Batman: Shadow of the Bat #21

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #21, released in December 1993, serves as the second chapter of the Knightquest: The Crusade storyline. Published during a pivotal era for DC Comics, this issue was part of the expansive Knightfall saga, which saw Bruce Wayne replaced as Batman by the brutal Jean-Paul Valley. The narrative focuses on Valley's increasingly violent and detached approach to crime-fighting, marking a significant departure from the established characterization of the hero.

The issue features cover art and interior pencils by Brett Breeding, working within the editorial mandate of the mid-1990s where darker, more aggressive storytelling became the industry standard. Doug Moench wrote the script, emphasizing the psychological toll of Valley's transformation. At the time of its release, the issue was received as a functional installment in a sprawling crossover event, appreciated by readers for its contribution to the serialized deconstruction of the Batman mythos during the decade's grim-and-gritty creative shift.