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| "Batman: Cataclysm" | |||
 Cover of Batman: Cataclysm trade paperback. Art by Matt Hollingsworth. |
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| Publisher | DC Comics | ||
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| Publication date | March – May 1998 | ||
| Genre | Superhero Crossover |
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| Main character(s) | Batman | ||
"Batman: Cataclysm" is an 18 chapter crossover story arc that ran through the various Batman family comics from March to May 1998. The story takes place in the aftermath of "Batman: Contagion" and "Batman: Legacy". The story begins where Gotham City is hit by a massive earthquake, the epicenter of the which is less than a mile from Wayne Manor, which comes tumbling down on top of Batman and Alfred.
In the aftermath of the destruction Batman and his allies join the frantic rescue efforts around the devastated city. This story arc is followed by "Batman: No Man's Land".
Contents |
Reading order
Cataclysm reading order:
- Prelude: Detective Comics #719
- Part 1: Shadow of the Bat #73
- Part 2: Nightwing #19
- Part 3: Batman #553
- Part 4: Azrael #40
- Part 5: Detective Comics #720
- Part 6: Catwoman #56
- Part 7: Robin #52
- Part 8: Batman: Blackgate - Isle of Men #1
- Part 9: Shadow of the Bat #74
- Part 10: The Batman Chronicles #12
- Part 11: Nightwing #20
- Part 12: Batman #554
- Part 13: Batman: Huntress/Spoiler - Blunt Trauma #1
- Part 14: Detective Comics #721
- Part 15: Catwoman #57
- Part 16: Batman: Arkham Asylum - Tales of Madness #1
- Conclusion: Robin #53
Plot
Detective Comics #719
A boat load of inmates arrived at Blackgate Prison and were spooked by the number of bats flying around. Seismologist Dr. Jolene Relazzo believed the Gotham area was due for a major earthquake as her gear began registering hits heading toward the city.
Shadow of the Bat #73
Oracle lost connection with the Batcave at 7:03pm while giving a report - a 7.6 earthquake hit Gotham City. Batman was swept up by the rising currents from an underground stream; Alfred fell into the cave from the crumbling Wayne Manor above. Oracle headed to police HQ to find her father and rally the troops.
Nightwing #19
Dick learned of the earthquake from TV at work. He bolted, grabbed a boat and headed to his former home. He was taken aback by the sheer destruction in Gotham City. He began helping victims trapped under a collapsed highway as soon as he got ashore.
Batman #553
Shortly after the quake, it appeared Wayne-owned buildings were the only ones left without major structural damage. Bruce Wayne had seen to it that all of his buildings were quake-proof up to 8.5. Wayne Manor and the Batcave were destroyed. With all the exits blocked, Batman strapped on scuba gear and promised Alfred he'd be back soon. Barbara Gordon rallied the police force; Bulloch found Commissioner Gordon. At 8:52, the first aftershock hit.
Azrael #40
Azrael and Nomoz arrived in Gotham City by helicopter to deliver Bane to the GCPD. The quake hit, setting Bane loose. Azrael tracked and captured him after he killed two civilians in a bank.
Detective Comics #720
Helena Bertinelli was on the subway when the quake hit. She quickly changed into her Huntress garb and began getting survivors to safety. Batman surfaced in Gotham Harbor and was horrified seeing the city he loved in flames.
Catwoman #56
Catwoman was stealing night-vision binoculars for an up-coming job when the department store was destroyed by the earthquake. After having a young girl die in her arms, she began getting the survivors to safety.
Robin #52
Robin gave Shiva CPR as Dava attacked Dorrance and his men. Shiva was revived by the drug still in Robin's system. Dava was shot in the melee; Shiva went berserk on Dorrance's people. Robin got Dava to her people and left her there. From his flight home, Tim called his father. When he awakened to the news they were being diverted to Blüdhaven, he saw Gotham City on fire.
Batman: Blackgate Isle of Men #1
The quake and ensuing tidal waves hit Blackgate Prison hard. The island and many cells were flooded. Prisoners were set free, those who weren't were freed by the others. A land-bridge formed from the island all the way to mainland Gotham City. Batman, just surfacing in Gotham Harbor, realized what was going on and made way to the prison. He quieted the riot, though many were killed and others escaped via the land-bridge. The aftershocks removed the land-bridge as S.W.A.T. helicopters arrived.
Shadow of the Bat #74
Batman reached mainland Gotham City after stopping the riots at Blackgate and began helping victims. In Blüdhaven, Tim Drake stole a motorcycle and headed toward his home. Jolene Relazzo was abducted from her home. Batman spoke with Penguin about his "enterprises."
The Batman Chronicles #12
An odd band of small time crooks hired by WayneCorp saved a group of people trapped in a building. A young boy was convinced the Batman had sent them. Ra's al Ghul thought of the "Detective," and hoped he'd finally join him now that his city had betrayed him. Penguin, walking through the rubble, decided which people to help based on how they could repay the favor. Robin, while thinking of his own family and friends, helped out in the excavation. Two-Face surfaced. Dr. Leslie Thompkins continued playing her part in helping victims.
Nightwing #20
Nightwing and Robin met at the clocktower to see if Oracle was ok (it was the first time Barbara and Tim met face-to-face). No one had seen Batman, but he was ok - saving victims from rubble in the guise of a police officer. Dick and Tim checked out the destruction at Wayne Manor and the Cave. Tim rushed off to check on his father; Dick located Alfred and Harold.
Batman #554
GCPD reviewed a videotape delivered to them claiming responsibility for the earthquake. The "Quakemaster" wanted $100million. Batman searched for Jolene Rellazzo and realized she'd been abducted. Gordon readied a fake ransom payment and Batman stowed away on the pick-up helicopter with hit. He gathered the mooks who'd picked it up, but their boss got away. Batman met with Robin and Nightwing to discuss the situation.
Huntress / Spoiler: Blunt Trauma #1
Stephanie Brown, caught in a mall during the earthquake, quickly changed into her Spoiler outfit. Cluemaster, Ratcatcher, Monsoon, Firefly, and others made way for Gotham City after crossing the land bridge from Blackgate. Spoiler slipped after rescuing a small child, but Huntress swooped down and caught her. The Blackgate gang arrived at the mall and began looting. Huntress and Spoiler battled them, capturing all but Cluemaster - Stephanie's father.
Detective Comics #721
Robin continued to investigate the Quakemaster's tape while Nightwing and Batman went out. Quakemaster's people kidnapped Detective Bock and held Commissioner Gordon and Mayor Grange hostage in the mayor's office. Believing he had a lead on the Quakemaster, Robin went out. At his destination, he met Bullock and Montoya.
Catwoman #57
Catwoman had found Poison Ivy and began tracking her. She stopped her from spreading super fertilizer into Gotham City's water supply.
Batman: Arkham Asylum - Tales of Madness #1
When the quake hit, some of Arkham Asylum's inmates were freed into the public areas of the facility. Joker, Killer Croc, Scarecrow, Riddler, and others took three guards hostage and killed two of them. They decided to tell stories to the other man - a new guard going to school to become a psychiatrist. They scared him into dementia before Arkham's generator kicked in and they were rounded up.
Robin #53
Robin rescued "Hardback" Bock. Together, they took down Quakemaster - Arnold Wesker's newest puppet. Nightwing saved Gordon and Mayor Grange while Batman continued helping survivors.
Collected editions
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References
See also
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