| Storyline |
Challenge
of the Man-Bat
In the perfect darkness, a group used night-vision
lenses in attempt to break into a gem vault. Batman
heard one of them drop a piece of equipment and went
after them. They escaped, but he was able to grab
their ultrasonic cutting tool. The group planned on
luring Batman to their next heist.
Dr. Kirk Langstrom experimented with bats in hopes
that he could use their genetic make up to give himself
sonar. It worked - he was able to navigate in total
darkness. Langstrom grabbed some earplugs so he could
drown out the now super intensified "normal"
sounds.
Batman and Alfred tested some new hearing aids Batman
could use in tracking the "blackout" gang.
Langstrom, on his way home, realized he was growing
body hair and claws like a bat. His entire body was
mutating.
That night, the blackout gang attacked the museum.
Batman was there, but thwarted when they threw ping
pong balls out, causing him not to be able to "see"
them with his improved hearing. The Man-Bat saw what
was going on and helped Batman take down the crooks.
Afterwards, he told Batman his was no costume.
Man
or Bat?
Man-Bat waited as some men attempted to break into
a safe - there was something inside he needed. As
soon as they were in, Batman arrived. The two bats
took down the criminals, but Man-Bat turned on his
hero when Batman stood in his way of getting what
he needed. During the scuffle, Batman realized Man-Bat
wasn't wearing a disguise.
After regaining consciousness, Batman headed to the
museum where he'd first encountered the creature.
There, he found Francine Lee, Kirk Langstrom's fiancé,
attempting to gain entrance to his lab. The security
guard would not let her in. Batman burst in to find
the Man-Bat. Langstrom was startled and dropped the
chemical he'd taken. After seeing Francine and Batman,
he escaped through the window. Batman gave chase,
but lost him after the creature realized his transformation
was to the point where he had wings. He followed a
real bat looking for somewhere to stay; Batman headed
to the cave in hopes of synthesizing something to
change him back.
Man-Bat found a cave to stay the night, but soon realized
it was Batman's cave. Batman returned home and found
him there. He was able to knock the creature out when
he failed to reason with him. He worked to find a
cure for Langstrom.
Marriage:
Impossible!
Batman attempted to stop the Langstrom wedding (Man-Bat
had escaped the cave before Batman could "cure"
him). Francine told Batman nothing could stop them
from getting married: Kirk had returned to their home
that night. She couldn't bear to look at him, but
she knew she loved the man inside. Langstrom refused
to let Batman help him, but he gave Francine a way
to prove her love. Batman realized what they'd done
when she flew away from him.
Batman gave chase and eventually was able to dose
each of them with the antidote he'd been carrying
since Man-Bat escaped the cave. Both morphed back
into human form and realized how terrible it had been
to be "inhuman."
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