Justice League's First Base Returns to DC Canon - Is the League Moving Back?

Summary Justice League's original headquarters returns in Batman #147, hinting at possible reunion for the team.

Batman visits the Secret Sanctuary, reflecting on better days with the original Justice League members.

Reestablishing the base could be a positive move for the Justice League, potentially leading to a permanent return.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman #147!After years away, the Justice League's first headquarters has finally returned to DC canon. Batman is on the run from his dark counterpart and during his escape, he stops by his team's old stomping grounds. Does a visit to the Justice League's former base hint at what's in store for the future?

In Batman #147 by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jiménez, Batman has just escaped Zur-En-Arrh's prison and is trying to stay one step ahead of his dark counterpart. After stealing a truck, Bruce Wayne drives out to Rhode Island and visits the small town of Happy Harbor, home of the Justice League's very first base.

Batman enters and wanders through the now-empty Secret Sanctuary. He reflects on better days and fondly remembers a conversation with Flash Barry Allen. Unfortunately, Bruce's trip down memory lane can't last too long, so he takes what he needs from the base and leaves.

The Justice League's First Base is Batman's Private Sanctuary

The chaos in Batman's life has practically been nonstop since Bruce's robotic contingency Failsafe was activated. All the stress the Dark Knight faced during the encounter invoked his backup personality, the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. Zur-En-Arrh, believing himself to be the only one capable of eliminating crime, angled to replace Batman for good. Zur-En-Arrh transferred his consciousness to Failsafe's body and imprisoned Bruce in Blackgate Penitentiary. The new Batman made his debut by arresting numerous law-breakers and supervillains in record numbers. Thankfully, Bruce found spots in Zur-En-Arrh's prison and managed to make his way out to stop the deranged Batman.

It might seem odd to suddenly bring the original Justice League base out of the blue, but Amanda Waller has taken the Hall of Justice as a personal headquarters and much of the Watchtower was destroyed in a fight with Failsafe. Even if the team isn't currently together, it's one of the few places the Justice League still has that hasn't been ruined. Bringing the Secret Sanctuary back into readers' minds could be intentional. With the Justice League's original lineup playing a big role in Absolute Power, the team could soon be permanently returning to their old base.

The Justice League's Old Base is Ready for Its Return

Though there's no guarantee it'll be for good, the Justice League's original seven members are returning in Absolute Power. It's not that out of the question that they may want to stick together out of such a harrowing adventure, but if they do, where exactly are they supposed to go? Given what's happened with the Watchtower and the Hall of Justice, it only makes sense for them to return to Happy Harbor and occupy the Secret Sanctuary once more. Getting back to their roots could be a positive thing for the Justice League if they ultimately decide to reunite.

Batman #147 is available now from DC Comics.