The weight of the world on Batman's shoulders plus the weight of the world on Bruce Wayne's shoulders may be too much for one man to bear, especially one under the effects of the Scarecrow's fear-causing chemicals. Plus, a Batman black-and-white short illustrated by Darwyn Cooke!

Matatoa' part 1! Batman must face a seemingly immortal madman named Matatoa who seeks to take the life of an undefeated warrior—and Batman's the only one Matatoa has heard tales of.

Released after eight years in prison, Batman's old foe The Spook is ready to do whatever it takes to avoid the Dark Knight. But can the Spook keep himself from getting spooked by Gotham's guardians?

A team-up between Barbara Gordon and...Alfred?! When wheelchair-bound Gothamities find themselves the victims of a string of muggings, Oracle makes it her goal to bring the culprit down. Plus, a backup black-and-white story by WATCHMEN artist Dave Gibbons!

Tabula Rasa' finale! Bane has made a startling claim, and this issue we learn the truth about his parentage once and for all. But first, he and Batman must stop Gotham's newest villain, Pix, whose quest for vengeance already has spilled blood.

Retribution' part 1. Bruce Wayne makes a trip to Metropolis for a meeting with the new CEO of LexCorp and has a run-in with Superman. Meanwhile, Dick Grayson and Batman both have to deal with the possibility that all of Grayson's family isn't dead after all, when his grandfather comes to town!

The Key has entered Gotham City, and his goal is to send Batman over the edge by removing the Dark Knight's moral code against taking life. As Batman fights for control of his soul, Batgirl and Azrael struggle to keep the Dark Knight from making the biggest mistake of his life.