Detective Comics #494

Issue Details

Synopsis

THE CRIME DOCTOR CALLS AT MIDNIGHT! The underworld of Gotham City starts working with a man only known as The Crime Doctor, who uses his knowledge to help the thugs succeed on their crimes. The modus operandi is effective and the authorities in Gotham are baffled. Batman starts investigating the case and after following a couple of thugs, a confrontation ensues, where Batman is injured in the arm, but he becomes aware of the presence of the Crime Doctor.   Alfred makes his best effort to clean Batman's wound, but he insists on having it examined by a professional. The next day, Bruce Wayne arranges an appointment with Dr. Bradford Thorne and the physician puts a special bandage on the wound. Bruce then invites Thorne at his private party at the Wayne Foundation, where they are both called to their respective duties. Thorne is paged through his clock and Batman is summoned with the Bat-Signal.  The crime takes place in a special laboratory facility, where a group of criminals are planning to steal a chemical compound and they summon the Crime Doctor to assist them with the security guards. Batman arrives and tries to stop the thugs, but he is stunned by the Crime Doctor's flashlight, allowing him to spot the same special bandage that he used on Bruce Wayne. The Crime Doctor and Batman are trapped inside the laboratory as the criminals get away and they blow up the place to get rid of Batman and the Crime Doctor in order to avoid paying him. TALES OF GOTHAM CITY A runner for the local mob sacrifices his life to save a child from gangsters. THE LESSER EVIL! Barbara Gordon pays a visit to the girl that was involved in a recent fire accident and comforts her as she has been psychologically affected. Doing more investigation about the fires, Batgirl finds that two rival gangs in Gotham are fighting for control of a local theater to cement their power over a neighborhood and they are using scare tactics like starting fires to seize the building.   Batgirl decides to strike the thugs one at a time and she manages to capture him, although the confrontation was difficult and she tried to emulate Batman's methods to succeed. Once the first criminal has been captured, Batgirl sends a warning to the second crimelord. THE HAZING HOMICIDE! While on a date with his girlfriend, Jennifer Ann, Dick Grayson finds the corpse of one of Hudson University's students. After dropping Jennifer on her home, Robin warns the police and he investigates on his own, finding the responsibles of the crime, which is apparently a swimming accident during a fraternity challenge. Doing more background research, Robin finds that the accident was actually murder and it was caused by an obsessive boyfriend.   After the criminal is taken by the authorities, Dick and Jennifer are able to spend some time together. EXPLOSION OF THE SOUL! Black Lightning takes on the Slime Killer, a vigilante who kills the evildoers in Suicide Slum.