A cowardly thung and two bullets in Gotham City's "Crime Alley" forever changed the life of young Bruce Wayne. Incited by the brutal murder of his parents, the orphan waged war against all ciminals and spent every waking moment training himself to peak physical and mental condition. Having mastered virtually all forms of combat and using his vast wealth to equip himself with the necessary tools for his cause, Wayne now protects Gotham as an "urban legend" -the Dark Kinght known as Batman. Though he possesses no super-powers, Batman's skill and intelligence place him among the most formidable (if not most liked) members, and co-founder, of the original JLA.
Although he fought in the Battle of All Time, he wasn't killed in the nuclear explosion, caused by the death of Captain Atom because he was inside Visharon's hidden ship above Coast City. Batman was able to discovered it with his detective skills and arrived inside shortly before Visharon killed Captain Atom.
Old age has turned Bruce away from being the pinnacle of human achievement. He had once holed himself up in Wayne manor and lived in loneliness with his hound. Batman was dead, and with him, Gotham. It takes a young high school student, Terry McGinnis, to inspire the sense of justice that Bruce lost many years ago. Through Terry, Bruce is able to continue the promise he made to his parents. He serves as a mentor and advisor to the new Batman and Justice League. However, he turned down a honorary membership in the League.
