Batman Special Vol 1 1

"Player on the Other Side": The Wrath was a member of Batman's rogues gallery, where he served as a sort of anti-Batman. The Wrath's appearance and motivation are reminiscent of Batman's, but with notable differences. The Wrath (like Batman) is

"Player on the Other Side"
Cover
Batman Special
June, 1984
Executive Editor	Dick Giordano
Cover Artists	Michael Golden
Player on the Other Side
Writers	Mike W. Barr
Pencilers	Michael Golden
Inkers	Mike DeCarlo
Letterers	Todd Klein
Editors	Dick Giordano Len Wein

That's the difference between us, Batman. You try not to kill, but me... I've made a career out of it.

— Wrath

Batman Special #1 is a one-shot with a cover date of June, 1984.

Synopsis for "Player on the Other Side"

The Wrath was a member of Batman's rogues gallery, where he served as a sort of anti-Batman. The Wrath's appearance and motivation are reminiscent of Batman's, but with notable differences. The Wrath (like Batman) is distinguished by perfectionism and obsession in what he does. His costume is also very similar to Batman's (though colored in crimson and purple with a W-insignia on the chest and cowl).

The Wrath's parents were a couple of burglars, similar to Joe Chill. They were shot by a young policeman who mistook them for committing a robbery (in actuality, they were crawling out of a window to "skip out" on paying their rent). Due to this, the Wrath dedicated his life to a campaign of revenge against law and law-enforcers. As he had grew up, the burglars' son became a professional assassin. For years, he traveled the world to work as a gun for hire.

When the Wrath finally returns to Gotham City, he comes to kill the man who had shot his parents. The Wrath's target turns out to be James Gordon, commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department and an ally of Batman. Thus, a clash with Batman becomes inevitable. In the course of their impersonal battle of wits, the Wrath learns of Batman's secret identity as Bruce Wayne and proceeds to attack several of his friends; Alfred Pennyworth is hospitalized, and Leslie Thompkins is taken hostage by the Wrath.

In the end, the Wrath dies during his showdown with Batman, having fallen from the roof of a building in Park Row. This happened after he was caught in a fire set earlier by the Wrath himself.

Appearing in "Player on the Other Side"

Featured Characters:

• Template:Apn

Supporting Characters:

• Alfred Pennyworth
• Commissioner Gordon
• Leslie Thompkins

Villains:

• The Wrath (Single appearance; dies)

Other Characters:

• Arthur Childress
• Councilman Tewes
• Grayle Hudson

Locations:

• Gotham City

• Batcave
• Crime Alley
• Gotham City Police Headquarters

Items:

• 
  

Vehicles:

• 
  
  

Notes

• This story is reprinted in Best of DC #62, Batman: The Wrath and Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years.

Recommended Reading

• Batman Recommended Reading
  • Batman (Volume 1)
  • Batman (Volume 2)
  • Batman (Volume 3)
  • Batman and Robin (Volume 1)
  • Batman and Robin (Volume 2)
  • Batman and Robin (Volume 3)
  • Batman Confidential (Volume 1)
  • Batman: Gotham Knights (Volume 1)
  • Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (Volume 1)
  • Batman: Shadow of the Bat (Volume 1)
  • Batman: Streets of Gotham (Volume 1)
  • Batman Incorporated (Volume 1)
  • Batman Incorporated (Volume 2)
  • Batman/Superman (Volume 1)
  • Batman/Superman (Volume 2)
  • Batman/Superman: World's Finest (Volume 1)
  • Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 1)
  • Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 2)
  • The Brave and the Bold (Volume 1)
  • Detective Comics (Volume 1)
  • Detective Comics (Volume 2)
  • Superman/Batman (Volume 1)
  • World's Finest (Volume 1)

Links and References

Template:Batman Links