DC Special Series #8 is an issue of the series DC Special Series (Volume 1) with a cover date of December, 1977.
Synopsis for "Hell Is for Heroes"
In Gotham City, Batman is on the hunt of an arsonist and terrorist by the name of Lucifer, but his efforts are often thwarted by chance and misfortune as he would suffer severe injuries every time he is close to capture the maniac.
The reason for Batman's misfortune is rather of mystical nature and it originates in London, where a statue of Batman is stolen. The US Embassy in London summons Sgt. Rock and recruits Easy Co. to locate and retrieve the stolen statue, which is to be given as a present to the royalty. However, Rock and his men are also unaware of the danger mystical connection between the statue and Batman. For this reason, Rama Kushna enlists the aid of Deadman and sends him to London to assist Rock and his men.
Deadman finds unexpected help from Sherlock Holmes, who is but an entity that provides Deadman with clues to the whereabouts of the statue. It is then revealed that the mastermind behind the stealing of the statue is Lucifer, the real Devil. He has enchanted the statue so that any harm that is done to the totem, would also affect the real Batman. All this with the purpose of getting the statue and torture Batman as a punishment for being a force of good. However, Deadman and the Easy Co. manage to recover the statue before it is delivered to Lucifer, although the statue is heavily damaged, which is reflected on the injuries sustained by Batman. Once his plan has failed, Lucifer is banished to the depths of hell by Rama Kushna.
Meanwhile in Gotham, Batman struggles to find the terrorist and after a perilous investigation, he gets the final clue he needs to find the madman in a detective story by Sherlock Holmes. With the statue back on its rightful position, Batman is finally free from the curse and he is able to capture the mad bomber, "Lucifer", who brings his own death upon himself. Thanks to the efforts of his friends and allies, Batman is finally able to rest, unaware that he has guardian angels both in the real world and beyond.
Appearing in "Hell Is for Heroes"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Lucifer
- Edward Dirkes aka "Lucifer" (Single appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
- Guy Fawkes (Ghost)
- Nero (Ghost)
- Benedict Arnold (Ghost)
- Bluebeard (Ghost)
- Jack the Ripper (Ghost)
- Adolf Hitler (Ghost)
- Loch Ness Monster
- Kiki (Single appearance)
Locations:
- England
- London
- Baker St.
- Surrey
- London
- Scotland
- Loch Ness
- Devilsmoor
- United States of America
- Gotham City
- Wayne Foundation
- Gotham Hospital
- Gotham Dome Stadium
- Mt. Marion Cemetery
- Gotham City
Items:
Notes
- This is Adrienne Roy's first coloring job on DC Comics.
See Also