Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight was a 214-issue series that ran as part of DC Comics' Batman line of titles from 1989 to 2007 feature story arcs, usually not exceeding five issues. The story arcs had revolving creative teams, telling stories, usually taking place early on in the Dark Knight's career. On rare occasions, the title would crossover with the larger Batman events, but it was a self-contained series for the most part.
For the most part, the stories were interesting explorations of the Batman mythos, yet sometimes, the stories were forgettable, suffering in either the writing or the art, sometimes both. While there are these few rough patches in the title's run, for the most part, the stories are must-reads for any fan of Batman.
10 What Snow Lacks In Story, Is More Than Made Up For By The Art
Legends Of The Dark Knight #192 - 196, written by J.H. Williams III and Dan Curtis Johnson with art by Seth Fisher, tells the origin of Victor Fries, better known as Mister Freeze, from a different perspective. The five-issue story arc is told in the chapters: Drift, Bound, Blind, Fall, & Storm. Set in Batman's early crime-fighting days, along with will Freeze's origin, the story also tells of Batman's initial plans for finding allies to help him with his cases.
While, in retrospect, Mr. Freeze's origin tale is cliche, and the attempts at humor may not work for everyone, the thing that makes this arc memorable is the artwork. Fisher's style, use of color, and attention to small details make this story worth the read.
9 The Grimm Story Arc Is One Of The Few Times That Batman Is Not The Focus Of The Story
As the title of the series implies, Batman's adventures are usually the focus of the stories; however, J.M. DeMatteis and artist Trevor von Eeden's Grimm (issues #149 - 153) tells the story from one of Dick Grayson's first experiences as Robin. The Boy Wonder discovers the lair of Mother Grimm, a joyful yet mad elderly woman who takes in children, putting them to work in exchange for shelter in her underground world.
While Robin stands alone against Mother Grimm and her acolytes in one of his first true tests as a vigilante, Batman must deal with the mysterious Cyanide. This Robin-centric story arc is a nice departure from focusing on Batman but not totally ignoring him.
8 The Legend of the Dark Mite Takes A Wacky Silver Age Character And Gives Them A Modern Day Explanation
The Legend of the Dark Mite (issue #38) is a self-contained issue that brings the Silver Age imp, Bat-Mite, into the DC Universe in a story by writer Alan Davis and artist Kevin O'Neill. In the story, Batman visits Arkham and interrogates an insane drug user, Bob Overdog, who supposedly gunned down his friends in a drugged-out haze. Bob tells Batman that it was an imp calling himself Bat-Mite who is responsible for his actions.
This story is fun and takes the wacky Silver Age concept and puts a modern spin on it in such a believable way. The creative team would return to this strange world in 1995's Batman: Mitefall, which tells the Knightfall-Knightsquest story in the 5th Dimension.
7 The Sleeping Is A Metaphysical Journey For Bruce Wayne Following A Traffic Accident
Writer/artist Scott Hampton took Batman through a coma-induced journey in issues #76 -78 when an accident caused by a drunk driver left Batman hanging between life and death. As he journey's through a nightmarish realm, Batman has a brief reunion with his parents, gets a glimpse of life had he taken a different path, and the realization that to return to the land of the living, the Dark Knight must not only battle mythic creatures but also find his 'soul twin' who is his fundamental opposite.
The story is a fast-paced story that puts Batman out of his usual element where he must deal with things other than his regular rouges gallery.
6 The Arrow and the Bat Tells The Story Of The First Time Batman And Green Arrow Met
The friendship between Batman and Green Arrow has always been a love-hate relationship, but also one where the two heroes have mutual respect for the other. Dennis O'Neil, who was no stranger to writing either character, along with artist Sergio Cariello, told the story of the first time the two meet in the five-issue story, The Arrow and the Bat, issues #127 - 131.
After the two heroes have their initial confrontation fight, the two team up to take down Minister Skave and Master Haim, an archer assassin hired to kill Oliver Queen. O'Neil masterfully weaves the tail of this first meeting between showing the grasp he had on both of these characters, who are more alike than they might like to admit.
5 In Blades, Batman Learns That Even The Best Of People Can Turn Bad If Pushed Too Far
Blades, the 3-part story by James Robinson and Tim Sale (issues #32 -34), finds the Dark Knight facing some competition to fill the role of Gotham's vigilante hero. Hudson Pyle, a stunt man and master swordsman, adopts the identity of the Cavalier and makes his move to become Gotham's top vigilante, which puts him squarely in conflict with Batman, especially after killing some mobsters to protect the woman he fell in love with who was also a murderer.
After besting Batman in a sword fight that spanned the rooftops of the city, the Cavalier sacrifices himself by running at police waving an unloaded gun to protect the woman he loves. Robinson and Sale provide readers with a great story that is easy to follow, and in the end, leaving Batman with what he needs to be to become a better person.
4 Grant Morrison's Gothic Combines Supernatural Aspects Into Batman's World In A Tale That Ties Into To Bruce's Childhood
Over the years, Grant Morrison has taken Batman on many adventures, but the Gothic story, issues #6–10, remains one of his best Batman adventures. Along with artist Klaus Jansen, Gothic takes place during Bruce Wayne's early days as Batman, which ties into a lesser-known event from Bruce's childhood. When leaders of the mob find themselves targeted, they turn to Batman for assistance, who uncovers a sordid tale from Gotham's past, and a Faustian pact connected to Gotham City's Cathedral.
In true Morrison style, the story is a slow burn that accelerates as the story reaches its conclusion, but not before it weaves in and out of the supernatural and sometimes religious overtones. Gothic is a diamond in the rough and a worthy follow-up to his Arkham Asylum original graphic novel.
3 Prey Reimagined One Of The Dark Knight's Earliest Enemies, Doctor Hugo Strange
The Prey storyline (issues #11 -13), by veteran bat-writer Doug Moench and with art by Paul Gulacy, tells the story of Batman's earliest days as he struggled to earn both the trust of the public and forge a relationship with Captain James Gordon.
Batman faces one of his oldest enemies, the brilliant psychiatrist Hugo Strange, and his personal and professional obsessions with unraveling Batman's secrets. The story is also the first modern age comic to reimagine Hugo Strange and make him a formidable foe for years to come.
2 Venom Is One Of The Few Stories That Would Have Effects In The Main Batman Continuity
The Venom story arc (issues #16 - 20) by Dennis O'Neil with art by Trevor von Eeden first introduced Venom, the strength-enhancing drug later used by Bane to break Batman. The Dark Knight has always found a way to come out on top; however, failing to save a drowning young girl leaves Batman looking to enhance his strength, chemically resulting in his becoming addicted to Venom, with devastating effects.
Soon Batman realizes that the drug is causing him more harm after he almost gets himself killed and almost breaks his 'no kill' rule. The rest of the story is Batman sealing himself in the Batcave until he kicks the addiction and him coming to the realization that even though he is Batman, he is still human and suspectable to corruption.
1 Going Sane Is One Of The Best, Yet Often Forgotten Stories About Batman And The Joker's Relationship
Over the years, Batman and The Joker have had many memorable encounters, which many writers have explored in their crafting of stories involving the two. Perhaps the Batman/Joker story that is overlooked is the one that best explores the connection between the two, Going Sane (#65 -68) by J. M. DeMatteis and Joe Staton. When the Joker wins and supposedly kills Batman, Joker finally snaps, back to sanity, with all memories of his criminal past forgotten, leaving ordinary and upstanding Gotham City citizen Joseph Kerr.
However, when Batman goes searching for The Joker, only to find Joseph Kerr, but in the process triggers the part of Kerr, who is still the Joker, ending his return to sanity and starting the vicious cycle once again.
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