(Batman I #336) - With Batman gone for weeks during his overseas adventure the rumors circulated that he was dead, emboldening the Gotham underworld. Commissioner Gordon had a full blown crime spree on his hands, and was frustrated that the GCPD couldn’t contain it. The Monarch of Menace had informants that told him Batman was seen in Asia, and wasn’t likely to be back in Gotham City anytime soon. The Monarch gathered a group of costumed crooks including Bouncer, Cluemaster and Spellbinder, claiming he’d captured Batman and would keep him imprisoned as long as they all gave him a cut from their take. Some of the crooks were skeptical, but the Monarch was persuasive, and they agreed to give him his due. Bouncer robbed a jewelry store and spellbinder knocked off a Wells Fargo armored truck, casting an illusion of a gigantic dragon to frighten the security guards. Alfred Pennyworth returned from his stay in Europe, and started to worry about the rumors of Batman’s death until the Caped Crusader surprised him in the Batcave. Cluemaster sent the GCPD map coordinates, daring them to catch him. Batman realized the coordinates were the location of the sunken Titanic, and figured out that Cluemaster and his gang were set to rob the Titanic Appliance Center. Batman made quick work of them and Cluemaster was angry that he’d fallen for the Monarch’s ruse. Batman busted a group of costumed criminals trying to break into a bank, and one of their number escape. He called out the Monarch on his scam, asking for hush money, and the Monarch shocked him unconscious with his electrified scepter. Gordon went on a ride along with the GCPD, hoping to give the public confidence in his police force. They responded to Spellbinder robbing a fur store, and he disoriented them with illusory giant rats. Batman made the scene, and when Spellbinder tried to cast an op art illusion Batman threw strips of aluminum foil at him, reflecting the visual spell at Spellbinder. Monarch called another meeting of Gotham’s underworld, saying he was leaving Gotham City, and promising to kill his “prisoner” if the crooks all paid him a substantial fee. Batman was present, disguised as spellbinder, and revealed himself, proving the Monarch to be a fraud. Batman pursued the Monarch and beat him in hand-to-hand combat. Batman met with Gordon, who asked him to give him a heads up the next time he skipped town.