BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT PREY

BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT PREY

DC COMICS
WRITTEN BY DOUG MOENCH
ART BY PAUL GULACY
INK BY TERRY AUSTIN
COLOUR BY STEVE OLIFF
MUSIC COMPOSED AND PRODUCED BY GERONIMO DARK
STORYTELLER COMICPHILOSOPHER
COMIC BOOK STORY

In a sting operation on the streets of Gotham, Maxwell Cort and his team from the Gotham Police Department aimed to arrest a street drug peddler to uncover the supplier behind the city's narcotics trade. As the police moved in for the arrest, the Dark Knight appeared, capturing the peddler who tried to evade the authorities. Interrogating the peddler on a rooftop, Batman learned that the supplier was Manny "the Fish" Cardona, a notorious dealer with police connections. As the police closed in, the peddler attempted to attack Batman but was swiftly subdued. Batman then used the unconscious peddler to delay the police, allowing his escape. Maxwell Cort, who disapproved of Batman's vigilantism, harboured resentment, believing Batman's actions undermined the police department's credibility. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne watched a television debate on Batman's role in Gotham, where Doctor Hugo Strange characterized Batman as obsessive and paranoid. Despite Lord Alfred's advice to turn off the TV, Bruce was captivated by Strange's analysis, which suggested Batman might be driven by personal loss and even schizophrenia. Captain Gordon defended Batman but faced a difficult position, unable to openly oppose Strange without risking his reputation. Mayor Wilson Klass then proposed forming a task force to apprehend Batman, with Captain Gordon in command and Doctor Strange as a consultant, putting Gordon in a challenging spot as he navigated the politically charged situation.

Captain Gordon considered Maxwell Cort as a potential second-in-command for the task force despite his reservations about Cort's hot-headed nature and personal vendetta against Batman. While recognizing Cort's determination and duty, Gordon knew he had to manage Cort's impulsiveness carefully. Doctor Hugo Strange quickly established his position, negotiating a substantial consulting fee and demanding access to all police files on Batman and extensive city data to refine his approach to capturing the vigilante. Gordon tasked Cort with selecting ten plainclothes officers for the task force, subject to his approval, reflecting his cautious approach to team assembly. Mayor Wilson Klass's directive to provide Strange with five years of mugging records raised Gordon's concerns about Strange's motives and ambition. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne, lost in contemplation of his parent's tragic death, was gently reminded by Alfred that night had fallen.

Manny "The Fish" Cardona, troubled by Batman's relentless interference in his drug operations, decided it was time to deal with the vigilante, unaware that Batman was already on his way to confront him. Around the corner, Catwoman prepared for her first diamond heist while Captain Gordon awaited Maxwell Cort's list of task force candidates. Gordon, concerned about Doctor Hugo Strange's intentions, learned Cort had taken the men to a secret location for a trustworthiness test. Strange, obsessed with Batman, hid a Batman costume in his closet, raising questions about his true motives. Meanwhile, police officers loyal to Cardona inadvertently warned him of their arrival, leading to a chaotic encounter where Batman incapacitated a henchman. As the Dark Knight confronted Cardona, Maxwell Cort discovered the treacherous officers and led a pursuit. The ensuing chaos allowed Catwoman to successfully complete her heist, and Batman used a smoke bomb to escape the police.

Doctor Hugo Strange's obsession with Batman led him to don a Batman costume, reflecting his unhealthy fixation. In the midst of chaos from a smoke bomb, Batman skillfully incapacitated Maxwell Cort's men but faced Cort, who regained composure and pointed a gun at him. Batman disarmed Cort, but Cort fired another gun, forcing Batman to retaliate with a Batarang before vanishing into the night. The media's speculative reporting on Batman's involvement with Catwoman infuriated her and added to Bruce Wayne's concerns about Strange's profiling threatening Batman's anonymity.
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