After erasing Hugo Strange's memories with Mad Hatter's machine, Bruce's secret identity is safe again. However, a new turf war between mob bosses Sal Maroni and Gambol intensifies, and skirmishes follow. On one such occasion, Batman arrives to break up a fight at Ace Chemicals, causing Maroni's men to flee, except one, who accidentally fell into a vat of toxic chemical waste. Meanwhile, Maroni has declared a bounty on Batman's head, causing hitman Floyd Lawton to target Batman. However, unbeknownst to him, another mercenary is on the hunt to terminate Batman -
Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke.
