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The Batman Confidential series tells stories that take place in the past. Each of the first 12 issues consisted of “new” flashbacks. Batman Confidential #13 is a sequel to a 1984 story featuring the Wraith who is considered Batman’s evil twin.
Reading message boards I learned that the original 1984 Batman Special #1 was reprinted in a graphic novel that I own – Batman In the Eighties.
For those who like me did not fully understand Batman Confidential 13, revisiting the original story may help:
The story starts out showing the two distinctly different boys witness a similar crime – the murder of their parents. One of these boys is Bruce Wayne the son of a doctor who grows up to fight crime to avenge his parent’s death. The other boy also grows up to avenge his parents death as the Wraith – a killer of cops.
The story begins with Batman thwarting the Wraith’s second attempt on Jim Gordon’s life. By studying the bullets of the weapon used to assassinate Gordon, Batman deduced that this is the work of a serial cop killer. Batman decides that it is best to keep Commissioner Gordon hidden until he can capture unknown cop killer. Irritated by the interference of Batman, the Wraith changes his focus from Gordon to the Batman. Buy putting pressure on one of Batman’s informants and doing research himself, the Wraith figures out that both he and Batman were “born” on the same day.
The Wraith puts two-and-two together and learns that Bruce Wayne’s parents were murdered by a common criminal the same day his parents were murdered by a police officer, therefore Bruce Wayne must be the Batman. What better way to strike fear into a creature who thrives on the fear of criminals… attack the ones close to him.
The Wraith first attacks the memories of those loved by the Batman… the graves of Thomas and Martha Wayne. This is the first message from the Wraith demanding Batman to give up Gordon. It is not long before a second and more severe message is delivered.
The Wraith severely beats Alfred as a second message demanding that Batman gives up Gordon. Batman more deterimined than before tracks down the Wraith’s girlfriend to even the odds only to find out that his enemy is still one step ahead of him.
Using Bruce’s other childhood caretaker, Leslie Tompkins, as a hostage Batman gives up his friend Jim Gordon.
The Wraith wastes no time “wasting” the police officer that killed his criminal parents. This is a comic book the hero has to win, Batman would not give up his best friend without a plan right?
After shooting Gordon the Wraith attempts to shoot Batman, but misses Batman and hits his handcuffs instead. His shot was thrown off by a still living Jim Gordon wearing a bullet proof vest.
With the Wraith stunned with the fact that Jim Gordon is still alive the Batman attacks. A brawl ensues ending with the Wraith on fire falling off the roof landing only feet away from his lover.
With the Wraith’s true identity unknown only one person morns, his girlfriend.
