Batman #481 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of July, 1992.
Synopsis for "Messenger of Zeus"
Maxie Zeus's girlfriend Iris visits him in Arkham Asylum but becomes alarmed when he begins ranting about the Bat-Demon which he believes defeated him and which will be too powerful for his followers. He orders that a forthcoming operation be postponed as it is destined to fail without his own guidance.
Meanwhile Batman confronts Ace Pheeny, one of Maxie's followers, for information on what the gang is up to. All that Pheeny can tell him is an overheard phrase, "A box for the Batman". Elsewhere, the other members of Maxie's gang discuss the robbery, which involves a Greek funerary urn from 435 BC. They agree that Maxie wants it for sentimental reasons, because he believes he saw it more than two thousand years ago, but with him out of the picture they plan to sell it. However Iris accuses them of plotting behind Maxie's back and passes on his message to delay the operation until he is there to lead. The gang refuse and when one pushes her away she falls and strikes her head before wandering away in a daze. She runs into Dr. Shondra Kinsolving, who sees that she is injured and treats her head wound. Iris continues babbling about how the gang will suffer Maxie's wrath if they disobey him but as her head clears she declares that she is no longer a messenger of Zeus but his avenger. Batman is summoned to Arkham where the retiring Director plays him a tape of Iris's visit, in which Maxie refers to the job he wants postponed as 'the dust-bucket'.
In the Batcave, Batman tries to work out what this means. Tim arrives and tells him that his father looks set to buy the mansion next door, then gives him the clue to solve the puzzle. Batman rushes off to the Museum, where the urn is to be put on display the next day, When he gets there he finds Maxie's gang already there, but so is Iris, wearing a winged costume and calling herself the Harpy. She takes down some of Maxie's men and Batman deals with the others, but she identifies him as the Bat-Demon and attacks him. As they fight Maxie's men recover and escape with the urn, but the Harpy lets them go as she is more interested in destroying Batman.
Appearing in "Messenger of Zeus"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Commissioner Gordon
- Shondra Kinsolving (First appearance)
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Tim Drake
- Jack Drake
Antagonists:
- Maxie Zeus
- Harpy (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Maxie Zeus Gang
- Ace Pheeny
- Gonzo
- Rube
- Turk
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This is the first issue of Doug Moench's second run as writer on Batman.
- This story is reprinted in Batman: The Caped Crusader Vol. 6.
Trivia
- This is the first appearance of Dr. Shondra Kinsolving, who helps aid Batman back to full strength after "Knightfall".
- This is also the first appearance of the Harpy.