| |
|
 |
| Issue |
Batman
404 |
| Subtitle |
Who
I Am, How I Came To Be (Year One part 1) |
| Date |
February
1987 |
| Writer(s) |
Frank
Miller |
| Artist(s) |
David
Mazzucchellli |
| storyline |
Lt.
James Gordon arrived in Gotham City and was greeted
by Detective Flass; Bruce Wayne returned to his
home and was greeted by the media. Gordon began
to see the corruption in the police department firsthand
- from his partner all the way up to Commissioner
Gillian Loeb. Gordon was roughed up by some of Flass's
goons when they realized he "wasn't good for
the department." Gordon stalked Flass that
night and caused him to crash. He beat the drunk
detective up and left him naked on the side of the
road.
Bruce created an alibi and, disguised, went on a
recon mission through the city. In the East End,
he was propositioned by a young girl named Holly.
Another hooker named Selina looked on from an upstairs
window. Holly's pimp Stan attacked Wayne, she stabbed
him in the thigh, and Selina jumped down to enter
the fray. He was shot by police and taken in a squad
car. Wayne caused the police to wreck and escaped.
While driving home, he realized he wasn't feared.
That night, while he waited for Alfred to tend his
wounds (his butler had been trained in combat medicine),
a bat flew through his window. |
|
 |
| Issue |
Batman
405 |
| Subtitle |
War
is Declared (Year
One part 2) |
| Date |
March
1987 |
| Writer(s) |
Frank
Miller |
| Artist(s) |
David
Mazzucchellli |
| storyline |
Gordon
responded to a hostage situation. He humiliated
SWAT and ended it by himself. Now with the press
on his side, Loeb's hands were tied. With his pregnant
wife giving him a massage, Gordon got a call about
a giant bat. Five weeks later, he briefed the force
on this new vigilante called Batman. Flass gave
his own personal account of when he was attacked
by the superhuman creature.
Commissioner Loeb was having a dinner with the heads
of various "organizations" (including
Carmine Falcone) when the Batman burst in and threatened
them all. Gordon questioned Assistant District Attorney
Harvey Dent about Batman and about Falcone while
Batman hid under the DA's desk. Gordon confided
in Detective Essen that Dent could be Batman. Essen
believed Bruce Wayne was the vigilante. As they
talked, they saw the Batman save a woman from a
runaway truck. Gordon and Essen chased him into
an abandoned building. The Commissioner ordered
it demolished. SWAT arrived on the scene. |
|
 |
| Issue |
Batman
406 |
| Subtitle |
Black
Dawn (Year
One part 3) |
| Date |
April
1987 |
| Writer(s) |
Frank
Miller |
| Artist(s) |
David
Mazzucchellli |
| storyline |
Selina
and Holly saw the situation unfold via their window
and TV. They headed to the scene. Batman took a
bullet in the leg and took an entire police unit
down. Using a device he'd created, Batman called
the bats from the cave under his mansion. He continued
to dismantle cops. Using the bats as cover, he stole
a police motorcycle and escaped. A nearby merchant
found cash on his register and a suit missing.
Wayne traveled to Switzerland so that he'd have
an alibi when Gordon began asking questions. Gotham's
hero cop began an affair with his partner, Sarah
Essen, and began to feel as though Batman was one
of the good guys. |
|
 |
| Issue |
Batman
407 |
| Subtitle |
Friend
in Need
(Year
part 4) |
| Date |
May
1987 |
| Writer(s) |
Frank
Miller |
| Artist(s) |
David
Mazzucchellli |
| storyline |
Essen
requested a transfer to get away from Gordon, who
was in love with her. Gordon questioned Dent's motives
when one of his collars, Skeevers, was released
on bail. Batman got to Skeevers and he squealed
on Flass. Loeb threatened Gordon with pictures of
him with Essen. Gordon and his wife visited with
Wayne. He told her about his affair with Essen.
She later gave birth to a boy.
Skeevers survived an incident with rat poison in
his food. A cat burglar frequented Loeb's home.
Selina was furious when the credit went to Batman.
Her next attack was on Carmine "The Roman"
Falcone. She scratched his face and made sure she
was seen. Batman helped her when his goons attacked.
Gordon's son was kidnapped - both Loeb and Falcone
were involved. Gordon saw it happen and went after
them. Batman - out of costume - saved the child
and handed him over to his father. Gordon told the
man he could barely see without his glasses.
Loeb resigned after Flass showed his notes during
his trial. Gordon was promoted to Captain. He awaited
Batman on a rooftop - someone was planning to poison
the GC reservoir. |
|
| original
hardcover edition |
trade
paperback edition |
 |
 |
| deluxe
hardcover edition |
deluxe
hardcover edition (with closed flap) |
 |
 |
| Notes,
references to time, and chronology: |
| |
This
story takes place over an entire calendar year - January
through December. |
| |
Bruce
was 25 when he returned to Gotham City after 12 years abroad.
His parents had been murdered 18 years before when he was
6. |
| |
Barbara
Gordon, pregnant wife of James, mentioned a "Man of
Steel" in Metropolis. Alfred also spoke of Superman. |
| |
James
Gordon, Jr. was born to Barbara and James, Sr. |
| |
Gordon
was promoted to Captain at some point in the story. |
|
|