Warning! Spoilers ahead for Future State: Gotham #14
In the latest issue of DC's Batman War is on the horizon. Although the original Dark Knight has finally returned in this potential future for the DC Universe, a collection of heroes and villains have come forward believing that they should be the next Batman instead. However, the battle lines being drawn aren't ones fans would assume.
Previous issues of Future State: Gotham have kept the primary focus on Jason Todd. Formerly known as the Red Hood, Todd has become Peacekeeper Red, an agent of the fascist regime known as the Magistrate while secretly working as a double agent with Jace Fox's Batman and Nightwing who's leading Gotham's resistance movement. However, Dick Grayson has recently been injecting himself with a version of Bane's Venom compound that affects the mind rather than the body, presumedly giving him nearly clairvoyant insight. As such, Nightwing believes he must become Gotham's sole Batman to save the city. However, this is happening at the same time as Damian Wayne's return from the depths as Batman 666. Unable to find the original Batman in Hell after he believed his father had died, the former Robin has become an extremely Dark Knight in his own right.
Now, Future State: Gotham #14 from Dennis Culver, Giannis Milonogiannis, and Geoffo sees Bruce Wayne returning as the Dark Detective, having faked his death and sinking further into the shadows to take down the Magistrate. However, Nightwing has become unhinged with his new Bat costume and strung-out mental state, fighting Jace's Dark Knight when the two of them should be working together. Furthermore, the villain known as Hush is posing as Batman as well, teaming up with Damian after the foe convinces Batman 666 that he's his true father. While this new issue is clearly setting up a major Batman brawl, it's hard to tell which hero or villain will emerge as Gotham's next Dark Knight (and who's going to fight who).
One would hope that Nightwing and Jace Fox's Batman would face Hush and Damian together in Gotham's future, working as allies just as they have previously. However, it's clear that Grayson has compromised himself, creating a scenario where Bruce will likely be required to unite them both. Furthermore, it only makes sense that the original Dark Knight should return to the role of Batman or at least decide who his ultimate successor should be. At the moment, the best option seems to be Jace. He's certainly the least problematic of all these Dark Knights, having already been the next Batman for quite some time.
At any rate, it remains to be seen what Jason's role will be in this Batman War. While he's been out searching for Damian, perhaps the Red Hood will become the true Batman Gotham ultimately needs? For all of his flaws and darkness, Jason could become the one best suited to wear the cape and cowl in future issues of Future State: Gotham.
