DETECTIVE COMICS #498 & #499

"NIGHT OF THE SAVAGE | ALLIES IN THE SHADOWS"
Writer Gerry Conway | Artists: Don Newton & Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda | Colorist: Adrienne Roy | Editor: Paul Levitz

The Plot: (Issue 498) The brute called Blockbuster emerges from Gotham Bay and makes his way ashore. Meanwhile, Batman and the police search the bay for Blockbuster, but find no sign of his body. Blockbuster makes his way to Bleak Rock, a mining town in West Virginia, where he saves a local worker, Willie Macon, from the henchman of a corrupt union boss named Dooley. Macon invites Blockbuster into his home to live with his family.

Months later, Batman suspects Blockbuster is still alive, staging a series of "smash and grab" robberies. The Darknight Detective heads out to stop one such robbery in progress, but finds he is mistaken -- the perpetrator is an ex circus strongman named Ajax. But after defeating Ajax, Batman catches sight of a news report from Bleak Rock, where he sees Blockbuster alive. Batman heads for Bleak Rock and learns Blockbuster has been working with the miners. He enters the mine, but is observed by Dooley. Believing Batman is here to investigate him, Dooley has his men knock Batman out and throw him down into the mine, where he is found by Blockbuster.

(Issue 499) Blockbuster prepares to kill Batman, but is interrupted when Dooley has the mine caved in. While the locals try to dig their friends free, Batman comes to and finds Macon injured and trapped under a beam. Blockbuster helps him lift the beam, but Batman realizes Macon must be taken up to safety immediately. Meanwhile, Dooley and his henchmen discuss the situation at Dooley's office, where Macon's daughter is spying on them. The men find and grab her. Back in the mine, Batman blows a path upward with plastic explosive, then begins climbing, with Blockbuster right behind. They emerge on the surface and get Macon and the remaining miners free.

But Dooley has arrived to observe the whole thing, and Macon's daughter is with him. When she cries out for help, Batman and Blockbuster team up to rescue her and take down Dooley and his men. Batman departs Bleak Rock, leaving Blockbuster behind to live in peace.

BATMAN #330 & #331

"TARGET!" | "CLOSED CIRCUIT!"
Writer: Marv Wolfman | Dialogue: Michael Fleisher (issue 331)
Penciler: Irv Novick | Inkers: Vince Colletta (issue 330 & Frank McLaughlin (issue 331)
Letterer: Ben Oda | Colorist: Adrienne Roy | Editor: Paul Levitz

And now we rejoin our story, already in progress... or so it seems when one dives into this issue. Don't get me wrong -- the story begins cleanly, with a setup introduced on the first page (specifically, a crook Batman sent up the river years ago is scheduled to be executed the next day, so he puts out a bounty -- he will pay ten million dollars in gold to anyone who can off Batman before he dies). But in terms of sub-plots, something's a bit off. Robin arrives early on to assist Batman in avoiding the various assassins who are now gunning for him. So far, so good -- until suddenly, Batman gives his partner the cold shoulder, and Robin realizes it's because this is the first time they've interacted since he announced that he was dropping out of college.

Now, look -- we haven't been reading every Batman-related story that came out around this time. Yes, we've covered BATMAN consistently; every issue dating back nearly two years now. And we've looked at a lot of consecutive DETECTIVE COMICS issues as well... but only the main stories. Both these series ran backup features, off-and-on, usually starring Robin and Batgirl. And I have to assume that Robin dropped out in one of those -- which is fine! But what strikes me odd about this is that Wolfman's script mentions it casually, almost in passing, as if we're supposed to know about it. And to the reader of 1980/81, that may well have been the case -- but you can't assume that all readers have been picking up every issue of every comic.

THE NEW TEEN TITANS #2 & #3

"TODAY... THE TERMINATOR!" | "THE FEARSOME FIVE!"
Writer-Co-Creators-Layouts: Marv Wolfman & George Pérez
Finishes: Romeo Tanghal (#2) & Frank Chairmonte (#3)
Letterer: Ben Oda | Colorist: Adrienne Roy | Editor: Len Wein

The Plot: The H.I.V.E. (Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Eliminations) attempts to hire the mercenary Deathstroke to kill the new Teen Titans. Deathstroke refuses, but the H.I.V.E. scans him during their meeting and then grafts his power -- the ability to use the full capacity of his brain -- onto Grant Wilson. Calling himself the Ravager, Wilson attacks the Titans but overtaxes his abilities and dies.

Deathstroke, having followed Ravager to the Titans' temporary base, vows vengeance on them for their part in Ravager's death. Later, in his civilian guise, Deathstroke visits Grant Wilson's grave and reveals himself as Wilson's father. The H.I.V.E. members observe Deathstroke's mourning, pleased that they've acquired his services for no cost.

My Thoughts: There are several sub-plots in this issue too, as an attraction begins between Robin and Starfire, Cyborg spends more time hating his father, Kid Flash wonders if Raven did something to force him into rejoining the Titans, and Raven seeks forgiveness from... someone in a realm beyond our own before revealing to the Titans that the reason she gathered them together is about to become apparent.