(1986)
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–Detective Comics #566-567
January. Someone sends a threatening letter (via Commissioner Gordon) to Batman, prompting he and Robin to peruse the Bat-Computer’s crime-files in search of a suspect. Unable to discern who has threatened them, nor a place or time the threat will rear its head, Batman and Robin simply move on, waiting for the inevitable.
Detective Comics #567 by Harlan Ellison, Gene Colan, Bob Smith, & Adrienne Roy (1986)
January. The final issue of Detective Comics in the Silver/Bronze Age is upon us—a classic written by the legendary Harlan Ellison, no less! Batman patrols, coming across a mugging, but he isn’t needed as the would-be victim is already holding his would-be mugger at gunpoint. Batman also isn’t needed as another would-be mugger is able to defend herself against an attacker. Later, Batman tries to save a suicide jumper, but the cops already have it under control. Batman then busts up a drug deal only to learn he’s ruined a ten-yearlong undercover police sting. Batman continues scouring the city for crime, but the city is safe and quiet for a change. Batman can’t even get a chance to bust a litterbug! A little after 4 AM, Batman returns to Wayne Manor, telling Alfred it has been the worst night of his life.
Batman #400 by Doug Moench, Brian Bolland, & Adrienne Roy (1986)
–Batman #400
January. It’s the 19th anniversary of the debut of Batman! The mystery attack promised in Detective Comics #566 still hasn’t come, so—despite lamenting wasting a second night on it—Batman sits down in attempt to figure out who could be making the threat. Of course, it’s Rā’s al Ghūl, who blows a hole in both Arkham Asylum and Gotham State Penitentiary, releasing all the inmates—including Joker, Two-Face, Cavalier, Dagger, Deadshot, Killer Croc, Killer Moth, Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch), Black Spider, Catman, Clayface (Preston Payne), Black Mask, Riddler, Poison Ivy, Penguin, Calendar Man, Crazy-Quilt, Mr. Freeze, Tweedledum, Tweedledee, Mirage, Dr. Double X, Signalman, Cluemaster, Captain Stingaree, Mirror-Man, Dr. Phosphorus, Scarecrow, and Night-Slayer. Acting on the orders of Rā’s al Ghūl, the villains unite and begin enacting a master plan. Scarecrow kidnaps Julia Pennyworth. Poison Ivy kidnaps Harvey Bullock. Riddler and Black Spider kidnap Vicki Vale. Rā’s al Ghūl visits Batman face-to-face to gloat. The Demon’s Head tells Batman to join him and, together, they can execute his entire Rogues Gallery. Batman tells him to piss off. While the Dynamic Duo heads to Stick Chuvalo’s greasy spoon to fight some baddies, Killer Croc kidnaps Alfred. At the restaurant, Batman and Robin take down Catman and Black Spider, but they let Riddler, Poison Ivy, and Scarecrow walk after learning about the hostages. Across town, a bunch of villains led by Joker and Penguin take over police HQ. Talia meets with Batman and Robin, offering to help them defeat her father once and for all. Catwoman attempts to rescue Bullock, but she gets captured by the villains as well. Batman returns to Chuvalo’s place and beats up Chuvalo and his henchmen. Batman finds evidence points him in the direction of an abandoned arboretum. (Batman mentions Poison Ivy’s “Exotica” scheme from “months ago,” but that was actually two-and-a-half-years ago! Time flies, eh?) At the arboretum, Batman finds the hostages. He frees Catwoman and, together, they bust Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Scarecrow, and Riddler. Batman, Catwoman, Robin, and Talia then bust the six villains at police HQ, freeing all the cops. The heroes then enter Rā’s al Ghūl’s lair to witness the villain emerge from a Lazarus Pit full of vim and vigor. As an explosion crumbles everything around them, Batman fights Rā’s al Ghūl, tossing him back into the Lazarus Pit. The heroes leave Rā’s al Ghūl for dead, escaping just as the structure collapses. Later, Batman, Robin, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Catwoman, Vicki Vale, and Julia Pennyworth celebrate Batman’s 19th anniversary in the Batcave (with cake)! But Batman doesn’t celebrate long, for there are still criminals roaming the streets of Gotham. He ascends from his cave and into the night, uttering a sinister greeting and warning to all evildoers: “Hello again. Beware… forever.”
–NOTE: And that’s all she wrote, folks! Batman will commit to his daily routines for the rest of the calendar year. To see what lies in store for Batman’s future, check out the Silver/Bronze Future section (link below).
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