Batman: Bad Blood

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In other news, Chuckie Sol,

a made man in the Black Mask mob

was kidnapped at gunpoint

by masked assailants earlier today.

Suspicion is high that Sol was a victim

of the recent turf war

raging between the mob

and a new rival gang

composed of high-tech criminals

known to have crossed paths with Batman.

I don't know about any weapon shipment,

Tusk. Mask don't tell us...

You could do better than that, Chuckie.

We ain't got all night.

Old Electrocutioner here gets

mighty ticked when someone lies.

When is that weapons shipment due?

Wait... Batman doesn't use guns.

Batman doesn't.

But I do.

- I'm just the accountant.

- Shut it!

That's no way to treat a lady.

I could've handled these C-listers

on my own.

Dressing like a bat doesn't make you

a hero. It just makes you a target.

And using a gun makes you just like them.

I want you out of here. Now!

Down!

This wasn't a break-in. Was it, Firefly?

Of course not.

- They're working for someone new.

- Who?

This is truly an honor, Batman.

I've waited so very long for this moment.

Though the circumstances

are less than ideal.

Do I know you?

Intimately... and not at all.

And you rag on me for stealing your look.

Onyx, now.

Rest well, Batman.

It's not like he punches a time clock,

but I can assure you

that the Gotham Police Force is more

than capable of keeping this city safe.

Even without a masked hero to back us up.

You're a bad liar, Gordon.

- So, are on your way?

- Yeah, babe. You can't believe the traffic.

It's Blockbuster!

Can't wait to see you.

It's been weeks, Dick.

I've almost forgotten what you feel like.

I'll remind...

- It's... What's all that noise?

- Construction.

Hold on, I think I see an opening.

Yup. All clear, Kori.

I'll be at the tower in fi...

Babe, you have no idea

how sorry I am, but...

- But, what about our...

- Got a family emergency. Nightwing out.

Your timing really sucks, Alfred.

Well, your trip to the rainforest

seems ill-timed, Mr. Wayne.

- With the world tech summit coming up...

- It's not for another week, Ms. Bannister.

We're down here studying rare herbs

that could prove revolutionary

for medical research.

And earn millions

for our pharmaceutical interests.

All well and good. But why did you

have to lead the team?

Because it's my company.

And I can do whatever

the bloody hell I want to.

You still have to answer to this board,

Mr. Wayne. And frankly...

I think we're done here.

If any of you have further concerns,

bring them to Lucius.

He's more than capable

of handling things while I'm gone.

Oh, dear.

I'd watch those "bloody hells," governor.

Don't want to be giving yourself away.

Master Dick. It's bad manners

to sneak up on a person like that.

Sneaking up on people is kind

of what we do around here, Alfred.

That's a joke.

We are not amused.

I'm not exactly in a festive mood either.

- How long has he been gone?

- Two weeks, one day, 15 hours.

Wouldn't be the first time.

But he's never been gone this long

without notifying me in some way.

Last night, the signal was up for an hour.

Third time this week.

And if the police are aware

of his absence,

then you can be certain

the criminal class is as well.

There's already been a sharp uptick

in underworld activities.

If Batman doesn't return soon...

I know. All bloody hell's

gonna break loose.

Even when you've disappeared,

I can't get away from you.

Oh, Mr. Fox.

I think it's way past time we...

Apologies, Ms. Bannister. I have

an important visitor who simply can't wait.

- That woman!

- What's wrong, Dad?

Bannister's been barking at you for years.

You never let her get under your skin.

Maybe I'm getting too old for this.

Come on. Let's get some grub.

I'm afraid I'm gonna have to cancel, Luke.

Too much on my plate right here.

Of course, if you'd finally

accept Mr. Wayne's offer,

- we could do lunch every day.

- Dad...

With your background

in physics and math...

- Dad...

- ...you'd be an extraordinary asset.

Dad! I said no before I went

into the service and it's still no.

Why?

You're the one who told me

to follow my own path.

Yes. But I never thought

it would take you to Afghanistan.

I thought your doctor

told you to give that up.

I've decided to live dangerously.

Like my daughter.

As I recall, I picked up the art

of dangerous living from you, Colonel Kane.

How are you, Dad?

I'm more concerned with how you are,

Kate. I haven't seen you in weeks.

I was hoping you'd met some nice girl.

I've been trying to find out something,

anything, about my mystery man.

- And?

- It's like he doesn't even exist.

- What about his friends?

- Vanished without a trace.

I watched that place blow apart, Dad.

There was no way he could've escaped.

And I keep wondering

if there was something...

Anything that I could've done.

Are you sure he's dead, Kate?

This is Batman we're talking about.

No one could've survived that.

I need your help on this one.

Your mother always thought

you'd be an artist.

Elizabeth was the one

with the real talent.

Katey. Are you okay?

Kate?

I'll see what my network can dig up

on your mystery man.

They keep hoping

for an answer, don't they?

- Why don't you give them one.

- Not my style.

It seems reports of his death

have been greatly...

exaggerated.

Watch your back, Kate.

New guy thinks he can move in.

I'm gonna show those punks

who's top dog around here.

- Gotham's my b*tch.

- Which makes you mine, Mask.

You're supposed to be dead.

Let me fix that for you.

Damn it!

I bet 50 grand that you

were dead this time.

You lost.

Always bet on Black.

Robin? Somebody kill this freaking kid!

Damian?

- What?

- I could've handled this alone.

If that's your best, Batman,

you're not gonna fool anyone, Grayson.

Maybe you'd like a megaphone

to announce that?

There's no way you're gonna

pull this off without my help.

Modest as ever, I see.

I'm more Batman than you'll ever be.

Just follow my lead.

We're being tailed.

You've been tracking me all night.

I want to know why.

First, tell me why you're running

around Gotham playing dress-up.

I'm guessing Nightwing?

Busted.

Actually, I think he's more than capable

of fooling most people.

And you're certainly not gonna

pass for Batman, short stack.

- Who the hell are you?

- Easy, Robin.

Tell me what you want

and why you've been following me.

I just had to make sure. You see,

I was there the night Batman died.

He threw me clear and saved my life.

But before I could get

back up here it blew apart.

- And we're just supposed to believe that?

- Believe what you want.

- I don't trust her.

- Oh, but you did trust Talon.

Shut up.

Who was it? Who were Tusk

and Firefly working for?

I don't know. But when I find out,

I'll drop a note in your lunchbox.

If you're serious about hunting them down

then we should work together.

Just because I wear this,

doesn't mean I'm a part of your little cult.

You really have a way with women, Grayson.

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