Comic Title: Detective Comics #616
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Late June 1990
On Sale Date: May 8, 1990 Shipping Date May 8, 1990
Source: Previews, #14

Direct Market Date May 10, 1990
Source: Comic Shop News, #149

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $1.00
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "Stone Killer"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Batman (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Alan Grant
Penciller: Norm Breyfogle
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Reprinted In:
Legends of the Dark Knight:Norm Breyfogle Vol. 2 HC (2019)
Batman:The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 5 TPB (2021)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Justice League Europe #17; next appearance in Batman #450)

Supporting Character(s)

• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Action Comics #654; next appearance in Batman #450)
• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batman #449; next appearance in Batman #450)
• Tim Drake (last appearance in Batman #449; next appearance in Batman #450)

Villain(s)

• C'th (a supernatural entity; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Art and Nicky (muggers; Nicky dies in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Harvey and Petra Lichas (an archaeologist and his wife; no further appearances)
• Sly Mason (a murder victim; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Miss Wojec (Sly's girlfriend; no further appearances)
• A mugging victim (no further appearances)
• An unnamed doctor and nurse (no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Joker (in Batman's thoughts)

Synopsis:
Batman investigates a murder at St. Michael's Square perpetrated by a cloak figure. A caduceus drawn with the victim's blood is left at the scene. Batman searches the city. Two muggers encounter the killer and one of them is also killed moments before Batman arrives.

Batman then visits the serpent mound, a prehistoric site he believes is linked to the killer. He meets archaeologist Harvey Lichas who has uncovered an apparent tomb from which a creature escapes. Harvey provides Batman with the path he expects the creature to follow which leads to the Lichas house. Batman arrives in time to save Harvey's wife from the killer who is a supernatural creature named C'th. Batman throws C'th's rod of power off a cliff. It is destroyed, and C'th falls to his own demise.