WARNING: The following contains spoilers for "The Outsiders: Finale" in Future State: The Next Batman #3, from Brandon Thomas, Sumit Kumar, Raul Fernandez, Jordie Bellaire and Steve Wands, on sale now.

Gotham City is one of the harshest environments in the DC Universe. Over the course of its history, Batman's hometown has experienced some catastrophic events.

Despite Gotham's cruel conditions, Duke Thomas has proven himself as the city's ultimate survivor.

 

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Duke's story began in Batman #30, by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. In the final act of "Zero Year," The Riddler had taken control of Gotham. The city was flooded after losing all of its power. As a result, Gotham resembled something of an urban jungle. The Riddler ruled over the city, appearing daily to answer one riddle on the off chance someone could stump him. Duke was merely a child at this point, though he remained determined to beat The Riddler at his own game. The young hero worked tirelessly on crossword puzzles, training his mind to eventually come up with a riddle that Nygma couldn't solve.

Years later, after Batman and his allies restored order to Gotham, Duke experienced even greater suffering at Gotham's hands. In Batman #37, by Snyder and Capullo, The Joker kidnapped Duke and his parents. The Clown Prince of Crime set Duke and his family up so that he could replicate the murder of Bruce Wayne's parents. Although Batman saved the family, Duke's parents were infected with a new strain of Joker venom, permanently twisting their minds.

Duke was sent into foster care, struggling to maintain his old life in school. Yet Duke fought on, joining the "We Are Robin" movement and inspiring an amnesiac Bruce Wayne to become Batman again. Eventually, Duke became Batman's new partner, The Signal, helping him fight villains such as Two-Face and Victor Zsasz. Alongside Black Lightning, Katana and Orphan, The Signal also joined The Outsiders against enemies like Ra's al Ghul. All of Duke's experiences have strengthened him to face the "Future State" version of Gotham, ruled by the fascistic Magistrate. In Future State: The Next Batman #3, by Brandon Thomas and Sumit Kumar, Duke gives a speech to many of Gotham's dissidents. Much of this speech harkens back to the harsh existence which Duke has experienced in Gotham over the years.

For example, Duke mentions that he's looked pure evil in the eye, which sounds a lot like The Joker. Duke talks about fighting things that weren't supposed to fall, like The Riddler. The Signal has experienced "grief beyond measure," explicitly speaking about the pain of losing his parents. Despite all of this, Duke's allies are the ones who have inspired him, as he mentions the "heroic men and women" who fought beside him. Obviously, Batman was a massive influence on Duke throughout events like "Zero Year" or "Endgame." The Outsiders have also played a significant role in helping Duke, specifically Black Lightning and Katana. During "Future State," Duke spends time helping his allies fight the Magistrate while assisting Gotham's ordinary citizens against the oppressive force.

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As an ordinary Gothamite who became a hero, Duke knows how to inspire others and fight alongside his heroic friends at the same time. It's because of all the pain and loss that Duke has endured in Gotham that he believes the city can get better. The biggest factor which molded Duke has to be "Zero Year." This devastating blow to Gotham came when he was only a kid, leaving a massive impression. "Zero Year" saw Gotham in a state of sheer anarchy, leaving everyone to fend for themselves. Despite all of the city's harsh conditions, the young Duke remained hopeful, thinking up ways to defeat The Riddler.

Gotham, as seen in "Future State," is more of a police state than "Zero Year." Vigilantes and costumed heroes are outlawed, with most of Duke's allies hunted down. While there is certainly more order in "Future State" than "Zero Year", this is not necessarily for the better. The massive jump from pure chaos to absolute order shows just how well Duke can adapt to a range of Gotham's extremes. Taking inspiration from the heroes around him and his own life experience, Duke remains willing and able to save Gotham.

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