Batman: Year 3

Issue #436

Cover Date: undated
Subtitle: Different Roads - Year 3 part 1
Writer(s): Marv Wolfman
Artists(s): Pat Broderick, John Beatty
Storyline: Batman was unable to stop the forth hit on a mob boss in as many weeks. After years in prison, Anthony Zucco (who killed the Flying Graysons) was up for parole; Alfred spoke at the hearing. Dick returned to Wayne Manor at Alfred's request to speak to Bruce. Batman attempted to stop the fifth mob killing and was in the boss's house when it was bombed.


Issue #437

Cover Date: undated
Subtitle: Changes Made - Year 3 part 2
Writer(s): Marv Wolfman
Artists(s): Pat Broderick, John Beatty
Storyline: Nightwing saved Batman from the rubble after the bombing. Batman left his former partner in a huff. Alfred, after returning home from the parole hearing, thought back on when Bruce took in "Master Richard." Nightwing came back to the manor looking for Batman. He and Alfred expressed their concerns about Bruce since Jason's death.


Issue #438

Cover Date: undated
Subtitle: Turnabout - Year 3 part 3
Writer(s): Marv Wolfman
Artists(s): Pat Broderick, John Beatty
Storyline: Nightwing again set out to find Batman. From a group of crime bosses, Batman learned of Zucco's book - a ledger he'd kept about every crime and every criminal for the past 30 years. Alfred told Dick Zucco was getting out. He went to the release and found Batman watching. They witnessed as he was gunned down while leaving the prison.


Issue #439

Cover Date: undated
Subtitle: Resolutions - Year 3 part 4
Writer(s): Marv Woflman
Artists(s): Pat Broderick, John Beatty
Storyline: Back in the cave, Batman refused to let Nightwing help him and vowed never to have a partner again. All the crime families began to aggressively search out Zucco's book. Batman threatened them to leave it alone. The parole board member who'd voted Zucco out also searched for it. Nightwing went to the orphanage where he and Zucco had both spent time and found the ledger. He was attacked by Taft, the parole board member. The book was lost in their struggle. Dick visited his parents' gravesite.


notes

  • Of note, this has never been issued as TPB. Several items are in direct conflict with Dark Victory (including the timing of Dick becoming Robin and the specifics of Zucco's capture / death).
  • Zucco had been in prison for 12 years: "We're not questioning Anthony Zucco's guilt - he's already served twelve years." (parole hearing member, Batman 436)
  • Dick had been living away from Wayne Manor for two years: "Has it really only been two years since I left?" (Dick about Wayne Manor, Batman 436)
  • "It was almost ten years ago when Richard Grayson became a victim." (Alfred to parole board, Batman 436)
  • Alfred showed the parole board the last picture taken of the Grayson family: a young boy named Tim posed with them.
  • Dick was in an orphanage for two months before being taken in by Bruce: "Alfred said your parents were killed. Just like mine. I mean, it's only been two months for me, but I keep thinking about them so much..." (Dick to Bruce, Batman 437)
  • Batman had been on the scene for two years: "Two years ago I began to answer violence with violence." (Bruce to Dick, Batman 437)
  • "Eleven years ago he took as his ward a young boy - Richard Grayson." (Alfred to Zucco, Batman 438)
  • Strangely, this has never received a collected edition.