Story: Cavernous (22 pages)
Writer(s): Devin Grayson
Pencils: Roger Robinson
Inks: John Floyd
Characters:
Bruce Wayne / Batman, Arthur Curry / Aquaman
Minor Characters / Guest Appearances:
Dick Grayson / Nightwing, Barbara Gordon / Oracle, Tiffany (off-screen)
Synopsis:
Batman is alone in the Batcave. It is a slow night, and he's lonely, even talking to a bat. Aquaman calls to ask about Commissioner Gordon, but Batman doesn't want to talk about this. Batman spends the night contacting Oracle and Nightwing about nothing, beating up a few small-time criminals, and then crouches on a gargoyle most of the night. After dawn he wanders through the empty manor, tries to read, and finally contacts Aquaman again to ask him to retrieve the giant penny, which was buried under water below the Batcave during the earthquake. Aquaman soon realizes that the penny is immovable, that Batman knew that and called him just for companionship. He says next time Bruce should just ask him to pick up some beer and videos on his way over.
Continuity References:
- Aquaman refers to events in the Officer Down mini-series. (Batman #587, Batgirl #12, Robin Vol. 2 #86, Birds of Prey #27, Catwoman Vol. 2 #90, Nightwing #53, Gotham Knights #13) [p. 4]
- The earthquake during which the giant penny was buried happened in Cataclysm (most Batman titles from March to May 1998). [p. 15]
- Batman notes that both Alfred and Robin are not currently in his employ. Alfred left in Nightwing #53, Robin is absent since ?? [p. 18]
Bruce Wayne Character Details:
- Batman talks to a bat in the cave. [p. 1]
- Batman suffers from insomnia, he tells the bat that he has slept two days ago. [p. 1]
- When Aquaman broaches the subject of Gordon's injury [see Officer Down mini-series], Batman blocks the conversation. [p. 4]
- Batman (who has to handle phone calls himself in the absence of Alfred) answers the phone with "Wayne Manor." not with his name. [p. 5]
- Batman calls Aquaman "Arthur." [p. 15]
Romances:
- Bruce Wayne is called by a "Tiffany" asking for a date. They seem to have dated at least once before. Bruce stops her advances by acting like a jerk, he asks her if she could bring her sister along too. [p. 5]
- Dick is at Barbara's place [p. 8], both are getting annoyed at Batman for contacting Oracle several times without any good reason. [p. 6ff]
Trivia:
- The titles of the books Batman reads in the library are: Proust Complete, Beowulf, Kaje Kempo, Electric Future and Criminal Insanity. [p. 12] On his nightstand is a copy of King Lear. [p. 13]
- In Dick's old room are a Robin Hood poster above the fireplace, a poster of the "The Amazing Flying Graysons presented by CC Haley & Norton Circus" above the bed, and a telescope in front of the window. [p. 13]
- The giant penny weighs 216 pounds. [p. 17]
- Aquaman thinks the movie "The Lost City Of Atlantis" is hysterical. [p. 22]