Batman: Bullock's Law #1

Issue Details

Synopsis

In weeks following the Cataclysm, Harvey Bullock is put on notice by the department physician, who threatens him with mandatory retirement if he does not reform his eating habits within a month. The Sergeant's life is further complicated by renewed activity from Black Mask's False-Facers as well as the "Widow-Whacker", a serial killer that exclusively targets old women - including the long-retired star of one of Bullock's favorite films.  After arresting top False-Facer Johnny "Poodles" Pudlenko, Bullock is accosted by Black Mask, who gives him a CD filled with data on rival criminals; in return, the crimelord demands that Bullock help sabotage Pudlenko's trial. While outraged at the "gift", Bullock cannot bring himself to ignore its contents, which allow him to crack countless cases over the next few weeks. This draws suspicion from other detectives but greatly pleases Black Mask, who begins using Bullock as an outright enforcer against the False-Facers' newest rivals, the Bandidos biker gang.   On the evening before Pudlenko's trial, a weary Bullock demands more incentive from his unofficial "employer", and is offered the identity of the Widow-Whacker if Pudlenko is acquitted. From this, Bullock (correctly) assumes the Widow-Whacker has ties to the False-Facers, and secretly informs Batman, who captures the serial killer in a matter of hours. His conscience cleared, Bullock gives an honest testimony at the trial, easily convicting a furious Pudlenko; shortly after, a gang of False-Facers waylay the Sergeant, meaning to kill him for the double-cross.   Apparently resigned to his fate, Bullock offers to show the False-Facers his personal drug cache in exchange for a quick, painless death. The False-Facers take him at his word, only to be lured into a junkyard frequented by the Bandidos, who immediately attack their hated rivals. The ensuing firefight quickly kills every man on the scene, save for Bullock, who is left in traction but still very much alive. In recovery, Bullock is visited by his partners, by Commissioner Gordon, by the department physician (whom Bullock casually exposes as a serial traffic violator), and finally by Batman, who covertly congratulates the Sergeant for staying true to his morals.