Batman: Death and the Maidens – DC Comics – (2003–2004) – Volume 1 – Limited Series – #1–9

Batman: Death and the Maidens – DC Comics – (2003–2004) – Volume 1 – Limited Series – #1–9

📘 Series Summary

Batman: Death and the Maidens is a nine‑issue limited series written by Greg Rucka with art and covers by Klaus Janson, billed as a definitive confrontation between Batman and Ra’s al Ghul.[web:21] Aging and weakened after centuries of relying on Lazarus Pits, Ra’s turns to his greatest enemy for help, offering Bruce an unthinkable “gift” tied to his parents and forcing Batman to consider making a deal with the devil.[web:21]

Running from late 2003 into 2004, the story weaves together Batman’s moral crisis, Ra’s’ fading immortality, and the rise of Nyssa, a previously unknown daughter of Ra’s who wages her own private, global war against him.[web:21] As Nyssa’s plans escalate and Talia meets her destiny, Batman confronts buried childhood trauma, hard truths about his crusade, and the ultimate legacy of the Demon’s Head across Gotham, Metropolis, and the Middle East.[web:21]

⭐ Why This Series Stands Out

  • Positions itself as the “final” Ra’s al Ghul story of its era, deeply examining his relationship with Batman and the ideological clash between their visions for the world.[web:21]
  • Introduces and develops Nyssa, a crucial new daughter of Ra’s whose history and motivations reshape the family dynamic with Talia and the League of Assassins.[web:21]
  • Forces Batman into a rare, intimate bargain that confronts his grief over his parents and challenges his belief that he cannot compromise with evil, even for personal closure.[web:21]
  • Combines globe‑spanning espionage and terrorism plots with psychological introspection, moving from Wayne Manor and the Batcave to Lazarus Pits and war‑torn regions abroad.[web:21]
  • Self‑contained across 9 issues, making it a focused read that significantly impacts the Ra’s/Talia/Nyssa status quo without requiring tie‑ins to other titles.[web:21]

📦 Inventory Notice

This nine‑issue limited series is often collected as a complete run by readers interested in Ra’s al Ghul’s mythos and in Greg Rucka’s grounded, character‑driven take on Batman.[web:21]

Having all issues #1–9 delivers the full arc, from Ra’s’ desperate offer and Batman’s fateful choice to Nyssa’s endgame and the final resolution of the Demon’s legacy.[web:21]