The Question is investigating a crime about Owen Hester who was garroted and scalped. The Question doesn't know this but the Green Arrow is already on the path to find the killes and kight a group of them on their way to sell military grade weapons.

A side story is a man named Byron Running Deer goes to a diner and beats up a couple of thugs who harass an old friend of his.

Note: The Butcher is not in this book despite his name on the cover.