The issue is in the news, which means its a good idea to take a look at it.

From DC Comics, Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion.

Its near impossible to discuss this issue without spoilers, so there’s a page break here.  Be careful.  Don’t trip on it!

It is now revealed that one of the Court of Owls, a Talon, is actually Thomas Wayne Jr – the brother of Bruce Wayne/Batman.  This long lost brother concept has been seen in Batman comics before, but never in a way like this.  A way in which it is about to become a huge part of the mythos.

I suppose there is a chance that this will all be a swerve.  A chance that this “Thomas Wayne Jr’ is an impostor.  It would still lead to a great villain.   A bad guy who knows so much about Batman, Bruce and the entire Wayne family that even though he is not who he claimed to be, he can still get under Batman’s skin and be a threat.  However, then we’re into Clayface/Jason Todd territory.  In order for Clayface to pretend to be Jason Todd it can only mean there actually is a Jason Todd.  In order for someone to pretend to be Thomas Wayne Jr…

So we have to accept that this is true.  Some of the details make sense, but others fall apart.  Sense needs to be made of those details, and there is only one way to make sense of it — someone is an asshole.

The explanation behind Junior’s disappearance is thus:  Jarvis, Alfred’s father, drives Martha Wayne to a set up with the Court of Owls.  Martha gives premature birth to TJ.  Due to this premature birth, Thomas Wayne Jr is not fully developed and needs extra medical assistance.  The Waynes put him in a special needs hospital under an alias so the Court of Owls wont find him.

Coincidentally (sarcasm) the night the Waynes are killed, the hospital goes to shit and becomes one of those forgotten mental institutions we hear about on the news in which everyone lives in their own filth and disease.  It must have all happened at the same time.  Because otherwise how did no one know of Junior.  Martha must have visited – or at least had some connection to the hospital or else she wouldn’t be sporting the heart pin that becomes a huge part of the plot.

If the Waynes entrusted Alfred to take care of Bruce, then what instructions did they give for Thomas?  Once they were dead, the Court of Owls couldn’t have come after them, so why not have some sort of plan for their lesser son in a will?

Either the Waynes are horrible for not having some sort of safe guard or plan for their other child.  Or the Pennyworth family has failed.  Alfred may not have known about Junior.  But either his father should have done something, or should have mentioned something.

Of course this is without knowing the final parts of the story.  Maybe there will be explanations that paint Bruce’s family (well besides Junior) in a better light.

The big trip up is that pin.  Martha Wayne had that pin and thus she did not just completely abandon her child.  There must be some connection, some contact still with the forgotten son.  What is the connection and who is the true bastard inside Wayne Manor?