Price: 14.99 USD; 18.99 CAD
Pages: 212
Editing: Paul Levitz (credited) (editor - original series); Julius Schwartz (credited) (editor - original series); Denny O'Neil (credited as Dennis O'Neil) (editor - collected edition); Dale Crain (credited) (publication design)

Batman: Tales of the Demon

Batman / cover / 1 page

Pencils:
Brian Stelfreeze (credited) (painting)
Inks:
Brian Stelfreeze (credited) (painting)
Colors:
Brian Stelfreeze (credited) (painting)

  • Genre:superhero
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Talia Al Ghul; Ra's Al Ghul
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

Batman has his back turned on Talia and Ra's, which differs from the Brian Stelfreeze cover of the DC Comics edition.

Brian Stelfreeze credited in indicia.

Issue Data

Series Data

  • Color: color
  • Dimensions: Standard Modern Age U. S.
  • Binding: trade paperback
  • Publishing Format: collected edition
  • Publication Type: book

Indexer Notes

There was a version of this book published by DC Comics in 1991 for distribution to comic book stores. First Warner printing January 1992.

Collects stories of Batman vs. Ra's Al Ghul from:
Detective Comics # 411, 485, 489-490
Batman #232, 235, 240, 242-244
DC Special Series #15

[no title indexed]

blank page(s) / 1 page

Indexer Notes

Inside front cover.

[no title indexed]

credits, title page / 1 page

[no title indexed]

credits, title page / 1 page

Letters:
typeset

Indexer Notes

Indicia and publisher information

[no title indexed]

table of contents / 1 page

Letters:
typeset

Introduction

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 4 pages

Script:
Sam Hamm (credited)
Pencils:
various
Inks:
various
Colors:
?
Letters:
typeset

  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:The other day I was sitting around thinking, as I sometimes do, about a certain pointy-eared super-hero...
  • Keywords:introduction; repurposed art
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Ra's Al Ghul; Talia Al Ghul (all in spot illustrations)

Indexer Notes

Introduction by Sam Hamm, dated Christmas 1990.

[no title indexed]

blank page(s) / 1 page

Into the Den of the Death Dealers!

Batman / comic story / 15 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Bob Brown (credited)
Inks:
Dick Giordano (credited)
Colors:
Tom Ziuko (credited)
Letters:
Editing:
Julius Schwartz (original editor)

  • Genre:superhero
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:The night breathes soot-colored fog... and there is a stillness broken only by gasps of wind and the muffled lapping of the sea.
  • Keywords:first appearance of recurring character(s)
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Talia Al Ghul (villain, introduction); Dr. Darrk (death); League of Assassins
Synopsis:
Batman meets Talia, Ra's Al Ghul's daughter.
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

Credits for script, pencils and inks confirmed from Julius Schwartz's editorial records, provided by DC Comics.

First mention of Ra's Al Ghul.

The League of Assassins (as well as Dr. Darrk) first appeared in Detective Comics #405. However, this is the first appearance of Talia Al Ghul, who would be a major presence in the life of Batman for decades to come.

Julius Schwartz is not credited within the pages of the story itself.

Daughter of the Demon

Batman / comic story / 22 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Neal Adams (credited)
Inks:
Dick Giordano (credited)
Colors:
Tom Ziuko (credited)
Letters:
Editing:
Julius Schwartz (credited) (original editor)

  • Genre:superhero
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Alfred Pennyworth; Ra's Al Ghul (1st appearance, villain); Talia Al Ghul; Ubu
Synopsis:
Ra's Al Ghul discovers Batman's secret identity.
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

Credits for script, pencils and inks confirmed from Julius Schwartz's editorial records, provided by DC Comics.

Batman's origin is re-told. Second appearance of Talia Al Ghul, who first appeared in Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #411. First appearance of Ra's Al Ghul.

Swamp Sinister

Batman / comic story / 15 pages


  • Genre:superhero
  • Feature Logo:Batman [late 1960s]
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Evening at the lavish penthouse of millionaire Bruce Wayne...
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Ra's Al Ghul (villain); Talia Al Ghul (villain); Alfred Pennyworth; Solomon T. London; Striss (Ra's Al Ghul's technician, death); Polard (Ra's Al Ghul's technician, death)
Synopsis:
Ra's Al Ghul forces Batman to track down Striss, who has stolen a secret formula from Ra's. Striss does not know the deadly secret of the chemical formula.
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

Julius Schwartz is not credited within the pages of the story itself.

Vengeance for a Dead Man!

Batman / comic story / 17 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Irv Novick (credited)
Inks:
Dick Giordano (credited)
Colors:
Tom Ziuko (credited)
Letters:
Editing:
Julius Schwartz (credited) (original editor)

  • Genre:superhero
  • Feature Logo:Batman
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:In this place, there is a special silence...
Characters:
Ra's Al Ghul; Talia Al Ghul; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Mason Sterling (Death); Flinky Davenport; Dr. Moon; Alfred Pennyworth; Mr. Keener
Synopsis:
Batman and Talia track down the killer of Mason Sterling and Batman discovers who removed Sterling's brain.
Reprints (1)

Bruce Wayne--Rest in Peace!

Batman / comic story / 14 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Irv Novick (credited)
Inks:
Dick Giordano (credited)
Colors:
Tom Ziuko (credited)
Letters:
Editing:
Julius Schwartz (credited) (original editor)

  • Genre:superhero
  • Feature Logo:Batman
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Beginning the most sensational... the most dangerous... and certainly, the most important adventure in the illustrious career of the... Batman
  • Keywords:Death of Matches Malone occurs off-panel.
Characters:
Ra's Al Ghul (cameo); Batman [Bruce Wayne; also as Matches Malone]; James Gordon; Matches Malone (death); Dr. Harris Blaine; Lo Ling
Synopsis:
Batman begins his war against Ra's Al Ghul by faking Bruce Wayne's death and recruiting some allies.
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

First line is completed by the feature logo illustration.

The Lazarus Pit!

Batman / comic story / 23.5 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Neal Adams (credited)
Inks:
Dick Giordano (credited)
Colors:
Tom Ziuko (credited)
Letters:
Editing:
Julius Schwartz (credited) (original editor)

  • Genre:superhero
  • Feature Logo:Batman
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Two men -- each highly trained in the fighting arts, each superbly conditioned -- face each other in what promises to be a duel to the death!
  • Keywords:combat; knives; Lazarus Pit
Characters:
Ra's Al Ghul; Talia Al Ghul; Batman [Bruce Wayne; also as Matches Malone]; Lo Ling; Robin [Dick Grayson; also as Matches Malone]; Dr. Harris Blaine; Ubu; Molly Post
Synopsis:
Batman engages in mortal combat with Lo Ling. Batman tracks Ra's Al Ghul to Switzerland, only to find he is dead. Ra's Al Ghul is revived by a Lazarus Pit.
Reprints (1)

[no title indexed]

blank page(s) / 0.5 page

Indexer Notes

Lower half of the final page of the previous story.

The Demon Lives Again!

Batman / comic story / 15.5 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Neal Adams (credited)
Inks:
Dick Giordano (credited)
Colors:
Rick Taylor (credited)
Letters:
Editing:
Julius Schwartz (credited) (original editor)

  • Genre:superhero
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Herewith... another incredible chapter in the life of the world's greatest crime fighter... Batman
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Ra's Al Ghul; Talia Al Ghul; Molly Post; Lo Ling; Dr. Harris Blaine
Synopsis:
Batman tracks Ra's Al Ghul to the desert and is forced to fight him in a duel.
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

First line is completed by the feature logo illustration, which is an image of the name "Batman" carved out of the ice and snow of a mountain in the Swiss Alps.

[no title indexed]

blank page(s) / 0.5 page

Indexer Notes

Lower half of the final page of the previous story.

I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!

Batman / comic story / 20 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Michael Golden (credited)
Inks:
Dick Giordano (credited)
Colors:
Rick Taylor (credited)
Letters:
Milt Snapinn (credited)
Editing:
Joe Orlando (original managing editor)
Julius Schwartz (credited) (original editor)
E. Nelson Bridwell (original associate editor)

  • Genre:superhero
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:A pale, swirling shroud covers the city and the silence seems to breathe!
  • Keywords:Batcave; Gotham City
Characters:
Batman; Alfred Pennyworth; Talia Al Ghul; Ra's Al Ghul; Lurk; Professor Vasco Marke-Witch; Snazzy Trope; DJ Barry Dark
Reprints (1)

The Vengeance Vow!

Batman / comic story / 20 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Don Newton (credited)
Inks:
Dan Adkins (credited)
Colors:
Glenn Whitmore (credited)
Letters:
Ben Oda (credited)
Editing:
Paul Levitz (credited) (original editor)

  • Genre:superhero
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Batwoman [Kathy Kane] (death); League of Assassins (villains); Ra's Al Ghul (villain); Talia Al Ghul; Alfred Pennyworth; Bronze Tiger [Ben Turner]; Sensei
Synopsis:
Receiving a warning that Kathy Kane, the former Batwoman, is in danger, Batman travels to Kathy's circus only to find her attacked by the League of Assassins. Kathy is killed in the attack. Ra's Al Ghul reveals that the Sensei is behind the attack, so Batman goes after him, but must face off against the formidable Bronze Tiger.
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

The Bronze Tiger is really Ben Turner, last seen in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter (DC, 1975 series) #18.

First line is completed by the feature logo illustration.

Where Strike the Assassins

Batman / comic story / 10 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Don Newton (credited)
Inks:
Dan Adkins (credited)
Colors:
Tom McCraw (credited)
Letters:
Ben Oda (credited)
Editing:
Paul Levitz (credited) (original editor)

  • Genre:superhero
  • Feature Logo:Batman [pointy ears, block letters]
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Orphaned as a child when his parents were murdered before his eyes, Bruce Wayne has trained himself to wage relentless war against crime as the dread avenger of the night... Batman
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; League of Assassins; Bronze Tiger [Ben Turner]; Alfred Pennyworth; Sensei; Barton McManus
Synopsis:
Batman searches for a geologist who has been kidnapped by Sensei and the League of Assassins.
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

First line is completed by the feature logo illustration.

Requiem for a Martyr

Batman / comic story / 22 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Don Newton (credited)
Inks:
Dan Adkins (credited)
Colors:
Julia Lacquement (credited)
Letters:
Ben Oda (credited)
Editing:
Paul Levitz (credited) (original editor)

  • Genre:superhero
  • Feature Logo:Batman [pointy ears, block letters]
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Orphaned as a child when his parents were murdered before his eyes, Bruce Wayne has trained himself to wage relentless war against crime as the dread avenger of the night... Batman
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; League of Assassins; Lurk; Gotham City mayor; Commissioner James Gordon; Reverend Feeney (death); world religious leaders; Barton McManus; Sensei; Ra's Al Ghul; Talia Al Ghul
Synopsis:
Batman must stop Sensei who plans to assassinate the world's religious leaders who have come to Gotham for a conference.
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

Batman gets justice for Kathy Kane who was killed by the League of Assassins on Sensei's orders in Detective Comics #485.

First line is completed by the feature logo illustration.

Batman / foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 3 pages

Script:
Pencils:
various
Inks:
various
Colors:
?
Letters:
typeset

  • Genre:superhero
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:If you're reading these words after you've finished the stories collected in this volume, you may have noticed some things.
  • Keywords:background information; repurposed art
Characters:
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Ra's Al Ghul; Talia Al Ghul (all in spot illustrations)

Indexer Notes

Afterword by Dennis O'Neil, dated January 1991.

Also from DC Comics:

DC Comics / promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page

[no title indexed]

blank page(s) / 1 page

Indexer Notes

On final interior page of the book.

[no title indexed]

blank page(s) / 1 page

Indexer Notes

Inside back cover.

[Hence, Ra's Al Ghul]

Batman / foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 1 page


  • Genre:superhero
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Denny again: "There was no doubt Batman needed a worthy opponent..."
  • Keywords:introduction; repurposed art
Characters:
Ra's Al Ghul (spot illustration)

Indexer Notes

Back cover with excerpt from Sam Hamm's introduction and an illustration from Batman #244.

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