What kind of man can turn even his life memories into a weapon? 
Batman #683 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of January, 2009. It was published on November 26, 2008.
Synopsis for "What the Butler Saw"
In a strange dreamworld, Bruce Wayne's life unfolds as if his parents had never died. As Alfred drives Bruce and his father to visit Martha Wayne in the hospital, conversation turns to a young man who tried to fight crime on his own, and how he was killed by a grinning maniac who was later convicted for the murder.
Time moves on. Doctor Bruce Wayne treats a young woman whom he gives his number to, only to discover that she is the con artist Selina Kyle, and he has brought shame to his father's practice.
Bruce fights his way back to his life as Batman. "Alfred" tries to stop him, but Bruce persists - as his memories are spooled out into the army of clones by the Lump, Bruce speeds up the process, highlighting the traumatic memories: the attack of Bane, the crippling of Barbara Gordon, the death of Jason Todd, the earthquake that destroyed Gotham, threatening a crippled Deathstroke with a gun... the clones go mad and begin killing themselves. In desperation, Simyan and Mokkari try to break the process by killing the Lump.
In the dream-world, Batman asks "Alfred" to help him, on the grounds that otherwise, they will both die. In the real world, the Lump sits up and tries to attack the docotrs before dying.
The memories continue as Tim Drake presents himself, Damian Wayne arrives and the Black Glove strikes. The day after Doctor Hurt's curse that "the next time you put on that costume will the last", Batman leaves to investigate the death of a god. And Alfred, smiling, cleans up and goes to write it all down.
At the Evil Factory, Batman manages to break free and after learning the true intentions of his captors, he is ready to strike at the heart of the problem, Darkseid.
Appearing in "What the Butler Saw"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth (Hallucination)
- Robin (Jason Todd) (Dies) (Hallucination)
- Robin (Tim Drake) (Hallucination)
Antagonists:
- Batman Villains (Hallucination)
- Bane (Hallucination)
- Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) (Hallucination)
- Catwoman (Hallucination)
- Deadshot (Hallucination)
- Hush (Hallucination)
- Joker (Hallucination)
- Mad Hatter (Hallucination)
- Man-Bat (Hallucination)
- Ra's al Ghul (Hallucination)
- Scarecrow (Hallucination)
- Talia al Ghul (Hallucination)
- Werewolf (Hallucination)
- Evil Factory
Other Characters:
- Ace the Bat-Hound (Hallucination)
- Barbara Gordon (Hallucination)
- Batgirl (Hallucination)
- Batman Clone (Dies)
- Damian Wayne (Hallucination)
- Dick Grayson (Deceased) (Hallucination)
- Jack Drake (Dies) (Hallucination)
- Ten-Eyed Tribe (Hallucination)
- Bats (Hallucination)
Locations:
- Blüdhaven
- Ethiopia (Hallucination)
- Gotham City (Hallucination)
- Arkham Asylum (Hallucination)
- Batcave (Hallucination)
- Crime Alley (Hallucination)
- North Africa (Hallucination)
Items:
- Utility Belt
- Batarang (Hallucination)
- Batcomputer (Hallucination)
- Giant Penny (Hallucination)
- Gotham Gazette (Hallucination)
- Radion (Hallucination)
- Robin's Battle Staff (Hallucination)
Vehicles:
- Batmobile (Hallucination)
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in Batman R.I.P.. It is also reprinted in original pencils in Batman R.I.P. Unwrapped.
- The story continues in Final Crisis #6.
Trivia
- This issue is presented as a "clip show" of sorts, as it showcases several flashbacks from Batman's history. Some of these include the following comic books and storylines:
- There is a reference to Steve McQueen.
See Also
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 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)
Links and References
  Batman R.I.P. Crossover Batman R.I.P.
Core Issues
Tie-Ins
Detective Comics #846 • Detective Comics #847 • Detective Comics #848 • Detective Comics #849 • Detective Comics #850 • Nightwing #147 • Nightwing #148 • Nightwing #149 • Nightwing #150 • Robin #175 • Robin #176 • Batman and the Outsiders #11 • Batman and the Outsiders #12 • Batman and the Outsiders #13 Last Rites
Batman #682 • Batman #683 • Detective Comics #851 • Batman #684 • Nightwing #151 Batman #686 • Detective Comics #853 Battle for the Cowl
Core Issues
One-Shots
Miniseries
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One-Shots
Grant Morrison's Recommended Reading Order
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