Story: "Matatoa, Part 1" (22 Pages)

Credits:

Devin Grayson (plot, script)
Roger Robinson (pencils)
John Floyd (inks)
Bill Oakley (letters)
Rob Schwager (colors, color seperations)
Nachie Castro and Bob Schreck (edits)

Feature Characters:

Batman
Nightwing

Villain:

Matatoa (first appearance; last in flashback in #17)

Other Characters:

Samsara
Arnie
Dave (first appearance of both; police officers)

Synopsis:

In a dream, Samsara tries to warn Batman about someone. He soon meets this person - one Matatoa, a soul-eater. He is compelled by voices in his head to kill a certain type of person, taking on that person's qualities. He has been urged to take on an undefeated warrior, and Batman seems to fit the bill. He suggests that Batman might like to acquiesce to this, as then his city would be protected forever, as Matatoa stands to be immortal. As they discuss this, above Gotham River, Nightwing drops in on their conversation.

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Second Story: "the Bat no More...?" (8 Pages)

Credits:

Alan Grant (plot, script)
Enrique Breccia (pencils, inks)
Jack Morelli (letters)
Mark Chiarello (edits)

Feature Character:

Batman

Villains:

Scarecrow
Poison Ivy (behind the scenes)

Supporting Character:

Alfred Pennyworth

Other Character:

Joe (a barman)

Comment: This story takes place at an undisclosed time during Batman's career.

Synopsis:

A derilect tells a tale of the Batman in a Gotham City bar. He saw the vigilante confront the Scarecrow and then become increasingly paranoid at the sight of any of his equipment, somehow having developed a fear of bats. Scarecrow then talks to this man, wanting to know all the details, but is himself sprayed with a gas that gives him a fear of his own books - it is Batman. The two of them then face each other, to see who will give in first in revealing their own anti-toxin - will Batman cave in to a fear of the dark, or Scarecrow to a fear of words?