| |
|
 |
| Issue |
Detective
575 |
| Subtitle |
Fear
the Reaper |
| Date |
June
1987 |
| Writer(s) |
Mike
W. Barr |
| Artist(s) |
Alan
Davis, Paul Neary |
| storyline |
Newly
appointed Commissioner Gordon gave a TV interview. The
reported likened Batman to The Reaper - a vigilante from
Gotham City's past. Dr. Leslie Thompkins introduced Bruce
Wayne to one of her friends, Rachel Caspian. Bruce made
a contribution to her charity and was told she was taking
her final vows to become a nun soon.
Rachel's father, Judson, having returned to Gotham City
after being away for some time realized how bad things
were. He pulled out his old costume and went to town as
The Reaper. The Reaper killed some street thugs who were
attacking a young woman. Gordon called Batman in on it.
Batman quickly found the returned vigilante and attacked
him. The Reaper easily defeated Batman using both scythes
on his hands and guns. His leather armor and larger stature
made it harder for Batman.
Alfred and Dr. Thompkins patched Bruce up, who pondered
using a gun himself. He pulled out the weapon which killed
his parents. |
|
 |
| Issue |
Detective
576 |
| Subtitle |
Deal
With the Devil |
| Date |
July
1987 |
| Writer(s) |
Mike
W. Barr |
| Artist(s) |
Todd
McFarlane, Alfredo Alcala |
| storyline |
Gordon
was called to the scene of a shooting. The Reaper attacked
police escorting a mob boss to jail. The mob boss and
some officers were killed by the Reaper. Caspian remembered
how his wife (Rachel's mother) was killed by a burglar.
Batman spoke with Gordon and promised that no matter
what happened in the near future, they were still on
the same side.
The Reaper attacked again, in the presence of Gordon
and his men. Batman was there, too, and used his new
weapon against them. The Reaper and Batman both escaped.
Gordon realized Batman was now an enemy.
Batman made a deal with the underworld to help them
take down the Reaper. The mob gave him a partner - Joe
Chill - the man Bruce believed killed his parents. |
|
 |
| Issue |
Detective
577 |
| Subtitle |
Deadly
Allies |
| Date |
August
1987 |
| Writer(s) |
Mike
W. Barr |
| Artist(s) |
Todd
McFarlane, Alfredo Alcala |
| storyline |
Batman
and Chill went out together and made some progress.
Chill reported back to his employers. Rachel and Bruce
had dinner with Dr. Thompkins. She introduced her father
to the man who'd caused her to drop out of the convent.
After dinner, both men changed clothes and went to work.
Batman went head-to-head with the Reaper and police
again, this time with Joe Chill at his side. Gordon
lost men again, but Chill, Batman, and the Reaper all
escaped. Batman, torn, saved Chill and vowed to his
father that the killer would die soon. |
|
 |
| Issue |
Detective
578 |
| Subtitle |
...So
Shall Ye Reap... |
| Date |
September
1987 |
| Writer(s) |
Mike
W. Barr |
| Artist(s) |
Todd
McFarlane, Alfredo Alcala |
| storyline |
Bruce
had dinner with Rachel and proposed to her. She accepted.
The Reaper played both sides - setting up a mob meeting
and having the police informed. Many of the bosses were
killed. Batman saved Chill again and stayed with him
until he awakened. He believed the Reaper was dead.
When Chill woke up, Batman took him to the scene of
his parents' deaths. He unmasked himself to his enemy.
The Reaper shot Chill before Batman could. He also saw
him without his mask. Batman and the Reaper fought at
the construction site of Wayne's new building. The Reaper
lost his mask in the fight and refused to let Batman
save him from a fall. Judson Caspian was killed.
Bruce went to comfort Rachel, but she turned him away
for her habit. Bruce presented Leslie with a new clinic
and disappeared. |
|
| trade
paperback edition |
 |
| Notes,
references to time, and chronology: |
|
Gordon
has recently been promoted to Commissioner. |
|
Chapter
two says Joe Chill killed the Waynes 25 years previous; chapter
four says 20. |
|
|
|
