This battle... this struggle to keep any sense of normality... Just when I get a taste of it, it's taken away... This life is a living death. 
Detective Comics #1026 is an issue of the series Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of October, 2020. It was published on August 25, 2020.
Synopsis for "Monsters of Men"
In the sewers of Gotham City
As several people were kidnapped and dragged into the sewers in front of the Dark Knight's eyes, Batman decided to go down and investigate, finding out that the water is toxic, contaminated probably by residual chemicals the Joker poured into the hydraulic system. Bruce soon finds out who is behind the kidnappings: Killer Croc. Waylon's new business was brought down by the Joker War, so he decided to come back to his former lair. Once there, he found out that a gang of people who took refuge in the sewers to not take part in the War was dying due to the toxins in the water, released by the clowns of the Joker while creating the new Joker Toxin inside Ace Chemical. He saved them, and he also noticed the water transformed them into mutated creatures, not much different than him.
He decided he would create a new community inside an underground town, Monstertown. He will kidnap people, transforming them with the water to make them feel part of the city he administrates, and he will rule over this new reality. Batman tells him the toxins in the water will kill everyone in time, but Croc does not believe him. They strike a deal: a duel, one versus one. If Croc wins, Batman leaves him and his new city in peace. If Batman wins, Croc ends his plans and gives up the people he took. In the end, the Caped Crusader gets the nod on Croc, defeating him.
Batman brings all the people who were damaged by the toxins in a special cell under Arkham Asylum, where he will study an antidote to let them live and, if he can, turn them back into what they were before. Leaving each other with respect, Waylon and Bruce are able to find common ground. Then, the Batman gets back on the streets: he has a War to fight.
Appearing in "Monsters of Men"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Bank Security Guards
- Dave (Single appearance)
- Paul (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Killer Croc (Flashback and main story)
- Ally (Single appearance) (Flashback and main story)
- Bandit (Single appearance) (Flashback and main story)
- Garter (Single appearance) (Flashback and main story)
- Gup (Single appearance) (Flashback and main story)
- Hardback (Single appearance) (Flashback and main story)
- Ratty Riz (Single appearance) (Flashback and main story)
Other Characters:
- Gotham City Police Department (Mentioned only)
- The Joker (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Gotham City (Flashback and main story)
- Ace Chemical Processing Plant (Flashback only)
- Arkham Asylum
- Monstertown (Flashback and main story)
- Tusk's Hotel (Destroyed) (Flashback only)
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue implies that the events of Gotham City Monsters (Volume 1) take place just before the beginning of The Joker War.
See Also