BATMAN 686 & DETECTIVE 853 (Apr'09) "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?"

Item Specifics

Series Name

BATMAN , DETECTIVE

Issue Number

#686, #853

Publisher

DC Comics

Main Character

Batman

Genre

Superhero

Grade

9.0 VF/NM

Certification

Uncertified

Signed

No

Item Description

"WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER?" , a classic look at the finale of the BATMAN legend, was a 2009 2-part story featuring BATMAN, published in two parts in the "final" issues of the series BATMAN(#686) and DETECTIVE COMICS (#853). Written by Neil Gaiman, pencilled by Andy Kubert and inked by Scott Williams, the story was purported to be the "last" BATMAN story in the wake of severe psychological trauma that BATMAN endured within the story "Batman R.I.P."

The story begins in Gotham City, which the narrator describes as being "different." It is not quite the Gotham that he is accustomed to, but it is still intimately familiar to him. Outside the Dew Drop Inn in Crime Alley, Selina Kyle pulls up and enters. The bartender, Joe Chill, tells her that a group is gathered in the back. As Selina makes her way back, she arrives at a wake. Others soon arrive and enter the small room, including Two-Face, James and Barbara Gordon and the Joker. At the front of the room is an open coffin. As a casket containing the body of Batman is shown, the narrator says "That's me..." revealing that the narrator is BATMAN and is viewing his own funeral!

The mourners tell their own versions of how BATMAN died, each one somehow different, and odd. Hearing these tales, BATMAN wonders if he is really dead . . just when his mother appears and tells him, "Not yet!"

The story - and the wake - continues in DETECTIVE #853. Further eulogies are given by friends, associates and enemies like Betty Kane, the Mad Hatter, the Joker, Robin, Clayface, Harvey Bullock, Ra's al Ghul and Superman - each giving differing accounts of BATMAN's passing, but all of them containing the same theme: Batman NEVER gives up or surrenders, even in the face of certain death.

Batman finally goes through a door that suddenly appears behind his casket. He enters a dark void and approaches a shaft of light. In the light, he sees that the woman that he has been speaking with is his mother, Martha Wayne. He has finally figured out what is happening: he is dying and having a near-death experience.

Is this really the end?? The poetic and somewhat spiritual conclusion will grab you!

Both issues contain a multi-page gallery of pencil work for the story from Andy Kubert's sketchbook!

These copies couldn't be in better condition, with no visible faults or flaws. They're solid 9.0 VF/NMs . . and Overstreet pegs them at a combined $10 value . . . but we'll happily send them your way for $6! Throw in our always-L•O•W shipping and it's a terrific bargain, unlike any of the other offerings here on HipComic!

And don't forget, FREE postage for more purchases combined with this one, so stock up now!

Seller Information

Seller

bennettoons (913)

Registered Since

05/07/2005

Feedback

99.6%

Store

Benny's Comics Corner

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

United States

Shipping Instructions

We can only ship to US addresses . . but our shipping and handling costs are low, LOW, L•O•W!!

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

We will happily send you a refund if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase -- just let us know the reason why, send it back to us in the same condition it was sold, and we'll refund your purchase price.

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