“LEAGUE OF SHADOWS” part three! Batman’s team faces the League of Shadows, which believes in only one thing: complete and utter destruction! The League’s plan for the city is revealed…but can even that secret compare to the bombshell that is the identity of Cassandra Cain’s mother?
This latest Rebirth Deluxe Edition features two of the most critically acclaimed arcs in the Dark Knight's history in hardcover for the first time in Batman: Detective Comics: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 2. Batman's newest allies both have histories they'd rather forget, but when figures from their respective secret origins appear in Gotham, will Cassandra Cain and Azrael be able to keep their pasts from destroying their present lives? When the League of Shadows--led by Cassandra's mother, the deadly Lady Shiva--comes to take down the team and bring Cassandra home, Orphan must weigh the life that was planned for her against the new path she's forging for herself. But what place can society ever have for someone with her violent pedigree? Then, Azrael's former masters, the Order of St. Dumas, send the perfect assassin--an artificial intelligence named Ascalon--to hunt their ex-disciple and all who stand with him. Batman and Zatanna need the power of a mystical artifact called the God Machine to turn the tide, but will the Machine's promise of absolute power corrupt even the World's Greatest Detective? Collecting issues #950-962 in hardcover for the first time, Batman: Detective Comics: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 2 features Batman's new recruits in a trial by fire from an all-star team led by writer James Tynion IV (Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dark Days: The Forge) and artists Alvaro Martinez (Batman Eternal) and Marcio Takara (Nightwing)!
Not even a one-man army like Batman can wage war on crime on his own. With the help of longtime allies and reformed enemies alike, he's brought together the greatest team of crime-fighters Gotham City has ever seen. Now it's all falling apart. The muckraking young hero Spoiler nearly destroyed herself while trying to expose corruption among Gotham's vigilantes. Will the mysterious radical called Anarky be her savior...or her downfall? Some call Tim Drake--a.k.a. Red Robin--Batman's greatest pupil. But can he fight his way free of the most inescapable prison in the universe? And what will he bring home to Gotham if he does? The tormented shape-shifter Clayface has turned his life around, becoming Batman's most powerful ally. How long can he keep the pieces of his shattered psyche together before evil emerges from the muck once again? And as Batwoman, Bruce Wayne's cousin Kate Kane may be the most formidable hero in Gotham this side of Batman himself. What will she do when their epic battle forces her to make a decision she can never take back? Batman: Detective Comics: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3 collects issues #963-973 and Annual #1 from writer James Tynion IV and an elite team of artists!
“THE WRATH OF SPOILER!” Stephanie Brown wants nothing more than to save Gotham City from the epidemic of costumed vigilantes and madmen that regularly tear the city apart. But before she can try to stop them, she must face the challenge of one in particular: the insane idealogue the Wrath is back, and Stephanie knows what he has planned—but she refuses to let Batman risk more lives to stop him. That means it’s all on her…and a very unlikely ally!
The truth behind the gauntlet Batman has been forced to runÑa violent odyssey that endangered the lives of everyone who made him who he isÑis revealed at last...and the mastermind working to unmake the Batman must be seen to be believed! Is there a goal here beyond destruction? Will Batman emerge stronger...or with a mortal wound at the exact moment that his most dangerous challenge yet is on the horizon in next monthÕs DETECTIVE COMICS #1000?
Batman is hot on the trail of a murder suspect, but first heÕll have to get past Two-Face. Even though Harvey Dent seems to be asserting control, how long before he becomes a sociopathic criminal once again? More importantly, what is DentÕs connection to the victim, and what does it all have to do with the terrorist organization of slithering serpents called Kobra?! Whatever it is, itÕs big enough to reunite Jim Gordon and former district attorney Harvey Dent, and that meeting alone is worth the cover price. BatmanÕs newest partnerÉTwo-Face? As Harvey DentÕs persona asserts fragile control over the villainÕs psyche, the Dark Knight, Commissioner Gordon and their ally-turned-enemy-turned-ally must work together to stop KobraÕs terrorist attack against Gotham City.
The sweeping new chapter in writer James Tynion IV’s acclaimed saga—featuring a league of talented artists including Marcio Takara (THE FLASH) and Christian Duce (BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL)—is here, in BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS VOL. 3: LEAGUE OF SHADOWS. Batwoman, an accomplished crime-fighter who’s overcome the darkest of betrayals. Clayface, a reformed villain whose potential is eclipsed only by his astonishing powers. New heroes like Azrael, an avenging angel, and Batwing, whose incredible armor makes him a true dark knight. Led by the Batman himself, this team of guardians stands ready to protect Gotham City. But the secrets of the team’s most mysterious member, Cassandra Cain, are about to come to light. And that light will cast a shadow darker than anything they’ve ever seen before. They thought the League of Shadows was just a rumor—a secret society of nihilistic killers often whispered about but never seen. But now the League is here, in Gotham. They’re destroying Batman’s team one by one. And their sinister leader, Lady Shiva, has come to reclaim her daughter—or destroy her. Can even Batman’s arch-enemy Ra’s al Ghul and his League of Assassins stop the onslaught? Or have the Shadows come to stay? Find out in BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS VOL. 3: LEAGUE OF SHADOWS. Collects DETECTIVE COMICS #950-956.
The finale of the Arkham Knight saga arrives as the KnightÕs surprising cult within Arkham Asylum unleashes its full power! Will Batman be swept under by the madness? Who is the Knight, to have inspired so much loyalty? And is there any way of stopping them that wonÕt just cause their legend to grow?
In the aftermath of the last stand of the Gotham Knights, Batman, Batwoman, Red Robin, Orphan, Azrael, Batwing and company took down a monster they helped create. How will they deal with the physical and psychological ramifications of this epic battle? And who will hang up their capes? The epilogue chapter to writer James Tynion IV's acclaimed run on the series is here in BATMAN- DETECTIVE COMICS VOL. 8! Collects issues #982-986.
Covering genres from adventure and fantasy to horror, science fiction, and superheroes, this guide maps the vast terrain of graphic novels, describing and organizing titles to help librarians balance their graphic novel collections and direct patrons to read-alikes. New subgenres, new authors, new artists, and new titles appear daily in the comic book and manga world, joining thousands of existing titles—some of which are very popular and well-known to the enthusiastic readers of books in this genre. How do you determine which graphic novels to purchase, and which to recommend to teen and adult readers? This updated guide is intended to help you start, update, or maintain a graphic novel collection and advise readers about the genre. Containing mostly new information as compared to the previous edition, the book covers iconic super-hero comics and other classic and contemporary crime fighter-based comics; action and adventure comics, including prehistoric, heroic, explorer, and Far East adventure as well as Western adventure; science fiction titles that encompass space opera/fantasy, aliens, post-apocalyptic themes, and comics with storylines revolving around computers, robots, and artificial intelligence. There are also chapters dedicated to fantasy titles; horror titles, such as comics about vampires, werewolves, monsters, ghosts, and the occult; crime and mystery titles regarding detectives, police officers, junior sleuths, and true crime; comics on contemporary life, covering romance, coming-of-age stories, sports, and social and political issues; humorous titles; and various nonfiction graphic novels.