Three Batmen

Soon, news spread that Gotham City's richest man, Bruce Wayne, had died in Arkham Asylum. His cause of death was announced: overwhelmed by grief after a friend's death, he had taken his own life.

Since he had spent a long time in China, his will requested that his body be transported to Tibet for a sky burial—in other words, to be fed to the birds.

Oswald Cobblepot said there was no need to go to all that trouble. He kept plenty of tame vultures, and even if Bruce had not started rotting yet, those birds would gladly pick him clean.

Alfred declined his offer, saying they should respect the deceased's last wishes, and flew Bruce's body away.

Back in Gotham City, however, a funeral still had to be held, even without a body.

The service was conducted by a priest from Roland Cathedral who shared the deceased's name: Bruce.

At the funeral, an old man became quite emotional and recited Bruce's favorite poem on the spot.

"O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done,"

"The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,"

"The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,"

"While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;"

"But O heart! Heart! Heart! O the bleeding drops of red,"

"Where on the deck my Captain lies,"

"Fallen cold and dead."

"Rest in peace, Bruce."

The old man recited the poem with tears streaming down his face, as though the deceased had been his illegitimate son.

"Who's that?" Roland whispered to Dick, who had come to attend the funeral.

"No idea." Dick shook his head. "I've never seen him before."

At the funeral, Jason patted Dick on the shoulder with a mature expression. "Sorry for your loss."

"Uh—thanks." Dick