Arc 19The Search and the Return

After defeating General Zod, the heroes and their allies searched Belle Reve and beyond for the missing Batman, Superman, and others, while Lex Luthor advanced his plans. The scattered group eventually reunited, though Constantine’s attempt to retrieve the Mother Box unleashed Steppenwolf and brought the First of the Fallen to his door.

  • Miao Mu and Batman helped revive Superman, then the three escaped General Zod’s exploding warship as Lex Luthor and Martian Manhunter survived the blast.
  • Peter Parker began working for Penguin, while Jason, Dick, and Nashton sought help to rescue Barry from Belle Reve and encountered Poison Ivy.
  • Jason and Dick recruited Bane, then broke into Belle Reve, where Barry and Deathstroke escaped their cells and Bane fought Deathstroke through the prison.
  • Spider-Man joined the battle at Belle Reve as Amanda Waller sent Task Force X into the prison, and Ratcatcher Otis’s rat swarm overran the facility.
  • Miao Mu, Batman, and Superman remained trapped on Themyscira by the Mother Box until it vanished, allowing them to leave as Constantine summoned it to his office.
  • Constantine’s spell drew Steppenwolf out of the Mother Box, and the First of the Fallen appeared to claim Constantine’s soul.
  • Clark reunited with Martha and the others, Miao Mu returned to his household and promised Jason a trip to sea, and Bruce Wayne went home with Dick to Alfred’s welcome.
Chapters 451–475 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 451Magic Energy Overcame Gravity

Miao Mu spread magical energy through General Zod’s warship, countering its crushing gravity and freeing Brucie and Batman to act. Brucie went to find the genetic archive while Batman confronted Zod and took his sword.

  • After General Zod increased the warship’s gravity, Miao Mu spread magical energy through the ship to replace the gravity restrictions.
  • Miao Mu freed Brucie and Batman from the crushing gravity, then told them that Superman’s location had been found.
  • Brucie headed for the genetic archive while Batman went to confront General Zod.
  • Miao Mu removed the helmets of the fallen Kryptonian soldiers as Batman attacked Zod.
  • Batman disarmed General Zod, used joint locks to suppress him, and took his sword.

Ch. 452General Zod's Defense Reached Its Limit

Batman fought General Zod while Miao Mu supported him, and Brucie tried to save the unconscious Superman Clark. After Brucie detonated Sun Bombs on Superman, the revived Superman arrived and faced General Zod.

  • Miao Mu used magical energy to keep Batman in the fight as General Zod overwhelmed him with his enhanced strength and speed.
  • Batman noticed General Zod could sustain the sixfold anti-gravity effect only briefly and tried to exploit the opening, but his attacks could not pierce Zod’s armor.
  • Brucie stopped a Kryptonian scientist’s Gene Bank transfer, then found Superman Clark unconscious and connected to medical equipment.
  • Brucie placed three Sun Bombs on Superman, and Miao Mu covered him with magical energy as the bombs detonated.
  • General Zod cornered Batman, but a burst of magical energy knocked him back and the revived Superman arrived.
  • General Zod recognized Superman as Carl, struck him in the chest, and pursued him as he flew backward.

Ch. 453I'll Do It—Move Aside!

Miao Mu, Superman, and Batman struggled to defeat General Zod aboard his warship, even after disabling its gravity system. With their attacks failing to break through his armor, Miao Mu gave Batman a snow globe and proposed destroying the warship with Zod aboard.

  • Miao Mu lifted the gravity effect from Superman, allowing Clark to fight General Zod while Batman searched for an opening.
  • Brucie disabled the Gravity Chamber, but Batman’s strike with Zod’s broken sword and Miao Mu’s attacks still failed to overcome his defenses.
  • Miao Mu and Batman discussed trapping Zod in the Mirror Dimension, then Miao Mu handed Batman a snow globe and told her to find Brucie.
  • Miao Mu transformed to restrain Zod as Superman attacked, while Batman formed a plan to blow up the warship with Zod aboard.

Ch. 454The Explosion Will Consume Everything

Batman, Miao Mu, and Clark destroyed General Zod’s warship and escaped through Brucie’s portal as the invasion fleet was wiped out. Lex Luthor and Martian Manhunter survived and were hailed as heroes, while the Penguin began interviewing Peter Parker at his newly renamed news agency.

  • Batman connected two Arc Reactors in the warship’s energy bay to trigger an explosion while Miao Mu and Clark fought General Zod.
  • Clark drove General Zod toward the energy bay, and Miao Mu struck him into it as Batman pulled Clark clear.
  • Miao Mu used magical tentacles to pull Batman and Clark toward Brucie’s portal, and they escaped as the warship exploded.
  • Lex Luthor and Martian Manhunter fled the blast, then descended to Earth and were photographed as heroes while Earth’s missiles destroyed the remaining alien ships.
  • The Penguin took over the Gotham Entertainment News Agency, renamed it Penguin Entertainment News Agency, and interviewed Peter Parker for a photographer job.

Ch. 455The Exiled Spider-Man

Peter Parker secured a job selling Spider-Man photos to Oswald Cobblepot and began settling into Gotham. Meanwhile, Dick told Jason that Alfred had found the missing Flash.

  • Oswald hired Peter Parker to provide Spider-Man photos and agreed to advance him money for rent.
  • Peter explained that he and Aunt May had been exiled from the Marvel Universe and sent to Gotham.
  • Peter swung across Gotham on webbing and declared that Spider-Man had arrived.
  • Jason wondered why Miao Mu, Batman, Superman, and the Flash had disappeared while he and the others protected Gotham.
  • Dick arrived at Nygma's home and told Jason that Alfred had found the Flash.

Ch. 456Missing People

Alfred showed Jason and Dick evidence that The Flash had been captured and secretly detained at Belle Reve, and they prepared to find help rescuing him and locating Miao Mu and the others. Meanwhile, Captain Boomerang escaped Arkham Asylum but was caught by Spider-Man.

  • Alfred took Jason and Dick into the expanded Batcave and showed them intelligence about The Flash's capture and the surveillance of Iris West.
  • Jason and Dick learned that The Rogues had failed to rescue The Flash because Martian Manhunter guarded Belle Reve Penitentiary.
  • Jason and Dick decided they needed people and equipment, and Alfred offered them gear from the Batcave.
  • Jason chose not to take a suit and planned to seek help while collecting equipment from that person's home safe.
  • Captain Boomerang escaped Arkham Asylum, climbed down the building's exterior pipes, and was caught in Spider-Man's net.

Ch. 457The Second Generation Takes Action

Jason, Dick, and Nashton entered a soon-to-be-demolished Gotham district packed with drug addicts and confronted Alexis. Jason asked Alexis for a favor, and she listened from the rooftop.

  • Nashton, Jason, and Dick ran into the abandoned building district to find Alexis and their missing biology teacher.
  • Jason broke an attacker’s wrist and knocked him unconscious, while Dick fought off another drug addict.
  • Jason and Dick realized that hundreds or thousands of addicts had surrounded them, and Nashton called out to Alexis.
  • Alexis appeared on a rooftop and mocked the three friends before asking why they had come.
  • Jason stepped forward and asked Alexis for a favor, and she told him to explain.

Ch. 458Plant Goddess and Bugs

Jason, Nashton, and Dick searched for help rescuing Jason’s father, but their confrontation with Alexis and the addicts was interrupted by Spider-Man and a furious Poison Ivy. The chapter ended with Jason recognizing his missing biology teacher, Pamela Lillian Isley, as Poison Ivy.

  • Jason asked Alexis to help find someone who could pick locks so he could rescue his father, but she ordered the addicts to attack them.
  • Dick fought off the addicts while Jason and Alexis clashed, and vines seized Jason, Nashton, and Dick.
  • The addicts worshipped a man-eating plant, which nearly swallowed Dick before Spider-Man arrived and made it collapse.
  • Jason apologized to Alexis and tried to explain his behavior, while she suspected he had a hidden weapon around his neck.
  • Pamela Lillian Isley came outside after sensing her plants had been hurt, unleashed vines, and revealed herself as Poison Ivy to Jason and his companions.

Ch. 459Gotham's Friendly Neighborhood Hero

Spider-Man and Jason’s group encountered Poison Ivy and Alexis in the sewers, where Spider-Man fought off Ivy’s plants before Alexis convinced her to let them leave. Peter Parker then escaped Penguin’s demands for autographs and publicity, but spotted Jason and the others near the Gotham Police Department and decided to follow them.

  • Poison Ivy attacked Spider-Man with vines and a man-eating flower, and Spider-Man defended himself while insisting he had not come to fight her.
  • Alexis intervened, asked Poison Ivy to release the group, and told Jason and the others to leave.
  • Nashton led Dick and the others away, while Jason gave Alexis a pendant and told her to make a wish.
  • Penguin demanded that Peter Parker produce two thousand Spider-Man autographs and arrange publicity photos, including one of Spider-Man eating corn.
  • Peter Parker hung up on Penguin, noticed Jason and the others walking away, and decided to follow them after recognizing them from the Gotham Police Department.

Ch. 460The Plane's Long Journey

Alfred and Lucius sent a group of young people from Gotham toward Belle Reve Penitentiary, while Luthor searched for hidden places and planned to give ordinary people superpowers. The young people set out to recruit Bane, and Luthor prepared to pitch his Everyone Project to the president.

  • Alfred told Lucius that the children’s safety was assured and that their mission was necessary to gain support against the threats ahead.
  • Lucius explained that LexCorp was developing a genetic agent that could give people superpowers, while Alfred worried about Batman’s disappearance.
  • Dick, Jason, Nashton, and Peter discussed their plan to break someone out of Belle Reve and travel to recruit Bane, who was pursuing Deathstroke.
  • Luthor ordered his secretary to search explorers’ records for legendary hidden places such as Themyscira.
  • Luthor named his plan to give ordinary people superpowers the Everyone Project and prepared to promote trials to the president.

Ch. 461Bane in the Desert

Jason and Dick arrived in the desert to meet Bane, who had refused Ra's al Ghul's offer to lead the Assassin League. When Jason and Dick attacked Bane, he countered their ambush and seized Jason.

  • Jason and Dick paid a mercenary and rode a Humvee into the desert toward a hidden town.
  • Bane meditated in his palace while using a modified Venom that boosted his strength without harming his intelligence.
  • Ra's al Ghul asked Bane to become the Assassin League's new leader, but Bane refused and said he had no enemies.
  • Ra's al Ghul reflected on Gotham and considered investigating a bald man who had created something interesting.
  • Bane left the town and encountered Jason and Dick, who launched a coordinated attack.
  • Bane stopped Dick with his cloak, shocked Jason through the infusion tubes, and grabbed Jason by the head.

Ch. 462Belle Reve Penitentiary

Barry Allen and Deathstroke remained imprisoned at Belle Reve Penitentiary when Dick, Jason, and Bane launched a violent jailbreak. The prison guards focused on the assault at the entrance as the rescuers infiltrated the walls, leaving the prisoners’ escape unresolved.

  • Barry complained about his restraints while Deathstroke read Grimm's Fairy Tales in the cell across from him.
  • Deathstroke heard gunfire and guessed that people were attempting a jailbreak, while Barry wondered whether Miao Mu and the others had come to rescue him.
  • Dick and Jason climbed over the prison wall and quietly incapacitated a five-man patrol.
  • Bane climbed in elsewhere and brutally attacked a soldier, intending to take out everyone in his way.

Ch. 463Jailbreak Duo

Jason and Dick fought through the prison while Barry and Deathstroke escaped their special cell. After arming themselves, Barry and Deathstroke set out to join the others and make trouble for Amanda.

  • Jason and Dick reached the underground level, stunned the guards, and blacked out the prison lights.
  • Dick distracted the guards while he and Jason knocked them down in the darkness.
  • Deathstroke helped Barry use scraps of a fairy-tale book and the Speed Force to break free from his hydraulic shackle before the anesthetic took effect.
  • Barry freed Deathstroke, who destroyed two hidden cameras and asked where his equipment was.
  • Barry returned with a guard uniform he had decorated with hazard stripes, and Deathstroke changed into it.
  • Deathstroke armed himself with tranquilizer guns and joined Barry in setting out to raise hell.

Ch. 464In the Midst of a Monster Battle

Jason and Dick found Barry in the underground prison and asked him to help locate their missing family and comrades. Barry sped them away, while Deathstroke encountered Bane and the two began tearing apart the prison in a brutal fight.

  • Jason and Dick searched the facility’s special cells, found them empty, and ran into Barry.
  • Barry learned that Batman and Jason’s father were missing, then promised to help find them and carried Jason and Dick away at full speed.
  • Deathstroke arrived too late to catch Barry and the two youngsters, knocked out a guard, and found a Batarang.
  • Bane burst through the ceiling and attacked Deathstroke, whose tranquilizer darts bounced off him.
  • Deathstroke and Bane traded powerful blows, smashing through the underground prison and reducing its structures to rubble.

Ch. 465Bat-Signal Over Gotham City

Commissioner Gordon activated a Bat-signal over Gotham, hoping Batman would return as a symbol of deterrence. Lois and Martha saw it from Metropolis and took it as a sign that Clark might still be found, while Barry arrived at Miao Mu’s home and spotted the signal.

  • Gordon accepted Alfred’s donated searchlight and prepared to project the Batman emblem over Gotham.
  • Gordon activated the searchlight, sending the Bat-symbol across the clouds where it could be seen from Metropolis.
  • Lois and Martha saw the signal and hoped Batman could help them find the missing Clark.
  • Barry brought two young men to Miao Mu’s home, then looked up at the signal and asked, “Batman?”

Ch. 466Batwoman Barbara

Batwoman Barbara investigated the growing unrest around MW Group while a rescue mission at Belle Reve Penitentiary descended into chaos. As Peter Parker joined Bane and Deathstroke’s deadly fight, Ratcatcher Otis was still trying to bring Jason back.

  • Barbara sent Huntress to help a struggling child’s family and planned to investigate a stalking report while probing the Arkham Gang’s unusual activity.
  • Barbara learned that Nygma had seized control of MW Group operations and sent Ratcatcher Otis toward Belle Reve to retrieve Jason.
  • At Belle Reve, Peter Parker restrained guards while Nashton redirected reinforcements, but Amanda arrived and ordered Killer Frost to deal with Spider-Man.
  • Peter entered the prison’s underground level and found Bane and Deathstroke fighting amid the wreckage and dead guards.
  • Peter joined the battle, but Bane broke his webbing, knocked Deathstroke aside, and was stabbed through the palm with an explosive-laden steel bar.

Ch. 467Suicide Squad

Spider-Man and Deathstroke struggled to contain Bane in the underground prison while Amanda Waller assembled Task Force X members to join the fight. The new recruits were lowered into the battle as Killer Frost stalled for time and Double Down was killed for refusing the mission.

  • Spider-Man and Deathstroke fought Bane, whose Venom enhancement drove him into a rampage, while Spider-Man searched for Jason and the others.
  • Spider-Man saved Deathstroke from Bane’s swinging boulder and joined him in attacking Bane with webbing and rubble.
  • Killer Frost told Amanda Waller she needed help to complete the mission, prompting Amanda to release more Task Force X members with freedom as their reward.
  • Amanda listed Polka-Dot Man, The Thinker, Blackguard, Mongal, Javelin, Slipknot, Arm-Fall-Off-Boy, and Weasel among the recruits, while Killer Frost said Double Down refused to join.
  • Amanda detonated Double Down’s head bomb and ordered the remaining recruits lowered into the prison to fight for their freedom.

Ch. 468Suicide Squad in Action

Task Force X descended into Belle Reve Penitentiary to help Jason, while Deadshot eliminated the rooftop snipers and watched Amanda from above. Below, the team mistook the web-filled prison for a giant spider’s lair, then encountered Deathstroke, Spider-Man, and Bane; the chapter ended with Deathstroke attacking the arriving squad.

  • Deadshot parachuted toward Belle Reve, killed the rooftop sniper team, and kept Amanda in his sights without firing.
  • The Task Force X members entered the underground prison, where The Thinker examined the webs and Killer Frost froze his hand free.
  • Javelin, Blackguard, Polka-Dot Man, Arm-Fall-Off-Boy, and the others split off to search, while The Thinker and Killer Frost stayed behind to provide support.
  • Deathstroke and Spider-Man struggled to restrain Bane with rebar and webs as Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense warned him of Javelin’s thrown spear.
  • Deathstroke struck Javelin in the forehead with a hurled stone, and Bane smashed Blackguard against a wall.
  • Deathstroke threw Javelin’s spear at the arriving group, striking Weasel.

Ch. 469The Surging Rat Tide

A swarm of red-eyed rats overwhelmed Belle Reve Penitentiary as Bane and Deathstroke slaughtered prisoners and Spider-Man tried to warn them. Otis unleashed the rat tide across the prison, leaving Amanda wounded and trapped as Barry arrived to face the catastrophe.

  • Polka-Dot Man attacked in panic while Bane and Deathstroke killed Arm-Fall-Off-Boy and Mongal, and Spider-Man tried to pull them to safety.
  • Spider-Man sensed danger and warned Deathstroke as red-eyed rats poured into the underground prison and devoured the Thinker.
  • Killer Frost attacked the rats with freezing blasts, but the swarm kept advancing unaffected.
  • Ratcatcher Otis unleashed rats from across the region, spreading the hunger pheromone and directing the swarm through Belle Reve.
  • Amanda ran toward the vehicles with special forces soldiers, but the rats injured her and the vehicles had been destroyed.
  • Barry arrived at the prison and stared in shock at the rat-infested scene.

Ch. 470Themyscira, Land of Women

Miao Mu, Batman, and Clark remained trapped in Themyscira’s sealing tower because the Mother Box opened a Boom Tube whenever they tried to leave, drawing Steppenwolf’s attention. They waited for Brucie or another source of help while Steppenwolf raged on Apokolips.

  • Miao Mu complained about being confined with Batman and Clark for nearly two months as the Mother Box kept them inside the tower.
  • Miao Mu recalled how the group had arrived on Themyscira, encountered the Mother Box, and fought Steppenwolf when it opened a Boom Tube.
  • The Mother Box repeatedly opened a Boom Tube whenever the men tried to leave, forcing them to retreat and trapping them in the tower.
  • Queen Hippolyta considered sealing the men inside, but Miao Mu cited embarrassing incidents from Themyscira’s history and persuaded her not to punish them.
  • Batman asked them to endure the confinement, while Clark tried to call for help using brainwave transmissions and Miao Mu glared at the Mother Box.
  • On Apokolips, Steppenwolf rampaged on a drill field as he waited for the Boom Tube to reopen.

Ch. 471Lex Luthor's Office

Lex Luthor investigated the missing technology, the Belle Reve breakout, and the search for Miao Mu and other missing heroes, while preparing to identify Wonder Woman. In Boston, Diana Prince saw a video of Cyborg flying toward an unknown destination.

  • Lex Luthor reviewed the theft-like disappearance of devices from Red House and planned ways to restrain The Flash and Deathstroke, considering The Turtle’s slowing-field research and Deathstroke’s son Joseph William Wilson.
  • Lex Luthor assessed MW Group and Miao Mu as threats, concluded that Miao Mu, Batman, and Superman were likely still alive, and used Moxie to search for metahumans.
  • Moxie narrowed Lex Luthor’s search to historical records of Wonder Woman, and Lex began comparing the evidence to identify her.
  • Diana Prince finished her research work and found a fan-site video showing Cyborg flying with high-speed thrusters, apparently rushing somewhere.

Ch. 472Constantine, Destitute and Desperate

With Superman and the others missing behind a magical barrier, Barry sought help from the broke exorcist Constantine in Los Angeles. Constantine agreed to help find them after Barry paid him, while Deathstroke’s magic-suppressing sword made him reconsider his fee.

  • Nygma said divination confirmed that the missing people were alive but hidden somewhere ordinary people could not find.
  • Barry decided to seek out Constantine, a magician and exorcist who had previously collected a debt from him.
  • Constantine worried about his empty work schedule and dwindling friends as he returned to his Los Angeles home with hard bread and no jam.
  • Barry and Deathstroke broke into Constantine’s dark home, and Deathstroke spotted the invisible exorcist by sensing him.
  • Barry offered Constantine emergency cash, and Constantine agreed to find the missing people before noticing Deathstroke’s magic-suppressing sword.

Ch. 473Who Called Cyborg?

The Mother Box vanished from the Seal Tower, allowing Miao Mu, Superman, and Batman to escape Themyscira. In Los Angeles, Constantine’s summoning brought him the Mother Box instead of Miao Mu, while The Flash attacked the newly transformed Cyborg, Victor Stone.

  • The Mother Box disappeared through a magic circle, and Miao Mu, Superman, and Batman fled Themyscira as the Amazons called for Queen Hippolyta.
  • Constantine summoned the Mother Box to his office instead of Miao Mu and heard movement inside it while The Flash and Deathstroke watched.
  • Deathstroke spotted an incoming figure, and The Flash raced out to intercept him while Deathstroke paid Constantine to continue his work.
  • Victor Stone recalled how the Mother Box had transformed him into Cyborg, then flew toward its resonance.
  • The Flash struck Victor out of the sky, and Victor got up and charged at him.

Ch. 474Constantine Pays His Debts!

Victor attacked Barry with his metal thrusters, but Barry easily dodged and drove him into the road. Meanwhile, Constantine’s spell pulled Steppenwolf out of the Mother Box, and the First of the Fallen appeared, convinced Constantine had died and was finally his to torment.

  • Victor transformed his metal plating into thrusters and charged Barry, who dodged and shoved Victor headfirst into the road.
  • Constantine used his theft spell on the Mother Box and, with Deathstroke’s help, began pulling Steppenwolf out of it.
  • Steppenwolf emerged and blasted Deathstroke through walls and buildings with an energy attack.
  • The First of the Fallen appeared in a puddle of black liquid and believed Constantine’s death meant he could claim his soul.
  • Constantine reminded the First of the Fallen that their contract prevented him from enjoying the soul alone, but the First mocked him and demanded that he pay his debts.

Ch. 475The Ones Who Came Home

Miao Mu returned home to Gotham and reunited with Jason and his household, while Batman returned to Wayne Estate with Dick. The chapter left both men safely home with their families after the crisis.

  • Clark reunited with Martha Kent and the others, while Batman left to return to Gotham and Miao Mu went inside to greet his household.
  • Miao Mu thanked his friends for caring for Jason, and Nygma, Otis, and Deadshot departed after welcoming him home.
  • Miao Mu told Jason to come downstairs and promised to take him out to sea the next day to look for Brucie.
  • Batman picked up Dick on the Batcycle, and Dick said he had no more questions for Batman.
  • Bruce Wayne removed his cowl at Wayne Estate, where Alfred welcomed him and Dick home with a turkey feast.
Arc 19 of 20