absolutely horrid ( )

An engaging "Elseworlds" story beginning with Lincoln's assassination, and the start of a 75-year plot to avenge the South's defeat in the Civil War. The plot is a bit convoluted, but the changes of history that bring Bruce Wayne into the fold of a secret society of detectives whose mission is to foil the 75-year plot (Bruce, of course, is Detective No. 27) are quite intriguing. There are also a lot of tie-ins, albeit altered ones, with many other aspects of Batman's and the DC universe (Bruce Wayne never becomes Batman in this tale) that add spice and interest. I was a bit shocked and dismayed to find out who the main baddie was in the end, but after all, it's only an "imaginary" tale. ( )