Remembering Norm Breyfogle: 5 Iconic Batman Moments

5. The Last Arkham

Batman: Shadows of the Bat, a new ongoing book by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle, debuted in 1992. Their first story, The Last Arkham, was a psychological thriller that started off with the most shocking sight - the Dark Knight chained like a madman deep within the bowels of Arkham Asylum. There have been a series of gruesome murders, and no one, not even Batman, is above suspicion in this mystery.

The series established two new characters, Dr Jeremiah Arkham & Victor Zsasz. The creation of Dr. Arkham expanded the mythology of Arkham Asylum, as Jeremiah is the grandson of the original founder, who eventually went mad himself. The doctor wages a battle of the wills against the Dark Knight, standing in the way of Batman's true pursuit - Zsasz.

Most Batman villains, even the scary ones like the Joker, are at least a little quirky.

Not Victor Zsasz.

Whereas The Penguin and Riddler often represent criminal mental illness as almost quirky rascals, Zsasz is the cold harsh reality of the dangerously disturbed; no costume; no trick umbrellas or novelty fish that resemble him - he is a serial killer who carves himself a mark for each life he takes. The character has become iconic in the Batman mythos, and even appeared twice in live-action adaptations such as Batman Begins and the Gotham TV series.