Batman: Dark Knight of the Round Table # 1 1998 NM

Batman: Dark Knight of the Round Table #1 (Book One), published by DC Comics in October 1998, is the premiere issue of a two-part Prestige Format miniseries. Released under DC's Elseworlds imprint—which places classic heroes into alternate realities or timelines—this story reimagines the Batman mythos completely integrated into Arthurian legend. 

The book was written and co-illustrated by Bob Layton, with interior pencils by Dick Giordano and iconic cover art by José Luis García-López. 

The Plot: Reimagining Camelot

• The Exiled House of Waynesmoor: The story is set in a mythical ancient England. Because of the dark, apocalyptic prophecies spun by the sorceress Morgana Le Fay, King Arthur grows paranoid and banishes the noble House of Waynesmoor.
• The Rise of Bruce: During the political unrest caused by Arthur's policies, a young Bruce of Waynesmoor is tragically orphaned. He grows up harboring a fierce, deep-seated hatred for King Arthur, yet he still retains an absolute love for England itself. 
• Merlin’s Intervention: Bruce is taken under the wing of the legendary wizard Merlin, who uses his sorceries and ancient wisdom to train the young man into a peak tactical and physical warrior.
• The Chosen Knight: As Morgana Le Fay and her twisted, treacherous son Modred wage an all-out war to overthrow Camelot, the sorceress realizes that her ultimate destruction is fated to come at the hands of the young Bruce. Driven by vengeance and a desire to save his country, Bruce dons armor inspired by a bat, officially stepping onto the battlefield as the Knight of the Bat. 

Collector Information

Because this was a Prestige Format book rather than a standard monthly issue, it features heavy cardstock gloss covers and no advertisements.