Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight

Cover of Legends of the Dark Knight #2 (Dec 1989).
Art by Ed Hannigan and George Pratt. Cover design and logo by Dean Motter.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
Schedule Monthly with a few bi-weekly runs.
Format Completed ongoing series
Publication date (Legends of the Dark Knight)
November 1989 – Late August 1992
(Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight)
September 1992 – March 2007
(Legends of the Dark Knight (Vol. 2))
June 2012 – December 2013
Number of issues Vol. 1: 215
(225 with annuals and specials)
Vol. 2: 79 weekly digital issues
Main character(s) Batman
Collected editions
Shaman ISBN 1-56389-083-6
Gothic ISBN 1-56389-028-3
Prey ISBN 1-4012-3515-8
Venom ISBN 1-56389-101-8
Faces ISBN 1-56389-126-3
Collected Legends of the Dark Knight ISBN 1-56389-147-6
Other Realms ISBN 1-85286-977-1
Dark Legends ISBN 1-56389-266-9
KnightsEnd ISBN 1-56389-191-3
The Ring, The Arrow and The Bat ISBN 1-4012-0126-1

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, commonly referred to as simply Legends of the Dark Knight is a DC comic book featuring Batman. It was launched in 1989 with the popularity of the Batman movie, following on from Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. It differs from other Batman titles in that it has constantly rotating creative teams, and the stories are not necessarily part of the current events of the other Batman comics. Initially the title was promoted as running only stand alone self-contained five issue stories of graphic novel quality. However, after issue 20, stories of different lengths started to appear. While some stories have tied in with the other titles, generally this has not been the case

An episode of The New Batman Adventures was named after the comic.

Most of the stories featured in Legends are set in the early years of Batman's career, though a few are set in the present and even the future. Stories set at the beginning of Batman's career are referred to as taking place during Year One, meaning Bruce Wayne's first year (or first several years in some cases) of crime fighting as Batman.[1] The title had been initially promoted as only doing stories from before Robin, but Dick Grayson, the first Robin, did appear in issue 23, though he was still a circus performer. The series, for the most part, eschewed appearances by other DC universe characters save for Batman, Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon, and Batman's rogues gallery. The title was discontinued with issue #214, in March 2007, to make way for a new Batman anthology series, Batman Confidential, which focuses on more personal events in Batman's life (first encounters, building of new technology etc.), rather than early crime-fighting tales.

Some of the creative talent who have worked on the series include Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, Archie Goodwin, Dennis O'Neil, Dwayne McDuffie, Doug Moench, Grant Morrison, Mike Mignola, Bill Willingham, Matt Wagner and Marshall Rogers.

In 2012, DC Comics revived the series as Legends of the Dark Knight, a digital-first weekly series. This time, the stories are self-contained out of continuity single chapters. The first issue "The Butler Did It" by Damon Lindelof and Jeff Lemire debuted in June 2012. These chapters have been collected into print issues starting with #1 in December 2012.

Publication history

1989–2007 series

The original series was published from 1989 to 2007, and was published as Legends of the Dark Knight for issues 1–36, and as Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight for issues 37–214.

100-page Super Spectacular

The series is currently published as a weekly digital series, and is published quarterly as 100-page "super spectacular" issues.[2]

Story arcs

1989–2007 series

Shaman (1–5)

By Dennis O'Neil, Ed Hannigan, and John Beatty[3]

Bruce Wayne and a bounty hunter climb a mountain in Alaska as they try to capture a murderer named Thomas Woodley. Woodley quickly manages to kill the bounty hunter before falling off the cliff after a small fight with Wayne. Wayne's supplies are lost with Woodley which nearly results in Wayne's death when a Native American with her grandfather discover him. The grandfather is able to save Wayne's life by taking Wayne to his cabin and tells him a story on how the Bat gained its wings, while wearing a mask of a bat. After he recuperates and leaves, Wayne is warned by the granddaughter never to tell anyone the story.

Upon his return to Gotham City shortly after, Wayne attempts to fight crime but fails miserably. That night after he fails a bat flies into the room and reminds Wayne of the Native American's story from years earlier and so he decides to create a costume for himself and become Batman.

Note: Legend of the Dark Knight #1 (the first part of the Shaman storyline) was printed with several different covers as collector's items.

Gothic (6–10)

By Grant Morrison and Klaus Janson

A man known as "Mr. Whisper" is killing off mob bosses one by one. The mobsters explain to Batman that he was a child killer over thirty years ago, and (similar to the film M) the mobsters had found and killed him when there was too much pressure from the cops over them. At the same time, Batman's investigation links Mr. Whisper with a hideous event in Bruce Wayne's school days, a bargain reminiscent of Don Giovanni, and the Gotham City Cathedral.

Note: Grant Morrison's second Batman story and first non-graphic novel Batman story.

Main article: Batman: Gothic
Prey (11–15)

By Doug Moench, Paul Gulacy, and Terry Austin

Batman must contend with the brilliant but deranged psychiatrist Hugo Strange, who foments a massive smear campaign against him and attempts to uncover his secret identity.

Note: Retells the first meeting, in post-crisis continuity, between Batman and Hugo Strange

Main article: Batman: Prey

Note: Retells the first encounter between Batman and Hugo Strange in post-crisis continuity

Venom (16–20)

By Dennis O'Neil, Russell Braun, Trevor Von Eeden, and José Luis García-López

When Batman fails to save the life of a young girl held for ransom, he decides to try a new experimental steroid-drug designed by her father called Venom.

Note: First appearance of the "Venom" drug-steroid, later used by Bane. First Legends of the Dark Knight story to be referenced in-canon in the main Batman titles, during Knightfall.

Faith (21–23)

By Mike W. Barr, Bart Sears, and Randy Elliott

A drug addict is rescued from a fatal beating by Batman, which inspires him to organize a group of neighborhood vigilantes to take up Batman's cause. However, his addled dreams convince him that he must supplant Batman. Meanwhile, Dr. Leslie Thompkins discovers Bruce Wayne's secret identity.

Note: Tells the previously unseen story of Leslie Thompkins discovering Bruce Wayne is Batman. Also, first Legends of the Dark Knight story to not consist of the original five issue=one story format.

Flyer (24–26)

By Howard Chaykin and Gil Kane

One of the officers who was injured during the siege against Batman in Year One resurfaces in a mechanized combat suit, targeting Batman for death.

Note: Unofficial sequel to Batman Year One

Destroyer (part 2 of 3) (27)

By Dennis O'Neil, Chris Sprouse, and Bruce Patterson

A miscreant is blowing up Gotham's newer buildings, which according to him, have overshadowed the old Gotham & his destruction leads to Art.

Note: Part of a three-part crossover involving Legends of the Dark Knight, Batman, and Detective Comics. First issue of the series to be set in the then-present day continuity and the first issue to crossover with the other Batman titles.

Faces (28–30)

By Matt Wagner

Two-Face takes over a small island with plans to create a society in his own scarred image.

Family (31)

By James D. Hudnall and Brent Anderson

After Bruce forces Alfred to take a vacation to Corto Maltese, he must rescue him from kidnappers.

Note: First regular DC Universe appearance of the island nation of Corto Maltese, which was introduced in the pages of the out of continuity Batman: The Dark Knight Returns mini.

Blades (32–34)

By James Robinson and Tim Sale

While the Batman is distracted with a serial killer who targets senior citizens, a new vigilante, the swashbuckling Cavalier, begins his own war on crime.

Note: The Cavalier who appears in the story is a new character, previously never seen before and has no ties with the more commonly known version of the character.

Destiny (35–36)

By Bo Hampton and Mark Kneece

Batman meets another costumed vigilante from Norway who dresses like a Viking, and learns an ancient tale of a Norse hero known as the Bat Man.

Mercy (37)

By Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Colin MacNeil

In his early days, Batman trained a female rookie cop, Mercedes "Mercy" Stone, to fight in hand-to-hand combat. Five years later, he must rescue her from a pit-fighting ring.

Legend of the Dark Mite (38)

By Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neill

A junkie criminal turned asylum inmate, Bob Overdog, claims that the events leading up to his imprisonment were orchestrated by an imp from another dimension (the titular Bat-Mite) who idolizes and attempts to emulate Batman.

Note: The first Post-Crisis appearance of Bat-Mite.

Mask (39–40)

By Bryan Talbot

Batman wakes up in a hospital bed surrounded by Doctors who tell him he is an alcoholic tramp who dresses in a batsuit made of garbage. Is it some sort of hallucination or is his life as Batman the real illusion?

Sunset (41)

By Tom Joyner PhD, Keith S. Wilson, and Jim Fern

While fleeing the police, Batman encounters an actress-turned-vampire who was thought to have died 40 years ago, and Batman is hypnotized into doing her will.

Note: Inspired by early Batman stories involving Batman facing vampires in the 1930s. The plotline also deliberately parallels the classic film Sunset Boulevard.

Hothouse (42–43)

By John Francis Moore and P. Craig Russell

Pamela Isley is out of the asylum after her first encounter with Batman. But when one of her colleagues dies under mysterious circumstances her rehabilitation is called into question.

Note: First story to feature Poison Ivy attempting to reform. Later was loosely adapted into the Batman: The Animated Series episode "House and Garden".

Turf (44–45)

By Steven Grant and Shawn McManus

Batman and Captain James Gordon go after racist cops who are brutalizing and murdering blacks.

Heat (46–49)

By Doug Moench and Russ Heath

When Thomas Blake starts murdering young women, Batman and Catwoman form an uneasy alliance to stop him.

Note: The story features an alternate origin/take on Catman, portraying him as a serial killer driven by memories of an abusive mother. The story was one of several Batman/Catwoman stories that were officially declared non-canon following the events of Zero Hour[4]

Images (50)

By Dennis O'Neil and Bret Blevins

A young Batman meets his match, when he encounters a murderous villain known as the Joker.

Note: The story is a retelling of the first encounter between Batman and the Joker, from Batman #1, with elements from Year One added as part of the retelling.

Snitch (51)

By Robert Loren Fleming and David G. Klein

A highly skilled hitman whose rule is to only fire a single shot targets Batman and Gotham's other defender, Ragman.

Tao (52–53)

By Alan Grant and Arthur Ranson

A man from Batman's past comes to Gotham seeking vengeance.

Sanctum (54)

By Dan Raspler and Mike Mignola

While hunting a serial killer, Batman discovers an undead man who attempts to kill him in order to live again.

Watchtower (55–57)

By Chuck Dixon and Mike McMahon

A tale of an alternate future Batman.

Storm (58)

By Andrew Donkin, Graham Brand, and John Higgins

A foreign diplomat whose country is guilty of violating human rights is targeted by a group of terrorists.

Quarry (59–61)

By Dennis O'Neil, Ron Wagner, Eduardo Barreto, and Ron McCain

Bruce Wayne, confined to a wheelchair after having his back broken by Bane, attempts to rescue Jack Drake and Shondra Kinsolving from Shondra's evil brother, the Asp.

Note: Set in the then present day continuity of the Batman titles. Part of the "Knightquest: The Search" crossover.

KnightsEnd (62–63)

By Chuck Dixon, Barry Kitson, Ron Wagner, and Ron McCain

Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham to reclaim the mantle of Batman from an out of control Azrael. To combat Azrael, Bruce makes a dangerous alliance with Lady Shiva, to train him to fight the assassin.

Notes: Set in the then present day continuity. Part of the "Knightsend" crossover.

Terminus (64)

By Jamie Delano, Chris Bachalo, and Mark Pennington

Batman tracks a drug addict to a hotel filled with lost souls.

Going Sane (65–68)

By J. M. DeMatteis, Joe Staton, and Steve Mitchell

When the Joker traps Batman in an explosion, he believes that he is finally rid of his archfoe. As a result, his insane mind returns to sanity, and the Ace of Knaves forgets his bloodstained past, starting a new life as the average citizen "Joseph Kerr". Batman, however, is still alive, and his return to Gotham means the end to The Joker's newfound happiness.

Note: The plot for this story had originally been submitted to DC by J.M. DeMatteis in the mid-80s, but was rejected because it was too similar to another Batman story in production at that time, Batman: The Killing Joke.[5]

Criminals (69–70)

By Steven Grant and Mike Zeck

Batman goes undercover as a prison inmate.

Werewolf (71–73)

By James Robinson and John Watkiss

A series of murders connected to Wayne Enterprises leads Batman to London. While there, he discovers a supernatural mystery.

Engines (74–75)

By Ted McKeever

A story told from the perspective of Gotham's newest serial killer, a slaughterhouse employee who covets the aging and decaying process.

Sleeping (76–78)

By Scott Hampton

When a car accident leaves Bruce Wayne comatose, the Batman must travel through the underworld back to the land of the living. On the way, Batman meets another coma victim in need of assistance. Before returning to the real world, he must unravel the connection between himself and his evil "soul twin," all while being pursued by an underworld demon.

Favorite Things (79)

By Mark Millar, Steve Yeowell, and Dick Giordano

On Christmas Eve, Batman combs the city for a gang known as the "Chessmen", who have been stealing presents from a multitude of wealthy households—including Wayne Manor.

Idols (80–82)

By James Vance, Dougie Braithwaite, and Sean Hardy

A new boutique is cashing in on the Bat-craze sweeping Gotham. Captain Gordon must cooperate with the FBI when a circuit killer strikes in Gotham. Meanwhile, Batman is on the trail of a copycat vigilante in a bat-mask while trying to stop the violence his publicity might cause.

Infected (83–84)

By Warren Ellis and John McCrea

Two escaped super-soldier experiments wreak havoc in Gotham. Batman intervenes as all of Gotham might be the next victim.

Citadel (85)

By James Robinson and Tony Salmons

Batman ascends a heavily guarded tower, laced with death traps, to reach his quarry on the top floor.

Conspiracy (86–88)

By Doug Moench, J.H. Williams III, and Mick Gray

A series of ritual murders in Gotham leads Batman to Los Angeles. As the stakes get higher, Batman and a new ally work together to unravel a conspiracy that reaches from drug-peddling biker gangs to the CIA and a mysterious religious order.

Clay (89–90)

By Alan Grant and Quique Alcatena

Batman faces his slipperiest foe to date, in the form of the new Clayface, Matt Hagen.

Notes: A retelling of the story "The Challenge of Clay-Face" in Detective Comics #298.

Freakout (91–93)

By Garth Ennis and Will Simpson

Stories (94)

By Michael T. Gilbert

A writer by the name of Saul Fisher finds himself the target of an assassination attempt by a group of religious fundamentalists known as "The Enlightened". As a result, Fisher finds himself trapped in a powerless elevator, panicking as the gunmen get closer. To help calm him, the elevator's other passengers, from an aged Julie Madison to a retired policeman and his grandson, share with him tales of their encounters with Batman.

Note: This story features homages to the Batman of the Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, and Dark Age. It was later adapted (with different framing sequences/stories) for Batman the Animated Series as "Legends of the Dark Knight".

Dirty Tricks (95–97)

By Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Anthony Williams

An assassin known as The Magician who seems unstoppable is in Gotham. Bruce Wayne ran across him in Eastern Europe before becoming Batman and barely survived.

Steps (98–99)

By Paul Jenkins and Sean Phillips

Batman must track down a new serial killer on the street who murders prostitutes with a crossbow, with the only witness to the case an autistic teenager.

Choices (100)

By Dennis O'Neil and Dave Taylor

When a married acrobatic couple are killed during a performance, Batman adopts their son Dick and trains him to become his sidekick, Robin the Boy Wonder.

Note: A retelling of the origins of the first Robin (Dick Grayson), from Detective Comics #38.

The Incredible Adventures of Batman (101)

By John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra

Spook (102–104)

By James Robinson and Paul Johnson

The Modern Age debut of the super-villain known as The Spook. Bruce Wayne attends a weekend business retreat at a secluded ski resort. When the power goes out and one of the guests winds up dead, Bruce switches into Batman mode. The Dark Knight fights the Spook and his henchman Darwin. Eventually, the Spook blows up the house, sending the few survivors fleeing on a private jet. When the Spook shows-up aboard the plane, Batman fights him again, but the new villain disappears. Batman then exposes one of the survivors as the Spook’s accomplice.[6]

Duty (105–106)

By C.J. Henderson, Trevor Von Eeden, and Josef Rubenstein

When the Joker is broken out of Arkham by a terrorist group while Batman is working on a case in the Middle East, Captain James Gordon and Sergeant Harvey Bullock must find a way to stop the madman without the help of the caped crusader.

Note: This story is set in the days before Gordon achieved the rank of police commissioner, and Bullock the rank of detective. In addition, Batman does not appear in a single panel of the story.

Stalking (107–108)

By Lee Marrs and Eddy Newell

The Primal Riddle (109–111)

By Steve Englehart, Dusty Abell, and Drew Geraci

A battle with the Riddler results in Batman being badly electrocuted, resulting in a near death experience that separates his "spirit" from his body. As the soulless Batman struggles to foil Nigma's latest scheme, his "spirit" wanders around Gotham, possessing a wide variety of "hosts" from a small boy to the Riddler himself.

Shipwreck (112–113)

By Dan Vado, Norman Felchle, and Frank Cirocco

After Batman foils a group of mercenaries in their attempt to free an imprisoned national, the group attempts to hold a cruise ship full of wealthy Gothamites hostage. Batman must fight his way through the bowels of the ship to confront the mercenary leader and save the passengers.

Playground (114)

By James Robinson, Dan Brereton, and Tim Bradstreet

Batman makes the foolish mistake of blindly confronting a professional mob assassin from Chicago on the latter's home turf, resulting in him suffering multiple wounds and becoming trapped in the slums of the windy city. A cat-and-mouse game with the assassin ensues, as the dark knight struggles and interacts with the homeless men and women that populate the slums.

The Darkness (115)

By Darren Vincenzo and Luke McDonnell

No Man's Land (116–126)

Following a devastating earthquake and the manipulations of Lex Luthor, Gotham City is disowned by the United States government. Batman and his allies must try to keep what is left of civilization intact in the madness while solving the mystery of who the new Batgirl is.

Note: For the course of nearly an entire year (eleven issues) Legend of the Dark Knight abandoned its anthology format and became a regular continuity Batman book, crossing over with its fellow Batman titles (Batman, Detective Comics, and Shadow of the Bat) and spin-offs (Azreal, Catwoman, Robin, and Nightwing) for the duration of the "No Man's Land" storyline.

The Arrow and the Bat (127–131)

By Dennis O'Neil, Sergio Cariello, and Matt Ryan

Siege (132–136)

By Archie Goodwin, Marshall Rogers, and Bob Wiacek

Silver St. Cloud and an aging mercenary with ties to Bruce's grandfather, return to Gotham as the mercenary and his allies attempt to destroy Wayne Manor and Gotham City.

Note: The story is set during the timeframe in which Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth lived in a downtown penthouse instead of Wayne Manor. The story is also one of the final stories written by Archie Goodwin before his death.

Terror (137–141)

By Doug Moench, Paul Gulacy, and Jimmy Palmiotti

Professor Hugo Strange resurfaces and breaks Dr. Jonathan Crane (the Scarecrow) out of asylum to terrorize Batman and Catwoman. Strange enhances Crane's fear toxin with a hallucinogen and gives him subconscious hatred of Batman, in addition to a "haunted" house as base of operations.

Note: A spiritual sequel to the earlier Moench Legends of the Dark Knight story "Prey"

The Demon Laughs (142–145)

By Chuck Dixon, Jim Aparo, and John Cebollero

Ra's al Ghul recruits the Joker in his latest scheme to kill off ninety-five percent of the world's population, and the Ace of Knaves is all too happy to accept. An attempted double-crossing on The Joker's part, however, results in him being gunned down by Ra's' followers, and if Batman is to have a hope of stopping Ra's from spreading the Joker's virus, he must save the life of his greatest foe.

Note: Elements from this story, in particular Joker being recruited by Ra's al Ghul, were later used in the DC Animated movie Batman: Under the Red Hood instead of the plot from "The Death In The Family", to explain how Joker killed Jason Todd.

Bad (146–148)

By Doug Moench and Barry Kitson

Grimm (149–153)

By J. M. DeMatteis, Trevor Von Eeden, and José Luis García-López

Colossus (154–155)

By Mike Baron and Bill Reinhold

Blink (156–158)

By Dwayne McDuffie, Val Semeiks, and Dan Green

Batman teams up with a man who can see through the eyes of others in order to track down the leader of an underground snuff film ring.

Loyalties (159–161)

By John Ostrander, David Lopez, and Dan Green

Captain James Gordon has been kidnapped and brought back to his hometown of Chicago to be tortured into revealing the name of the last surviving eyewitness to a grisly murder. That witness was his young niece, Barbara.

Auteurism (162–163)

By John Arcudi and Roger Langridge

The Joker, deeming Gotham's newspapers inadequate to represent his "true self", enlists the help of Buddy Kantor, a highly eccentric comedian/filmmaker, to chronicle his exploits. In the end, however, Buddy's inflated ego and tenuous grasp on reality may prove to be too much even for the Clown Prince of Crime.

Don't Blink (164–167)

By Dwayne McDuffie, Val Semeiks, and Dan Green

Urban Legend (168)

By Bill Willingham and Tom Fowler

Irresistible (169–171)

By Tom Peyer, Tony Harris, and Wade von Grawbadger

Testament (172–176)

By John Wagner and Chris Brunner

Lost Cargo (177–178)

By Devin Grayson, Jean-Jacques Dzialowski, and George Rodriguez

Full Circle (179)

By A.J. Lieberman and Greg Scott

The Secret City (180–181)

By Dylan Horrocks, Ramon Bachs, and Jon Holdredge

War Games (182–184)

Stephanie Brown and Orpheus are savagely murdered by the returning Black Mask, when a violent gang war erupts within Gotham.

Riddle Me That (185–189)

By Shane McCarthy, Tommy Castillo, and Rodney Ramos

Cold Snap (190–191)

By J. Torres, David Lopez, and Fernando Blanco

Mr. Freeze is acting strangely; Batman fears he may be preparing for suicide.

Snow (192–196)

By J.H. Williams III, Dan Curtis Johnson, and Seth Fisher

When Captain Gordon refuses to give him access to GCPD files on a major criminal, Batman takes things into his own hands and assembles a private team of investigators. At the same time, researcher Victor Fries suffers tragedy and goes on a rampage against his employers.

Note: Retelling of the origin of Mr. Freeze, using the origin established for the character in Batman the Animated series.

Blaze of Glory (197–199)

By Will Pfeifer and Chris Weston

Emergency (200)

By Eddie Campbell, Daren White, and Bart Sears

During his latest battle with Batman, the Joker is inadvertently exposed to his own Joker venom.

Cold Case (201–203)

By Christos N. Gage, Ron Wagner, and Bill Reinhold

Madmen of Gotham (204–206)

By Justin Gray and Steven Cummings

Darker than Death (207–211)

By Bruce Jones and Ariel Olivetti

Chicks Dig the Bat (212)

By Adam Beechen, Steve Scott, and Nathan Massengill

Otaku (213)

By Matt Wayne and Steven Cummings

The murder of a black-market dealer who specializes in authentic Batman-related memorabilia (lost Batarangs, cowls, etc.) leads Batman to Akihabara, where he must comb the Electric City's various themed establishments to find a Yakuza leader that has a rather disturbing fetish for costumed heroes.

Superstitious and Cowardly (214)

By Christos N. Gage and Phil Winslade

Famed assassin Deadshot returns to Gotham following the events of Infinity Crisis, to kill a witness who is set to testify against a corrupt businessman. Knowing of his recent heroic actions during the crossover as part of the Secret Six, Batman must find a way to convince Deadshot to abandon the contract to kill the witness.

Viewpoint (0)

A preview of upcoming stories published during the post-Zero Hour "Zero Month" event.

Note: Vince Giarrano produced the framing sequences between the previews. Two of the preview stories featured were never published.

Duel (Annual 1)

By Dennis O'Neil, Jim Aparo, Keith Giffen, Malcolm Jones III, Joe Quesada, Josef Rubenstein, Tom Lyle, Ty Templeton Dan Spiegle, James Blackburn, and Michael Golden Mike Mignola (Cover Artist)

Batman has illusions about the metaphorical "burden" he has to carry.

Vows (Annual 2)

By Dennis O'Neil, Michael Netzer, and Luke McDonnell

Transformation (Annual 3)

By Dennis O'Neil, Mike Manley, Luke McDonnell, Gray Morrow, and Ricardo Villagran

Azreal, who is replacing the injured Bruce Wayne as Batman, must help a disillusioned priest who has recently gained super-powers, fight an army of alien creatures feeding on humans in Gotham.

Notes: Part of the 1993 "Bloodlines" DC Annual Crossover.

Citizen Wayne (Annual 4)

By Brian Augustyn, Mark Waid, Joe Staton, and Horacio Ottolini

Note: Part of the 1994 "Elseworld" annual event, featuring DC characters in various Elseworld scenarios.

Wings (Annual 5)

By Chuck Dixon and Quique Alcatena

Batman and Man-Bat's first encounter is retold, through the point-of-view of Man-Bat.

Note: Part of the 1995 "Year One" banner event involving that year's DC Annuals. Features a retelling of the origin Man-Bat, originally from Detective Comics #400.

Executioner (Annual 6)

By Alan Grant, Barry Kitson, and Vince Giarrano

I Am A Gun (Annual 7)

By James Robinson, Steve Yeowell, and Russ Heath

2012–present series

The Butler Did It (Issue 1)

By Damon Lindelof and Jeff Lemire

All of the Above (Issue 1)

By Jonathan Larsen and J.G. Jones

The Crime Never Committed (Issue 1)

By Tom Taylor and Nicola Scott

Crisis in Identity (Issue 2)

By B. Clay Moore and Ben Templesmith

Letters to Batman (Issue 3)

By Steve Niles and Trevor Hairsine

A Game to Die for (Issue 4)

By T.J. Fixman and Christopher Mitten

Batman the Movie (Issue 4)

By Andrew Dabb and Giorgio Pontrelli

Together (Issue 4)

By Jonathan Larsen and Tan Eng Huat

Slam! (Issue 5)

By Joshua Hale Fialkov and Phil Hester

Gotham Spirit (Issue 6)

By Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman

Dungeons and Dragons (Issue 6)

By Michael Avon Oeming

Look Inside (Issue 6)

By Rob Williams and Juan Jose Ryp

Haunted Arkham (Issue 7)

By Joe Harris and Jason Masters

Continuity

Technically, most of the stories in LOTDK are in the accepted Batman continuity, albeit with a number of exceptions. These include stories set in the year 3000, Batman being a cyborg, certain Joker or Clayface stories that just do not fit chronologically, and many more. Many of the stories share a lot of elements with the regular Batman and Detective Comics and have often been referenced in modern continuity, notably Leslie Thompkins' discovery of Batman's identity, the origin of Bane's venom, the characterization of Hugo Strange, the origin of the Batcave, and others. Whereas most comic book titles move forward chronologically, Legends tells stories in random order, mainly focusing on Years One through Five, but sometimes including canonical stories after that time as well,[1] Batman Confidential, which the original "Legends" utilized a similar literary format.

DC has stated that the stories of the 2012 series are not set in the Batman continuity.[7]

Specials

In the 1990s, writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale collaborated on three Halloween specials[8] collected as Batman: Haunted Knight that led them to create Batman: The Long Halloween as stated in the Introduction to the book by Jeph Loeb. The three specials are titled Fears (1993), Madness (1994) and Ghosts (1995). In the last, based on A Christmas Carol, Bruce is visited by three spirits on Halloween, that of Poison Ivy (the spirit of Halloween Past), The Joker (the spirit of Halloween Present), and a cloaked, skeletal version of Batman (the spirit of Halloween Yet To Come). Having been immersed so much in stopping crime for nearly two years (the time being Year Two in which the story takes place), Bruce undergoes a change, much like Ebenezer Scrooge, in which he is reminded what it is to be human.

Another special released was Batman Jazz (1995), written by Gerard Jones and Mark Badger.

Crossovers

Writers

Artists

Collected editions

Several of the stories from the title have been collected into trade paperbacks including the following:

Awards

Issues 116 through 126 of the series were part of the No Man's Land storyline, which won the Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favorite Story for 2000.

Specials and spin-offs

There are three annual Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Specials written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale, which were reprinted in Batman: Haunted Knight; the popularity of these led to the limited series Batman: The Long Halloween.

The short lived series Legends of the DC Universe was based on the concept of Legends of the Dark Knight. But instead of Batman, it featured a rotating roster of other DC superheroes.

The Mitefall special used a modern version of Bat-Mite who first appeared in Legends of the Dark Knight to parody the Batman Knightfall storyline.

Batman: Four of a Kind chronicles four early career meetings with Batman villains Poison Ivy, The Riddler, Scarecrow and Man-Bat. Those stories were printed in the annuals of the four Batman comic book series of that time: Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Detective Comics, Batman and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "The Real Batman Chronology Project". Therealbatmanchronoproject.blogspot.com. 2006-09-02. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  2. ↑ http://batman-news.com/2014/03/15/legends-dark-knight-100-page-super-spectacular-2-review/
  3. ↑ Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 241. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. Written by Dennis O'Neil with art by Edward Hannigan, 'Shaman' helped jump-start this popular new title.
  4. ↑ Wizard Magazine: Beyond Zero Hour pg 46
  5. ↑ Johnson, Dan (August 2009). "In Our Sights: Kraven's Last Hunt". Back Issue!. TwoMorrows Publishing (35): 3–4.
  6. ↑ "The Real Batman Chronology Project: Modern Age (Year Five)". therealbatmanchronologyproject.com. Retrieved 2015-01-04.
  7. ↑ Phillips, Brandy (April 13, 2012). "DC Comics Announces Two New Digital First Comic Series, Will Offer New Digital Content Five-Days-A-Week". DC Comics. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  8. ↑ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 261: "Editor Archie Goodwin was on to something when he paired Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale on the first holiday special of the popular Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight series."

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