This is an original graphic novel in an oversized hardcover format, and it's important or relevant, because... Well, first a brief story synopsis, after the cover's image!
Severely wounded after he rescues hostages from a criminal heist by terrorists in a chemical plant, Batman falls unconscious and is found and taken to the batcave by Talia, daughter or Ra's Al Ghul. After he fully recovers, Gordon explains to them that the attackers were after some very special checmicals used in Pluviculture. Trying to know more, Batman goes to a friend and finds him murdered. Thinking that Ra's might have something to do with the murder, Batman and Talia go searching for him, and when they reach his base of operations, he tells them that is Qayin, a former co-worker and guilty of Melisande's death ( mother of Talia and wife of Ra's).
Being a common enemy, Batman asks Ra's to join forces and hunt the man. Ra's agrees but conditions it to Batman taking Talia's hand, what with Ra's having wedded them in a previous time. After this, they have their first sexual encounter. The story continues and Batman takes leadership of Ra's men and after several adventures, his goal is attained. But the important part of all this, is that fruit of that encounter, Batman's son Ibn al Xu'ffasch, is born.
BUUUUT, although this story was going to be IN continuity, the Powers That Be at DC, AFTER publication, decided that Batman having a child OUT OF WEDLOCK was a really big NO NO for them! The graphic novel was then tagged as an elseworlds - A Might Have Been story, never accepting the real reason for not taking it into Bats continuity!
It needed 20 years and one Grant Morrison, with a few tweakings on the story, to be finally accepted, kind of, into continuity. Morrison says that HE DIDN'T reread the story before continuing it, and made mistakes, that he afterwards attributed to Superboy's punch, happening in Infinite Crisis!
Talia tells Batman of the pregnancy and he gives her a necklace as a gift for the baby, but later, she tells him that the baby died and that he can't stay with her. Batman leaves and, we as readers, get to see that she lied and gave the child in adoption to a couple, and the baby is wearing the necklace!
Anyway, if you have the chance, get it and read it, it will be worth your while! Great reading!
If not a collector, you might try to get the cheaper 2006 edition, which also includes Bride and Birth of The Demon!
