Cover: Mike Mignola

Batman #427

Dec 1988 · DC · 1.50 USD; 2.00 CAD; 0.60 GBP

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“A Death in the Family, Chapter 3 & 4”

In "A Death in the Family, Chapter 3 & 4," Jason confronts the truth about his past when he finally meets his real mother, Sheila Haywood—only to discover her loyalty lies with the Joker. As the two are trapped in a warehouse rigged with explosives, the Joker leaves Jason and Sheila to face a deadly end, and Batman watches in helpless horror as the building explodes. Written by Jim Starlin and brought to life by Jim Aparo’s powerful art, with Mike DeCarlo’s inks and Adrienne Roy’s colors, this pivotal issue is a masterclass in tension and tragedy, with Mike Mignola’s cover capturing the moment’s grim weight.

writer Jim Starlin · artist Jim Aparo · inker Mike DeCarlo · colorist Adrienne Roy · letterer John Costanza · cover Mike Mignola

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Cast · 8 characters

Alfred Pennyworth Batman Dr. Sheila Haywood Jason Todd Joker Lady Shiva Robin Sandra Woosan

Full credits

writer Jim Starlin

artist Jim Aparo

inker Mike DeCarlo

colorist Adrienne Roy

letterer John Costanza

cover pencils, inks Mike Mignola

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers

Jason meets his real mother, Sheila Haywood, but she turns out to be working for the Joker and allows her son to fall into his deadly hands inside a warehouse. Joker beats Robin with a crowbar and leaves him for dead as a badly beaten Robin attempts to save his mom and himself from the dynamite left behind by the Joker as he leaves them both to a horrible fate. Batman watches in horror as the warehouse containing Jason and Sheila blows up, too late to stop the Joker.

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).