The Button is a four-part crossover storyline between Batman and The Flash.
Synopsis
Batman investigates a mysterious button he found. After a strange interaction between the button and Psycho-Pirate’s mask, Batman is hit by lightning and encounters a vision of his father, Thomas Wayne from the Flashpoint timeline, who fades away before Batman can touch him.
Batman contacts Flash for help, but before Barry arrives, the Reverse-Flash, Eobard Thawne, arrives at the Batcave. Thawne reveals that he was resurrected by an unknown force, and the two engage in a vicious battle as the timer counts down to Flash’s arrival. Despite Batman’s efforts to hold out, Thawne ultimately overpowers him, and Barry fails to arrive on time. Thawne then picks up the mysterious button, and a flash of light teleports him away. Moments later, Thawne returns, severely burned and on the verge of death, muttering that he saw God before collapsing.
When Flash finally arrives, he finds Batman injured and Reverse-Flash’s charred body on the floor. As Barry sets up a crime scene investigation, he reflects on his personal losses and the implications of Thawne’s death. The Speed Force signature in Thawne’s body matches Barry’s, raising questions. Batman and Flash realize that the button has some connection to larger cosmic forces, including a vision Barry had of the Helmet of Mercury, and they decide to investigate further.
Barry retrieves the Cosmic Treadmill, despite swearing never to use it again, to travel through time and trace the button’s origins. Bruce insists on accompanying him, even though the journey is dangerous. As they race through the timestream, they encounter missing years in history and the Flashpoint timeline. They land in a ruined version of the Batcave, where Bruce reunites with his father, Thomas Wayne. Together, the three fend off invading forces from the Flashpoint war between Aquaman and Wonder Woman.
As Flash repairs the treadmill, Thomas urges Bruce and Barry to escape, knowing that Flashpoint is disintegrating. Bruce tries to bring his father along, but Thomas pushes him away, telling Bruce to live his life and let Batman die with him. As the Flashpoint timeline is erased, Thomas sacrifices himself to ensure Bruce and Barry’s survival.
In the aftermath, Batman and Flash try to piece together the mystery, realizing that the force manipulating time is far greater than they imagined. They contemplate whether to continue pursuing the investigation as Barry promises to conduct an autopsy on Thawne’s body for more clues. The story ends with a glowing blue hand picking up the button, hinting at the involvement of a higher cosmic power.
Issues
Links and References
  This event or storyline is specifically related to Batman, or to members of the Batman Family. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the Batman Storylines category. |
  This event or storyline is specifically related to The Flash, or any of the individual characters who have taken up the Scarlet Speedster mantle. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the Flash Storylines category. |