Why doesn't anyone talk about Legends of the Dark Knight?

[MarsCactus]

I mean... is it bad or what?

[sleepingawake198]

was wondering the same myself, posted something bout it, i was looking at it in my comic shop today and the art seeemd nice but iddnt wanan pick it up cuz it was like part 5 or something of a stroy arc, seems like it might be good though, i picked up the morrison batman instead hopefuly thats good, wantd to give all star a chance but no issues where to be found must sell out quick

[Maestro]

Not many people read it I guess. Nothing important ever happens like in the main books. But the issues I've read before were very good

[Paul Dee]

was wondering the same myself, posted something bout it, i was looking at it in my comic shop today and the art seeemd nice but iddnt wanan pick it up cuz it was like part 5 or something of a stroy arc,

The current story got off to promising start but I haven't been in the comic shops much recently to have a look at which issue is current as I have no money. It's probably only part 2 though.

[Gaspard]

I'm kind of a Batman newbie myself. I've read some of the bigger stories like DKR, DKSA, Hush, The Loeb/Sale books, The Killing Joke and the first four issues of All Star, and I have no idea what Legends is about. How many bat-books are out there really? I understand there's Detective Comics, then there's just Batman (am I right?), plus Legends and All Star.

[Paul Dee]

They are the main Batman ones. Then you have the Robin, Nightwing, Catwoman etc titles. Plus various one-off/mini-series publications.


Am I right in thinking that LOTK finishes later this year?

[agentofthebat]

come on boys i love LOTD i started to pick it up 3 years ago and loved it the only prob is its not a main book it was back a couple years ago but they changed it

[Gaspard]

So how's it different?

[Buddahbelly]

As far as I know it's non-con. The only time it is is in the big crossovers. Quality varys by story arc. One will be good, the next not really. Nice book if you just want to read Batman and not deal with con.

[The Batman]

i've often wondered why LotDk isn't more popular too. i think one of the reasons is that it isn't in continuity and therefore doesn't "count" the same way the other books do. i imagine the other is that the quality can vary greatly from story to story.

i guess the reason i wondered the most was because LotDK was, of all the titles, the one most Bat-dick free that usually presented a fairly consistent Batman abd Batverse that was free of the cross-overs and excessive continuity that everyone complained about in the other books. LotDK seemed to be what everyone was asking for but so few people were reading.

[jackups]

It good but doensnt fit exactly in to the continuity of year one ,The long Hallowean ,and Dark Victory!

Talking about those it reminds me at how much Batman:Year two -Fear the reaper was rubbish!"

[Gaspard]

What do you mean?

[david r]

"Legends of the Dark Knight" was launched in 1989, at the same time as the first Tim Burton Bat-flick. It was timed to coincide with the release and was considered a HUGE success at that time.

Back then, there were only "Detective Comics" and "Batman" each month, so LofDK was the third regular ongoing Bat-title. This was important back then. It sold extremely well for years, but seemed to lose it's importance in the later 90s. When more and more Batman product (like "Shadow of the Bat") were launched.

I've heard rumors for a year that "Legends of the Dark Knight" was to be cancelled. I'd heard at #200, but this has not happened. It seems that DC Comics is going to keep LofDK around for a while longer.

[Karl J. Barnes]

I LOVE LOTDK!!! I think that the various writers and artists doing these mini-short stories of Batman are a cool way to have your Batman with many different perspectives. Some issues/story arcs aren't as well thought out/done as others, but the chances and unique(at times) visions of different artists and writers is exciting.

[jackups]

What do you mean?

when putting my bat stories in order some of the issuies that are randomly set near the beginning of batman dont fit in at all to my preffered year one type continuity!:D

[Gaspard]

No I meant the Year Two comment, would like to hear more about that because I read it yesterday. I was thinking about starting a thread on it but I got too lazy.

[Apathy Boy]

LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT is groovy. It's been the most consistently good Bat-title over the last decade. Unfortunately, by its very nature - rotating storyarcs that have no bearing on continuity, told by creators who tend not to be big names - the title doesn't draw a lot of attention to itself.

Haven't read FEAR THE REAPER, which was a one-shot sequel to YEAR TWO. YEAR TWO was strictly awful, though. Batman teams up with the man who killed his parents to take down a blood-thirsty vigilante. At one point, Batman starts to carry around the gun used to kill his parents, which he had kept hidden all these years (instead of, you know, giving the murder weapon to the police to assist with their investigation). Some nice art by Alan Davis in the first issue, but then he's replaced with some ugly art by Todd Macfarlane.

[Paul Dee]

Haven't read FEAR THE REAPER, which was a one-shot sequel to YEAR TWO. YEAR TWO was strictly awful, though. Batman teams up with the man who killed his parents to take down a blood-thirsty vigilante. At one point, Batman starts to carry around the gun used to kill his parents, which he had kept hidden all these years (instead of, you know, giving the murder weapon to the police to assist with their investigation). Some nice art by Alan Davis in the first issue, but then he's replaced with some ugly art by Todd Macfarlane.


How do you mean? Fear the Reaper is Year Two is it not? Full Circle was the sequel to Fear the Reaper (or Year Two, whatever the story was actually called) and is in the Year Two tpb.

[Gary Joyce]

Well the current storyline in LOTDK is pretty good so far.

[Apathy Boy]

How do you mean? Fear the Reaper is Year Two is it not? Full Circle was the sequel to Fear the Reaper (or Year Two, whatever the story was actually called) and is in the Year Two tpb.Whoops. Yeah, you're right. I got "Full Circle" mixed up with "Fear the Reaper/Year Two."

[DWEarhart]

I've heard rumors for a year that "Legends of the Dark Knight" was to be cancelled. I'd heard at #200, but this has not happened. It seems that DC Comics is going to keep LofDK around for a while longer.

There is no release date, yet, but LOTDK is going to be cancelled and replaced with Batman Confidential. This book will have rotating teams, just like LOTDK, and will concentrate on key moments in Bruce Wayne/Batman's life. The first team is Andy Diggle and Whilce Portacio.

Superman is getting one of these as well. The first team on Superman Confidential is Darwyne Cooke and Tim Sale.

[BeastieRunner]

This is the best Bat title by far. The current story is great too so far.

[Young Avenger]

I guess why no one talks about LotDK is because of the book's nature. Having routing creative teams on every arc makes the book hit-or-miss by default and the fact that the book doesn't affect the other books, many stories are non-canon and DC usually puts no-name creative teams on it doesn't make the book worthy of discussion.

[dancj]

How do you mean? Fear the Reaper is Year Two is it not? Full Circle was the sequel to Fear the Reaper (or Year Two, whatever the story was actually called) and is in the Year Two tpb.

I think Year 2 was just called Batman: Year 2 at the time it came out. Fear the Reaper might be the name for the recent TPB that collects both Year 2 and Full Circle

Dan

[Gaspard]

Fear the Reaper is the title for the first chapter in the Year Two mini-series.

[jackups]

Some of Storys were great!
But then you would get the tendancy to get a really good one such as the Mignola books! and then rubbish ones"!

[Kara Zor El]

I collected 1 -90something, by then it was fading in my eyes. Best story was Mask by Pat Mills.
Now when I look at it I wonder if it has become good again.

[DWEarhart]

Matt Wagner's Faces was great.
Gothic by Grant Morrison was another good one.
Warren Ellis did one called Infected.
James Robinson's Blades was a nice read.

[dancj]

Best story was Mask by Pat Mills.

That was by Bryan Talbot. I didn't really care for that story (though I tend to not like Talbot's work as much as the rest of the world)

Ones I liked were:
Blade by James Robinson and Tim Sale (probably the high point of the series)
Faces by Matt Wagner
Prey (which is in itself remarkable seeing as it was by Moench and Gulacy both of whom I normally hate)
Watchtower - Chuck Dixon and Mike McMahon
Going Sane - Dematteis + Staton
Snow - I can't remember the writer, but it was drawn by the late great Seth Fisher
Legends of the Dark Might - I just love Kevin O'Neil!

Dan

[Kara Zor El]

That was by Bryan Talbot. I didn't really care for that story (though I tend to not like Talbot's work as much as the rest of the world)



You're right and I don't know why I put Patt Mills at all. I know there's a conection.

I also like the ones you mention especially Watchtower even though it's a bit of a Dark Knight Returns ripp off. Is this the only Batman Mike McMahon has done?

[dancj]

Is this the only Batman Mike McMahon has done?

As far as I'm aware. The only other American comic I can think of that he's done was The Last American

[Kara Zor El]

As far as I'm aware. The only other American comic I can think of that he's done was The Last American
That's a shame I like his artwork but rarely see it anymore as I long ago ditched Jugde Dredd stories.
I like the angular look to his physiques.
What about Carlos Ezquerra? Has ever drawn Batman?

Mercy was a great LOTDK story. An early sidekick that predates Robin who didn't work out. Is she continuity?
And what was the one with the Sons of Batman in? Was it Idols?
Turf was a good look at Gothom Police corruption.
Heat was a great four parter about a Catman who was serial killer.
Vows was a good one, which was a bit of a sequal of sorts to Year One. Gordon marries Essen and Detective Flass returns for revenge.
Venom was brilliant I thought. Bruce failing to save a drowning child. The shot of her eyes as she realizes he can't free her. Him then busting his arm trying to get stronger by working weights all the time, as it was strength that failed him. His adiction to Venom. The madness it brings on and then having Alfred lock him in the cave so that he can withdraw. And then alfred eventually going in and Bruce has a big beard but is cured. It was also a nice set up for Vengence of Bane.
I also liked Sunset which had great art and a very long swirling batcape. Batman hunts Vampires in that one with alfred at his side.
I'm off to dig them out.

[Karl J. Barnes]

That's a shame I like his artwork but rarely see it anymore as I long ago ditched Jugde Dredd stories.
I like the angular look to his physiques.
What about Carlos Ezquerra? Has ever drawn Batman?

Mercy was a great LOTDK story. An early sidekick that predates Robin who didn't work out. Is she continuity?
And what was the one with the Sons of Batman in? Was it Idols?
Turf was a good look at Gothom Police corruption.
Heat was a great four parter about a Catman who was serial killer.
Vows was a good one, which was a bit of a sequal of sorts to Year One. Gordon marries Essen and Detective Flass returns for revenge.
Venom was brilliant I thought. Bruce failing to save a drowning child. The shot of her eyes as she realizes he can't free her. Him then busting his arm trying to get stronger by working weights all the time, as it was strength that failed him. His adiction to Venom. The madness it brings on and then having Alfred lock him in the cave so that he can withdraw. And then alfred eventually going in and Bruce has a big beard but is cured. It was also a nice set up for Vengence of Bane.
I also liked Sunset which had great art and a very long swirling batcape. Batman hunts Vampires in that one with alfred at his side.
I'm off to dig them out.

Great story arcs those. Plus, the the story arc with the "first" meeting of Batman and the Joker had a great mixture of excitment and humor, which is sadly missing from the regular titles.

[Paul Dee]

I also liked Sunset which had great art and a very long swirling batcape. Batman hunts Vampires in that one with alfred at his side.
I'm off to dig them out.

Really? I liked the story in that but found the art to be a bit one-dimensional and inconsistent throghout the whole of that issue.

[Kara Zor El]

Really? I liked the story in that but found the art to be a bit one-dimensional and inconsistent throghout the whole of that issue.Really, really, really.

[Kara Zor El]

Great story arcs those. Plus, the the story arc with the "first" meeting of Batman and the Joker had a great mixture of excitment and humor, which is sadly missing from the regular titles.
Yeah in that story the Joker developed his Joker Venom through the abillities of a poor idio savant family member who he later offed. Wan't that issue 50?

[Gary Joyce]

It was indeed issue #50 and a definite high point for LOTDK.

[Paul Dee]

Really, really, really.


Well yes, you said so initially. I was just using 'really' there as a turn of phrase to start my post off with.

[dancj]

What about Carlos Ezquerra? Has ever drawn Batman?

From a quick Google search it looks like he drew LotDK 101

[Kara Zor El]

Well yes, you said so initially. I was just using 'really' there as a turn of phrase to start my post off with.

Okay, but "really" sounds to me like you're a bit perplexed by me likeing something you don't. But its such a little thing. doesn't matter. But it has that superior thing going on.

From a quick Google search it looks like he drew LotDK 101
Thanks I'll have to track it down. He was alway's my favourite Dredd artist.
The thing about LOTDK it had somew amazing artwork along the way. And the artist almost always if not always did the cover.

[Paul Dee]

Okay, but "really" sounds to me like you're a bit perplexed by me likeing something you don't. But its such a little thing. doesn't matter. But it has that superior thing going on.

Yeah, that's understandable. I just type like I would speak in normal conversation half the time and replying with "Really? I thought..." wouldn't necessarily come off as superior in a normal conversation I don't think.

I wasn't at all perplexed by you liking the artwork or anything.


Anyway...

[Kara Zor El]

Fair enough Paul; I'll take it back. time of the month. Anyway.......

[jaguarshark]

Do we have any confirmation yet that LOTDK is getting axed in favor of Confidential? I mean, having both titles co-exist seems redundant. And I swear to God, if anyone links to the wikipedia article as 'confirmation'...

[DWEarhart]

As close to confirmation as I could find. Things could have changed since this was posted.

It is said to be out in November. (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=72997&highlight=batman+andy+diggle+whilce+portacio)

[Totoro Man]

For my brother and I we followed LotDK because we knew Archie Goodwin was editor of that title for a while and liked the stuff he greenlit . I haven't looked at the title since he died but that's because I haven't looked at a lot of comics in general except for Krazy Kat reprints and Hush, which made me hesitant to jump back on the Bat-wagon for a bit.

[Totoro Man]

I guess why no one talks about LotDK is because of the book's nature. Having routing creative teams on every arc makes the book hit-or-miss by default and the fact that the book doesn't affect the other books, many stories are non-canon and DC usually puts no-name creative teams on it doesn't make the book worthy of discussion.

this is kinda WHY I liked it. I haven't been picking it up because I just don't have that kinda money right now. I find the tangled web of continuity to be frustrating and dull. I just wanna read interesting Batman stories. a lot of the "no-name" creators are actually B and C list creators that are pretty good. guys like Matt Wagner, Ted McKeever, and Alan Grant, and James Robinson included. maybe those WERE big names back in the day... but it's a good, flexible title for the character.

the best Bat-books I can recall in the last 10 years were "Legends of the Dark Knight" and "Batman: the Gotham Adventures" (Ty Templeton's run, I'm thinking)