Detective Comics #483

Issue Details

Synopsis

THE CURSE OF CRIME ALLEY On the anniversary of his parents' death, Batman returns to Park Row, now called Crime Alley and meets with Leslie Thompkins, the kind elder woman who once comforted an orphan Bruce Wayne.  During their conversation, they notice a couple of strange men outside the Skirley Apartments, a building located in the same spot where the Waynes were murdered. Batman forces the thugs to tell the truth of their intentions and so he learns that they were hired by a criminal called Maxie Zeus in order to kill a former enemy called John Logan.   Batman and Leslie go into the building to warn Logan about the attack. When Batman is distracted by a case of domestic violence, a lowlife takes the chance to snatch away Leslie's purse and attack her. When Batman notices the thief escaping and Lelise injured, he goes berserk and attacks the criminal, beating him to a pulp. Batman is only stopped at Leslie's pleadings and they are soon joined by Logan, who shows true intentions of protecting Leslie.   Knowing that his friend is in good hands, Batman goes looking for the rest of henchmen hired by Zeus and he finds them at the top of the building, ready to drop a chemical agent through the ventilation system, which would kill Logan or force him to leave the apartments, where more thugs would attack him.   Batman takes all of the crooks down and prevents them from spreading the gas as a heavy storm starts pouring over Crime Alley. Before the night is over, Maxie Zeus receives a note from Batman with the only word: "soon". At dawn, Leslie has been taken to the Gotham General Hospital, where she is glad to see that her efforts and sacrifice can bring small changes in people such as John Logan. THE LIGHTS!...CAMERA!...MURDER!' CONTRACT! A DATE WITH BATGIRL Batgirl mops up on most of a terrorist band that attack the Lincoln Memorial, but the leader manages to escape. After the police take the criminals away, a soldier gets the nerve to ask her for a date, and is accepted.   The date however goes very wrong for them as Batgirl is a well known public figure and they are not able to have a moment alone. When they return home, Batgirl thinks of the only clue left by the terrorists and she deduces that their next hit would be at the Washington Monument.   True to her deduction, the terrorists are ready to attack at the place, but Batgirl joins forces with the young soldier and together they capture the entire gang. Unfortunately, the soldier's vehicle is crashed beyond repair, but that gives them the chance to finally spend a good time together walking home at night. RETURN TO CASTLE BRANEK! The Demon attempts to claim the Eternity Book back from the clutches of Baron Tyme, but with the power of Merlin's spellbook the mysterious mortal shields himself with the "flames of the forbidden," easily repelling his new servant. Impotent before the potency of Merlin's magic, Etrigan demands to know who confronts him.  Baron Tyme divulges how he came to be the half-a-man who stands before Etrigan.  Tyme announces that only Merlin has the power to free him from his divided existence, and it is Etrigan who will lead him to the sorcerer's tomb. Exerting another display of dominance over his reluctant servant, Tyme then conjures a portal to far off Castle Branek.   Back in Jason Blood's apartment, Harry tries to put Glenda's mind at ease, but Randu does not share is optimism. With his second sight, Randu has witnessed the Demon's subjugation and fears for his fiend's safety.   In the isolated village of Wolfenstag, the townspeople are also afraid, as they witness an unnatural storm brewing over the ruins of Castle Branek. Inspector Stavic calms the gathered crowd but is unable to assuage his own concerns.   Etrigan emerges from the portal, shadowed by Baron Tyme, onto the abandoned castle grounds. The Demon warns his master to tread carefully before leading the way to the tomb, meandering with an irregular gait. Tyme fails to see the purpose in Etrigan's stride, until the tomb unveils itself in an eldritch glow. Etrigan cares not, for he has walked the "pattern of power," levelling his magical strength to that of Tyme's. The two face each other in a mystical duel that lasts long enough for Tyme to recognise he no longer holds sway over Merlin's Demon, fortunately he knows one last spell that can turn the tide once more. To Etrigan's dismay, Tyme recites the verse of transformation, and Jason Blood appears in his stead. Brushing the mortal away with ease, Tyme approaches the ancient crypt of the world's greatest wizard. Jason's pleas to not open the tomb go unheeded, as Tyme slides the great slab aside to reveal... it empty. TERMINUS The leader of MAZE has gathered the entire organization to devise the ultimate plan to eliminate Robin, but they are taken by surprise when the Teen Wonder and the New Carthage Police Department break into their headquarters and round up all of the criminals with help from the inside agent, The Card Queen, who is none other than Duela Dent. Despite the successful mission, there is one criminal who manages to escape: The Raven.   The next day at Hudson University, Dick Grayson makes sure to capture the criminal as he confronts David Corby in front of Lori Elton and reveals Corby's identity as The Raven. Corby tries to fight back to silence Dick, but his efforts are futile as Dick defeats him and Corby is subsequently captured by Chief McDonald.   Dick takes one last look at Lori as she realizes the terrible mistake she has made; a mistake that has caused the man that once loved her more than she ever thought possible, to turn his back on her and tears cross through her face. Dick's bravery is cheered by the many students and friends who witnessed his feat, but he pays no attention to them and he walks alone away from the sunset, his own man at last. GOTHAM'S GREAT KANGAROO RACE! Bruce Wayne organizes an outrageous kangaroo race in Gotham City, much to the displeasure of the common folk. Wayne however was an ulterior reason to do this. His main purpose is to smoke out an inllegal arms buyer aand trail him to his hideout.   When the criminal, who was an expert kangaroo trainer, wins the race, Bruce gives him the prize, with a tracer concealed within. Following the signal, Bruce soon changes into Batman and captures the criminal and his associates.   Finally, Bruce Wayne cancels the kangaroo race and gives the rest of the prize money to a child's clinic in need.