Gotham City Commissioner James Gordon Takes on Dark Knight Mantle, Becomes Batman in 'Divergence #1'

The lay of the land is changing in the Batman universe. Batman #41 teased a new Dark Knight after the Endgame and Convergence story arcs, and it looks like that identity has leaked. Gotham's mysterious robot figure with a gigantic gun who was supposed to be revealed in the Free Comic Book day issue Divergence #1 is indeed Gotham City Commissioner James Gordon.

One of the stories in Divergence #1 is of a still-smoking and clean-shaven Gordon who agrees to become the Dark Knight after not really wanting to do it. If you're not going to go with Dick Grayson or Damian Wayne as Batman, then Gordon is another great option. He has military experience and has dealt with the scum on Gotham City's streets more than the Dark Knight himself. Plus, it helps that he has an impenetrable suit of armor.

DC still hasn't decided what to do with Bruce Wayne and the rest of his family. That will probably be revealed in their supposed -- but probably not really -- final clash with the The Joker in the Endgame storyline. That issue will be on store shelves April 29.

The Batman series isn't the only series looking at big changes. Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash will be receiving new costumes and personas following DC's Convergence re-launch. Commissioner Gordon becoming Batman is but one change in the bigger picture.

With the beginning of Convergence comes the end of the New 52 for DC. The launch was short-lived, as it was only around for a few years. The New 52 originally debuted Aug. 31, 2011. While this is the end of the brand, the stories from the series will continue. One story in particular is the one seen in The Flash's Flashpoint arc. Characters from that timeline will be seeing a bigger role in Convergence.