Superman Finally Kills Batman in DC's Dark Future
'Black Kryptonite' Caused Superman To Kill Batman
Politics, anger, and feelings of powerlessness were what caused Batman and Superman to fight in Dawn of Justice, but not in New Order's story. It's actually Jake who swoops to Superman's defense from himself, pointing out that Batman's murder isn't the only word that spread. He knows it was "mind control" that was really to blame, as is usually the first explanation thrown around comic book circles whenever a superhero acts recklessly. Lex Luthor steps in to clarify that the true culprit was "Black Kryptonite," a substance previously used to separate Superman into good and evil 'versions' in both Superman III and Smallville. Lex also points out that his alliance with Superman and the superhuman resistance is unrelated. He didn't deploy the Black Kryptonite, and it seems fans may never find out who did.
It's a testament to Superman's heroism that his regrets aren't just for killing his friend, but for the fallout. And not even the loss of his own powers or those of his fellow superheroes - but the countless innocents that he would no longer be able to help, protect, or save. For the record, we would say Superman still proved his character by strapping on armor, and Wonder Woman's sword and shield to keep fighting the good fight. Yet Superman seems determined to make some kind of greater amends for his role in The New Order's future.
Is Batman's Real Killer Still Out There?
Most fans who read that breakdown of Batman's death will be asking the same question: who exposed Superman to the Black Kryptonite then? It's that lingering question which the comic seems to dodge completely - which in the world of comics, is reason to devote even more energy and curiosity towards it. After all, it's the one act that made the New Order future possible - and the planning needed to fill in the blank between 'expose Superman to Kryptonite' and 'kill Batman' seems important. And if Dick Grayson, Superman, and Lex Luthor all know that Dick found the power-erasing weapon in Batman's own armory, is it plausible someone else could have known it was there?
Kate Kane a.k.a. Batwoman has flirted with more extremist methods (and even Bat-murder) in her own Rebirth story, and the version seen in New Order's future is no less formidable. But could she really sacrifice her own cousin, Bruce Wayne, to wrestle the world back into human control? Kyle Higgins has ensured that the world of the New Order's police state is filled with enough shadows to conceal almost anything. Who knows, maybe it was Bruce Wayne behind the entire thing, sacrificing himself to change Dick's mind (if not outright faking his own death and living out the rest of his life in secrecy)? But we wouldn't bet on it... for Alfred Pennyworth's sake, at least.
With just one issue left in Nightwing: The New Order's story, Superman might get the chance to tip the karmic scales back in his favor. That may mean a sacrifice most fans won't be ready to see play out, for either Lois or Clark. But with the son of Nightwing and the future of superhumanity on the line... well, let's cross that bridge when we get to it.
Nightwing: The New Order #5 is available now.
