Issue Batman 415 Subtitle Millennium (week 2 of Millennium) Date January 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo storyline Gordon pushed Batman through his office window and shot at him while he held on to a ledge. The Manhunters (robots created by the Green Lantern Corps) were rebelling, trying to stop the millennium. The Gordon imposter was one of them. Robin staked out and took down the Scarecrow - only to have Batman go off on him for attacking. Batman and Robin infiltrated Arkham and destroyed the false Gordon. Batman went to find the real Gordon. >> continued in Detective 562

Issue Batman 416 Subtitle White Gold and Truth Date February 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo storyline Robin, staking out a cocaine lab, was thrown through a skylight after being carelessly discovered by a guard. Nightwing went in after him and saved him - the lab was not yet active. Nightwing told Robin to go home to Bruce and tell him that he screwed up. Robin had no clue who Nightwing was and asked Batman. Dick showed up in the cave the next morning to talk to Bruce. Nineteen-year-old Dick told his former partner/mentor what he'd been doing since being fired as Robin 18 months previous (see Batman 408). The two got into a huge argument which ended in Bruce asking him to leave after telling him that Batman needed a Robin and that he missed his first partner. Nightwing offered Robin some assistance the next night, and they took down the coke lab together while Batman looked on and smiled.

Issue Batman 417 Subtitle Ten Nights of the Beast part 1 Date March 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo storyline A KGB agent informed Gordon and the CIA of an extreme assassin that was on the loose - suspected to be in Gotham City. The KGBeast was not a part of the Soviet government, but of an off-shoot faction. CIA agent Bundy told what he knew - the KGBeast had already killed two in Gotham. The CIA made it clear - they did not want Batman to be involved. Batman was listening in, however, and went after a man he suspected could be a target. He was too late, but did uncover a list of possible targets.

Issue Batman 418 Subtitle Ten Nights of the Beast part 2 Date April 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo storyline A banquet was poisoned - 80 were killed. Batman gave chase, but the KGBeast got away. Gordon and Batman set up a trap. Batman was waiting in ambush to nab the assassin, but he was too good and escaped.

Issue Batman 419 Subtitle Ten Nights of the Beast part 3 Date May 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo storyline The KGBeast shot down a passenger jet, but it turned out to be a decoy. He then attacked a pair of senators in a high-rise hotel. Batman again gave chase, but the Beast cut off his own hand to escape. They prepared for the President's arrival in Gotham.

Issue Batman 420 Subtitle Ten Nights of the Beast part 4 Date June 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo storyline When the President arrived, Batman kidnapped him to safety. With the death toll now over 100, the Beast was fitted for a new "hand" - a custom fit automatic gun with a bayonet. Robin saved a decoy of the President from a suicide bomber while Batman escorted the real President. Batman was shot in the next attack, but the Beast was also injured - his eye. Batman chased the Beast into the sewer system. After a struggle, Batman forced him into a trap and secured the door.

Issue Batman 421 Subtitle Elmore's Lady Date July 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Dick Giordano, Joe Rubinstein storyline Batman found number 11 of the dumpster killings, this one had a witness. He tracked a van down, but it was impounded when the murder occurred. The same cop was on guard duty each time a victim appeared. Batman tracked the cop, but found him dead. The body led him to the man's cousin and an associate. He had no proof on them.

Issue Batman 422 Subtitle Just Deserts Date August 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Mark Bright, Joe Rubinstein, Steve Mitchell storyline One of the killers killed his partner so that he couldn't squeal. Batman pinned the killer, but he got off on a technicality. Batman later had to stop Robin from beating a pimp. The dumpster killer decided on one more hit before he left town. She turned out to be the sister of one of the earlier victims, and the death of the murderer.

Issue Batman 423 Subtitle You Shoulda Seen him... Date September 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Dave Cockrum, Mike DeCarlo storyline Three policemen traded Batman stories. In one night he stopped a suicide attempt, broke up a hostage / robbery situation, and rescued some homeless children from the streets. Bruce Wayne took in the brother and sister until he could locate some of their relatives.

Issue Batman 424 Subtitle The Diplomat's Son Date September 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Doc Bright, Mike DeCarlo storyline Batman and Robin helped out a domestic abuse victim, but the perpetrator had diplomatic immunity thanks to his father. They planned on busting him for drugs so he'd be deported. Batman had to warn Robin from being over-anxious. The bust went down, but he planned on seeing his girlfriend again before leaving the country. When Robin arrived at her apartment, she'd hung herself. Robin went for the killer (in his eyes); Batman arrived in time to see him fall to his death from his balcony. When questioned, Robin replied, "I guess I spooked him. He slipped."

Issue Batman 425 Subtitle Consequences Date November 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Doc Bright, Steve Mitchell storyline Batman received a picture of Gordon chained up in a junk yard. The ransom note told him to bring Robin; it was signed "a Bereaved Father." Batman went to save his friend with out telling Robin of the situation, but the Boy Wonder stowed away in the Batmobile. The duo was able to take down the operation and free Gordon.

Issue Batman 426 Subtitle A Death in the Family book one Date December 1988 Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo storyline Batman and Robin busted up a kiddie-porn ring. Batman chastised Robin for jumping the gun and being reckless. After talking to Alfred, Bruce put Jason on inactive duty. Jason was furious and ran out. Gordon contacted Batman about the Joker's escape from Arkham. The mad-man showed his "very own cruise missile" to his gang. He pondered stopping his life of crime to get into international politics. Wandering around where he used to live, Jason came upon some evidence that the mother he knew might not be his biological mother. He left Bruce and Alfred a note and went to find out the truth. Batman discovered that Joker had a nuclear weapon and planned to sell it to Middle-Eastern terrorists. Bruce and Jason bumped into each other in Beirut. They tracked down the Joker and foiled his bomb sale. It exploded, but the warhead was not damaged. Joker escaped and Jason ruled out the first candidate on his list of three.

Issue Batman 427 Subtitle A Death in the Family book two Date undated Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo storyline Lady Shiva Woosan was ruled out as number 2 on the list, leaving Dr. Sheila Haywood. They found her and Bruce left them to get to know each other. Jason soon learned that his mother was being used by the Joker. Disobeying direct orders from Batman, Jason suited up and went to save his mother. She betrayed him to the Joker and he was savagely beaten and left unconscious. Joker tied up Haywood and planted a bomb. Batman returned in time to see the building explode.

Issue Batman 428 Subtitle A Death in the Family book three Date undated Writer(s) Jim Starlin Artist(s) Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo storyline In the wreckage, he found his worst fear - Jason was dead. Bruce returned to Gotham and had a funeral for the two victims. Superman came to him with the news that Joker was the new United Nations ambassador from Iran. With the post came immunity from prosecution on any crime he committed beforehand. Superman was asked by the state department to stop Batman from interfering in the proceedings.