Batman #604 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 2002. It was published on June 26, 2002.
Synopsis for "Reasons"
Batman patrols the East End, remembering his disastrous visit before he became Batman and why he chose to make his start in this neighborhood: His parents were killed there, on Park Row, as they exited a showing of “The Mark of Zorro.” He saves two young boys from getting run over by a car driven by the Joker's henchmen, who are being chased by a police car.
He follows the henchmen to a garage, where he meets Catwoman on the same case. They spy on the henchmen's meeting and discover they are trying to get independent of the Joker. They have abducted Tony Rulyanchik, a rival mobster, and intend to torture him. Batman bursts in, and Catwoman follows to help him fight the henchmen. One henchman shoots at Batman, and he takes all the bullets because if he dodged, Rulyanchik would be hit and he doesn't have armor to protect him like Batman does. Batman and Catwoman decide to leave Tony Rulyanchik with his abductors for the police to find.
Catwoman tries to get Batman to visit Leslie, but he refuses and defends his choice to protect Rulyanchik. Catwoman asks Batman why he was even in the East End tonight, and when he dodges the question, she jokes that it was to see her before leaving. Batman comes to the realization that he came because he needed to figure out that Bruce Wayne didn't die with his parents; Batman physically shielded Rulyanchik because of the lessons he learned from Thomas Wayne, who believed in the sanctity of all life. Batman is Bruce Wayne, and he always has been.
Appearing in "Reasons"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Joker's former henchmen
Other Characters:
- Tony Rulyanchik (Single appearance)
- Leslie (Mentioned only)
- Thomas Wayne (Mentioned only)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in:
See Also