Batman #397

Batman #397, released by DC Comics in July 1986, arrived during a transformative era for the Caped Crusader. Following the conclusion of Crisis on Infinite Earths, the title was in a period of transition as the editorial team prepared to relaunch the character's modern mythology. Written by Max Allan Collins with cover art by Dave Gibbons, the issue serves as a standalone entry that reflects the procedural, grit-focused storytelling Collins brought to the title during his tenure.

The issue features artwork by interior penciler Dave Mazzucchelli, who had begun refining the dark, atmospheric aesthetic that would define his later collaboration with Frank Miller on Batman: Year One. The narrative leans into the detective-noir elements of the character, a hallmark of the mid-1980s shift toward more grounded, psychologically complex storytelling. It was received as a solid, atmospheric installment that bridged the gap between the character's legacy formats and the impending post-Crisis reimagining.