Price: 17.95 USD; 21.95 CAD
Pages: 212
On-sale Date: 1991-03-21
Editing: Paul Levitz (credited) (editor - original series); Julius Schwartz (credited) (editor - original series); Denny O'Neil (credited as Dennis O'Neil) (editor - collected edition)
Cover Thumbnail for Batman: Tales of the Demon (DC, 1991 series) Edit Cover
Cover Gallery 

Batman: Tales of the Demon
(Table of Contents)

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 (2)

Indexer Notes

Batman is facing Talia and Ra's, which differs from the Brian Stelfreeze cover of the Warner Books edition.

Brian Stelfreeze credited in indicia.

Issue Data

Series Data

  • Color: Color
  • Dimensions: Standard Modern Age U. S.
  • Binding: Softcover
  • Publishing Format: Collected Edition
  • Publication Type: book

Indexer Notes

There was a version of this book published by Warner Books in 1992 for distribution to the book trade.

New printings: March 30, 2005 and June 2, 2005.

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]
(Table of Contents: 1)

blank page(s) / 1 page

Indexer Notes

Inside front cover.

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents: 2)

credits, title page / 1 page

Colors:
?
Letters:
?

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents: 3)

credits, title page / 1 page

Letters:
typeset

Indexer Notes

Indicia and publisher information

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents: 4)

table of contents / 1 page

Letters:
typeset

Introduction
(Table of Contents: 5)

Batman / foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 4 pages

Script:
Sam Hamm (credited)
Pencils:
various
Inks:
various
Colors:
?
Letters:
typeset
  • Genre:superhero
  • 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)
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

Introduction by Sam Hamm, dated Christmas 1990.

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents: 6)

blank page(s) / 1 page

Into the Den of the Death Dealers!
(Table of Contents: 7)

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
(Table of Contents: 8)

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
(Table of Contents: 9)

Batman / comic story / 15 pages

Script:
Denny O'Neil (credited)
Pencils:
Irv Novick (credited)
Inks:
Dick Giordano (credited)
Colors:
Tom Ziuko (credited)
Letters:
Editing:
Julius Schwartz (original editor)
  • 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!
(Table of Contents: 10)

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!
(Table of Contents: 11)

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:faking one's death
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.

Death of Matches Malone occurs off-panel.

The Lazarus Pit!
(Table of Contents: 12)

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]
(Table of Contents: 13)

blank page(s) / 0.5 page

Indexer Notes

Lower half of the final page of the previous story.

The Demon Lives Again!
(Table of Contents: 14)

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]
(Table of Contents: 15)

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!
(Table of Contents: 16)

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!
(Table of Contents: 17)

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
(Table of Contents: 18)

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!
(Table of Contents: 19)

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.

Afterword
(Table of Contents: 20)

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)
Reprints (1)

Indexer Notes

Afterword by Dennis O'Neil, dated January 1991.

Also from DC Comics:
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 21)

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

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents: 22)

blank page(s) / 1 page

Indexer Notes

On final interior page of the book.

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents: 23)

blank page(s) / 1 page

Indexer Notes

Inside back cover.

[Hence, Ra's Al Ghul]
(Table of Contents: 24)

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

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

my.comics.org
Tracked in 10 collections.
Issue at www.comics.org
View Change History
Table of Contents ToC
    Table of Contents
  1. Batman: Tales of the Demon
    Batman
  2. [no title indexed]
  3. [no title indexed]
  4. [no title indexed]
  5. [no title indexed]
  6. Introduction
    Batman
  7. [no title indexed]
  8. Into the Den of the Death Dealers!
    Batman
  9. Daughter of the Demon
    Batman
  10. Swamp Sinister
    Batman
  11. Vengeance for a Dead Man!
    Batman
  12. Bruce Wayne--Rest in Peace!
    Batman
  13. The Lazarus Pit!
    Batman
  14. [no title indexed]
  15. The Demon Lives Again!
    Batman
  16. [no title indexed]
  17. I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!
    Batman
  18. The Vengeance Vow!
    Batman
  19. Where Strike the Assassins
    Batman
  20. Requiem for a Martyr!
    Batman
  21. Afterword
    Batman
  22. Also from DC Comics:
    DC Comics
  23. [no title indexed]
  24. [no title indexed]
  25. [Hence, Ra's Al Ghul]
    Batman
Related Links
Issue was modified by, among others
  • Katie
  • Steve Dasinger
  • John Monagle
  • Antonio Pontes Junior
  • Ramon Schenk
  • Joe Torcivia
  • Jim Van Dore
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