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Gotham is my home. And I'm trying to make it better. But my greatest fear... is that it just won't let me. 
Batman (Volume 3) #153 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 3) with a cover date of December, 2024. It was published on October 2, 2024.
Synopsis for "The Dying City, Part One"
A family trying to find their way through the streets of Gotham. The father, Raju, is using a GPS that seems to be malfunctioning. As they discuss the route and the cost of living in Gotham, they grow increasingly worried about their surroundings. In an alley, they encounter a mysterious man who warns them that they are a bit lost and points them in the right direction. Meanwhile, Batman watches the scene from the rooftop above, in contact with Jim Gordon. They discuss the apparent calm period in Gotham, with Gordon remarking that he can't remember the last time the city was so quiet. Batman responds that calm usually precedes something bigger and urges Gordon to enjoy the peace while it lasts.
The news highlights Edward Nygma (The Riddler), who is involved with his new tech company, NygmaTech. The company has been drawing attention for its cryptographic security technology and contributions to Gotham's economy. However, Mayor Nakano expresses skepticism and warns about Nygma's past crimes, stating he will do everything in his power to monitor him. In a tense moment at City Hall, Nakano shows frustration with public opinion divided over Nygma. Sandy , Nakano’s assistant, steps out to get him coffee. He is confronted by Leonid, who tries to defend the interests of the Court of Owls in Gotham. The conversation intensifies, leading Nakano to a burst of anger and threats. The tension is broken when Nakano’s wife, Koyuki, and their son, Leo, enter the office, bringing a momentary pause to the argument.
At NygmaTech, Batman confronts Nygma in his office. He questions Nygma's intentions and investigates his involvement with potentially dangerous technology. Nygma, in turn, tries to justify his actions, claiming that his creations are advancements he built on his own, highlighting his rivalry with Batman. The tension rises as Nygma mentions that he is aware of his limitations and that his company is a way to prove himself superior. Batman warns Nygma to stay on an honest path but leaves a warning: “I'll be waiting in the dark.”
Nakano, with his family, shows the challenges of balancing his public and private life. His wife, Koyuki, confronts him about his absence and lack of support at home. Koyuki reveals her struggle with depression and her intention to leave Gotham with their son, Leo, to stay with her mother in Central City, seeking a healthier environment.
Bruce Wayne is then shown arriving at Wayne Enterprises with his driver Miguel, to deal with his own challenges. He is met with protests outside his building, with people accusing his initiatives of being manipulative and calling him a communist. Bruce ignores the protests and enters his office, where he meets his assistant, Maggie, who informs him that the CFO, Rowan, is waiting. They discuss the financial difficulties Wayne Enterprises is facing due to investments in social and technological initiatives. Rowan suggests considering a merger or acquisition to ease the financial strain. Bruce, however, resists the idea and insists they will solve the situation without drastic measures. Bruce sees a news report of a crime and ends the meeting, after which Rowan makes a secret call to Edward Nygma, suggesting a collaboration to manipulate Bruce.
In the streets of Gotham, during a car chase that is interrupted by Batman and a new masked vigilante called Commander Star, they confront criminals in a public event, and Batman grows irritated by Commander Star’s excessive actions as he shoots at one of the fugitives. The situation culminates in a verbal clash with Commissioner Savage and Mayor Nakano, who supports the new hero, further heightening the conflict among Gotham’s factions. Savage orders the police to arrest Batman, but he escapes before they can detain him.
Later at the Thomas Wayne Medical Center, Bruce seeks emotional and physical support from Leslie Thompkins, who advises Bruce to see the positive side of his actions and realize the impact he is having on Gotham, even if he needs to be both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Bruce has a moment of reflection as he walks home, determined to continue his mission, when he encounters Rowan, who confronts him and enigmatically reveals: “Do you have a brother?” Simultaneously, Edward Nygma is seen walking through his company, reciting a riddle, symbolizing his mysterious and manipulative intentions. Finally, Nakano walks to his house, where, upon entering, he is suddenly shot twice in the chest, collapsing to the ground.
Appearing in "The Dying City, Part One"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Mayor Christopher Nakano (Dies)
- Sandy (Mayor Nakano's secretary)
- Jim Gordon
- Dr. Leslie Thompkins
- Wayne Enterprises
- Maggie (Bruce Wayne's secretary) (First appearance)
- Miguel (Bruce Wayne's driver) (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- The Court of Owls
- Leonid Kull (First appearance)
- Edward Nygma
- Rhonda (Edward Nygma's secretary) (First appearance)
- Rowan Birkemoe (Wayne Enterprises CEO) (First appearance)
- Gotham City Police Department
- Unnamed robbers (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Commander Star (First appearance)
- Koyuki Nakano
- Leo Nakano
- News 9 (On a TV or computer screen)
- Raju (Gotham City visitor) (Single appearance)
- Raju's son (Single appearance) (Unnamed)
- Raju's wife (Single appearance) (Unnamed) (Cameo)
- Bruce Wayne's half-brother (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Ms. Davies (Wayne Enterprises contractor) (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Harvey Bullock (Rejoins Gotham City Police Department) (Mentioned only)
- Lucius Fox (Mentioned only)
- Koyuki Nakano's mother (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Martha Wayne (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- Ms. O'Hare (Wayne Enterprises contractor) (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- Thomas Wayne (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- Victor Fries (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Earth 0
- Earth
- United States of America
- Gotham City
- Financial District
- NygmaTech Tower/Pinkney Tower (First appearance)
- Fort Graye
- Wayne Shelter (Mentioned only)
- Gotham City Hall
- Mayor Nakano's Residence
- Thomas Wayne Medical Center
- Wayne Tower
- Arkham Tower (Mentioned only)
- Gordon Private Investigations (Mentioned only)
- Old Gotham (Mentioned only)
- Financial District
- Central City (Mentioned only)
- Gotham City
- United States of America
- Earth
Items:
- Batarangs (Mentioned only)
- Batsuit
- Batrope
- Utility Belt
- Smoke Bombs
Concepts:
- Questeum (NygmaTech cryptocurrency) (Behind the scenes)
Notes
- According to Edward Nygma, NygmaTech was created two months before the events of this issue, supposedly after the events of Absolute Power #4. This implies that this story takes place around mid/late October 2024.
- However, it's stated that Nygma was released from prison in May and Nakano mentions that it's still the month of June which is obviously a continuity error.
- Another continuity error is Nakano saying that the next mayoral election will be held in two years. This should be an error because he was elected in the aftermath of The Joker War, which took place around February/March 2021 after the unknotting of the timeline and the rebirth of the Multiverse, so the next election should be held, at most, in late 2025.
See Also