"The story that truly defines the years of Batman's life. New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN) joins a murderer's row of superstar artists in lending his unique touch to the Batman mythos! Spotlighting the story Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?, from BATMAN #686 and DETECTIVE COMICS #853, in which Gaiman joins artist Andy Kubert and inker Scott Williams for a story that shines a new light on the Batman mythos, this title also collects stories from SECRET ORIGINS #36, SECRET ORIGINS SPECIAL #1 and BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE #2."--Provided by publisher.

In this collection of wonderful stories, which range between fantasy, humour, science fiction and a sprinkling of horror, the reader will relish the range and skill of Neil Gaiman's writing. Be prepared to laugh at the detective story about Humpty Dumpty's demise, spooked by the sinister jack-in -the-box who haunts the lives of the children who own it, and intrigued by the boy who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard in this collection of bite-sized narrative pleasures.

"When several children go missing in a small English hamlet, the Dead Boy Detectives are on the case. A series of strange and unexpected twists take them to Free Country, a place that dates back a millennia, where children never grow old and are free from the abuse and tyranny of adults. But Free Country is failing and what it needs is the strength of five innately powerful children--one of whom is sorcerer Timothy Hunter--to restore their uncanny world to what it once was. This complete edition features Neil Gaiman's original THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE #1, with artists Chris Bachalo and Mike Barreiro, along with THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE #2 with writers Alisa Kwitney and Jamie Delano and artist Peter Snejbjerg. A brand-new middle act, written by DEAD BOY DETECTIVES writer Toby Litt, and drawn by THE BOOKS OF MAGIC artist extraodinaire Peter Gross, fully completes this compelling tale of ancient history, stolen dreams and lost children, in a way Neil Gaiman originally envisioned. Also featuring an introduction by Gaiman, and exquisite new cover art by DEAD BOY DETECTIVES artist Mark Buckingham."--Page [4] of cover.