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129,315
pages
in: Joe Brozowski/Cover Artist, Larry Mahlstedt/Cover Artist, Mike W. Barr/Writer,
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The Best of DC Vol 1 62

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"...The Player on the Other Side!": This story is reprinted from Batman Special #1.

The Best of DC #62 is an issue of the series The Best of DC (Volume 1) with a cover date of July, 1985. It was published on April 4, 1985.

Synopsis for "...The Player on the Other Side!"

This story is reprinted from Batman Special #1.

On the same night when Thomas and Martha Wayne were murdered by Joe Chill, another child was left an orphan, when both his parents were murdered by a police officer as they commited a crime. Ever since that night, Bruce Wayne and the other kid dedicated their entire lives to become the ultimate avengers. Bruce Wayne became Batman and fought on the side of justice and the law, while the other kid became Wrath, a force of evil against the law and order.

Several years later, close to the anniversary day of the murders, Wrath has returned to Gotham after having murdered several law enforcers across the world and his main objective is the man who killed his parents: Commissioner Gordon. After two failed murder attempts, Gordon is taken to a safe place by Batman, who starts investigating the mysterious murderer.

Meanwhile, Wrath also investigates the Batman's background and after learning that Batman goes to Crime Alley every single year on the same day that his parents were killed, Wrath learns that Batman is Bruce Wayne. Taking matters into his own hands, Wrath destroys the tombstones of the Waynes' gravesite and lures Bruce Wayne out of Wayne Manor, giving Wrath time enough to brutally beat Alfred. After taking Alfred to a hospital, Batman starts investigating the backgound of Wrath and after learning the required information from the underworld, Batman goes to the only person who knows Wrath.

Grayle Hudson is the daughter of a late crime kingpin and she has allied herself with Wrath to eliminate Gordon. Batman goes to her apartment and finds enough information that he would require to locate Wrath. Unfortunately, on the anniversary of the Waynes' murders, Wrath goes to Crime Alley and kidnaps Leslie Thompkins, leaving only a note for Batman, telling him to give him Commissioner Gordon in exchange of Leslie.

Shortly afterwards, Batman and Gordon meet Wrath at the top of a rooftop in Crime Alley, where Leslie is allowed to leave and Wrath shoots at Gordon three times in the chest. Having killed his parents' murderer, Wrath focuses on Batman, but Gordon attacks Wrath by surprise, giving Batman time to disarm the criminal. Gordon descends from the building to the street, where the Gotham City Police Department has gathered along with Grayle Hudson. Everyone watches as Batman and Wrath fight each other with all their might. Eventually, Wrath starts a fire and in the struggle, he is englufed by the flames of his own creation, leading to his fall from the rooftop and his ultimate demise.

When Batman descends, he is glad that Gordon's bulletproof vest with blood packages worked, but he refuses to give the police any information about the Wrath or his motives. When Leslie makes sure that Batman is in fine condition, she leaves the Dark Knight and goes to comfort the person who needs it the most in that moment. Grayle Hudson, who had already lost her father, mourns the loss of her love, but Leslie is there to make sure that she is not left alone in the world.

Appearing in "...The Player on the Other Side!"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

  • The Wrath (Single appearance; dies) (Origin)
  • Grayle Hudson (Single appearance)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:


Synopsis for "Down Below"

This story is reprinted from Detective Comics #537.

At the GCPD Headquarters, Robin and Commissioner Gordon interrogate one of the crooks working for Doctor Fang, but the information provided is not enough to help them locate the criminal. Even Harvey Bullock's investigation about Fang's hideout turns up to be a dead end.

Meanwhile, Batman patrols the streets, looking for any clue that might lead them to Fang, but instead, he comes across an underdweller, who is seeking help. The man takes Batman to the sewers, where he has been living for quite a while. After helping the man get rid of a human corpse, Batman learns the background of this person and he decides to help him go to the outside world. Before leaving, the man shows Batman a small replica of his hometown in Mexico, which he has built in the sewers and shortly afterwards, Batman and the man work together to capture a group of hoods, responsible for the dead body found earlier.

Having helped a man in need, Batman returns home with Robin, where Alfred has been trying to tell his daughter, Julia, that he is more than satisfied with his life and he has also been trying to prevent her from finding the secret of Batman.

Appearing in "Down Below"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Other Characters:

  • Sixto Morales (Single appearance)
  • Joe Gelesco (Appears only as a corpse)
  • Dr. Fang (Mentioned only)

Locations:

Items:

Synopsis for "What Price, the Prize?"

This story is reprinted from Batman #372.

Doctor Fang arranges a boxing match between the current champion, Michael Greene and the underdog, Tommy Dunfey. As expected, the people bet for an absolute victory from the champion, but Fang, having arranged the fight with the managers prior to the confrontation, is one of the few who places a bet in favor of Dunfey, knowing that his plan will reward him handsomely.

However, a third figure comes into play, when a boxing fanatic learns that one of his idols, an elder and already retired fighter, will serve as referee during the match and he goes to the ringside armed with a gun and ready to murder his former idol before he could soil his once brilliant image. However, the would-be killer sends a cryptic warning to the boxing legend, who ignores it, but Commissioner Gordon summons Batman as a safeguard.

During the boxing match, is becomes obvious that the champion Michael Greene is allowing the challenger to get the upper hand and when Dunfey realizes that Greene has been paid to lose the title, a street-brawl is unleashed in the ring, forcing ther respective coaches and teams to stop the massacre. Meanwhile, the killer has decided that it's time to proceed and murder the referee, but Batman stops the madman before he could attack. In the struggle, the man's gun is fired and Batman is shot in the arm, but the criminal is knocked out. After the event, the match is cancelled and Greene retains his championship because of the cirumstances. Fang is not happy with this loss and he sends one of his thugs to eliminate Greene for not following their arrangement.

As Greene and Dunfey leave the stadium, they realize that they have been used. However, when Green walks away from the place, he is murdered by Fang's thug and Dunfey is helpless as he reaches for the corpse of the former boxing champion.

Appearing in "What Price, the Prize?"

Featured Characters:

  • Michael Greene (Single appearance; dies)
  • Tommy Dunfey (First appearance)

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

Other Characters:

  • Commissioner Gordon
  • Jake DeMasky (Single appearance)
  • Lou (Single appearance)
  • Jimmy (Single appearance)
  • Harold (Single appearance)
  • Mae (Single appearance)
  • Freddie (Single appearance)

Locations:

Items:

Synopsis for "Boxing"

This story is reprinted from Detective Comics #539.

Batman and Tommy Dunfey start searching for the murderer of the boxing champion Michael Greene and so their quest leads them to Doctor Fang's henchman, Woad.

Meanwhile, Jason Todd is frustrated for having to stay in Wayne Manor to allay any suspicions by their new houseguest, Julia. Unfortunately, his attitude towards her becomes evident and Julia decides to leave Wayne Manor and she plans to find a job working for Vicki Vale.

Later, Batman and Dunfey finally locate Woad and his master, Doctor Fang, who takes responsibility for the murder of Greene. Fang challenges Dunfey to a boxing match and the latter agrees, entering the ring and starting to fight while Batman and Fang's thugs keep a close eye from the ringside. When Dunfey is close to defeat Fang, one of the thugs shoots at him and Batman takes them all down. With his right arm injured, Dunfey uses all his strength on his left hand and knocks Fang unconscious.

After taking Dunfey to a medical center, Batman takes Fang to the GCPD Headquarters, where Commissioner Gordon shows Harvey Bullock the true value of Batman's actions, but the Caped Crusader starts explaining that he had little to do with Fang's capture.

The next morning, Dunfey retrieves the title of Michal Greene from the manager of the boxing association and he gives it back to the family of the late champion, telling them that one day he might get his own title, but knowing that his arm injury, received while trying to avenge his honorable opponent, will prevent him from boxing ever again.

Appearing in "Boxing"

Featured Characters:

  • Batman
  • Tommy Dunfey (Final appearance)

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

Other Characters:

  • Rudy Quinn (Final appearance)
  • Sam Eskin (Single appearance)

Locations:

Items:



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