Story: Matatoa, Part 2 (22 pages)
(previous part in Gotham Knights #16)
Writer(s): Devin Grayson
Pencils: Roger Robinson
Inks: John Floyd
Characters:
Bruce Wayne / Batman, Dick Grayson / Nightwing, Barbara Gordon / Oracle, Matatoa
Synopsis:
Nightwing has brought Matatoa to Arkham, but he escapes. Meanwhile Dick reveals his relationship with Barbara to Batman. As they learn of Matatoa's escape Batman and Nightwing once again face him, this time on a LexCorp construction site. Nightwing arrives there first, saying that his own record isn't too bad, but Matatoa feels he has nothing to offer to Nightwing. Batman joins the fight, Matatoa offers again eternal protection for Gotham. As Matatoa dangles from a high crane he refuses to be pulled up by Batman, taking a fall that would have killed a normal human. Yet at the end he hitchhikes out of Gotham, now looking for a "master of manipulations," so it's possible his own death has fulfilled the "undefeated warrior" requirement, since, as Nightwing had pointed out to Matatoa earlier, until now Matatoa was undefeated himself. Back at the Batcave Dick asks Batman if he was tempted by the offer, but Batman replies that the only definition of "forever" that has any meaning lies in one's children, and offers adoption papers to Dick, who accepts and signs them.
Important Continuity Events:
- Dick tells Batman that he and Barbara are a couple. [p. 4]
- Bruce adopts Dick [p. 20f]
Continuity References:
- Dick mentions that it was Batman who sent him to Blüdhaven, in Nightwing #1. [p. 3]
- The argument between Dick and Batman about Dick's decision to become a cop refers to the following arc: we first learn that Dick decided to change Blüdhaven by joining the PD in Nightwing #25, he graduated the academy in Nightwing #41, and gets a job at the Blüdhaven PD in Nightwing #48. [p. 3]
Dick Grayson Character Details:
- Dick is not sure what to call Barbara in front of Batman (he switches from Babs, to Barbara, then Oracle). [p. 4]
- He's fumbling for the right words as he tells Batman about his and Barbara's relationship. ("Me and Babs -- I mean, uh, Barbara -- Oracle -- and I, well...things have...progressed in our relationship to the point where -- that is, I think it's fair to say that we're...involved. Dating. A couple." then low: "...okay?") [p. 4]
- Dick is now more often in Gotham because of his relationship with Barbara. [p.4]
- Nightwing feels protective towards Batman in his fight with Matatoa [p. 12ff], partly because he wonders how much Matatoa's offer of eternal protection for Gotham really got to Batman. [p. 18]
Bruce Wayne Character Details:
- Batman doesn't want Dick's police-issue gun in the Batcave. [p. 3]
- Batman's reaction to Dick's halting relationship revelation is a curt "Noted." When Dick is angry about that reply, expecting Batman to be happier he counters with "Who says I'm not?" and turns back to business.
- Batman thinks the way Matatoa preserves skills and knowledge is perverted, and says to Dick as Batman hands him the adoption papers, that the only meaningful definition of "forever" and real legacy is to pass these things on to the own children. [p. 19]
- During the scene with the adoption papers Batman stays in full costume, until Dick pushes off Batman's cowl to at least reveal Bruce's face. [p. 20]
Barbara Gordon Character Details:
- Barbara calls Dick "Former Boy Wonder." [p. 18]
Romances:
- Dick and Barbara are a couple, Dick reveals their relationship to Batman. [p. 4]
Gotham City Details:
- The graffito on the "You Are Now Leaving Gotham City -- Come Back Soon!" billboard says "KEEP DRIVING" over the "Come Back Soon!"
Trivia:
- Batman ties Matatoa's crimes to news paper articles we see from behind the screen (like mirror writing). They are "The UK Mirror Online", "The Jakata Times", "The New Zealand Chronicle" ,"The Gotham Sun" and a Russian paper from Moscow with Cyrillic writing. [p. 2]
- The text of the adoption papers is:
The day of the Lord, this 16th day of May in the year 2001:
I, Bruce Wayne, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare Richard John Grayson as my legal and lawful son and heir. This declaration is made with the full knowledge and consent of said ward, Richard John Grayson.
Bruce Wayne (Signature of adoptive parent)
Richard Grayson (Signature of consenting non-minor, or minor)
As witnessed by:
Alfred Pennyworth (Signature of primary witness)
Dr. Leslie Thompkins (Signature of secondary witness)
[Official Seal - City of Gotham]
Rachel Green, LLM (Legal Representation)
Judge Maria Vargas (Judge's signature)
Manuel Gonzalez (District Clerk)