The story opens with the cremation of the Joker; the flames consume the screen, fading to a bat symbol on fire. Commissioner Gordon is then heard giving a voice over: This is how it happened. THIS is how the Batman died. Following Joker's demise, crime in Gotham dropped; however, everyone was waiting for the spark that would ignite a war for power in the Gotham underworld. Nine months later, on October 30th, everyone at a diner kills each other. Scarecrow broadcasts to Gotham, revealing his new Fear Toxin caused this; he then demands that Gotham be abandoned, or he will unleash it upon the whole city. Come Halloween the next day, Gotham has been abandoned by the normal citizens, leaving behind the GCPD, thugs, super criminals and the Bat Family. Batman rescues an officer from a group of thugs, calling in the Batmobile to chase after an armored car Gordon thinks might lead to Scarecrow. Stopping the driver, Batman learns of Scarecrow's safe house and breaks in, finding Poison Ivy held hostage in a gas chamber. Ivy reveals Scarecrow united the rest of Batman's foes into an army to kill him. Arresting her, Batman takes out tanks sent in by Scarecrow, taking Ivy to GCPD lock up. Batman is informed of several cases going on by Cash, who updates him, along with Alfred throughout the night.
