What are some interesting story arcs from Legends of the Dark Knight?

[gocryemokid]

I usually like getting TPB cause I'm new to these and its just easier but I've read a lot of LOTDK aren't collected like that. Maybe they are maybe they're not nevertheless what are some arcs that are good? Like a couple issues that sum up an arc that I could probably pick up for relatively cheap. Looking to expand my batman collection as much as I can without going broke haha.

[Captain Jim]

A rather obscure one, but one of my favorites (uncollected) is "Siege" (132-136). Written by Archie Goodwin & James Robinson; art by Marshall Rogers and Bob Wiacek.

[Enjoypolydor]

Gothic is a good one. It's in trade form on amazon for $10-$12.

And I liked Venom a lot. But it's out of print and you'd have to get a used one, cheapest on amazon is $29. It's not that good.

[Kara Zor El]

Mask was my favourite. Simmilair ellements to RIP.

Turf was good, as it linked in well with the corrupt Gotham police force of Year One. Vows was an interesting one, because it aws the first time we saw Flass return and had Jim's marriage to Sarah.

Loads were good. They got bad after about 60 though.

[the-wolf]

Yeah, anything up to around #60 is definately worth reading. After that, there's great arcs, but you have to be picky.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

Gramt Morrison & Klaus Janson's Gothic (issues #6-10, or in TPB)- A mysterious man by the name of Mr. Whisper returns to Gotham seemingly for revenge on the mobsters that wronged him decades before. But a certain Dark Knight may have a past with him, as well...

Matt Wagner's Faces (issues #28-30, or in TPB)- Two-Face has been at large for many months, while sideshow freaks are vanishing all across Europe. Are the two connected? You betcha.

James Robinson & Tim Sale's Blades (issues #32-34, or the Tim Sale Batman trade)- A charasmatic, swashbuckling new crimefighter known as The Cavalier debuts in Gotham, quickly stealing the thunder of it's grouchier, more reclusive guardian. But Batman can't worry about that at the moment, as a mysterious new killer called Mr. Lime is preying on Gotham's elderly. Meanwhile, though, it looks like Cavalier may be way in over his head on a certain matter; and that he could use a little help with it before it's too late both for him and the woman he loves..

Bryan Talbot's Mask (issues #39 & 40)- A dishevelled & delusional Bruce Wayne wakes up in the mental illness ward of the hospital. Is this all a plot by one of Batman's foes? Or, wait... does... does Batman even exist?

J.M. Dematteis & Joe Staton's Going Sane (issues #65-68, or in TPB)- Has The Joker finally-- at long last-- succeded in killing Batman? Looks like! Yep. So, um... what now? And what's with that severly injured man in the weird outfit that they just found in the river?

[HaroldAllnut]

I'm actually a big fan of an arc called "Werewolf." James Robinson wrote it, but I'm not sure who pencilled it. The story was short, running only from issue 71 to issue 73. I recommend it.

In fact, it was probably one of the earliest comic book stories I remember reading, next to Batman: Shadow of the Bat #39, enticingly entitled "One Night in Slaughter Swamp." That was also great fun.

[Batman was taken]

I thought the two Doug Moench stories were good. Heat and Terror (46-49 and 137-141). Terror is kinda sorta a sequel to Heat.

I also liked Blink and Don't Blink, 156-158 and 164-167. Both by Dwayne McDuffie, and again, Don't Blink is a sequel.

[Karl O'Neill]

My top 5:

1:Shaman
2.Prey
3.Terror
4.Venom
5.Blades

[sabir pirzada]

Yeah, Prey is a good one.

[nepenthes]

There's a slightly hard to find trade called The Collected Legends of the Dark Knight - it includes the Ivy story Hothouse and the Cavalier in Blades. Apart from Gothic this is the best LOTDK trade that exists, by far. forget Prey and Venom

[FanboyStranger]

Gramt Morrison & Klaus Janson's Gothic (issues #6-10, or in TPB)- A mysterious man by the name of Mr. Whisper returns to Gotham seemingly for revenge on the mobsters that wronged him decades before. But a certain Dark Knight may have a past with him, as well...

Matt Wagner's Faces (issues #28-30, or in TPB)- Two-Face has been at large for many months, while sideshow freaks are vanishing all across Europe. Are the two connected? You betcha.

James Robinson & Tim Sale's Blades (issues #32-34, or the Tim Sale Batman trade)- A charasmatic, swashbuckling new crimefighter known as The Cavalier debuts in Gotham, quickly stealing the thunder of it's grouchier, more reclusive guardian. But Batman can't worry about that at the moment, as a mysterious new killer called Mr. Lime is preying on Gotham's elderly. Meanwhile, though, it looks like Cavalier may be way in over his head on a certain matter; and that he could use a little help with it before it's too late both for him and the woman he loves..

Bryan Talbot's Mask (issues #39 & 40)- A dishevelled & delusional Bruce Wayne wakes up in the mental illness ward of the hospital. Is this all a plot by one of Batman's foes? Or, wait... does... does Batman even exist?

J.M. Dematteis & Joe Staton's Going Sane (issues #65-68, or in TPB)- Has The Joker finally-- at long last-- succeded in killing Batman? Looks like! Yep. So, um... what now? And what's with that severly injured man in the weird outfit that they just found in the river?

I agree with all these choices. Pretty much the cream of the crop of LotDK.

[FanboyStranger]

I'm actually a big fan of an arc called "Werewolf." James Robinson wrote it, but I'm not sure who pencilled it. The story was short, running only from issue 71 to issue 73. I recommend it.



John Watkiss was the artist. This is a pretty good arc-- it's generally interesting when they pull Batman from Gotham and put him in another distinctive city, in this case, London-- but I find it pales in comparison to Blades.

[Deason]

Everything nominated so far, I second.

I also have especially soft spots for #54, "Sanctum" (Mike Mignola) and the three Loeb/Sale Halloween Specials.

#63, "Climax" was a great end to the whole Knightfall/KnightQuest/Knightsend saga, but perhaps standing alone doesn't have the same resonance.

There were some nice issues that were part of No Man's Land, like #119, #120, #125, #126 but again these are not all self-contained.

The Arrow and the Bat (#127-#131) was an interesting opportunity to see the "first" meeting of two characters written by Denny O'Neil who did so much to turn around their fortunes and (re-)establish their characters 40 years ago

The two Blink arcs are definitely highlights, post #150

[nepenthes]

DC really should be publishing more of these arcs in trade. Sanctum alone is enough reason to put out a new collection. that's a great issue

I also remember issue 100 which is another look at the origin of Dick Grayson

[dancj]

I'm actually a big fan of an arc called "Werewolf." James Robinson wrote it, but I'm not sure who pencilled it. The story was short, running only from issue 71 to issue 73. I recommend it.

That one was painfully bad.

Strange considering Robinson wrote Blades which is probably the best of the bunch.

For me:
Blades
Gothic
Prey (the only really good story Doug Moench ever wrote - or Paul Gulacy ever drew)
Faces
Going Sane
Snow
Legends of the Dark Mite
Mitefall
Watchtower (strange one set in the future by Chuck Dixon and the fantastic Mike McMahon)

There were a couple by Scott and Bo Hampton that were collected in a TPB called Other Realms (or something like that). IIRC at least one of those was quite good.

I never really got the love some people have for Shaman and Mask

[chrisgiff]

I recently re-read a couple of great stories from this series ("Gothic" and "Prey") and have some questions:

-can anyone recommend any other stories to check out from the 200 or so issues?
-is there a list somewhere of all the story lines and creative teams?
-is every single story of this series set in Batman's early years?

[kevink31593]

I recently re-read a couple of great stories from this series ("Gothic" and "Prey") and have some questions:

-can anyone recommend any other stories to check out from the 200 or so issues?

Shaman and Venom were good (both by O'Neil). I also enjoyed Blades by James Robinson and Tim Sale. If you liked Prey, you might also enjoy Terror, which was a sequel to Prey.


-is there a list somewhere of all the story lines and creative teams?

Yes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legends_of_The_Dark_Knight#Story_Arcs)


-is every single story of this series set in Batman's early years?

Nope. The majority of the stories were early years, but not all. Some issues took place in the present (Knighquest, KnightsEnd, No Man's Land, War Games, etc). There was even one arc (Watchtower) which took place in the future.

[nepenthes]

As the series went on the stories became less "Year One" and more about a generally timeless, vague setting that could have occured anywhere in the timeline. Appearances by Robin, JLA and other superheroes generally remained avoided though. The exception was during the big crossovers when LotDK simply became another book for the main plots to spill over into.

By the end of the series self-contained arcs seemed to be set in the present day, for example one arc tried to revamp the Riddler completely and referenced his past with Batman - but again the series in general always kept it vague as to whether any story was firmly "canon" or not.

Check out

The Collected Legends of the Dark Knight (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Collected-Legends-Dark-Knight/dp/1563891476) - Poisony Ivy in Hothouse, Legends of the Batmite, and Cavalier in Blades with art by Tim Sale. All classic LotDK arcs, with Blades especially among the best Batman stories ever published imo.

Faces (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Faces/dp/1401218202/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297148717&sr=1-1) excellent Two-Face arc by Matt Wagner (Batman & the Monster Men)

Going Sane (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Going-Sane-J-M-Dematteis/dp/1401218210/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297148673&sr=1-1) one of the most original and memorable Joker stories you'll find - what happens when Joker finally kills Batman?

In singles look for
Shaman 1-5
Tao 52-53
Sanctum 54
Watchtower 55-57
The Demon Laughs 142-145

[Jody Garland]

I recommend Monsters for the Clayface story alone. I haven't yet read the other two stories in it- I read Clay in singles- but man. That was the best story I've read with Matt Hagen. Maybe Clayface in general. Unbelievable art too.

That was 89-90, though. I'm not familiar with the later years of the title. Going Sane reprints issue 200, though, as a bonus.

[PeterCSM]

Snow in issues 192-196 had incredible art.

[Tenacious_AA]

Conspiracy comes out in TPB in a couple of weeks.
I would recommend it. It has Williams III art in it.
http://allysonsattic.blogspot.com/2011/02/dc-presents-batman-conspiracy-legends.html

There are so many great Batman/Bruce Stories in Legend of the Dark Knight series, its hard to pick.

[nightwing45]

That one was painfully bad.

Strange considering Robinson wrote Blades which is probably the best of the bunch.

For me:
Blades
Gothic
Prey (the only really good story Doug Moench ever wrote - or Paul Gulacy ever drew)
Faces
Going Sane
Snow
Legends of the Dark Might
Mightfall
Watchtower (strange one set in the future by Chuck Dixon and the fantastic Mike McMahon)

There were a couple by Scott and Bo Hampton that were collected in a TPB called Other Realms (or something like that). IIRC at least one of those was quite good.

I never really got the love some people have for Shaman and Mask


Legends of the Dark Might and Mightfall? :eek:

[Sean Walsh]

RIDDLE ME THIS stands out for me, as it was a decent reinvention/revamp of The Riddler -- where, as I recall, he actually won -- which they unsuccessfully tried to carry over into the regular continuity (Winick used him in his GREEN ARROW, but then next came HUSH and that was that)

People quite liked D. Curtis Johnson, JH Williams III (he co-wrote) and Seth Fisher's SNOW - I had mixed regards for it back then, but it's aged a lot better since.

I vaguely remember GOING SANE, but it's one of the better JM DeMatteis philosophical stories.

The series ended with some decent one-shot stories (in particular, the last issue which was Batman vs. Deadshot by Christos Gage) too.

[jgiannantoni05]

Best stories (not including the uber great Gothic and Prey):
-Venom
-Shaman
-Faces
-Going Sane
-Tao (52-53)
-Mask (39-40)
-The Demon Laughs (142-145)
-Sanctum (54)
-Duel (Annual 1)


As far as Gothic and Prey...2 of my personal favorite Batman stories ever. Gothic has so many wonderful little things going on in it, I appreciate it more and more every time I read it...just as dense and layered as Morrison's other Batman work, like the only Batman story that I think an old Oxford Eng Literature professor emeritus could appreciate. Prey is brilliant too, Moench's best Batman story, a taught suspenseful tale that doesn't necessarily push Batman to near death, but has Batman more considering dropping out of the game altogether, because all these sides are closing in around him.

[Tenacious_AA]

I did a review (http://allysonsattic.blogspot.com/2011/02/dc-presents-batman-conspiracy-legends.html) of DC Presents Batman: Conspiracy, because it is coming out in a couple of weeks.

It contains LOTDK 86-88, by Moench, and Detective 821 by Dini.
Art by J.H. Williams III

[RubberLotus]

I also recommend two other great LOTDK Joker stories: Duty (105-106), which is a real rarity: a Joker story that takes place in Gotham but has no Batman. Instead, Gordon and Bullock, not yet promoted to Commissioner and Detective (Gordon's a captain, Bullock a sergeant) must take Joker down without Batman's help.

Auteurism (182-183) features a tongue-in-cheek, post-modern tale, with a Joker that's not killing everything in sight every five seconds and a Batman that's not a tight-assed jerkwad. It's hilarious, energetic, and just plain FUN, and when you get to the last page, I promise that the Looney Tunes ending theme will be playing in your head.

IMO, "Riddle Me That" should be avoided. It makes the Riddler "successful", but at the cost of everything that makes him unique.

[adam_warlock_2099]

Besides some of the others mentioned these are some more of my favorites.

Werewolf #71-73
Conspiracy #86-88
Dirty Tricks #95-97

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

Can't go wrong with Dwayne McDuffie's 2 "Blink" efforts.

[grphxkindaguy]

Besides some of the others mentioned these are some more of my favorites.

#'s 21-23, Faith by Bart Sears, working w/vigilante street gang

#'s 69 & 70, Criminals by Grant & Zeck, Bats undercover in prison

#s 142-145, The Demon Laughs, by Dixon & Aparao, Joker & Ras al Ghul team-up! Joker dropped in the Lazarus pit! Hijinks ensue. :eek:

#s 214, Final Issue, by Gage & Winslade, Bats vs Deadshot!

[dancj]

Legends of the Dark Might and Mightfall? :eek:
Oops - that should be Legends of the Dark Mite and Mitefall.

Excellent couple of stories from Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neil featuring Batmite - which nicely leave it a bit ambiguous whether he actually exists of is just a junky's hallucination.

[dupersuper]

Shaman, Prey, Blades, Gothic, Venom, Faces...the good outnumbers the bad in this book by miles.