TITLE: Batman and Nightwing (Batman and Robin) Issue #23
YEAR: October 2013
COMPANY: DC Comics
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Penciller: Patrick Gleason
Inkers: Mick Gray and Mark Irwin
Colorist: John Kalisz
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover: Gleason, Gray, Kalisz
Assistant Editor: Darren Shan
Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Group Editor: Mike Marts
BATMAN is created by BOB KANE with BILL FINGER
With the death of Damian Wayne (Robin), Bruce Wayne has been tearing himself apart, trying to use a virtual reality machine over and over to see if he could have saved his son.
Needless to say, Alfred is worried about Bruce that he calls in Robin (Dick Grayson) to get him to stop torturing himself because there is no way Bruce can go back to the past. He has to accept his son is dead and Damian is not coming back.
But instead of trying to dissuade Bruce, Dick decides to join in and help Bruce in the virtual machine to see if he could have helped save Damian. But Dick tries to use that as a way to help Bruce. As if anyone can understand Bruce Wayne, Dick can.
But for those who remembered what transpired in “Batman Incorporated issue #9”, Batman was livid at Alfred for not keeping him in the Bat Cave and has put part of the blame of Damian’s death towards Alfred.
But while Dick tries to save Bruce, Alfred looks at the virtual machine and decides to put it on and give it a try.
And we learn that Alfred has personally tormented himself (not showing it to Bruce or anyone else) because of Damian’s death. Never forgiving himself for what happened.
What Alfred doesn’t know is that Bruce was watching him and not knowing how deep Alfred has been hurting.
This is one of the few issues where you see Bruce and Alfred emotional as the death of young Damian has been difficult.
And it’s an issue worth reading!