Batman Is Officially Losing the Batcave in DC Lore

In a calamitous shake-up, Batman is about to lose a piece of essential lore that’s been around since 1943. Not only that, but a major hero is about to take a fall in the process, stripping the Dark Knight of perhaps his most essential ally.

The Concept of the Batcave Just Went Down in Flames

In recently released solicit information for Batman #9, a new threat will force Batman to give up the very concept of the Batcave. Ever since the ’40s radio serial, Batman has based his missions out of a gigantic cave under Wayne Manor, with many other mini-caves all around Gotham hiding crime-fighting equipment, Bat-Computer access and medical aid.

Now, Batman will be forced to abandon all his hidden bases around the city, cutting connection to the Bat-Computer and evicting the various members of the Bat-Family. That’s because two major villains have seized control of Gotham, assembling an army to smoke out the Bat-Family.

Recently, the immortal villain Vandal Savage replaced Jim Gordon as commissioner of the GCPD. Now, he’ll be joined by Mayor Poison Ivy, with the two uniting to send an army of anti-vigilante agents after Batman.

The issue’s summary reveals that the Bat-Family will have to destroy their various hidden hideouts, robbing the heroes of their interconnected series of Batcaves. They’re likely to be left with no version of the iconic base, as Ivy’s powers give her a unique understanding of Gotham’s hidden sites, using plant-life and roots to sense movement underground.

Batman without a Batcave is a tragedy for fans, but it also leaves his hero family incredibly vulnerable – as proved by one member being caught by the troops swarming the streets.

Batgirl Will Pay the Biggest Price of All

Spinning out of Batman #9, DC will publish Barbara Gordon: Breakout, coming from Mariko Tamaki and Amancay Nahuelpan. The new series will see Barbara Gordon – aka Batgirl, aka Oracle – arrested for offering aid to the Bat-Family, and locked in Gotham’s new Supermax prison.

The storyline won’t expose Barbara Gordon’s vigilante identity – Savage will instead seemingly believe she’s a civilian consultant. This will likely be tied to the Clocktower – Oracle’s base, from which she runs vigilante teams in Gotham and beyond.

Next to the Batcave, the Clocktower is the most essential location to Batman’s quest, and is packed with incriminating evidence about the family and other heroes. It’s likely that in trying to erase data that can’t fall into Savage’s hands, Barbara will fall victim to the “TUCO squads” roving the city.

Batman and his entire family are about to lose every Batcave in Gotham, as a unique alliance of villains lays them low like never before. And in the wake of Batman losing his iconic base, Batgirl will find herself confronting a deadly new challenge.

Batman #9 is coming May 6 from DC Comics, with Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 following May 13.