Batman, driven to a violent madness by the Jury's vile serum, becomes Gotham's most feared vigilante, crushing bones and giving masked heroes a bad name. The Dark Knight's rampage through the underworld is fueled by a potent concoction, turning him into a weapon of destruction. He must confront the Jury, a shadowy organization whose plan threatens to consume Gotham City in chaos. Meanwhile, Mayor Nakano, who sought to rid Gotham of masked heroes, finds himself under siege and must rely on Batman for protection, creating a dangerous paradox.

The "Fear State" storyline within Detective Comics Vol. 2, featuring Mariko Tamaki's contributions, plunges Batman into a brutal, serum-induced rage that challenges his very identity as a hero. This arc is characterized by intense action and a dark exploration of the consequences of vigilantism when pushed to its extreme. The narrative weaves together Batman's internal struggle with external threats, including the enigmatic Jury and the beleaguered Mayor Nakano. The collected issues, including Detective Comics #1040-1046 and Batman Secret Files: Huntress #1, offer a comprehensive look at this pivotal moment in Batman's ongoing saga.