Batman: Digital Justice
Encyclopedia
Batman: Digital Justice is a graphic novel
published by DC Comics
in 1990 in both hardback and paperback forms. It was written and illustrated by Pepe Moreno
entirely using computer hardware, software and techniques. The story takes place outside regular DC continuity, but is not an Elseworlds
title.
"at the end of the next century," (the 21st) dominated by high technology, particularly computer networks and their human controllers, long after the original Batman
has died. The story revolves around James Gordon, Gotham City Police Department
detective and grandson of Commissioner James Gordon, who takes on the identity of the Batman to free the city from a sentient computer virus
crafted by the Joker
, also now long dead, and to avenge the death of his partner Lena Schwartz. He is aided by a self-aware computer called the Batcomp, programmed by the late Bruce Wayne, and a robot called Alfred (after Wayne's also deceased butler Alfred Pennyworth
), both residing in the Batcave
under a now long-abandoned Wayne Manor
. Joining Gordon in his new crusade against crime and the city's corrupt government are a teenage street-punk informant, who becomes the new Robin
; and a female pop music
superstar named Sheila Romero (stage name Gata), who becomes the new Catwoman
and, while being his adversary at first, eventually becomes Gordon's lover and ally.
The later released animated series Batman Beyond
and a straight-to-video movie entitled Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
share similarities with Digital Justice. In each story, the Joker returns in the form of a computer virus that controls people. Melanie Walker is similar to Sheila Romero, while Max Gibson shares similarities with Robin and Alfred.
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
in 1990 in both hardback and paperback forms. It was written and illustrated by Pepe Moreno
Pepe Moreno
Pepe Moreno is a Spanish comic book artist, writer and video game developer who has been drawing professionally in Spain, other countries in Europe and in the US since the 1970s. He is best known in the United States for his 1990 digital graphic novel, Batman: Digital Justice, published by DC Comics...
entirely using computer hardware, software and techniques. The story takes place outside regular DC continuity, but is not an Elseworlds
Elseworlds
Elseworlds is the publication imprint for a group of comic books produced by DC Comics that take place outside the company's canon. According to its tagline: "In Elseworlds, heroes are taken from their usual settings and put into strange times and places — some that have existed, and others...
title.
Plot summary
The book is set in a future Gotham CityGotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
"at the end of the next century," (the 21st) dominated by high technology, particularly computer networks and their human controllers, long after the original Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
has died. The story revolves around James Gordon, Gotham City Police Department
Gotham City Police Department
The Gotham City Police Department is a fictional police department servicing Gotham City, as depicted in comic books published by DC Comics, in particular those tied into the Batman books.-History of GCPD:...
detective and grandson of Commissioner James Gordon, who takes on the identity of the Batman to free the city from a sentient computer virus
Computer virus
A computer virus is a computer program that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, including but not limited to adware and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability...
crafted by the Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
, also now long dead, and to avenge the death of his partner Lena Schwartz. He is aided by a self-aware computer called the Batcomp, programmed by the late Bruce Wayne, and a robot called Alfred (after Wayne's also deceased butler Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth is a fictional character that appears throughout the DC Comics franchise. The character first appears in Batman #16 , and was created by writer Bob Kane and artist Jerry Robinson. Alfred serves as Batman’s tireless butler, assistant, confidant, and surrogate father figure...
), both residing in the Batcave
Batcave
The Batcave is the secret headquarters of fictional DC Comics superhero Batman, the alternate identity of playboy Bruce Wayne, consisting of a series of subterranean caves beneath his residence, Wayne Manor.-Publication history:...
under a now long-abandoned Wayne Manor
Wayne Manor
In DC Comics, Wayne Manor is a fictional setting, the personal residence of Bruce Wayne, who is also Batman. The residence is typically depicted as a huge stately mansion on grounds outside Gotham City, maintained by the Wayne family's servant, Alfred Pennyworth...
. Joining Gordon in his new crusade against crime and the city's corrupt government are a teenage street-punk informant, who becomes the new Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
; and a female pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
superstar named Sheila Romero (stage name Gata), who becomes the new Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
and, while being his adversary at first, eventually becomes Gordon's lover and ally.
The later released animated series Batman Beyond
Batman Beyond
Batman Beyond is an American animated television series created by Warner Bros. Animation in collaboration with DC Comics as a continuation of the Batman legacy...
and a straight-to-video movie entitled Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is a 2000 direct-to-video animated film featuring the comic book superhero Batman and his archenemy, the Joker...
share similarities with Digital Justice. In each story, the Joker returns in the form of a computer virus that controls people. Melanie Walker is similar to Sheila Romero, while Max Gibson shares similarities with Robin and Alfred.
Characters
- James Gordon, aka Batman.
- Lena Schwartz.
- Robert Chang, aka Robin.
- Harold Grover.
- Paul Fahmy, aka Know Man.
- Sheila Romero, aka Gata.
- Maria Romero, aka Madam X.
- Luke Krater, aka Law Man.
- Hiroshi Basho, aka Mob Lord.
- Jackie Becker, aka Media Man.