“Yesterday’s” Comic> Batman: Gotham Adventures #26

Batman is training his Robins younger and younger.

Batman: Gotham Adventures #26

DC Comics (July, 2000)

“In Arms”

WRITER: Scott Peterson

PENCILER: Tim Levins

INKER: Terry Beatty

COLORIST: Lee Loughridge

LETTERER: Tim Harkins

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Frank Berrios

EDITOR: Bob Schreck

The entire criminal underworld is after Kristov, a baby born to Ukrainian scientists who somehow has the codes to the former Soviet Union missiles in his DNA. Worried that even Ra’s Al Ghul would want to claim such a prize, Batman and Robin take the baby with them on patrol before figuring out why the baby is so important and comes up with a plan to allow the baby to stay safe with his parents.

What they got right: can be summarized thusly

This may be one of the best scenes in Batman history.

Later she buys baby supplies for Batman, which he pays for, giving her the change for cab fare. This is the story in a nutshell. It’s a tale in which Batman fights crime, puts out fires, brings a blanket to a homeless man, and all while carrying a baby that he has to learn how to care for. It’s as fun and as troubling as it sounds. It works, though, and is just a fun ride. And they do come up with an excuse as to why they can’t just leave him in the Batcave with Alfred, as I noted in the summary. We also get a scene with Batman changing a baby’s diaper (with Alfred instructing him over the radio), which we will never get to see Peter Parker do with any of his daughters throughout the multiverse.

What they got wrong: You may question what kind of stretch that reasoning is since Ra’s doesn’t seem to have any involvement but I’m willing to let it slide. I do wonder how the agent was willing to stick a needle in a baby in the dark (Batman switched his arm for the baby, so they actually have Bruce Wayne’s blood sample, a sacrifice Batman was willing to make) where he couldn’t really tell where he was putting it.

Recommendation: This is one of my favorite Batman stories. I highly recommend it. If the scene above didn’t already sell you there’s nothing more I can say.