Unknown Comics exclusive variant by Jay Anacleto. Written by Scott Snyder, Kevin Smith, Paul Dini, Warren Ellis, Denny O'Neil, Christopher Priest, Brian Michael Bendis, Geoff Johns, James Tynion IV, Tom King and Peter J. Tomasi. Art by Greg Capullo, Jim Lee, Dustin Nguyen, Becky Cloonan, Steve Epting, Neal Adams, Alex Maleev, Kelley Jones, Álvaro Martínez-Bueno, Tony S. Daniel, Joëlle Jones, Doug Mahnke, Jonathan Glapion, Scott Williams, Derek Fridolfs, Raul Fernandez and Jaime Mendoza. After 80 years, it's here -- the 1,000th issue of DETECTIVE COMICS, the title that literally defines DC!
This 96-page issue is stacked with an unbelievable lineup of talent that will take you on a journey through Batman's past, present and future...plus a sensational epilogue that features the first-ever DC Universe appearance of the deadly Arkham Knight! But who is under the mask? And why do they want Batman dead? The incredible future of Batman adventures begins here! Featuring: "Batman's Longest Case" by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion; "Manufacture for Use" by Kevin Smith, Jim Lee and Scott Williams; "The Legend of Knute Brody" by Paul Dini, Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs; "The Batman's Design" by Warren Ellis and Becky Cloonan; "Return to Crime Alley" by Denny O'Neil and Steve Epting; "Heretic" by Christopher Priest and Neal Adams; "I Know" by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev; "The Last Crime in Gotham" by Geoff Johns and Kelley Jones; "The Precedent" by James Tynion IV, Álvaro Martínez-Bueno and Raul Fernandez; "Batman's Greatest Case" by Tom King, Tony S. Daniel and Joëlle Jones; and the Arkham Knight in "Medieval" by Peter J. Tomasi, Doug Mahnke and Jaime Mendoza (continues next issue). Plus pin-ups by Mikel Janín, Jason Fabok and Amanda Conner.
96 pages, full color. Rated T
As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics—The New 52 event of September 2011, Detective Comics is relaunched for the first time ever with an all-new number #1! Bruce Wayne returns as Batman, and sets his sights on new villain the Gotham Ripper, who in turn has his sights on Batman. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne explores a budding romance with television journalist Charlotte Rivers, who's visiting Gotham City to cover the gruesome slayings–while also trying to uncover Bruce's own mystery. But time is running out as both Commissioner Gordon and Batman work to uncover the true identity of this new serial killer.
Complete set of 10 issues
Continued from Batman Shadow of the Bat (1992) #0. As Bruce Wayne ponders the future, his early days as the Dark Knight come to mind, when he used his vast fortune to amass an arsenal of high-tech hardware to aid him in his war on crime. Plus, more is revealed about a dark episode in Batman's past.
Written by Chuck Dixon, with art by Graham Nolan and Scott Hanna. Cover by Nolan and Hanna. 36 pgs.
Variant Cover by Frank Miller. Written by John Layman & Various. Art by Jason Fabok & Various.
DC Entertainment presents this mega-sized issue featuring an all-star roster of Batman creators past and present! Don't miss a modern-day retelling of The Dark Knight's origin by the incredible team of writer Brad Meltzer and artist Bryan Hitch! Plus, all-new stories by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy, Peter J. Tomasi and Ian Bertram, writer/artist Francesco Francavilla, Mike W. Barr and Guillem March, Gregg Hurwitz and Neal Adams and more! Also in this issue, John Layman and Jason Fabok kick off the new storyline 'GOTHTOPIA'! Gothtopia: Part 1 of 3 - It's a bright, shiny, happy place where dreams come true...as long as you don't look at things too closely.
Plus: pin-ups by Mike Allred, Graham Nolan, Kelley Jones, Patrick Gleason and Jock.
Cover by Dick Giordano. "The Cape & Cowl Deathtrap," script by Elliot S! Maggin, art by Walter Simonson;
Batman terrorizes Harcourt, a criminal mastermind who admits to bribing a judge (Arnell) and the grand jury but he swears he doesn't know the identity of the person who killed Senator Locksley; Batman believes he knows the assassin, though not the one who hired him; Later, assassin Jeremy Wormwood is invited to Bruce Wayne's office where he finds Harcourt who hires him to steal Batman's cape and cowl; Commissioner Gordon calls Batman having received a bizarre phone message - a poem referencing famous historical and/or literary people; Batman deduces the poem refers to a wax museum and enters only to have all entrances sealed and locked. "The Parking Lot Bandit!" starring Robin, script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Al Milgrom, inks by Terry Austin; Someone using the M.O. of the Parking Lot Bandit breaks into the University business office and steals $50,000.
36 pgs., full color.
Cover by Dick Giordano. "The Batman's Burden!", script by Denny O'Neil, art by Ernie Chan;
Bruce Wayne, Cumming Streeter and Molly Post are at a resort on San Lorenzo island for charity events; Bruce departs shortly before Batman arrives and harasses Blady Amber; Molly intervenes, disgusted by Batman's rough manner; Batman pushes her away angering a table of Navy sailors on leave; After a fight Batman chases after Amber who has returned to his hotel. "The Parking Lot Bandit Strikes Again!", script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Al Milgrom, inks by Terry Austin; Robin and Chief McDonald capture the Parking Lot Bandit and also the person who framed him for the theft of $50,000 from Hudson University. Hostess Twinkies ad starring Shazam!
36 pgs., full color.
Last 25-cent cover price. Cover by Ernie Chan. "Death-Kiss," script by Elliot S! Maggin, art by Ernie Chan (as Ernie Chua);
Bruce Wayne is dosed with poison through a womans lipstick which, unless he can get the antidote within an hour, will kill the Batman. "The Un-Stretchable Sleuth," script by Bob Rozakis, art by Kurt Schaffenberger; the Elongated Man loses his powers. Hostess Cup Cakes ad starring Shazam!, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Vince Colletta.
36 pgs., full color.
Cover by Ernie Chan. "The Real Batman Dies Next!" script by Elliot S! Maggin, pencils by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, inks by Ernie Chan;
At a costume fund raiser, a man dressed as Batman dies in Bruce Wayne's arms; His cowl is removed, and he is identified as Lt. Bucky Dunlop; the words "The Real Batman Dies Next!" appear to have been tattooed on his forehead; Gordon is there, and orders all in attendance, including Bruce, to remain behind. "Peal of the Devil-Bell!" starring Man-Bat, script by Martin Pasko, pencils by Pablo Marcos, inks by Tex Blaisdell; Britt Langstrom (Kirk's sister) finds Francine (Kirk's wife) strapped to a bed, and she frees her, but Francine changes into a humanoid bat. Hostess Cup Cakes ad starring Shazam!, art by Curt Swan. Justice For All Includes Children 2 public service announcement, art by Neal Adams.
36 pgs., full color.
Cover by Ernie Chan. "A Clue before Dying!", script by Martin Pasko, art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez; While attending a party thrown by Elliot Quinn
Batman must uncover who murdered the host. "Scream of the Gargoyle!" script by Martin Pasko, art by Pablo Marcos; Man-Bat battles a demon. Hostess Cup Cakes ad starring Shazam!, art by Curt Swan.
36 pgs., full color.
Cover by Ernie Chan (as Ernie Chua). "Slow Down - and Die!" script by Bob Rozakis and Michael Uslan, pencils by Ernie Chan (as Ernie Chua), inks by Frank McLaughlin
Captain Stingaree, a sword-wielding villain, becomes convinced Batman is really portrayed collectively by the Courtney triplets, a team of private investigators, and captures one Batman, who proves to be Michael Courtney. "The Cold-Fire Caper!", script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Pablo Marcos, inks by Al Milgrom; Tim Trench is assigned by a beautiful woman to find a stolen ruby that turns out not to be stolen after all.
36 pgs., full color.
DC Comics salutes the Bicentennial. Cover by Ernie Chan (as Ernie Chua). "Bruce Wayne - Bait in a Bat-Trap," script by Bob Rozakis and Michael Uslan, pencils by Ernie Chan, inks by Frank McLaughlin
Per last issue, Bruce Wayne was kidnapped by Captain Stingaree and his men to be used as bait to catch "Batman #2"; Stingaree believes that there are secretly three Batmen (all brothers) and has already captured one last issue (Michael); He also believes that Bruce Wayne is secretly financing them which is why Wayne was kidnapped.
36 pgs., full color
Cover by Ernie Chan (as Ernie Chua). "Kill Batman - In Triplicate," script by Bob Rozakis and Michael Uslan, pencils by Ernie Chan (as Ernie Chua), inks by Frank McLaughlin
Per last two issues, Captain Stingaree believes that there are secretly three Batmen (all brothers) and has already captured two; This issue begins with Robin, having received an anonymous tip about the HQ of a Hudson University drug operation, goes through the snow to a cabin; As he approaches, an avalanche of snow lands on him...
36 pgs., full color.
Cover by Ernie Chan. "Death-Web," script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Ernie Chan, inks by Frank McLaughlin
Batman encounters the Black Spider, a costumed vigilante out to kill every drug pusher in Gotham, regardless of anyone who might get in the way.
"Crimes by Calculation," script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Mike Grell, inks by Terry Austin; The Atom fights the Calculator, a computer-powered criminal who steals a quake-breaking device from one of Ray Palmers colleagues at the cost of the mans life.
36 pgs., full color.
Cover by Ernie Chan. 'The Best-Kept Secret in Gotham City!' script by David Vern (as David V. Reed), pencils by Ernie Chan, inks by Frank Giacoia
Commissioner Gordon is kidnapped by hoods who want him to divulge Batmans secret identity, which he does not know; But a prearranged signal leads Batman to the place where he is being held, and to a confrontation with his captors.
'The Elongated Plague!', script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Ernie Chan, inks by Terry Austin; Elongated Man battles the Calculator.
Cover pencils by Ernie Chan, inks by Vince Colletta. "Signalman Steals the Spotlight!" script by Len Wein, pencils by Ernie Chan, inks by Vince Colletta
Signalman returns to Gotham City to commit grand robberies, battle Batman, and place his foe within a deathtrap - the Bat-Signal itself.
"Take Me Out of the Ball Game," script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Terry Austin; Elongated Man, trying to get Green Arrow to help him catch Calculator, accompanies the archer to the Worlds Series game, at which he is to throw out the first ball; When two balls thrown by GA vanish, Green Arrow is confronted by Calculator himself, who has captured the baseballs with his strange headgear device. Elongated Man finds himself powerless to pursue the villain directly.
Cover pencils by Rich Buckler, inks by Vince Colletta. "Pick-Up on Gotham 2-4-6!" script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by John Calnan, inks by Vince Colletta
Hawkman drops by to trade stories with Batman and learns of the Caped Crusaders recent foray against a crook who tried to escape from a subway car dressed as the Batman.
"The Man Who Skyjacked Hawkman!" script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Terry Austin and Neal Adams; Hawkman battles the Calculator, Batman cameo.
Cover by Jim Aparo. "Battle of the Thinking Machines," script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Terry Austin
The Calculator has immunized himself to six members of the Justice Leagues attempts to capture him, but Batman resolves to give it another try. 36 pgs., full color.
First 35-cent cover-priced issue. Cover by Jim Aparo. "The Master Plan of Dr. Phosphorus!" script by Steve Englehart, pencils by Walt Simonson, inks by Al Milgrom
Batman confronts Dr. Phosphorus at the new Gotham City offshore nuclear power plant. Hostess Twinkies ad starring Green Lantern. Message from publisher Jenette Kahn. Profile on Jack C. Harris by Mike Gold. 1st appearance of Silver St. Cloud.
36 pgs., full color.
Cover by Marshall Rogers. "The Malay Penguin!" script by Steve Englehart, pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Terry Austin.
Though it seems that the Penguin has designs on the statue The Malay Penguin, Batman decodes the clues the villain drops and puts a stop to his real plot.
36 pgs., full color.
Cover pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Dick Giordano. 3 new pages, script by Len Wein, pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Dick Giordano
Batman visits Rupert Thorne. Reprint from Detective 408: "The House That Haunted Batman!," script by Len Wein and Marv Wolfman, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano; Batman checks up on Rupert Thorne, who now occupies a padded cell at the local asylum.
Cover pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Terry Austin. "The Dead Yet Live," script by Steve Englehart, pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Terry Austin
Bruce Wayne checks into the private hospital Graytowers to recover from injuries he sustained fighting Dr. Phosphorus, but he soon discovers that Hugo Strange is using the facility to turn the rich and influential patients into his mindless slaves; When Strange sics a venomous snake on Batman, which knocks the hero out, Strange uncovers Batman's secret identity.
Last 35-cent cover-price. Cover pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Terry Austin. "The Coming of... Clayface III!" script by Len Wein, pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Dick Giordano
Preston Payne uses blood from Matt Hagen, the second Clayface, to try to change the effects of hyperpituitarism on his appearance; But the "cure" causes Payne's flesh to melt like wax and forces him to periodically dissolve others into protoplasm. When Batman interferes with Payne's theft of the components necessary to reverse his condition, he may become Clayface's next victim.
Cover by Jim Aparo. The Perfect Fighting Machine, script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Don Newton, inks by Dave Hunt
A criminal employs Dr. Moon to transform a flabby, unloved man into a "perfect fighting machine" called the Gork, and sends him against an ailing Batman. "The Case of the Off-Key Crimes!", script by Len Wein, art by Murphy Anderson; Hawkman and Hawkgirl go up against the Pied Piper.
44 pgs., full color
Cover by Jim Starlin. "Ticket to Tragedy," script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Marshall Rogers, inks by Marshall Rogers
Batman must race against time to discover the identity of a murderer and capture him in order to convince a disillusioned surgeon not to burn his notes for a new medical technique.
"Does the Costume Make the Hero?",: script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Don Newton, inks by Dan Adkins; Robin tries out three new costumes designed by his fans, including one with a jet-pack, which he uses in a battle against the Raven and the mysterious crime-cartel which he encounters.
"A Slow Death in China!", script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Don Heck, inks by Bob Smith; On a diplomatic mission to China, Batgirl first beats off an attack by the Sino-Supermen, then is captured as Barbara Gordon along with her aide.
"The Whittles Snatch" starring Man-Bat, script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Don Newton, inks by Dave Hunt.
"Murder in the Night!" script by Jim Starlin, pencils by Jim Starlin, inks by P. Craig Russell.
68 pgs., full color.
