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Batman
Batman: Scottish Connection
Visiting Scotland, Bruce Wayne learns of an ancient curse that will imperil innocent people. When he investigates as Batman, he discovers a centuries-old evil, one that may very easily cost him his life.
64 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 1998
116 people want to read
About the author
Alan Grant
1,712 books144 followersAlan Grant was a Scottish comic book writer known for writing Judge Dredd in 2000 AD as well as various Batman titles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is also the creator of the character Anarky.
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 4, 2016
From the moment I found out about this book I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. For a Scottish Batman fan the draw was just too great. I did however expect to be cringing a lot. I had images of a kilted Batman chasing wild haggis through the heather and all those other Scottish stereotypes that we seem happy to play up to the rest of the world. I'm glad to say that wasn't the case here. That's not to say there wasn't a bit of that but it was handled in an enjoyable way.
I was not really expecting much from the story but Was pleasantly surprised, even if Edinburgh does pretty much get destroyed!
Bruce Wayne is in Scotland to witness an ancestors heart is being returned to its recently discovered grave. While there he discovers a plot so avenge a family forced from their land during the highland clearance. The plot involves Rossyln Chapel, the Knights Tempar, an ancient parchment that reveals a way of turning any man into Azrael and plenty history and mythology. Batman even passes the Broons in a camper van (I'm not sure anyone outside of Scotland will get that reference, I've gone all Grant Morrison).
All in all the story was a lot better than I expected. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I got to read it in my own accent. Definitely worth a read.
I was not really expecting much from the story but Was pleasantly surprised, even if Edinburgh does pretty much get destroyed!
Bruce Wayne is in Scotland to witness an ancestors heart is being returned to its recently discovered grave. While there he discovers a plot so avenge a family forced from their land during the highland clearance. The plot involves Rossyln Chapel, the Knights Tempar, an ancient parchment that reveals a way of turning any man into Azrael and plenty history and mythology. Batman even passes the Broons in a camper van (I'm not sure anyone outside of Scotland will get that reference, I've gone all Grant Morrison).
All in all the story was a lot better than I expected. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I got to read it in my own accent. Definitely worth a read.
January 28, 2014
I have a soft spot for this one. I picked it up the day after my father died, and on the very last page, Alfred recites a very obscure quote by Robert Burns that Dad used to use...that I've never heard anywhere else before or since.
June 30, 2021
No está mal, pero es más una curiosidad que una historieta con recorrido como fue aquella visita a Escocia de Spiderman en Espíritus de la Tierra. En 2000AD habría sido un miniserial de tres historietas de 8 páginas.
January 10, 2016
This 1998 story is pretty much middle-of-the-road, with the flimsiest pretext to bring Bruce Wayne - and wouldn't you it, Batman too - to Scotland for a change of scenery and some mystery-solving, crime-stopping, people-saving adventures. The real draw here is the early Frank Quitely art, which pre-dates his work on JLA: Earth 2.
This story is included in Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Frank Quitely, a great compilation that fans of the artist should not miss!
This story is included in Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Frank Quitely, a great compilation that fans of the artist should not miss!
April 7, 2018
I picked this up out of a dollar box at a con some time ago, and that was a good decision. Nice story by Alan Grant with great art by Frank Quitely. Grant's story gives Quitely the opportunity to draw a lot of really great Scottish scenes, in places like Edinburgh Castle and Rosslyn Chapel.
It's fun to read a story like this from 1998 in 2018, and see how things have changed over the last twenty years. The book credits two people as "computer colorists." Remember when coloring a book on a computer was unusual enough that you'd credit the colorist as a "computer colorist" instead of just a "colorist"? And, while the storytelling style is relatively modern, there are still a few oddball bits that remind you of how comics used to be written, like having Batman yell out "Knock-Out Gas!" or "Phosphor Flare!" whenever he uses something from his utility belt. And it's nice to see the old costume with the yellow oval too.
It's fun to read a story like this from 1998 in 2018, and see how things have changed over the last twenty years. The book credits two people as "computer colorists." Remember when coloring a book on a computer was unusual enough that you'd credit the colorist as a "computer colorist" instead of just a "colorist"? And, while the storytelling style is relatively modern, there are still a few oddball bits that remind you of how comics used to be written, like having Batman yell out "Knock-Out Gas!" or "Phosphor Flare!" whenever he uses something from his utility belt. And it's nice to see the old costume with the yellow oval too.
December 17, 2020
Batman in Scotland? Why not? Batman doesn't have to be defined by Gotham City. He can get out every once in a while in a ludicrous story. The star of this show is the art by Frank Quitely, before he got so big with Morrison stuff that it seemed like a crime that he wasn't putting out anything regularly, but he did this whole book and it's only because of an odd story that he didn't make a name on it alone. But you could see that he was going to do some great stuff. Alan Grant's writing has always been a more obtuse than intense but here it gives substance to what Quitely draws. And car-chase scenes probably shouldn't work in a comic book but the one in this does it as well as it could be done.
January 6, 2013
Leído dentro del tomo de Batman: Biblioteca Clarín de la historieta que salió hace como 9 años. El guion me pareció entretenido pero que palidecía frente al dibujo. Ahora entiendo por qué: el dibujo era de Quitely. Si no me equivoco, en esta época todavía dibujaba mujeres horribles, pero como creo que ni había mujeres en este tomo, su labor resultaba más que digna. No sé si llegará esta edición española a mis manos o si lo terminaré releyendo en el compacto tomito de Clarín, pero lo que es seguro es que cuando lo relea, seguro rerreseñe.
June 8, 2019
All that was missing was Alfred singing 'Donald where's your troosers?'
March 1, 2025
Alan Grant was a comic book writer who hailed originally from Scotland, so I guess it makes sense he would be the one to write a Batman story set in Scotland. Mind you this is not the first time that Batman has been involved in a case set in the UK. Probably hasn't been the last either. Not exactly sure where this story fits in Batman's chronology but it doesn't really matter. We do also learn a bit more about Bruce's ancestors. One was a French knight who fought for a king of Scotland. He also mentions that a grandmother was descended from the clam MacDubh. Interestingly that clan will play an important part in this story. As it turns out this is a story that turns on revenge for a wrong done to a group of people several centuries ago. The story of what happened is told by a young lady who is descended from those who were wronged. Though while she hopes to keep the vengeance from happening there is another who seeks to perpetrate it. Meanwhile Batman has figured out what is going on from various clues dropped and also is trying to stop what is to amount to mass murder should the villain's plot be sucessful. In this Batman utilizes the aid of Alfred, who is travelling with him, and Oracle (Barbara Gordon), who provides him with information. Of course the idea of someone trying to take vengeance for other's past actions is not a new plot element by any stretch of the imagination it is still an effective one. Indeed it would later be used in the origin story of the character The Shade. In this story though it was still an effective plot element. It is not surprising that the Templars have a part to play in this, though none of them appear in the story. There are so many legends pertaining to that order that they are a good source for magical gimmicks and plot elements, as they are here. So here we have an enjoyable story. There is a mystery that has large-scale implications and some interesting characters. The young lady who tells the story that leads up to the events of the book was an interesting character and there is some mystery to her, though that is resolved as the story progresses. The story taking place in Scotland makes for a nice change from the usual US set story. One plot element that came up I should have anticipated but for some reason in fact I didn't. So all in all a good comic, though I admit I found the ending to be a bit of a downer. Happy reading.
May 18, 2024
Batman: Scottish Connection
by Alan Grant & Frank Quitely
When the heart of Sir Gaweyne de Weyne
Is fresh interred, an ancient curse resumes.
Descendant Bruce cannot at first explain
The absent graven corners of the tombs.
But Scottish men object, with Scottish hammers,
To snooping Bruce, whatever his persona.
It falls to him to try to teach them manners,
Aided by some lass with owls, Sheona.
The mysteries of Rosslyn and the Templars
Seep into this grim revenger's tale,
When henchmen serve, as godly powers’ exemplars,
A righteous grudge that rightly can't prevail.
The story’s brief but crisp, absurd but smart,
With Quitely’s deft, precise, unfussy art.
by Alan Grant & Frank Quitely
When the heart of Sir Gaweyne de Weyne
Is fresh interred, an ancient curse resumes.
Descendant Bruce cannot at first explain
The absent graven corners of the tombs.
But Scottish men object, with Scottish hammers,
To snooping Bruce, whatever his persona.
It falls to him to try to teach them manners,
Aided by some lass with owls, Sheona.
The mysteries of Rosslyn and the Templars
Seep into this grim revenger's tale,
When henchmen serve, as godly powers’ exemplars,
A righteous grudge that rightly can't prevail.
The story’s brief but crisp, absurd but smart,
With Quitely’s deft, precise, unfussy art.
April 12, 2020
Fine, short Batman story. I didn't like the art by Frank Quitely, though I know it is/will be a particular draw to many.
The plot was fine, with a good Scottish historical context and a vindictive baddie...But the story was quick, and Batman didn't really read like the main character here. (Batman stopped the train, but Oracle solved the mystery & Sheona stopped Slith. And Alfred was the comic relief.)
I specifically "liked" Batman narrating his fight at the end so we'd know which gadgets he was using during the action. LOL
"Knock-out gas!"
"Phosphor flare!"
That must be a charm of 1998 Batman comics I've missed out on so far in my reading. ;)
The plot was fine, with a good Scottish historical context and a vindictive baddie...But the story was quick, and Batman didn't really read like the main character here. (Batman stopped the train, but Oracle solved the mystery & Sheona stopped Slith. And Alfred was the comic relief.)
I specifically "liked" Batman narrating his fight at the end so we'd know which gadgets he was using during the action. LOL
"Knock-out gas!"
"Phosphor flare!"
That must be a charm of 1998 Batman comics I've missed out on so far in my reading. ;)
November 13, 2025
Ach!! Fasten your kilts! Hold on to your haggis! And put on some Belle & Sebastian! It's Batman: The Scottish Connection! Words by Alan Grant, pencils by a young Frank Quitely-- what a treat!
"I don't like mysteries. And when one involves a member of the family-- even if he is six hundred years removed-- I'm making it my business to find out why. I hope you remembered to pack the costume...?"
"I don't like mysteries. And when one involves a member of the family-- even if he is six hundred years removed-- I'm making it my business to find out why. I hope you remembered to pack the costume...?"
September 1, 2020
An odd little tale, in which Bruce Wayne discovers he has Scottish ancestors, and visits Scotland, only to come into conflict with a deranged villian hell-bent on exacting revenge for the death of his own ancestors.
Whilst not my favourite Batman story, it does have some entertaining Alfred moments!
Whilst not my favourite Batman story, it does have some entertaining Alfred moments!
September 14, 2021
Batman, Scotland and Quitely excellence
November 21, 2023
Rather nice artwork and not the worst story I ever read, having some moody, Scottish ambience. However, the plot is a bit silly and not very Batman-like either. An ok 3/5.
June 26, 2024
Daft fun - handy to use up 24 minutes of your time.
November 3, 2025
The story is fun, but Quietly’s art work stands out in this one.
September 10, 2011
Kinda disappointing, in eye of a Scot. I think Scotland would make a great setting for Batman comic, the gansters and does the Joker not have a Glasgow Smile? Also the Glasgow kissing.
It all the tourist Scotland, petty surprizing since it was written by a Scot.
It all the tourist Scotland, petty surprizing since it was written by a Scot.
March 28, 2015
Bruce Wayne goes to Scotland, and somehow gets caught up in a plot. This is just an excuse to have Batman in Scotland, that being said, it is written by a British writer, and isn't that bad. It feels like Scotland, and I liked how Alfred enjoyed himself on the holiday. A fun read.
September 22, 2011
Ultimately, I was bored while reading this volume. I appreciated the attempt at a different setting and art, but I was entirely unmoved by the story.
December 18, 2012
Batman goes Indiana Jones.
August 30, 2023
这本的布鲁斯好男神……kilt果然还是要穿的233333可惜不算是Alan Grant更好的故事之一。
March 29, 2025
Aye this was alright. A bit of silly fun.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews