Book: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight volume #1 (issues #1-5) written and illustrated by various authors and illustrators
Edition: I'm reading the single issues
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Review:
Although these stories technically are not part of the New 52, I only included the New 52 (in parenthesis) so as not to confuse them with the older version with the same title. They are a part of the digital first series which usually don't having anything to do with what's happening over in the main universe.
Anyway on with the review:
Issue #1 "The Butler Did It" written by Damon Lindelof with illustrations by Jeff Lemire and color by Jose Villarrubia
The story had Batman out on patrol, seeing a family (a mother, father and son) being held at gun point but it turned out to be a trap. The family were not want they seemed, in fact they were villains. Someone, knows his deepest darkest secret and is exploiting it. But who? It was someone he wouldn't have suspected but I think it taught him a much needed lesson on humility.
Issue #2 "Crisis in Identity" written by B. Clay Moore with illustrations by Ben Templesmith
What's the reason for several of the city's social and political elite men going out dressed as Batman and subsequent being murdered by Killer Croc? Why are these some what normal guys out there? With the media focusing negative attention on Batman's possible involvement and the police being unable to figure out what's going on, will the caped crusader be able to solve the mystery?
He did figure it out but it nearly resulted in him revealing his secret in the process.
Issue #3 "Letters to Batman" written by Steve Niles with illustrations by Trevor Hairsine and color by Antonio Fabela
The story opened with the Joker trying to blow up a school but thanks to Batman he was able to stop him. After handing the Joker over to the police, Batman headed back to the cave but only to hear from Alfred that the Joker escaped from Arkham, again. Bruce started to feel like nothing he's doing out there matters especially after he opened a gift and read a note that were both from the Joker.
He was still feeling a little dejected when he left for his meeting with Commissioner Gordon as well as when he returned back to the cave with three large bags of letters all addressed to him. Thankfully, Alfred decided to read one of those letters because it was a wonderful letter thanking Batman.
Bruce finally read the letters and they were exactly what he needed and they were also the key to helping him figure out where the Joker was.
Issue #4 includes three stories:
Story #1: "A Game To Die For" by TJ Fixman with illustrations by Christopher Mitten and colors by David Lopez and Santi Casas
The first story had Batman racing to try to stop the superhero Paetorian from trying to kill the Joker but as the story reveals it's not at all what the reader is seeing. This was pretty interesting you get to see the Joker's mind games working at their best.
Story #2: "Batman: The Movie" by Andrew Dabb with illustrations by Giorgio Pontrelli and colors by Antonio Fabela
Like filming a Batman movie in Gotham is not going to lead to trouble. Especially when the Joker and Harley Quinn show up planning to bomb the movie set for no apparent reason but to have some fun.
Story #3: "Together" by Jonathan Larsen with illustrations by Tan Eng Huat with colors by David Lopez and Santi Casas
Story three opens with the police investigating the abduction of two children (on separate accounts). Both children had recently had surgery and the surgeries had been performed by the same doctor. Tracking down the doctor lead to finding out he had been abducted as well. With an inkling to who may be behind everything, Batman set out to find them and stop what he believe is the motive to everything.
Issue #5 "A Slam Bradley Mystery..." by Joshua Hale Fialkov with illustrations by Phil Hester, inks by Eric Gapstur and colors by Jim Charalampidis
This reminded me of one of those old detective movies where someone was framed for murder and no one will believe them. That's exactly what happened, when private detective (and former cop) Slam Bradley finds himself the prime suspect in the murder of a young woman. He had been following the husband of his client to provide proof that the husband had been cheating. Slam was right in the process of photographing the husband with his mistress when the couple started fighting. Slam kicked into police mode and went to go stop it but once he got there the woman was dead and the guy was gone. Despite Slam doing the right thing and calling the police and also leaving the flash drive with photos of the incident somehow he became the prime suspect. Which had Batman on his trail, so how can he prove he didn't do it when the police are looking for him along with Batman.
I really enjoyed reading all five issues, they were all really good. It's so nice to read one issue stories again. You don't have to read four or more issues to complete a story. It was interesting to read the take on Batman from different writers. To read the next group of issues or volume two, I'm actually going to have to buy the trade edition, since I'm not sure I will be able to find them all at the comic book store. Well, that's what I get for letting these issues sit around on my shelf before I finally got around to reading them. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to reading the second volume.
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