Batman #665: The Black Casebook

Quick answer

Batman #665: The Black Casebook stands out in Gotham Vault because the issue title, character tags, and 2007-06-01 cover date create a distinct entry point into Batman. Readers can use it to jump from this issue into Batman (Bruce Wayne), Robin (Dick Grayson), Alfred Pennyworth, Bane and related Batman continuity.

Issue summary

Batman recovers from his encounter with the drugged killer from last issue. Batman seeks to discover the secrets of Casebook X. Plus it is revealed what happened to Talia and Damien . After being attacked by the hulking Bane /Batman, a battered Batman lies face down in his own blood and vomit. He tries to get up but can't muster enough strength to stay standing. Luckily, some of the prostitutes that Batman had stood up for earlier that night (see last issue) showed up and one decided to help. She puts him in her car and starts driving. Along the way, Batman wakes up and tells the woman to an escape tunnel in another part of Gotham . The tunnel actually has an entrance to one of Wayne 's buildings, so after he gets dropped off, he takes an elevator to the penthouse, calls Alfred , and passes out. While he's sleeping, Bruce has a nightmare of his son Damien in front of three twisted versions of himself. Two are versions he's encountered, the gun-wielding Batman and the over-muscled Bane version, and the third is new, but hidden in shadow. Bruce wakes up screaming and finds his wounds bandaged and Alfred and Tim waiting at his bedside. Bruce fills them in on what happened. He said that the Batman he fought looked like Bane, like he was designed to trigger his fear of having his back broken again. Alfred informs him that his spinal brace had been shattered but his back was intact.…

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 ›

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Robin (Dick Grayson)Open this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Alfred PennyworthThe man who raised Batman. Ex-SAS, current butler, permanent father figure. The only one who…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

BaneThe man who broke the Bat. Venom-enhanced strength and absolutely no mercy. He wants to dest…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Talia al GhulDaughter of the Demon. Trained to lead, to kill, to seduce. Caught between her love for Batm…VIEW APPEARANCES ›