Batman 'killed off in helicopter fireball'

Batman's quest to rid Gotham City of crime has come to an end after the comic book superhero was apparently killed off.

Bruce Wayne, better known as his cowled alter ego, dies in a fireball after battling his enemy Mangrove Pierce on a helicopter in DC Comics's Batman No.681 'Batman R.I.P.', reports the Daily Mail.

Writer Grant Morrison revealed earlier this week that the superhero may have reached the end of the line in the comic book story. However, his friend Nightwing is seen looking at his cape and hood in one of the comic's final scenes, fuelling speculation that he could be Batman's successor.

The caped crusader was first created by artists Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger for DC Comics in 1939 and has since battled foes such as The Penguin, The Joker, and The Riddler.

It is not thought that the demise of Bruce Wayne as Batman in comic book form will have an adverse affect on the movie franchise.