After learning of Ra’s wickedness, Batman faked Bruce Wayne’s death in order to gather a small group of people to fight Ra’s. He recruited Dr. Harris Blaine, one of Ra’s own assassins and he tried to recruit the gangster Matches Malone, but instead he was forced to pose as him since Malone killed himself by accident. [112] With Blaine and Lo Ling, Batman traveled to Switzerland, where they struggled to locate Ra’s secret lair and after locating it, they learned that Ra’s was dead. [113]

However, before they could reach safety, Batman and the others were attacked by a crazed Ra’s al Ghul, who had been brought back to life with help from a Lazarus Pit. Batman was easily defeated and Ra’s escaped along with Talia, forcing the Dark Knight to track them down again in an effort to stop Ra’s once and for all. Batman tracked Ra’s to his secret base in the desert. There he was forced to fight Ra’s in a duel to the death and he almost lost the fight. Talia was responsible for saving Batman in the last minute and mustering all his strength, Batman finally captured Ra’s al Ghul and gave Talia a well-deserved kiss, after which he took Ra’s to the authorities. [114]

After having finished his business with Ra’s, Batman returned to Gotham, where he learned that someone was claiming that Bruce Wayne had been murdered. Batman had to step in to solve the mystery before he could fake Wayne’s sudden reappearance. [115] Shortly after this, Batman was faced by a crazed Ubu, who had been exposed to the Lazarus Pit during a big explosion as a result of his last encounter with Batman. Seeking revenge, Ubu travelled to Wayne Manor, where he destroyed a great part of the place and seriously injured Alfred, until Batman confronted him. In the struggle, Batman kicked Ubu with such strength, that caused him to fall into a splintered wood, ending his life. [116]

The Spook

Batman eventually confronted a criminal and escape artist known as The Spook, who used scare tactics and gimmicks to help the criminals of Gotham. At first, Batman was unable to capture the crook, but when he posed as a criminal in need of help, [117] he was able to infiltrate his gang. When he finally captured the criminal, Batman learned that Val Kaliban (the Spook’s real name) was a convicted criminal who was supposed to be dead years ago. [118] The Spook escaped and Batman captured him for good after learning how he managed to fool everyone into thinking he was dead. Batman made sure that The Spook couldn’t escape a second time. [119] or so it seemed.

A while later, Batman was once again attacked by the Spook, who managed to drug Batman, making SD installment loan him believe that he was dead, in order to kill him. Batman managed to overcome the odds and defeated the Spook once again. [120]

The Return of the Rogues Gallery

After years of inactivity, some of Batman’s greatest enemies started appearing, one at a time, and all of them with a new mindset in order to challenge the new and more ruthless methods of The Dark Knight.

Joker

The return of Batman’s greatest foes was heralded by the return of The Joker, who started a killing spree in Gotham and Batman was forced to save the Joker’s former henchmen from the madman’s murderous plans. Although he failed to save most of them and he almost fell victim to Joker’s trap, in the end Batman managed to capture the criminal. [121] Unfortunately, the Joker escaped and Batman was compelled to help the madman clear his name, as another criminal framed him for murder. Eventually, Batman learned it was all part of Joker’s scheme and he re-captured the crook. [122]