DETECTIVE COMICS #509

"NINE LIVES HAS THE CAT..."
Writer Gerry Conway | Artists: Don Newton & Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda | Colorist: Adrienne Roy | Editor: Dick Giordano

The Plot: Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle wrap up a date, after which Selina is ambushed in her apartment by Cat-Man, who kidnaps her. Later that night, Alfred awakens Bruce to inform him that an alarm has been triggered at the Wayne Research Institute. Bruce changes to Batman and heads out to investigate. At the Institute, he is attacked and knocked out by Cat-Man. When Batman awakens, he finds himself tied down on the beach, where Cat-Man gloats that he will soon be drowned by the morning tide. Cat-Man departs and tide comes in, but Batman manages to free himself.

Batman finds Cat-Man's boat docked nearby, and climbs aboard to listen in as Cat-Man reveals to Selina that ever since she took a scrap of his magical costume, he has had a disfigurement on his face that will not heal. Batman enters the cabin and renews his fight with Cat-Man. The duel carries both out onto the deck, where Cat-Man plunges into the water and, unable to swim, screams for help. The next morning, Bruce bids Selina farewell as she departs Gotham via train to sort out her life.

Continuity Notes: Bruce and Selina discuss their adventure in Egypt with the so-called Pharaoh, with a footnote pointing readers to last issue. Two pages later, Batman and Commissioner Gordon check on Doctor Thirteen in the hospital, and another footnote directs readers to BATMAN issues 341 and 342 for his story. Batman is gratified to realize that Thirteen has no recollection of what happened to him in Wayne Manor that night, meaning the secret of the Batcave is preserved.

BATMAN #342

"REQUIEM FOR A HERO"
Writer Gerry Conway | Artists: Irv Novick & Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Shelly Leferman | Colorist: Adrienne Roy | Editor: Dick Giordano

The Plot: In the Batcave beneath Wayne Manor, Doctor Thirteen finds Man-Bat attacking Batman. Thirteen tries to help, allowing Batman to get free and zap Man-Bat with Thirteen's sonar gun. Man-Bat escapes, and Batman emerges onto the Wayne grounds with an injured Thirteen. At the hospital, Batman and Commissioner Gordon are told that Thirteen will survive.

The next day, Bruce Wayne visits the apartment of Kirk and Francine Langstrom and their daughter, Rebecca, in Gotham's Crime Alley neighborhood. Francine explains that Kirk has been consumed by his Man-Bat persona thanks to his hatred of Batman. That night, Batman goes out in search of Man-Bat. He enters the extended network of caverns beneath the Wayne grounds, and eventually finds his quarry. Batman and Man-Bat fight, and Batman slips an antidote into Man-Bat's mouth -- but it fails to change him back to Kirk Langstrom. Instead, Man-Bat kicks Batman away and flies off, leaving the Caped Crusader behind, vowing to find a new cure for his one-time friend.

Continuity Notes: Commissioner Gordon loses his temper with Batman at the hospital, then reveals why: he received a threatning note in the morning's mail.

THE NEW TEEN TITANS #13 & #14

"FRIENDS AND FOES ALIKE!" | "REVOLUTION!"
Co-Creators: Marv Wolfman & George Pérez | Embellisher: Romeo Tanghal
Letterer: Ben Oda | Colorist: Adrienne Roy | Editor: Len Wein

The Plot: In New York, Wonder Girl goes on a crime fighting rampage to blow off steam following her encounter with Hyperion. Then, after a brief meeting with Terry Long, she returns to Paradise Island. And on the island, Starfire participates in the Amazons' arena games, winning every competition. Later, Changeling comes around and transforms into a massive sea monster, but Raven restores him to normal.

Meanwhile, in Uganda, Robin, Cyborg, and Kid Flash locate Robotman, who leads them to the lair of the Doom Patrol's killers, Madame Rouge and General Zahl. The group enters this massive underground complex, taking out several armored guards in the process, and rescues Steve Dayton. But Dayton won't leave without the Mento-suit, the outfit he once wore as a superhero. Kid Flash retrieves the suit, then the group exits the secret base. But Madame Rouge and General Zahl are aware of their departure, and Rouge indicates that Dayton actually serves her.