Story by Ty Templeton
Penciled by Bo Hampton
Inked by Rick Burchett and Terry Beatty
Colored by Lee Loughridge
So, what’s the story?
As Batman returns home in the Batplane, he encounters another unusual aircraft. It appears to be a flying saucer, and it quickly disables the plane and extracts Batman using a tractor beam. Batman engages the Batplane’s autopilot at the last second, before he is drawn into the seemingly alien ship. Inside, he is held in place on a table. Ra’s al Ghul appears, claiming responsibility and control of the ship. He describes to Batman a typical UFO encounter scenario, except that Ra’s managed to break free of the beam, kill his captors, and take the ship for his own. He explains how he will use the ship to restore the Earth’s natural balance. When Batman protest, Ra’s drops Batman from the ship at 18,000 feet. Batman recalls the Batplane in midair, but it’s too low. Batman ditches the plane, escapes by parachute, and eventually falls unconscious in a forest. Dick and Alfred find Batman, and return with him to Wayne Manor. They are then visited by a pair of “Men in Black,” who seem to know about the UFO, but also about Batman. Despite Bruce’s playing coy, the men leave him with a mysterious crystal, and urge Bruce to take action for the sake of the planet. Batman and Robin deduce that Ra’s must be hiding in Nevada near Area 51. When they arrive, they find a camp full of supplies, ready for the end of the world. When Ra’s finds them, he begins to monologue, only to be interrupted by his own UFO flying overhead. It seems Robin is controlling the ship via the strange crystal the Men in Black delivered. Batman uses the psychic powers of the crystal to destroy the ship. The camp burns, Ra’s gets away, and Batman is left with nothing but questions.
This was a fun mash-up of the typical Ra’s al Ghul take-over-the-world story and UFO lore. I can’t say it was my favorite, but it was fun. I would have enjoyed seeing the UFO animated.
How’s the Art?
It’s all over the place, I can only assume that’s the result of two inkers. The art is never great, but there are times when Bats and Robin look decent, and other times when the style is very sloppy. Ra’s never seems to be on-model.
Any continuity issues?
No.
Anything of interest to customizers or cosplayers?
Maybe Ra’s in his desert garb.
Is this issue worth my precious time?
Eh, if you’re a completist, maybe.
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