NEW YORK, Nov. 27  -- The executive editor of D. C. Comics says the Caped Crusader is not dead, despite the title of its latest issue, "Batman, R. I. P.: Conclusion."

"He's not dead, though he'll definitely be gone for a while," Dan DiDio told the New York Daily News. "Batman and (alter ego) Bruce Wayne have been here long before me and they'll be around long after me."

The Daily News pointed out this is not the first time a superhero has appeared to meet his end. D. C. Comics killed off Superman in 1992, but later brought him back. Marvel Comics whacked Captain America, who has yet to make a comeback.

"Fans have an unspoken understanding with the publisher," comic book Web site newsarama. com writer Matt Brady told the Daily News. "You can take (Batman) off the stage for a while, but you can't put him in the ground." (UPI)