War Games

Published in 2004, 'War Games' is a major crossover event in the Batman titles by DC Comics. The storyline was written by multiple writers including Andersen Gabrych, Bill Willingham, and Dylan Horrocks, with art by Pete Woods, Brad Walker, and others. Spanning across several Batman-related series, 'War Games' was divided into three acts and involved a total of 24 issues. The story follows a catastrophic gang war in Gotham City, inadvertently triggered by Batman's plan to control crime, which was set in motion by his former sidekick, Stephanie Brown (Spoiler), without his knowledge. Key characters include Batman, Oracle, Nightwing, and the GCPD, as they struggle to restore order. The event leads to significant changes in the Batman universe, including the death of Stephanie Brown, who had briefly taken on the mantle of Robin, and the resignation of Commissioner James Gordon. The storyline had a lasting impact on Gotham's status quo and was critically noted for its intense and dark narrative. 'War Games' is considered an essential read for Batman fans, highlighting the complexities of Batman's relationships and his control over Gotham.