Detective Comics (1990) # 611

 By Mark Rodriguez

The Penguin has faked his death thanks to a criminal named Cadaver that put him to 'sleep' with a hypnotic suggestion. Just as Batman finally believed that the criminal is dead, he rises again. Elsewhere, Scareface and a mobster named Rafael Santini are planning a job. 

"Snow and Ice Part Two: Bird of Ill Omen" opens with the helicopter flying away from Gotham Penitentiary as the villain Kadaver has awoken the Penguin from a hypnotic suggestion used to make everyone think he was dead. The Penguin tells Kadaver that they are not partners. With the city thinking Penguin is dead and the richest spoils of Gotham waiting for him, the Penguin tells Kadaver that he flies alone.

Kadaver aims his gun at the Penguin saying that he double-crossed him. Their deal that was the would help the Penguin break out of prison and then he would do the same for him. The Penguin asks him what the problem is since they did just that. Kadaver says they only came back for him because he was too clever to let him cheat him (he gave Penguin's thugs a fake wake-up phrase so they'd have no choice but to break him out). The Penguin opens one of his umbrellas, the motion knocking the gun out of Kadaver's hand. 

Penguin tells Kadaver to step out of the helicopter (while it's still in mid-air). Kadaver mutters the post hypnotic suggestion phrase the Penguin falls into a coma again. The henchmen panic and Kadaver says they have nothing to worry about as long as they don't mind working for a vegetable. The pilot asks if they chosen a destination yet since they're running low on fuel. The thugs don't know where to go since the Penguin had the plan. They threaten Kadaver to wake him back up. Kadaver says he's sure Penguin will see things his way this time around.

Meanwhile the old man that attended Penguin's funeral sees the news about the jailbreak. The news mentioned the helicopter was found shortly afterwards with the pilot shot dead. The reporter says the criminal that escaped was Mortimer Kadaver, who is obsessed with death and should not be approached. They also cover the Penguin's new charity and there are already long lines of donors. There will be a charity brunch at the Ritz Hotel which will be hosting the 'world's greatest diamond show'. The diamonds on display are worth more than 50 million dollars. Even with the Penguin still believed dead, security will be super-tight.

Other news covers that Batman has captured two thugs in possession of a new drug called Super-Crack. Shipments of the drug have been entering Gotham at an all-time high, and the reporter asks for help from anyone with information. As they move on the news, the reporter advertises a new itching lotion. Batman hears this over the Batmobile radio as he's on the road. He shuts off the advertisement, saying it's too bad that lotion won't work on an itchy mind.

Batman ponders on the Penguin's death, having seen the body himself, but something still doesn't add up. He also considers that Kadaver is on the loose, He hopes things get clearer after tonight, but he doubts it.

Elsewhere the old man thinks about how he was forced to work for the Penguin after all those years, as he resented him. The old man says the Penguin is dead now and he'll never have to build another lousy umbrella ever again. He angrily slams and umbrella onto the table as he hears a knock on the door. Before can even respond, the door is kicked open.

The Penguin, Kadaver and the henchmen step inside. The old man, named Otto, is surprised, especially since he was at the funeral. The Penguin says it was a touching affair but it was immature. He introduces Otto to Kadaver. Kadaver notes how old the man is and says he can help him as he starts to choke him. Kadaver says it will over soon and he will never feel pain again. The Penguin hooks Kadaver with his umbrella and yanks him back. 

 

Penguin says it's bad enough they have to work together, he can't have him throttle his more important employee. Kadaver apologizes and says he does get carried away at times. Penguin tells Otto that he's about to come into some money soon and he'll need access to his toys. They activate the bookcase to reveal the hidden weapons room. As the villains step inside, Knuckles pull his gun and says he can shoot Kadaver and Penguin will always be in his debt. Tony tells him to put it away. If Knuckles were to miss, Kadaver can shout the magic words that will put the Penguin down again. Tony says the Penguin probably has his own plan. 

Later on at the diamond show in the Ritz Hotel, Bruce Wayne is there and the host shows him the Vokker Stone. He explains that in 1900 a psychopathic South African killed 18 men in a mine cave in so he could keep it. Bruce doesn't get how a shiny stone is worth sacrificing a human life over. The host says Bruce's problem is he's already too rich. As the man leaves, Bruce ponders that no stone is worth a life but there are many out there that think like the Penguin. He sees that security is tight but he'll come back later that night as Batman just in case.

Meanwhile some of Scarface's men are driving several blocks away from the Ritz Hotel, also being careful just in case. They're working with five million of the Ventriloquist's merchandise. If anything goes wrong, they're dead meat since Scarface has a long reach even outside of prison. The other guy says things will go as planned, since Santini isn't stupid.

Santini and his boys wait for Scarface's men to arrive. They trade the cash for the merchandise, hidden in boxes of chili. Just then something flies past them, making each side think one is double-crossing the other. The object turns out to be a huge motorized bird, and the men start shooting at it. The bird explodes, loud enough for Batman to notice it happen across the street. All the man are dead and the Penguin and his crew arrive. Kadaver says Otto did good work, but he suggests razor shards next time to make the model more visual.

The Penguin and his men grab all the cash and coke, with Kadaver claiming half of it to be his. Penguin tells him to save the gloating for later since they're on a tight schedule. His henchmen have another car ready.

Batman arrives  and finds Santini and his men dead, but doesn't recognize the others. He sees the drugs and wonders which side double-crossed the other. The police arrive and Batman heads off. Batman ponders if the coke means snow.

As the villains head off, Kadaver says the Penguin is a clever man. Penguin says Kadaver couldn't put one over on him, even though he can never let him out of earshot and will always have to watch his back. Kadaver says the profit will be worth it. Their partnership will end soon and they can part ways, both sides being richer for having met. Penguin says it was a pity that Kadaver overheard Scarface's plans, since he would have saved himself some hassle if he just heard them himself. Kadaver says Penguin couldn't have escaped prison without his deep-hypnosis trick so he does deserve his share.

Kadaver says they could quit now and not endanger themselves over being too greedy. The Penguin says the perfect crime is a work of art, a thing of beauty and a joy forever. They got the snow, so now they're doing for the ice, as they head towards the Ritz Hotel.

The villains drive their car up the stairs and smash right through the glass doors, knocking the police out. The Penguin tells Tony and Knuckles to hurry and grab the diamonds. He doesn't know how long it will take Batman to figure out the clue he left at his wake. Kadaver is surprised that Penguin purposely left Batman a clue. The Penguin says there isn't a thrill in committing a perfect crime if nobody knows it was him. 

Back to Batman, the police inform him that two men are dead, two are critical but the rest should be fine. Just then they hear about a robbery taking place at the Ritz Hotel with the suspects being armed and dangerous. Batman realizes he's been tricked and he hops on top of a police car and takes a ride there.

Batman arrives at the scene as police are standing outside as a voice calls out that they have hostages. Batman runs towards the hotel and the police tell him that there are innocent people inside. The Dark Knight says he doubts it. The police follow and Batman sees several dead security guards. He also finds a recording repeating that 'they have hostages'. Batman is so mad, he's seeing red.

The cops call for back up as four security guards are down. They said the suspects are long gone with 55 millions worth of ice. Batman figures the diamonds represent ice, and the coke represents snow. Batman runs off, and the police say the  suspects probably ran out the back door. Batman says it doesn't matter since he knows where they'll strike next.

The Penguin and his men are robbing First Gotham Bank, where all the rich donated towards the Penguin Fund Charity. The Penguin says endangered animals are always good at tugging on peoples' pocket books. He tells his men to keep on things as he will come back soon. Kadaver asks where he's going. Kadaver follows him and sees that Penguin is going to the bathroom.

Batman swings towards the bank. He says he doesn't have to check the cemetery, since this has to be the penguin. His ego couldn't help but throw a clue at his wake. Ice, Snow... and The Penguin.

Kadaver waits outside the bathroom and tells the Penguin that the police will arrive at any moment. In the bathroom, Penguin tears pieces of toilet paper and shoves them in his ear. The bird-themed villain tells Kadaver that he should appreciate the uncertainty of if he will be free and rich.. or if he will be down for the count. Penguin steps out and draws his umbrella gun at him.

Kadaver tries to get Penguin back into his trance, but the Penguin can't hear him due to having something in his ear. Kadaver says he really doesn't want to die, at least not like this. The Penguin bids their partnership goodbye as he shoots him. He then escapes through the vent.

 

The police wait outside the bank and says this time the men really do have hostages. They don't see Batman anywhere so they think he went to the wrong place. The cop remarks that even the Dark Knight Detective gets it wrong sometimes.

The Penguin climbs down the fire escape with his bag of ill-gotten gains. Penguin heads to the car he had prepared to get away. Batman swoops down and tells the Penguin that he's supposed to be dead. Penguin grabs him and flips him into the alley trash. Batman mentions he forgets how fit the Penguin is despite appearances. Penguin says it's fitting he ends the best night of his criminal career with the death of his deadliest foe. Penguin shoots at Batman, who narrowly dodge the shot. Batman tosses a trash can lid, which hits Penguin in the face. Batman runs in and socks the villain across the face.

Batman tosses the Penguin's unconscious body into the bank in front of his men. Tony and Knuckles surrender. As the police take them away, they mention that Kadaver is still inside. The cops say they're really getting it on a plate tonight, but they do wonder whatever happened to Batman. Batman swings off into the night.

My Thoughts-  

Here it is, the very first issue of Detective Comics that I ever purchased as a kid back in the day at the magazine section of that drug store in Chicago. At the time I didn't know Batman had two series out at the time, Batman and Detective, just like Superman had a second series called Action Comics. Thanks to Third Eye Comics, I was able to grab a copy.

The nostalgia hit hard as even though I haven't read the story in decades, all the story beats came rushing back as I read from page to page. Even though at the time I haven't read the previous issue, the story did a great job explaining how Kadaver helped Penguin fake his death to escape prison and proceed with his plans. I think the only thing that is better explained if you read the last issue, is the Penguin's wake announcing the Penguin Fund charity where people were encouraged to donate to First Gotham Bank.

The only thing that barely got a mention, was Scarface being involved. When I read the last issue and saw the Ventriloquist, I thought to myself 'I don't remember Scarface being involved in this Penguin story'. This explains why I didn't recall that detail, since the character is only mentioned by name and his men were possibly killed off. At the time I was only familiar with the Batman villains featured on the Adam West show. I wouldn't have known that Scarface was the Ventriloquist dummy being controlled by his split personality. I think an extra panel of Scarface being angry his stuff was stolen would have helped better tie him back into the story. The cops reported that two men were dead during the drug deal gone bad. If those two were not Scarface's men... they're gonna wish it was them when their boss finds out.

As a kid, this comic instantly hooked me to the real Batman, as seen in the comics. Even though he seemed a bit chummier with the police than I'm used to, Batman seemed darker and more overall more bad-ass Seeing drugs be referenced as well as Penguin actually shooting someone showed me that the comics pushed past the limits of the Adam West could or would show and was closer to what Micheal Keaton's Batman would encounter. I wouldn't have known at the time, but ironically the sequel, Batman Returns, which would be released a few years later, would show the Penguin shooting people with the intent to kill.

Speaking of which, it is kind of funny that with all his poetic and theatrics regarding death, when it came to facing down the Penguin's umbrella gun, Kadaver changed his tune rather quickly. I kinda don't see what that guy would have wanted with money anyway.

Overall a fun read though I'm biased since it brought back fond memories as I was starting to get more into comic books. We all different times of our lives when we encountered Batman. When it comes to just the comic books, 90's Batman is the version I grew up with.

The one ad that stood out to me the most in this issue was one regarding patches of popular characters at the time. 

I love how the Ninja Turtles were there among all the other Nintendo related patches, but the Turtles were everywhere back then. I guess technically you could say that the Turtles did have games on the NES. It's cool to see that all of these properties still exist to this day in one way or another. Sure, we haven't seen a new Punch-Out game recently. but Little Mac is still referenced in newer Smash Bros games. I guess the only dated thing here is Nintendo Power which stopped publishing in 2012.