Batman's City Changes Forever as a Justice League Villain Takes a Major Seat of Power

Summary Vandal Savage becomes Gotham's Police Commissioner, setting up potential conflict with the Bat-Family.

Batman's newest ally, Zur-En-Arrh, confronts Savage on his appointment, highlighting the rising tension.

Gotham City's heroes, including Batman, face a new level of threat as Savage aims to control the city.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman #147!One of the Justice League's oldest threats is taking over Batman's city by becoming one of its highest authorities. Vandal Savage may be stuck in Gotham, but he's making the best of a bad situation. As the villain rises to his new position of power, dark days could be ahead for the entire Bat-Family.

In Batman #147 by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jiménez, Gotham's newest Batman Zur-En-Arrh is spying listening in on every conversation in Gotham, listening for any sign of trouble. After something catches his attention, Zur-En-Arrh heads out to the city where Vandal Savage is being sworn in as Gotham's new Police Commissioner.

Zur-En-Arrh stops an assassin from killing Savage, but the Dark Knight also threatens to throw Vandal back into prison. Savage isn't afraid and dares Zur-En-Arrh to arrest the city's new Commissioner. Zur-En-Arrh leaves Vandal Savage to his new job, eager to see him fail.

Vandal Savage is Now Gotham City's New Police Commissioner

In an effort to fix his waning immortality, Vandal Savage returned to Gotham to try and bring down a meteor that would ensure he'd continue living his long life. Unfortunately, his plan worked a little too well. Savage did regain his immortality but only within the confines of Gotham City's borders. Unable to leave Gotham, Savage resolved to become its ruler. Savage ingratiated himself with Gotham's elite, who were still on edge after being targeted during "Gotham War". However, Savage managed to impress an affluent man named Leonid Kull who floated the idea of making Savage Gotham's new Police Commissioner.

This is quite an alarming development as the position of Police Commissioner has usually been in the hands of noble people like Jim Gordon and more recently, Renee Montoya. But the powers at be figure that someone like Savage will work with Gotham's elite and help keep the Bat-Family off their backs. But Vandal isn't in this position just to help Gotham's high society. He wants a kingdom to rule. As the highest-ranking person in the Gotham City Police Department, Savage is insulated against the Bat-Family and Vandal could use his position to come down hard on Gotham's heroes.

The Bat-Family Now Has the GCPD Against It

When Gordon or Montoya were running things, the GCPD would mostly work with the Bat-Family. But it's almost certain that Savage is going to abuse his position to go after the Bat-Family, potentially arresting them over vigilantism or some other crime. Savage is out for control of Gotham and he knows that Gotham's heroes are the biggest threat to his rule. Sure, Zur-En-Arrh is a threat as well. But Savage's tenure is a bigger threat to all of Gotham's heroes. Even Batman might be in danger as this Justice League-level threat plots out his next steps as Gotham's Police Commissioner.

Batman #147 is available now from DC Comics.

Batman #147 (2024) Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Jorge Jiménez

Colorist: Tomeu Morey

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Cover Artist: Jorge Jiménez