Story: "Blood Kin" (22 Pages)

Credits:

Doug Moench (plot, script)
Mike Manley (pencils)
Bob Wiacek (inks)
Adrienne Roy (colors)
Ken Bruzenak (letters)
Denny O'Neil (edits)

Feature Character:

Batman II (last in Detective Comics #673; next in Batman: Shadow of the Bat #25)

Supporting Characters:

Leslie Thompkins (last in #495; next in Batman: Shadow of the Bat #26)

Villain:

Abattoir (last in Detective Comics #628; next in Batman: Shadow of the Bat #27)

Other Characters:

Graham Etchison (first appearance?; next in Batman: Shadow of the Bat #26)
Joe (first appearance; a bus driver; dies)
a group of kids (first appearance of all; all next in Batman: Shadow of the Bat #26)

Comment: This issue carries a 'Knightquest: The Crusade' banner

Synopsis:

Batman looks into a multiple murder and discovers that the serial killer Abattoir is on a murderous spree once more. He pursues Abattoir to his next likely victim, his cousin Graham Etchison, who is taking a group of kids off on a camping trip. He is able to save Graham and the boys, but in so doing, he has to allow Abattoir to escape. He believes that he needs to give his costume a more offensive (rather than defensive) edge in order to prevent future escapes.