Batman by Brian K. Vaughan #[nn]

In "Close Before Striking, Chapter One," Batman—using the alias Matches Malone—disrupts a gun-running operation tied to the Ventriloquist, setting off a deadly chain reaction. When a contract is placed on "Matches" after a hit in a Gotham bar, Oracle reaches out to the Batcave, stunned to find Batman himself there, raising urgent questions about who’s really pulling the strings. Written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Scott McDaniel, with inks by Karl Story, colors by Roberta Tewes and Wildstorm FX, and letters by John Costanza, the issue’s cover by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens captures the tension of a city on edge.