Batman: Prey

"Prey" is a Batman comic book story arc written by Doug Moench, with art by Paul Gulacy and Terry Austin. It was originally published in five parts by DC Comics from September 1990 through February 1991 for Legends of the Dark Knight, issues #11 through #15, and later compiled as a trade paperback.

Publication History
"Batman: Prey" was part of the "Legends of the Dark Knight" series, which focused on telling stories about Batman's early years and adventures that were not part of the main continuity of the time but have since been integrated into Batman's expansive lore. The storyline was originally published over five issues, gaining significant acclaim for its storytelling and art.

Plot
Prey is set during the early days of Batman's career as he is struggling to earn the trust of the public and form a working relationship with James Gordon, who is still just a police captain.

The main nemesis of the story is Hugo Strange, a brilliant psychiatrist who holds a professional stake and a personal obsession in unraveling Batman's secrets, including his true identity. He foments a smear campaign to paint Batman as a dangerous madman, which causes Batman to question his own sanity as well as the plausibility of his mission.

Legacy
"Batman: Prey" has maintained its status as a standout storyline in the Batman saga, influencing subsequent portrayals of Hugo Strange and the thematic exploration of Batman's character. Its critical success has led to multiple reprints and its inclusion in various Batman anthologies. The storyline is regarded as essential reading for fans of the Dark Knight, showcasing a pivotal moment in Batman's career and the psychological battles that define him.

Part 1: Prey
Batman inadvertently disrupts a police operation, leading to tension with the force, especially Sergeant Max Cort. Amidst public debate over Batman's role in Gotham, Mayor Klass, with psychologist Dr. Hugo Strange's counsel, initiates a task force led by Captain James Gordon to capture Batman. Strange's obsession with Batman grows, culminating in his recruitment of Cort to a vigilante task force after deducing Batman's psychological profile and initiating a smear campaign against the vigilante.

Part 2: Dark Sides
Batman faces public scrutiny and internal doubt after a failed truce with Cort and escalating tensions. Dr. Strange's manipulations deepen, driving a wedge between Batman and Gotham's citizens. Meanwhile, a new threat, Night Scourge, emerges, further complicating Batman's mission and casting shadow over his efforts to protect the city.

Part 3: Night Scourge!
Strange's manipulation of Cort turns more sinister, transforming him into Night Scourge. As Batman grapples with this new foe and Strange's escalating schemes, he must navigate a city that has turned against him, driven by fear and misinformation. The climax sees Batman confronting his own psychological demons, induced by Strange, and battling Cort/Night Scourge for the soul of Gotham.

Pursued by Gotham's police, Batman confronts Dr. Hugo Strange, suspecting his role in framing him. Strange attacks Batman with hallucinogenic gas, triggering a vivid reliving of his parents' deaths and causing him to flee disoriented. After surviving a perilous escape, Batman faces public hostility and personal torment, haunted by visions of his parents that challenge his resolve and identity as Batman.

Part 4: The Nightmare
Pursued by Gotham's police, Batman confronts Dr. Hugo Strange, suspecting his role in framing him. Strange attacks Batman with hallucinogenic gas, triggering a vivid reliving of his parents' deaths and causing him to flee disoriented. After surviving a perilous escape, Batman faces public hostility and personal torment, haunted by visions of his parents that challenge his resolve and identity as Batman.

Part 5: The Kill
Regaining his determination, Batman resolves to confront the orchestrators of Gotham's chaos. He exposes Strange's machinations in a calculated encounter, inadvertently leading to Strange being shot by police under the misapprehension he is Batman. Batman then confronts and defeats Max Cort, aka Night Scourge, with unexpected aid from Catwoman, culminating in Cort's demise at the hands of his own colleagues.

Continuity
Prey is set during modern Batman's early days as a crime-fighter.

Prey also references Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's Batman: Year One. This includes Gordon's rank as Captain at the beginning of this story, Catwoman's blossoming criminal career, and Gordon citing his main reason for trusting Batman is that Batman saved his son's life at the end of Year One.