Jim Aparo provides the cover for Detective 440 (April/May 1974). As well as the Batman and Manhunter stories, among the reprints is Simon and Kirby Manhunter reprint from the 40s. Curious that they did not reprint more of his tales during his run in this book.
Batman’s story, by Archie Goodwin, with art by Sal Amendola and Dick Giordano, has him coming to the rescue of a girl from a rural mountain community who has come to Gotham, but is being dragged back by her brothers.
Her family intends her to be a sacrifice, to lift a curse they believe is on them. Essentially, though, what they intend is to feed her to a big bear. Batman prevents this, and beings her back to the (relative) safety of Gotham.
The Manhunter story, by Goodwin and Simonson, has Paul Kirk and Christine St. Clair on the run from her boss, Damon Nostrand, as Paul continues to relate his tale.
The Council was formed of the greatest thinkers after World War 2, determined to prevent another one from occurring. Over time, this group became corrupted and controlling. They run a huge, international organization, with many people of power and influence among their number. Paul was revived to be the leader of their clone army, but is less than impressed with the organization.
His first assignment was to kill Damon Nostrand, but instead he goes there to warn him. Of course, it’s a test to see if Paul will kill him, and he fails miserably. He flees to Africa, and seeks out the son of a weaponeer he had worked with.
And thus, he acquired his Manhunter gear. Ironically, though he began his new career by refusing to kill Nostrand, he and Christine wind up leading him to his death in this tale.
Babblings about DC Comics 
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