Batman: Masque is a 1997 DC Comics Elseworlds one-shot written and illustrated by Mike Grell with coloring by Andre Khromov. The story takes the Batman mythos and loosely combines it with Gaston Leroux's novel, The Phantom of the Opera. Characters Batman: When he was a child, Bruce Wayne witnessed the death of his parents by the hand of a mugger. Years later, he protects Gotham City under the guise of the Batman. Recently, he has fallen for ballerina Laura Avian, but is unsure if he can bring her into his world. The Phantom: Harvey Dent, once a proud and accomplished dancer, was horribly scarred on stage when his costume caught fire from one of the stagelights. He is now obsessed with Laura Avian, and will do anything to make her happy, even to commit a murder. Laura Avian: Laura is a young and upcoming ballerina who is caught between her two loves. Bruce Wayne and the mysterious Phantom. Madame Juliana Sandoval: The reigning prima ballerina. Harvey injures her in an accident so Laura may receive the prima status. Plot summary In Gotham City, 1890 A.D., Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. the Batman, is called to Gotham Police Headquarters by Commissioner Gordon. He is informed that three men broke out of Gotham jail. Two were already caught, but the third has taken to the rooftops. As Batman chases after the third, the fight moves to the Gotham City Opera House, where a performance of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" is being held. The main lead, Harvey Dent, is scarred in a horrible accident when his costume caught fire. The same night, ballerina Laura Avian meets Bruce, who was friends with her father when they were in school. There is an instant attraction between the two, but Laura expresses some concern for Harvey after his accident. Bruce proposes that he could become a teacher since he can no longer dance, but Harvey is outraged at the notion. He believes that the only reason students would come would be to stare at his horribly scarred face. As the love between Bruce and Laura grows, accidents begin to take place at the Opera House. Madame Sandoval, the prima ballerina, falls through a trapdoor and breaks her legs. The next night, Mr. Ferguson, one of the Opera managers, is crushed to death in a freak accident. Concerned for her well-being, Bruce begins to