The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
Slot: |
Batman 491 |
Item: |
Batman 491 Signature |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0170519003
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Owner Comments
Doug Moench (plot, script) Jim Aparo (pencils, inks) Adrienne Roy (colors) Richard Starkings (letters)
Bane and his men secure some weaponry from an armoury, and prepare for their assault on Arkham Asylum. At Gotham City Police Headquarters, Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, and Renée Montoya discuss theories as to what purpose the theft of the armaments has, and who pulled it off. Later, Bane decides that the first inmate he will break out of Arkham will be The Joker. With Bane's help, the Joker escapes, stealing a weapon from his guard and then releasing the other inmates. Then, Bane fires a stinger missile into the wall of the asylum, providing the inmates with an opportunity to escape. Meanwhile, the Joker seeks out Jeremiah Arkham, the asylum's administrator, and locks him in a cell at gunpoint. Bane's men drop the munitions outside the hole they blasted in the wall, and the inmates eagerly help themselves.
Gordon orders his tactical unit to backup the state police at the asylum, while he waits at the Bat-Signal for a response from Batman. Bullock informs him that Mayor Krol wants to see him. Gordon shuts off the signal, hoping that Batman is already on his way to Arkham. Robin happens to see the signal go out, and then receives a call from Batman. Robin offers his help, considering Bruce's physical and mental state, but Batman refuses and hangs up. Mayor Krol wants the police to shoot to kill, but Commissioner Gordon refuses to issue this order, despite warnings that most of his men could end up dead if they don't take the offensive position. Meanwhile, Batman arrives at Arkham and is able to safeguard the asylum staff, including Jeremiah Arkham. Unfortunately, the Joker manages to escape, just as Bane and his men fire missiles at the police blockade, essentially freeing all of the inmates. Gordon wonders if he made the right decision in refusing Krol while Batman howls in frustration at his defeat.
Batman is shown wearing the black S-Shield armband given to him by Oberon in Justice League America #70 following Superman's death.
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Slot: |
Batman 492 |
Item: |
Batman 492 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0066327015
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Owner Comments
ebay purchase
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Slot: |
Batman 492 Platinum Edition |
Item: |
Batman 492 Signature |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
1112761002
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Owner Comments
Chapter One of Knightfall. Purchased from Sean Harmon. Signed and sketched by Norm Breyfogle.
Doug Moench (Plot) Norm Breyfogle (Pencils and Inks) Adrienne Roy (Colors) Kelley Jones (Cover)
Following the massive Arkham breakout, the Mad Hatter is the first to make a move. He breaks into a haberdashery, stealing several hats. He is observed by Bird and his falcon Talon. Unnoticed by Bird, the Hatter captures the falcon and places a homing device on it. Batman and Robin hear a police dispatch announcement regarding the crime, and try to beat the police to the scene. Batman discovers an invitation to a tea party to be held at Tenniel Estate, and they speed away, just as the police arrive. The Hatter invites several criminals to join his tea party, under the pretense of giving them the opportunity to kill Batman. He forces them to put on his hats, which are fitted with voice-activated mind-control devices. He sends Film Freak out to find out who released them from confinement, because he doesn't appreciate being used. Film Freak uses the homing device placed on Talon to find Bane's hideout. Batman instructs Robin to be backup only, remaining out of the fight. However, Batman is obviously unwell, and Robin is filled with concern. The Caped Crusader bursts into the tea party and attacks Hatter and his thralls. He questions the Hatter about Bane's involvement, but the Hatter doesn't recognize the name. Bane shouts "I am Bane" into the Film Freak's transmitter, just before killing him. The Hatter sends his thugs after Batman, and when he trains a gun on the hero's back, Robin leaps into action, and saves his mentor's life. The heroes overhear Bane shouting that he plans to kill the Batman over the transmitter. Robin assures Batman that they will find and catch their tormentor, but Batman is visibly shaken and exhausted - with the rest of Arkham's inmates still on the loose.
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Slot: |
Batman 492 Second Printing |
Item: |
Batman 492 Signature |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
1112761001
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Owner Comments
Chapter One of Knightfall. Originally a mislabeled first print.
Doug Moench (Plot) Norm Breyfogle (Pencils and Inks) Adrienne Roy (Colors) Kelley Jones (Cover)
Following the massive Arkham breakout, the Mad Hatter is the first to make a move. He breaks into a haberdashery, stealing several hats. He is observed by Bird and his falcon Talon. Unnoticed by Bird, the Hatter captures the falcon and places a homing device on it. Batman and Robin hear a police dispatch announcement regarding the crime, and try to beat the police to the scene. Batman discovers an invitation to a tea party to be held at Tenniel Estate, and they speed away, just as the police arrive. The Hatter invites several criminals to join his tea party, under the pretense of giving them the opportunity to kill Batman. He forces them to put on his hats, which are fitted with voice-activated mind-control devices. He sends Film Freak out to find out who released them from confinement, because he doesn't appreciate being used. Film Freak uses the homing device placed on Talon to find Bane's hideout. Batman instructs Robin to be backup only, remaining out of the fight. However, Batman is obviously unwell, and Robin is filled with concern. The Caped Crusader bursts into the tea party and attacks Hatter and his thralls. He questions the Hatter about Bane's involvement, but the Hatter doesn't recognize the name. Bane shouts "I am Bane" into the Film Freak's transmitter, just before killing him. The Hatter sends his thugs after Batman, and when he trains a gun on the hero's back, Robin leaps into action, and saves his mentor's life. The heroes overhear Bane shouting that he plans to kill the Batman over the transmitter. Robin assures Batman that they will find and catch their tormentor, but Batman is visibly shaken and exhausted - with the rest of Arkham's inmates still on the loose.
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Slot: |
Batman 493 |
Item: |
Batman 493 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0942425018
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Owner Comments
Purchased off eBay
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Slot: |
Batman 494 |
Item: |
Batman 494 Signature |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0170519005
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Owner Comments
Chapter 5 of Knightfall.
Doug Moench (plot, script) Jim Aparo (pencils) Tom Mandrake (inks) Adrienne Roy (colors) Richard Starkings (letters)
As Robin is dragged through the sewers of Gotham City by a strong current, he struggles to find a way to avoid drowning. While passing under a narrow archway, he stretches his staff across the gap to keep from being sucked further into Gotham Harbour. However, in order to keep from simply drowning there instead of elsewhere, he uses his Batrope to grip a nearby walkway and pull himself to safety. Meanwhile, both Bane and Killer Croc are swept away into the harbour. Elsewhere, serial killer Cornelius Stirk prepares to eat the heart of a recent victim, hoping to get a taste of the fear induced nor-epinephrine that it would be infused with. He receives a knock at his door from the Joker, bearing an offer to partner in a plan to take control of the whole city. Bruce Wayne cancels his therapy appointment with Dr. Shondra Kinsolving for the fifth time in a row, claiming to be faced with a series of dire emergencies. Dr. Kinsolving is doubtful, and somewhat hurt. She begins to realize that she bears some romantic feelings for her patient. Their call is ended suddenly when Tim arrives home at last, having had to walk home, wet from the sewer. Despite his chill from being in the cold water, Tim is more concerned about Bruce's health. Bruce ignores the fact that Bane is obviously trying to wear him down, instead remaining obsessed with the need to recapture the remaining Arkham Asylum escapees. Robin offers his help and that of their associate Jean-Paul Valley, but Bruce responds that Bane is only seeking Batman, and that as long as he can stand, it will be his business. Bruce dons his Batsuit and leaves to face his enemies. After having dealt with Mister Zsasz, Batman is reminded of another serial killer: Cornelius Stirk. He performs a computer trace on sightings of anomalous historical figures, knowing that Stirk's hypnotic abilities often convince people that they are seeing historical figures. The computer returns results indicating that Stirk was last seen in Gotham's Hub District. Elsewhere, Scarecrow bursts into the 8-Ball bar, and tortures one of the Joker's former gang members with his fear toxin. The thug spills that the Joker plans to use Stirk's abilities to kidnap and control Commissioner Gordon into fouling up the Gotham City Police Department, and run the city into the ground. Batman discovers bodies of Stirk's victims in a dumpster, and when he hears the sound of the cart Stirk uses to carry around the bodies, he follows it to the killer's apartment. When he gets inside, Stirk has already left, but an open notebook indicates that Commissioner Gordon is the target. Batman rushes to Gotham City Police Headquarters, as the Bat-Signal shines in the sky. Commissioner Gordon has been warned by Mayor Krol that unless he gets a handle on things, his career will be destroyed. Now, standing next to the lit Bat-Signal, he is greeted by Batman. Suddenly, Batman punches Gordon, knocking him to the ground. It is revealed that the Batman was actually a hypnotic illusion by Cornelius Stirk, who proceeds to attack the Commissioner with a knife. From above, the Joker watches grumpily, noting that he wanted to kidnap the commissioner, and not kill him. The Joker is further exasperated by the arrival of the real Batman. Batman easily apprehends Stirk, despite his exhaustion related clumsiness. The Joker wonders why he bothered to partner with Stirk, when he is confronted by the Scarecrow, who wonders the same thing. The Scarecrow is jealous and offended that Stirk was chosen to partner with the Joker rather than himself - a master of fear. Joker seems open to cooperation, and agrees to the Scarecrow's new plan to terrorize the mayor in order to gain control over Gotham, rather than kidnapping Gordon. Batman helps the Commissioner to his feet as his wife Sarah Essen-Gordon arrives on the roof, and admonishes Batman for once again placing her husband in danger. Jim is still plagued by Stirk's manipulations as she carries him away. Later, the Joker and Scarecrow arrive at Mayor Krol's mansion, filling his bedroom with fear toxin, and manipulating him into using his citywide influence for their benefit.
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Slot: |
Batman 495 |
Item: |
Batman 495 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0716979021
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Owner Comments
Chapter 7 of Knightfall
Doug Moench (plot, script) Jim Aparo (pencils) Bob Wiacek (inks) Adrienne Roy (colors) Richard Starkings (letters)
Batman allows Firefly to escape in order to save both their lives, wrapping his Batrope around the villain's leg, and letting Firefly's glider pull him out of the fire. Firefly realizes that he's towing his enemy, and cuts the wire, sending Batman hurtling toward the ground. Batman survives by gripping onto a fire escape as he falls. At the same time, Jean-Paul Valley decides to go out on the streets in costume, hoping to have a trial-by-fire after training for weeks since he was humiliated by his encounter with Killer Croc. He doesn't tell Batman or Robin. Back at Wayne Manor, Alfred reminds Bruce Wayne that he ought to attend a Wayne Foundation dinner, lest people realize that he is Batman. Bruce agrees, knowing that the dinner will likely be a target for mayhem, and he will need to be there in one mask or another. That night, Poison Ivy prepares her plan to disrupt the dinner while Bane and his men stakeout the dinner's location, hoping to see what happens with Ivy's plan. Meanwhile, Joker and Scarecrow force Mayor Krol to send the Gotham City Police Department on a wild goose-chase. At the dinner, Bruce realizes that the police guards are nowhere to be found, and grows suspicious. Bane, watching from above, realizes that Batman and Bruce Wayne are one and the same, after witnessing him in public. Suddenly, Bruce senses that some kind of plant toxin is being pumped into the room, and he struggles to get a nose-filter in to protect himself. Poison Ivy appears, and instructs all the men in the room to leave for Neo Eden. Bruce pretends to be in her thrall, in order not to give himself away, and files into the back of a truck. Bane instructs his man Bird to follow it. Meanwhile, much of the Gotham Police Department is at an amusement park, believing that Mayor Krol is being held captive by the Joker and Scarecrow there (though he is actually being held captive in his own home). The Mayor's voice leads them to a bomb, which goes off moments later, killing many officers. Back at his hideout, Bane hopes that Batman can withstand the threat of the Joker, in order that he can face Bane, finally.
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Slot: |
Batman 497 |
Item: |
Batman 497 Signature |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0170519006
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Owner Comments
Chapter 11 of Knightfall. Signed by Kelley Jones.
Doug Moench (plot, script) Jim Aparo (pencils) Dick Giordano (inks) Adrienne Roy (colors) Richard Starkings (letters)
Bruce Wayne enters his study at Wayne Manor and finds Bane waiting for him. He is shocked to find that Bane knows his secret identity. Bane states that he has always known who the Batman was, but that Bruce Wayne is merely a façade and the Batman is the true persona. Bane pumps himself full of Venom, in preparation for his final step in taking control of Gotham City. Bruce is disgusted that Bane would kill so many just to gain control of the city, and he sheds his bathrobe, dons his cape and cowl, and leaps into action. Batman is exhausted from fighting Gotham's criminal underworld non-stop for nearly three nights. Alfred regains consciousness, and Bruce only has time to tell him to escape before Bane wraps his hands around his throat. Unlike Batman, Bane is in top form, and he easily smashes him through the grandfather clock that hides the access hatch into the Batcave. Batman stumbles down the steps and Bane trails after him. Alfred, severely injured, manages to crawl to the front door of the manor and gets to his feet while Bane batters his master around the cave. He begins limping across the yard towards Drake Manor. Tim Drake answers the door and Alfred tells him that they may need an ambulance. Tim gets into his costume.
Shondra Kinsolving tries to reach Bruce on the phone, but gets no reply, as Bane pummels him, determined to break the Batman's spirit. Broken and bleeding, wanting to die, Batman tells Bane to go to Hell. Not satisfied with merely killing the Bat, Bane wants to prolong his adversary's agony.
Bane picks Batman up with both hands and then drives him down across his knee, shattering his spine. Satisfied, he let's Batman's crumpled body fall to the floor.
The direct market edition of this issue originally shipped with an enhanced card stock half-cover overlay advertising "The Breaking of the Batman." The newsstand edition shipped with the normal Kelley Jones cover, but without the overlay.
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Slot: |
Batman 497 Second Printing |
Item: |
Batman 497 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0187127010
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Owner Comments
Chapter 11 of Knightfall.
Doug Moench (plot, script) Jim Aparo (pencils) Dick Giordano (inks) Adrienne Roy (colors) Richard Starkings (letters)
Bruce Wayne enters his study at Wayne Manor and finds Bane waiting for him. He is shocked to find that Bane knows his secret identity. Bane states that he has always known who the Batman was, but that Bruce Wayne is merely a façade and the Batman is the true persona. Bane pumps himself full of Venom, in preparation for his final step in taking control of Gotham City. Bruce is disgusted that Bane would kill so many just to gain control of the city, and he sheds his bathrobe, dons his cape and cowl, and leaps into action. Batman is exhausted from fighting Gotham's criminal underworld non-stop for nearly three nights. Alfred regains consciousness, and Bruce only has time to tell him to escape before Bane wraps his hands around his throat. Unlike Batman, Bane is in top form, and he easily smashes him through the grandfather clock that hides the access hatch into the Batcave. Batman stumbles down the steps and Bane trails after him. Alfred, severely injured, manages to crawl to the front door of the manor and gets to his feet while Bane batters his master around the cave. He begins limping across the yard towards Drake Manor. Tim Drake answers the door and Alfred tells him that they may need an ambulance. Tim gets into his costume.
Shondra Kinsolving tries to reach Bruce on the phone, but gets no reply, as Bane pummels him, determined to break the Batman's spirit. Broken and bleeding, wanting to die, Batman tells Bane to go to Hell. Not satisfied with merely killing the Bat, Bane wants to prolong his adversary's agony.
Bane picks Batman up with both hands and then drives him down across his knee, shattering his spine. Satisfied, he let's Batman's crumpled body fall to the floor.
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Slot: |
Batman 499 |
Item: |
Batman 499 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0942425047
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Owner Comments
02/2012 MyComicShop auctions.
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Slot: |
Batman 500 |
Item: |
Batman 500 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0761393010
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Owner Comments
Chapter 19 of Knightfall.
Doug Moench (plot) Jim Aparo (pencils) Terry Austin (inks) Mike Manley (pencils, inks) Adrienne Roy (colors)
The Fall
Batman dangles precariously from a window-washing trolley, with Bane using his own bat-shuriken to fray the rope keeping him from falling to his death. Unfortunately, the rope snaps, and his grapple finds no purchase. Desperately trying to slow his fall, Jean-Paul kicks out from the wall, hoping to make it to the fountain in the middle of the atrium. The water in the fountain is shallow, and does little to break the fall. Batman is injured and weakened, giving Bane an opportunity to escape without being chased. Later, Robin arrives in the Batcave to find Jean-Paul trying to stretch out his injuries. Robin makes another attempt to convince Jean-Paul that he is being too brutal. Jean-Paul claims that he fighting fire with fire by meeting with them on their level. Tim refuses to be a party to this new Batman's way of doing things, and Jean-Paul is unconcerned when his erstwhile partner leaves. He uses his time alone to let himself be taken by the mental programming of the Sacred Order of St. Dumas to design a new Batsuit. Elsewhere, a wounded Bane sneaks into the location where his henchmen have been detained, demanding to know where he can find Venom to help him heal and feel no pain. He refuses to break his men out, saying that this new Batman is his to destroy. Robin broods outside Wayne Manor when he is interrupted by Nightwing. Nightwing is annoyed to have heard from Oracle that Bruce Wayne was injured rather than from Bruce himself. He is further annoyed to hear that Bruce chose Jean-Paul to replace him rather than himself. Robin blames himself for Jean-Paul's turn for violence, wondering if he somehow aggravated his susceptibility to The System. Nightwing states that because Bruce chose Jean-Paul, they must abide by his decision. Robin silently vows to make one more attempt to appeal to his former friend's good sense. In Santa Prisca, Bruce and Alfred discuss the influence of Dr. Shondra Kinsolving on Bruce as Batman, in the weeks leading up to his defeat by Bane. Alfred tries to reassure Bruce that his defeat was not a failure. Regardless, they try to remain focused on their plan to rescue Shondra and Jack Drake from their kidnappers. Back in Gotham City, Bane breaks into the control room for the giant LED message board in Gotham Square, kills the controller, and prepares to make a statement. Robin returns to the Batcave to find Jean-Paul gone. He happens to see one of Jean-Paul's drawings, and is taken aback by what he sees.
The Descent
As Jean-Paul Valley tests out his new Batsuit over Gotham City, Bane delivers a message to him via the giant LED message board in Gotham Square: "'Batman' Now." Down below, the GCPD searches for Bane. When Batman arrives, they assume that round two of their battle will soon commence. Bane bursts through the sign and faces Batman. Despite the fact that the GCPD's snipers could take Bane out right there, Kitch makes them stand down on orders from the mayor to follow procedure to the letter. Meanwhile, the Commissioner arrives on the scene, and is the only person to notice the scare-quotes around the word Batman in Bane's message. Jean-Paul and Bane come to blows in a brutal and violent brawl. Despite Batman's apparent advantage, Bane's Venom dependency gives him an edge. However, Jean-Paul recognizes that Bane's dependency is also a weakness. He severs the tubes which feed the Venom into his enemy's veins, and weakened, Bane runs. Bane escapes onto a passing train car, but does not get far enough to evade Batman, who bursts through the window and continues the fight. Meanwhile, Robin rushes onto the top of the train car, hoping to separate their car from those filled with innocent passengers. He uses an explosive capsule to destroy the link between the cars and save the citizens. Unfortunately, without the weight of the other cars to hold it back, the main car in which Bane and Batman are fighting speeds down the tracks too fast and flies right off the track at a curve, crashing into a nearby building. Bane crawls out of the wreckage, hoping to find more venom to help him fight. In his weakened state, he is easily hunted down by Jean-Paul, who finally prepares a killing blow. Bane begs for death, but Jean-Paul relents to Robin's relief, stating that he has broken Bane. Despite his reservations about Jean-Paul's methods, Robin confirms, finally, that Jean-Paul has earned the right to wear the mantle of The Batman.
This issue is the final chapter in the Knightfall Saga. The story continues in the Knightquest crossover.
This issue shipped with two alternate covers. The direct market edition included a cardstock double-cover by Joe Quesada. The newsstand edition was polybagged with a poster by Jones of Valley as Batman. Newsstand edition was also made available without the polybag.
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Slot: |
Batman 503 |
Item: |
Batman 503 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0972446013
|
Owner Comments
Doug Moench (plot, script) Mike Manley (pencils, inks) Adrienne Roy (colors) Ken Bruzenak (letters)
After seeing Catwoman on the Gotham waterfront, Batman goes back to the cave mesmerized by her grace and presence. The next night on the rooftop of Gotham police headquarters, Gordon informs Batman of increased fear of terrorist action at the upcoming trade conference later in the week. He tells Batman of the stolen Xyklon-C at the same place where he saw Catwoman last night. Gordon is not so sure that Catwoman would steal nerotoxin in order to kill others, but Batman doesn't want to hear it. Gordon is summoned to Mayor Krol's office, who tells the commisioner to let the Batman do his thing. Catwoman goes to a warehouse to steal Benzotrilene, since it's the only thing close to Xyklon-C that any terrorist would try to mix with. Batman is on her tail though and confronts her before making off with the chemicals. Batman suspects Catwoman of blackmail terrorism. His mannerisms and attitude is enough to know that this Batman is not the one she has encountered previously. Catwoman manages to elude him, but Batman quickly gets back on the trail, feeling his awe of her was to blame for her getting away in the first place.
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Slot: |
Batman 504 |
Item: |
Batman 504 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0942395001
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Owner Comments
Doug Moench (plot, script) Mike Manley (pencils, inks) Adrienne Roy (colors) Ken Bruzenak (letters)
After experiencing a vision of St. Dumas, Batman continues on the trail for Catwoman. His search brings him back to the warehouse where she stole the Xyklon-C. He comes to a boathouse with the neurotoxin on board one of the boats. Suddenly, Catwoman puts the boat in gear and hightails it away down the river. As the two struggle the boat goes out of control. They both ditch the boat before it crashes, with Catwoman in possession of the placebo drug Benzotrilene, and with Batman still in pursuit. Gordon gets the call about the boat crash, goes to the scene to find out where the two masked vigilantes went, still not sure that Catwoman's mixed up in terrorism. Batman follows Catwoman to the Tuscany building. Their fight causes a large gargoyle to fall, coincidentally on Montoya's cop car. Gordon calls more police on the scene, while Batman and Catwoman are fighting to a stalemate. The police move in on the scene with Batman pointing out the Benzotrilene on the floor to Gordon as proof of Catwoman's "terrorist" activities and leaves the scene leaving an enraged Catwoman to fend for herself.
Story concludes in Catwoman #7
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Slot: |
Batman 505 |
Item: |
Batman 505 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0972446011
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Owner Comments
Doug Moench (plot, script)
Mike Manley (pencils)
Bob Wiacek (inks)
Adrienne Roy (colors)
Ken Bruzenak (letters)
Batman looks into a multiple murder and discovers that the serial killer Abattoir is on a murderous spree once more. He pursues Abattoir to his next likely victim, his cousin Graham Etchison, who is taking a group of kids off on a camping trip. He is able to save Graham and the boys, but in so doing, he has to allow Abattoir to escape. He believes that he needs to give his costume a more offensive (rather than defensive) edge in order to prevent future escapes.
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Slot: |
Batman 508 |
Item: |
Batman 508 Modern |
Grade: |
CGC |
Cert #: |
0942395005
|
Owner Comments
Doug Moench (plot, script) Mike Manley (pencils) Josef Rubinstein (inks) Adrienne Roy (colors) Ken Bruzenak (letters)
The new Batman has unfinished business with both Gunhawk and Abattoir, but decides Gunhawk can wait. Robin is also looking for Abattoir - or rather, trying to ascertain where he is holding Graham Etchison. Batman catches up with Abattoir and pursues him into a foundry, with Robin not far behind. To Robin's utter shock, Batman allows Abattoir to die, falling into a vat of molten metal; he cannot quite believe that Batman has gone that far over the line. Batman himself fears that he is going mad, and elsewhere, Graham Etchison is finally crushed to death by the weights on his chest, Abattoir claiming his final victim.
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