Fans of the classic animated series Batman Beyond and its DC Comics successor have wondered what caused Bruce Wayne to retire the cape and cowl and pass the mantle on to Terry McGinnis.

Some might have assumed that age finally got the best of the original Batman, but Wayne is determined. There was a specific moment that made him decide to step aside in favor of a protege, and now we know what it is.

The new series has been a fan’s dream, mixing some of the most popular moments from the animated canon with the best stories from DC Comics lore.

DC Rebirth’s Batman Beyond #11 by Dan Jurgens and Bernard Chang finally answered the question about the case that broke the Bat.

Previously, McGinnis discovered a “prototype” Batman suit with more tech and weaponry to help in his fight against the criminals of Neo-Gotham.

In the issue Bruce reveals that he created the suit with capabilities and fail safes to help his aging body. After a battle with four Venom-addled Banes, cleverly called ‘The Banes,’ his body is nearly broken to the point where he cannot continue fighting.

So the suit’s built-in artificial intelligence kicks in and takes control, beating the Banes to a pulp and continuing Batman’s war on crime. Bruce had no idea what happened in the battle with the Banes, but he savagely beat them down to the. The suit would have taken over his body, using him as a means to fill in the costume, if it weren’t so damaged from the attack.

He awoke from a coma to find that McGinnis discovered the suit, was using it and on the verge of suffering the same fate.

Damian Wayne is on hand as well, who reminds his father that the suit can be overcame. Bruce did it, and so did Damian. But Damian has since become the new Demon’s Head, putting him at odds with McGinnis.

Damian too succumbs to violence eventually after the suit’s actions take something precious from him, forcing a fight between Batman’s successor and Batman’s son.

It is typical comic book fair but it works for the story and adds a new wrinkle to the Batman Beyond mythos.

Batman Beyond #11 is in stores now.

[h/t] ScreenRant