Random Happenstance

I'm momentarily at a loss if I read this one before or not: it wasn't in crossover hell yet, so maybe, but...from 1992, Batman #482, "Vengeance of the Harpy" Written by Doug Moench, art by Jim Aparo.

This was the conclusion of a two-parter, setting up a new villainess for Batman, the Harpy; who was tied via Greek mythology to Maxie Zeus. Mid-issue, when Batman visits Maxie in Arkham, the retiring director of the asylum says "not that madness is contagious, but..." (Setting up later stuff, the director was being replaced by Jeremiah Arkham!) Maxie seemed to have passed madness to his girl Iris, who had costumed up for revenge on some of Maxie's gang, who were trying to unload some swag without their boss's permission--worse than that, if Maxie was Zeus incarnate! As Harpy, she seemed pretty effective, though: circus trained and kitted out with gadgets, including a glider. She does off the disobedient gangsters, but can't kill the "Bat-demon." Sadly, she hasn't been used since, probably because Maxie Zeus sucks.

Despite the Aparo art, this stretch was kind of a fallow period for Batman: it still had Norm Breyfogle's Batman and Robin in the corner box, but he wouldn't be back until #492, the first chapter of Knightfall; then #493 would be his last on the series until one more, #556! Read more!