New Batman story line a major comic event

Holy secret identity, Batman!

In the final pages of Batman and Robin No. 16 - an issue out Wednesday marking the last one in a run by Scottish writer Grant Morrison - Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne, goes public about some of his connection with the Caped Crusader.

The comic closes with Wayne holding a news conference and asking those gathered: "Some of you may have wondered . . . how does a man like Batman afford to constantly update his crime-fighting technology? Where does his money come from? Well, the answer is me."

There's more. Wayne's announcement is part of his plan to start Batman Incorporated, a global network of Batmen from China to Argentina that will fight crime.

Batman will franchise crime-fighting, sort of like Starbucks or Walmart, worldwide, said Glenn Fischette, co-owner of Fourth World Comics, in Smithtown.

"He's going to travel around, teaching others," Fischette said.

Wayne's admission to funding the Dark Knight's crime-fighting exploits seems to leave open the possibility that Batman's secret identity might be fully revealed someday. Fischette said he doesn't think that will happen, but, "It's one of the first times he's admitted to a connection between himself and Batman," Fischette said.

The story line ranks up there with other eye-popping comic events, like The Death of Superman comic in 1992, and Archie Andrews getting engaged in Archie Comics in 2009, local comic dealers said Wednesday.

"It's a big event for the Batman readers . . . ," said Bob Nastasi, owner of Amazing Comics in Sayville. "You're really talking about 70 years of comics."

Batman's true identity seems safe for now. In an interview with The Associated Press, Morrison said that Batman Incorporated was a method to protect Wayne's identity by deflecting speculation about who is behind the mask.

"He's the man behind Batman, but he is not Batman," Morrison said.

Martin Salberg, of Selden, a Batman fan who uses the comic in criminal justice classes he teaches at Briarcliffe College, said Wayne's decision to go public with his funding of Batman "does put one layer of plausible deniability between Bruce Wayne and Batman."