New York City. 1992. A series of judge-killings is rocking the Big Apple. Meanwhile, Lee, and his wife, Karen, separate, after Lee informs her that he's going to leave Pinnacle Comics, where she works as publisher; and create a new, competing comic-book company, with his friend and rival, Dan Levin. When Lee and Karen reunite, it's under less-than-ideal circumstances. After Lee discovers the identity of the judge-killer, he kidnaps Karen and their three-year old son, Greg.