Warning: SPOILERS for Batman #75

The worlds of Batman and Brooklyn Nine-Nine may not seem to overlap, but believe it or not, one clever tribute in the comics suggests the comedy series may actually take place inside of DC's Universe. At least... it used to.

As some fans will be quick to point out, there is shared DNA between the two fictional stories due simply to Gotham City being a stand-in for New York. While that's true, a new Easter Egg in the pages of Batman #75 is guaranteed to delight fans of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, while going much, much deeper than an explicit parallel on a citywide scale. The Nine-Nine seems to exist inside of DC's Gotham, right down to the two star detectives who make--sorry, made the precinct one of the best in the Five Burroughs. But there's just no room for cops like Santiago or Peralta in "The City of Bane."

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The tribute was brought to the attention of the show's cast and crew, once writer Tom King shared a preview page on Twitter. The issue beings the "city of Bane" arc, showing how the criminals have taken over Gotham City. The administration of the city means that Riddler and Joker have been partnering up as stand-in detectives. An opportunity for artist Mitch Gerads to not only give the Nine-Nine a shout out, but recreate the bullpen to a staggering level of detail (of the promotional photo embedded below, in fact). We have a true fan here, people. Take a look:

Batman Comic Brooklyn 99 Easter Egg

The names on the desk plates are the easiest way of spotting the tribute. Removing the characters' first names (since that would make this entire thing too obvious), readers can see how the name plates reading "Det. Santiago" and "Det. Peralta" have been scrawled over, replaced with their new owners' criminal monikers. It's also worth mentioning that Melissa Fumero's detail-obsessed Santiago has been cast as the Riddler, and Andy Samberg's lead as The Joker (with Batman's arch-nemesis sitting close enough to pester Nygma, rather than across from him at his own desk--a Peralta move if there ever was one).

So, should comic fans assume that the Brooklyn Nine-Nine series is set within the DC Universe under a different name, or that a bat-themed vigilante will become Peralta's new Moby Dick in the show's next season? It's probably best to take it as a loving tribute from a fan, which everyone gets to enjoy... for now. Those interested in picking up their own copy of the issue can read on for the full issue details and plot synopsis below:

  • Batman #75
  • Writer: Tom King
  • Art: Mitch Gerads, Tony S. Daniel, Tomeu Morey
  • Cover: Tony S. Daniel, Tomeu Morey
  • Variant Cover: Gabriele Del'Otto
  • “City of Bane” begins! Bane’s minions have moved into Gotham City, taken control and are ruling with an iron fist—including rounding up any villain who refuses to sign onto Bane’s program—and Batman is nowhere to be found. At least not the Batman anyone knows. It’s like someone has replaced the real Gotham City with a twisted funhouse-mirror version of it.

Batman #75 is available now at your local comic book shop, or direct from DC Comics.

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