Batman #584: The Dark Knight Project

Quick answer

Batman #584: The Dark Knight Project stands out in Gotham Vault because the issue title, character tags, and 2000-12-01 cover date create a distinct entry point into Batman. Readers can use it to jump from this issue into Batman (Bruce Wayne), Two-Face (Harvey Dent), The Penguin (Oswald Cobblepot) and related Batman continuity.

Issue summary

Two film students come to Gotham to make a documentary about the Batman and the truth of his existence versus his status as an alleged urban myth. Meanwhile, Batman, incensed at the death of Jeremy Samuels, is doing the best he can to interfere with all of the Penguin's schemes large and small. With the students in the city, he has to work hard to stay out of their way and one of his most effective actions against the Penguin is to buy his base of operations as Bruce Wayne and move to get it demolished. The film-makers' presence in Gotham affords the Penguin an opportunity to distract Batman from him. As the kids are getting nowhere in their investigations, save for the suggestion that the Batman urban myth is a creation of Harvey Dent, he suggests that they go to Arkham and interview Two-Face; he also arranges for a breakout at the asylum so that Batman will have to come to their rescue and be caught on film. However, after saving the kids, Batman is able to persuade them that an air of mystery and uncertainty is essential for what he does. After they agree to abandon their project, he throws himself back into the fray to subdue the prisoners.

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 ›

Two-Face (Harvey Dent)Harvey Dent was Gotham's white knight DA until acid and a bad day turned him into something …VIEW APPEARANCES ›

The Penguin (Oswald Cobblepot)Oswald Cobblepot runs the Iceberg Lounge and half the city's underworld. Never underestimate…VIEW APPEARANCES ›