The Return of Ra’s al Ghul
Eventually, Batman was confronted by Ra’s, who drugged and kidnapped him in order to force him to marry his daughter Talia. By the time Batman was locked in a private room with Talia to consummate the marriage, Batman escaped and learned of Ra’s nefarious plan of stealing diamonds from Gotham while taking down most of the city. [241]
Later, Batman came in conflict with the League of Assassins after they killed Kathy Kane. He confronted their leader, the Sensei, but he was forced to fight the Bronze Tiger instead. Although Batman managed to capture Kathy’s killers, Sensei and Tiger escaped. [242] After stopping another murder by the Sensei, [243] Batman worked together with Ra’s to stop the League from retrieving a powerful formula that would help them become invincible. [244] Batman then interrogated Bronze Tiger about the murder of Kathy Kane, but couldn’t get a solid answer. Like this, Batman went looking for the Sensei in order to stop the source of the problem. [245] After learning of the Sensei’s plans, Batman saved many captives of the League, but when he had cornered Sensei, Ra’s al Ghul stopped him from capturing the Sensei. Ghul poisoned Batman in order to incapacitate him and challenge the Sensei without assistance. Batman was taken away by Talia and when he recovered, he their site learned that Ra’s and the Sensei had apparently perished in their confrontation. [246]
After the last encounter with Ra’s, Talia approached Bruce and asked to be allowed to stay with him since she had nowhere else to go. [192] Bruce, who was sorely in need of affection after his breakup with Selina, allowed Talia to stay, which in turn caused Robin to leave. [247] Batman and Talia soon started a relationship and they also worked together to find a mysterious enemy who wanted to ruin Bruce Wayne. They travelled around the world and Talia often assisted Batman on his quests. During their investigation in Hong Kong, Bruce fell for a trap [248] and he was taken to Infinity Island, a utopic place ruled by Ra’s al Ghul, who had survived his encounter with Sensei. [249] Batman was once again invited to join Ra’s, but when he refused, a new confrontation started near a Lazarus Pit. In order to save himself, Batman tossed Ra’s into the pit, allowing the demon to arise crazed and stronger than before. The battle ended when Ra’s fell into the pit a second time, activating the volcanoes of Infinity Island and destroying the entire place. Batman saved himself thanks to Talia’s efforts and they departed from the former island assuming Ra’s death. [250]
A New Beginning
After Vicki Vale returned to Bruce Wayne’s life, Batman stopped a villain called Mirage, but the ordeal made him realize the harsh truth that he could no longer keep both lives as Bruce Wayne and Batman. For this reason, Bruce resigned to his position as CEO of Wayne Enterprises and gave that role to his personal assistant and financial advisor, Lucius Fox. [251] Soon after this decision was made, Bruce saw no more reason to remain living at the Wayne Foundation Penthouse [252] and he moved back to Wayne Manor, which also meant the return to the original Batcave. [167]
With more time for his Batman activities, Batman’s first adversary was a powerful vampire only known as The Monk. [253] It was during this confrontation that Batman was turned into a vampire. [254] Seeking to free himself from the curse, Batman confronted the Monk [255] and with help from a priest, he freed himself and Robin from the curse of the vampire.