Detective Comics #404
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeDetective Comics #404 (October 1970) is a standout chapter in the celebrated Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams Batman run, a creative partnership widely credited with stripping the campy residue of the 1960s television era from the Dark Knight and restoring him as a grim, cerebral detective. The lead story, 'Ghost of the Killer Skies!', is a genuinely unusual feat of genre crossover: O'Neil and Adams transplanted Batman into the world of DC's WWI aerial-combat character Enemy Ace, pulling two distinct corners of the DC universe into unexpected collision. It also stands as an affectionate, formally executed tribute to Joe Kubert and writer Robert Kanigher, the creators of Enemy Ace — Adams deliberately echoed Kubert's linework in the Enemy Ace sequences, making the issue a rare case of one artist publicly honoring another within a published story. The backup feature, 'Midnight Doom-Boy,' continues the era's commitment to giving Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) her own ongoing detective subplot independent of Batman, part of a deliberate editorial effort to develop her as a full protagonist.
In "Ghost of the Killer Skies!", Batman confronts a modern-day imitator of the legendary World War I flying ace Enemy Ace, whose obsession with the past drives him to commit crimes in the name of preserving a myth. Written by Denny O'Neil and brought to life with striking realism by Neal Adams—both on interior art and cover—this 1970 issue blends wartime legend with present-day mystery, all rendered in vivid detail by Tatjana Wood and John Costanza.
In "Ghost of the Killer Skies!", a wartime aviation legend stirs from the past when a film about the infamous German ace Hans von Hammer threatens to resurrect old grudges. As the production faces mysterious sabotage, Läderlappen uncovers a deadly connection to von Hammer’s bloodline—and a final aerial duel with a descendant who refuses to let history be rewritten.
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The issue was produced under editor Julius Schwartz, who throughout this period was shepherding the O'Neil/Adams collaboration that would define Bronze Age Batman. According to Neal Adams in a later interview, the crossover with Enemy Ace grew partly out of a creative desire to avoid repeating familiar Batman scenarios — Adams recalled that the team was looking for fresh territory and that he personally championed the story as a tribute to Joe Kubert, whose artwork had profoundly influenced him since childhood. The lead story's credits — script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano, colors by Tatjana Wood, and lettering by John Costanza — represent the full core team at the height of their Batman collaboration. The backup, 'Midnight Doom-Boy,' was handled by a separate creative unit: writer Frank Robbins with penciler Gil Kane and inker Frank Giacoia, reflecting the anthology structure Detective Comics still maintained at the time.
Trivia · 7 facts
- Lead story 'Ghost of the Killer Skies!' written by Denny O'Neil, penciled by Neal Adams, inked by Dick Giordano, colored by Tatjana Wood, lettered by John Costanza; cover also by Neal Adams (lettered by Gaspar Saladino).
- The story crosses over Batman with Enemy Ace (Hans von Hammer), the WWI pilot character created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert — one of the rare instances in this era of Batman sharing a story with a non-superhero DC character from a different genre.
- The issue is formally dedicated as a tribute to Joe Kubert and Robert Kanigher, the originators of Enemy Ace; Adams consciously imitated Kubert's visual style in sequences depicting von Hammer.
- Backup story 'Midnight Doom-Boy' — written by Frank Robbins, penciled by Gil Kane, inked by Frank Giacoia — stars Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) investigating the apparent framing of private detective Jason Bard for murder; the story continues in Detective Comics #405.
- 'Ghost of the Killer Skies!' has been reprinted in Limited Collectors' Edition #C-25, the anthology The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told, Showcase Presents: Enemy Ace Vol. 1, and Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 2.
- 'Midnight Doom-Boy' was later reprinted in Showcase Presents: Batgirl Vol. 1.
- The letters column features early correspondence from future comics professionals Mike W. Barr, Alan Brennert, and Martin Pasko — all of whom went on to significant careers at DC Comics.
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Reprints
Reprinted in Batman Classics #14 (1971), Batman Classics #16 (1971), Läderlappen #6/1971 (1971), Lynvingen #4/1971 (1971), Batman #605 (1971), Superman Supacomic #148 (1971), Superman et Batman et Robin #39 (1972), Limited Collectors' Edition #C-25 (1974), Batman #14530 (1977), The Super Heroes #12 (1981), Batman Extra #7 (1983), The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told #[nn] (1988), The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told #[nn] (1989), Batman #2 (1989), The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told #[1] (1989), Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams #2 (2004), Batman: Gotiske netter [Alle Tiders Superhelter] #[nn] (2005), Showcase Presents: Batgirl #1 (2007), Showcase Presents: Enemy Ace #1 (2008), Batman Collection: Neal Adams #2 (2009), Showcase Presents: Batman #5 (2012), Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams #2 (2013), Batman by Neal Adams Omnibus #[nn] (2016), Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus #1 (2018) + 3 more
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