Batman #319

Batman #319 brings the Gentleman Ghost back to Gotham in January 1980, and the cover by Joe Kubert and Dick Giordano makes an immediate impression — Batman is caught mid-action, surrounded by swirling flames, while the elegantly dressed, eerily white phantom stands calmly nearby as two onlookers watch from the shadows. The cover teaser asks point-blank, "Is he a ghost — or not? And will Batman live long enough to find out?", which is a genuinely fun hook for a story titled "Never Give Up the Ghost!" Inside, Len Wein scripts the adventure with art by Irv Novick, making this a polished collaboration from a strong creative team at DC.