Legends of the Dark Knight
Encyclopedia
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.
Most of the stories featured in Legends are set in the early years of Batman's career, though a few have been 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. 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 Dennis O'Neil
, Grant Morrison
, Mike Mignola
, Bill Willingham
, Matt Wagner
, and Doug Moench
.
By Dennis O'Neil
, Ed Hannigan
, and John Beatty
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.
Shaman #1, when published in single-issue form, was printed with several different covers as collectors 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
.
Prey (11-15)
By Doug Moench
, Paul Gulacy
, and Terry Austin
Batman must contend with the brilliant, but deranged, psychiatrist, Hugo Strange
, who ferments a massive smear campaign
against the Dark Knight and attempts to uncover his secret identity. The story also includes appearances from Catwoman and the one off appearance of police officer Max Cort, who creates a new vigilante, Night Scourge.
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 drug designed by her father called Venom.
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.
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.
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. The other parts appear in Batman
& Detective Comics
.
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.
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.
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
An asylum inmate claims to be tormented by an imp
who idolizes Batman. 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 bum 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
, 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.
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.
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 a cat-themed killer starts "hunting" young women Batman and Catwoman
form an uneasy alliance to stop him. The story features an alternate origin and characterization of Thomas Blake
, modern versions of the character tend to ignore the version from this story.
Images (50)
By Dennis O'Neil and Bret Blevins
A retelling of the first encounter between Batman and the Joker, based on the story in Batman #1, with elements from Year One
.
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 Ransom
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, unusual among the series' typical "early years" format.
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
Part of the second act of the Knightfall trilogy
KnightsEnd (62-63)
By Chuck Dixon, Barry Kitson
, Ron Wagner, and Ron McCain
Part of the final act of the Knightfall trilogy
Terminus (64)
By Jamie Delano
, Chris Bachalo
, and Mark Pennington
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 arch-foe. 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 may mean the end to The Joker's newfound happiness...
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
Engines (74-75)
By Ted McKeever
Sleeping (76-78)
By Scott Hampton
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
Infected (83-84)
By Warren Ellis
and John McCrea
Citadel (85)
By James Robinson and Tony Salmons
Conspiracy (86-88)
By Doug Moench, J.H. Williams III, and Mick Gray
Clay (89-90)
By Alan Grant and Quique Alcatena
A retelling of the first clash between Batman and Clayface
(Matt Hagen). Based on 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.
Dirty Tricks (95-97)
By Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Anthony Williams
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
A retelling of the origins of the first Robin, Dick Grayson
. Based on the story in Detective Comics #38.
The Incredible Adventures of Batman (101)
By John Wagner
and Carlos Ezquerra
Spook (102-104)
By James Robinson and Paul Johnson
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 Felche, and Frank Cirocco
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)
Part 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
Set in the timeframe during which Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth lived in a downtown penthouse instead of Wayne Manor (in Batman publications from 1970 to 1982). An aging mercenary (and former protege of Bruce's grandfather Jack Wayne) uses a manufactured gang war and a mercenaries' convention as cover for an attack on Gotham and Wayne Manor. Silver St. Cloud
briefly returns to Bruce's life as well.
"Siege" was one of the final stories written by Archie Goodwin
before his death.
Terror (137-141)
By Doug Moench, Paul Gulacy, and Jimmy Palmiotti
Spiritual sequel to the earlier Legends storyline "Prey". Prof. 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.
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.
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)
Part of the "War Games" storyline
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.
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
Batman once again finds himself at odds with Deadshot
, as the infamous assassin has been contracted to kill an important witness in an upcoming mob trial.
Viewpoint (0)
Bridging art by Vince Giarrano, plus excerpts from other issues
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
Citizen Wayne (Annual 4)
By Brian Augustyn
, Mark Waid
, Joe Staton
, and Horacio Ottolini
Wings (Annual 5)
By Chuck Dixon and Quique Alcatena
Reells the origin story of 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
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, Batman Confidential, which has replaced Legends, utilizes a similar literary format.
and artist Tim Sale
collaborated on three Halloween specials 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 Choices (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.
s including the following:
Fan Award for Favorite Story for 2000.
with art by Tim Sale
; 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 superhero
es.
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.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
featuring Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
. It was launched in 1989 with the popularity of the Batman
Batman (1989 film)
Batman is a 1989 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance...
movie, following on from Frank Miller's Batman: Year One
Batman: Year One
"Year One", later referred to as "Batman: Year One", is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, colored by Richmond Lewis, and lettered by Todd Klein...
. 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
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
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.
Most of the stories featured in Legends are set in the early years of Batman's career, though a few have been 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. The title had been initially promoted as only doing stories from before Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
, but Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
, 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
Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth is a fictional character that appears throughout the DC Comics franchise. The character first appears in Batman #16 , and was created by writer Bob Kane and artist Jerry Robinson. Alfred serves as Batman’s tireless butler, assistant, confidant, and surrogate father figure...
, Commissioner Gordon
James Gordon (comics)
James Worthington Gordon, Sr. is a fictional character, an ally of Batman that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
and Batman's rogues gallery
Rogues gallery
A rogues gallery is a police collection of pictures or photographs of criminals and suspects kept for identification purposes...
. The title was discontinued with issue #214, in March 2007, to make way for a new Batman anthology series, Batman Confidential
Batman Confidential
Batman Confidential was an American monthly comic book series from DC Comics which debuted on December 6, 2006 and concluded on March 2, 2011....
, 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 Dennis O'Neil
Dennis O'Neil
Dennis J. "Denny" O'Neil is an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of books until his retirement....
, Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, Mike Mignola
Mike Mignola
Michael Joseph "Mike" Mignola is an American comic book artist and writer who created the comic book series Hellboy for Dark Horse Comics. He has worked for animation projects such as Atlantis: The Lost Empire and the adaptation of his one shot comic book, The Amazing Screw-On Head.-Career:Mignola...
, Bill Willingham
Bill Willingham
Bill Willingham is an American writer and artist of comics.-Career:Willingham got his start in the late 1970s to early 1980s as a staff artist for TSR, Inc., where he illustrated a number of their role-playing game products...
, Matt Wagner
Matt Wagner
Matt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist, best known as the creator of the series Mage and Grendel.-Career:...
, and Doug Moench
Doug Moench
Douglas Moench , better known as Doug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok.-Biography:...
.
Story Arcs
Shaman (1-5)By Dennis O'Neil
Dennis O'Neil
Dennis J. "Denny" O'Neil is an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of books until his retirement....
, Ed Hannigan
Ed Hannigan
Ed Hannigan is an American a writer, artist, and editor of comic books for both Marvel Comics and DC Comics. His most notable writing credits include work on The Defenders during the late 1970s and early 1980s. As the artist on The Spectacular Spider-Man, Hannigan co-created the characters Cloak...
, and John Beatty
John Beatty (illustrator)
John Beatty is an American illustrator born in Whitesburg, Kentucky who has worked for Marvel Comics and DC Comics,-Biography:...
Bruce Wayne and a bounty hunter climb a mountain in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
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
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
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.
Shaman #1, when published in single-issue form, was printed with several different covers as collectors items.
Gothic (6-10)
By Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
and Klaus Janson
Klaus Janson
Klaus Janson is a German-born American comic book artist, working regularly for Marvel Comics and DC Comics and sporadically for independent companies...
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
Child murder
The murder of children is considered an abhorrent crime in much of the world; they are perceived within their communities and the state at large as being vulnerable, and therefore especially susceptible to abduction and murder. The protection of children from abuse and possible death often involves...
over thirty years ago, and (similar to the film M
M (1931 film)
M is a 1931 German drama-thriller directed by Fritz Lang and written by Lang and his wife Thea von Harbou. It was Lang's first sound film, although he had directed more than a dozen films previously....
) 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
Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni is an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and with an Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. It was premiered by the Prague Italian opera at the Teatro di Praga on October 29, 1787...
, and the Gotham City
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
.
Prey (11-15)
By Doug Moench
Doug Moench
Douglas Moench , better known as Doug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok.-Biography:...
, Paul Gulacy
Paul Gulacy
Paul Gulacy is an American comic book illustrator best known for his work for DC Comics and Marvel Comics, and for drawing one of the first graphic novels, Eclipse Enterprises' 1978 Sabre: Slow Fade of an Endangered Species, with writer Don McGregor.-Early life and career:Paul Gulacy began...
, and Terry Austin
Terry Austin (comics)
Terry Austin is an American comic book artist, working primarily as an inker. He is best known for his work embellishing John Byrne's pencils on The Uncanny X-Men from 1977–1981.-Early life and career:...
Batman must contend with the brilliant, but deranged, psychiatrist, Hugo Strange
Hugo Strange
Professor Hugo Strange is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, as an adversary of Batman. He first appeared in Detective Comics #36 , and is one of Batman's first recurring villains, preceding the Joker and Catwoman by several months...
, who ferments a massive smear campaign
Smear campaign
A smear campaign, smear tactic or simply smear is a metaphor for activity that can harm an individual or group's reputation by conflation with a stigmatized group...
against the Dark Knight and attempts to uncover his secret identity. The story also includes appearances from Catwoman and the one off appearance of police officer Max Cort, who creates a new vigilante, Night Scourge.
Venom (16-20)
By Dennis O'Neil, Russell Braun
Russell Braun
Russell Braun is a Canadian operatic lyric baritone.Much sought-after as a soloist and for opera roles, Russell Braun performs regularly at the Metropolitan Opera, the Salzburg Festival, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, l'Opéra de Paris, the San Diego Opera, the San Francisco Opera and the Canadian...
, Trevor Von Eeden
Trevor Von Eeden
Trevor Von Eeden is a comic book writer/artist who, known for his work on such DC Comics books as Black Lightning, Batman, and Green Arrow, as well as Marvel Comics books such as Power Man and Iron Fist, and the biographical series The Original Johnson.-Early life:According to Von Eeden, he...
, and José Luis García-López
José Luis García-López
José Luis García-López is a Spanish comic book artist who works in the United States of America, mostly for DC Comics. He has most recently penciled an arc in Batman Confidential, the Metal Men storyline in the 2009 Wednesday Comics weekly anthology, and, in 2011, one of the stories in The Spirit...
When Batman fails to save the life of a young girl held for ransom, he decides to try a new experimental drug designed by her father called Venom.
Faith (21-23)
By Mike W. Barr
Mike W. Barr
Mike W. Barr is an American writer of comic books, and mystery, and science fiction novels.-Biography:Barr's debut as a comics professional came in DC Comics' Detective Comics #444 , for which he wrote an 8-page back-up mystery feature starring the Elongated Man...
, Bart Sears
Bart Sears
Bart Whitman Sears is an American artist and author, originally from Syracuse, New York.Sears has lent his unique style and creative ideas to multiple industries, including but not limited to: Comics , Toys, and Computer Games...
, and Randy Elliott
Randy Elliott
Randy Lee Elliott is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played parts of four seasons in the majors, spread out over nine years. After being drafted by the San Diego Padres during their inaugural season, he played for them in and . He later played for the San Francisco Giants in and...
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
Leslie Thompkins
Dr. Leslie Thompkins is a fictional character from the Batman mythos. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Dick Giordano, she first appeared in Detective Comics #457...
discovers Bruce Wayne's secret identity.
Flyer (24-26)
By Howard Chaykin
Howard Chaykin
Howard Victor Chaykin is an American comic book writer and artist famous for his innovative storytelling and sometimes controversial material...
and Gil Kane
Gil Kane
Eli Katz who worked under the name Gil Kane and in one instance Scott Edward, was a comic book artist whose career spanned the 1940s to 1990s and every major comics company and character.Kane co-created the modern-day versions of the superheroes Green Lantern and the Atom for DC Comics, and...
One of the officers who was injured during the siege against Batman in Year One
Batman: Year One
"Year One", later referred to as "Batman: Year One", is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, colored by Richmond Lewis, and lettered by Todd Klein...
resurfaces in a mechanized combat suit, targeting Batman for death.
Destroyer (part 2 of 3) (27)
By Dennis O'Neil, Chris Sprouse
Chris Sprouse
Chris Sprouse is an American comic book artist.-Biography:Chris Sprouse was born in Charlottesville, Virginia. At the age of 3 he moved with his family to New Delhi, India where he first discovered comics as he was unable to play outside due to the dangerous amount of snakes in the house yard...
, 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. The other parts appear in Batman
Batman (comic book)
Batman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published in May 1939. Batman proved to be so popular that a self-titled ongoing comic book series began publication in the spring of 1940...
& Detective Comics
Detective Comics
Detective Comics is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best known for introducing the iconic superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 . It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and...
.
Faces (28-30)
By Matt Wagner
Matt Wagner
Matt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist, best known as the creator of the series Mage and Grendel.-Career:...
Two-Face takes over a small island with plans to create a society in his own scarred image.
Family (31)
By James D. Hudnall
James D. Hudnall
James David Hudnall is an American writer who began his career in the comic book field in 1986 with the series Espers, published by Eclipse Comics. He later worked for Marvel and DC on such titles as Alpha Flight, Strikeforce: Morituri, and his own creation Interface, which was a sequel to Espers...
and Brent Anderson
Brent Anderson
Brent Anderson is an American comic book artist known for his work on X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills and the comic book series Astro City.- Early life :...
After Bruce forces Alfred to take a vacation to Corto Maltese, he must rescue him from kidnappers.
Blades (32-34)
By James Robinson and Tim Sale
Tim Sale (artist)
Tim Sale is an American Eisner Award-winning comic book artist. He is primarily known for his collaborations with writer Jeph Loeb.-Early life:...
While the Batman is distracted with a serial killer who targets senior citizens, a new vigilante, the swashbuckling Cavalier
Cavalier (comics)
The Cavalier is a fictional supervillain in the DC Comics universe. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #81, , and was created by Don Cameron and Bob Kane.-Mortimer Drake:...
, begins his own war on crime.
Destiny (35-36)
By Bo Hampton
Bo Hampton
Bo Hampton is a noted comic book and cartoon artist.He graduated from the School of Visual Arts, New York City. He drew, wrote and painted comics and graphic novels for 15 years, always with a bent toward realism that was fairly uncommon in the medium...
and Mark Kneece
Batman meets another costumed vigilante from Norway who dresses like a Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
, and learns an ancient tale of a Norse hero known as the Bat Man.
Mercy (37)
By Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett is a British comic book writer and novelist. He is a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and is known for his work on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since the 1990s, including 2000 AD...
, Andy Lanning
Andy Lanning
Andy Lanning is a British comic book writer and inker, known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, and for his collaboration with Dan Abnett.-Career:Lanning works primarily at Marvel Comics and DC Comics as an inker...
, and Colin MacNeil
Colin MacNeil
Colin MacNeil is a British comics artist, best known for his work on 2000 AD and in particular on Judge Dredd and other stories within his world like Shimura and Devlin Waugh....
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
Kevin O'Neill (comics)
Kevin O'Neill is an English comic book illustrator best known as the co-creator of Nemesis the Warlock, Marshal Law , and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen .-Early career:...
An asylum inmate claims to be tormented by an imp
Imp
An imp is a mythological being similar to a fairy or demon, frequently described in folklore and superstition. The word may perhaps derive from the term ympe, used to denote a young grafted tree.-Folklore:...
who idolizes Batman. The first Post-Crisis appearance of Bat-Mite
Bat-Mite
Bat-Mite is a fictional character appearing in stories published by DC Comics. Bat-Mite is an Imp similar to the Superman villain Mister Mxyzptlk...
.
Mask (39-40)
By Bryan Talbot
Bryan Talbot
Bryan Talbot is a British comic book artist and writer, born in Wigan, Lancashire, in 1952. He is best known as the creator of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright and its sequel Heart of Empire.-Career:...
Batman wakes up in a hospital bed surrounded by Doctors who tell him he is an alcoholic bum who dresses in a batsuit
Batsuit
The Batsuit is the costume of the fictional character Batman, a superhero appearing in DC Comics. Though the suit has been drawn many different ways by different artists, and the stories themselves have described Batman as modifying the details of his costume from time to time, it is most often...
made of garbage. Is it some sort of hallucination or is his life as Batman the real illusion?
Sunset (41)
By Tom Joyner
Tom Joyner
Thomas "Tom" Joyner is an American radio host, host of the nationally syndicated The Tom Joyner Morning Show, and also founder of REACH Media Inc., the Tom Joyner Foundation, and BlackAmericaWeb.com.-Early life:...
, 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.
Hothouse (42-43)
By John Francis Moore
John Francis Moore (comics)
John Francis Moore is comic book writer known for stints as writer on such Marvel comics series as X-Force, X-Factor, Doom 2099 and X-Men 2099...
and P. Craig Russell
P. Craig Russell
Philip Craig Russell , also known as P. Craig Russell, is an American comic book writer, artist, and illustrator. His work has won multiple Harvey and Eisner Awards...
Pamela Isley is out of the asylum
Arkham Asylum
The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, commonly referred to simply as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually appearing in stories featuring Batman...
after her first encounter with Batman. But when one of her colleagues dies under mysterious circumstances her rehabilitation is called into question.
Turf (44-45)
By Steven Grant
Steven Grant
Steven Grant is an American comic-book writer best known for his 1985-1986 Marvel Comics mini-series Punisher, with artist Mike Zeck and for his creator-owned character Whisper.-Biography:...
and Shawn McManus
Shawn McManus
Shawn McManus is an American artist who has worked extensively over three decades for DC Comics and other companies, notably for DC's Vertigo imprint, including the current Fables.-Swamp Thing:...
Batman and Captain James Gordon go after racist cops who are brutalizing and murdering blacks.
Heat (46-49)
By Doug Moench and Russ Heath
Russ Heath
Russell Heath, Jr. is an American artist best known for his comic book work — particularly his DC Comics war stories for several decades and his 1960s art for Playboy magazine's Little Annie Fanny featurettes — and for his commercial art, two pieces of which, depicting Roman and...
When a cat-themed killer starts "hunting" young women Batman and Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
form an uneasy alliance to stop him. The story features an alternate origin and characterization of Thomas Blake
Catman (comics)
Catman is a modern version of a fictional character in comic books published by DC Comics, initially a supervillain and foe of Batman, although in recent years has developed into a more capable and antiheroic figure. He first appeared in Detective Comics #311...
, modern versions of the character tend to ignore the version from this story.
Images (50)
By Dennis O'Neil and Bret Blevins
Bret Blevins
Bret Blevins is an American comic book artist, animation storyboard artist, and painter. He is perhaps best known for his stint as the regular penciler of New Mutants.-Career:...
A retelling of the first encounter between Batman and the Joker, based on the story in Batman #1, with elements from Year One
Batman: Year One
"Year One", later referred to as "Batman: Year One", is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, colored by Richmond Lewis, and lettered by Todd Klein...
.
Snitch (51)
By Robert Loren Fleming
Robert Loren Fleming
Robert Loren Fleming is an American comic book writer.-Biography:Fleming worked for DC Comics initially as a proofreader and later writer, creating Thriller, and was writing an Aquaman limited series and one-shot special in 1989 with plotter/breakdown artist Keith Giffen and artist Curt Swan.He is...
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
Ragman
Ragman is a fictional mystic vigilante and superhero who first appeared in the short-lived comic-book series named after him. He is one of a limited number of Jewish superheroes, and his continuity is tied to that of DC Comics' Golem, derived from the Golem of Prague of Jewish folklore.Ragman is...
.
Tao (52-53)
By Alan Grant and Arthur Ransom
A man from Batman's past comes to Gotham seeking vengeance.
Sanctum (54)
By Dan Raspler
Dan Raspler
Dan Raspler is an editor and writer of comic books for DC Comics. In the late 1990s, he created the series Young Heroes in Love.-Awards:...
and Mike Mignola
Mike Mignola
Michael Joseph "Mike" Mignola is an American comic book artist and writer who created the comic book series Hellboy for Dark Horse Comics. He has worked for animation projects such as Atlantis: The Lost Empire and the adaptation of his one shot comic book, The Amazing Screw-On Head.-Career: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
Chuck Dixon
Charles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, best known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.-Biography:Dixon grew up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, reading comics of all genres...
and Mike McMahon
Mike McMahon (comics)
Michael McMahon is a British comics artist best known for his work on 2000 AD characters such as Judge Dredd, Sláine and ABC Warriors, and the mini-series The Last American....
A tale of an alternate future, unusual among the series' typical "early years" format.
Storm (58)
By Andrew Donkin, Graham Brand, and John Higgins
John Higgins (comics)
John Higgins is an English comic book artist and writer. He did significant work for 2000 AD, and he has frequently worked with writer Alan Moore, most notably as colourist for Watchmen.-Biography:...
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
Ron Wagner
Ron J. Wagner is primarily known as an American comics artist who has drawn for titles such as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, The Punisher, Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja, and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight. He is also an animation storyboard artist, games designer, and portrait artist...
, Eduardo Barreto
Eduardo Barreto
-References:...
, and Ron McCain
Part of the second act of the Knightfall trilogy
KnightsEnd (62-63)
By Chuck Dixon, Barry Kitson
Barry Kitson
Barry Kitson is a British comics artist best known as a penciler of major superhero comic books published by Marvel and DC.-Biography:Kitson's first professional work was Spider-Man for Marvel UK...
, Ron Wagner, and Ron McCain
Part of the final act of the Knightfall trilogy
Terminus (64)
By Jamie Delano
Jamie Delano
Jamie Delano is a British comics writer. He was part of the first post-Alan Moore "British Invasion" of writers. Best known as the first writer of the comic book series Hellblazer, starring John Constantine.- Biography :...
, Chris Bachalo
Chris Bachalo
Chris Bachalo is an American comic book illustrator known for his quirky, cartoon-like style. He became well known for stints on DC Comics’ Shade, the Changing Man and Neil Gaiman's two Death series...
, and Mark Pennington
Going Sane (65-68)
By J. M. DeMatteis
J. M. DeMatteis
John Marc DeMatteis is an American writer of comic books.-Early career:Born in Brooklyn, DeMatteis graduated from Midwood High School and Empire State College. He worked as a music critic before getting his start in comic books at DC Comics in the late 1970s...
, Joe Staton
Joe Staton
Joe Staton is an American illustrator and writer of comic books.-Career:Staton started his work with Charlton Comics in 1971 and gained notability as the artist of the super-hero book E-Man...
, and Steve Mitchell
When the Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
traps Batman in an explosion, he believes that he is finally rid of his arch-foe. 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 may mean the end to The Joker's newfound happiness...
Criminals (69-70)
By Steven Grant and Mike Zeck
Mike Zeck
Mike Zeck is an American comic book illustrator.-Biography:Zeck was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania to Michael and Kathryn Jean Zeck...
Batman goes undercover as a prison inmate.
Werewolf (71-73)
By James Robinson and John Watkiss
John Watkiss
John Watkiss is an artist who has worked in both comics and film. Born in England in 1961.After growing up in the Midlands in England, John Watkiss graduated from The Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Brighton University with a bachelor of Fine Arts degree...
Engines (74-75)
By Ted McKeever
Ted McKeever
-Career:McKeever first professional work appeared in 1987, when he published the first five parts of his unfinished series Transit , establishing his trademark style. This was followed in 1987-1988 by his 12-part series Eddy Current. This "12-hour book" centers on an escapee from an asylum...
Sleeping (76-78)
By Scott Hampton
Scott Hampton
Scott Hampton is an American comic book artist well known for his painted artwork. He is the brother of fellow-comics-creator Bo Hampton.-Biography:Scott Hampton was born in 1959 in High Point, North Carolina....
Favorite Things (79)
By Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
, Steve Yeowell
Steve Yeowell
Steve Yeowell is a British comics artist, well-known for his work on the long-running science fiction and fantasy weekly comic 2000 AD.-Biography:...
, and Dick Giordano
Dick Giordano
Richard Joseph "Dick" Giordano was an American comic book artist and editor best known for introducing Charlton Comics' "Action Heroes" stable of superheroes, and serving as executive editor of then–industry leader DC Comics...
On Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
, 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
James Vance (comics)
James Vance is an American comic book writer, author and playwright, best known for his work from Kitchen Sink Press and in particular the lauded Kings in Disguise.-Biography:James Vance was born on April 2, 1953...
, Dougie Braithwaite, and Sean Hardy
Infected (83-84)
By Warren Ellis
Warren Ellis
Warren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...
and John McCrea
John McCrea
John McCrea is a comic book artist best known for his collaborations with writer Garth Ennis.-Career:...
Citadel (85)
By James Robinson and Tony Salmons
Tony Salmons
Tony Salmons is an American alternative comic book artist, film storyboard artist and character designer.-Biography:Born in Rolla, Missouri, Salmons grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, with stops in New York City and San Francisco...
Conspiracy (86-88)
By Doug Moench, J.H. Williams III, and Mick Gray
Clay (89-90)
By Alan Grant and Quique Alcatena
A retelling of the first clash between Batman and Clayface
Clayface
Clayface is an alias used by several DC Comics fictional characters, most of them possessing claylike bodies and shape-shifting abilities. All of them have been enemies of Batman.-Publication history:...
(Matt Hagen). Based on the story "The Challenge of Clay-Face" in Detective Comics #298.
Freakout (91-93)
By Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
and Will Simpson
Stories (94)
By Michael T. Gilbert
Michael T. Gilbert
Michael Terry Gilbert is an American comic book artist and writer who has worked for both mainstream and underground comic book companies.-Biography:Michael T. Gilbert was born on May 7, 1951 and attended the State University of New York...
A writer by the name of Saul Fisher finds himself the target of an assassination attempt by a group of religious fundamentalists
Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism is strict adherence to specific theological doctrines usually understood as a reaction against Modernist theology. The term "fundamentalism" was originally coined by its supporters to describe a specific package of theological beliefs that developed into a movement within the...
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
Julie Madison
Julie Madison is a fictional character in the DC Universe, best known as Batman's first significant love interest.-Original version:Julie Madison first appeared in Detective Comics #31 only four issues after Batman's own debut...
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
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
, Silver Age
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
, Bronze Age
Bronze Age of Comic Books
The Bronze Age of Comic Books is an informal name for a period in the history of mainstream American comic books usually said to run from 1970 to 1985. It follows the Silver Age of Comic Books....
, and Dark Age.
Dirty Tricks (95-97)
By Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Anthony Williams
Anthony Williams (comics)
Anthony Williams is a Welsh comic book artist.-Biography:He broke into comics at Marvel UK, drawing for the series Action Force, The Real Ghostbusters and Transformers, among others...
Steps (98-99)
By Paul Jenkins
Paul Jenkins (writer)
Paul Jenkins is a British comic book writer and Gary Gygax's stepson. He has had much success crossing over into the American comic book market. Primarily working for Marvel Comics, he has had a big part shaping the characters of the company over the past decade.-Life and career:Paul Jenkins...
and Sean Phillips
Sean Phillips
Sean Phillips is a British comic book artist.He is best known in the American comic book industry for his work on DC Comics' Sleeper, WildC.A.T.s, Batman and Hellblazer.-Career:...
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
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
teenager.
Choices (100)
By Dennis O'Neil and Dave Taylor
A retelling of the origins of the first Robin, Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
. Based on the story in Detective Comics #38.
The Incredible Adventures of Batman (101)
By John Wagner
John Wagner
John Wagner is a comics writer who was born in Pennsylvania in 1949 and moved to Scotland as a boy. Alongside Pat Mills, Wagner was responsible for revitalising British boys' comics in the 1970s, and has continued to be a leading light in British comics ever since.He is best known for his work on...
and Carlos Ezquerra
Carlos Ezquerra
Carlos Sanchez Ezquerra , who has also worked under the alias L. John Silver, is a Spanish comics artist who works mainly in British comics and currently lives in Andorra...
Spook (102-104)
By James Robinson and Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson (artist)
Paul Johnson is a British comic book artist.-Biography:Paul Johnson orbited the peripheries of the British comic book industry in the early Eighties, self-publishing and appearing in influential but short-lived publications such as Psst! and Escape Magazine...
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
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far 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
Lee Marrs
Lee Marrs is an American comic book writer, animator, and one of the first women underground comix creators. She is best known for her comic book series, The Further Fattening Adventures of Pudge, Girl Blimp, which lasted from 1973 to 1978.-Underground comics:Marrs was a frequent contributor to...
and Eddy Newell
The Primal Riddle (109-111)
By Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart is an American novelist. In his earlier career he was a comic book writer best known for his work at Marvel Comics and DC Comics, particularly in the 1970s...
, Dusty Abell, and Drew Geraci
A battle with the Riddler
Riddler
The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 ....
results in Batman being badly electrocuted, resulting in a near death experience
Near death experience
A near-death experience refers to a broad range of personal experiences associated with impending death, encompassing multiple possible sensations including detachment from the body; feelings of levitation; extreme fear; total serenity, security, or warmth; the experience of absolute dissolution;...
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
Dan Vado
Dan Vado is a comic book publisher and writer, and a fixture of the independent comics community. Vado is the owner, president, and publisher of Slave Labor Graphics.-Biography:...
, Norman Felche, and Frank Cirocco
Playground (114)
By James Robinson, Dan Brereton
Dan Brereton
Dan Brereton is an American professional writer and illustrator who has produced notable work in the comic book field.-Biography:...
, and Tim Bradstreet
Tim Bradstreet
Timothy "Tim" Bradstreet , is an artist and illustrator, best known for his work on comic books , book covers, movie posters, roleplaying games and trading cards.-Career:...
Batman makes the foolish mistake of blindly confronting a professional mob assassin from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
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)
Part of the "No Man's Land" storyline
The Arrow and the Bat (127-131)
By Dennis O'Neil, Sergio Cariello
Sergio Cariello
Sergio Cariello is a Brazilian-American comic book artist. He has done work for many major comic publishers through his career, including Marvel Comics and DC Comics, as well as popular independent companies like CrossGen Comics and Dynamite Entertainment.-Career:Sergio Cariello knew he wanted to...
, and Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
Siege (132-136)
By Archie Goodwin
Archie Goodwin (comics)
Archie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is best known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work...
, Marshall Rogers
Marshall Rogers
Marshall Rogers was an American comic-book artist best known for his work at Marvel and DC Comics in the 1970s, particularly as one of the illustrators of Batman and Silver Surfer...
, and Bob Wiacek
Bob Wiacek
Bob Wiacek is an American comic book artist and writer, working primarily as an inker.-Career:Wiacek got his start in the mid-1970s as a member of the "Crusty Bunkers" inking collective. For a short time in 1975–1976 he inked backgrounds on Superman for DC Comics...
Set in the timeframe during which Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth lived in a downtown penthouse instead of Wayne Manor (in Batman publications from 1970 to 1982). An aging mercenary (and former protege of Bruce's grandfather Jack Wayne) uses a manufactured gang war and a mercenaries' convention as cover for an attack on Gotham and Wayne Manor. Silver St. Cloud
Silver St. Cloud
Silver St. Cloud is a fictional character who appears in Batman comics set in the . She is a recurring love interest of Batman/Bruce Wayne, debuting in Detective Comics #470, written by Steve Englehart. The issues featuring her earlier appearances have been collected in trade paperback form as...
briefly returns to Bruce's life as well.
"Siege" was one of the final stories written by Archie Goodwin
Archie Goodwin (comics)
Archie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is best known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work...
before his death.
Terror (137-141)
By Doug Moench, Paul Gulacy, and Jimmy Palmiotti
Jimmy Palmiotti
James "Jimmy" Palmiotti is an American writer and inker of comic books, who also does writing for games, television and film.-Early life:Palmiotti is a graduate of the High School of Art and Design in New York City.-Career:...
Spiritual sequel to the earlier Legends storyline "Prey". Prof. Hugo Strange resurfaces and breaks Dr. Jonathan Crane (the Scarecrow
Scarecrow (comics)
The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain, that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
) out of asylum to terrorize Batman and Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
. 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.
The Demon Laughs (142-145)
By Chuck Dixon, Jim Aparo
Jim Aparo
James N. "Jim" Aparo was an American comic book artist best known for his 1960s and 1970s DC Comics work, including on the characters Batman, Aquaman and the Spectre....
, and John Cebollero
Ra's al Ghul
Ra's al Ghul
Ra's al Ghul is a DC Comics supervillain and is one of Batman's greatest enemies. His name in Arabic has been translated in the comics as "The Demon's Head" and references the name of the star Algol. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams, he was introduced in Batman #232's...
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.
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
Mike Baron
Mike Baron is the creator of comic books Badger and Nexus. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.-Biography:Mike Baron broke into comics with an illustrated text piece in the 1974 debut issue of Marvel Comics's Comix Book...
and Bill Reinhold
Bill Reinhold
Bill Reinhold was born March 18, 1955 and is a 1982 graduate of the American Academy of Art in downtown Chicago.-Biography:Reinhold has been drawing and inking comic books professionally since 1981. He's done work most notably for First Comics, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics. Reinhold is known...
Blink (156-158)
By Dwayne McDuffie
Dwayne McDuffie
Dwayne Glenn McDuffie was an American writer of comic books and television, known for creating the animated television series Static Shock, writing and producing the animated series Justice League Unlimited, and co-founding the pioneering minority-owned-and-operated comic-book company Milestone...
, Val Semeiks
Val Semeiks
Valdis "Val" Semeiks is an American comic book artist who has mostly worked for DC Comics and Marvel Comics.-Biography:Val Semeiks was born in the USA on February 5, 1955 to Latvian parents....
, 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
John Ostrander
John Ostrander is an American writer of comic books. He is best known for his work on Suicide Squad, Grimjack and Star Wars: Legacy, series he helped create.-Career:...
, David Lopez
David Lopez (artist)
David López is a Spanish comic book artist.-Biography:López started his comics career in the Spanish fanzine before moving on to work on Espiral and finally, in 2002, making the jump to the American comic book market.He is best known for co-creating and illustrating the first volume of the...
, 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
Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
.
Auteurism (162-163)
By John Arcudi
John Arcudi
John Arcudi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work on The Mask and B.P.R.D., and his series Major Bummer.-Career:Arcudi worked for Malibu Comics upon its founding in 1986, working on its Eternity line...
and Roger Langridge
Roger Langridge
Roger Langridge is a New Zealand-born comics writer/artist/letterer, currently living in Britain.-Biography:Langridge originally came to public prominence most notably with the Judge Dredd Megazine series The Straitjacket Fits , a surreal, hallucinatory, convention-bending strip set in an insane...
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
Bill Willingham
Bill Willingham is an American writer and artist of comics.-Career:Willingham got his start in the late 1970s to early 1980s as a staff artist for TSR, Inc., where he illustrated a number of their role-playing game products...
and Tom Fowler
Tom Fowler (artist)
Thomas W.H. Fowler is a Canadian comic artist living in Ottawa, Canada.His published work includes Mad's "Monroe", Mysterius: The Unfathomable, Revolution on the Planet of the Apes, Green Arrow, Grendel, Star Wars: Jango Fett and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight.He also illustrated several cards...
Irresistible (169-171)
By Tom Peyer
Tom Peyer
Tom Peyer is an American comic book creator and editor.He is probably best known for his 1999 revisioning of Golden Age super-hero Hourman, as well as his work on the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 1990s. An editor at DC Comics/Vertigo from 1987 to 1993, he served as assistant editor on Neil...
, Tony Harris, and Wade von Grawbadger
Wade Von Grawbadger
Wade von Grawbadger is a comic book artist who is known mostly for his inking work for Marvel and DC comics.-DC Comics:* Alpha Centurion Special #1* Birds of Prey: Manhunt #1, 3, 4* Showcase '95 #1, 2...
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
Greg Scott
Greg "Greggles" Scott is an English television presenter. He is best known for being a presenter on the late night interactive ITV1 gameshow Quizmania.-Early life and career:...
The Secret City (180-181)
By Dylan Horrocks, Ramon Bachs, and Jon Holdredge
War Games (182-184)
Part of the "War Games" storyline
Riddle Me That (185-189)
By Shane McCarthy
Shane McCarthy
Shane McCarthy is an Australian writer best known for his comic book work.-Career:A comic book fan from an early age, Shane's first widely published work was the three-part Batman backup story Low for DC Comics in 2004, beginning in Detective Comics #797...
, Tommy Castillo
Tommy Castillo
Tommy Castillo is an American writer and illustrator of comic books.-Bibliography:Comics work includes:*Dragons, Myths & Mayhem 2001 ISBN 0865620431 *Grimm Fairy Tales Beauty & the Beast 2008 Published by Zenescope...
, and Rodney Ramos
Cold Snap (190-191)
By J. Torres
J. Torres
Joseph Torres, better known as J. Torres, is an award-winning Filipino-born Canadian comic book writer. He is perhaps best known for his run on DC Comics' Teen Titans Go!. He has also done some writing for animation and television.-History:...
, 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
Dan Curtis Johnson
Dan Curtis Johnson is a programmer and comic book writer, known primarily for his creation Dan Curtis Johnson (also DC Johnson, D. Curtis Johnson) is a programmer and comic book writer, known primarily for his creation Dan Curtis Johnson (also DC Johnson, D. Curtis Johnson) is a programmer and...
, and Seth Fisher
Seth Fisher
Seth Fisher was an American comic book artist and penciller.-Career:Seth Fisher first gained attention for his work on DC Comics' Green Lantern: Willworld, and was nominated for an Eisner Award for "Best Penciller/Inker" for Flash: Time Flies and Vertigo Pop! Tokyo.In 2005, Fisher pencilled the...
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.
Blaze of Glory (197-199)
By Will Pfeifer
Will Pfeifer
-Personal life:Will Pfeifer was born in 1967 in the town of Niles, Ohio. He attended Kent State University and graduated in 1989. He has resided in Rockford, Illinois since 1990, with his wife, Amy....
and Chris Weston
Chris Weston
Chris Weston is a British comics artist who has worked both in the US and UK comics industries.-Biography:Weston was born in January, 1969 in Rinteln, Germany, and lived in various countries as a child...
Emergency (200)
By Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
, Daren White, and Bart Sears
Bart Sears
Bart Whitman Sears is an American artist and author, originally from Syracuse, New York.Sears has lent his unique style and creative ideas to multiple industries, including but not limited to: Comics , Toys, and Computer Games...
During his latest battle with Batman, the Joker is inadvertently exposed to his own Joker Venom
Joker venom
Joker venom, also called Joker toxin or Smilex, is a fictional toxin, a favorite murder weapon used by The Joker in the Batman franchise of movies, comics, and cartoons...
.
Cold Case (201-203)
By Christos N. Gage, Ron Wagner, and Bill Reinhold
Madmen of Gotham (204-206)
By Justin Gray
Justin Gray
Justin Gray is an American comic book writer published by DC Comics.-Biography:Gray has often collaborated with fellow writer Jimmy Palmiotti on series such as Hawkman, Jonah Hex, Power Girl, 21 Down, Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters and The Resistance...
and Steven Cummings
Steven Cummings
Steven Cummings is an American comic book artist.-Biography:Presented his first professional work by DC Comics editor Bob Schreck, Steven Cummings penciled an unpublished inventory issue of Green Lantern featuring John Stewart...
Darker than Death (207-211)
By Bruce Jones
Bruce Jones (comics)
Bruce Jones, whose pen names include Philip Roland and Bruce Elliot, is an American comic book writer, novelist, illustrator, and screenwriter whose work included writing Marvel Comics' The Incredible Hulk from 2001-2005.-Early career:...
and Ariel Olivetti
Ariel Olivetti
Ariel Olivetti is an Argentine comic book penciller best known for his work on American comic book titles such as Daredevil, X-Man, Space Ghost and Punisher War Journal.-Career:...
Chicks Dig the Bat (212)
By Adam Beechen
Adam Beechen
Adam Beechen is an American comic book writer who wrote Countdown to Adventure and co-wrote Countdown for DC Comics.-Animation:Beechen has written scripts for various cartoon, such as Teen Titans, The Wild Thornberrys, Rugrats, Pink Panther and Pals, The Batman and the Ben 10 franchise...
, Steve Scott, and Nathan Massengill
Nathan Massengill
Nathan Massengill is an American comic book artist, most known for his work as a brush inker. His work includes Marvel Comics' Deadpool and DC Comics' the Justice Society of America. He is best known for inking Ed McGuinness, penciler on the Deadpool series...
Otaku (213)
By Matt Wayne
Matt Wayne
Matt S. Wayne is an American writer of comic books and television. Wayne is probably best known for his work on the animated series Justice League Unlimited and The Super Hero Squad Show, and writing and editing comic books for Milestone Media....
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
Akihabara
, also known as , is an area of Tokyo, Japan. It is located less than five minutes by rail from Tokyo Station. Its name is frequently shortened to in Japan...
, where he must comb the Electric City's various themed establishments
Cosplay restaurant
, are theme restaurants and pubs that originated in Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan around the year 1999. They include and , where the service staff dress as elegant maids, or as butlers. Such restaurants and cafés have quickly become a staple of Japanese otaku culture. Compared with service at normal...
to find a Yakuza
Yakuza
, also known as , are members of traditional organized crime syndicates in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan , literally "violence group", while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" , "chivalrous organizations". The yakuza are notoriously...
leader that has a rather disturbing fetish for costumed heroes.
Superstitious and Cowardly (214)
By Christos N. Gage and Phil Winslade
Phil Winslade
-Biography:Winslade was born in Surrey in 1965 and spent a lot of time indoors as a child because of a heart murmur. His main source of entertainment were Marvel like Howard the Duck and Deathlok. However, it wasn't until he attended Birmingham Polytechnic, to study art, that the idea of working in...
Batman once again finds himself at odds with Deadshot
Deadshot
Deadshot is a fictional character, a supervillain/assassin in the DC Universe and an enemy of Batman. He first appears in Batman #59 and was created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Schwartz....
, as the infamous assassin has been contracted to kill an important witness in an upcoming mob trial.
Viewpoint (0)
Bridging art by Vince Giarrano, plus excerpts from other issues
Duel (Annual 1)
By Dennis O'Neil, Jim Aparo, Keith Giffen
Keith Giffen
Keith Ian Giffen is an American comic book illustrator and writer.-Biography:Giffen was born in Queens, New York City....
, Malcolm Jones III
Malcolm Jones III
Malcolm Jones, III was an American comic book artist best known as an inker on The Sandman, where he added his illustrative line and textures to the work of pencillers such as Mike Dringenberg, Kelley Jones, and Colleen Doran...
, Joe Quesada
Joe Quesada
Joseph "Joe" Quesada is an American comic book editor, writer and artist. He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books, such as Ninjak and Solar, Man of the Atom...
, Josef Rubenstein, Tom Lyle
Tom Lyle
-Biography:Lyle first came to prominence as penciler on DC Comics' Starman vol. 1 where he worked with writer Roger Stern.He went on to work on the first Robin limited series with writer Chuck Dixon...
, Ty Templeton
Ty Templeton
Ty Templeton is a popular Canadian comic book artist and writer who has drawn a number of popular mainstream titles, TV-associated titles and his own series.-Biography:Templeton was born on May 9, 1962...
Dan Spiegle
Dan Spiegle
Dan Spiegle is an American comic book and cartoon artist and illustrator . He has had a long career in drawing comics based on movie and television characters, and has worked for companies including Dell Comics, DC Comics and Marvel Comics.-Life and career:In his second year of high school,...
, James Blackburn, and Michael Golden Mike Mignola
Mike Mignola
Michael Joseph "Mike" Mignola is an American comic book artist and writer who created the comic book series Hellboy for Dark Horse Comics. He has worked for animation projects such as Atlantis: The Lost Empire and the adaptation of his one shot comic book, The Amazing Screw-On Head.-Career: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
Gray Morrow
Dwight Graydon "Gray" Morrow was an American illustrator of paperback books and comics.-Biography:Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Morrow is best known as art director of Spider-Man between 1967 and 1970 and as illustrator of the syndicated Tarzan, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon and Prince Valiant comic...
, and Ricardo Villagran
Ricardo Villagran
Ricardo Villagran is an Argentinian illustrator known for his work in the American comic book industry.- Early life and education :Villagran was born in the small northern city of Corrientes in 1938...
Citizen Wayne (Annual 4)
By Brian Augustyn
Brian Augustyn
Brian Augustyn is an award-winning comic book editor and writer. He has often worked, as both an editor and writer, with writer Mark Waid.-Biography:...
, Mark Waid
Mark Waid
Mark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America...
, Joe Staton
Joe Staton
Joe Staton is an American illustrator and writer of comic books.-Career:Staton started his work with Charlton Comics in 1971 and gained notability as the artist of the super-hero book E-Man...
, and Horacio Ottolini
Wings (Annual 5)
By Chuck Dixon and Quique Alcatena
Reells the origin story of Man-Bat
Man-Bat
Man-Bat is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually as a supervillain and adversary of Batman, though occasionally depicted as a heroic character. He first appeared in Detective Comics #400 and was created by Frank Robbins and Neal Adams...
, 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
Russ Heath
Russell Heath, Jr. is an American artist best known for his comic book work — particularly his DC Comics war stories for several decades and his 1960s art for Playboy magazine's Little Annie Fanny featurettes — and for his commercial art, two pieces of which, depicting Roman and...
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 BatmanBatman (comic book)
Batman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published in May 1939. Batman proved to be so popular that a self-titled ongoing comic book series began publication in the spring of 1940...
and Detective Comics
Detective Comics
Detective Comics is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best known for introducing the iconic superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 . It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and...
and have often been referenced in modern continuity, notably Leslie Thompkins
Leslie Thompkins
Dr. Leslie Thompkins is a fictional character from the Batman mythos. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Dick Giordano, she first appeared in Detective Comics #457...
' discovery of Batman's identity, the origin of Bane
Bane (comics)
Bane is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 , and was created by Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, and Graham Nolan. Bane has been one of Batman's more physically and intellectually powerful foes...
'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, Batman Confidential, which has replaced Legends, utilizes a similar literary format.
Specials
In the 90s, writer Jeph LoebJeph Loeb
Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost, writer for the films Commando and Teen Wolf and was a writer and Co-Executive Producer on the NBC TV show Heroes from its...
and artist Tim Sale
Tim Sale (artist)
Tim Sale is an American Eisner Award-winning comic book artist. He is primarily known for his collaborations with writer Jeph Loeb.-Early life:...
collaborated on three Halloween specials collected as Batman: Haunted Knight
Batman: Haunted Knight
Batman: Haunted Knight is an anthology trade paperback published by DC Comics in 1996. It reprinted three one shot specials from the previous three years. Each of the stories were written by Jeph Loeb and featured art by Tim Sale.-Plot:...
that led them to create Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween is a 13-issue comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. It was originally published by DC Comics in 1996 and 1997. It was inspired by the three Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Specials by the same creative team...
as stated in the Introduction to the book by Jeph Loeb. The three specials are titled Choices (1993), Madness (1994) and Ghosts (1995). In the last, based on A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens first published by Chapman & Hall on 17 December 1843. The story tells of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge's ideological, ethical, and emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of...
, Bruce is visited by three spirits on Halloween, that of Poison Ivy (the spirit of Halloween Past), The Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
(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
Ebenezer Scrooge
Ebenezer Scrooge is the principal character in Charles Dickens's 1843 novel, A Christmas Carol. At the beginning of the novel, Scrooge is a cold-hearted, tight-fisted and greedy man, who despises Christmas and all things which give people happiness...
, in which he is reminded what it is to be human.
Crossovers
- The Destroyer - #27
- KnightQuest - #59-61
- Knight's End - #62-63
- No Man's Land - #116-126
- War Games - #182-184
Collected editions
Several of the stories from the title have been collected into trade paperbackTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
s including the following:
- Batman: Shaman (#1 - 5), by Dennis O'NeilDennis O'NeilDennis J. "Denny" O'Neil is an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of books until his retirement....
and Ed HanniganEd HanniganEd Hannigan is an American a writer, artist, and editor of comic books for both Marvel Comics and DC Comics. His most notable writing credits include work on The Defenders during the late 1970s and early 1980s. As the artist on The Spectacular Spider-Man, Hannigan co-created the characters Cloak...
, ISBN 1-56389-083-6 - Batman: GothicBatman: GothicGothic is a 1990 Batman comic book storyline that ran through the Legends of the Dark Knight monthly series. It was written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Klaus Janson.- Plot :...
(#6 - 10), by Grant MorrisonGrant MorrisonGrant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
and Klaus JansonKlaus JansonKlaus Janson is a German-born American comic book artist, working regularly for Marvel Comics and DC Comics and sporadically for independent companies...
, ISBN 1-40121-549-1 - Batman: Prey (#11 - 15), by Doug MoenchDoug MoenchDouglas Moench , better known as Doug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok.-Biography:...
and Paul GulacyPaul GulacyPaul Gulacy is an American comic book illustrator best known for his work for DC Comics and Marvel Comics, and for drawing one of the first graphic novels, Eclipse Enterprises' 1978 Sabre: Slow Fade of an Endangered Species, with writer Don McGregor.-Early life and career:Paul Gulacy began...
, ISBN 0-44639-521-8 - Batman: Venom (#16 - 20), by Dennis O'NeilDennis O'NeilDennis J. "Denny" O'Neil is an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of books until his retirement....
, Trevor Von EedenTrevor Von EedenTrevor Von Eeden is a comic book writer/artist who, known for his work on such DC Comics books as Black Lightning, Batman, and Green Arrow, as well as Marvel Comics books such as Power Man and Iron Fist, and the biographical series The Original Johnson.-Early life:According to Von Eeden, he...
, and José Luis García-LópezJosé Luis García-LópezJosé Luis García-López is a Spanish comic book artist who works in the United States of America, mostly for DC Comics. He has most recently penciled an arc in Batman Confidential, the Metal Men storyline in the 2009 Wednesday Comics weekly anthology, and, in 2011, one of the stories in The Spirit...
ISBN 1-56389-101-8 - Batman: Faces (#28 - 30), by Matt WagnerMatt WagnerMatt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist, best known as the creator of the series Mage and Grendel.-Career:...
ISBN 1-56389-126-3 - Batman: Collected Legends of the Dark Knight (#32 - 34, 38, 42 - 43), ISBN 1-56389-147-6
- Batman: Other Realms (#35 - 36, 76 - 78), by BoBo HamptonBo Hampton is a noted comic book and cartoon artist.He graduated from the School of Visual Arts, New York City. He drew, wrote and painted comics and graphic novels for 15 years, always with a bent toward realism that was fairly uncommon in the medium...
and Scott HamptonScott HamptonScott Hampton is an American comic book artist well known for his painted artwork. He is the brother of fellow-comics-creator Bo Hampton.-Biography:Scott Hampton was born in 1959 in High Point, North Carolina....
, ISBN 1-85286-977-1 - Batman: Dark Legends (#39 - 40, 50, 52 - 54), ISBN 1-56389-266-9
- Batman: KnightsEnd (reprints #62-63 along with material from other titles)
- Batman: Going Sane (#65 - 68, 200)
- Batman: Monsters (#71-73, 83-84, 89-90)
- Batman: The Ring, The Arrow and The Bat (reprints Legends of the DC Universe 7 - 9 and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 127 - 131), by Dennis O'NeilDennis O'NeilDennis J. "Denny" O'Neil is an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of books until his retirement....
ISBN 1-4012-0126-1 - Batman: Terror (#137 - 141), by Doug MoenchDoug MoenchDouglas Moench , better known as Doug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok.-Biography:...
, ISBN 1-4012-0125-3 - Batman: Snow (#192 - 196), written by Dan Curtis JohnsonDan Curtis JohnsonDan Curtis Johnson is a programmer and comic book writer, known primarily for his creation Dan Curtis Johnson (also DC Johnson, D. Curtis Johnson) is a programmer and comic book writer, known primarily for his creation Dan Curtis Johnson (also DC Johnson, D. Curtis Johnson) is a programmer and...
and J.H. Williams III, art by Seth FisherSeth FisherSeth Fisher was an American comic book artist and penciller.-Career:Seth Fisher first gained attention for his work on DC Comics' Green Lantern: Willworld, and was nominated for an Eisner Award for "Best Penciller/Inker" for Flash: Time Flies and Vertigo Pop! Tokyo.In 2005, Fisher pencilled the...
, ISBN 1-40121-265-4
Awards
Issues 116 through 126 of the series were part of the No Man's Land storyline, which won the Comics Buyer's GuideComics Buyer's Guide
Comics Buyer's Guide , established in 1971, is the longest-running English-language periodical reporting on the American comic book industry...
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 LoebJeph Loeb
Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost, writer for the films Commando and Teen Wolf and was a writer and Co-Executive Producer on the NBC TV show Heroes from its...
with art by Tim Sale
Tim Sale (artist)
Tim Sale is an American Eisner Award-winning comic book artist. He is primarily known for his collaborations with writer Jeph Loeb.-Early life:...
; the popularity of these led to the limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween is a 13-issue comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. It was originally published by DC Comics in 1996 and 1997. It was inspired by the three Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Specials by the same creative team...
.
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 superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es.
The Mitefall special used a modern version of Bat-Mite
Bat-Mite
Bat-Mite is a fictional character appearing in stories published by DC Comics. Bat-Mite is an Imp similar to the Superman villain Mister Mxyzptlk...
who first appeared in Legends of the Dark Knight to parody the Batman Knightfall storyline.
See also
- "Legends of the Dark Knight" is also the title of an episode from The New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman Adventures is the successor to Batman: The Animated Series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Although bearing different character designs and animation styles, both shows take place in the same continuity, with TNBA set two years after BTAS. The series aired on The WB from...
era of Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
. - Batman ConfidentialBatman ConfidentialBatman Confidential was an American monthly comic book series from DC Comics which debuted on December 6, 2006 and concluded on March 2, 2011....
- a monthly comic series that also tell tales from Batman's past but deals with more personal events in his career.