Overview

A special issue written by Peter Milligan (X-Men, X-Statix) kicks off the 7-part "Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul," crossing over with the Batman family of books!

Readers discovered in last month's BATMAN #670 that Ra's al Ghul has returned from the dead! What does Ra's resurrection have to do with Batman's son, Damian? And more important, why does this send Damian toward a head-on collision with Robin at Wayne Manor?

Guest starring Talia al Ghul.

(Spoilers)

In Hong Kong, Ra's al Ghul is told that Damian has escaped. Trapped in a withering body, he swiftly kills the assassin that delivered the bad news. He tells the others that he does not want any more bad news. They are to find the boy and kill anyone that gets in their way.

In Gotham, Tim stares out the window. Batman is out of town and he figures he should check out some things before going to bed.

Meanwhile, below in the caves, Damian, dressed in a Robin suit with a cloak, works his way to the main cave. He admires the fact that his father doesn't make it easy for anyone to enter the Cave. He becomes a little injured but continues on his way. When he finally arrives, he calls out for his father. He is met by Tim, who wonders what took him so long. He knew eventually he'd turn up there. Damian says he's not there to fight him this time, he just needs to talk to Batman. Tim figures it has to be a trick. Damian tells Robin that he's serious, his grandfather is back and wants to steal his body. Tim figures he is definitely lying now. Damian, sensing that Robin isn't going to help him, says he'll check for himself whether or not Batman is there. Tim grabs his arm and says he's not going anywhere. The two inevitably begin to fight.

On a ship, Talia is being held fro betraying her father. He says she must be punished and contemplates how he will kill her. She says she was just trying to protect her son. In the distant, Batman is gliding towards them.

In Tibet, Merlyn continues his mission of recovering the seven pieces of the Invisible Map for Sensei.

When Robin comes to, he figures that Alfred must be in danger. Upstairs, Alfred gets the drop on Damian. Damian tells him to stop. He says he needs to speak with his father because he is in trouble. Batman is the only one that can help him.

On the ship, Batman takes out the assassins and frees Talia. She asks if he's there for her or her father. Batman now knows that the rumors of his return are true. She tells him that his body is deteriorating and is headed for the hidden city of Nanda Parbat. She also tells him that Damian is in danger in Gotham because Ra's has sent ninjas after him. Upon hearing that Damian is in Gotham, he sends a message to the Tim through the Bat-computer and also plans to call Nightwing. Talia is upset that all he plans to do is make a couple of phone calls. Batman wonders if she really is concerned for Damian of is she's trying to protect her father.

At the mansion, Tim heads upstairs and hopes that Alfred is okay. Alfred is trying to comfort Damian. When he trips over a rug and stumbles, Damian catches him. Tim sees Damian's arms around Alfred and assumes he's attacking him. He sets off on Damian and is stopped by Alfred. Alfred really gives Tim a talk to about compassion and the fact that he should be using his intelligence. Not happy over being sucker-punched, Damian grabs a priceless painting off the wall and smashes it on Robin's head. When Alfred tries telling him of its value, he says it doesn't matter since it will all be his one day. This entices Tim to fight harder as Alfred can do nothing but watch. Tim begins beating him and Damian tries pleading with him that he's killing him.

Outside, an army of ninja assassins swarm the mansion. Their orders are to retrieve Damian, unharmed. Everyone else is to be killed.

Overview

"The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul," Part 3 of 7! Batman and I-Ching track down Ra's and Talia to their hideout while Nightwing pursues Robin! And why is the Invisible Map so important? All this, plus guest appearances by Talia al Ghul and Damian.

(Spoilers)

The unconscious bodies are brought to Ra's al Ghul. Or so it seems. The two of them jump up and fight off the few ninjas that brought them forward. Fighting among themselves also, Damian is able to run off without Robin. Tim is left with Ra's, who calls for a couple of women to tend to Robin's wounds. Tim is surprised at his actions. Ra's al Ghul proceeds to tell him that he is not his enemy. When some refreshments are brought to him, Robin kicks them away saying he won't be bought of with sugar. He tells Ra's that he's trying too hard to win him over. Ra's al Ghul tells him that he has conquered death and is able to reunite him with his parents. Ra's tells him that he needs a strong mentor and is willing to be that person. Tim reminds him that he already has that with Batman. Ra's response is that Batman is already more concerned with Damian than with him. He tells Robin that soon Damian will surpass his own fighting and detective abilities and Batman will not have a need for him. He tells Tim that he has more wealth and power than Bruce Wayne. He tells them that it's all they can do to protect one city. If he stands with him, they can rule the world. Tim asks about Damian and Ra's says his men will find him and he won't be a concern of Tim's anymore. Tim tells Ra's al Ghul that he needs to think about it. Ra's knows this is simply a stall tactic and knocks Tim out with one blow. As his body is dragged away, he says the drugged sweets would have been easier on him.

In Tibet, Batman and Talia walk away from his crashed bat-plane. He thanks her for the new cloak and armor she gave him. She says they were a family heirloom. Making their way up a cliff, they soon find themselves face-to-face with more of Ra's al Ghul's ninjas. Batman tells Talia to stay back but she refuses. This results in Talia getting slashed in the back. Before Batman can do anything, a ninja is taken out with a stick. It is an old acquaintance of his, I-Ching. After Batman checks to see if Talia is okay, I-Ching tells them they have to hurry. There are other forces besides Ra's al Ghul on the horizon.

In Arkham Asylum, the three female killers, Dragon Fly, Silken Spider, and Tiger Moth have been dropped off by Nightwing. The doctor tells an orderly that they were poisoned and given an antidote but it seems the poison has damaged their brains. It's not clear if they will ever be able to recover.

Meanwhile, Nightwing and Alfred land in Tibet and are immediately met by Ubu and Ra's ah Ghul's ninjas. Nightwing insults Ubu who quickly grabs him by the throat. Nightwing says he shouldn't have done that and breaks free. He takes out the surrounding ninjas only to find Ubu holding Alfred by the throat. Ubu tells him that his skills rivals those of "the bat" but there's no way he can win here. He tells Nightwing to leave or he will snap Alfred's neck. Alfred frees himself with a swift blow to Ubu's groinal area.

Batman, Talia, and I-Ching search for the secret entrance to Ra's ah Ghul's place. Of course Batman is able to find the hidden entrance in the side of the cliff. They are suspicious that there aren't more ninjas waiting for them. They soon find a big room filled with them. The army of ninjas simply stand there, not having been given an order to attack. Ra's al Ghul walks forward to them.

They are given swords and Batman must now face off against Ra's. Ra's mentions that Batman seems to have gotten quicker since they last fought. He tells him that he will need his help to take on the Sensei. Batman says he will take care of the Sensei but first he will deal with Ra's. Cornered, Ra's al Ghul tells him that an advantage of his new body is pain is no longer an issue for him. He plunges forward onto Batman's blade.

Taken aback by this, Ra's explains that his new body is quickly deteriorating. He needs a new body to take down the Sensei. Robin's unconscious body is dragged forward. Batman immediately steps forward. Ra's al Ghul tells him not to worry. He does have another option. Damian's body is now brought forward. Ra's al Ghul tells Batman and Talia they should be proud of him since it took a squad of his best men to find him. Batman tells Ra's to use his body for his new host rather than either of them. Ra's laughs at this and says he is more interested in a younger body. I-Ching tries to do something but is quickly subdued.

Ra's al Ghul tells Batman that both boys are suitable hosts for him. When he takes over, everything that they were before will be erased. He tells Batman that it is too hard of a decision to make so he is going to force him to decide. One will live and the other will die.

to be continued in Batman #671

Overview

Written by Peter Milligan; Art by Freddie Williams II; Cover by Andy Kubert

Part 5 of the 7-part "Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul!" Robin goes off the deep end as the temptations of Ra's al Ghul prove too strong to resist! Will Nightwing take his big brother role to heart and try to drag Tim off the ledge? Guest-starring Batman, Damian and Talia al Ghul.

Spoilers

Despite Ra's al Ghul recent offer to Robin to join him and he'd bring his parents back from the dead, White Ghost doesn't care if the Assassins kill him. He orders the men to take care not to injure Damian. When Robin makes his move to break free, Talia and Damian follow his actions. Tim knows it's crazy to think about, but he cannot get the idea of bringing back his mom and dad out of his head. As they fight, Damian escapes, only caring to find his father. He sets off to follow White Ghost.

When Talia is able to break free, she tries to find Damian only to see Robin and I-Ching fighting the League. Robin tells her if she'll talk to him, he'll help her find Damian. She tries acting like she's not concerned about Damian. Robin says that his mom used to look at him with the same look of concern she has. He asks about Ra's. He knows he was dead since Batman saw him die. Talis says she did too. Robin wants to know if he really can bring the dead back to life. He wants to know if Ra's would really do it for him. Talia warns him to be careful. Ra's likes to collect and use people. He says he doesn't care what would happen to him. He just wants his loved ones back. He takes off despite telling Talia he'd help her.

In Nanda Parbat, Ra's, in a newly possessed body, tells Sensei's "Men of Death" that they are no longer in service to Sensei. Merlyn questions why they should now work for him. He's also concerned that when Ra's current body burns out, he might try to just take one of theirs. Ra's tells him that he'll have a suitable, permanent body soon. He also says that others will also be joining his side. He still thinks that Batman will be one of them as he crawls out of the pool.

Merlyn believes this is his chance to take down Batman and "go down in history." He shoots an arrow which Batman easily dodges. Batman takes him out with one punch. Ra's quickly steps in front of Batman. He tells the others that if they want to try to take out Batman, they'll have to take him out first. Ra's tells Batman that he knows how he feels after the rebirth. Batman tells him he has no idea how he feels. Ra's extends his hand. He says he offered Robin the chance to join him and he refused. This will be the last time he offers his friendship.

Meanwhile, Robin has found White Ghost. He says that Ra's made him an offer and he wants to reconsider. White Ghost simply says he turned it down and that's it. They begin fighting. Robin puts some doubt into White Ghost's mind by saying that perhaps there's a reason Ra's made the offer to him. A reason that he just doesn't know about. White Ghost asks if he is completely ready to join them. Robin takes his hand.

At the same time, Batman has taken Ra's extended hand. Ra's al Ghul is happy that Batman has finally come to his senses. He comments that Batman's grip is pretty strong. Batman keeps squeezing until he crushes his already decaying hand. Ra's gets that this is Batman's way of saying no to his offer.

Robin and White Ghost stand over the Lazarus Pit. He tells Robin that he has to be "baptized" in the pit before he joins. There's the chance he'll lose his mind. He has to decide if he wants to take that risk and leaves him to ponder the decision. As Robin steps forward, I-Ching reveals himself. Robin tells him not to try to stop him but I-Ching says he's old enough to make his own decision. He says some more words of wisdom but leaves him to decide on his own.

Then a voice announces that perhaps I-Ching won't try to stop him, but he will. Nightwing stands over ready to do whatever it takes to stop him.

Continued in NIghtwing #139.

Overview

The startling climax of "The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul"! A secret surrounding Ra's' lineage is revealed! Everything comes to a head at Nanda Parbat as Batman, Robin, Nightwing and Damian face off against the eternal might of Ra's al Ghul!

Spoilers

Ra's al Ghul has his hands on Damian and is beginning to take over his body. Batman fights his way through Ra's men yelling "Let...Go...of...My...SON!" His final blow is a kick to Ra's arm, which snaps it in half. Ra's is surprised by Batman's actions but Batman doesn't let up. He continues beating Ra's telling him that he won't kill him but will make sure that he is not able to move again.

Damian watches his father in action as the White Ghost comes to Ra's al Ghul's aid. Batman simply throws him at some assassins. Batman tells Damian to pick up a weapon and to just start hitting anyone.

Nightwing, Robin, Alfred and Talia arrive to lend their help. Batman orders them to take out anyone that tries to escape. Talia is outraged that he would send their son into this. Batman tells her that he is trained and can fight. Talia asks him if he would actually send his own son to his death. Batman tells her he is only asking him to do what he would ask of Robin and Nightwing. Hearing this, Damian breaks free of Talia's grasp and takes off after the others.

As Ra's al Ghul lies helpless, the White Ghost asks if he can give himself for Ra's. He says that even though he was only good enough to serve Ra's and was never held in the same regard as Talia or Nyssa, he still wants to be able to do his part. Ra's calls him "son" and White Ghost says he's waited his whole life to hear that. He would gladly switch bodies for his father. It ends with the White Ghost dying but Ra's al Ghul being somewhat reborn.

Ra's al Ghul makes his stand with the help of his assassins. Upon seeing Ra's, Batman concludes that White Ghost must have been a blood relative of his. Ra's says that his son had to die because of him. He plans on avenging him by taking the lives of Batman's wards and anyone that stands by his side.

Talia urges Damian to leave. He refuses to leave his father so Talia knocks him out and carries him away.

The fighting begins. There are injuries on both sides. Neither Batman nor Ra's al Ghul seem like they will back down. As they are about to clash, they are separated by a blinding flash of light. The monks of Nanda Parbat are basically kicking them out. The place is being forever sealed against them and they must all leave. Ra's swears to Batman that their fight is not over.

On the plane, Dick flies them all home. Bruce is thinking about Damian. He says that Damian is now free to choose what life he wants to live, just as Tim and Dick have. Alfred brings them all some refreshments and reminds them that it is Christmas. They toast to "family."