Gotham’s underworld has changed. After Falcone's death the old families have been replaced by “freaks”, with Penguin, Ventriloquist, and Catwoman on the top. Sal Maroni remains the last major mob boss and is approached by a mysterious figure known only as “Apollo,” who offers to help him seize control of Gotham.
At the same time, Bruce Wayne meets the orphaned circus acrobat Dick Grayson, whose parents were murdered in a circus accident staged by Maroni. Batman soon discovers Dick investigating the mob on his own. After learning Bruce’s secret, Dick becomes his sidekick Robin despite Alfred’s objections. Together, Batman and Robin investigate Apollo’s identity while facing the deadly Calendar Man, an assassin hired by Maroni.
Meanwhile, Harvey Dent, newly married to Gilda, struggles with the trauma of his abusive father. After being defeated, Maroni reveals the shocking truth: Apollo is Harvey, who believes he can control crime from within. Consumed by desperation, Harvey brutally murders his father before being arrested. At their trial, Maroni throws acid in Harvey’s face in revenge for using him as a tool, leaving him horribly scarred and comatose. In the aftermath, Gilda refuses to give up hope that Harvey will recover, while Bruce officially adopts Dick as his son.
