WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the story "Arkham Knights -- Chapter Two: Dawn" from Future State: The Next Batman #3, by Paul Jenkins, Jack Herbert, Gabe Eltaeb & Rob Leigh, on sale now.

The Gotham City of Future State has proven to be a deadly place for anyone who even dares to wear a mask, let alone stand against the forces of the Magistrate. But one of the biggest freedom fighters in the city just gained a potentially crucial tool for their battle against the Magistrate -- and it may inspire more than just her own troops.

The Arkham Knights just pulled a daring robbery against the Magistrate and managed to make it back to their base with the Bat-Signal, whereupon they converted it into the Arkham Symbol.

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Arkham Knights Future State Bat-Signal

The Arkham Knights are among the last figures still operating in Gotham City in opposition to the Magistrate. The band of former villains -- now under the command of Astrid Arkham, aka the Arkham Knight -- have remained free and constant thorns in the side of the Magistrates. While even the likes of the original Batman have been forced into hiding, the Arkham Knight and her allies have fought on against the tyrannical police state the Magistrate has constructed. Hoping to further spread hope through Gotham, the Arkham Knights stage an assault on an armory full of weapons, luring the Magistrate's forces to that location.

The Arkham Knights battle against PeaceKeeper-06, keeping their forces at bay and even corrupting their technology to turn it against them. But in reality, their true target is the former Gotham City Police Precinct. The PeaceKeepers try to keep the focus on the Arkham Knights, but the group is able to make their way through the former police headquarters and to the roof where they collect a single item: the Bat-Signal. It seems lost on some of the Magistrate's forces how important the Bat-Signal is, who are confused as to why the Arkham Knights fought so hard for a simple flood-light. The Arkham Knights even prove willing to die for the mission, with Doctor Phospurus almost being killed by a shot fired from PeaceKeeper-06.

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Arkham Knights Future State Bat-Signal 1

But in the end, the mission is a success. Having taken the Bat-Signal with them, Astrid and her forces convert it slightly to change the bat into a symbol representing Arkham. In the years when he was active, the Bat-Signal served as a powerful tool for Batman. It inspired hope in the populace that there was a guardian out there fighting for them, and it fostered dread in the hearts of those who would stand against him. It's a powerful tool in Batman's arsenal and has been a near-constant for the character ever since the concept was first introduced all the way back in Detective Comics #60 by Jack Schiff, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, George Roussos and Ira Schnapp. Now, Astrid Arkham has taken it for her own -- along with Wayne Manor -- and turned it into part of her own campaign against the Magistrate.

It's clear that the Signal will be a potent tool for her. Upon lighting the Arkham Signal, the entire city of Gotham seems to take notice. Comparing it to their "sun," Astrid declares that the Arkham Signal is a reminder to the Magistrate that the "relics of Gotham are worth fighting for." If the Magistrate were to see their rule fall, it might be at the hands of some powerful force like Astrid and Arkham Knights. And stealing the Bat-Signal to make it their own -- especially considering how well-organized and executed their plan was -- is a nice bit of proof that perhaps the Arkham Knight truly is a worthy defender of the city.

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