(Photo Credit: Warner Bros.)
It is often a challenge for the writers of Batman to spin stories set in the Dark Knight’s past. After nearly nine decades of continuous publication, there are many stories recording the most minute details of Bruce Wayne‘s life. However, a new arc in Detective Comics sets up a mystery tied to the early days of the Justice League and a hero forgotten by time. Coincidentally, this comes as one of the Bat’s JLU allies who also knew the mystery hero is relocating to Gotham City.
Written by Tom Taylor, with art by Pete Woods, Detective Comics #1107 opens on a turf war. However, the conflict is not between Gotham’s many criminal gangs. It lies between Batman and Green Arrow, who just moved in with Black Canary and is actively working as a vigilante in his city.
With Poison Ivy now Mayor and Vandal Savage running the GCPD, Gotham is in need of heroes. However, Batman is as territorial as ever and reluctant to seek out help, particularly the rather flashy help offered by Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance.
(Image Source: DC / Pete Woods)
The Emerald Archer’s relocation happens to coincide with an important anniversary. Despite their differences, the three heroes meet in a cemetery at a certain grave. The grave is dedicated to an unknown fallen hero, whom apparently partnered with Batman, Green Arrow, and Black Canary early in their careers. He was a hero they knew only as Prion.
What do we know about Batman’s ally Prion?
The three heroes briefly reminisce regarding Prion. He was part of a team with the other heroes, which Oliver calls “Flight Squadron Delta.” Prion apparently died accidentally in an incident Batman says could have happened to any of them. Black Canary feels responsible for the accident, and it is implied she and Prion were romantically involved before his death. At the very least he loved her, and Dinah’s voice trails off before she confirms she loved him too.
(Image Source: DC / Pete Woods)
Their vigil is interrupted by the arrival of a tween girl, at which point Batman disappears. She claims to have known Prion, but doesn’t know if he smiled often. Before they could ask who she was, the girl was picked-up by a woman claiming to be her grandmother. The grandmother recognized Oliver Queen and said she hoped Ollie enjoyed his time in Gotham City. She also seemed to look on the grave of Prion with disapproval.
(Image Source: DC / Pete Woods)
There are several interesting unstated facts revealed by this scene. First, despite all his skill as a detective, Batman has not been able to identify who Prion is. The Dark Knight also didn’t recognize the grandmother, suggesting she is not a Gotham City native. Given she was clearly a woman of means, Bruce Wayne logically should have known who she was if she were a local. All of this adds up to a major mystery for the trio of superheroes to explore in future issues.
Detective Comics #1107 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
