Detective Comics #1026

TALES FROM THE JOKER WAR - MONSTERS OF MEN

As several people were kidnapped and dragged into the sewers in front of the Dark Knight's eyes, Batman decided to go down and investigate, finding out that the water is toxic, contaminated probably by residual chemicals the Joker poured into the hydraulic system. Bruce soon finds out who is behind the kidnappings: Killer Croc. Waylon's new business was brought down by the Joker War, so he decided to come back to his former lair. Once there, he found out that a gang of people who took refuge in the sewers to not take part in the War was dying due to the toxins in the water, released by the clowns of the Joker while creating the new Joker Toxin inside Ace Chemical. He saved them, and he also noticed the water transformed them into mutated creatures, not much different than him.  He decided he would create a new community inside an underground town, Monstertown. He will kidnap people, transforming them with the water to make them feel part of the city he administrates, and he will rule over this new reality. Batman tells him the toxins in the water will kill everyone in time, but Croc does not believe him. They strike a deal: a duel, one versus one. If Croc wins, Batman leaves him and his new city in peace. If Batman wins, Croc ends his plans and gives up the people he took. In the end, the Caped Crusader gets the nod on Croc, defeating him.  Batman brings all the people who were damaged by the toxins in a special cell under Arkham Asylum, where he will study an antidote to let them live and, if he can, turn them back into what they were before. Leaving each other with respect, Waylon and Bruce are able to find common ground. Then, the Batman gets back on the streets: he has a War to fight.