Batman #71

Issue Details

Synopsis

THE JAIL FOR HEROES! A gang lord called Scar Brink has built a gigantic prison where he places every law enforcer that he manages to capture. The duty of keeping them locked in the prison is hard, but the inmates become mild after Brink captures Batman and Robin, threatening to unmask the heroes if there is any more escape attempts. As prisoners, the law enforcers are enslaved to work on the prison's workshop and build objects that would help criminals on the outside escape the law. Batman prepares a plan for a mass breakout, but his plan fails when a desperate detective tries to escape first, leading to a confrontation between Brink and Batman. The Dark Knight is apparently defeated and all the law enforcers are placed in the gas chamber by Brink and his henchmen. However, the law enforcers soon learn that Batman switched places with Brink and everything is part of a plan to capture the criminals. Batman frees the law enforcers and together they place the thugs in their own cells, putting an end to the jail for heroes. COMMISSIONER GORDON’S GREATEST CASE! When Batman and Robin ask permission to use Commissioner Gordon's private restroom to heal some wounds, the elder police chief becomes very curious to learn the secret identity of Batman. Gordon could've eavesdropped on the bathroom, but instead he decides to start an investigation campaign to discover Batman's real identity. Meanwhile, Batman and Robin investigate the recent crimes of the criminal known as The Masked Mystic. As Gordon places traps to force Batman to reveal his identity, Batman is always one step ahead of Gordon, whose determination to find out the truth is out of control. When Gordon gets another chance to spy upon Batman on his personal restroom, Gordon takes the opportunity and is shocked to see the man behind the mask. Gordon tells Batman that he knows the truth, but will keep it a secret. However, Gordon's subconscious mind betrays him and he starts giving away hints of Batman's secret identity to the people close to him. When The Masked Mystic learns that Gordon knows Batman's identity and tries to force the Commissioner to reveal the name. To protect his family Gordon must reveal that Batman is James Bartley. The Masked Mystic gets going to the house of Bartley, but Batman gets there first and finally captures the criminal. It is thus revealed that Gordon's knowledge was false since Bartley and Batman appear together after The Masked Mystic's capture. Afterwards, Gordon is relieved to know that he never knew the real identity of Batman and after these events, he doesn't want to know. THE MASK OF MR. CIPHER! The Gotham City Police Department and Batman learn that there is some underground criminal operation that allows thugs to change their facial structure in order to avoid capture. Commissioner Gordon and Batman come up with an idea to send undercover agents to the criminal underworld to learn the identity of the master criminal behind this elaborate operation. Batman is able to recognize the undercover officers by a token coin that they all carry on their pockets. Soon, the identity of the master criminal behind it all is known as Mister Cipher, a mysterious masked man. When Cipher learns about the undercover agents on his racket, he starts searching among his men and Batman has to intervene to prevent Cipher from harming the undercover officers. Batman is captured as he searches for the Cipher's lair and Cipher contacts Robin using Batman's Utility Belt. Before Cipher can spring a trap for Robin, Batman manages to break free. Soon Robin arrives, and the Dynamic Duo are able to capture all the criminals except The Cipher. The police arrive at the criminals' base of operation and Cipher pulls out a gun, but he is shot before he can fire. In The Cipher's dying moments, Batman removes The Cipher's mask and learns that he has undergone so many surgeries that his facial features are no longer identifiable. The Cipher dies and his true identity remains a mystery.