robin pointed out his clue helped them and Batman made him realize he defied Scarface for the first time and was something of a hero for saving everyone's lives at Gotham Center. They walked up to the surface. Wesker was amazed at all the people. Robin declared it was a new year. Batman added it was a new beginning. Wesker agreed.
Robin relieved Nightwing on keeping a watchful eye on General Vreeland's hospital room after he was attacked by a Talon. He was relieved by Batgirl. Nightwing and Robin returned to the Batcave. Robin heard Batman talking to himself but Nightwing assured him he was talking to a ghost named Deadman and no intervention was needed. Deadman possessed Pennyworth to greet Nightwing. Once Robin heard Deadman's speech patterns, he was convinced. Commissioner Gordon later led a S.W.A.T. team on an operation to arrest some smugglers. To his surprise, Robin was already inside with smugglers already unconscious. Robin admitted he only took out a couple while Batman got everyone else. Two more smugglers were tossed out of the office window. One of them formally surrendered to Gordon. He noticed Batman was more surly than usual. Robin alluded to Mayfield's campaign as the reason. After being attacked by a man that looked like Errol Flynn, Batman was tended to by Pennyworth in the Batcave. Tim Drake was amused and asked if any of the other Robins ever called him "Bruised Wayne." Wayne answered they did one time each and this counted as his. He handed a phone to Wayne and told him it was Barbara Gordon.
Later that night, Robin was on standby in the Batcave. After Batman left Arkham Asylum, Robin told him over comms that the Batcomputer was detecting the Batmobile was carrying over three hundred extra pounds. Batman noticed the onboard data wasn't loading. Clayface revealed himself and attacked. Sometime later, Robin was able to get Batman on comms. He told Robin to bring the Batwing and some chains. Batman and Robin returned to Arkham to confront Hanson. Joker was intrigued and started to watch rather than sit through another episode of "Law and Order." Batman took Hanson's earphone away and Hanson no longer saw Clayface in his cell. Robin put it on and saw Clayface attacking Batman from behind. He threw out three Batarangs but luckily, they missed Dr. Leland. Batman grabbed Robin and removed the earphone. They retired to Leland's office. Despite being confidential, Batman went through Mad Hatter's file. Leland suspected Clayface wasn't working alone.
Batman noted Hatter was released four months ago for good behavior. He found the doctor's diagnosis laughably premature. Leland stated she didn't sign off on it. Batman showed her the file and it proved she did. She had no recollection of it. Batman warned her not to put anything on her head until things were dealt with. They investigated the address on Hatter's file and were shot at by an old lady until her hat was removed. The next morning, Tim Drake interrupted them and announced there was something on TV they needed to see. Barbara Gordon told Summer Gleeson, in an interview, that she was recruited by Junior to infiltrate and sabotage Mayfield's campaign. Wayne deduced Gordon was under Hatter's mind control and he was working for Mayfield. Batman and Robin set off for Mayfield's estate. They found the estate nearly vacant aside from a few guards. Robin found a feather. They briefly interrogated Penguin. Batman hung him upside down and Robin tickled him with one of Mr. Wing's feathers. He eventually stated he loaned Wing to Emerson Mayfield for additional security as a political favor.
Mayfield promised his first act as mayor would be to close down Arkham Asylum and give them all pardons if they killed Batman for him. Batman and Robin burst in through the skylight. Two-Face went after Robin. Robin taunted him with his Puke-Face nickname and goaded Riddler. He leaped over Two-Face, who was inadvertently bashed by Riddler's cane. Robin knocked Scarecrow over with Riddler's cane. They heard Joker's laughter. Batman went to him while Robin freed the guards. Joker was laughing over the election results and informed Mayfield he lost. On Christmas Eve, Tim Drake went out for last minute shopping. Pennyworth suggested he wear a pair of long johns. Drake teased him about it. Drake went to Old Gotham Square and grumbled how hard it was to find a gift for Bruce Wayne. He happened to notice a Gray Ghost kit on display at Fogel's Toys and Collectibles. While it cleaned him out financially, Drake knew the one-of-a-kind would be the perfect gift.
While it was being wrapped, Drake saw a woman and her dog being blown away in mid-air. He suited up then swung in and kicked Mr. Freeze after he partially froze a police officer. He taunted Freeze that the stores were already closing. Freeze retorted he had no idea what he was up to. Robin guessed it was no good and threw a bola. Freeze easily broke free thanks to some improvements in his suit. Robin tried to grab him but he was too cold and he was backhanded into an reindeer ice sculpture. More police arrived but Freeze recovered his bazooka and further sealed up the square. Robin kicked a lever and taunted him. He fired and inadvertently froze a merry-go-round. It kept moving and burst. While Freeze was temporarily stunned, Robin ran to Fogel's Toys and Collectibles but a family asked for his help in escaping. Robin readied an exploding Batarang but Freeze plucked it out of his hands and kicked a hole in the wall. Robin realized he wasn't planning to steal anything or exact his vengeance. Freeze clarified only for that day.
Robin inquired why he froze the square. Freeze told him about his childhood. Robin commented he had a unique way of strolling down memory lane. Freeze reiterated he didn't intend to harm anyone. Robin quipped today. Commissioner Gordon and a SWAT unit arrived. Robin told them to take it easy because he got what he came for. Freeze surrendered his weapon. A SWAT officer fell over. Freeze was returned to Arkham. On Christmas, Wayne was touched by the Gray Ghost kit, thanked Drake, and reckoned he had a knack for matching people with the right gift. Pennyworth donned a Santa hat and learned he got a teapot based on Santa Claus. Drake admitted he knew he would be crazy about it. Pennyworth dryly quipped he had no idea then poured into Drake's mug. Drake claimed if you hung out with people long enough, you get an idea of who they really are and what they like, the little things that give their lives some joy. Back in his cell, Mr. Freeze received a gift: a framed photograph Robin took of the the Wonderland display Freeze said he enjoyed in his youth. Freeze placed it next to his snow globe.
Around spring the next year, Tim Drake was preoccupied with a debate club meeting. Batman confronted Joker and Straightman alone only to watch as several members of Task Force X try to capture the sidekick. Robin watched Alfred Pennyworth patch up Batman in the Batcave and provided a pain-laden soundtrack. Pennyworth did not find it necessary. Robin noted those rubber bullets left some nasty bruises. Batman informed him not all of them were from bullets because his assailant had the strength of ten men at least thanks to an enhanced suit she was wearing under her costume. Robin asked how he knew it was a suit. Batman brought up schematics on the Batcomputer and revealed it was a prototype battle suit developed by WayneTech in partnership with the military aimed at making its wearer stronger, more agile, and resistant to conventional weapon attacks. He added they were even experimenting with limited flight ability. Robin was impressed and asked when they were getting Batsuit upgrades. Batman cautioned it would be years from now because the suit was still in the testing phase. Robin keyed on "was."
Batman revealed Lucius Fox informed him it was stolen. Robin speculated Scarecrow or Bane had it but Batman knew only someone with top-level access could get near it. He replayed security footage showing Colonel Nora Haslett, the military overseer on the project, was the last person to visit the test site. They left in the Batmobile. Three punks found Straightman asleep on a park bench and proceeded to rob him at knife point. He made quick work of them. Once one woke up in the hospital, Commissioner Gordon let Batman know. Batman and Robin drove around in the area of the assault. Robin wished it could be somewhere fun for once like a beach. Barbara Gordon hailed Batman on comms and announced she just interfaced with the stolen suit and could see what the thief was seeing. She revealed the thief was heading for Gotham's old eastside carnival, one of Joker's recent but vacated haunts. Batman and Robin intercepted the thief but before he could warn Robin of the suit's hidden weapons, Robin was immobilized in a metal bola. He thanked Batman for the head's up.
Eventually, Barbara Gordon gained access to the suit's remote control and shut it down. Batman unmasked the assailant, Professor Hugo Strange's assistant Gretchen Gallway. She told them about Straightman's origins, her misgivings about the program that made him, and how Joker used Strange's Psi-Ber Helmet to brainwash him. She speculated Joker was getting back at Strange because of their unpleasant history at Arkham Asylum then admitted to stealing the battle suit to get close enough to Straightman and stole Colonel Haslett's I.D. Card to steal it. She believed she could use the helmet to purge the Joker's control from Straightman's brain but he was already disassociating from reality and becoming psychotic like the rest of the super soldier subjects. Robin asked what happened to them. Gallway revealed they were all eliminated when they became impossible to control but any record of that was covered up already.
Professor Strange, Nurse Gallway, Colonel Haslett, Commissioner Gordon, Batman, and Robin went over the military transport used for the Psi-Ber Helmet. Haslett found the sight of the dead Jokerized men monstrous. Strange believed Gallway could be useful in manipulating Finley since they had a rapport. Robin sarcastically praised Strange for treating everyone like lab rats. Strange surmised Batman indulged Robin to assuage some guilt within his psyche then advised Batman to keep the brat silent. Robin quipped he thought Harley was the worst shrink in Gotham. Batman told them both that was enough and emphasized the need to find Joker and Straightman before Waller and Task Force X turned Gotham into their own personal warzone. Gordon notified Batman they may have a lead on Finley in The East Side. Batman and Robin approached him. Straightman stated he was a solo act now. Batman pleaded with him to come with them. Robin pointed out he was barbecuing rats. Straightman joked that was because the pigeons flew away too fast. He told them to scram so he could work on new jokes.
Batman put his hand on Straightman's shoulder and stated they just wanted to help. Straightman grabbed Batman by the neck and lifted him off the ground then threw him. Batman realized he was unhinged and more powerful than ever. Robin attacked with a jump kick. Batman knew he had to end the fight quick and remotely summoned the Batmobile through his belt. Straightman was able to stop the Batmobile in its tracks and lifted it up over his head. Robin got behind him, snagged his right leg with a line, and pulled. Straightman lost his balance and the car pinned him to ground. Batman rendered him unconscious with Strange's knockout serum. At Camp Finger, Gallway attended to Finley. Batman, Robin, and Batgirl were on standby. Dressed as a general, Joker commanded the brainwashed Task Force X to attack. He used a tank to blow a hole in the side of the main building. Haslett had enough and pulled her handgun. Joker signaled Deadshot who shot her right shoulder. Robin jump kicked Deadshot while Batgirl provided cover with gas balls. Joker told the Task Force X team there were weekend passes for whoever got the first kill.
They took cover behind a giant satellite dish. Robin saw Deadshot with a bazooka. Batman swung and and kicked Deadshot. The bazooka went off and the explosion took out Muscle and Boomerang. Robin warned Batman Katana was behind him. Harley fired a tranquilizer dart into Katana's neck. Harley declared she was done with Task Force X and reckoned she should join the Bat-Family because they could use a few laughs. She realized they were gone. Batman, Robin, and Batgirl jumped Straightman and tried in vain to get him to stop slamming Joker around. Haslett commanded him to be "at ease." Days later, Barbara Gordon brought tea down to the Batcave. Bruce Wayne told her Task Force X no longer had a reason to eliminate Straightman and Amanda Waller pulled strings to ensure Professor Strange was blamed for the incident. Gordon assumed Joker was still in intensive care. Tim Drake thought it wouldn't be too much to hope he stayed that way.
Gordon asked about Finley. Wayne told her he was still undergoing therapy and the Psi-Ber Helmet was able to remove most of Joker's brainwashing and Task Force X was completely restored since they were under Joker's control for a shorter amount of time, Muscle was the last to have it erased, and Waller kept her word and released Harley Quinn's friends. Drake was eager to put some bat ears on the WayneTech prototype suit but Wayne was done with super soldier projects and was putting it in storage. Robin and Batgirl fired their grapling guns and snagged Man-Bat's legs during his latest rampage. Batman tied him upside down from a light pole for the Gotham City Police Department S.W.A.T. unit. After four months of no criminal activity, Bruce Wayne and Tim Drake went to the Wayne Caribbean island resort for some "family time" on Alfred Pennyworth's suggestion. Drake had no issue with kicking back but Wayne hated it.
While Drake checked in with Pennyworth over the phone, Wayne replayed news footage of their last night on the town during the Man-Bat rampage. Drake admitted he wasn't holding his breath the cure would finally take with Dr. Langstrom then he tossed his phone to Wayne, telling him Pennyworth says to relax and enjoy his holiday. Wayne replied he hated holidays. Drake thought that was hard to believe for a guy who owned the place. Wayne explained how it came to. Drake suggested hitting the beach and windsurfing. Wayne passed and surmised he would go to the gym. Drake pitched playing playboy and charming one of the women checking him out all week. He assured him once there was trouble at home, they would return right away. That night, Drake declared the resort replaced the Batmobile as the coolest thing he ever saw. Wayne surmised he might not keep the resort because the landlord might be a problem. Drake pointed out the resort had everything and you could even order s'mores from room service. Wayne announced he was going windsurfing. Drake pointed out it was 10 pm. Wayne retorted he could say the same about s'mores. Drake passed and took advantage of Max being available.
Batman and Robin arrived at Poison Ivy's greenhouse but found her and Harley fighting zombie Talons. Robin stomped one in the back and relished not holding back then dropped kick on in the jaw. The Talons suddenly retreated. Robin declared they were too much for anyone these days but Batman wasn't so sure. Selina Kyle regained consciousness and called out from the room. Batman asked her if she was all right then she kissed him. Robin wanted to leave. Batman carried her out. Robin suggested dropping her off at jail. Batman and Robin relocated her to a secret hideout at Tabby's Tavern, where she was reunited with her cats. She swore nobody knew about it then recounted what happened to her. Batman asked her if there was anything else. She teased she was only thinking of a long, hot shower and implied he should join her. Robin pointed out he was in the room. Batman and Robin drove to the Langstrom house. Batman entered from the balcony alone and found Dr. Francine Langstrom.
Batman and Robin arrived to see Pennyworth waiting for them with Ra's al Ghul and Ubu. They settled in the dining room in the manor. Ra's only asked for water since he took little nourishment anymore. Tim Drake offered Ubu a microwave bean 'n' cheese burrito. Some time later, Robin ran down to the Batcave to tell Batman there was a security breach but stopped after he saw Talia. He then informed Batman there was a message on their comm line from Catwoman. Batman, Robin, and Talia met up with Catwoman on a roof top. Catwoman revealed the Talons discovered her hideout but she escaped before they burst in and she followed them to an abandoned subway entrance. Robin asked why the tunnel was so wet. Batman recalled the old tunnels were built too close to the Gotham riverbed and the river soaked through the walls, which forced the city to abandon the line. Catwoman recognized a mosaic and believed they were close to where she was held.
The Talon stalked them but Batman detected him at the last second. Catwoman slashed at him but he countered with a kick. Talia swung her sword but it was knocked away. Robin came in with a jump kick. Batman grabbed the Talon's sword arm and twisted it then pinned him to a column. Batman demanded to know why the Court of Owls returned and why the Talons kidnapped Catwoman and Man-Bat. The Talon called them two insignificant menaces and teased the Owls' wingspan spreads far beyond Gotham. He noted their undying legions had expanded since they last fought. They were surrounded by zombie dogs. Talon ordered the dogs to kill them. The zombie dogs kept coming. Batman cast a net over several then readied a red Batarang. Robin urged Talia and Catwoman to brace themselves. Batman threw the Batarang into a wall near the dogs. It exploded and the Gotham River swept the dogs away. Batman and Robin fired their grappling guns. Talia commended Batman but Catwoman scoffed at "Beloved." Robin pointed any one of them could have rode up with him.
Several miles into the underground, the path changed into caves and trenches. They came upon a junction point with at least three tunnels. Talia discovered Kirk Langstrom soon after. He led them to the prison. Catwoman recognized it but Langstrom shushed her and pointed out there were two zombie Talons standing guard up ahead. Batman and Robin quickly dispatched them but everyone was shocked to see they were guarding prison cells holding various Gotham criminals. Batman realized Ra's al Ghul had most of the major criminals of Gotham taken prisoner in order to later convince him crime-fighting was no longer needed in the city. Robin deduced Ra's was the leader of the Court of Owls. Ra's clarified he was not originally the leader but knew about the Court since its inception since they shared a fascination with extending lifespans. He admitted at one time he thought he could use their Talon Formula to replace the Lazarus Pits but the serum was too crude. Batman surmised he took control of the Talons after Hamilton Hill was killed. Ra's confirmed it was a simple matter to revive and take control of them.
Batman and Talia strongly objected to Ra's plan to use the Gaia Grain to selectively sterilize the population of Earth and a fight broke out. Catwoman soon found a control room and released all the criminals. Batman ordered Robin to leave and bring Commissioner Gordon and the full force of the Gotham City Police Department. After Ra's was defeated, Penguin milked the sympathy routine with reporters. Robin, Batman, and Catwoman observed the police and journalists from a nearby roof. Robin was disgusted by Penguin but Catwoman claimed it was a traumatic experience for everyone and it left permanent scars. Robin apologized. She accepted and kissed him on the cheek then took off. Batman and Robin returned to the Batmobile. Robin assumed it wasn't the last they would see of Talia after Batman clued him in on her disappearing with her father's body. He then stated he was never going to take the offer since it would come at the cost of his surrogate family. Robin claimed he knew that. He reported seeing Man-Bat flying south. Batman added he was heading to the waterfront. Robin wanted to bet they could catch him before sunrise. Batman told him to buckle up and they took off in pursuit.