Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman: Annual 2022 #1
In DC's new annual issue for their ongoing Batman series, the Dark Knight reveals the vigilante hero he trusts the most. Without the funds he used to have as a billionaire, the Dark Knight can no longer support his global team Batman Inc. Instead, Batman is handing the reins over to one of his oldest friends and allies in the DC Universe: Ghost-Maker.
Following the Joker War, Batman lost all of his funds after the bulk of it was stolen by Joker himself. Operating out of a brownstone in Gotham with micro-Batcaves all over the city, Bruce Wayne isn't the billionaire playboy he once was. The aftermath of the Joker War also saw the return of Ghost-Maker into Batman's life, a fellow vigilante who had trained and befriended Bruce. While the two had a falling out after Ghost-Maker couldn't understand Bruce's crusade in Gotham, they've since reunited and Ghost-Maker has been a frequent ally to the Bat-Family after he agreed to resort to less lethal methods of justice.
Now, it looks as though Ghost-Maker will be entering Batman's world even further after agreeing to take over Batman Inc. from the Dark Knight in Batman Annual 2022 #1 from Ed Brisson and John Timms. Naturally, the team of global vigilantes Bruce has recruited has reservations about the self-proclaimed psychopath leading them. However, Batman reaffirms his decision that Ghost-Maker is the best vigilante to take over in his place, proving his great trust in his old friend.
While Ghost-Maker may be extremely arrogant, he does have the skills and experience to back up his cocky attitude. Furthermore, he even sought out each member of Batman Inc. before Batman even asked him to take over, wanting to test their skills and prove their worth (and finding them lacking). Case in point, the rest of the issue sees Ghost-Maker reforming Batman's international team into a major and minor league where those in the minors will remain local heroes in their own countries until he feels they're ready to join the big leagues. As such, it does seem as though Batman has put his trust in the right vigilante for the job with Ghost-Maker already planning to make Batman Inc. stronger than it was before.
That being said, one of the things that makes Ghost-Maker so unpredictable is his lack of empathy. Driven solely by his desire to be the best crimefighter in the world, Ghost-Maker is pretty self-centered and rarely makes sacrifice plays one would expect from any other hero. As a result, one has to wonder how will that translate now that he's been trusted by Batman to lead Batman Inc.