Cover: Tony S. Daniel

Batman #86

Mar 2020 · DC · 3.99 USD

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★ 1st appearance — Gunsmith

About this Issue

Batman #86 marks the formal handoff from Tom King's nearly four-year run to James Tynion IV's tenure, making it the opening chapter of a new era for DC's flagship Batman title. It carries double first-appearance weight, introducing both the gun-obsessed mercenary Gunsmith (Douglas Worth) and the enigmatic Mr. Teeth as new DC Universe characters — original villains created to populate Tynion's assassin-heavy 'Their Dark Designs' arc. Beyond the debuts, the issue resets the supporting cast around Bruce Wayne's grief over Alfred Pennyworth's death, formally installing Lucius Fox as Batman's tech anchor and deepening the public Bruce-and-Selina dynamic in ways King's run left largely unexplored. The issue sold well enough to warrant a second printing within three weeks of its January 8, 2020 release, signaling immediate reader enthusiasm for the new creative direction.

In "Their Dark Designs Part 1," Batman takes a bold step forward, channeling Alfred’s wisdom into a citywide mission to rebuild Gotham—spurred on by a new vehicle, the Nightclimber, crafted by Lucius Fox. As shadows gather, Batman faces off against the relentless Deathstroke, while Catwoman is drawn into a dangerous reckoning with a long-buried chapter from her past. Written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Tony S. Daniel, with inks by Danny Miki, colors by Tomeu Morey, and letters by Clayton Cowles, this issue blends high-stakes action with personal stakes, all anchored by Daniel’s striking cover art.

Contains 2 stories

Their Dark Designs Part 1

20 pp · Superhero

MerlynMr. TeethMayor DunchDeborah Dunch

In "Their Dark Designs Part 1," Bruce Wayne, inspired by Alfred, channels his resources into rebuilding Gotham—only to find the city’s shadows stirring with new threats. Batman tests his sleek new vehicle, the Nightclimber, as he clashes with Deathstroke in a brutal showdown, while Catwoman confronts a long-buried danger from her past.

Epilogue

2 pp · Superhero

unnamed Joker henchmen

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta

Raw (NM) $7

CGC 9.8 · 135 in census $29

CGC 9.6 · 15 in census $20

CGC 9.4 none in existence

CGC 9.2 none in existence

CGC 9.0 none in existence

CGC 8.5 · 1 in census $20*

* estimate — limited direct-sales data at this grade

Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available

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History

After Tom King concluded his 'City of Bane' storyline — a run that had stretched from Batman (Vol. 3) #1 through #85 — DC tapped James Tynion IV to take over the monthly title. Tynion came to the assignment with deep Batman-family credentials: runs on Detective Comics (Rebirth), Batman Eternal, and Justice League Dark, all of which he cited as preparation for writing Bruce Wayne solo. The primary penciller for this first issue was Tony S. Daniel, a Batman veteran who remained on the book, with Guillem March handling the epilogue — a division of artistic labor that previewed the rotating-artist model Tynion would employ throughout his run. DC's official announcement framed the book's tone as 'action-horror,' a deliberate tonal contrast with King's more introspective, literary approach.

Trivia · 8 facts

First appearance of Gunsmith (Douglas Worth), a hyper-nationalistic mercenary and assassin created by James Tynion IV and Tony S. Daniel.
First appearance of Mr. Teeth, a second new assassin introduced alongside Gunsmith as part of Deathstroke's cadre hired by the mysterious Designer.
Part 1 of the nine-issue 'Their Dark Designs' arc (Batman #86–94), James Tynion IV's debut as writer of the main Batman ongoing series.
Main story pencilled by Tony S. Daniel (inks: Danny Miki; colors: Tomeu Morey; letters: Clayton Cowles); epilogue drawn by Guillem March — the first appearance of the rotating-artist approach Tynion used throughout his run.
Introduces the Nightclimber, a new Bat-vehicle designed by Lucius Fox: a flying craft that can also scale walls and deploy 'Shadowcaster' projectors to misdirect enemies.
Lucius Fox takes on a new in-story role as Batman's primary support operator following the death of Alfred Pennyworth (killed by Bane in Batman #77), with this issue showing Bruce accidentally calling Lucius by Alfred's name — a key emotional beat.
Deathstroke returns to Gotham leading an assassin team — including established characters Cheshire and Merlyn alongside the newly created Gunsmith and Mr. Teeth — under a contract tied to the off-panel villain the Designer.
Reprinted in Batman: Renacimiento (ECC Ediciones, 2016 series) #44 (August 2020), Batman (Panini Deutschland, 2017 series) #42 (October 2020), Batman (DC, 2020 series) #1 – Their Dark Designs (December 2020), and Batman (DC, 2021 series) #1 – Their Dark Designs (January 2022).