Can what they say be true--? Am I really just an inhuman instrument of violence--? 
- — Batman
Detective Comics #444 is an issue of the series Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of January, 1975.
Synopsis for Batman: "Bat-Murderer!"
The Gotham City Police Department is on the lookout for Scrag Donovan, a dangerous criminal who poses a threat to society. Commissioner Gordon gives Batman the task to investigate the case and find the criminal's whereabouts. Batman proceeds to interrogate members of the underworld of Gotham City and he is given a clue about Donovan's possible location. Batman goes to the place and finds that Donovan has joined a mysterious gang lead by a woman, who is planning a big crime in Gotham. Batman infiltrates the gang by posing as one of the crooks and he joins them the night of the crime.
During the gala premier of a movie, the criminals strike in order to steal valuable jewels from a famous actress. In that moment, Batman reveals himself and tries to stop the gang, only to be stopped when he learns that their leader is none other than Talia, the daughter of the criminal mastermind Ra's al Ghul. For a brief moment, both of them stare at each other, without knowing what to do and they are startled at the sound of the police sirens. Talia explains that she must escape for her father's sake and she tosses her gun to Batman, who catches the firearm in mid-air. Unfortunately, as Talia starts running away, Batman fires the gun in his hand and the bullet hits Talia, ending her life. By the time Commissioner Gordon and the GCPD arrive at the scene, they find Batman holding the dead body of his troubled love.
Back at the GCPD Headquarters, Gordon examines the evidence and comes to the conclusion that Batman killed Talia on purpose and he gives orders to arrest Batman on the charge of murder on the first degree. Batman manages to escape from the police and he leaves the building with the promise to find the culprit responsible for this unexpected framing.
Afterwards, Commissioner Gordon commands that the Bat-Signal is never to be turned on again, but right then, Batman delivers Scrag Donovan to the police, true to his last promise.
Appearing in Batman: "Bat-Murderer!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Scrag Donovan (First appearance)
- Huey (Single appearance)
- Talia (Apparent death)
Other Characters:
- Gotham City Police Department
- Specs (Single appearance)
- Roger Barton (Single appearance)
- Elizabeth Baylor (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Gotham City Police Headquarters
- Spence-Melburn Theater
Items:
- Bat-Signal
- Batarang
- Hazelton Diamond
Synopsis for Robin: "Dick Grayson, Detective!"
This story is reprinted from Star-Spangled Comics #111.
An aptitude test indicates Dick Grayson is meant to be a detective, but he must throw off the attention to keep his identity as Robin safe.
Appearing in Robin: "Dick Grayson, Detective!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Peg-Leg Baxter (Single appearance)
- Biff (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mary Collins (Single appearance)
- Roger Willet (Single appearance)
- Miriam Colt (Single appearance)
- Dave Wilson (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- None
Synopsis for Star Hawkins: "The Case of the Martian Witness!"
This story is reprinted from Strange Adventures #114.
Down on his luck Private Investigator of the future, Star Hawkins is looking for work, hopefully to earn enough to get his robot secretary Ilda back from the pawn shop. He applies to a classified ad for a big paycheck on a job in the asteroid belt. After being hired Hawkins hops an astrobus to the planetoid Vesta.
Some checking on the local area indicates only one place the kind of person Hawkins is looking for would hide out; the Red Jungle, full of weird, monstrous plants. Eventually Hawkins finds his quarry, the Martian Qar-Miq. He was a worker at a goldmine on the other side of Vesta that was robbed from its owner. Hawkins knocks him out and brings him back to testify for the crime. Having succeeded in his job, Hawkins buys Ilda back, but she suspects he might have to pawn her again the next time their money's tight.
Appearing in Star Hawkins: "The Case of the Martian Witness!"
Featured Characters:
- Star Hawkins (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Ilda (robot secretary) (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Qar-Mig (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mr. Krikee (First appearance)
- Charl Scott (Single appearance)
Locations:
- New City (2079 A.D., September) (See Notes)
- Vesta Asteroid
- Vesta City
- The Red Jungle of Vesta
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- Space-Ship
Synopsis for Manhunters Around the World: "The International Sky Police!"
This story is reprinted from Star-Spangled Comics #109.
Appearing in Manhunters Around the World: "The International Sky Police!"
Featured Characters:
- Ray Foster
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- "Bogus" Reese (Single appearance)
- "Bingo" Bromley (Single appearance)
- Pace Fields (Single appearance)
- Bowler Murray (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Miss. Beaumont
- Bill (Single appearance)
- Gignol the Clown (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Various
- New York City
- France
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- Passenger Plane
Synopsis for Kid Eternity: "The Man Called Unknown"
This story is reprinted from Kid Eternity #10.
Appearing in Kid Eternity: "The Man Called Unknown"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Dude Rich (Single appearance; dies)
- Stogie (Single appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
- Dr. Wan (Single appearance; dies)
- Sherlock Holmes (Summoned Soul)
Synopsis for Roy Raymond: "The Good-Luck Prophet"
This story is reprinted from Detective Comics #285.
Look at how sad this is making Batman. You did this.
Appearing in Roy Raymond: "The Good-Luck Prophet"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Provo the Prophet (Single appearance)
- Jonas (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Dirk (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Unknown
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- An Experimental Aircraft
Synopsis for Sierra Smith: "The Case of the Haunted Horse!"
This story is reprinted from Dale Evans Comics #9.
Appearing in Sierra Smith: "The Case of the Haunted Horse!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Nan
Antagonists:
- Sam Brack (Single appearance)
- Morg (Single appearance)
- Eddie (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Scotty McLeod (Single appearance)
- Sandra McLeod (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Midland City
Animals:
- Horses
Synopsis for Gangbusters: "Circus Beat"
This story is reprinted from Gang Busters #48.
Appearing in Gangbusters: "Circus Beat"
Featured Characters:
- Walter Parker
Supporting Characters:
- Captain John Mills (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Hercules the Strongman (Single appearance)
- Bobo the Clown (Single appearance)
- Joey (Flashback only)
Other Characters:
- Mr. Barton (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Unnamed City
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- None
Synopsis for Elongated Man: "The Magical Mystery Mirror"
Appearing in Elongated Man: "The Magical Mystery Mirror"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Dennis Fell (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Janice Fell (Single appearance)
- Amos Fell (Single appearance)
- Lt. Jacobs (Single appearance)
- Ron (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Earth-One
- Unnamed City
Items:
- A Gimmicked Mirror
Vehicles:
- None
Notes
- This issue marks the return of Julius Schwartz as editor of the title after the year-long stint of Archie Goodwin.
- "Bat-Murderer!" is reprinted in:
- The 8-page Elongated Man back-up in this issue is Mike W. Barr's first work.
- "The Magical Mystery Mirror" is reprinted in The Best of DC #30.
See Also