Manhunter Vol 1 17

"Turf"

Cover

Turf

Editors

Barbara Kesel

Previous Issue	Next Issue
Manhunter # 16	Manhunter # 18

I don't do it for the money.

— Batman

Manhunter #17 is an issue of the series Manhunter (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 1989.

Synopsis for "Turf"

James drives Mark to Gotham City and broaches a delicate subject, namely the family wants Mark to give up his Manhunter bounty-hunting job following his recent stay in the intensive care unit. Mark refuses and, at the Regent, change for a party honoring the opening of a nation-wide series of homeless shelters sponsored by the Wayne Foundation. James was invited because his law firm drafted the non-profit documents. Tom Melcher, owner of the Gotham Wildcats, is concerned that Victor Gover, who was recently revealed to have used steroids, had been involved in the shelter's public relations campaign. Tom makes a comment to Bruce Wayne about superheroes using steroids which prompts Mark to angrily enter the conversation. The conversation doesn't get far when Victor Gover violently confronts Arthur Brockett regarding his cancelled contract. While Mark confronts him physically, Bruce summons the guards who escort Victor out of the building. Bruce ponders Mark Shaw and his past and finds he cannot trust him yet. Hours later Victor returns to his family's home and checks on his super-villain costume.

The next day Mark and James, in a restaurant, and Bruce Wayne, in his mansion, read the newspaper of the previous day's event. They both do research, Mark via information sent by Oracle and Bruce on the Batcomputer, and independently come to the same conclusion...Victor Gover is the new Sportsmaster. Sportsmaster's first outing apparently occurred two days after the public announcement of Gover's steroid use. Mark makes a visit to Gover's parents who direct him to Coach Brockett's where he is directed Melcher's townhouse. As Manhunter, Mark stakes out the townhouse in which Melcher and Brockett argue about the Gover situation. Gover throws a javelin (with his jersey wrapped around it) through the window the follows immediately afterwards. He takes the two down drags them through the front door but Manhunter is waiting and pulls Sportsmaster away from the men. Sportsmaster takes Manhunter down with a punch but Batman arrives. Batman and Manhunter brawl while Brockett and Melcher race back inside and Sportsmaster follows. Sportsmaster drops Batman with an exploding discus. Manhunter uses his baton to enter through an upstairs window but Sportsmaster pins him with a javelin. Batman enters through the skylight and Sportsmaster throws another discus at Brockett. Manhunter dives in the path and deflects the discus outside while Batman captures Sportsmaster. Batman is grudgingly satisfied that Manhunter is on the side of angels and leaves Sportsmaster with him so he can claim the bounty. But Manhunter got the gist of Batman's real thoughts and decided that Gotham City should be left to Batman.

Appearing in "Turf"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Oracle (Behind the scenes)
Alfred Pennyworth
James Shaw

Antagonists:

Sportsmaster II (First appearance)

Other Characters:

Arthur Brockett (coach of the Wildcats) (Single appearance)
Tom Melcher (owner of Gotham City Wildcats football team) (Single appearance)
Horace Gover
Mrs. Gover

Locations:

Gotham City
- Regent Hotel
- Gover Residence
- Tom Melcher's Townhouse

Items:

Manhunter's Mask
Manhunter's Power Baton
Sportsmaster's Equipment

Vehicles:

James Shaw's Car

Notes

Arthur Brockett mentions that Victor Gover has the metagene. How he knows or what affect the gene has on Victor is not revealed in this issue.

Links and References

Manhunter Vol 1 17

Contents

Synopsis for "Turf"

Appearing in "Turf"

Notes

See Also

Recommended Reading

Links and References

Fan Feed