Comic Title: Detective Comics #399
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: May 1970
On Sale Date: March 26, 1970 Copyright Date March 26, 1970
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1970


Newsstand Date March 26, 1970
Source: Comic Reader, #77

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.15
Page Count: 32
Editor: Julius Schwartz

Title: "Death Comes to a Small, Locked Room"
Pages: 15

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

Writer: Dennis J. O'Neil
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: John Costanza

Reprinted In:
Showcase Presents:Batman Vol. 5 TPB (2012)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Justice League of America #80; next appearance in Batman #222)

Supporting Character(s)

• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Brave & the Bold #89; next appearance in Batman #222)

Villain(s)

• Khan (a martial arts instructor; no further appearances)
• An unnamed hitman (no further appearances)
• Dilbert (a spirit medium; dies in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Arthur Reeves (a public works coordinator; first appearance; next appearance in Batman #225)
• Joe Brunner (aka Big Dough; an ex-con; no further appearances)
• A group of police academy students (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Batman demonstrates martial arts techniques for a class at the police academy. Also participating in the instruction is Khan, a master of multiple disciplines. Batman beats him easily which causes Khan embarrassment. Khan attacks Batman for real, but he is once again defeated.

A month later, Khan is the apparent victim of an explosion which destroys his studio. Commissioner Gordon then receives a death threat. Batman tries to protect Gordon only to discover that an imposter has been posing as the Commissioner. Batman tracks the real Gordon to Khan's dojo where the instructor is holding him prisoner in an attempt to embarrass Batman. The Caped Crusader beats Khan again and rescues Gordon.