Batman: Second Chances (Batman (1940-2011))

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The real Batman responds to the Bat-Signal and swings over to GCPD Headquarters. Deputy Commissioner Barnes is waiting to arrest him for the murders, and the GCPD shoot at him as he escapes. Batman goes to visit the home of Jim Gordon, who explains that Barnes is trying to take over the department. A news report reveals that the two muggers killed were both murderers, previously released on a technicality. Batman tells Gordon to pretend to help with the manhunt so he can keep an eye on Barnes.

This is the second episode depicting a failed attempt to reform one of Batman's enemies. The first is " Birds of a Feather" and is then followed by " Harley's Holiday". But of course, the one and only Dark Knight easily defeated the delusional man before stating he’ll get Carma some help. Finally, Nightwing's return. Him and Robin interacting will always be sweet. His confrontation of Bruce was interesting, but not strong enough or expected enough to actually have an impact. He gets batman to say that he misses him, then he walks away. And once again we have the figure of Batman overlooking them at the end of this issue. I guess in a way this is the first itteration of Nightwing: Year One, and it's a solid base for what it is. I'm glad it got to be expanded later on, if anything.

While not only about Jason Todd and his becoming the second Robin, this was a collection full of second chances.

The new origin of Todd that comes with the New Adventures is great. It's nice having the possibility of a new Robin who's more angry and less noble than Grayson, even if this fact is used somewhat erratically in this particular volume. I don't really understand why the readers of the time didn't appreciate it. The next two chapters, "The Sound of Silence" and "The Ghost of Masahiko Tahara" are amusing-enough standalones that don't add much to the emotional through-line of the new Dynamic Duo, other than dramatizing their nascent partnership as an increasingly effective association. Batman goes to see Penguin at Stonegate Penitentiary. Penguin explains that while Harvey had stolen a jewel-encrusted statue of a two-headed roc from him, he isn't behind the kidnapping and would rather take on Two-Face directly. He then sets his birds on Batman and shoves him off the prison wall. Batman manages to escape but he too is unable to tell who kidnapped Harvey.Second Chance is an episode of the second season of Batman: The Animated Series. It features Two-Face as the main villain and is also his last appearance on the series.