The Batman Chronicles #12

CATACLYSM PART 10

THE CONTRACT

Bruce Wayne hires street thugs to dig survivors out of the rubble. The men argue among themselves, and whether or not they really need to adhere to his contract. They suspect that Batman pressed Wayne to hire them, although some do not believe Batman exists. Despite the selfish motives of some thugs, idealists in the group push forward. They rescue a family trapped under a building, and say yes when a little boy asks if Batman sent them.

HOUSE OF CARDS

Ra's al Ghul observes the chaos, enjoying that a blight on humanity such as Gotham has been destroyed. He sees Batman fighting through the rubble, and remarks on how childish his motives are. Despite this, Batman continues to persevere. But now with Gotham City fallen, Ra's al Ghul hopes that Batman will finally take a place by his side ...

A BIRD WITH A HAND

The Penguin sifts through ruins looking for survivors. Each time he finds one, he asks their profession. Those who are useful to him are dug out and told he will recall the debt. Those who are useless to him are left to die.

TRAPPED

A man is trapped in the rubble of his destroyed office building. He is unable to communicate for help, but hears a rescue party nearby. Robin convinces them that someone is trapped, and they dig out the area. It's revealed that Robin was searching for a different voice, and the man continues waiting with nobody looking for him.

LOVE ME 2 TIMES

Two-Face lies injured in the rubble. His henchmen conspire to turn him in for a reward while he's knocked out. Two-Face hears this, and waits for them to drag him out, then pushes them into the hole where he was trapped. They beg for his forgiveness, but Two-Face flips his coin and smiles at the result.

LITTLE ORPHAN ANDY

A little boy's parents die in the earthquake, and he's left with nothing but the handle of his lunchbox. He sits there in shock, until a fireman brings him to Leslie Thompkins.