Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #183
War Games: Act Two Part 2
Writer: A.J. Lieberman
Pencils: Brad Walker
Inks: Troy Nixey
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.50

This review contains spoilers.

Batman realizes that his role in the War Games must change in order for him to have an effect at the deepest level. He must be ?someone the people I?m hunting trust.? So, naturally, it?s time for Matches Malone to hit the streets and start shaking things down. Matches puts the word out on the street that he wants in on the action.

Spoiler is still reeling with the realization that she is the one who has put the gangs of Gotham City at war with one another. Catwoman tells her why her plan didn?t work ? Batman and Matches Malone are the same person. Spoiler tries to leave, but Catwoman tells her that she should stay and Spoiler is unable to fight her way free from the more skilled Catwoman. ?You?re not going anywhere till you calm down,? Catwoman says.

Former police Commissioner James Gordon, no longer able to sit idly by when he may be of some assistance goes to visit the current Commissioner, Michael Akins, at his office. ?Got a moment for an old timer?? Gordon Asks. ?For you, absolutely,? Akins replies, almost cracking a smile, but the weight on him is too heavy to be genuinely happy. Gordon tells Akins that he?s come to offer whatever assistance he can ? advice, or just a sympathetic ear. Akins tells Gordon about his last meeting with Batman ? where Batman asked for control of the city (Detective Comics #798) and that he?d thought about arresting him right there. Gordon tells him that he?s felt the same way many times ? that even Batman can?t always be right.

Catwoman takes Spoiler to Holly (Catwoman?s confidante) and Karon?s apartment to ask them to keep an eye on her until she returns. Spoiler begs Catwoman to let her go with her, but Catwoman denies her. ?Sit, stay, do not move.? Spoiler reminds Catwoman that she had promised not to tell Batman and Catwoman assures her that she won?t.

Matches Malone continues cutting a swath through Gotham?s underworld trying to get as much information as he can about who might be behind the gang war. Some aren?t willing to talk, but those that are provide conflicting information of questionable accuracy. Nonetheless, he hears enough mentions of the Escabedo Cartel to make it a lead worth investigating.

Leaving the street-level world of Matches Malone behind, Batman stands perched atop a building and radios in to Oracle telling her that he needs to find Escabedo. ?Not that I believe it, but word is he might be the puppet master,? he tells her. He?s concerned about getting help for the other team members and Oracle says ?If that?s what?s bothering you, I?ve got good news. Turn around and see for yourself.? Batman turns to see Robin swinging down toward him on his line. They acknowledge each other, but not with any real enthusiasm. ?You?re back.? Batman says. ?I am. For now.? Robin replies. Oracle tells all of the team, Batman and Robin, Batgirl, Orpheus and Onyx and Nightwing that the police curfew is approaching and that they need to try and hold things until nightfall. She concludes by telling Batman that as of yet there?s no word on Escabedo. Batman tells her if there?s anything on Escabedo he?s to know first. ?I want him before anyone else gets him. Even the police.? Batman tells Robin that whoever has set this up has an extremely good master plan and that when he finds them they will pay. The two then go their separate ways.

Catwoman has arrived at the Tompkins Clinic. She promised that she wouldn?t tell Batman about Stephanie?s involvement, but she didn?t promise that she wouldn?t tell anyone else. She explains everything to Leslie ? that Spoiler stole one of Batman?s War Game plans and implemented it without knowing what she was doing ? leading to the mess that Gotham is in. Leslie realizes this means this never would have happened if the plans had never existed (reminds me a little of JLA ? Tower of Babel ? you?d think Batman would have learned to safeguard these things!). Catwoman tells her it?s too late for regrets. ?Just tell him, OK?? She says.

Batman visits Jim Gordon at Gordon?s rooftop garden where many a conversation between the two took place during Gotham?s last great crisis ?No Man?s Land.? Batman tells Gordon that he needs help bringing Akins around. Gordon tells him that he?s not sure he can do that. When Batman asks why, Gordon tells him ?because I?m not sure I disagree with him.? Batman gets a betrayed, disappointed look on his face. I?m not sure anyone but Jim Gordon could extract this type of emotion from Batman. Gordon tells him that he needs to push Akins. Batman tells him that Akins is ?not you. Not even close.?

?I wasn?t always like me. Especially in the beginning.? Gordon says. ?He?s a good cop. Let him do his job.? Batman says that he?s not sure that?s enough.

In Gotham?s north end, Diego Escabedo is at home. He?s probably wishing at this point that Batman, who?s been looking for him so desperately, had found him first. He?s taped to a chair. His mouth taped, bodies of guards lay strewn throughout his house. An unseen figure tells that when he kills him, it will as painless as possible. ?As soon as you?ve convinced me that you?ve told me everything I need to know,? the figure, now seen to be wearing a welding helmet and gloves, says, lighting the blowtorch.

What will Batman?s reaction be when he realizes that it is, in fact, his plan that is being used? And what punishment will he mete out upon himself? As hard as Batman can be on his allies, he holds himself to an even higher standard and the realization is not going to set well with him.

I can?t help but wonder if the reappearance of Gordon amidst Batman?s fallout with Akins foreshadowing the return of the former Commish? I?m not entirely sure about that one, but even if Gordon returns only as a sounding board and mentor for Akins and Batman - and perhaps the bridge between the two - his presence is welcome. More than anything, Gordon gives Batman someone to talk to ? someone that he has a different relationship with than anyone in the Batman family, or even Alfred. I can?t remember the last time Batman showed as much emotion as he does with in his conversation with Gordon this issue. It reinforces why he?s been an important character since his first appearance in Detective Comics #27. Who else has been there from the very beginning?

Spread the word!