Summary

• Batman #156 teases a thrilling issue involving the GD, the Riddler, and the Court of Owls with Wayne Enterprises under attack.
• Cover art by Jorge Jiménez vividly depicts Wayne Enterprises engulfed in flames, suggesting a catastrophic end to the iconic business.
• DC's gradual dismantling of Batman lore continues with the potential destruction of Wayne Enterprises, adding to fans' concerns.

WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for BATMAN #156!

First, DC took away Bruce Wayne's beloved butler, then they took away his ancestral home, and now the comic publisher is destroying an iconic piece of Batman lore deeply rooted in 45 years of comic history—Wayne Enterprises. It seems DC is gradually chipping away at the elements that have defined the Dark Knight for decades, raising the question of how much they can strip away before Batman becomes unrecognizable.

DC’s ongoing deconstruction of Batman’s most iconic elements is troubling, to say the least.

Chip Zdarsky and Tony S. Daniel’s Batman #156 is set for release on November 27, 2024, but until then, fans have a synopsis and cover art by Jorge Jiménez that all but confirms DC is officially destroying Wayne Enterprises.

While the synopsis teases an action-packed issue involving the GD, the Riddler, and the Court of Owls, the standout detail is the confirmation that Bruce Wayne’s family business “is under attack as Nygma's plans come into focus.” Although this statement is somewhat vague about Wayne Enterprises' fate, Jiménez’s main cover for the issue vividly depicts the skyscraper engulfed in flames, suggesting a catastrophic end.

DC Teases the Destruction of WAYNE ENTERPRISES in Jorge Jiménez’s Cover for Batman #156

Cover F 1:25 Ryan Benjamin Card Stock Variant for Batman #156

Jiménez’s cover is as gorgeously rendered as it is devastating. Batman stands with his fists raised to defend against an off-page threat. Behind him, Wayne Enterprises burns from top to bottom, with dark smoke billowing from its windows. This striking image signals the end of another iconic piece of Batman lore. Since its debut in Batman #307 (January 1979), Wayne Enterprises has been a staple in the Dark Knight’s story, appearing across various forms of media including movies and TV shows. It is arguably second only to the Batcave and Wayne Manor in of its influence on Batman’s narrative.

Wayne Enterprises is particularly notable for being the first realistic attempt to explain Batman’s immense wealth. When Bruce Wayne debuted in Detective Comics #27 (1939), he was simply described as a "wealthy socialite." It wasn’t until the early 1940s that he was identified as a millionaire, and not until the 1990s that he was officially referred to as a billionaire in mainstream continuity. The introduction of Wayne Enterprises in 1979 provided a plausible explanation for Bruce’s wealth, showing how he amassed and maintained his fortune to fund his Batman-related activities.

First Wayne Manor, and Now Wayne Enterprises: Is DC Slowly Deconstructing Batman Lore?

Cover D Tony S. Daniel Card Stock Variant for Batman #156

With so much character history tied to Wayne Enterprises, its destruction is particularly disheartening. What is even more concerning is that Wayne Enterprises is only the latest casualty in DC's gradual dismantling of iconic Batman lore. In 2019, DC killed Bruce’s pseudo-father and trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth, in the City of Bane storyline. Alfred was a cornerstone of Batman’s world, and his loss was devastating. DC has also recently stripped Bruce of his ancestral home, Wayne Manor, and now, with the teased loss of Wayne Enterprises, fans are facing another major blow. DC’s ongoing deconstruction of Batman’s most iconic elements is troubling, to say the least.

Batman #156 will be released from DC Comics on November 20, 2024!