Detective Comics #482

Issue Details

Synopsis

NIGHT OF THE BODY SNATCHER Batman recovers his consciousness only to find out that he has been overpowered by the white ape-body of Xavier Simon, whose ultimate plan is to transfer his mind into Batman's body. Simon prepares his machines before the procedure, giving Batman enough time to break free from the operating table. The Dark Knight then attacks the ape-Simon, but the struggle causes the entire laboratory to catch on fire.  The human body of Xavier Simon is consumed by the flames and without his machines to revert the process, Simon is trapped in the ape's body. Batman jumps off the building on fire, but he is closely followed by the ape-Simon. Landing on a nearby rooftop, Batman and Simon fight on a very uneven match, where Batman tries his best to get the upper hand, but the ape is far too strong and resistant to be defeated.   With his energy completely depleted and his suit torn to pieces, Batman is picked up by the ape, who plans to drop Batman from the top of the building to the street below. At that moment, a security guard that was alerted by the fire on the next building, gets to the rooftop and shoots at the ape, seriously injuring him and allowing Batman to jump to safety. The white ape-Simon drops to his death and the case of the brutal murders is closed.   Xavier Simon is buried at the Gotham Cemetery and Batman requests for the ape's body to be buried next to Simon. Commissioner Gordon grants Batman his wish, but when he asks for an explanation, Batman refuses to give any, claiming that maybe someday Gordon will learn the truth, but Gordon replies that when that happens, he might not believe a word. A QUICK DEATH IN CHINA The entire country learns of the abduction of Congresswoman Gordon and news reporter Leslie Tauburn at the hands of Chinese terrorists. The most concerned man about this news is Barbara's own brother, Anthony Gordon, who is wanted by the Chinese.   As a matter of fact, Wo Fong, the leader of the terrorists, has kidnapped Barbara Gordon in order to learn the location of her brother. Fong has also come to the wrong conclusion that Leslie is really Batgirl and tries to make her reveal secrets of the American Superheroes with help from his Sino-Supermen.   A short time later, Tony Gordon has made it to China and he goes to the place where Barbara is being held. In the meantime, Barbara goes into action as Batgirl and teaming up with her brother, they defeat the Sino-Supermen before they confront Wo Fong. Tony Gordon and Fong meet after years from their last encounter and they have an old score to settle. Tony tells Batgirl to take Leslie to safety, but as soon as she exits the old castle, the whole place collapses, killing both Fong and Tony, much to Barbara's sorrow. THE ETERNITY BOOK Aldo Beckermann reads alone within his decrepit book store at night when he feels the presence of another, despite no sound of entry. He turns to face a cloaked figure in the dark. Beckermann stays calm, informing the stranger the store is closed and that he should return tomorrow. The mysterious figure impatiently announces its desire for the Eternity Book. Beckermann's look of surprise betrays him as he tries to feign ignorance, while his hand surreptitiously inscribes magical evocations on his desk. The dark figure slams his stony fist down upon Beckermann's, crushing it, before effortlessly tossing the old man aside into a bookshelf. Buried beneath his beloved books, Beckermann lies broken, mustering only the strength to whisper, "Yarva... Etrigan... Daemonicus..." The inhuman creature locates a wooden cabinet protected by incantations and smashes though it without consequence, claiming the desired tome.   In Jason Blood's apartment, Glenda and Harry observe another one of Jason and Randu's sparring matches, when the lights go out. An enormous bolt of lightning is all that illuminates the Gotham skyline. The darkness doesn't halt the blind Randu's attack, and he throws Jason to the ground, but it is The Demon who rises. Hearing his summons, Etrigan smashes through the window laughing. Confused, Harry inquires what book Blood's scarier half was referring to.   Randu recalls the fate of Camelot, how Merlin summoned Etrigan to defend the kingdom and his powerful Eternity book from the clutches of Morgaine le Fay. Camelot still fell, and Merlin's Demon assumed the form of man, living agelessly through the centuries until Jason journeyed to Castle Branek by Merlin's invitation, to once again awaken the dormant Etrigan.   Arriving at Beckermann's Rare Books, Etrigan finds the mortal guardian of the Eternity Book as he takes his final breath. Furiously he returns to the stormy night to hunt down the murderous thief.   He tracks his prey to the Warehouse District and pounces on the creature, pummelling him with his fists to no avail. The animated statue swats him away like a fly. Enraged, Etrigan envelopes the unliving in a ring of Hellfire. The eldritch flames weaken the magical being enough for it to drop the book, and without its protection, Etrigan is free to destroy the monster. But as the Demon turns to reclaim the occult text, he finds it already in the hands of Baron Tyme! BAT-MITE'S NEW YORK ADVENTURE While working late at the DC Comics offices, Al Milgrom starts having visions of people all over the city clamoring for a Bat-Mite story. Suddenly, strange events take place in his office and soon the imp from the fifth dimension appears in his own desk.   Bat-Mite talks to Milgrom and tells him to put a "Bat-Mite" story in the next issue of "Batman Family". Milgrom tells Bat-Mite that such an endeavour would require the effort of many people including writers, artists and editors. Without wasting a second, Bat-Mite summons an entire creative team to the office, including writer Bob Rozakis, penciler Michael Golden, inker Bob Smith, colourist Anthony Tollin, letterer Milt Snapinn and editor Paul Levitz. With all the crew in the office, Al Milgrom asks Bat-Mite if he would leave them alone once they agree to publish a "Bat-Mite" story and true to his promise, the mischievous imp returns to his own world. THE LEAGUE OF CRIME The head of the secret criminal organization MAZE is informed about their latest efforts and how they have been thwarted by Robin.   Their first caper was the stealing of helium from a flying baloon. The mission was left in the hands of their new recruit, The Raven, but the mission failed when Robin showed up in his Whirly-Bat and stopped The Raven, although he failed to capture him.   Their second mission was placed in charge of the Card Queen, a fake hero that worked for them and always allowed one criminal to get away to justify the disappearance of the stolen goods, which she had been taking all along. Certain day, the Card Queen put on a scene with other crooks to pretend she was stopping them, but Robin showed up to assist her. When she deliberately allowed one of her accomplices to escape, Robin became suspicious and noted that the Card Queen has been stealing the loot. The female villain was able to escape thanks to a smoke gun, but her career was ended now that the authorities have learned the truth.   After listening about these failures, the leader of MAZE decides to get the full organization involved in order to stop Robin once and for all.