Comic Title: Batman #430
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: February 1989
On Sale Date: December 20, 1988 Shipping Date December 20, 1988
Source: Direct Currents, #11

Shipping Date December 22, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #155

Direct Market Date December 22, 1988
Source: Comic Shop News, #75, #76

Copyright Date December 20, 1988
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1988

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: (Fatal Wish)
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Batman (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Jim Starlin
Penciller: Jim Aparo
Inker: Mike DeCarlo
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Reprinted In:
Batman:The Caped Crusader Vol. 1 TPB (2018)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in New Titans #55; next appearance in Power of the Atom #9)

Supporting Character(s)

• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Detective Comics #597; next appearance in Detective Comics #598)

Villain(s)

• Tim Conrad (a sniper; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Thomas Wayne (in flashback; last appearance in Secret Origins #39; next appearance in Batman #404)
• Martha Wayne (in flashback; last appearance in Secret Origins #39; next appearance in Batman #404)
• Conrad's victims (five die in this story; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Bruce Wayne (just prior to the death of his parents; last appearance in Legends of the Dark Knight #9; next appearance in Batman #404)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Joe Chill (in flashback to the murder of the Waynes)

Comments:
This story was not titled. The title presented here has been taken from this issue's cover.

Synopsis:
After Tim Conrad is fired from a Gotham City banking firm, he takes a rifle onto the roof and begins shooting people in the street. Batman distracts the sniper while the police rescue a wounded victim. Batman then heads for the roof to confront the sniper.

During the ensuing fight, a phrase spoken by Conrad triggers a memory from his past. He recalls wanted some attention from his father. However, Thomas Wayne was upset over some failed investments. In his anger, Thomas struck young Bruce. Bruce then tells his mother that he wishes his father was dead.

After the investment issue is settled. Thomas reconciles with Bruce. To make up for the incident, Thomas takes his family to see the movie Zorro. On the way home, Thomas and Martha are murdered.

Back in the present, Batman concludes his fight with Conrad. The gunman steps close to the edge of the roof and is shot to death by a police sniper. Batman tries to save the man, despite his crimes, but ultimately fails. He then thinks back to his father and wants to take back what he said about wishing he was dead.