Batman learns that Solomon Grundy is haunting the sewers of Gotham City with a gang of criminals. After stopping a riot at the site of a strike, Green Arrow notices two men who had fought each other acting chummy and tails one of them. He discovers that the man is part of a group that intends to throw Star City into chaos and then usurp leadership, with a plot created by their adviser, Lord Machiavelli. GA reveals his presence, whereupon Machiavelli calls upon his partner, the Executrix, to battle him with twin laser-torches.

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.

Batman escapes the SquidÕs giant-squid death trap, but the Squid himself is assassinated by Croc. Green Arrow finally defeats the Executrix with reflector-signal arrows and pumps her for information about Machiavelli. In the meantime, Machiavelli is huddling with the Wall Street Irregulars and convinces them that criminals can run Star CityÕs government better than its elected officials. Later, Machiavelli and his group crash a town meeting on the anti-strike clause, at which the villain gives a political speech and is greeted with ÒMac for Mayor!Ó cries.

500th Anniversary Issue. Starring Batman and Robin. Guest-starring the Phantom Stranger, the Elongated Man, Hawkman and Hawkgirl.

ÒMURDER ON THE MYSTERY SHIP!Ó When asylum-bound former horror star Basil Karlo reads of an International Horror Film Exposition on the luxury ship Varania III, he is enraged at not having been invited. Killing his nurse, he escapes and makes his way to the ship. Clayface, one of KarloÕs most famous horror movie creations, attempts to kill some party guests and fights Batman.

Batman and Robin track down the dirigible with which Colonel Blimp has stolen a sub. Plus, Ò...When Velvet Paws Caress the Ground!Ó Batgirl captures the Velvet Tigers gang, but the Tiger herself escapes.

A warped variation of the Joker drug has caused those who use it to embrace anarchy and chaos. With riots cropping up throughout Gotham, the citizens are divided into two gangs: one led by a Batman imposter trying to bring law and order back to the streets, the other by a Joker imposter out to punish the innocent and set Gotham ablaze.