Comic Title: Detective Comics #575
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: June 1987
On Sale Date: March 26, 1987 Newsstand Date March 26, 1987
Source: DC Releases, #37

Newsstand Date March 26, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #112

Shipping Date March 3, 1987
Source: DC Releases, #37

Shipping Date March 3, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #112

Shipping Date March 3, 1987
Source: Comics Journal, #114

Copyright Date March 3, 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

Newsstand Date March 26, 1987
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #692, #694, #696

Shipping Date March 3, 1987
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #692, #694, #696

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

Title: "Fear the Reaper"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Batman (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Alan Davis
Inker: Paul Neary
Letterer: Richard Starkings
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Reprinted In:
Batman:Year Two TPB (1990)
Batman Year Two:Fear the Reaper TPB (2003)
DC Retroactive:Batman – The '80s #1 (2011)
Legends of the Dark Knight:Alan Davis HC (2012)
Batman:Year Two – The 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition HC (2018)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Secret Origins #20; next appearance in Detective Comics #576)

Supporting Character(s)

• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Secret Origins #20; next appearance in Detective Comics #576)
• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Batman Annual #14; next appearance in Detective Comics #576)
• Leslie Thompkins (last appearance in Detective Comics #574; next appearance in Detective Comics #576)

Villain(s)

• Reaper (Judson Caspian; first appearance; last appearance in Secret Origins #50; next appearance in Detective Comics #576)
• A gang of thieves (no further appearances)
• A street gang (most die in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Rachel Caspian (the Reaper's daughter; next appearance in Detective Comics #576)
• Greta (Caspian's housekeeper; next appearance in Detective Comics #576)
• A television show host (no further appearances)
• A prostitute (no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Thomas Wayne (in a portrait)
• Martha Wayne (in a portrait)

Comments:
"Year Two" Part 1

This story introduces the Bat-Signal into post-Crisis continuity.

Gordon has been recently appointed Commissioner as of this story.

This story continues in Detective Comics #576.

Synopsis:
Newly appointed Police Commissioner Jim Gordon appears on a television program where he endorses the Batman as an unofficial ally of the police. Meanwhile Batman defeats a gang of thieves, then meets Leslie Tompkins as Bruce Wayne. Bruce is introduced to Rachel Caspian a charity worker who plans to enter a convent.

Rachel's father has recently returned to Gotham City. Twenty years earlier he was a violent vigilante known as the Reaper. When he sees the condition of Gotham, the Reaper returns by killing a street gang. Batman tracks him down and confronts the vigilante. The Reaper easily defeats Batman using knives and guns.

Bruce narrowly escapes alive. He returns to Wayne Manor where Leslie and Alfred patch him up. He then decides that it might be necessary to begin using a gun.