The latest episode of Batwoman shed new light on what may have led to Batman's disappearance from Gotham. The latest addition to the Arrowverse, Batwoman follows the journey of Kate Kane (Ruby Rose). After an old flame was abducted, Kate returned from traveling the world in order to aid in her rescue. Despite being successful in that endeavor, the revelation that her long-lost twin sister was in fact still alive, and had assumed the villainous persona of Alice, prompted her to stick around. Upon also learning of Bruce Wayne's secret identity, Kate ultimately assumed the Bat-mantle in order to combat Alice's long-term machinations and protect the city in her cousin's stead.
With the cat and mouse game firmly established between Alice and the extended Kane family, the last few episodes saw Kate go up against more standalone foes. After dealing with Tommy Elliot (a.k.a. Hush) last week, a thief and serial bomber known as Magpie took center stage in the latest Batwoman episode. Ultimately stealing the infamous pearls of Martha Wayne, Kate went above and beyond to retrieve them. Unfortunately, her efforts came at the detriment of her fledgling romance with Reagan. In the end, Kate found herself unable to offer the level of honesty Reagan needed and the pair seemingly parted ways. During a discussion with Luke Fox, Kate questioned how Bruce had been able to so easily juggle a personal life and being Batman.
It was at this moment that Luke unveiled fresh details regarding Bruce's state of mind. "He was miserable," he said. Having believed that Bruce was content in his playboy ways, Kate was surprised to learn that it was merely a means to an end. Luke revealed that it was simply a cover and the different women were a way to be able to use the same lies repeatedly. None of it was said to bring him any joy, however. Even more than that, Luke concluded with the statement that in those last few months, Bruce found it easier to be Batman than himself. Luke neglected to offer more, but the implication was that something happened to Bruce rather than Batman.
Given that the timing of the reveal coincided with Kate's own troubles, it's possible that he'd actually met someone who he actually cared for and ultimately lost - either in a similar fashion or to something even more tragic. Such a scenario may be something Luke may not have known about. Equally, it would characteristically be something that would prompt Bruce to lose himself in Batman. This wouldn't be the first time such a theme had been explored, with numerous adaptations exploring whether Bruce or Batman was actually his true face.
It was most prominently explored in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy - with multiple characters reflecting on whether a time would come when Bruce could actually live without being Batman. As Batwoman's iteration succumbed fully to his vigilante persona, it's plausible that some epiphany prompted a need to leave Gotham under his own volition in order to find who he truly was away from the cowl. The only issue with that is the idea that he'd leave Gotham unattended. As has been noted, however, even three years after his disappearance, Gotham hasn't been overrun by his greatest foes. While some wouldn't want to play without Batman, others wouldn't have the same issues.
It's not outside the realm of possibility, however, that Bruce might have channeled his overtime into ensuring the city was extra secure before his departure. Meaning that he, rather than The Crows, is why the order was maintained in the time since. And though new threats have emerged, so has a new hero - one who has proven herself capable and thus could allow Bruce a continued hiatus. Similar to Superman over on Supergirl when he departed for Argo City, he might be keenly aware that Gotham is in safe hands. Then again, Batman's disappearance might still be part of a grand conspiracy. Whatever the case, fans will no doubt learn more as Batwoman continues.