Comic Title: Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 1 HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2003
On Sale Date: September 4, 2003 Direct Market Date September 3, 2003
Source: Previews, Vol. 13 #4 (#172)

Direct Market Date September 4, 2003
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Thursday, September 4, 2003

Cover Price: $49.95
Page Count: 240
Editor: Robert Greenberger

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Track of the Hook"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Batman (of Earth-1)
Deadman (of Earth-1)

Writer: Bob Haney
Artist: Neal Adams

Reprinted From:
Brave and the Bold #79 (1968)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #177; next appearance in Detective Comics #378)
• Deadman (last appearance in Strange Adventures #213; next appearance in Strange Adventures #214)

Supporting Character(s)

• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batman #205; next appearance in Detective Comics #379)
• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Batman #205; next appearance in Detective Comics #378)

Villain(s)

• Carleton K. Kaine (aka the King; a syndicate leader; no further appearances)
• Whitet Marsh (a small-time racketeer; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Max Chill (aka Monk Manville; Joe Chill's brother; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Kaine's gang (the Paymaster named; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Bill Rawls (a Gotham resident; no further appearances)
• Willie Pigeon (an informant; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Hook (in flashback)
• Lorna Hill (in flashback)
• Tiny (in flashback)
• Rama Kushna (in flashback)

Synopsis:
Deadman comes to Gotham to seek the help of Batman, the world's greatest detective, to locate Hook, the man who killed Boston Brand. Batman is involved with another murder case involving small-time racketeer Whitey Marsh who was also killed by a man with a hook. Batman decides to leave the case for the police, while he tries to find the identity of a syndicate leader known as the King. Deadman takes over Batman's body, then leaves a recorded message revealing himself and his story. He succeeds in gaining Batman's commitment to finding Hook.

The trail leads Batman to Max Chill, the brother of Joe Chill, the killer of Bruce Wayne's parents. Max wore a fake hook on his wrist to throw suspicion away from himself. Max dies trying to escape. Deadman realizes that his own killer is not involved in this case.

Crusader Carleton K. Kaine who has been pressuring Batman and Commissioner Gordon to find the King. Batman believes it is Jack Le Sabre, while Gordon suspects Big Jim Coltrane. Batman traces clues found with Chill that lead him back to the crime syndicate. He realizes that Kaine is the real crime boss. With Deadman's help, Batman takes down the syndicate. Deadman then leaves Gotham to continue his search for Hook.