Batman: Death And The Maiden # 9

Batman and Ra's al Ghul's estranged daughter Nyssa confront the Head of the Demon himself-- with Talia caught in the middle-- in the conclusion of this miniseries. Perhaps, in a way, this story had to be a let-down, especially after the lengthy build-up that proceeded it. There are some "major" developments with Talia and Ra's and Nyssa comes off as a convincingly warped character who is fully the equal, in her way to Batman's old foe. But it still all seems rushed at the end, just to set up Nyssa as a major new player in the DC universe. There is bitterness and even drama in this tale but the tone of grand tragedy that Rucka was reaching for is not achieved. Janson's art mirrors the story as well. It is very good in some spots but is merely adequate in other pages. Not quite the tour de force that many were hoping for, especially since this was suppose to be the ultimate Ra's al Ghul story.