He is Gotham City's Protector, its avenging spirit, its Dark Knight. For years he has waged a one-man war to keep its streets safe. But tonight that war has claimed its lasts and greatest casualty... Batman himself. The Masked Manhunter lies in a coffin in Crime Alley, the place where he was born. His closest friends and deadliest enemies gather to pay their final respects. Each of them tells a different story of the Batman they knew: how he lived... and how he died. Like a shadow in the night, a dark figure watches over this macabre memorial. He knows that the contradictory tales these heroes and villains are telling cannot possibly all be true...

Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader collects together Batman issues #685 and Detective Comics #852. In addition it includes additional Neil Gaiman tales from Secret Origins #36, Secret Origins Special #1 and Batman Black and White #2.

Gotham City is plagued with crime and corruption in places high and low, but one man has taken a stand against evil of all forms: the dark avenger known as Batman. But now the Dark Knight is dead; apparently fallen at the hands of dying god Darkseid. Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader delves into the realms of life, death and the afterlife, no stone is left unturned in this exploration of every facet and era of Bruce Wayne's life.

This is an entertaining, is somewhat short tale (being only comprised of two parts when it was originally printed in comic book form). The other 50 percent of this collection is made up of short stories which are also written by Gaiman. Probably my favourite of these additional tales is A Black and White World, which was also recently reprinted in the 2007 Black and White - Volume 1 collection.

While by no means an essential purchase for Batman fans, this graphic novel is entertaining enough, if a little pricey - and no doubt fans of Gaiman's work will lap this up.

7

Pete Boomer