DETECTIVE COMICS #444 ART by JIM APARO - BATMAN in BAT-MURDERER!

It is certainly VERY RARE, but once in a BLUE MOON, a KEY page from a KEY and unforgettable storyline surfaces into the marketplace, and this is a perfect example of such. Original artwork for Detective Comics #444 (DC, 1975), page 8 by the legendary Batman artist extraordinaire, Jim Aparo (pencils and inks). From the grim tale entitled "Bat-Murderer!," brilliantly woven by seasoned writer Len Wein, this riveting saga ran over a span of five full issues in Detective Comics #444 through #448 (Jan., 1975 - June, 1975) and represents one of the most famous story arcs of the Dark Knight Detective during the entire decade of the 1970's. Of course, this first issue sets the stage for the shocking and unsettling events that unfold herein as Batman infiltrates a gang of criminals of which a dangerous thug named Scrag Donovan is a member and lead by a mysterious woman. During a glamorous gala premiere of a new movie, the gang strikes to steal valuable jewelry from a famous actress as Batman reveals himself to thwart the theft. In this key standoff between Batman and the mysterious female leader describes only as "The Lady in Red," the Manhunter orders her to stand down and surrender, but she cryptically replies, "Batman, I'm Amazed! Such a threat -- from you!! I don't believe it! I don't believe you could possibly hurt --..." as the Lady in Red removes her mask to reveal herself as none other than Talia, the daughter of his arch nemesis Ra's Al Ghul and longtime love interest. Batman can do nothing but stand speechless, stunned at this revelation as high pitched sirens announce the quick approach of police squad cars. Unexpectedly, Talia throws her gun to Batman explaining, "For my father's sake, I MUSTN'T be captured! Farewell, my darling! Talia flees in the opposite direction as Batman begs her to stop, but she simply answers him, "Forgive me, my beloved -- but I cannot!" And then, the unthinkable transpires as Batman raises his arm and points Talia's very own gun at her as he explains, "And what happened next is a sight that will haunt me till the day I die..." Unexplicitly, the gun fires as Talia collapses to the ground dead as the narrative states, "The Batman SHOT her in the back!" - one fateful and most frightening shot that ignites a chain reaction of tectonic events that unravel over the next four issues that shake Batman's world and Gotham City to their very core.

Back at Gotham City Police Headquarters, Commissioner Gordon examines the evidence and concludes that his long time friend and ally Batman has killed Talia in cold blood and charges him with First Degree Murder. He orders him to be arrested, but Batman escapes and promises to hunt down the culprit responsible for this tragic and unexpected frame job. Gordon orders the iconic Bat-Signal to never be used again, but then, right on cue, Batman delivers Scrag Donovan to the police, but he is only the first criminal in this storyline to be caught and brought to justice. And, so ends the first chapter of the famed "Bat-Murderer" epic saga.

Over the next four exciting issues, Batman will elude capture from the Gotham City police, break into the newly built Gotham maximum security prison to confront his old arch nemesis Ra's Al Ghul, who seemly commits suicide in order to frame Batman for his murder as well as Talia's (issue #445), run afoul of a notorious silver smuggler, Sterling Silversmith (issue #446), as well as battle and ultimately team-up with the Creeper (issue #447-448).

Ultimately, the Master Manhunter and Detective tracks down and uncovers a most devious plot, orchestrated by none other than Ra's Al Ghul himself, who sought to frame Batman for his and Talia's alleged murders, to brand him as an outlaw who would be relentlessly hunted by the law in order to sway him to join Ra's League of Assassins. Ra's succeeds in escaping during the ensuing melee as the circus tent catches fire and burns down all around them with Batman choosing to rescue Talia instead of chasing after Ra's himself. When Commissioner Gordon and the police arrive at the smoldering scene, they find Talia very much alive and Batman explains the entire conspiracy against him and shows Gordon how the automatic guns that were used to frame him worked. Gordon clears Batman of any wrongdoing.

Of the entire five issues that presented this unforgettable Bat-Murderer saga, only the first three (#444-#446) are graced with artwork by Jim Aparo and ultimately represent the artist's peak period work as well as the finest story lines he did for this classic tile.