Critically acclaimed, award-winning writer Brian K. Vaughan's (SAGA, EX MACHINA, Y: THE LAST MAN) work on the Dark Knight is now collected here in its entirety in BATMAN BY BRIAN K. VAUGHAN.In the first of these tales of the DCU, Bruce Wayne adopts the guise of Matches Malone--the seedy identity he uses to infiltrate the Gotham underworld. But when Matches is shot, it's up to Batman to determine what really happened...and how Scarface is involved! Plus, in other stories, Batman takes on the Mad Hatter, and Wonder Woman and Donna Troy square off against Clayface! This new graphic novel edition collects BATMAN #588-590, DETECTIVE COMICS #787, WONDER WOMAN #160-161 and BATMAN: GOTHAM CITY SECRET FILES #1!

The children of U.S. small-town Alexandria are just trying to live like normal teens until their parents' promised return from a mysterious, four-year religious pilgrimage, and Ben Schiller is no exception. She's just trying to take care of her sister, keep faith that her parents will come back, and get through her teen years as painlessly as possible. But her relationship with her best friend is changing, her younger sister is hiding a dark secret, and a terrible tragedy is coming for them all. Filled with teenage loves and fights and parties, Sacred Heart is a wonderful coming-of-age graphic novel set against the threat of a big reckoning that everyone fears is coming but has no proof.

The annuals then took a break again until 2002, when the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movie came out, again raising public interest in the character. Since then there has been a Spider-Man Annual each year, published by Marvel's current UK license holder, Panini; the 2007 annual (cover dated 2008) was renamed as Spider-Man 3 Annual, to tie in with the third Maguire movie's release, but the name reverted back a year later.

The origins of Kraven finally revealed! J.M. Dematteis continues to spin new webs within the past, this time partnered with artist Eder Messias! Revealing secrets and answering mysteries Spidey fans have been waiting for — prepare to explore the depths of what made Kraven the Hunter the powerhouse villain he was! As Peter Parker and Mary Jane prepare for their new lives in Portland, a man from Kraven’s past stalks them. Who is this mystery man, and what does he want with Spider-Man? Find out when we return to the time period after Spider-Man: The Final Adventure when Peter Parker was powerless!

ost (if not all) of Batman's biggest foes were free due to Bane's destruction of Arkham Asylum. The first of the criminals to attack, the Mad Hatter, was taken down by Batman and Robin at a tea party. Bane killed Film Freak. Amygdala was next for Batman. He then took down Zsasz at an all girl's school. Robin was captured by Bane, but Killer Croc attacked them both in the sewers. Robin escaped, and Bruce got a little rest. Batman saved Gordon from Cornelius Stirk (controlled by the Joker). Scarecrow and Joker attacked Mayor Kroll. Robin got a tip on Firefly, and Batman went for him (but he escaped for the second time). Bruce Wayne, though faking the trance, along with all the other guests at a charity event are taken by Poison Ivy. Bane realized that Batman is Bruce Wayne. Jean-Paul went out solo. The police began a wild-goose-chase to locate the kidnapped mayor. Batman and Firefly went at it again, this time Batman the victor; the Riddler took over a live tv show, which was foiled by Robin. Scarecrow and Joker began bombing an under-river tunnel. Batman saved Mayor Kroll, but the tunnel gave way to the river. He was ambushed by Bane's three partners, and defeated them all. Upon arriving at Wayne Manor, Bruce found Alfred passed out on the floor and Bane standing above him. After putting up a weak defense, Bane simply lifted Batman above him and brought him down on his knee - breaking him.