Batman # 68 Cover A First Printing 2019 NM-

Batman #68 (published on April 10, 2019) is Part 6 of Tom King's multi-issue "Knightmares" story arc. Titled "Solitude," the issue stands out as a unique entry in the run due to its jarringly whimsical tone and art style, featuring lead pencils by fan-favorite artist Amanda Conner along with contributions by Dan Panosian, John Timms, and Mikel Janín. 

The Plot

• The Bachelor Party: While Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent are supposed to be celebrating Bruce's upcoming nuptials, their bachelor party at Wayne Manor is incredibly awkward and quiet. The two heroes simply sit in their civilian clothes, sipping soup and playing a quiet game of chess. 
• The "Catchelorette" Party: Across the globe, Selina Kyle (Catwoman) and Lois Lane have a vastly different experience. With the help of Supergirl—who hacks them entry—the two women crash the Fortress of Solitude. They proceed to get wildly drunk, raiding Superman's stash of exotic intergalactic wine, relaxing in an alien hot tub, and creating chaotic fun. 
• The Cruel Twist: The entire celebratory scenario is a tragic illusion. In reality, the wedding never actually happened (as Selina previously left Bruce at the altar). Batman is trapped inside a high-tech incubation chamber, physically captured and subjected to fear-toxin-induced simulations orchestrated by Bane to dismantle his psyche. 

Core Themes

• The Nightmare of Happiness: While previous Knightmares chapters focused on gory fights or psychological trauma, this issue highlights a different kind of torture: what could have been. It forces a captive Bruce to look at a perfect, happy world with his best friend and the woman he loves, turning genuine happiness into his most heartbreaking nightmare.
• A Fragmented Mind: The sudden shift in tone—feeling more like an upbeat Harley Quinn comic than a gritty Batman story—is intentionally utilized to reflect the chaotic, decaying nature of Batman's sanity under chemical manipulation.