It began a serene night in the madhouse known as Gotham City. A group of roughnecks sat inside a pub in crime alley hammering down their drinks, minding their own business, taking turns at the pool table, when the outside door comes flying open and a frigid breeze enters the room. They look over to the door to see an immense shadowy figure standing there motionless. The behemoth enters the pub and steps into the light reveal the horror that he is.
“I read about you in the paper!” one of the men says, breaking the silence.
“You read the paper?!” one of his comrades reply, stirring up some laughter. The laughter quickly dies off and everybody in the room’s attention is back on the freakish figure standing before them.
“Who is the toughest guy in here?!” the behemoth asks.
“Why do you want to know?!” another one of the men responds as he steps forward, holding a pool stick.
“Why?! Why do you think?! I want to challenge him to a fight! And the way you just approached me leads me to believe that you are the man I’m looking for!” the behemoth retorts.
“No, I’m not the toughest…not me!” the man says timidly as he backs away.
“Then who is?! If nobody steps up then I’m just going to have to pick someone!” snaps the behemoth.
There is a long eerie silence and finally, one man steps forward.
“I’ll fight you, ya Mutant!” says the brave warrior.
“Outside!” the behemoth roars as he turns around and walks back out the door.
“Don’t do this Al, that guy will tear you apart!” one of his comrades urge him.
“I have to! For the dignity of our gang! Somebody has to stand up to this freak or he’ll never leave!” Al tells his comrade.
“No Al! If you fight, we all fight!” another of his friends shouts. The rest of them begin cheering as they all head outside to meet their challenger.
“Where did he go?!” one of the men asks nervously as they look around and see nothing but shadows.
“Over here…” the behemoth’s voice echoes from a nearby alleyway.
“Let’s get’em!” one of the hell-raisers booms.
“One at a time…or I’ll kill you all!” the behemoth roars.
“Let me fight him alone! You boys know what to do if I appear to be getting stomped!” Al tells the rest of his crew.
“We have your back Man!” one of his comrades assures him. And so they make their way into the alley.
“Where are you?!” Al screams. The behemoth leaps down from above and lands directly in front of the nine men. Al prepares to go battle the beast.
“Go ahead! Throw the first punch!” offers the behemoth.
Al clenches his teeth and throws his mighty fist in the behemoth’s direction, only to realize that he was to slow; the behemoth is now standing behind him and he is caught off guard. The behemoth shoves him and Al tumbles to the ground and rolls into the side of a nearby dumpster. As the behemoth approaches the nearly unconscious man, Al’s comrades attack the behemoth from various angles, only to be swatted away like flies.
“So you are the toughest guy in that there bar?! What is this world coming to?!” the behemoth cackles.
“Who are you?!” Al cries as he tries climbing back to his feet, but is lifted into the air by the scruff of his neck.
“Name’s Killer Croc…” he replies, “and you are FINISHED!”
“Put him down!” a familiar voice calls out from afar.
“The Batman!” Al exclaims, tears of joy running down his cheeks.
“You know’em!?” Croc asks with raised brow.
“We had a brief run-in with eachother…” Al explains. “Help me!”
“I said PUT HIM DOWN! Don’t make me say it a third time!” the Batman growls as he draws nearer.
“Meh!” Croc mumbles as he tosses Al to the side and prepares for a fight with Gotham City’s protector.
“Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?!” the Batman asks, stepping into the light.
“You see, that’s the problem…finding someone my own size!” brags Croc.
“I’ve fought bigger…” the Batman teases.
“I doubt it! I’ve searched this city high and low for a worthy opponent, and this insect is the best I could find.” Croc laughs.
“Obviously you haven’t been looking hard enough.” replies the Batman.
“What do you mean?!” Croc moans.
“Never mind; there are others out there who are bigger and tougher than you…that’s all.” the Batman says with a smirk.
“No! It’s not possible! I am the biggest, the baddest….the strongest!” detests Croc. “I’ll prove it by defeating you!”
“Ok.” responds the Batman, motioning for Croc to come closer.
An enraged Croc dives toward the Batman and is greeted with a boot to the jaw. He quickly climbs to his feet and tries to grab hold of the Batman and catches him by the cape. The Batman tugs speedily, causing Croc to jerk forward into his knee, which he has positioned to knock the wind right out of the barbarian. Croc takes another swipe and manages to graze the Batman’s face this time. The two combatants continue to exchange blows until finally Killer Croc is defeated.
“That was fun and all, but it’s time for you to go home to your cell now. “the Batman taunts. The Batman begins tying the subdued behemoth up when he feels the ground begin to shake.
“What the--?” Croc chokes out as his eyes begin to flicker open.
“Remember how I said there are others out there who are bigger and badder…” the Batman sighs “well here comes one right now!”
