| Synopsis | - Batman invades a bar, asks a stool pigeon named Snitch who sent him the shredded Batman costume, and gets a smart-aleck but negative answer, after which Snitch draws a gun on him. Batman beats him to a pulp, shouting at Snitch to never point a gun at him again. Robin arrives in time to stop Batman from injuring Snitch and to protect him from other hoods in the bar. The two heroes go to the Batmobile and return to the Batcave below the Wayne Foundation building. On the way, Batman tells Robin about the bizarre "gift" and the note found in the display case. Robin reminisces about his own origin, and how Batman helped him bring his parents' killers to justice; how he led the double life of Dick Grayson and Robin, the Boy Wonder; and how he eventually graduated high school and entered Hudson University, after which Bruce and Alfred relocated from Wayne Manor to the penthouse at the top of the Wayne Foundation building. Batman immediately gets to work at the Batcave computer. Alfred confides to Robin that Batman is a "different man" since being caught in a warehouse explosion, acting "as if he's suddenly realized his own mortality, and is struggling to deny it!" Alfred remembers his own career as a World War II resistance fighter, as an actor on the English stage, and, after his father's death, traveling to America to become the butler of Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson whom he soon learned were also Batman and Robin. When Alfred asks if Batman has found a suspect, Batman gestures to a pile of his old enemies' photographs, and suggests Alfred take his pick. He recalls the origins of the Joker and Two-Face. Robin suggests they consult with Commissioner Gordon. But, when he prepares to start the Batmobile, an alarm sounds; the Batmobile's ignition has been tampered with. Batman, Robin and Alfred throw themselves to safety as a bomb-blast destroys the car. Another note is found in the wreckage which reads: ONE BY ONE, I WILL DESTROY THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU WHAT YOU ARE -- AND THEN I WILL DESTROY YOU! Batman crumples the note in his fist and declares war, vowing "And it's a war only one of us will survive!!"
|
