Comic Title: Batman #407
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: May 1987
On Sale Date: February 12, 1987 Newsstand Date February 12, 1987
Source: DC Releases, #36

Newsstand Date February 12, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #109

Newsstand Date February 12, 1987
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #690

Shipping Date January 20, 1987
Source: DC Releases, #36

Shipping Date January 20, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #109

Shipping Date January 20, 1987
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #690

Shipping Date January 20, 1987
Source: Comics Journal, #113
Misnumbered #405

Copyright Date January 20, 1987
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1987
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "Friend in Need"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Batman (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: David Mazzucchelli
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Richmond Lewis

Reprinted In:
Batman:Year One HC (1988)
Batman:Year One TPB (1988)
Complete Frank Miller Batman HC (1990)
Batman:Year One HC (2005)
Batman:Year One TPB (2007)
Absolute Batman:Year One HC (2017)
Batman (Facsimile Edition) #407 (2024)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Batman:The Killing Joke #1; next appearance in Legends of the Dark Knight #2)

Guest Star(s)

• Catwoman (last appearance in Catwoman #1; next appearance in Catwoman #1)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lt. James Gordon (last appearance in Batman #406; next appearance in Legends of the Dark Knight #2)
• Harvey Dent (last appearance in Batman #405; next appearance in Batman Annual #14)
• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Batman Annual #13; next appearance in Legends of the Dark Knight #2)

Villain(s)

• Arnold Flass (first name revealed; last appearance in Batman #405; no further appearances)
• Gillian B. Loeb (last appearance in Batman #406; no further appearances)
• Jefferson Skeevers (a drug dealer; no further appearances)
• Branden (last appearance in Batman #406; no further appearances)
• Falcone (last appearance in Batman #405; no further appearances)
• Johnny (Falcone's nephew; no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Holly Robinson (last appearance in Catwoman #1; next appearance in Catwoman #2)

Other Character(s)

• Sarah Essen (last appearance in Batman #406; no further appearances)
• Merkel (last appearance in Batman #406; no further appearances)
• Skeevers's lawyer and Flass's lawyer (no further appearances)
• Barbara Gordon (last appearance in Batman #406; next appearance in Batman Annual #14)
• James Gordon, Jr. (Jim Gordon's son; next appearance in Legends of the Dark Knight #13)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Joker (mentioned by Captain Gordon)

Comments:
"Year One" Part 4

This story occurs between September 2nd and December 3rd, while Bruce Wayne is 25 years old.

Gordon is promoted from Lieutenant to Captain in this story.

This story is continued from Batman #406.

Synopsis:
Drug dealer Jefferson Skeevers is beaten and threatened by Batman which causes him to turn on Detective Flass, his ally in the police department. Flass could implicate Commissioner Loeb who begins blackmailing Jim Gordon with evidence of his affair with Sarah Essen.

Instead of giving in to the blackmail demand Gordon tells his wife about the affair. Soon afterwards she gives birth to James Gordon, Jr., their son. Gordon also continues his efforts to uncover Batman's identity by questioning Bruce Wayne.

Batman continues his efforts to gather evidence against organized crime boss Falcone. His espionage is interrupted by the Catwoman who attacks the Roman. Falcone then orders his nephew to kidnap Gordon's wife and son. Batman saves the baby, finally earning himself Gordon's trust.

Flass turns on Commissioner Loeb who is forced to resign. Gordon is promoted to captain and begins his alliance with Batman by calling for help against a new maniac called the Joker.