Batman versus Batman in one last fight for Gotham. But first, it’s time to learn about how Flashpoint Batman arrived in this world. Spoilers for Batman #84 follow.
With this being the penultimate issue to Tom King’s run on Batman, there’s been one question that has needed an answer since issue #50. How is Thomas Wayne in this universe? So in an issue that usually is something primed for the beginning of a climactic battle, it does something different. This issue dives into the backstory of Thomas Wayne and it’s a phenomenal issue because of that.
First things first, the answer to the question about how Flashpoint Batman arrived in the main universe. It’s surprisingly simple, but something that had originally seemed off the table completely. The Reverse-Flash did it during “The Button” storyline. This is a genuinely shocking revelation that shouldn’t be as shocking as it is, and yet, it hits hard. Basically, everything with Thomas interacting with Bruce goes back to the Reverse-Flash taking revenge on Thomas for killing him during Flashpoint. It’s quite fitting for both characters.
This issue does much than just reveal how Thomas arrived in this universe though, it goes into detail with his motivations and life story. Structured in a slight Memento style, where the story is told in reverse (Again, fitting), it starts in the present moving back to Bruce as a child. It’s a smart way to build on the character that establishes certain similarities between both Batmen and their lives. It also develops great motivation as to why Thomas wants Bruce to give up being Batman. Both characters have asked similar questions regarding “Can Batman be happy?” and both have come to different conclusions. Once that underlying message gets across, this makes for some excellent motivation for Thomas. He wants Bruce to give up being Batman so that Bruce can be happy. That’s all he wants. Sure, he’s going about it in the worst way possible, but he wants a good life for his son. It’s a great motivation for the character, recontextualizing what he’s done, and the issue does a great job of showing that.
Jorge Fornes on art does an excellent job of building throughout this issue, which is exactly what it needed. His art has a very simple styling to it which works very well for what this issue is trying to accomplish. This isn’t an issue with large, over-the-top action, but a character driven issue. The action in here is good, but it’s not where the issue excels. It excels with its use of character within the panels. Whether it be a close-up or a wide, Fornes knows how to position his characters to give them personality and effectively add to the story being told. Throughout the issue, his art just builds and builds until we get to the vow that Thomas makes to Bruce, the most emotional panel of the issue.