In an effort to further distance himself from Batman, Nightwing tries to go it alone to stop a smuggling ring and gets unexpected help from the seductive Catwoman.

Crime boss Edward "The King" Barlow dies and in his will leaves his arch-rival, the Joker, a large fortune. Joker immediately goes on a shopping spree, even searching for a replacement for Harley Quinn, but realizes too late that all the money is fake.

During a fight with the Scarecrow, Batgirl is ambushed on a rooftop and falls to her death. Having watched his daughter's demise, Jim Gordon blames Batman for her fate and vows revenge, even recruiting Bane in the process.

A series of thefts is being committed by circus animals in a town where Nightwing's old circus is performing. Is it an old friend that is training the animals to steal, or someone else?

Nightwing tells Robin the story of how he and Batman grew apart. The story reveals how Batgirl discovered Batman and Robin's true identities, and also explains some of the romantic flare between Barbara and Dick.