Batman #597: Crooked Miles

Quick answer

Batman #597: Crooked Miles stands out in Gotham Vault because the issue title, character tags, and 2002-01-01 cover date create a distinct entry point into Batman. Readers can use it to jump from this issue into Batman (Bruce Wayne), Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) and related Batman continuity.

Issue summary

At long last, after the death of Bruce Wayne's friend Jeremy Samuels, the shooting of Lew Moxon and a handful of epic battles, it comes down to this: the final showdown between Batman and Zeiss. While chasing down routine criminals, Batman finds himself distracted by thoughts of Philo Zeiss, at least until he discovers a body wrapped in a carpet with its neck broken. He begins to track down the deceased, via the carpet he was rolled up in. The next morning, Bruce Wayne gets a 'phone message from Mallory Moxon, who feels he's been ignoring her, which, Sasha insists, is pretty much the truth. That night, Batman tracks down Rex Cooke and then Mallory Moxon, forcing Zeiss into the open , as he is the killer in question - of Peter Perkins, Rex Cooke's messenger/spy. Zeiss and Batman fight, Zeiss claiming that he has trained himself specifically to fight Batman and so cannot lose; Batman turns the tables by introducing Batgirl to the fight, which is soon ended. Lew Moxon soon hears the fracas and orders Batman to leave and to take Zeiss with him.

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 ›

Batgirl (Barbara Gordon)The first and greatest Batgirl. The Joker took her legs but not her spirit — she became Orac…VIEW APPEARANCES ›