Book excerpt: Eric Lustbader, whose best-selling books have entertained millions, brings his storytelling mastery to one of the world's most popular characters, Batman. In his first graphic novel, Lustbader and his artist-collaborators, Lee Moder and Scott Hanna, spin a tale of worldly crime and supernatural treachery that combines Lustbader's flair for exotic mystery with the fantasy-melodrama unique to Batman. It's a combination that makes "The Last Angel" the years' most entertaining publishing event. -- From publisher's description.