Batman #562: Mr. Wayne Goes to Washington: 3 The Devil His Due!

Quick answer

Batman #562: Mr. Wayne Goes to Washington: 3 The Devil His Due! stands out in Gotham Vault because the issue title, character tags, and 1999-02-01 cover date create a distinct entry point into Batman. Readers can use it to jump from this issue into Batman (Bruce Wayne), Commissioner Gordon (James Gordon), Killer Croc (Waylon Jones) and related Batman continuity.

Issue summary

Overview Gotham City is shut down after pleas for its rehabilitation fail. Now, there is a massive exodus of people but not all are allowed to leave. With political support, Gotham City is shut down and a citywide evacuation is ordered by the government. People are given 48 hours to leave and massive crowds fill all exits. Anyone with criminal connections are barred from leaving but Killer Croc still makes an attempt. As Oracle watches the news, Bruce Wayne and Mayor Grange discuss Gotham's fate. Unknown to them, Scratch hired an assassin to eliminate Bruce. However, the mayor is killed instead. A furious Scratch sends his own men to finish the job. Over at Gotham, at the same time, Commissioner Gordon meets with the coroner after examining one of Scratch's captured men. As bridges are destroyed, people are in a hurry to leave and Oracle decides to stay behind. The criminally insane resent their isolation and make plans of their own. In Washington, congress prepares to officially declare Gotham "dead" but Bruce Wayne is absent.

Characters listed for this issue

Batman (Bruce Wayne)The Dark Knight of Gotham. Billionaire by day, vigilante by night. No superpowers, just iron…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Commissioner Gordon (James Gordon)The one good cop in a corrupt city. Keeps the GCPD running and the Bat-Signal lit. Never los…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Killer Croc (Waylon Jones)Waylon Jones was born with a skin condition that turned him into something reptilian. Just w…VIEW APPEARANCES ›