WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the story "Ghost-Maker: Chapter 1" from Batman #107 by James Tunion IV, Ricardo Lopez Ortiz, Tomeu Morey & Clayton Cowles, on sale now
DC has had many sinister societies over the years, most recently seen with Bane's collective as they tried to raze Gotham and break the Bat. There has also been the Crime Syndicate, Injustice League and the Secret Society of Super Villains.
Now, Batman's newest sidekick is taking on another shady society led by the richest woman on Earth that just might end up being a new version of the League of Assassins.
Ghost-Maker is the newest member of the Bat-family, having partnered with Bruce after they trained together, even though he didn't care for Batman's non-lethal approach to crime-fighting. Thankfully, they got over that, with Ghost-Maker joining the crew and trying Bruce's approach.
However, his new rogues are as deadly as Ra's al Ghul's cult, and as Batman #107 reveals, he may have to break Bruce's code to overcome them. As his vessel, the Ghost Stream, flies over the China Sea, his artificial intelligence system, Icon, identifies five enemies on Devil Skull Island, an ancient base for Madame Midas, the wealthiest woman in the world.
Midas is linked to shady business practices, staying off the grid and accruing her wealth via illegal means. She's aware that Ghost-Maker is hunting her, as he's dismantled facets of her operation that's cost her hundreds of billions. Oddly enough, she doesn't seem the least bit fazed by his approach, confident that he is walking right into her trap.
The pirate queen has assembled several intimidating mercenaries of her own to take him out who have experience in fighting Ghost-Maker. The Instigator is an expert martial artist who's been turned into a giant crocodile via mystical means, making him an upgraded terrorist version of Killer Croc. There's also the cloaked Razorline, who has supernatural powers as well. Japan's Kid Kawaii is a robot made for assassinations, revealing her last fight with Ghost-Maker almost took out a city. Last but not least, Brainstorm, a genetically-engineered telekinetic, is the only member of the group who appears remotely concerned about the confrontation to come.
Midas makes the first move, dispatching robotic tigers to get Ghost-Maker warmed up for her lethal legion. This builds up the anticipation of Batman's newest partner preparing to face a bunch of new faces that might end up making their way to Gotham City someday.