COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK – “Detective Comics” #677 (August 1994)

This week’s “Comic Book of the Week” is “Detective Comics” #677, which was published by DC Comics in August 1994. This comic was titled “Flesh and Steel” and was Part Nine of a series called “KnightsEnd.” The creative team included Chuck Dixon, writer; Graham Nolan, penciller; Scott Hanna, inker; Adrienne Roy, colorist; John Costanza, letterer; Darren Vincenzo, assistant editor; and Scott Peterson, editor. Kelley Jones, John Beatty and Bob Le Rose were the cover artists for this issue, which sold for $1.50 at newsstands.

This 26-page issue begins on a large suspension bridge in Gotham City with Nightwing (Dick Grayson) and Robin (Tim Drake) about to duke it out with Jean-Paul Valley. Valley, who is dressed in a red and yellow metal Batman costume that looks like it was designed by Tony Stark, has just blown up the Batmobile, which is in flames in the background. Nightwing and Robin believe Bruce Wayne has been killed, so Nightwing tries to take out Valley while Robin rescues a trapped infant from a car that’s about to explode.

Robin rescues the kid about the time that Nightwing and Valley topple over the side of the bridge. Nightwing appears to get the upper hand when he forces Valley into a bridge support, but then they both drop into the river, where Valley takes advantage of his brute strength and his suit’s supply of oxygen. While Robin’s trying to figure out what to do next, the real Batman makes his first appearance on Page 8 and tells Robin that he knew the Batmobile had been rigged to explode and that he’d escaped just in time.

Nightwing eventually frees himself from the clutches of Valley, and they both make it to the surface. Nightwing then watches as Valley climbs aboard a paddle wheel-style party boat called the “Alabama Rose,” which is full of poker-playing gamblers. Meanwhile, back on the bridge, Gotham firefighters putting out the fire and Gotham Police Sgt. Harvey Bullock and Detective Renee Montoya have also arrived on scene.

Back on the river, Valley snatches Nightwing aboard the “Alabama Rose” as soon as Nightwing reaches the boat, and they begin to fight once more. Keep in mind that Nightwing still believes that Valley has killed the Batman, so he’s ticked off big time. Nightwing gets the upper hand for a while, but then Valley brings out the heavy artillery, using a flamethrower and firing bullets at the unarmed Nightwing. They crash through a wall, and then Nightwing assaults Valley with a piano before smashing a banjo over his head.

Nightwing eventually becomes distracted by an old woman who doesn’t want to abandon her slot machine, and Valley knocks him out from behind with a blow to the head. Two police officers show up around that time with guns drawn, and Valley escapes by throwing Nightwing into the police officers. Valley flees on foot, then catches a ride on top of a train before going beneath the streets and making his way to the Batcave. It’s there were he comes face to face with Batman, bringing the issue to an abrupt end.

This comic (unless I’ve sold it) and others are available for purchase through Peacock’s Books on Amazon.com. If you’re interested in buying it, search for it there by title, issue number and date of publication.