Batman #9

In "El Oscuro Mensajero de la Piedad," a mysterious force stirs beneath the shadow of Merlin’s tomb, drawing a clash between the Baron and a malevolent entity. Written by Len Wein and illustrated with stark precision by Steve Ditko, this 1979 tale unfolds as the battle is abruptly halted by Stavik and the villagers, leaving the Demonio with the Book of Eternity in his grasp. The cover by Jim Aparo captures the eerie tension, a 35 ESP comic that stands out in the series’ early years.