She assumes he’s out with Selina (Catwoman) Kyle and storms off. At the real Wayne Manor, Vicki comes by to see Bruce but Alfred and Dick tell her he’s out. We see Hugo Strange (still dressed as Batman) is watching him through hidden cameras all over the house. Bruce wonders if he’s having a delayed stress reaction and heads to his study. Bruce looks for the Alfred he just pounded, but his unconscious body has disappeared … if it was ever there. He wonders what’s going on, but his thoughts are interrupted by Alfred bringing him some tea. When he refuses the tea, Alfred tries to stab him and Bruce pounds him, going a little overboard.

Alfred greets him with some tea, which Bruce realizes is drugged. He wakes up in front of Wayne Manor and makes his way inside, still shaky from the gas.

When he gets in his car to head home, Bruce is gassed and passes out. Bruce can’t complain too much, since his love life usually takes a backseat to his crimefighting career, so he tells her to come by his place when she’s done. Elsewhere, Bruce Wayne is on a date with Vicki Vale, who ditches him to go finish a story. Strange has pulled this trick before, but this time he’s got doppelgangers of Alfred and Dick Grayson as well. This one starts with Hugo Strange (who, as we saw last issue, is very much alive) indulging in his favourite hobby … dressing up like Batman.

Batman #356 – “The Double Life of Hugo Strange” – Gerry Conway/Don Newton/Dick Giordano

Why did batman brave and the bold end