Gothic, Part 1 of 5. The tale begins before there was a Batman, when Gotham City was terrorized by a brutal serial killer whose series of murders caused the police to turn up the heat in an effort to stop his bloody reign of terror. The heat was turned up so high that the city's criminals themselves took action against the madman to cool things down. By the time they were done, it was believed the killer was dead. But he wasn't. And now Mr. Whisper is back to take his violent, merciless revenge on the underworld that betrayed him. Who is Mr. Whisper...and what does he have to do with the strange dreams that are haunting Bruce Wayne's sleep? Written by Grant Morrison, with art and cover by Klaus Janson. Deluxe format. Cover price $1.50.