Detective Comics #480

Issue Details

Synopsis

THE PERFECT FIGHTING MACHINE Ivan Angst, leader of the hired gang called Mercenaries, Inc. seeks revenge against Batman, who is responsible for capturing most members of the criminal organization. Meanwhile, Batman is forced to take a break from his crime-fighting as his health had begun to decline in the past few days.  While Bruce Wayne recovers, Ivan Angst has hired Dr. Moon and is using his scientific knowledge in order to experiment on an innocent mentally challenged young man. Angst chose him as his test subject because of his massive body and Dr. Moon augments his physical capabilities by experimenting on him. After the experimentation is complete, the test subject which is now dubbed Gork, becomes a perfect fighting machine, unable to feel pain and capable of fantastic strength feats.   Angst proceeds to make a public challenge against Batman and Bruce is forced to go into action, in order to prevent Angst from hurting innocent people. The confrontation takes place in an abandoned construction site in Gotham City, where Batman is taken by surprise when he is attacked by Gork. The brutish humanoid is able to resist every blow by Batman and the Caped Crusader starts using deadly hits, to no avail.   At the brink of losing the match and therefore his life, Batman is only saved when Gork's organism starts to process the pain inflicted and his body collapes. Angst and Moon, who were witnessing the fight, approach the scene to learn if Gork would survive. When they give up hope and prepare to leave, Gork grabs Angst and strangles him to death for his treason, while Moon escapes from the place. When Batman recovers some of his strength, he tries to stop Gork from killing Angst, but his efforts are futile and both the criminal and his monstrous creation end up dead. THE CASE OF THE OFF KEY CRIMES