Story: "[Knightfall 16]: Lightning Changes" (22 Pages)

Credits: Chuck Dixon (plot, script); Graham Nolan (pencils); Dick Giordano (inks); John Constanza (letters); Adrienne Roy (colors); Scott Peterson (edits)

Feature Character: Batman II (Jean-Paul Valley), Bruce Wayne (both between Batman #498 and #499)

Supporting Characters: Robin III, Alfred Pennyworth (both between Batman #498 and #499), Shondra Kinsolving (last in Batman #498, next in Justice League Task Force #5), Jack Drake (last in #661, next in Justice League Task Force #5), Mrs McIlvaine

Villains: Bane, Bird, Trogg, Zombie (all four last in Batman #498 and next in Catwoman Vol. 2 #1), Tony Bressi (next in Batman #499), Vinnie (one of Tony Bressi's men), Taz, Ismal (two of Jack Drake's kidnappers)

Note: Story continues in Batman #499

Synopsis:

Batman and Robin are out on the streets of Gotham once more, but now Batman is Jean-Paul Valley, and his methods are noticeably more brutal that those of the 'real' Batman. He and Robin pursue some of Gotham's gangsters, finding that Tony Bressi's kids have been kidnapped by Bane; Jean-Paul plans to use this to lead him to the man who broke the bat. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne, confined to a wheelchair, witnesses a gang kidnap Jack Drake and Shondra Kinsolving. He manages to knock one of them out, but the others get away with their captives.