My Rating
“The Monster In The Mirror”
Twenty minutes to ten, the rose gardens – Wayne Manor, Batman stumbles through the greenery which he holds so special, the visions of earlier events pass through his head. It can’t be true! Vampires are nothing but a fairytale, but the hunger has overtaken his mind. Blood! Batman must have blood! Where is the front door?!
Minutes pass before Batman enters into his family home. The fever has infected his mind at this point in time. He must have fresh water. In the main level bathroom Bruce looks himself over in the oversized mirror. The Batman has fangs! No, how is this possible? Before he can continue his query Alfred knocks on the door. Fresh blood!
WGBS News Station, Olivia Ortega has just finished her nightly news segment. Behind the cameras former police commissioner – James Gordon, turned private detective is here for the evidence Vicki Vale has collected on Batman’s identity. Are The photos fake? Gordon will not find out as the real evidence has been stolen by a lackie of “Boss” Thorne. This now seems to be the least of Bruce Wayne’s problems.
Why is Father Green of Saint Jude’s Hospital knocking on the door of Wayne Manor? What is the legend of the Debois family of New Orleans? Has the Batman made is first kill?
“A Tale Of Two Serpents!”
Note: This story starts in Detective Comics No. 515
Batgirl awakes from a nightmare and finds two homeless people standing over her. She recognizes one of them as the old man Shamrock, the other she believes is his friend Faith. Batgirl had defended research two against gang attacks previously, now they just want to return the favor. Batgirl lays resting in the lower depths of Gotham also known as the Undercity. Shamrock and Faith believe the Batgirl is beginning to recover. How wrong they are, as Barbara’s body begins to convulse.
The Darknight Damsel begins to transform into some hideous mutation consisting of half woman and half snake. Barbara Gordon screams in horror as she realizes this is no dream. In the battle with the villainess Lady Viper one single bite injected enough poison to rewrite her DNA.
Can Barbara Gordon find an antidote before the serpent side of her brain takes over completely? Will the toxicologists at Gotham Hospital need more venom from Lady Viper to finalize their research? Does Batgirl have the willpower to morph at will? Collect the series to find out!
Reviewer Notes
Batman’s a Vampire, Batgirl mutated into a Yuanti, dogs and cats living together, it’s mass hysteria! Wow, what an issue! It goes to show you not all the bronze age DC titles were geared towards children. Of the limited number of Batman books I’ve read, this story arc is my favorite.
“A Tale Of Two Serpents!” involves the villain Lady Viper which starts I Detective Comics issue 515. Unfortunately this is the conclusion of the storyline. The art is incredible for 1982 and in my opinion buries the lead. I love anything related to Medusa type characters. Seeing Barbara Gordon with a snake body is pretty cool! I’m giving this issue a five star rating.
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