- "You can never escape me. Bullets don't harm me. Nothing harms me. But I know pain. I know pain. Sometimes I share it. With someone like you."
- ―Batman
| "Friend in Need" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Batman | |
| Title: | "Friend in Need" |
| Storyline: | "Year One" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 407 |
| Cover price: | .75 |
| Cover date: | May, 1987 |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Credits | |
| Chief: | Jenette Kahn |
| Ex. Ed: | Dick Giordano |
| Writers: | Frank Miller |
| Pencilers: | David Mazzucchelli |
| Inkers: | David Mazzucchelli |
| Cover artists: | David Mazzucchelli |
| Cover inker: | David Mazzucchelli |
| Cover colorist: | Richmond Lewis |
| Colorists: | Richmond Lewis |
| Letterers: | Todd Klein |
| Editors: | Denny O'Neil |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Batman #406 |
| Next: | Batman #408 |
"Friend in Need" is the title to the 407th issue of the first Batman ongoing comic book series published by DC Comics. The story was written by Frank Miller with artwork and inks by David Mazzucchelli. It was colored by Richmond Lewis and lettered by Todd Klein. The story was edited by Denny O'Neil. This issue shipped with a May, 1987 cover date and carries a cover price of .75 cents per copy.
Synopsis[]
James Gordon and Sarah Essen have dinner together. Jim feels guilty over their recent affair, but doesn't have the will to call it off. He even gives Sarah a bracelet – a present that should have gone to his pregnant wife. Finally, Sarah makes the decision to break it off. She puts in a transfer to New York City.
A few days later, Gordon arrests noted drug dealer Jefferson Skeevers. Skeevers is a key figure that can link Detective Flass to organized crime, but he's not revealing any information. Assistant district attorney Harvey Dent allows the court to grant him bail.
Batman sneaks into Skeevers' hotel room and accosts him. That same night, Skeevers approaches Lt. Gordon offering to reveal everything he knows concerning Detective Flass and his illegal conduct. After taking Jefferson's statement, Gordon bypasses Commissioner Loeb and goes straight to Internal Affairs.
Loeb does not appreciate Gordon going over his head. To further illustrate his displeasure, he shows him a surveillance photo of Jim and Sarah kissing one another. Loeb is more than ready to expose Gordon's tryst if he continues pursuing an indictment against Flass.
Later, Gordon and his wife Barbara visit Wayne Manor. Jim interviews Bruce Wayne concerning his suspicious actions, but Bruce dismisses all notions that he could possibly be Batman. As the two leave the estate, Jim confides in Barbara and tells her of the affair.
A few nights later, Gordon and a few loyal officers interrogate Flass at length. At first, he refuses to cooperate, but before long, he agrees to detail everything he knows – including dirt on Commissioner Loeb.
Meanwhile, Barbara Eileen Gordon gives birth to her son – James Gordon, Jr..
A few nights later, the Catwoman raids the home of Carmine Falcone. She believes that making a strike against Falcone will help to forge her own legendary status. The Batman arrives and attacks Falcone's men. The Catwoman escapes capture, but not before raking her claws across Falcone's face. The media learns of the incident and reports that the Batman and this mysterious new Catwoman are working in collusion with one another.
Commissioner Loeb makes a telephone call to Falcone. He instructs him to take measures against Gordon. Falcone sends his men to Gordon's apartment where they abduct his wife and infant son. Jim manages to shoot a few of the kidnappers, but Johnny Viti takes off in his car with the baby.
Fortunately for Gordon, Bruce Wayne is present incognito. He follows Jim who takes off after Viti on a motorcycle. While Gordon deals with Johnny, Bruce rescues baby Jim Gordon.
Days later, news of Commissioner Loeb's corrupt regime hits the media wire. Loeb announces his possible resignation. The incident places Gordon back into the spotlight and he is soon promoted to the rank of Captain. With Sarah Essen gone to New York, Gordon starts working on his marriage to save it. Around this time, a maniac calling himself the Joker has threatened to poison the Gotham Water Reservoir, but Gordon has already contacted Batman, marking the beginning of their longtime collaboration.
Appearances[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
- Arnold Flass
- Branden
- Carmine Falcone
- Gillian B. Loeb
- Jefferson Skeevers
- Johnny Viti
- Joker (Behind the scenes only)
Minor characters
- James Gordon, Jr. (1st appearance)
- Judge Rafferty (1st appearance)
- Stan Merkel
- Trish
- Tom
Organizations
Races & Animals
Locations
-
- Gotham City Court House
- Gotham City Police Headquarters
- Wayne Chemicals (Referenced only)
Items
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- Batman was created by comic book writer Bill Finger and graphic artist Bob Kane. He first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May, 1939. He received his first ongoing series, Batman, in the Spring, 1940 beginning with Batman #1.
- According to DC Releases #36, this issue shipped to retailers on January 20th, 1987.
- This issue is reprinted in the Batman: Year One trade paperback collection, which was published in October, 1988. It is also reprinted in the Batman: Year One Deluxe hardcover edition, released in April, 2005.
- Scenes from this issue were adapted into the Batman: Year One animated movie, which was directed by Sam Liu and Lauren Montgomery and released direct-to-video on October 18th, 2011.
- This story is the official canonical re-imagining of the origin of Batman in Post-Crisis continuity.
- The events of this issue begin on September 2nd.
- This is the second appearance of Tom, the newscaster. He appeared last in Batman #404.
- This is the first, and to date, only appearance of Trish, who is a newscaster.
- Alfred Pennyworth sarcastically suggests that Bruce Wayne should take up flying, "--like that fellow in Metropolis". This is a reference to Superman, who operates out of the city of Metropolis. At this point in the time, Bruce Wayne has yet to meet Clark Kent. Their first encounter was chronicled in Man of Steel #3 in November, 1986.
- A frustrated Selina Kyle pulls the head off of a doll and hurls it at a television set. The doll is a Charlie Brown figure from the Peanuts comic strip series by Charles Schultz.
- This is the second appearance of Carmine Falcone. He appeared last in Batman #405.
- This is the first appearance of Johnny Viti, who is the nephew of Carmine Falcone and a member of the Falcone crime family.