Batman Gains Time-Bending Power That Could Destroy the Universe—Is Gotham Doomed?

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Fundamentally, Batman is a detective at heart, as he first appeared in “Detective Comics,” the comic book series that launched DC into prominence. Over the years, Batman has developed into an exceptional superhero, engaging in battles against cosmic threats and extradimensional entities, often placing action over deduction in these tales. While fans adore his more fantastical adventures, there’s nothing quite like watching Batman unravel a good mystery. These mysteries become even more compelling when they incorporate the supernatural aspects of Batman’s lore. In the “Detective Comics” Annual 2025, we witness just that, as Batman encounters a self-contained enigma that escalates to him acquiring the power to halt and potentially control time itself, a power with potentially severe repercussions.

Asking Batman to… Not Solve a Murder?

The story unfolds when the Batcomputer detects an unusual melody, Morse-coded as “Batman,” echoing throughout Gotham. This signal leads Batman to the fortified lair of tech magnate Cody Morse, who is found murdered with a knife in his back. What makes this case intriguing is that on the floor, just before his death, Cody scribbled a chilling message in his own blood, warning Batman not to investigate his murder.

Of course, this situation only fuels Batman’s interest in uncovering what transpired here. He explores Cody’s bunker, observing that there’s no sign of forced entry and everything seems to be automated. It dawns on him that the bunker might have turned against Cody; the voice-controlled kitchen, for instance, appears to have been manipulated to attack whoever activates it.

Interestingly, Batman discovers a library filled with digital books, but there are five physical copies of a book called “How to End the Universe” by Arthur Milligan. This book is about quantum mechanics, and all these copies have the same four pages missing, with no trace of them in the library’s records.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I’ve embarked on a journey to York, following the trail of clues left by the enigmatic character I’m pursuing. My destination? The publishing house and the esteemed office of Dr. Jenny Sykes, a renowned physicist. She shares with me an intriguing tale about a man named Milligan, a physicist from decades past. He proposed a groundbreaking concept: if one can perceive the universe correctly, it’s possible to fundamentally alter its course, in line with the observer effect.

It seemed that Milligan was often ridiculed, yet he asserted that he had found the equations capable of revealing the secrets of observing the universe. However, during his time, those equations were beyond computational capabilities. As Batman points out, today even a basic computer could perform these calculations. Dr. Sykes mentioned that Milligan managed to publish just five copies of his book, and only then because the publisher owed him a favor. Consequently, Batman visits the publisher to check if they still had any remaining proof copies.

Following a short interruption to thwart Mr. Mystic’s schemes involving Templar, Batman locates the concluding edition of “How to Terminate the Universe”. The mathematical equations within the book were untouched. At that moment, Batman received word that Dr. Sykes had been kidnapped, and the culprit was demanding the very book. Batman rushed back to the university and confronted Paul Briar, a partner of Cody who orchestrated this plan. Briar coveted the book, and after Cody declined, he sent a signal to Batman. Even though Cody destroyed his copies of the book, Briar believed Batman – the World’s Greatest Detective – could track down the information and he was correct. In a predicament, Batman handed over a page from the book to Briar, who quickly scanned it into his phone. However, Briar had placed an explosive device on Dr. Sykes with a self-destruct mechanism, so she would detonate if Batman made any move to disarm him. Facing seemingly limited options, Batman gave Briar a page from the book.

In Briar’s presence, reality crumbles and everything is turned upside-down, leaving the villain ensnared within a sort of time crystal prison when it settles. Batman throws just one page containing Milligan’s equation to rearrange physics within an area of about eight feet. With the case closed, Batman heads back home, now the sole possessor of the equations needed to reshape the world. He acknowledges that this knowledge could bring about the end of all existence if misused, but the comic concludes with Batman contemplating how this enigma will play out.

So Batman Can Control Time Now?

In simpler terms, among all individuals in existence, only Batman possesses the unique ability to manipulate a cosmic equation that could potentially impact the entire universe. This equation, if used, has the potential to alter any desired aspect within the universe. Although the comic’s ending leaves room for interpretation as to whether Bruce Wayne chooses to keep this knowledge, if he does, it could significantly shape the course of events in the DC Universe. Known for his strategic planning, Batman typically prepares for various contingencies, and this cosmic equation essentially serves as the ultimate solution to any problem that may arise.

If he chose to save that equation for future use, it’s as if Batman possesses a power that can alter anything with just a touch. His capabilities now seem even more formidable, but with the ability to manipulate physics at his fingertips, Batman has become truly terrifying. This power is immense and potentially dangerous, yet it might be the one power that could be kept in check by none other than Batman. However, once a villain cracks the Batcomputer and snatches it away, things will change. The question then becomes: What will Batman do with this power… and what chaos will ensue when it finally lands in the wrong hands?

Detective Comics Annual 2025 is on sale now!

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2025-05-03 06:40