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Batman: False Faces #[nn]
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeBatman: False Faces collects a trio of standalone Batman stories from the late 2000s, each exploring themes of identity and deception through encounters with classic rogues like the Joker, Poison Ivy, and the Scarecrow. Written and illustrated by Brian Bolland, the volume showcases his meticulous, detailed art style across these psychological tales. Originally published as a series of one-shots, this collection presents a cohesive look at Bolland's take on the Dark Knight's world.
In "Close Before Striking, Chapter One," Batman operates under the alias Matches Malone to dismantle Ventriloquist’s gun-running ring, but when a hit is placed on the persona, Oracle reaches out from the cave—surprised to find Batman there, since Matches was just shot in a Gotham bar. Written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Scott McDaniel, with inks by Karl Story, colors by Roberta Tewes, and letters by John Costanza, this issue blends espionage and identity with a tense, grounded mystery. The cover by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens captures the shadowed intensity of the mission.
In "Close Before Striking, Chapter One," Batman, operating under the alias Matches Malone, dismantles a gun-running ring tied to the Ventriloquist, only to find himself the target after a hit is placed on his cover. When Oracle reaches the Batcave, her surprise at finding Batman there—just hours after "Matches" was shot in a Gotham bar—hints at a deeper game unfolding beneath the surface.
In "Close Before Striking, Chapter Two," Batman dons the identity of the deceased arsonist Matches, using the man's stolen persona to infiltrate a dangerous underworld game. With the bar's dying breath, Matches hands Batman a new mask—and a mission to settle a score with the Ventriloquist.
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Reprints
↩ Reprints Batman: Gotham City Secret Files #1 (2000), Wonder Woman #160 (2000), Wonder Woman #161 (2000), Batman #588 (2001), Batman #589 (2001), Batman #590 (2001), Detective Comics #787 (2003)
Reprinted in Batman: False Faces #[nn] (2009), Batman by Brian K. Vaughan #[nn] (2017)
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