Batman and Commissioner Gordon investigate the shooting death of smalltime thug Whitney Marsh. A witness describes the killer as having a hook for a hand, which convinces the ethereal Deadman that his own killer also killed Marsh. Eventually getting through to Batman by possessing those around him, Deadman convinces Batman to investigate the case fully. The course of the investigation reveals that the killer of Marsh was Joe Chill's brother Max, who had a fake hook to throw off suspicion, as he'd heard about Deadman's case. It also reveals that nosy reporter "Kubla" Kaine is none other than the crimelord known as "The King." A stray ricochet bullet kills Kaine. Batman and Deadman part ways, with Deadman's killer still at large.