Batman Grendel #2 1996

In Batman/Grendel #2, titled "Devil's Masque" and published by DC in 1996, Grendel's malevolent plan intensifies against Batman. Hunter Rose, in his Grendel persona, slaughters Gotham police officers and kidnaps a child, all while using the Riddler's identity as a deceptive smokescreen. Batman is not easily fooled, leading to a chilling confrontation that concludes this initial crossover storyline. This issue is notable for continuing the groundbreaking first major crossover between a DC Comics hero and an independent, creator-owned character, highlighting the dark parallels between the two protagonists.