Set Description:
Just trying to collect a set of the variants for my collection.
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| The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
| Slot: |
Batman: Rebirth 1 Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman: Rebirth 1 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1358986020
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Owner Comments
Synopsis: Last week DC Universe: Rebirth crashed onto the scene, coinciding with the finales of both the Darkseid War and Last Days of Superman. The trinity of stories effectively brought about the end of the New 52 era of DC Comics, putting old storylines to bed, and setting up many more for years to come. Following the main Rebirth one-shot are multiple character-based one shots setting up their individual worlds in a post-Rebirth DC universe.
The Batman installment of Rebirth opens innocuously enough, with butler extraordinaire Alfred tending to the Wayne Manor avocado trees, only to be interrupted by the arrival of young Duke Thomas, of We Are Robin fame. The story then kicks into high gear, with Batman leaping into battle with a new version of classic villain Calendar Man who, naturally, has a scheme to destroy Gotham that ties into the seasons motif he has consistently employed throughout the years. As quickly as the action begins, however, it ends with Batman easily overpowering his foe. Unfortunately for Bats, things aren’t that simple. In Gotham, it seems they rarely are.
Calendar Man’s master plan involves releasing his homebrewed spores into Gotham’s atmosphere, with undoubtedly nefarious goals in mind. Thanks to the new bat-suit, however, Batman is able to let loose an electrical charge throughout the air, seemingly thwarting Calendar Man’s schemes for good. We cut to the next day where it is a balmy 137 degrees in Gotham and a newly rejuvenated Bruce Wayne is performing his extreme workout regime while hanging off a helipad. Lucius Fox is there telling him the good news that the Wayne family fortune and company are back in Bruce’s hands. He also recites a touching memory of Bruce’s father, the late Thomas Wayne, and a look he once received from him that bared a striking resemblance to a look he received from a certain masked man.
Back in the Batcave, Bruce is walking Duke Thomas through the newest iteration of Calendar Man’s power set. As the seasons progress, he ages. Dying in winter and being reborn a young man in spring. The speed of Calendar Man’s current transition cluing the caped crusader onto the fact that things aren’t as over as he thought they were. There are more spores out there, progressing the seasons forward at an unnatural rate that can only end in one thing: destruction.
On the way to deal with the spores, Batman explains to Duke why he’s here. With his parents out of the picture due to lingering problems from the Joker toxin from Endgame, Batman offers Wayne Manor as a temporary residence. He also offers him training. Duke immediately rebuffs the thought of becoming another Robin sidekick, when a new yellow and black costume is presented to him, emblazoned with the family bat logo on the chest. Batman wants to try something different. Duke’s in.
The balance of the issue plays out as you may have imagined. The team locate the spores and destroy them in a tense underwater scene with an interesting use of physics, and Duke learns that Batman does the impossible on the regular. Calendar Man regenerates into a younger body and does the supervillain “This Isn’t Over” monologue. We close on the men training and talking, working away while Alfred goes back to the avocado tree. It’s all fairly domestic....
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| Slot: |
Batman 6 |
| Item: |
Batman 6 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1451105003
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Owner Comments
Bought on ebay from "phdel-17" 12-18-2020
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| Slot: |
Batman 50 Aspen Comics Edition D |
| Item: |
Batman 50 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3708304004
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Owner Comments
Purchase from “tuner 36” on eBay 11-23-2020.
The simplicity of the cover drew me to it. I had to have it. It's beautiful.
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Synopsis (spoilers ahead): At Finger Tower, Batman suggests to Catwoman that they get married tonight, on this roof, with a judge and two witnesses. Catwoman agrees, and even Kite Man offers his trademark “Hell yeah.”
At Porky’s Bar (famous from the Batman/Elmer Fudd special and the Batman Annual #2), Batman picks up a judge, while Selina bribes a guard at Arkham to release Holly Robinson for a night. Bat and Cat find the twins Tweedledee and Tweedledum waiting for them separately, and do battle.
At Wayne Manor, Selina and Bruce get ready for their rooftop elopement, with Holly and Alfred serving as attendants. The bride and groom see each other in the library and embrace. Holly mentions that she’s never seen Batman look happy, and muses that he’s always seemed to need his misery.
Alfred asks Bruce who his witness will be, and Bruce asks if Alfred himself could be the witness. Deeply moved, Alfred sits beside Bruce, then embraces him fiercely.
Driving away from the manor, Selina tells Holly she wrote Bruce a letter, then asks if she is a hero, to which Holly responds, “Don’t you have to be?”
Driving separately, Bruce tells Alfred he wrote Selina a letter, and asks if he can be happy, to which Alfred responds, “Don’t you have to be?”
On the roof at Kane Plaza, Selina sits in her wedding dress, dejected. She stands, throws away her veil, and jumps.
At Finger Tower, Bruce looks at the empty horizon. Alfred asks if they should wait. Bruce says no, then jumps.
In the basement of Arkham Asylum, Holly descends. She tells an unseen person that Catwoman brought her back, locked her up, and that she was devastated. The person responds: “Do not worry. I know. He is what I have made him. The Bat is broken.”
We see Bane, sitting on a throne of skulls, Holly kneeling before him, and surrounded by the Riddler, Joker, Psycho Pirate, Gotham Girl, Skeets, the Ventriloquist, Flashpoint Batman, and Hugo Strange….
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| Slot: |
Batman 52 Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 52 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1992196012
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| Slot: |
Batman 55 Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 55 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2103690011
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Owner Comments
Brought on eBay from "themonstershoppe" on 11-24-2020
The comic has a "double-cover." The outside cover is rated 9.8 by CGC. The interior cover is rated a 9.8 by CGC as well.
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Overview: Batman and Nightwing face the deadly KGBeast atop the roofs of Gotham.
Synopsis (spoilers ahead): A one-armed man calling himself Zimmerman enters Gotham from overseas, claiming to be there on business.
Batman and Nightwing patrol at night, with Nightwing asking Batman if he’s ready for fun – to a decidedly negative response.
Zimmerman checks into a hotel, as the Dynamic Duo fight mummies on the streets. Dick continues to try to get Bruce to make some jokes, to no avail.
At a shady gun shop, Zimmerman purchases a special rifle, while Batman and Nightwing capture the source of the mummies, Phantom Pharaoh.
The next day, Zimmerman leaves a note at a busy hot dog cafe. At night, Nightwing ponders the dual meaning of chum; a friend or smelly fish used as bait. Batman continues to provide little response to Dick’s humor.
At three in the morning, Zimmerman bluffs his way into an apartment building, as Nightwing proposes a contest – perhaps a training exercise, to get the ultra-serious Batman to agree – to jump from the tower, with the last to fire his grappling rope winning. As they fall, Nightwing sings the flying trapeze song.
Zimmerman strangles the occupant of his desired room.
Batman fires his grapple first, in response to the Bat-signal. Nightwing follows.
Calmly, as a dog barks and people fight, Zimmerman sets up his rifle.
Commissioner Gordon greets the Dynamic Duo atop the roof of the GCPD, telling them someone left a note saying “Who’s afraid of the Joker?” Tonight is the anniversary of the end of the War of Jokes and Riddles, Joker and Riddler are both in Arkham. Gordon mentions the one-armed man but has no real leads. As they discuss the case, Zimmerman shoots Dick in the head, then leaves the room, strangled body on the floor....
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| Slot: |
Batman 64 ComicsPRO Edition |
| Item: |
Batman 64 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2543822015
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Owner Comments
Bought this on eBay from "goshen-knight_comics" on 11-29-2020
Title: Batman
Issue No: 64
Issue Date: 4/19
Year: 2019
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Country
Key Comments: Sketch cover.
Art Comments: Joshua Williamson story, Guillem March art, Chris Burnham cover
Country/Variant: ComicsPRO Edition
I saw this and decided I just had to have it, buying it on the spot. I come to find later there are only 5 copies certified by CGC at “9.8:” of those, only one is signed as of this date (11-29-2020). I am lucky enough to have that signed copy.
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Overview: As Batman and Flash deal with the fallout from Heroes in Crisis, Gotham Girl begins a mysterious campaign.
Synopsis (spoilers ahead): The Price of Justice, part 1 of 4. This storyline takes place between Batman #57 and 58, per Tom King’s confirmation on Twitter.
Batman prepares to perform an autopsy on Wally West, but cannot bring himself to do it.
On Oolong Island, the Justice League battles rogue Amazo robots. Batman is distracted by memories of the horrors of the Sanctuary slaughter, but still takes down at least two of the bots. Superman says that this battle represents the fifth crisis this week, and Batman and Flash both leave abruptly.
At the Flash Museum in Central City, a mysterious caped figure topples statues on the crowd of Flash fans and tourists. Batman saves some of them, but again, memories of Wally assail him. Barry surprises him, then helps reassure the shaken crowd. Flash remembers the old days when Kid Flash and Robin leaped into the Batmobile together and confronts Batman before he can leave. He knows Bruce lied about Central City being on the way – meaning Bruce knew the attack would happen. Batman reveals that Gotham Girl, Claire Clover, has begun using her powers to perform these attacks. He wants to stop her, not only from hurting others, but from the death that further use of her powers will cause, just as it did her brother Hank (Batman #5).
Claire, meanwhile, has Hank’s body hooked up to a machine, promising to save him....
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| Slot: |
Batman 77 Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 77 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3703187002
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Owner Comments
Bought on eBay from "slabbeheroes" on 12-21-2020
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No Batman fan should be without this issue: "Death of Alfred Pennyworth."
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| Slot: |
Batman 84 Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 84 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2097236001
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Owner Comments
Purchased on eBay from "kelt_7332" on 11-28-2020.
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Overview: In the penultimate issue of the City of Bane arc, Thomas Wayne’s roll in the story comes into focus.
Synopsis (spoilers ahead): The story opens in the study of Wayne Manor, with Thomas Wayne and Batman facing off, with Thomas getting in the first punch. The story then flashes back to the end of Batman #74 with Thomas Wayne crawling out of the Nain pit, reciting to himself a vow to war against anything that would cause his son harm. The story then flashes back further to Thomas standing before Bane’s thrown of skulls, offering to help. When Bane questions Thomas, he explains to Bane that he knows what is best for his son.
The story then flashes further back to Batman #49, where Thomas stands over the wounded Joker at the church, asking where he had heard that his son was getting married. The story then shows a series of flashbacks as Thomas watches from the shadows as Selina steals her wedding dress, Batman and Catwoman go on a double date with Superman and Lois, and stands in the rain as he watches his son propose to Catwoman.
The story then flashes back earlier, with Thomas waking up on a rooftop to the Reverse-Flash standing over him, telling him that as revenge for killing him in the Flashpoint universe, he has brought him to a world where his son became Batman. The story then flashes further back to the events of “The Button” storyline, where Thomas gives his son advice to be a father to his son and give up being Batman and runs off into the light as his world collapses. The story then flashes back further, to a wounded Thomas laying on the ground at the end of “Flashpoint”, speaking about how he cannot live knowing that his son becomes Batman as the Reverse-Flash lays dead beside him. The world goes white and then Thomas finds that he is still alive and nothing has changed, quietly saying “no” to himself.
The story then flashes back to Thomas drinking in his dead son’s bedroom, addressing Bruce as he talks to himself about how his mother killed herself after learning how in another world Bruce became Batman and goes on to explain that he intends to end the world.
The story then flashes further back to Thomas and Catwoman walking up the stairs to the Batcave, only to open the door to Wayne Manor to find Martha Wayne’s Joker at the top of the stairs, who shoots Selina dead. The story then flashes to a sequence of showing Thomas and Selina as a crime-fighting team, including a splash page of Thomas and Selina arguing over how they met. The story then flashes back to Thomas holding a gun on Catwoman, with her saying to pull the trigger as she is ready to die, to which Thomas puts down his gun and tells Catwoman his real name and that he had a son who would be about her age.
The story then flashes back further to Thomas executing the various rogues of Gotham, including Bane, Kite-Man, and Mr. Freeze. The story then flashes further back to Thomas on the floor, next to Alfred’s dead body, his throat cut by Martha Wayne’s Joker for not helping her find her pearls. The story then flashes back further to Thomas beating Joe Chill to death for the murder of his son. The story flashes back further, with a young Bruce Wayne dying in Crime Alley as Thomas does chest compressions as his wife rambles about losing her pearls. The story then flashes back further to Thomas sitting on a chair in his son’s bedroom as Bruce sleeps, as Thomas utters the same vow to war against anything that would cause his son pain.
Back in the present, after getting in the first punch, which sends Batman to his knees, Thomas tells his son that Alfred is dead and Bane is in a coma and to take off his mask, marry Selina and find some peace, with the issue ending as he tells his son to stay down....
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| Slot: |
Batman 91 Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 91 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2125544019
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Owner Comments
Bought from "comicmaster4000" on eBay 11-15-2020.
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Synopsis (spoilers ahead): At a rooftop bar in Gotham City, Joker tells his side of the story as to how Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, and himself met the Designer. As he doodles on bar napkins, the Joker relays how each villain helped concoct a plan, which led to them receiving marching orders from the Designer to fulfill these plans. The true purpose, according to Joker, wasn’t to help foster these villains’ careers and tap into their true potential. It was to clear out criminal opposition and hand over Gotham City to the Designer.
“In time, it was the jester’s turn, and the devil asked him what he wanted more than anything in the world,” Joker says. “And the jester said to him… I want to be the devil. And then he killed him.”
After the recap ends, the bartender asks the Joker why he told him this story. The Joker says that he wants the bartender to know the context for this evening’s entertainment, so he’ll get the joke. Joker then gets up, asks for a phone, and calls Punchline to make sure everything is in place.
Across Gotham, Deathstroke fends off the Batspawn, Batman’s drone army. As Batman closes in on Deathstroke’s location via the Batwing, he orders Lucius Fox to call them off. The Batwing then descends upon Deathstroke, and Slade responds by jabbing his sword through its windshield.
At Riddler’s compound, Catwoman and Harley check on the captured assassins. Much to their dismay, the assassins are gone. Television screens light up around them, and the Designer informs the duo that he’s taken the assassins off the board. He tells Catwoman and Harley that the real games are about to begin, noting that Catwoman played her part perfectly in driving Batman insane. After the Designer finishes talking, a bunch of mind-controlled GCPD officers burst through the door.
Across Gotham, Batman and Deathstroke exchange blows atop the Batwing. During the fight, Batman argues about the escalation between himself and the criminals of Gotham City. He rages about how he constantly needs to construct bigger and more frightening weapons to keep criminals from harming the citizens of Gotham. Deathstroke retorts by arguing that Batman escalated first. Batman leaps into Deathstroke, and the two tumble down toward the pavement. Batman demands that Deathstroke tell him where the Designer is hiding, or they’ll both die.
At Riddler’s compound, Catwoman rigs the base to explode if one of the Designer’s mind-controlled goons steps on the wrong tiles on the floor. One does, and she then pulls Harley away from the fight. The two nearly escape from the exploding compound.
On the streets of Gotham, Harley and Catwoman dust themselves off. Catwoman tells Harley that she gave the Designer details on how to rob everyone blind, but she’s resolved to do it before he can.
Deathstroke tells Batman that he doesn’t know where the Designer is. Batman uses his bat grapple to prevent them from plummeting onto the asphalt. As the two assume fighting stances, a nearby video screen comes to life with the Designer’s face. As the Designer taunts Batman, Batman responds by demanding they square off face-to-face. Riddler then steps forward from behind the Designer.
“Now that wouldn’t be fair,” Riddler says. “I haven’t had my turn to play....”
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| Slot: |
Batman 92 |
| Item: |
Batman 92 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3736337002
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Owner Comments
Bought on eBay from "kope-us" 11-27-2020.
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Overview: Batman and Deathstroke track down the location of the Designer while Catwoman and Harley Quinn head off to the Underbroker’s in order to pull off the greatest bank heist of all time.
Synopsis (spoilers ahead): At Gotham Hospital, acting Commissioner Harvey Bullock tells a bed-ridden Oswald Cobblepot that he’s going to charge Cobblepot for the murder of three police officers. Cobblepot says he was kidnapped and his own men were murdered, denying the charge. He counters by saying he’d like to press charges against Deathstroke.
Knowing that he has no proof that Penguin murdered those men, Bullock threatens to find something he can charge Cobblepot with. Before he finishes his thought, a GCPD officer alerts Bullock to something going on outside. Gotham City is lit up in green.
Every screen across Gotham has been hijacked by the Riddler, who is broadcasting his latest game for Batman to play. It’s a massive crossword puzzle, and Gotham City is the board. Major roads and streets across Gotham have been blocked until Batman can answer the appropriate crossword question correctly. If he answers wrong, Riddler detonates a bomb.
Batman, who is bruised and beaten from his bout with Deathstroke last issue, signals Lucius Fox to trace Riddler’s location. Riddler responds by cutting off all communication channels, leaving Batman to fend for himself.
Beneath Gotham City, Harley Quinn and Catwoman make their way through the sewers. As they near the secret entrance Catwoman is looking for, they’re descended upon by more of the Designer’s zombified GCPD officers.
Above ground, Batman and Deathstroke team up to battle more of the Designer’s zombified police force. They head down into the subway system, against Riddler’s protests. Batman answers Riddler’s crossword puzzle questions while they wait for a train to arrive. A Bat-train arrives, and Deathstroke and Batman board it to head off to parts unknown.
Riddler curses Batman, but Batman tells him that this wasn’t prohibited in the rules. He can still play Nygma’s game.
Outside the secret entrance in Gotham City’s sewer system, Catwoman tells a hologram of the Underbroker to let her into his facility amidst an onslaught of Designer goons. She reminds the Underbroker that she’s a member in good standing and that Harley is a guest of hers who should be welcome as well. The Underbroker lets them in. However, he informs them that there may be a conflict of interest.
Inside, the facility has been overtaken by Joker’s goons. A figure emerges from behind the henchman, and this is our first true introduction to Punchline, Joker’s newest “partner.”
It turns out that Punchline is here to rob the same bank that Catwoman and Harley are after. Harley and Punchline banter before a fight breaks out. In the maelstrom, the Underbroker flees. Catwoman pursues him. Catching him with her whip, she leans in close to the Underbroker and threatens him until he agrees to do as she asks.
Back over the airways, Riddler is screaming that Batman is cheating somehow. Batman appears behind him, and when Riddler asks how Batman knew where he was broadcasting from, Bruce only says that he recognizes the room. Batman then puts both Riddler and Deathstroke to sleep, before turning his attention to the other person in Wayne Manor.
“Hello, Bruce,” the Designer says, seated comfortably in a chair. “Please come in. We should talk a little while before I kill you....”
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| Slot: |
Batman 92 Jimenez Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 92 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3725234005
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Owner Comments
Bought this on eBay from "Knotknew2u" on 11-27-2020
I figure why-the-hell-not and went ahead got this at a great price.
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Overview: Batman and Deathstroke track down the location of the Designer while Catwoman and Harley Quinn head off to the Underbroker’s in order to pull off the greatest bank heist of all time.
Synopsis (spoilers ahead): At Gotham Hospital, acting Commissioner Harvey Bullock tells a bed-ridden Oswald Cobblepot that he’s going to charge Cobblepot for the murder of three police officers. Cobblepot says he was kidnapped and his own men were murdered, denying the charge. He counters by saying he’d like to press charges against Deathstroke.
Knowing that he has no proof that Penguin murdered those men, Bullock threatens to find something he can charge Cobblepot with. Before he finishes his thought, a GCPD officer alerts Bullock to something going on outside. Gotham City is lit up in green.
Every screen across Gotham has been hijacked by the Riddler, who is broadcasting his latest game for Batman to play. It’s a massive crossword puzzle, and Gotham City is the board. Major roads and streets across Gotham have been blocked until Batman can answer the appropriate crossword question correctly. If he answers wrong, Riddler detonates a bomb.
Batman, who is bruised and beaten from his bout with Deathstroke last issue, signals Lucius Fox to trace Riddler’s location. Riddler responds by cutting off all communication channels, leaving Batman to fend for himself.
Beneath Gotham City, Harley Quinn and Catwoman make their way through the sewers. As they near the secret entrance Catwoman is looking for, they’re descended upon by more of the Designer’s zombified GCPD officers.
Above ground, Batman and Deathstroke team up to battle more of the Designer’s zombified police force. They head down into the subway system, against Riddler’s protests. Batman answers Riddler’s crossword puzzle questions while they wait for a train to arrive. A Bat-train arrives, and Deathstroke and Batman board it to head off to parts unknown.
Riddler curses Batman, but Batman tells him that this wasn’t prohibited in the rules. He can still play Nygma’s game.
Outside the secret entrance in Gotham City’s sewer system, Catwoman tells a hologram of the Underbroker to let her into his facility amidst an onslaught of Designer goons. She reminds the Underbroker that she’s a member in good standing and that Harley is a guest of hers who should be welcome as well. The Underbroker lets them in. However, he informs them that there may be a conflict of interest.
Inside, the facility has been overtaken by Joker’s goons. A figure emerges from behind the henchman, and this is our first true introduction to Punchline, Joker’s newest “partner.”
It turns out that Punchline is here to rob the same bank that Catwoman and Harley are after. Harley and Punchline banter before a fight breaks out. In the maelstrom, the Underbroker flees. Catwoman pursues him. Catching him with her whip, she leans in close to the Underbroker and threatens him until he agrees to do as she asks.
Back over the airways, Riddler is screaming that Batman is cheating somehow. Batman appears behind him, and when Riddler asks how Batman knew where he was broadcasting from, Bruce only says that he recognizes the room. Batman then puts both Riddler and Deathstroke to sleep, before turning his attention to the other person in Wayne Manor.
“Hello, Bruce,” the Designer says, seated comfortably in a chair. “Please come in. We should talk a little while before I kill you....”
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| Slot: |
Batman 92 Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 92 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2137342011
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Owner Comments
Bought on eBay from "ccas-as-7ymjx9fwx" on 11-27-2020
Saw it up for auction on eBay and thought, “Whatthehell….” I put in a (low) bid and forgot about it, and to my surprise, I found out minutes later, I won (shock). Sometimes, it does pay to gamble and put in a bid and see what happens.
_____________________________________________________
Overview: Batman and Deathstroke track down the location of the Designer while Catwoman and Harley Quinn head off to the Underbroker’s in order to pull off the greatest bank heist of all time.
Synopsis (spoilers ahead): At Gotham Hospital, acting Commissioner Harvey Bullock tells a bed-ridden Oswald Cobblepot that he’s going to charge Cobblepot for the murder of three police officers. Cobblepot says he was kidnapped and his own men were murdered, denying the charge. He counters by saying he’d like to press charges against Deathstroke.
Knowing that he has no proof that Penguin murdered those men, Bullock threatens to find something he can charge Cobblepot with. Before he finishes his thought, a GCPD officer alerts Bullock to something going on outside. Gotham City is lit up in green.
Every screen across Gotham has been hijacked by the Riddler, who is broadcasting his latest game for Batman to play. It’s a massive crossword puzzle, and Gotham City is the board. Major roads and streets across Gotham have been blocked until Batman can answer the appropriate crossword question correctly. If he answers wrong, Riddler detonates a bomb.
Batman, who is bruised and beaten from his bout with Deathstroke last issue, signals Lucius Fox to trace Riddler’s location. Riddler responds by cutting off all communication channels, leaving Batman to fend for himself.
Beneath Gotham City, Harley Quinn and Catwoman make their way through the sewers. As they near the secret entrance Catwoman is looking for, they’re descended upon by more of the Designer’s zombified GCPD officers.
Above ground, Batman and Deathstroke team up to battle more of the Designer’s zombified police force. They head down into the subway system, against Riddler’s protests. Batman answers Riddler’s crossword puzzle questions while they wait for a train to arrive. A Bat-train arrives, and Deathstroke and Batman board it to head off to parts unknown.
Riddler curses Batman, but Batman tells him that this wasn’t prohibited in the rules. He can still play Nygma’s game.
Outside the secret entrance in Gotham City’s sewer system, Catwoman tells a hologram of the Underbroker to let her into his facility amidst an onslaught of Designer goons. She reminds the Underbroker that she’s a member in good standing and that Harley is a guest of hers who should be welcome as well. The Underbroker lets them in. However, he informs them that there may be a conflict of interest.
Inside, the facility has been overtaken by Joker’s goons. A figure emerges from behind the henchman, and this is our first true introduction to Punchline, Joker’s newest “partner.”
It turns out that Punchline is here to rob the same bank that Catwoman and Harley are after. Harley and Punchline banter before a fight breaks out. In the maelstrom, the Underbroker flees. Catwoman pursues him. Catching him with her whip, she leans in close to the Underbroker and threatens him until he agrees to do as she asks.
Back over the airways, Riddler is screaming that Batman is cheating somehow. Batman appears behind him, and when Riddler asks how Batman knew where he was broadcasting from, Bruce only says that he recognizes the room. Batman then puts both Riddler and Deathstroke to sleep, before turning his attention to the other person in Wayne Manor.
“Hello, Bruce,” the Designer says, seated comfortably in a chair. “Please come in. We should talk a little while before I kill you....”
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| Slot: |
Batman 93 Jimenez Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 93 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3696638007
|
Owner Comments
Bought on eBay from "totally_dadical" on 11-29-2020.
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Overview: Batman and the Designer finally meet, and all of the Designer’s grand designs are finally laid bare.
Synopsis (spoilers ahead): At Wayne Enterprises’ Tricorner Yards location, Batman confronts the Designer. Batman demands to know the grand design of this new foe’s machinations.
“You want me to confirm what you have already deduced?” the Designer coolly replies. “No. How about you tell me, Batman?”
Batman then relates how five assassins were supposed to enter Gotham City and eliminate key city governmental positions, whereby Penguin would install his own goons in order to gain control of Gotham. The Riddler would then use his puzzle game to block off police districts and assume control of the police. Catwoman would rob Bruce Wayne and install a new bank for their criminal enterprise, and Joker would kill Batman and Robin. This would lead to an unstoppable criminal organization.
The Designer confirms Batman’s deduction and the two duel with swords.
Meanwhile, Catwoman sits at the Underbroker’s computer and begins making transactions from Bruce Wayne’s global accounts. Harley Quinn and Punchline fight in the other room. Punchline reveals that she has a grudge against Harley, that she blames Harley for trying to change Joker, thereby holding Joker back.
Before Harley can defeat Punchline, Joker’s newest hench girl slits Harley’s throat. Punchline and her clown goons then dump Harley’s body into the sewer system.
At Tricorner Yards, the Designer tells Batman that he’s missing a piece of the puzzle. Batman counters with information that proves he knows that this isn’t really the Designer. He lets this fake Designer know that the flaw in the original design was expecting the Joker to kill Batman. Batman pulls off the Designer’s mask to reveal another zombified corpse.
Batman asks Joker what he’s doing. Joker relays that this part of the plan wasn’t about breaking Batman. It was about breaking Catwoman. Suddenly, Deathstroke leaps to action and stabs Batman through the leg with a sword. Batman won’t die, but if he removes the sword, he may risk bleeding to death.
At the Underbroker’s place, Catwoman thinks she’s stolen all the money, but the Underbroker lets her know her account is actually empty. Punchline then shoots Catwoman in the head, thanking her for making her and Joker rich.
The issue ends with a phone call from Punchline to Joker, who is still very much drinking at that rooftop bar from a couple of issues back.
“Joker, you are now worth over one hundred billion dollars,” Punchline says. Joker laughs hysterically....
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| Slot: |
Batman 94 Jimenez Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 94 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3698175005
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Owner Comments
Bought from "InfinityFlux" on eBay 11-21-2020.
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Synopsis (spoilers ahead): Years ago, Bruce Wayne sits outside of a cafe sketching Gotham City. Through narration, we learn that while Alfred thinks these sketches are designs for a better Gotham, they’re actually nightmares Bruce has been drawing. With each incarnation, the skyscrapers grow larger and more frightening. These “dark designs” are a reflection of the monster Bruce needs to become in order to fight the evils in Gotham City.
An old man in a coat and hat trudges down the street, and Bruce gives chase. Bruce follows the man into his home, citing that he followed the man’s clues. The old man, Cassander Wycliffe Baker, brushes Mr. Wayne off. Cassander wants nothing to do with Bruce, citing that though he was once the world’s greatest detective, he disappeared because he was humiliated and outmatched by an arch-enemy. That arch-enemy was the Designer.
Bruce pleads with Cassander to train him. Cassander leads Bruce to a room of his own with walls covered in “dark design” drawings of Gotham City. He then informs Bruce that he’ll teach Bruce the most important lesson of all — how to lose.
In the present, Lucius Fox arrives to help a badly injured Batman. Lucius puts a compression band on Batman’s leg and tells him that he must go to a hospital. Batman stands up and says that the Joker stole the Wayne fortune. Lucius then points to a television broadcast, where lawyers have already begun seizing Wayne assets.
Lucius then tells Bruce that in order to protect Bruce’s company, Lucius needs to step down from helping Batman and focus completely on being a CEO. Once again, Lucius presses Batman to go to a hospital, citing that he would be cared for under a pseudonym. Lucius’ daughter would make certain that both Batman and Catwoman would get the treatment that they needed.
Batman demands to speak with Catwoman. At first, Lucius pushes against the idea but ultimately relents. Batman apologizes to a barely conscious Selina Kyle over the phone, telling her that this is all his fault. He tried to be someone he’s not, and in the process, he pushed everyone away. Batman confesses that Joker saw the cracks in this “design” and exploited them. Bruce tells Selina that he understands if she needs to leave, but he wishes she would stay.
Batman ends the call and tells Lucius to contact Dr. Leslie Thompkins. Against Lucius’ pleas, Batman sets off to collect Catwoman.
At a private airfield away from Gotham City, the assassins load up onto their own private jet. Cheshire walks over to Deathstroke. He’s standing a few yards away, watching Gotham in the distance. She asks him what he’s doing, and he tells her that he’s taking one last look. “I don’t think any of us will be seeing this city again,” Deathstroke says.
At the hospital, Batman finds an empty, bloodied bed where Catwoman was moments before. Just then, Joker’s goons enter, noting that it was smart of Batman to get Catwoman away from them before they could collect her. One of the goons video chats Joker, who taunts Batman with everything the Clown Prince of Crime has taken away. Joker reveals that Punchline kidnapped Lucius Fox and that he has even more in store than just taking all of Batman’s stuff.
“I have a design for Gotham City. My own rebuild,” Joker says. “It starts right now. And you get to pay for it.” As Joker’s goons open fire on Batman, he leaps out of the hospital window.
Somewhere secret, Catwoman awakens in a luxurious bed. She’s been stripped down to her undergarments and covered with a silk blanket. Catwoman cries out for Batman, but Penguin informs her that he’s the wrong winged creature.
Oswald Cobblepot tells Selina that she was lifted from the hospital when the Joker’s goons started sweeping the floors. He then asks her about the Designer, and Selina tells Oswald that the Designer is dead and this is all Joker’s doing.
With that bit of information, Oswald grants Selina entry into his private lounge — The Cool Room. It’s a private lounge where villains can hide when things get too heated in Gotham. The Cool Room has its own doctor, so Selina’s wounds will be tended to. For now, The Cool Room is on lockdown, so no one is allowed out.
Somewhere in Gotham, Batman climbs atop a skyscraper. He’s deep in thought, reflecting on the dark designs he often sketched and how Alfred always envisioned him building a better Gotham. As he climbs, he asks Alfred for a signal. A giant red bat symbol lights up behind him as Batman promises to become a better Bat....
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| Slot: |
Batman 97 Jimenez Variant Cover |
| Item: |
Batman 97 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3726985005
|
Owner Comments
My latest purchase is from “accent_sound” on eBay 11-22-2020.
I have 2 other copies that were given to me by friends.
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Synopsis: At Tricorner Yards, Joker’s thugs are loading up a shipment of chemicals. Punchline orders the thugs to deliver the cargo to Ace Chemicals because Joker wants a batch of the new toxin cooking by the end of the day. One of the thugs pushes back, asking for more security. When he finds out that his team of masked goons are the security and that no more are coming, he tells Punchline about the murderous vigilante stalking the Narrows known as Clownhunter. Punchline tells the goon to circumvent the Narrows if need be, but that the henchmen should be more afraid of the Joker than of some vigilante.
At the Monarch Theater, Batman fights Joker’s army of reanimated corpses. While Batman fights for his life, Joker tells Batman that killing the Caped Crusader is too easy. Rather, Joker wants the citizens of Gotham to attend a screening of The Mark of Zorro and relive the childhood trauma that created Batman. As Joker laughs at the thought of recreating that experience, then killing the citizens of Gotham afterward, the toxin Punchline injected Batman with kicks in. The corpses all morph into versions of the Joker, and the tide of the battle shifts. Batman is losing. He uses a well-aimed batarang to create an explosion and pave the way for an escape.
As everything burns, Batman tears off a piece of his cape and blindfolds himself. He can’t trust his eyes, so he needs to trust his other senses and fight his way to the center of the battlefield. Once there, Batman activates a portable EMP, which takes down all of Joker’s reanimated corpses. Exhausted, Batman leaves the destroyed theater. Flashbacks of his parents’ murder come to the forefront of his mind before he passes out. Harley Quinn arrives just in time (again) to save Batman.
At a rooftop pool, Joker enjoys the high life with a glass of champagne. He’s wearing a purple royal mantle commonly worn by monarchs with nothing but gold chains and swim trunks underneath. Joker tells Punchline that prior to this, he was nothing but a “dirty, little street clown.” Now, however, this rich lifestyle is growing on him, so he’s going to savor this moment.
Punchline tells Joker that she’s not sure what there is to savor, relaying to Mr. J what the henchmen told her about Clownhunter. Joker delights at this news, noting that in the past, any new vigilantes would always follow Batman’s rules. This new vigilante kills, and because of this, it’s a cause for celebration as Batman’s rulebook has been tossed out. Joker then orders Punchline to send some heavy hitters to crucify Clownhunter. He also gives Punchline the okay to kill Harley once and for all.
Beneath Gotham, in a cave of bizarre flowers, Harley awakens Batman with a hand puppet. She has taken Batman to Eden, a hideout Poison Ivy made long ago for lying low. Harley hands Batman a cup of tea from one of Ivy’s plants, telling him that it’ll negate the effects of Punchline’s drug.
Batman drinks the tea, and then everything goes haywire. Harley tells him that his visions mean that the tea is working. In time, the toxins will be flushed from his system, but until then, Batman will “trip balls” first. As Batman descends into madness, Alfred appears before him.
“I think it’s time we had a serious talk,” Alfred says....
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