Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, often simply called Legends of the Dark Knight, is the name of several DC comic books featuring Batman. The original series launched in 1989 as the third major monthly Batman title, following the popularity of Tim Burton's 1989 film Batman. Many of the stories follow the tone of Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. The creative team rotated with every story arc and the stories stood alone, unlike the inter-connected nature of other Batman comics of the time. Initially the title ran stories contained to five issues, often with more mature topics and sensibilities than the other Batman titles. After issue #20, the number of issues for each story began to vary and occasionally tied into crossover events.
Most stories in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight are set early in Batman's career, although a few are set in the present and even the future. Stories set early in Batman's career are commonly referred to as "Year One" stories, loosely meaning Bruce Wayne's first several years of crimefighting as Batman. Stories in the title were initially only from before Robin, but Dick Grayson began appearing sporadically in later issues. The series, for the most part, eschewed appearances by other DC Universe superheroes and focused on Batman and his closest partners Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon, and Batman's rogues gallery.
The title was discontinued with issue #214 (March 2007) and replaced with a new Batman anthology series, Batman Confidential, which focuses on more personal events in Batman's life (first encounters, building of new technology, etc.), rather than early crime-fighting tales.
Some of the creative talent who have worked on the series include Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, Archie Goodwin, Dennis O'Neil, Dwayne McDuffie, Doug Moench, Grant Morrison, Mike Mignola, Bill Willingham, Matt Wagner and Marshall Rogers.
In 2012, DC Comics revived the series as Legends of the Dark Knight, a digital-first weekly series. The series was similarly composed of self-contained stories with revolving creative teams. The first issue, "The Butler Did It", by Damon Lindelof and Jeff Lemire, debuted in June 2012.
Publication history Volume 1 (1989–2007) The original series was published as issues #1–214 from 1989 to 2007. Seven Annuals were also published.
Three one-issue Halloween specials, Fears, Madness and Ghosts, a fourth one-issue special based on the Knightfall story arc, Mitefall and one three-issue miniseries, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight - Jazz, were also published under the Legends of the Dark Knight banner.
Volume 2 (2012–2015) The second volume was published in 88 weekly "digital-first" installments and subsequently collected as Legends of the Dark Knight #1-13 and Legends of the Dark Knight 100-Page Super Spectacular #1-5. The entire series was collected in five trade paperback volumes.
Hardcover collection series (2011–present) In 2011, DC began publishing some of its premium hardcover collections under Legends of the Dark Knight banner. These volumes focus on historically significant Batman creators (the companion volumes were branded as Tales of the Batman).
Legends of the Dark Knight: Jim Aparo Volume 1 (2012) Legends of the Dark Knight: Jim Aparo Volume 2 (2013) Legends of the Dark Knight: Jim Aparo Volume 3 (2017) Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle Volume 1 (2015) Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle Volume 2 (2018) Legends of the Dark Knight: Alan Davis Volume 1 (2012) Legends of the Dark Knight: José Luis García-López (2023) Legends of the Dark Knight: Michael Golden (2019) Legends of the Dark Knight: Marshall Rogers (2011) Legends of the Dark Knight: Matt Wagner (2020)
Story arcs 1989–2007 series Shaman (#1–5) 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.
Note: Legend of the Dark Knight #1 (the first issue of the "Shaman" storyline) was printed with several different colored covers as collector's items.
Gothic (#6–10)
By Grant Morrison and Klaus Janson
A man known as "Mr. Whisper" is killing off mob bosses one by one. The mobsters explain to Batman that he was a child killer over 30 years ago, and (similar to the film M) the mobsters had found and killed him when there was too much pressure from the cops over them. At the same time, Batman's investigation links Mr. Whisper with a hideous event in Bruce Wayne's school days, a bargain reminiscent of Don Giovanni, and the Gotham City Cathedral.
Note: Grant Morrison's second Batman story and first non-graphic novel Batman story.
Prey (#11–15)
By Doug Moench, Paul Gulacy, and Terry Austin
Batman must contend with the brilliant but deranged psychiatrist Hugo Strange, who foments a massive smear campaign against him and attempts to uncover his secret identity.
Note: Retells the second meeting, in Post-Crisis continuity, between Batman and Hugo Strange (the first meeting would be told, years later, in Dark Moon Rising: Batman and the Monster Men).
Venom (#16–20) By Dennis O'Neil, Russell Braun, Trevor Von Eeden, and José Luis García-López
When Batman fails to save the life of a young girl held for ransom, he decides to try a new experimental steroid-drug designed by her father called Venom.
Note: First appearance of the "Venom" drug-steroid, later used by Bane. First Legends of the Dark Knight story to be referenced in-canon in the main Batman titles during Knightfall.
Faith (#21–23) By Mike W. Barr, Bart Sears, and Randy Elliott
A drug addict is rescued from a fatal beating by Batman, which inspires him to organize a group of neighborhood vigilantes to take up Batman's cause. However, his addled dreams convince him that he must supplant Batman. Meanwhile, Dr. Leslie Thompkins discovers Bruce Wayne's secret identity.
Note: Tells the previously-unseen story of Leslie Thompkins discovering that Bruce Wayne is Batman. Also, it is the first Legends of the Dark Knight story to not consist of the original five issue one story format.
Flyer (#24–26) By Howard Chaykin and Gil Kane
One of the officers who was injured during the siege against Batman in Batman: Year One resurfaces in a mechanized combat suit, targeting Batman for death.
Note: An unofficial sequel to Batman: Year One.
Destroyer (Part 2 of 3) (#27) By Dennis O'Neil, Chris Sprouse, and Bruce Patterson
A miscreant is blowing up Gotham's newer buildings which, according to him, have overshadowed the old Gotham and his destruction leads to Art.
Note: Part of a three-part crossover involving Legends of the Dark Knight, Batman, and Detective Comics. First issue of the series to be set in the then-present day continuity and the first issue to crossover with the other Batman titles.
Faces (#28–30) By Matt Wagner
Two-Face takes over a small island with plans to create a society in his own scarred image.
Family (#31) By James D. Hudnall and Brent Anderson
After Bruce forces Alfred to take a vacation to Corto Maltese, he must rescue him from kidnappers.
Note: First regular DC Universe appearance of the island nation of Corto Maltese, which was introduced in the pages of the out-of-continuity Batman: The Dark Knight Returns miniseries.
Blades (#32–34) By James Robinson and Tim Sale
While Batman is distracted with a serial killer who targets senior citizens, a new vigilante, the swashbuckling Cavalier, begins his own war on crime.
Note: The Cavalier who appears in the story is a new character, previously never seen before, and has no ties with the more commonly known version of the character.
Destiny (#35–36) By Bo Hampton and Mark Kneece
Batman meets another costumed vigilante from Norway who dresses like a Viking, and learns an ancient tale of a Norse hero known as the Bat Man.
Mercy (#37) By Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Colin MacNeil
In his early days, Batman trained a female rookie cop, Mercedes "Mercy" Stone, to fight in hand-to-hand combat. Five years later, he must rescue her from a pit-fighting ring.
Legend of the Dark Mite (#38) By Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neill
A junkie criminal turned Arkham Asylum inmate, Bob Overdog, claims that the events leading up to his imprisonment were orchestrated by an imp from another dimension (the titular Bat-Mite) who idolizes and attempts to emulate Batman.
Note: Set in the then-present day continuity of the Batman titles and 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 that he is an alcoholic tramp who dresses in a batsuit made of garbage. He wonders whether it is 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.
Note: Inspired by early Batman stories involving Batman facing vampires in the 1930s. The plotline also deliberately parallels the classic film Sunset Boulevard.
Hothouse (#42–43) By John Francis Moore and P. Craig Russell
Pamela Isley is out of the asylum after her first encounter with Batman. But when one of her colleagues dies under mysterious circumstances, her rehabilitation is called into question.
Note: First story to feature Poison Ivy attempting to reform. It was later loosely adapted into the Batman: The Animated Series episode "House and Garden".
Turf (#44–45) By Steven Grant and Shawn McManus
Batman and Captain James Gordon go after racist cops who are brutalizing and murdering African Americans.
Heat (#46–49) By Doug Moench and Russ Heath
When Thomas Blake starts murdering young women, Batman and Catwoman form an uneasy alliance to stop him.
Note: The story features an alternate origin/take on Catman, portraying him as a serial killer driven by memories of an abusive mother. The story was one of several Batman/Catwoman stories that were officially declared non-canon following the events of Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!.Wizard Magazine: Beyond Zero Hour pg. 46
Images (#50) By Dennis O'Neil and Bret Blevins
A young Batman meets his match when he encounters a murderous villain known as the Joker.
Note: The story is a retelling of the first encounter between Batman and the Joker, from Batman #1, with elements from Batman: Year One added as part of the retelling.
Snitch (#51) By Robert Loren Fleming and David G. Klein
A highly skilled hitman whose rule is to only fire a single shot targets Batman and Gotham's other defender, the Ragman.
Tao (#52–53) By Alan Grant and Arthur Ranson
A man from Batman's past comes to Gotham seeking vengeance.
Sanctum (#54) By Dan Raspler and Mike Mignola
While hunting a serial killer, Batman discovers an undead man who attempts to kill him in order to live again.
Watchtower (#55–57) By Chuck Dixon and Mike McMahon
A tale of an alternate future Batman.
Storm (#58) By Andrew Donkin, Graham Brand, and John Higgins
A foreign diplomat whose country is guilty of violating human rights is targeted by a group of terrorists.
Quarry (#59–61)