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| Publisher |
DC |
| Artist |
Paul Gulacy |
| Writer |
Doug Moench |
| Inker |
Terry Austin |
| Colorist |
Steve Oliff |
| Letterer |
John Costanza |
| Published | December 1990 |
PREY PART 3 - NIGHT SCOURGE! After a disastrous dinner-date with Catherine Klass (who continues to disparage his ego and obsessions), Hugo Strange retreats to his penthouse and reconvenes with Sgt. Cort to discuss their next move against Batman. Already, Batman has been physically and demographically profiled, with Cort's evidence confirming what levels of wealth his equipment must demand; however, even Cort's newfound files have failed to match this profile with Strange's key hypothesis that Batman is driven by trauma from some recent crime. Concluding that Batman's wealth could buy any number of police cover-ups, Strange resorts to his own extralegal tactics, using hypnotherapy and an armor-like costume to mold Cort into a new vigilante called the Night-Scourge. Having little of Batman's acumen, the Night-Scourge relies wholly on raw savagery; his first "case" leaves an entire bar demolished and a gun smuggler almost beaten to death, revolting the public. Strange quickly exploits this rising tide of anti-vigilante sentiment, publicly accusing Batman of inspiring the Night-Scourge. Already growing paranoid of police activity, Batman finds Strange's campaign taking a heavy toll on his psyche; worse, Strange's relationship with the mayor leaves Captain Gordon unable to curb the campaign in any meaningful way. After a brief, fruitless meeting with Gordon, Batman chances upon the Night-Scourge's second "case" - a vicious attack on Catwoman. Intervening just in time to save Catwoman's life, Batman manages to fight off the Night-Scourge, only for the recovering Catwoman - resenting his unasked-for rescue - to strike him from behind. Nevertheless, the Night-Scourge is badly unnerved by the encounter; realizing that Batman's skills far outstrip his own, he flees to Strange's penthouse. There, a fresh session of hypnosis coaxes him into obedience and a new costume: Strange's own homemade Batsuit. Shortly after, "Batman" invades Mayor Klass's home and kidnaps Catherine, demanding amnesty from the horrified mayor in exchange for her return.
