There's no love lost between me and death. Death is the enemy--and I hate it. 
- — Batman
Batman #531 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of June, 1996.
Synopsis for "Cult of the Mummy"
Killeen continues exploiting the Incas to do as he tells them to and threatens their lives if they disobey. Bruce Wayne asks Alfred to arrange an alibi for the travel he had in mind. Wayne is ready and set to go to Peru in search of those responsible for the Inca related crimes in Gotham City. While Alfred takes Bruce to the private plane, Bruce discusses some "ghosts" theories with Alfred. When they arrive at the plane, Deadman is already inside waiting for them using the deceased body he possessed previously.
Killeen plans to kill all the Incas once they have surrendered all their relics. Batman and Deadman arrive in Peru but they land in the middle of a forest. They follow a shrill sound that leads them to an old priest named Chimu. The old man is intrigued by the mysterious couple; a man dressed as a "demon" and a dead man. Batman tells Chimu that they are looking for the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu but they need a guide. Chimu offers to guide them and he takes them both to the ruins. Once they reach the ruins, Batman checks the map on the dead man's back and knows where they need to go. They bid farewell to Chimu and the old man gives Batman the bone flute he was using to create the shrilling sound. Chimu tells Batman that the sound of the flute is only heard by the bats. In return Batman gives him one of his batarangs.
Batman and Deadman continue their way through the forest when they run into some of the Inca's treasure looters. They engaged in combat and manage to knock out the looters. The rest of the gang is near and quickly goes to see what happened. Batman and Deadman cross a chasm and lose their pursuers. Batman know they are near the hidden Inca city and Deadman is sure there is some entity waiting for them there.
Appearing in "Cult of the Mummy"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Deadman (Flashback and main story)
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Chimu (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Jackson Killeen
- Turke
- Shank
- Deke
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Peru
- Machu Picchu
Items:
Vehicles:
- Bruce Wayne's Private Plane
Notes
- This is the second part of the three part story labeled as The Deadman Connection.
- The events of this issue takes place between Batman #530 and Batman #532.
- As the previous issue; this issue features a special edtition cover that glows in the dark.
- This issue is reprinted in Batman by Doug Moench & Kelley Jones Volume 1 and in Batman: Contagion.
Trivia
- This issue makes reference to some scientific explanation to paranormal activity such as the Nonlocality and Quantum nonlocality theories.
- There is also a reference to the Eschatology; the study of the theories of the end fo life.
- This issue have a full page of dialogue with just two drawn figures in the edges of the page. The dialogue is a conversation between Batman and Chimu.
See Also