DC Database
Register
Advertisement
"Women Dark and Dangerous":
Nocturna and Batman 06

Dark and Dangerous

Quote1 You love me because I'm dark and dangerous... yet if I do something dark and dangerous-- you can't love me. Quote2
Nocturna

Batman #390 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of December, 1985.

Synopsis for "Women Dark and Dangerous"

Nocturna and Batman 06

Dark and Dangerous

At the abandoned Gotham Observatory, Batman and Nocturna share a passionate kiss under the red rain pouring from the sky, which has turned red for unknown circumstances. When they stop, the obvious question comes to their minds; do they continue or go their separate ways? Of course, Batman attempts to make Nocturna reform from her crimes, but her need to study the skies and the causes of why they have turned red can't wait for the normal process and she decides to stick to her plan of using the False Face Society to gain profit and reopen the observatory by stealing from the rich. Batman is therefore forced to leave as he won't stand for Nocturna's behaviour. As he is leaving, Nocturna points out that Batman "loves" her because of her dark and dangerous nature, but as soon as she is dark and dangerous, he can't love her anymore; and that applies for almost every other women that Batman has claimed to "love". Batman leaves the observatory, refusing to believe this.

Moments later, Catwoman has located the corpse of another False Facer, victim of the Night-Slayer. There is, however, another member of the False Face Society alive and Catwoman follows the man the the gang's hideout, where Nocturna is giving them instructions for their next crimes. When she leaves the place on her hot air balloon, Catwoman spots her and follows the balloon as best as she can until it disappears in the horizon towards the observatory. Knowing that the murders of the False Facers are being blamed on her, Catwoman decides to follow Nocturna to her hideout, hoping to clear her own name by capturing Nocturna.

In the meantime, Batman is determined to prove Nocturna wrong and he goes to see Vicki Vale on her apartment, but he notices that she has company. Because of her new strict regime of physical training, Vicki has got help from a personal trainer and they seem to have started a romantic relationship, which doesn't bother Batman in the slightest, proving Nocturna's piercing words more true than ever. At that same moment, Robin shows up at Harvey Bullock's apartment, asking for his help protecting Nocturna from the Night-Slayer, who is seeking to murder her. Reluctantly, Bullock agrees, much to Robin's satisfaction and at that very moment, Julia Pennyworth gives up her hopes of getting romantically involved with Bruce Wayne, much to Alfred's dismay.

At the Gotham Observatory, Nocturna is peacefully studying the red sky and Robin keeps her company in the shadows. Meanwhile on the outside, Catwoman has arrived at the place and sneaks inside the building, just as Batman returns.

The showdown is prime as Catwoman breaks into the observatory and tries to take Nocturna to the authorities to clean her own name. Robin steps between the threatening Catwoman and the undisturbed Nocturna, who keeps studying the skies, despite the interference. Robin explains to Catwoman that he criminal she is looking for is the Night-Slayer, for he is responsible for the murders, but Catwoman wouldn't listen. Instead, she hits Robin aside, causing Nocturna's wrath to turn against her and the duel of the ladies starts. However, Catwoman is forced to fall by a well aimed Batarang to her feet as Batman arrives in time to stop the unnecessary violence. In doing this, he has turned Catwoman's wrath upon himself, as she comes to the conclusion that Nocturna means more to him because she was willing to take on the role of a mother while Catwoman valued her independence too much to be tied down. Catwoman lunges against Batman while Nocturna takes care of Robin and Batman does his best to hold against Catwoman without hurting her. In the struggle, Batman brings up their former relationship, reminding her of their love, but Catwoman in her anger tells him that there was never love involved and they were only "two animals in the night and nothing more." The fight continues on the outside of the observatory, where Catwoman manages to send Batman flying down to the ground below while she remains in the metallic edge of the building. The fall manages to keep Batman down for a few seconds, time enough for a lightning to strike down at the building, shocking Catwoman with all its force. After the thunder is gone, Selina stands at the edge of the building before collapsing into Batman's arms, completely unconscious and barely alive.

Batman and Catwoman Earth-One

Truth Hurts

Holding Catwoman's body, Batman's rage wins over him and blames Nocturna for this outcome, despite the fact that she had nothing to do with the accident. As Batman leaves carrying Selina, Nocturna tells Robin to go with him, but as soon as they leave the building, an earthquake strikes and the observatory is separated as the land breaks, which creates a large cliff between the observatory and the main land. Batman realizes that he can't reach back to Nocturna and that Catwoman's life hangs on a thread. In this moment, Batman admits to himself the truth that he actually cared for Selina and loved her, and wonders why he chose to turn her down previously in the batcave. He questions whether this was due to her reforming and no longer being as "dark and dangerous" as Nocturna claimed.

All this happens as the Night-Slayer still prowls the night, seeking to murder Nocturna, and it is revealed that Nocturna uses a mysterious black dust to men do her bidding....

Appearing in "Women Dark and Dangerous"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:

Notes

Trivia

  • In this issue, Bullock mentions his chosen movie theater, the "Regency". Bullock is shown going to the place a decade later in Batman #520, also written by Doug Moench.


See Also

Recommended Reading

Links and References

Advertisement