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""Lightning Changes"": Batman and Robin are out on the streets of Gotham City once more, but the man under Batman's cowl is actually Jean-Paul Valley, whose methods are noticeably more brutal that those of the 'real' Batman. When

Quote1 You hand over that hammer and you hand it over now. Unless you want to spend the rest of your life on a respirator. Quote2
Batman (Jean-Paul Valley)

Detective Comics #665 is an issue of the series Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 1993.

Synopsis for "Lightning Changes"

Batman and Robin are out on the streets of Gotham City once more, but the man under Batman's cowl is actually Jean-Paul Valley, whose methods are noticeably more brutal that those of the 'real' Batman. When Robin tries to question Jean-Paul's methods, the new Batman is dismissive.

Back at Wayne Manor, Bruce Wayne is confined to a wheelchair, and hopes to talk to Doctor Shondra Kinsolving. He is told that she is just next door helping Tim's father Jack Drake, who is also wheelchair-bound. Bruce contemplates getting Alfred to give him a ride, but his friend is so exhausted from taking care of him that he chooses not to wake him.

Bruce wheels himself over to Drake Manor, but on his way he discovers that an armed gang has surrounded the manor. Bruce determines that the gang's appearance there is not random, and that it must be yet more machinations from Bane. He manages to take out one of the thugs, but when he arrives at the manor, he is too late, and witnesses both Jack Drake and Doctor Kinsolving being kidnapped - and he can do very little to stop it.

Bruce tries to intervene, but in his weakened state he is easily beaten. The thugs knock him out of his chair onto the ground and escape with Mr. Drake and the Doctor. Bruce lies on the ground bemoaning his failure until Alfred rushes over to help him back up.

Jean-Paul follows his own leads, invading the Gotham Dome, despite Robin's warnings that they are to avoid Bane. Inside, Jean-Paul carelessly battles with the armed mob meeting there, and when Tony Bressi begins to escape, he leaves Robin to fend for himself. Jean-Paul learns that Tony Bressi's kids have been kidnapped by Bane, and Jean-Paul plans to use this to lead him to the man who broke the bat.

Appearing in "Lightning Changes"

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Notes

Trivia

  • A note on Dr. Kinsolving's secretary's desk records a call from Scott Peterson, the editor of this issue.
  • Alfred is seen reading the book "The Way Things Should Be" by Link Rambeau, the TV host last seen in Detective Comics #661. Rambeau is based on Rush Limbagh who wrote a book titled "The Way Things Ought to Be."
  • The van used by the kidnappers has a sign for Sprang Florist, referring to Batman artist Dick Sprang.


See Also

Recommended Reading

Links and References

Batman 492
Knightfall Saga Crossover
DC Rebirth Logo

This comic issue is a part of the massive Knightfall crossover event. Knightfall consisted of three parts, Knightfall, Knightquest, and KnightsEnd. The trilogy involved Batman's back being broken by Bane, the debut and subsequent descent into madness of Bruce Wayne's successor Batman Jean-Paul Valley, and Bruce Wayne's recovery and reclamation of his former title, combatting Valley himself. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Knightfall Crossover" category.

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