ÒTHERE IS NO HOPE IN CRIME ALLEY!Ó Every night on this date, Batman abandons all other crimes and missions and secretly heads to visit Leslie Thompkins. En route, Batman stops a car-radio theft and two muggings. When one of the muggers pulls a gun on him in Crime Alley, Batman loses his temper and knocks the mugger silly while having a flashback to his parentsÕ murder and his ÒrescueÓ by a young Leslie Thompkins.

Batman discovers the secret of Juan and Dolores Muerto and their secret of immortality.

Celebrating the legacy of the Dark Knight, DETECTIVE COMICS: 80 YEARS OF BATMAN follows the best-selling ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN. Curated by guest editor Paul Levitz, it features reprints of the Dark KnightÕs most memorable adventures, from his first appearance to the debuts of Robin, Batwoman, Bat-Mite and Batgirl, as well as villains including Two-Face, the Riddler, Clayface, Man-Bat and more. This hardcover also spotlights crime-fighters including Slam Bradley, Air Wave, the Boy Commandos, the Martian Manhunter and the 1970s Manhunter, Paul Kirk! And, published for the first time anywhere: a new tale of a traumatic early moment in Bruce WayneÕs life written by Paul Levitz with art by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz, and an extraordinary look at a long-ago work in progressÑthe original layouts for the Batman tale from DETECTIVE COMICS #200, as illustrated by Lew Sayre Schwartz (and signed ÒBob KaneÓ). As if thatÕs not enough, this volume includes essays on Batman from contributors including Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Glen David Gold, Dennis OÕNeil, former San Diego police chief Shelley Zimmerman and pulp historian Anthony Tollin.

"A fiftieth anniversary celebration of The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told, as written and drawn by many of the greatest writers and artists ever to grace the comic art medium!"--Page 4 of cover.

Detective Comics featured DC's first masked adventurer and went on to give the company its name (from Detective Comics Inc.) and the only character to dominate American popular culture three separate times, each a generation apart: Batman. Join us in a celebration of Detective Comics' amazing eight-decade run and Batman's 80 years, with reflections on Detective Comics by Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Glen David Gold, Senator Patrick Leahy, Denny O'Neil, Anthony Tollin, police chief Shelley Zimmerman and Paul Levitz. This special collector's edition also features the very first Batman story; the debuts of classic sidekicks and allies like Robin, Batgirl, Batwoman and even Bat-Mite; and the first stories of archvillains Two-Face, the Riddler and Man-Bat. With a new cover by DC publisher and chief creative officer Jim Lee, a never-before-published sketchbook of Lew Sayre Schwartz, a never-before-published scene from Bruce Wayne's childhood by Paul Levitz and Denys Cowan and much, much more, this is sure to be the celebration of the year!

A LEGENDS crossover, continued from BATMAN #401. The Penguin traps Batman in a skyscraper aerie, while G. Gordon Godfrey sells the citizens of Gotham on a city without heroes! Continued in LEGENDS #1.

ÒTHE REAL BATMAN DIES NEXT!Ó At a costume-party fundraiser, a man dressed as Batman dies in Bruce WayneÕs arms. His cowl is removed, and he is identified as Lt. Bucky Dunlop. The words ÒThe Real Batman Dies Next!Ó appear to have been tattooed on his forehead. Gordon is there, and orders all in attendance, including Bruce, to remain behind.

When Bruce Wayne refuses to allow illegal mindcontrol experiments to continue at Wayne Technology, he finds himself charged with being a traitor. During the police investigation, Wayne is forced to confront memories of the various people who trained him to become the feared Dark KnightBatman. Wayne not only must clear himself, but also protect his secret and save his company from ruin. Batman screenwriter Sam Hamm makes his comic-book debut with BATMAN: BLIND JUSTICE, introducing new elements to the Batman legend including the character of Henri Ducard, played by Liam Neeson in 2005s smash film Batman Begins.

An extra-sized issue featuring pinups by Frank Miller, Curt Swan and more! Plus, a new look at the first adventure teaming Batman and Robin and a backup story reflecting on Batman's adventures with another Robin, the late Jason Todd.