Batman #632
War Games: Act Two Part 8
Writer: Bill Willingham
Pencils: Kinsun
Inker: Aaron Sowd
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.25

This review contains spoilers.

Batman is racing toward The Hill to meet with Orpheus and is franticly trying to get him on the comm with little success. Oracle also contacts him to state that she cannot contact him either. Batman re-emphasizes that he must find Orpheus as he?s the key to ending the gang war with minimal bloodshed. Oracle tries to assure Batman by saying that nothing?s wrong as she had heard form him about 30 minutes ago but since everyone has been moving around, she wouldn?t be surprised if he?s too busy to pick up the phone.

At the same time, Orpheus? apparent killer is trying to take his identity. Black Mask is applying a copious amount of face putty in an effort to look just like the fallen hero. As he?s molding his face, Black Mask is making small talk with the lifeless corpse about how adept he is on taking this new disguise. After the putty is in place, Black Mask puts on the rest of the costume and begins to practice Orpheus? voice and hides the carcass in preparation of Batman?s arrival.

Meanwhile, Henry Aquista is at Filice?s Funeral Home trying to come to grips with his daughter?s untimely demise. Zeiss is present and asks Aquista that since he?s speaking for Galante Family if there is a job that needs to be done. After setting down his dead offspring, Aquista stares at Zeiss with a hateful look and tells him that he wants all of the bosses dead, starting with Orpheus as Aquista has heard that he might be the head gang leader once all is said and done. Zeiss verifies that amount to be given for this hit and Aquista not only agrees but adds a bonus if Orpheus suffers. Zeiss leaves as Aquista mourns some more.

At Orpheus?s HQ, Onyx notices the main window has been shattered and climbs in from the rooftop to check up on her boss. Once inside, she sees the fake Orpheus and asks him what happened. He covers up for the mess and redirects her to another task that could possibly end the gang war and save the city in the process. Onyx tries to protest but the doppelganger tells her that they best way for her to help him is to take out the major threat to him and the rest of the team.

Downstairs, Batman is at Orpheus? HQ street entrance and is still calling for him. Black Mask opens the door expecting to see Batman but is attacked by Zeiss. With the element of surprise on his side, Zeiss continues to put the boots to the fake Orpheus and has him down on the floor gasping for breath. Zeiss goes for the kill but is distracted by Batman coming through an adjacent window. Zeiss says that he?s looking forward to this confrontation and prepares for the upcoming battle.

On the other side of Gotham, Onyx has made her way to the destination point that Orpheus previously told her. As she enters the warehouse, she tells one of the workers that she?s there to secure some sort of machine. He replies that Orpheus had already called ahead and that they?re prepared for her. He directs her to this mountainous machine which takes her aback. As she analyzes the machine, she suddenly realizes that she was not totally filled in by her boss.

Batman and Zeiss are locked in battle with Batman dodging a couple of Zeiss? machete attacks until Zeiss cuts Batman across his chest. As Batman reels, Zeiss leaps towards him in an effort to gain the upper hand. Batman counters by throwing a chair and lunges at the assassin. Zeiss parries with a knife swipe towards Batman?s arm, which lodges in his left tricep. Unfazed, Batman continues his attack but Zeiss has a backup blade which he sticks in Batman?s back. With both blades in his body, Batman summons enough strength to grab Zeiss and pummels the hired gun almost to the point of unconsciousness.

Absent for all of the battle, the counterfeit Orpheus informs Batman that he?s bleeding. Batman tells him that he?ll live then starts interrogating Zeiss about who ordered the hit. But Zeiss informs his inquisitor that there?s not time to talk as he has a very explosive back-up plan. Batman figures out his cryptic message and tells Orpheus to watch the incapacitated thug. As Batman goes to search for the bomb, he radios Alfred to have him pull up some anti-demolition schematics and also ask him to prep a mobile Batman with full medical supplies.

Batman switches his eye lenses from normal visual to thermal and locates the bomb hidden under a raised platform on the stairs. Black Mask follows Batman and asks what he can do to help out. Batman directs the faux Orpheus to watch Zeiss. As Batman starts to disassemble the bomb?s ignition system, the disguised Black Mask wakes Zeiss from his slumber and tells him that if he is able, he will be allowed to escape.

Zeiss is still trying to gain his senses back so he questions Black Mask/Orpheus? motives. He responds, ?Surprisingly merciful of me, eh? Especially when you nearly wrecked my plan to sucker Batman into a trap.? Zeiss is still trying to grasp the situation and asks why is he?s allowed to live. Orpheus informs Zeiss that he has a plan for the deposed hitman which is to bring a message to his boss and all of the other gang bosses. Meanwhile, Batman has disabled the bomb and come back to find the fake Orpheus on the ground. The Dark Knight asks what happened to Zeiss. Black Mask states that he escaped and tries to assure Batman that he didn?t knock the thug hard enough due to his injuries. Batman becomes angry as he wanted to get more information from Zeiss about Spoiler. Batman begins looking through the room and recognizes Spoiler?s handprints though his infra-red lenses. Black Mask tries to cover up his handiwork by saying that she must?ve fought Zeiss before he got there and stashed her body somewhere. Batman snaps back saying that they should not jump to conclusions as there is not enough blood to assume anything.

Just then, the power is turned back on to the city. Just as Batman thinks that things are going his way, Onyx radios to check in with Orpheus. Orpheus conferences the call with Batman who then confronts her about her absence from her boss’ side. Onyx tries to reason with Batman who counters by saying that no one supersedes his orders and tells her that she needs to make her way back to the Hill to attend to Orpheus. Black Mask asks what?s next. Batman states that he wants all of the gangs together in one area. Black Mask suggests Robinson Park since it has a big Greco-Roman Amphitheater. Batman agrees and gives out follow to the letter instructions to Orpheus.

As Batman leaves the Hill HQ, he contacts Oracle and tells her to prepare to override the Gotham Police communication band. Oracle sarcastically asks if he?s sure that he wants her to do it or should he just leave her out of the loop. Batman scolds her then informs her that there is a war to win and she should decide if she still wants to do her part. Oracle confirms that she?s still in the fight.

Since the power has come on unexpectedly, WBGK-TV is preparing for a hurried newscast and can?t find an anchorman. After a few minutes of searching, Arturo Rodriguez finally makes his way to the set desk and the broadcast commences. Rodriguez drops partially the blame for the power outage on Batman and his team. He goes on to say, ?Answerable to no one, least of all the citizens they claim to protect, many authorities now openly question whether we wouldn?t be better off without Batman and his gang. This reporter, for one, now joins that chorus of voices asking when Batman will submit himself to the lawful oversight of our civil authorities.”

Well, gang; it appears that End Game is upon us. Come back here later this week to check out the first part in Detective Comics #799.

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