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| Publisher |
DC |
| Published | October 1984 |
NIGHTMARES, INC. A scare-for-hire party service has started to operate in Gotham City and a couple of days later, the houses of the people who hired the service are robbed. When the news reach Wayne Manor, Alfred suggests that Batman should investigate these coincidences in order to keep his mind occupied while his team of lawyers recover Jason Todd, who was taken away by the Child Welfare Bureau. At night, Batman investigates the offices of "Nightmares, Inc." and finds the identity of the leader of the organization as Sturges Hellstrom. Going to the GCPD Headquarters to make use of the computer files, Batman learns Hellstrom's background in special effects and also his criminal record. Afterwards, Batman interrogates a couple of people who hired the scare service and had been robbed, although they never reported the crime. Batman learns that the victims are all high society people who didn't want their name soiled on the newspapers. Taking matters into his own hands, Bruce Wayne throws a party at Wayne Manor and he hires Nightmares, Inc. as part of the entertainment. When the "monsters" enter the place, their leader, "Nightshade" creates a theatric entrance, which gives Bruce the distraction needed to switch into Batman and keep a close eye on Nightshade's associates, who true to form, are examining Wayne Manor, looking for valuables and money. A few minutes later, Bruce returns to his role as party host and firmly makes the "entertainment" leave, feigning indignation for such a poor taste of diversion created. This display of bravery and dominance causes a small conflict between Vicki Vale and Julia Pennyworth, who are both interested in getting Bruce Wayne's attention. After the party has ended, Batman goes to the office of Nightmares, Inc., where he was expected by Hellstrom. A confrontation between them starts and Batman is forced to leave the building as the villain uses a flamethrower against him, burning the whole place. Batman barely makes it out, but Hellstrom reaches safety and goes to the outskirts of the city, where he enters a cave and reports the events to the mastermind behind Nightmares, Inc., Nocturna.
