Detective Comics # 543 1984 NM-

Detective Comics #543, published by DC Comics with a cover date of October 1984, features a main Batman story titled "Shadows of Vengeance" alongside a backup Green Arrow story. Written by Doug Moench with art by Gene Colan and Alfredo Alcala, the issue is a key chapter in the pre-Crisis custody battle over Jason Todd.

Main Story: "Shadows of Vengeance"

• The Conflict: Batman ambushes the villain Nightshade (Sturges Hellstrom) and his gang at an amusement park, easily defeating the goons. Before Batman can apprehend Nightshade, Anton Knight (the Thief of Night / Night-Slayer) throws a blade into Nightshade's chest, killing him instantly. 
• The Motive: The Thief of Night declares that he will kill anyone who tries to lay eyes on his love, Nocturna (Natalia Knight), before escaping into the darkness.
• The Custody Battle: Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne intends to legally adopt the recently orphaned Jason Todd (the second Robin). However, the next morning, Bruce is shocked to discover that Natalia Knight has already filed her own competing adoption papers for Jason. When Bruce arrives at the courthouse to fight for Jason's fate, he comes face-to-face with Nocturna. 

Backup Story: Green Arrow

The issue features a secondary story written by Joey Cavalieri and illustrated by Shawn McManus. In it, Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) investigates a mystery in Star City involving a man named Thomas Doyle who is being actively threatened by a villain calling himself the Printer's Devil. The twist leaves Oliver puzzling over how this can be, considering Doyle himself is supposedly the Printer's Devil.

Creative Team & Trivia

• Writer: Doug Moench (Batman) & Joey Cavalieri (Green Arrow)
• Artists: Gene Colan & Alfredo Alcala (Batman); Shawn McManus (Green Arrow)
• Colors/Letters: Adrienne Roy & Ben Oda
• Historical Note: This issue is notable for being the first in Detective Comics volume 1 history to feature the credits of the creative team directly printed on the cover.