Will Gotham have to die before it can live again? Or will we hang on, weather the storm...and save ourselves, save our souls, save our city? 
Batman #558 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 1998.
Synopsis for "Dying City"
Batman is devastated as Gotham City and he seeks the aid of his most trusted friend Alfred Pennyworth to help him and give him strength. After a while, Bruce decides to find some peace somewhere in Gotham and Alfred stays at the manor to clean up the most he can.
The feeling of despair has also affected Commissioner Gordon who tells his wife Sarah his worries for the future of the city.
Vesper Fairchild is broadcasting her usual radio show and this time, she speaks about the current situation of every department, building and organization across Gotham City and how the situation only seems to worsen by each passing day. In the end she remarks that there is always hope and the people who can make the difference.
Batman finds himself at the Gotham Cemetery looking for peace and hope but what he finds are some grave looters. Batman stops them and then goes straight to visit Vesper after she has finished her show. Bruce shares with her a touching moment as he asks her to help him cope with the despair he is feeling.
At the closing of the night, Batman goes to talk to Commissioner Gordon and both of them seem to know that the situation will only get worse before it starts looking good. Gordon tells Batman that almost all the people who can afford it are leaving the city for good. Everyone seems to share the same feeling and thoughts: Gotham City is dead and gone.
Appearing in "Dying City"
Featured Characters:
- Batman (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth (Flashback and main story)
- James Gordon
- Vesper Fairchild
Antagonists:
- Random Looters
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Wayne Tower (Cover only)
- Batcave
- GCPD Headquarters
- KGC Radio Station
- Gotham Municipal Morgue
- Gotham City Fire Department
- Gotham Cemetery
Items:
Vehicles:
Trivia
- There is a reference to the Federal Emergency Management Agency also known as FEMA.
- This issue is reprinted in Batman: Road to No Man's Land Vol. 1 (Collected).
See Also
Links and References
  This issue is a part of the Cataclysm crossover that swept through all Batman Family Titles during 1998. Gotham City was almost completely destroyed by a massive earthquake. This story led into the events that would eventually create No Man's Land. Cataclysm
Detective Comics #719 • Shadow of the Bat #73 • Nightwing #19 • Batman #553 • Azrael #40 • Detective Comics #720 • Catwoman #56 • Robin #52 • Blackgate: Isle of Men #1 • Shadow of the Bat #74 • Batman Chronicles #12 • Nightwing #20 • Batman #554 • Huntress/Spoiler #1 • Detective Comics #721 • Catwoman #57 • Arkham Asylum: Tales of Madness #1 • Robin #53 Aftershock
Shadow of the Bat #75 • Batman #555 • Detective Comics #722 • Shadow of the Bat #76 • Robin #54 • Batman #556 • Shadow of the Bat #77 • Batman #557 • Detective Comics #724 • Shadow of the Bat #78 • Shadow of the Bat #79 • Batman Chronicles #14 • Batman #558 • Batman #559 • Detective Comics #725 • Detective Comics #726 |
