Batman (2024) # 152 (Absolute Power tie-in)

 By Mark Rodriguez

Batman and Catwoman work together to try to steal a Mother Box under Amanda Waller's possession. Their adventure takes them to the planet Czarnia when they're suddenly face to face with Gunsmith, Deadeye, Black Alice and worst of all, Bizzaro.

'Happy Endings' opens with the villains heading towards Batman and Catwoman, as Deadeye comments that neither of them have super powers. Catwoman says the timer is still ticking, and Batman tells her to get the box and he will clear the way. Batman tosses a smoke bomb and uses it as cover to fight with Deadeye. Black Alice walks through the smoke looking for Catwoman. 

Gunsmith shoots at Batman from a rooftop. Batman dodges the gunfire and fires off his grappling hook. It latches onto Gunsmith and Batman yanks the bad guy off the roof. Deadeye lands a kick across Batman's face.

Catwoman is trying to crack the security around the Mother Box as Black Alice approaches her. Catwoman says she knows she uses magic, and the thing about magic users is that they require concentration. Alice trips over a hidden tripwire, and as she falls forward, Catwoman spinkicks her in the face, knocking her out. Catwoman goes back to working on the security system but she's down to the last second. 

Rather than exploding, the tomb starts to open up and change shape, which surprises Catwoman and intrigues Bizzaro. Deadeye is still fighting with Batman. Deadeye says Amanda didn't tell them to kill anyone that showed up in Okinawa, but he doesn't think she'll mind. Batman says he's calling her 'Amanda' instead of 'Waller' because she's Deadeye's aunt. Batman tells him that he doesn't know what he walked into and Amanda has stolen from his family, including his mother, which makes Deadeye pause.

Bizzaro slams the ground near the tomb, telling the 'house' not to move. Batman dodge Bizzaro and purposely positions himself so that Gunsmith can shoot the Superman clone instead. Bizzaro gets angry at Gunsmith, who tries to explain that he shot him by mistake. 

Batman finds the device that powers the forcefield and starts to work on it. Catwoman continues to disarm the security system in the tomb. They both tell each other what to do in case of them fails, and Catwoman says they might never get their happy ending but they can at least get a spectacular one. 

Bizzaro is strangling Gunsmith until Batman tells him he's the one wants. Bizzaro goes after Batman and the Caped Crusader activates the forcefield just at the right moment. Batman ducks out of the way and the forcefield pops up in front of Bizzaro's cybernetic arm, severing it. Batman lunges towards Bizzaro who is still able to punch him and send him flying with his good arm.

Batman's chest armor took most of the blow but is still sent skidding across the ground. He tries to keep himself from blacking out. Black Alice yells as she notices something, a swarm of flying Czarnian carnivorous scorpions. Black Alice decides to drop everything and just get the hell out of there.

Batman tells Catwoman to put on her breathing mask, and she says she is close to cracking the security system. Deadeye is watching over the tombs of his family, promising to return them, when he notices the flying scorpions. Black Alice runs through the Boom Tube portal and Bizzaro asks when she's going. Deadeye attacks Batman and this time the Caped Crusader hits him in the mask, cracking the red jewel casing and exposing his face. Batman warns him that with his mask exposed, the scorpions can get in, so he should run so he doesn't end up like the rest of his family. Deadeye runs through the Boom Tube as Batman checks on Catwoman. Just then they notice that the Boom Tube is gone.

Batman says the Mother Box that summons the Boom Tubes can be activated by thought. He thought of why Waller would be hiding its energy and realizes that the shifting of the tomb knocked the shielding out. He figures out the Mother Box can be a beacon. Just then there is a threatening chill in the air as even the flying arachnids know to get the hell away. Gunsmith, the only remaining villain is shaken up from the scorpion attack when he is hit by Omega Beams. Batman tells Catwoman to run.

Batman tries to focus on activating the Mother Box as well as not being teleported to someplace with even worse danger. Batman and Catwoman run through the Boom Tube right before Darkseid's Omega Beams could hit them. 

Batman and Catwoman appear on a beach. Catwoman is surprised they're still alive and Batman ponders that maybe Darkseid wanted them to live for some reason. Batman says he tried to warp them back to the Bat Cave but the Mother Box responded to last place he was happy. Catwoman recognizes the beach as the last time they spent the night together before Bane took over Gotham. 

Batman says Waller had taken the planet and she must be stopped. Catwoman says she understands that right now he needs the calm before the storm. She understands they might never get a happy ending, but they can take what moments they can. Batman says the resort must be three miles south and they can make travel plans there. Catwoman says they just escaped death millions of miles from home, and he's allowed to feel how he must feel. Batman says he just needs a moment. Catwoman takes his hand as they walk along the beach. She says they will take a moment, on the way back towards the storm.

Bird of Prey story 

'Emotionally Compromised' opens as Cassandra Cain spars with Zealot on Themyscira. Zealot says she always knew Cain was good, but now that she lost her powers she can see just how good she is in combat. 

Nubia tells Black Canary that the Birds of Prey are no longer allowed on the island and are only there due to the current emergency. She reminds them that they are no longer friends. Black Canary says they are only there until Nightwing gives the order, and appreciates them being allowed to stay on the island at all. Canary understand it complicates things with Zealot being on the team. She says she doesn't understand the history between Zealot and the Amazons, but she did try to ensure no Amazons were killed in the previous battle.

Nubia says maybe Zealot should lead the Birds of Prey then. Black Canary says maybe she should, since she can keep her emotions in check. Nubia says Canary is being too rough on herself, regardless how she feels, Sin is her sister and her life was at stake. Canary says she was hoping they'd understand that and Nubia says it's the only reason they're still breathing. Canary says she hopes they can be friends once again and Nubia says they will see.

Black Canary asks Nubia if she really thinks Zealot would make a better leader, since was emotionally compromised. Nubia says it can be a liability, but she has pushed herself to great heights certain times in the name love. Nubia says it's one's greatest strength and greatest weakness.

Sin walks off towards a temple on the island and speaks to a spirit residing inside her called Megaera. Megaera says this is one of her temples. Sin steps inside and asks if the urn that swallowed so much of her is there. Megaera says she doubts the Amazons would leave it exposed and unprotected. She says the urn can't be opened but it can be destroyed. Sin asks what will happen if the urn gets destroyed. Megaera says it will use its full power to kill her. Sin is confused and thought this was what the spirit wanted. The spirit asks if she thought they were friends. She says she was a god of unbelievable power and history, and Sin keeps her on a real shot leash to be considered a friend.

Sin says she wanted to live and was selfish and she should have allowed herself and Megaera to go into the urn. The spirit says Canary would have pulled down the sun if it meant getting Sin back. Sin says that would be wrong and Megaera asks what would matter more than people she loves. Sin says Canary cares more about saving the world than her own friends and family. Black Canary is right outside the temple and overhears this.

Zealot and Cassandra continue their match until they see Barda arrive by helicopter. The Amazon leaps off the chopper and both women comment that she doesn't have her powers and hopes she doesn't break her legs with the landing. Barda lands dramatically and asks the others what the plan is.

Black Canary tells the crew that there is a change in plans. They will stay and wait for Nightwing while she goes after Green Arrow alone. The women are confused and Canary says it would the wrong move to have them show up to confront Green Arrow, so it's best she go on her own. Canary says she will need them to be there for her when this is over, whatever that will mean. Sin hugs her for luck, and Barda wishes her to come back safely.

My thoughts-

Both stories tie into the Absolute Power storyline, so their adventures will conclude there and in the case of the back-up story in Black Canary's comic and the Bird of Prey comics. I'm guessing, of course, that the Mother Box that Batman and Catwoman recovered will play a major role and the past 2 issues were to give a better context as to how they got their hands on it. 

I have to say, my favorite part was seeing Black Alice see the swarm of CARNVIROUS FLYING ALIEN SCORPIONS headed their way and literally saying 'Fuck this, I'm out!!' 

My biggest problem is Bizzaro being in any way involved. Unless the New 52 and Rebirth seriously nerfed Bizzaro, he's still supposed to be as strong or at least a tade weaker than Superman. So there is no reason Bizzaro wouldn't just zip into action and pound Batman and Catwoman into paste within seconds. I don't care what armor Batman was wearing, a solid punch from Bizzaro that wouldn't even care to bother holding back should have ended him or at the very least broken every bone in his body. I know it makes sense for Waller to bring in the big guns to protect the Mother Box, but if the heroes you're using the story are Batman and Catwoman, at least have them bring some Kryptonite or something.. whatever type would would affect Bizzaro. On top of that, Batman was having trouble fighting against Deadeye. With that kind of context, Batman should NOT be fast enough to dodge Bizzaro.

There's not too much to say about the second story, it would only make more sense for people reading Birds of Prey and Wonder Woman comics. I'm not sure who most of the characters are other than Black Canary and Cassandra Cain, and the history behind whatever Zealot did to piss off the Amazons. It seems the Amazons are now depowered due to the events of Absolute Power. I did like the reference to Zealot seeing how skilled Cassandra is, now that she's fighting her without her Amazon strength and speed. 

A fun read overall, though next issue we'll get back on track as Batman returns to his regular adventures without being tied into a larger DC Universe event. We'll see how things go with Batman's new status quo with the Pennyworth Estate and the Bat Family. I can't wait.