With DC Comic's most recent shakeup, heroes and villains alike are settling into a whole new world. One of the biggest changes was the death of Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne. This has left a vacuum in Gotham City as many of Batmans enemies clamor to take over the city. Nightwing (the original Robin) along with most of the bat-family (Batwoman, Huntress, Oracle, Batgirl, Robin, and Catwoman) is doing what can be done to try and hold the line. Even the help of allies such as Black Canary is just not enough.

Two-Face and the Penguin are each divvying up the city with the hopes of being the ultimate ruler of the city. The result is a mafia-style civil war that is leaving behind a massive body count. The police, under the leadership of Commissioner Gordon, are joining the rest of the city as being the victims of the fighting.

While no one thought it was possible, things get worse when all of the crazies kept in Arkham Assylum are liberated and let loose upon Gotham City, wreaking even more havoc. The real question is who might have let them loose. The Penguin and Two-Face are each pointing their fingers at each other, but it soon becomes clear that it is some other nefarious villain.

Just when everyone had started to give up, there are rumors that Batman may have returned. Hiding in the shadows, some mysterious person is stepping in to push back against the city's villains, both meta and normal. The problem is that this new Batman is taking things too far. Rather than justice, he seems to seek vengeance and punishment, which flies int he face of everything that Bruce Wayne hoped for when he donned the original cowl. What makes things even more interesting is that this new Batman knows too much not to have been part of the bat-family inner circle. Just who is this madman?

Dick Grayson, now wearing the mantle of Nightwing, has promised not to step in for his former cohort. The question is whether he can keep that promise if doing so will bring down his beloved Gothic City.

This tale really captures everything that has made Batman one of the most popular superheroes in the field. Besides the usual level of action (and violence), there is a clear examination of what makes a villain ... and a hero. There is a deeper underlying examination of the idea of promises, honoring our loved ones, and a look at how people are affected over the long haul by who we treat them.

The illustrations are perfectly designed to present the story, both the horrors and violence and the emotional explorations.

Fans of the DC Universe will not be able to pass this one up.