DC Database

"Dying City": Batman is devastated as Gotham City and he seeks the aid of his most trusted friend Alfred Pennyworth to help him and give him strength. After a while, Bruce decides to find some peace somewhere in Gotham and Alfred

Will Gotham have to die before it can live again? Or will we hang on, weather the storm...and save ourselves, save our souls, save our city?
Vesper Fairchild

Batman #558 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 1998.

Synopsis for "Dying City"

Batman is devastated as Gotham City and he seeks the aid of his most trusted friend Alfred Pennyworth to help him and give him strength. After a while, Bruce decides to find some peace somewhere in Gotham and Alfred stays at the manor to clean up the most he can.

The feeling of despair has also affected Commissioner Gordon who tells his wife Sarah his worries for the future of the city.

Vesper Fairchild is broadcasting her usual radio show and this time, she speaks about the current situation of every department, building and organization across Gotham City and how the situation only seems to worsen by each passing day. In the end she remarks that there is always hope and the people who can make the difference.

Batman finds himself at the Gotham Cemetery looking for peace and hope but what he finds are some grave looters. Batman stops them and then goes straight to visit Vesper after she has finished her show. Bruce shares with her a touching moment as he asks her to help him cope with the despair he is feeling.

At the closing of the night, Batman goes to talk to Commissioner Gordon and both of them seem to know that the situation will only get worse before it starts looking good. Gordon tells Batman that almost all the people who can afford it are leaving the city for good. Everyone seems to share the same feeling and thoughts: Gotham City is dead and gone.

Appearing in "Dying City"

Featured Characters:

  • Batman (Flashback and main story)

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

  • Random Looters

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:

Vehicles:


Trivia


See Also


Links and References

Batman: Cataclysm Crossover

This issue is a part of the Cataclysm crossover that swept through all Batman Family Titles during 1998. Gotham City was almost completely destroyed by a massive earthquake. This story led into the events that would eventually create No Man's Land.