Comic Title: Showcase Presents:Batman Vol. 5 TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2012
On Sale Date: December 14, 2011 Direct Market Date December 14, 2011
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Direct Market Date November 23, 2011
Source: Previews, #275

Cover Price: $19.99
Page Count: 512

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Secret of the Waiting Graves"
Pages: 16

Feature(s):
Batman (of Earth-1)

Writer: Dennis J. O'Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano

Reprinted From:
Detective Comics #395 (1970)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Teen Titans #25; next appearance in Batman #219)

Villain(s)

• Juan and Dolores Muerto (a pair of immortals; no further appearances)
• Several assassins (Manuel named; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Pedro Valdes (an agent of the Mexican government; no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Bruce Wayne attends a party in Mexico at the home of the reclusive Juan and Dolores Muerto. While touring the estate, he becomes Batman and saves the life of guest Pedro Valdes from a group of trained falcons. When Valdes is targeted again, Batman tracks down the assassins, but he is unable to capture them.

Batman then follows the Muertos as they lead Valdes to the ruins of a monastery. Inside they show him a bed of rare Sybil flowers. Legends states that the flowers grant immortality, but they also cause insanity. Valdes reveals himself as a government agent sent to arrest the Muertos who have been using the flowers.

The couple capture Valdes. When Batman tries to rescue him, he is lured into the field of flowers. He begins seeing hallucinations, allowing Juan Muerto to subdue him. The Muertos then send their falcons to kill both their captives. Batman escapes, rescues Valdes, then he burns the flowers.

Distraught over losing the flowers that allowed them to live more than 100 years, Dolores begins to run. Her husband tries to calm her knowing that extreme excitement cancels the effects of the flowers. His efforts fall short and both Muertos begin to rapidly age. Their bodies fail, and they fall into waiting graves.