WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for BATMAN #154!Fans of the Dark Knight—and even those outside his fanbase—know ‘Dynamic Duo’ typically refers toBatmanandRobin. But Gotham City’s streets are in for a shake-up as Batman’s ORIGINAL partner steps back into the spotlight, forcing the Boy Wonder out of his role as half of this iconic team.
…this might surprise some who assumed Batman’s earliest allies were Alfred Pennyworth or Dick Grayson.
With a release date of August 04, 2025,Batman#154 by Chip Zdarsky, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles launches part two ofThe Dying Cityarc, centering on the murder mystery of Gotham’s mayor. This time, it’s not the Dark Knight and Robin arriving on the scene but former Commissioner James Gordon—now a private investigator—at Batman’s side.
Issue #153 marked Gordon’s return to the spotlight, but issue #154 solidifies his partnership with Batman even further, especially whenDetective Harvey Bullock calls the pair the ‘Dynamic Duo.’
James Gordon Returns as Batman’s Partner & Claims the Dynamic Duo Title
Commissioner Gordon First Appeared inDetective Comics#27 (May 1939)
Despite Bullock’s heavy sarcasm, his use of“Dynamic Duo”for Batman and Gordon implies the two have been frequently teaming up lately. This is especially noteworthy, as Gordon has been mostly absent from DC’s ongoing mainstream stories, with the exception of issue #153. It’s a welcome return for the beloved character, even without his former title as Gotham City Commissioner. While only the first five pages of this issue have been previewed,fans can anticipate a story focused on Batman and Gordon joining forcesto piece together clues and uncover the truth behind the mayor’s murder.
This new team-up betweenBatman and Gordonis also significant as it returns them to their roots.Gordon first debuted inDetective Comics#27 (1939) by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, alongside Batman, establishing him as the Dark Knight’s very first ally.This might surprise some who assumed Batman’s earliest allies were Alfred Pennyworth or Dick Grayson. However, Robin didn’t appear untilDetective Comics#38 (1940), with Alfred joining even later inBatman#16 (1943). With this history in mind, Bullock’s remark almost feels fitting, calling Gordon and Batman the"Dynamic Duo,“given they were the original crime-fighting duo.
Zdarsky’s NewBatmanArc Is Putting More Emphasis on the Dark Knight’s Partnership With Gordon
Batman#154 Fully Releases on August 09, 2025
Issue #153 marked the revival of Batman and Gordon’s partnership. Still, this latest issue cements the story arc’s shift from the Dark Knight and Boy Wonder to focusing on Batman and Private Investigator Gordon working together. This return to their original partnership is thrilling for many fans, and it will be fascinating to see how long Zdarsky keeps Gordon in the spotlight and what new dynamics he brings to this reimagined"Dynamic Duo.“One thing’s certain:BatmanandGordontogether make an unstoppable force–something that Gotham will be in dire need of with the impending return of the Court of Owls.
I Think I Know the Next Court of Owls Leader, & Batman Won’t Like It
The Court of Owls is one of the most dangerous secret societies in Gotham City, and now it seems that they have a brand-new dangerous leader.
BATMAN #154 (2024)
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
