Was it worth it, Batman? 
Batman: Shadow of the Bat #94 is an issue of the series Batman: Shadow of the Bat (Volume 1) with a cover date of February, 2000.
Synopsis for "Endgame Epilogue: Days of Auld Lang Syne"
It is December 31st. James Gordon, Barbara Gordon, Richard 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.
Appearing in "Endgame Epilogue: Days of Auld Lang Syne"
Featured Characters:
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Other Characters:
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Vehicles:
Notes
- This is the third and last part of the storyline titled Endgame. The events of this issue take place after Azrael: Agent of the Bat #61.
- This issue marks the conclusion of the year-long No Man's Land crossover.
- This is also the last Shadow of the Bat issue published.
- In the letter column Shadowlines, there is a message written by editor Dennis O'Neil. He explained how No Man's Land came to pass and thanked all of the people who made it possible. The letter was written in September 1999, three months prior to the publication date.
Trivia
- The title is a reference to the poem/folk song Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns; usually sung at New Year's Eve and funerals.
- On his message, O'Neil cited a quote by Russian writer Nikolai Gogol.
See Also
- Cover gallery for the Batman: Shadow of the Bat series
- Images from Batman: Shadow of the Bat Vol 1 94
Recommended Reading
- Batman Recommended Reading
- Batman (Volume 1)
- Batman (Volume 2)
- Batman (Volume 3)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 1)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 2)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 3)
- Batman Confidential (Volume 1)
- Batman: Gotham Knights (Volume 1)
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (Volume 1)
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat (Volume 1)
- Batman: Streets of Gotham (Volume 1)
- Batman Incorporated (Volume 1)
- Batman Incorporated (Volume 2)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 1)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 2)
- Batman/Superman: World's Finest (Volume 1)
- Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 1)
- Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 2)
- The Brave and the Bold (Volume 1)
- Detective Comics (Volume 1)
- Detective Comics (Volume 2)
- Superman/Batman (Volume 1)
- World's Finest (Volume 1)
