Batman: Tales of the Demon [Paperback]

Dennis O'Neil (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (February 23, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930289943
• ISBN-13: 978-0930289942
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.4 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A compilation of all the original Ra's al Ghul stories., June 29, 2004

By 

M. E. Volmar - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Batman: Tales of the Demon (Paperback)

This book is a beautiful, complete reprint of the original 1970's stories that shaped Ra's al Ghul and Batman's relationship.
It includes issues #232, 235, 240, 242, 243 and 244 of Batman Comics, Detective Comics #411, 485, 489 and 490, and DC Special Series Volume 2 #15.
Since they are collected in a single volume in the same format that they were originally printed and released (from non-sequential issues), when reading from cover to cover there are many gaps in the story line, some seemingly unresolved endings and a few abrupt beginnings. Remember, Ra's al Ghul's case was one Batman kept open between his usual obligations to Gotham.
Also noticeable is the fact that neither Batman nor Ra's al Ghul live up to their present-day personalities in these stories. But, it's fair to keep in mind that Adams and O'Neil's was the first attempt to return the Dark Knight to his dark, gothic origins and break the stride of his 1960's camp characterization. This they cleverly did by matching him against an antagonist that not only respected him and constantly tested his prowess and investigative abilities, but that also wanted to recruit him as his successor, making the Batman doubt his own morality.
This volume's value is mostly archival, collecting every appearance of Ra's al Ghul and containing the sources of other events in the life of the Caped Crusader like his marriage to Talia, Ra's's daughter, the death of the first Batgirl, and the origins of Matches Malone.
As a bonus, it also includes a delightful introduction by Sam Hamm, explaining the villain's creation, and an afterword by Dennis O'Neil, looking back at his involvement with Batman over the years.
Printed in great colors and illustrated in the traditional 1970's style, this is definitely an interesting look at the history of Batman and the first appearances of one of his most memorable nemesis.
Also recommended: Son of the Demon by Jerry Bingham and Mike W. Barr.
--Reviewed by M. E. Volmar

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Start of the Ra's Al Ghul Saga, April 16, 2005

By 

Savant11 "Savant11" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Batman: Tales of the Demon (Paperback)

This book collects the entire 70's run of stories involving Ra's Al Ghul (the demons head) and Batman. It was written mostly by Denny O'Neil and penciled by the Neal Adams, one of the most famous Batman artists ever.


It involves eco terrorist Ra's Al Ghul as he takes on Batman. Ra's has one daughter, Talia. Whom Ra's wants Batman to marry as he is the only man worthy of her, and whom Ra's wants to take over his operations after he dies.


Some view The Joker as Batman's greatest foe. But I say it is Ra's. He is Moriarty to Batman's Sherlock Holmes. And while there is an animus between both men. There is also a grudging respect. Almost like a father and son relationship.

Anyone familiar with the James Bond films, will notice a startling simlarity between this book and the movie "On Her Majesties Secret Service". I don't know whether it was intentional or not but it seemed that movie(or book) was heavily refrenced in this book.

The story is not that engaging, but I am not going to fault it for that because it was written back in the 70's. And writing styles have changed. However this book is a must for Batman fans and those who want to know how the Ra's Al Ghul saga started.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Calling all Ras Al Ghul fans, August 3, 2005

By 

Corum Seth Smith (Hendersonville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Batman: Tales of the Demon (Paperback)

"Tales of the Demon" highlights the issues of the comic in which the infamous villain, Ras Al Ghul, was introduced. Ras Al Ghul is one of the best Batman villains out there. He knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman, he is the leader of powerful assassin groups, and he can be revived from death or serious injury by using his "Lazarus Pit," implying that he may outlive Batman. However, Ras would actually like Batman to replace him and take his beautiful daughter Talia as his wife. So the relationship between the two is very complex.

Batman realizes that in terms of strategy, power, and longevity, Ras may be his greatest challenge. Threatening worldwide destruction, Ras is a villain whose scope of tyranny oustretches even the Joker's. Batman desperately seeks to bring Ras to justice. Not even his affection for Talia can deter him from this single goal.

The stories depict two men who conceive justice in extremely different ways. This book chronicles the personal war that wages on between two men who are strikingly similar and yet worlds apart. If you want to read the history of one of the greatest Batman villains, this is for you.