Book Review: Batman: Legends of The Dark Knight 100-Page Super Spectacular #4

Book: Batman: Legends of The Dark Knight 100-Page Super Spectacular #4 cover art by Aaron Lopresti

Edition: Paperback

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

There are three very well-written stories with artwork that compliments each one that has Batman going up against a gruesome version of himself to trying to stop The Riddler.



Story #1: "I Batman" written and illustrated by Aaron Lopresti, color by Wendy Broome and letters by Saida Temofonte

I like this, it had a very Frankenstein feel to the story. A scientist was trying to recreate Batman but some where along the way his inspiration turned into obsession. He created a twisted bizarro version of Batman that couldn't distinguish between the victims it was supposed to help and criminals it was supposed to stop. It was a dangerously flawed creation and Batman was getting blamed for everything the creature was doing.

Batman was going to have to figure out a way to stop the creature.



Story #2: "Ashes to Ashes" by Doug Wagner with illustrations by Matthew Dow Smith, color by Wendy Broome and letters by Saida Temofonte

This was a fascinating story because what appeared to be random cases of victims dying by fire turned into some much more tragic. A new serial killer was targeting people leaving Batman to track down clues to find the connection and the killer.

Yeah, this really was a good story. There was also a revelation for Batman in this that gave him a new perspective of why he puts on the cape and cowl.



Story #3: "Herded Limits" by Marc Guggenheim with illustrations by Federico Dallocchio, color by Alejandro Sanchez and letters by Saida Temofonte

This opens with Dr. Chase Meridian, a new doctor at Arkham Asylum recommending that Edward Nigma a.k.a. The Riddler is fit to stand trial and should be held in prison instead of Arkham. She believes he has been faking a compulsive personality. Despite her assessment, the judge disregards her findings and places The Riddler right back in Arkham which as the story continues is right where he wants to be. There is something he has been trying for years to find and the only way he can do that is by constantly being placed in the asylum.

This story had an interesting take on the Riddler because once he found what he was looking for, his entire demeanor changed. He was no longer The Riddler that Batman fans have known. While The Riddler has always been smart and calculating but his compulsive disorder made him obsessed with leaving clues that lead to him being easily captured. However, by changing that, it throws everything out the window because with him no longer exhibiting those familiar traits, he seemed just like any other criminal.

Also in this story, Bruce Wayne was interested in Dr. Meridian but her analysis of Batman may have put a stop to a romance between them. She was getting a little too close to the truth and odds are she would have eventually been able to figure out that he was Batman.


Gotham is not like any other city in the world of DC Comics and these stories show why Batman is perfectly suited to be the hero for this city. I have one more Legends of The Dark Knight Super Spectaculars to read. And so far I have not been disappointed by the stories that have been featured in the first four books.