Batman #426

Published by DC Comics in 1988, Batman #426 marks the beginning of the seminal 'A Death in the Family' story arc, written by Jim Starlin with art by Jim Aparo. This issue was conceived as a pivotal moment in the Batman mythos, famously allowing readers to vote via a 900-number telephone poll on whether the second Robin, Jason Todd, would survive his encounter with the Joker. The storyline was intended to address the growing fan unpopularity of the character, leading to a narrative shift that would have permanent, long-lasting consequences for Batman's psychology.

The creative direction sought to ground the Batman universe in a more gritty, lethal reality, moving away from the more lighthearted adventures of the earlier Silver Age. Jim Aparo’s illustrations provided the dark, cinematic atmosphere required for the high-stakes confrontation between the Dark Knight and his archnemesis. While controversial at the time, the issue is widely regarded by collectors and critics as a milestone in comic book history for its unprecedented engagement with the readership and its willingness to kill off a primary protagonist to advance the emotional development of the caped crusader.