Zatanna, I've faced things the teenage boy you knew could never have imagined. Horrors beyond nightmare. Beyond comprehension. But the only thing that's ever threatened to tear me apart, from the inside out, is the knowledge that I could have saved somebody if I took just one more step. Whatever is brewing, the target is firmly planted on the people I care about most in the world. I've already lost one of them. Please Zatanna. I need to do this. 
- — Batman
Detective Comics #960 is an issue of the series Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 2017. It was published on July 12, 2017.
Synopsis for "Intelligence, Part 3: Short Circuit"
Years ago in Las Vegas, Bruce Wayne recalls helping Zatanna break into her father's office. They discuss the complex rules of magic and how rare it is for someone like Bruce—an outsider—to be allowed into her world. Zatanna notices the pain in Bruce's eyes and wants to ease the doubt he carries about whether he can truly save Gotham. She hints that she possesses something that could show him the future.
In the present, on a Gotham rooftop, Zatanna refuses Bruce's request and tells him he shouldn't even remember that conversation. Bruce reveals that three times over the past five years, he uncovered a vast conspiracy—an invisible war between soldiers and assassins. Each time, his memories were erased, but they've recently been restored by Ra's al Ghul in exchange for his help capturing Lady Shiva.
Zatanna warns Bruce of the dangers of knowing too much—that the more one learns about the hidden forces of the world, the harder it becomes to remain grounded in reality. But Bruce insists. He doesn't want to risk losing someone again, knowing that one more step might have made the difference.
Meanwhile, Ascalon returns to the Red Cathedral in the Swiss Alps to report to the leader of the Order of St. Dumas. He announces that the monks have been excommunicated, though the "dwarfling" has escaped him. Ascalon confesses his confusion about Azrael, troubled by the fact that they are not one and the same. He senses something broken within Azrael and wants to understand it, though he fears the truth. The leader instructs him to remove all restraints and pursue that knowledge freely.
At the Belfry, Jean-Paul Valley struggles with his identity and seeks guidance from Nomoz, fearing that he may once again lose control to the system. He's contacted by Batwing and asked to bring his suit to Foxtech, where Batwing and Batwoman have made a discovery. Jean-Paul hesitates, but the voice in his mind urges him onward—he will be fine, and he should wear the suit.
Batman and Zatanna later arrive at her hotel room, where they find a door identical to the one that once sealed her father's office. Inside, she reveals the Gnosis Sphere—a device capable of exposing hidden truths. It was crafted by Aletheia of Olympus and is known by its original name: the God Machine. Zatanna warns Bruce that his mind holds too many questions. Can he truly stop at just one answer when the keys to every mystery surrounding him are so close?
At Foxtech, Batwing and Batwoman attempt to analyze Ascalon's code using Batwing's advanced systems, hoping to decipher the language of the St. Dumas AI. Suddenly, Ascalon teleports into the lab and seizes control of all Batwing shells. Jean-Paul arrives just in time, declaring with finality: there is no more Jean-Paul, only Azrael!
Appearing in "Intelligence, Part 3: Short Circuit"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Order of St. Dumas
- Ascalon
- Azrael (Possessed)
- Order's Leader (First appearance; unnamed)
Other Characters:
- Court of Owls (In a vision)
- Ra's al Ghul (In a vision)
- Red Robin (Flashback only)
- Oswald Cobblepot (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Iceberg Lounge (Mentioned only)
- Belfry
- Nevada (Flashback only)
- Las Vegas (Flashback only)
Items:
- Batwing Suit (Possessed)
- Gnosis Sphere (First appearance)
- Rookie
- Suit of Sorrows
- Ninth Metal (Mentioned only)
Vehicles:
See Also