Batman Vol 1 407
From DC Database
You can never escape me. Bullets don't harm me. Nothing harms me. But I know pain. I know pain. Sometimes I share it. With someone like you.
- -- Batman
Appearing in "Year One (Part IV of IV): Friend in Need"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Villains:
Other Characters:
- Barbara Eileen Gordon
- Branden
- James Gordon, Jr.
- Merkel
- Norton (First and only known appearance to date)
- Tom (First and only known appearance to date)
- Trish (First and only known appearance to date)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- Bat-glider (First appearance)
Synopsis for "Year One (Part IV of IV): Friend in Need"
James Gordon and Sarah Essen have dinner together. Jim feels guilty over their recent affair, but doesn't have the will to call it off. He even gives Sarah a bracelet – a present that should have gone to his pregnant wife. Finally, Sarah makes the decision to break it off. She puts in a transfer to New York City.
A few days later, Gordon arrests noted drug dealer Jefferson Skeevers. Skeevers is a key figure that can link Detective Flass to organized crime, but he’s not revealing any information. Assistant district attorney Harvey Dent allows the court to grant him bail.
Batman sneaks into Skeevers' hotel room and accosts him. That same night, Skeevers approaches Lt. Gordon offering to reveal everything he knows concerning Detective Flass and his illegal conduct. After taking Jefferson's statement, Gordon bypasses Commissioner Loeb and goes straight to Internal Affairs.
Loeb does not appreciate Gordon going over his head. To further illustrate his displeasure, he shows him a surveillance photo of Jim and Sarah kissing one another. Loeb is more than ready to expose Gordon’s tryst if he continues pursuing an indictment against Flass.
Later, Gordon and his wife Barbara visit Wayne Manor. Jim interviews Bruce Wayne concerning his suspicious actions, but Bruce dismisses all notions that he could possibly be Batman. As the two leave the estate, Jim confides in Barbara and tells her of the affair.
A few nights later, Gordon and a few loyal officers interrogate Flass at length. At first, he refuses to cooperate, but before long, he agrees to detail everything he knows – including dirt on Commissioner Loeb.
Meanwhile, Barbara Gordon gives birth to her son – James Gordon, Jr.
A few nights later, the Catwoman raids the home of Carmine Falcone. She believes that making a strike against Falcone will help to forge her own legendary status. The Batman arrives and attacks Falcone's men. The Catwoman escapes capture, but not before raking her claws across Falcone’s face. The media learns of the incident and reports that the Batman and this mysterious new Catwoman are working in collusion with one another.
Commissioner Loeb makes a telephone call to Falcone. He instructs him to take measures against Gordon. Falcone sends his men to Gordon’s apartment where they abduct his wife and infant son. Jim manages to shoot a few of the kidnappers, but Johnny Falcone takes off in his car with the baby.
Fortunately for Gordon, Bruce Wayne is present incognito. He follows Jim who takes off after Falcone on a motorcycle. While Gordon deals with Johnny, Bruce rescues baby Jim Gordon.
Days later, news of Commissioner Loeb's corrupt regime hits the media wire. Loeb announces his possible resignation. The incident places Gordon back into the spotlight and he is soon promoted to the rank of Captain.
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in the Batman: Year One trade paperback.
- The events from this issue take place in both Post-Crisis New Earth continuity as well as Earth-31 continuity.
- Batman chronologically appears next in Catwoman (Volume 1) #3.
- Reference is made to the Joker in this issue.
- Jefferson Skeevers appeared last in Batman #406.
- Tom the news reporter appeared last in Batman #404. Final appearance to date.
- Detective Arnold Flass can also be seen in the four-issue limited series Gordon of Gotham.
- Catwoman chronologically appears next in Detective Comics #569.
- Holly Robinson appears next in Catwoman (Volume 1) #1.
Trivia
- James Gordon is promoted to the rank of Captain with this issue.
- The tagline to this issue is "He's out to clean up a city that likes being dirty. He can't do it alone."
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Batgirl: Year One
- Batman: Year One
- Batman Annual #19
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #5
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual #3
- Catwoman (Volume 1)
- Catwoman (Volume 2) Annual #2
- Detective Comics Annual #8
- Robin: Year One
Links and References
- Batman: Year One article at Wikipedia
- Batman article at Wikipedia
- Batman article at Toonopedia
- Batman article at Supermanica
- Batman article at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Batman page at DC Comics
- Batman: Yesterday, Today and Beyond
- Batman: The Dark Knight
- Alfred Pennyworth article at Wikipedia
- Alfred Pennyworth article at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Catwoman article at Wikipedia
- Catwoman article at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- James Gordon article at Wikipedia
- James Gordon article at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Two-Face article at Wikipedia
- Two-Face article at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
| The Batman Family's Early History | |
|---|---|
| Main Storylines | Batman: Year One | The Long Halloween | Dark Victory | The Man Who Laughs | Batman and the Monster Men | Batman and the Mad Monk | Untold Legend of the Batman |
| Supporting Cast | Robin: Year One | Batgirl: Year One | Nightwing: Year One | Huntress: Year One | Gordon of Gotham | Two-Face Year One |
| Titles | Legends of the Dark Knight | Batman Confidential |
| Others | Batman: Year Two | Batman: Year Three | Year One: Batman/Ra's al Ghul | Year One: Batman/Scarecrow | Batman Family Year One Annuals | Batman: Blind Justice |
| Other Media | Batman Begins |
| Characters | Thomas and Martha Wayne | Joe Chill | Carmine Falcone | Sal Maroni | Tony Zucco | Lew Moxon | Commissioner Loeb | Detective Flass | Kirigi | Henri Ducard |
| See Also | Batman (Golden Age) | Batman (Silver Age) | Batman (Modern Age) | Year One |
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DC Database > Administration > Tasks > Copy Edit
DC Database > Administration > Tasks > Wikify
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Alfred Pennyworth (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Arnold Flass (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Barbara Eileen Gordon (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Branden (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Bruce Wayne (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Carmine Falcone (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Catwoman/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Catwoman/Appearances > Selina Kyle (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Gillian B. Loeb (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Harvey Dent (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Holly Robinson/Appearances > Holly Robinson (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > James Gordon/Appearances > James Gordon (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Jefferson Skeevers (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Sarah Essen (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Character Appearances > Stanley Merkel (New Earth)/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Item Appearances > Batarang/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Gotham City/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Gotham City/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Gotham City/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Gotham City Locales/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Gotham City Police Headquarters/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Gotham County/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Gotham County/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Gotham County/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Gotham County/Appearances
DC Database > Appearances > Location Appearances > Wayne Manor/Appearances
DC Database > Comics
DC Database > Comics > Comic Categories > Batman Vol 1
DC Database > Comics > Comics by Era > Modern-Age
DC Database > Comics > Comics by Era > Modern-Age > 1987
DC Database > Comics > Comics by Era > Modern-Age > 1987 > 1987, March > 1987, March (Publication)
DC Database > Comics > Comics by Era > Modern-Age > 1987 > 1987, May
DC Database > Comics > Year One
DC Database > DC Staff > Colourists > Richmond Lewis/Colourist
DC Database > DC Staff > Cover Artists > Dave Mazzucchelli/Cover Artist
DC Database > DC Staff > Editors > Denny O'Neil/Editor
DC Database > DC Staff > Executive Editor > Jenette Kahn/Executive Editor
DC Database > DC Staff > Inkers > Dave Mazzucchelli/Inker
DC Database > DC Staff > Letterers > Todd Klein/Letterer
DC Database > DC Staff > Pencilers > Dave Mazzucchelli/Penciler
DC Database > DC Staff > Writers > Frank Miller/Writer
DC Database > Quotes > Bruce Wayne (New Earth)/Quotes
