Chapter Summaries

Ba Di planned his escape from the Underground Research Institute and destroyed the military base above while preparing to strike a distant airfield. After retrieving the Gene Serum and setting the final missiles, he prepared to leave the Institute.

• Ba Di ordered Hera to bombard the military base above and launch two cruise missiles at fighter jets stationed five hundred kilometers away.
• Ba Di returned to the White Room and recalled how he had killed the researchers who had experimented on him, while sparing Jenny.
• Ba Di found a tumor-covered white mouse in Jenny's laboratory and concluded that the Gene Serum had failed.
• Ba Di recovered the Gene Serum from a discarded trash bin in the testing room.
• After the three-hundred-ton missile exploded, Ba Di returned to the Evolution Room, confirmed the remaining missiles were set, and prepared to leave the Underground Research Institute.

Ba Di emerged from the Underground Research Institute into the sunlight and walked through the ruined military base, ignoring the wounded soldiers. He reached a choice between the helipad and the Medical Building.

• Ba Di broke through the rubble blocking the institute’s exit and absorbed sunlight, sensing his Kryptonian powers growing stronger.
• Ba Di ignored the cries of injured soldiers and continued toward the helipad.
• Brigadier General Kagel, trapped beneath an overturned vehicle, recognized Ba Di and accused him of destroying the base.
• Ba Di kicked Kagel’s hand aside without recognizing him, and Kagel died watching Ba Di walk away.
• Ba Di stopped where the path split between the helipad and the Medical Building.

Ba Di left the ruined military base in an Apache helicopter, carrying Jenny's Gene Serum and reflecting on the Medical Building. As he flew south toward the Nevada-Utah-Idaho border, an F-15 caught up behind him, and he concluded that leaving her behind had been the right choice.

• Ba Di remembered that Jenny had made the Gene Serum to restore his ability to move and looked toward the Medical Building.
• Two cruise missiles exploded high above the base after a distant military base intercepted them, while the blast waves and debris killed wounded soldiers.
• Ba Di walked through the sand to the helipad and boarded the remaining Apache helicopter, preparing an escape route toward the Snake River if needed.
• Ba Di took off and flew south, casting a tender glance toward the Medical Building before accelerating away from the ruined base.
• Twenty-seven minutes later, an F-15 Eagle Fighter approached from behind, and Ba Di said that not bringing her with him had been the right choice.

Ba Di evaded the F-15 Eagle Fighter’s attacks in an AH-63 Apache Attack Helicopter and used its Chain Gun to destroy two incoming missiles. The fighter pilot was left stunned when a tall figure suddenly landed on the jet’s nose.

• Ba Di ignored the demand to land for inspection and continued flying toward the Snake River as the F-15 Eagle Fighter closed in.
• Ba Di fired the Apache’s Chain Gun, but the Eagle pilot avoided the barrage and strafed the forest, grazing the helicopter.
• Ba Di evaded repeated cannon attacks, then climbed as the Eagle pilot launched two missiles at him.
• Ba Di shot down the incoming missiles with the Chain Gun and launched two missiles of his own to force the Eagle lower.
• A black shadow landed on the Eagle Fighter’s nose, and its pilot saw a tall figure standing before his cockpit.

Ba Di seized control of an Eagle Fighter Jet in midair, enduring its violent maneuvers and tearing the pilot from the cockpit. Standing free atop the aircraft, he cast off his uniform and roared into the sky, leaving his past behind as he embraced his power.

• Ba Di jumped from a helicopter onto the Eagle Fighter Jet and punched through its cockpit canopy.
• The pilot climbed and then maneuvered the jet to try to shake Ba Di off, but Ba Di held on and tore away the canopy glass.
• Ba Di climbed onto the jet's nose, ripped away the remaining glass, and pulled the pilot from the cockpit.
• Ba Di released the pilot, stood atop the speeding jet, and reflected on his past.
• Ba Di tore apart his military uniform and roared at the sky as a tear flew from his eye.

General Vick dealt with the devastation at the military base while searching for Ba Di and trying to protect his career. He manipulated Jenny’s grief over Ba Di into helping the military pursue him, and Jenny followed Vick despite her anger.

• General Vick learned that Ba Di had fought an Eagle Fighter Jet near the Snake River, and he ordered the search to continue with all strength.
• General Vick decided to conceal Ba Di’s alien identity and blame the disaster on failed human-soldier research to preserve his position.
• General Vick found Jenny clutching the unopened red box and restrained himself from killing her because he valued her research.
• General Vick told Jenny that Ba Di had used her love to escape and urged her to help capture him.
• Jenny wounded herself and followed General Vick out of the room after telling him to shut up.

Jenny followed General Vick through the devastated research facility, insisting Ba Di mattered more than the wounded and offering to turn Slade into a Human Weapon. After discovering Ba Di had erased his research and blood samples, she explained the Gene Serum’s true purpose and left to create the strongest Human Weapon.

• General Vick ordered Jenny to gather her research materials and evacuate the exposed Underground Research Institute.
• Jenny stopped soldiers carrying Slade’s body and said she could transform him into a Human Weapon, but she refused to delay the search for materials to save him.
• Jenny found that Ba Di had erased the genetic research and destroyed the blood samples, leaving the knowledge only in her head.
• Jenny explained that the Gene Serum was designed to stimulate Ba Di’s nerves and store thermal energy, while the tumor-covered mouse had only suffered a fatal reaction.
• Jenny dissected and discarded the mouse, then left to transform the strongest Human Weapon.

Ba Di arrived in Gotham City by swimming across Delaware Bay after leaving Smallville, where he had found no sign of Superman. He emerged at Gotham Harbor during a drug deal involving Mario Falcone and Hank.

• Hank mocked seventeen-year-old Mario Falcone and his men as the two groups met at Gotham Harbor.
• Mario and Hank exchanged briefcases and inspected the money and drugs.
• Ba Di emerged from the water at the harbor after traveling across much of the United States and swimming from Delaware Bay.

Ba Di reached Gotham and interrupted a deal between Hank and Mario Falcone’s group. After Hank shot at him, Ba Di deflected the bullet with his fingernail, leaving everyone stunned.

• Ba Di came ashore naked and spotted a case containing one million dollars during Hank and Mario Falcone’s completed transaction.
• Hank aimed his revolver at Ba Di, while both groups drew their weapons.
• The butler urged Mario to leave, but Hank announced that they could witness him kill Ba Di.
• Hank fired at Ba Di’s heart, and Ba Di deflected the bullet with his middle fingernail.
• Hank, Mario, the butler, and their men stared in shock as Hank asked what Ba Di was.

Ba Di demonstrated that he could deflect bullets with his fingernails, then endured a gang’s barrage while protecting the test tube. After proving his strength, he demanded that a few people serve him.

• Hank fired at Ba Di, who used a bullet to file one fingernail into a point.
• Hank ordered his men to open fire, and Ba Di trimmed the nails on both hands by deflecting their bullets.
• Ba Di caught more than a dozen bullets in one hand and survived a barrage of nearly two hundred shots without moving.
• Ba Di flicked a bullet into an oil drum, then used another to shoot a suitcase shut before demanding a few dogs to do his bidding.

Ba Di threatened Mike and his mercenaries into becoming his subordinates. Mike theatrically resisted before kneeling at the last moment, and Ba Di accepted him and his men as he led them into Gotham.

• Ba Di offered Mike the chance to serve him, and Mike considered negotiating for better treatment rather than risking his life.
• Mike’s subordinates knelt and surrendered their guns, leaving Mike furious that they had submitted before he could speak.
• Mike declared that he would not become Ba Di’s dog, then abruptly knelt and said he would serve him.
• Ba Di accepted Mike and his subordinates, scattering the bullets he had caught barehanded onto the ground.
• Ba Di told the men to take his money and follow him into Gotham.

At the Carmine Grand Hotel, Ba Di met Pamela Isley, a college student who loved plants, and recognized her as the future Poison Ivy. He considered recruiting her, but Pamela was left startled by his request to serve him.

• Pamela Isley arrived for work at the Carmine Grand Hotel, where Annie told her about the handsome guest who had checked in with eight burly men.
• Pamela delivered breakfast and a custom all-white outfit to Ba Di in VIP Room Seven and was struck by his appearance in the sunlight.
• Ba Di noticed Pamela Isley's name tag and recalled Poison Ivy's plant-controlling abilities.
• Ba Di questioned Pamela about her age, love of plants, and botanical research, learning that she had not yet become Poison Ivy.
• Ba Di considered recruiting Pamela and told her to serve him, leaving her confused.

Ba Di toured Gotham with Pamela Isley, visiting the police department, Wayne Tower, Gotham University, and a swamp while searching for something he could not find. At the Carmine Hotel, Mike stayed loyal to Ba Di, but the other seven men took their money and fled Gotham, and Mike believed they were doomed to die.

• Ba Di took Pamela Isley shopping and toured Gotham with her, visiting Gordon at the police department and looking for Edward Nygma.
• Ba Di and Pamela rode the Ferris wheel, passed the Iceberg Lounge and circus, and visited Wayne Tower, where Ba Di learned Bruce's parents were still alive.
• Pamela led Ba Di to Gotham University, where he met Jonathan Crane and Jason Wood, then Ba Di searched the surrounding swampland for something he could not find.
• At the Carmine Hotel, Mike told seven men that he wanted Ba Di's power and planned to remain loyal to him.
• The seven men retrieved their shares of the money and left to escape Gotham, while Mike stayed behind and believed they were walking to their deaths.

Ba Di sent Pamela Isley back to her studies, promising to support her until she became Poison Ivy and joined him in Metropolis. He then crossed Gotham in a series of powerful leaps, becoming a rumored white ghost, and arrived at a warehouse in a rundown industrial district.

• Pamela Isley asked Ba Di to stay with her longer, but he told her to focus on her plant research because he wanted her future.
• Ba Di offered to pay Pamela Isley's tuition and living expenses, and she promised to join him in Metropolis after graduation.
• Ba Di left Gotham University and leaped across rooftops, crushing their corners as he traveled through the night.
• People at a party saw Ba Di soaring through the sky and spread stories about a white ghost across Gotham.
• Ba Di landed outside a warehouse in a rundown industrial district and looked toward its closed doors.

Ba Di rejected Carmine Falcone’s attempt to win him over and killed the seven captured mercenaries, deepening Carmine’s unease. As Ba Di planned his move to Metropolis, he entered an alley behind a family leaving a screening of "Zorro."

• Carmine Falcone learned from his butler that Ba Di had displayed superhuman strength and worried that Ba Di might challenge his control of Gotham.
• At a warehouse, An Dong told Ba Di that the Falcone family had kept seven captured men for his guest to deal with.
• Ba Di asked An Dong for seven bullets and killed the seven tied-up men by flicking the bullets through their foreheads.
• An Dong called Carmine, while Ba Di left and considered moving his base to Metropolis to address his weaknesses and develop his powers.
• Ba Di walked into an alley after a crowd left a screening of "Zorro," while a family ahead of him discussed the film.

Ba Di witnessed Bruce Wayne’s parents being murdered in Crime Alley and refused to help the grieving child. After discovering a Talon of the Court of Owls nearby, Ba Di killed him with a single punch, leaving Bruce unconscious beside his parents.

• Ba Di watched a vagrant shoot Bruce Wayne’s father and mother, then coldly refused Bruce’s plea for help.
• Ba Di noticed a black-clad assassin hiding in a nearby alley and identified him as a possible Talon of the Court of Owls.
• The Talon recognized that Ba Di knew his identity and prepared to attack him.
• Ba Di charged across the alley and smashed the Talon into a wall with one punch, killing him.
• The blast shook the alley and caused Bruce to pass out beside his parents.

Ba Di punished Mike for losing money and ordered him to bring back three million dollars within three days. He told Carmine that he was going to Metropolis and expected Carmine to watch over Gotham in his absence.

• Ba Di and Carmine shared an extravagant meal at the Carmine Hotel while Carmine assessed Ba Di’s confidence and power.
• Ba Di questioned Mike about letting seven men take the money, then demanded that he bring back ten times the remaining $300,000 within three days.
• Mike dropped his fake tears and left to prepare for a bank robbery after Ba Di exposed his act and ordered him out.
• Ba Di told Carmine he would go to Metropolis soon and expected him to watch over Gotham, leaving Carmine startled by his audacity.

Ba Di and Carmine exchanged confident predictions about who would eventually rule Gotham, while Ba Di gathered information and resources before leaving for Metropolis. The Court of Owls decided to leave him alone for now, and Ba Di departed with Mike and three million dollars from Falcone.

• Carmine dismissed Ba Di’s prediction that he would be driven out of Gotham, and the two agreed that whoever lost control of their city would become the other’s subordinate.
• Ba Di declined to help Carmine unify Gotham, but Carmine insisted that Gotham was already in his pocket.
• The Court of Owls discussed Thomas Wayne’s death and the Talon Ba Di had destroyed, then chose not to target him yet.
• Three days later, Ba Di and Mike left the Carmine Hotel for Metropolis with two suitcases containing three million dollars from Falcone.
• Mike asked what Ba Di had spent three hundred thousand dollars on, and Ba Di said he had kept a woman, prompting Mike to resent the expense.

In an abandoned Colorado laboratory, Jenny injected Slade with her experimental Gene Serum after he confronted her about Ba Di and General Vick. Slade survived and broke free, but Jenny’s serum transformed her into a gigantic monster.

• Jenny visited Slade, who was restrained in the laboratory, and mocked his anger at being used as a test subject.
• Slade told Jenny that Ba Di had saved her and the disabled soldiers, and warned that General Vick was still using her.
• Jenny injected Slade with the Gene Serum, which she said had a fifty percent chance of success, then revealed she had made a second dose for herself with a seventy percent chance.
• Slade endured three days of severe symptoms, recovered, and broke his restraints with his enhanced strength.
• Jenny injected herself, but her body erupted with tumors and abnormal growth until she became a four-meter-tall monster.

Ba Di entered Suicide Slum to study Metropolis's criminal underworld and intervened when Leon and his companions beat a drunkard. He handed Leon a revolver and told him to use it, leaving the drunkard's fate uncertain.

• Ba Di and Mike walked through Suicide Slum as residents and passersby stared at Ba Di's conspicuously clean, expensive clothes.
• Leon and his companions cornered and beat the drunkard Leon, demanding the money he had taken for a promised drug connection.
• The drunkard tried to save himself by claiming he could connect Leon to major gangs, but a companion exposed his history as a disgraced former gang leader.
• Ba Di studied the scene and reflected that he needed to understand Metropolis's criminal world in order to rule it.
• Ba Di ordered Leon's group to stop, then took a Colt Python Revolver from Mike and offered it to Jack, telling him to use the gun for a faster end.