WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Batman: The Imposter #1, on sale now from DC Comics.
Most iterations of the Dark Knight are defined by his mission to improve Gotham City and fight crime in all its forms. Batman: The Imposter is the latest take on the character, but one small moment from the first issue of the DC Black Label series confirms how much this sentiment means to this version of the Caped Crusader.
Batman: The Imposter #1 (by Mattson Tomlin, Andrea Sorrentino, and Jordie Bellaire) reveals the sight that can bring the grim Dark Knight Detective to tears -- and it's a perfect idea for almost any variation of the character across the DC Multiverse.
Batman: The Imposter takes place in a reality where Bruce Wayne has only been the Dark Knight for a little over a year. In that time, he's established himself as the bane of criminals everywhere, risking his life to bring justice to the city of Gotham. In the process, however, he's pushed himself to not just the brink of death, but of insanity as well. When he's seriously injured during a patrol, Bruce visits the Leslie Thompkins of this reality. After having spent years as his therapist in his younger days, Leslie is shaken by the revelation of Bruce's new role. She demands that he explain his actions, at the threat of calling the police and revealing his secret to the world. Bruce explains to Leslie that after the death of his parents, he wanted to learn to control the rage and fear inside of him.
When she demands to know why he'd make such a choice, he explains it's because he genuinely believes he's helping Gotham become a better place. Batman reveals to her that the previous week, Gotham City experienced its first night with no violent crimes in fifty-four years. Looking out at the city, Batman could only shed a single tear at the sight of a peaceful Gotham. He did this, and that justifies the risk and pain it puts him through. It's a powerful moment and a hint at the kind of thing that could drive any version of Batman, and it proves to be a good enough answer for Leslie, who relents on informing the police about him, but insists on him seeking therapy.
Although the incarnation who appears in Batman: The Imposter is a unique variation of the character with his own special connections across the city, his explanation to Leslie for why he throws himself into harm's way night after night rings true for every version of the character. It's also a powerful reminder that for all his impressive gadgets, colorful villains, and exciting missions, the true core of the character has always been dedicated to helping Gotham City become the kind of place where no one else has to suffer the kind of pain he did. The fact that he could do it at all, even just for a night in a city like Gotham, speaks to the kind of power the idea of Batman really can have.
It's also a quietly powerful sight, seeing the typically stoic and emotionless Batman shed a tear at the weight of his accomplishment, even if no one else can really perceive why it means so much to him. The Batman of this story has many threats to contend with if he wants to continue having this effect on the world, including the rich and powerful members of Gotham's elite. But with the sight of a peaceful Gotham in his mind, it's easy to see why even an inexperienced Batman will continue fighting until his last breath.
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