Bruce Wayne‘s decision to reveal his secret identity in one alternate timeline makes so much sense, DC should do the same thing in the main Batman title. Traditionally, a superhero revealing who they are is a rare thing and usually an act of desperation. However, the circumstances in Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia mirror the status quo of the Dark Knight’s solo comic. And the Bruce Wayne of the main timeline might be better off without having to hide himself anymore.
Presented by DC Black Label, “Arcadia” was released as a tribute to the 1980s comics of Dennis “Denny” O’Neil. The legendary creator set a new standard for comics aimed at adults based on real world issues. The new series by writer/artist Gabriel Hardman spins a tale where The Question, Batman, and Green Arrow began investigating the same shady project from three different angles.
Arcadia’s stated goal is to develop artificial islands for displaced populations. However, the true goal seems to be allowing billionaire Emil Rotha to create his own country. Batman gets involved after Bruce Wayne is invited to invest in the project. Similarly, former billionaire Oliver Queen begins investigating after learning his family’s company is involved. And reporter Vic Sage takes a hand after uncovering a human trafficking ring delivering the slave labor to build Rotha’s paradise.
Unsurprisingly, the three heroes butt heads due to their drastically different tactics and ethics. Chief among their grievances are Batman using a signal blocker to scramble every electronic communication device in Rotha’s base. He claims to be doing this to confound Rotha’s guards, but he has a secondary motivation. Namely, that Rotha figured out he was really Bruce Wayne. Moreover, Rotha hoped to use that information to keep Batman from interfering in his operations.
Why Batman reveals his secret identity in “Arcadia”
In the end, Bruce decides to reveal himself to the world. Partly because there’s little he can do to stop Rotha from exposing him. Partly because so many of the rescued workers saw his face during their escape. Mostly, however, Bruce does it to prove that he is different than Rotha, who expects him to show solidarity as a fellow billionaire. Particularly as he, like Bruce, hides himself from the world to use his company’s resources to pursue his own private agenda.
It could be argued that there is some difference between waging a war on crime and financing private islands. However, Bruce sees the hypocrisy in justifying the ends with questionable means in the same manner as Rotha. To that end, he takes away the thunder of Rotha’s threats by refusing to hide himself on the battlefield. The comic ends with Batman further unmasking himself at a press conference, with the question of what happens next left open.
Why Batman revealing his secret identity is the right future for Bruce Wayne
While “Arcadia” is not set in the main DC Universe, the circumstances mirror those of the current Batman monthly comic series. There, the villain Vandal Savage has taken over Gotham City’s police department and turned it into his own army as Commissioner. He made it clear that he knew Bruce Wayne’s secret identity and set about trying to turn the public against the city’s superheroes, even as he suspends civil rights in the name of increased security.
Given he and his allies are already outlaws, Batman has little to lose by revealing himself in the main universe. Indeed, the revelation that Bruce Wayne has been fighting to protect his city despite the insanity of the past few years could only serve to win the hearts and minds of Gothamites. Particularly as there’s no guarantee Savage won’t out him anyway.
Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia #4 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
