Story: "Constants" (23 Pages)

Credits:

Devin Grayson (plot, script)
Dale Eaglesham (pencils)
John Floyd (inks)
Bill Oakley (letters)
Pamela Rambo (colors)
Wildstorm FX (color seperations)
Dennis O'Neil (edits)

Feature Characters:

Batman
Nightwing II
Robin III
Oracle

Supporting Characters:

Alfred Pennyworth
Harvey Bullock
Renée Montoya

Villains:

Xhosa Gang members

Guest Appearance:

Huntress II (seen on security camera footage)

Other Characters:

Barrett Myles (first appearance)
Congressman Kemp (on security camera footage)

Synopsis:

Jack Myles (a Senator) and his wife Eileen have been shot dead in their own kitchen, leaving one witness - their son Barrett. It is assumed that this is the result of him kicking out some members of the Xhosa gang who were living in his house during the No Man's Land. However, Robin fears, watching Batman investigate, that his mentor is suffering from a blind spot where this case is concerned, and calls in Nightwing to help. While Batman watches over Barrett, Nightwing 'talks' with the Xhosa and Robin and Oracle discover an illegal arrangement between Myles and another senator. After much hard work, all suspects are eliminated and Batman becomes desperate, pressing the boy to give him a new lead. However, the truth is as Robin feared, it was Barrett who killed his parents. He has no reason for this, 'they bugged me'. Batman is distraught.

Second Story: "To Become the Bat" (8 Pages)

Credits:

Warren Ellis (plot, script)
Jim Lee (pencils, inks)
Richard Starking (letters)
Mark Chiarello (edits)

Feature Character:

Batman

Supporting Character:

Alfred Pennyworth

Synopsis:

A great many experiences prepared Batman for his role as Gotham's protector - he has learnt what sort of wounds different bullets make, he knows the distinctive aroma of every brand of aftershave, he has discovered how every gadget he came in contact with in his youth works. And all of it is essential to some cases, such as tracking down a pregnant prostitute's murderer - a political candidate.