{"product_id":"detective-comics-655-1993-nm","title":"Detective Comics # 655 1993 NM-","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDetective Comics #655\u003c\/b\u003e, published by DC Comics with a cover date of January 1993, is titled \"The Anvil of War\". Written by legendary Batman scribe Chuck Dixon and illustrated by Michael Netzer and Scott Hanna, this issue serves as Part 2 of a three-issue prequel arc that is collected in the foundational Batman: Prelude to Knightfall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story is highly memorable for highlighting Batman's fundamental psychological weakness—his instinctual need to protect children—and showing how a ruthless child tactical prodigy exploits it.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Plot: \"The Anvil of War\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Gang War Escalates: Batman is monitoring a turf war between local Gotham street gangs when the \"War Dogs\" (formerly the Bengal Street Raiders) launch a coordinated, high-intensity assault on a rival gang, the Bad Boy Runners.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Tragic Miscalculation: The military-minded mastermind orchestrating the gangs is The General(Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong). During a chaotic skirmish on a building rooftop, the General is thrown out of a window. Spotting what he assumes is an innocent child hostage in mortal danger, Batman completely abandons his strategic position and dives to save the boy's life.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Betrayal: The mid-air rescue is a massive physical toll, tearing open stitches Batman had recently received from a bullet wound. After landing in the alley below, Batman's infinite faith in protecting youth backfires spectacularly. The General—showing no gratitude—picks up a heavy shovel, strikes a weakened Batman directly across the back of the head, and leaves him stranded in the dirt next to the gang's dead leader, Bojack.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Next Target: While an exhausted Batman crawls away to regroup and heal in the Batcave, the General tortures members of Black Mask's \"False Face Society\" to take over their remnants. Having effectively neutralized or united the street gangs, the 11-year-old sociopath outlines his final target for total city conquest: the Gotham City Police Department.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUndercover Intel: By the end of the issue, Batman recovers and goes undercover as a homeless man to locate the General's hideout. He discovers the base abandoned except for a miniature strategy model of South Lyntown, detailing an impending military-style assault on the GCPD's 43rd precinct building.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreative Team \u0026amp; Trivia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriter: Chuck Dixon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArtists: Michael Netzer (Penciler) \u0026amp; Scott Hanna (Inker)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCover Artist: A striking, surrealist Batman cover illustrated by Sam Kieth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContext: This arc sets the tone for the looming Knightfall saga. It showcases a Batman who is already physically worn down, sleep-deprived, and easily caught off guard right before Bane arrives to systematically break him.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"BattleBuddyComics.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67586462842980,"sku":"BZ212","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/7606\/4868\/files\/IMG_2026_10_10_20_58_15_149.jpg?v=1791683965","url":"https:\/\/battlebuddycomics.com\/products\/detective-comics-655-1993-nm","provider":"BattleBuddyComics.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}