Like cowards, you hid murder behinds masks! And so it is time to face the wrath behind my mask! 
- — Spectre (Jim Corrigan)
Batman #541 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of April, 1997.
Synopsis for "The Spectre of Vengeance Part 2 Mask of Guilt"
Spectre was in Hell with Tony Sparks' soul. He asked the damned soul to repeat the name of his killers. Sparks once again said Batman and the three masked men who shot him. Spectre abandoned Sparks' body and returned to earth, in order to reach the murderers and deliver his vengeance.
Later at daylight, Bruce Wayne went to Wayne Tower to perform his role as WayneCorp owner. He caused a bit of an uproar as most of the employees have never seen him in person. Lucius Fox showed Bruce the way to his own office and Bruce then spent some time reading quarterly reports.
In Blackgate Penitentiary, Damon Shugrue arranges the hiding plan for the three false facers who killed Tony Sparks. He said that they would be hiding in a place called Dark Side of the Moon and would be protected by other gang members, to ensure his alibi.
Bruce was completely bored at his office when, at lunchtime, Vesper Fairchild arrived. They went out to lunch on their second date. Bruce was impressed with Vesper's wit and acted almost clumsy when she was around. They started to think of a serious relation.
At night, Spectre enters into the batcave and tells Batman about the dead man's accusations. Batman explained the whole story to Spectre and they realized that the Black Mask gang was behind it all. Both of them set out to find answers. Batman reached Shugrue but the thug wouldn't speak about it. Spectre came in and frightened Shugrue so bad that he revealed every detail of the plot. Batman and Spectre knew where to go to find the killers.
Batman arrived to the hideout but he knew that Spectre must already be inside. Batman entered the place and he fought his way in through the False Facers who were protecting the three killers in a contiguous room. Spectre appeared inside the room and started to kill all three of the killers. Batman heard a scream and entered the room just to know that it was already too late. Spectre had killed the three gunmen. Batman confronted Spectre about his methods and Spectre replied about his duty. Both of them reached an agreement that each one must remain true to themselves. Before Spectre left the place, Batman asked him if there was a heaven and Spectre answered ambiguously. Batman wanted to know about his parents and if they made it to heaven.
After Spectre left, Batman called Commissioner Gordon to tell him about the murders of the Black Mask gang members. Spectre visited Sparks in hell and damned him to an eternity of suffering along with his murderers.
Appearing in "The Spectre of Vengeance Part 2 Mask of Guilt"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- False Face Society
- Damon Shugrue
- Rickman (Dies)
- Strain (Dies)
- Walsh (Dies)
- Tony "Sparks" Weal (As a spirit)
Other Characters:
- Mortimer Gunt
- Ms. Newcombe
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Wayne Manor
- Blackgate Prison
- Dark Side of The Moon
- GCPD Headquarters
- Gotham Morgue
- Wayne Tower
- Polo Club
- Hell
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This is the second and last part of the storyline labeled as The Spectre of Vengeance; featuring Spectre and Batman.
- The story continues the events of Batman #540.
Trivia
- There is a mention to Shondra Kinsolving; as a reference to Bruce's past romantic experiences.
- Bruce is seeing playing with Berol pencils while he is bored at his office.
See Also