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Legends of the Dark Knight (1989)
Batman: Legends of The Dark Knight #1
In part 1 of the 5-part ''Shaman'' storyline, Bruce Wayne meets a tribal shaman who influences his life forever while mountain climbing in his days before becoming Batman. Returning to Gotham City, Bruce takes up the cowl and meets Leslie Thompkins before experiencing a major tragedy.
26 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 1989
About the author
Dennis O'Neil
1,779 books285 followers
Dennis "Denny" O'Neil
was a comic book writer and editor best known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retirement.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 29, 2021
this was surprisingly really good no wonder its recommended in the batman reading order
i love the pages with the shamanic drawings
loved the writing
loved how the idea of becoming the batman came to be.
the ending scene was also amazing.
i love the pages with the shamanic drawings
loved the writing
loved how the idea of becoming the batman came to be.
the ending scene was also amazing.
July 16, 2026
One of my first encounters with Batman in comic book form, and it still gives me chills.
This is nothing like the campy, colorful 1960s version of the Dark Knight, or even the slightly more serious one with its Art Deco skyline and impossibly square jaw. Instead, it's pure Lovecraftian horror—filled with occult rituals, human sacrifices, and suicide.
To this day, I think it's one of the greatest Batman story arcs ever written.
This is nothing like the campy, colorful 1960s version of the Dark Knight, or even the slightly more serious one with its Art Deco skyline and impossibly square jaw. Instead, it's pure Lovecraftian horror—filled with occult rituals, human sacrifices, and suicide.
To this day, I think it's one of the greatest Batman story arcs ever written.
November 19, 2024
3.5/5 Stars
October 8, 2014
An early tale of Batman. Bruce Wayne goes to the article to track a killer but ends up lost in a blizzard. He is rescued by a shaman. Upon returning to Gotham, he takes up the mantle of Batman.
A nice twist on the origin of Batman. The addition of the Native American legends makes sense. Of course, this is just part one of five. So it is hard to predict how the story will go. Still, it is a nice start.
A nice twist on the origin of Batman. The addition of the Native American legends makes sense. Of course, this is just part one of five. So it is hard to predict how the story will go. Still, it is a nice start.
May 12, 2016
I am not a fan of superheroes. Haven’t seen most of the movies except Spiderman. But now it has changed. I like BATMAN and will continue reading his story and maybe will watch his movies too!
November 15, 2025
An interesting retelling of how he became Batman
August 29, 2020
I don't know if we need another Batman origin story, but this was just about the perfect comic. I found it for free on Prime Reading.
Pencilling, layouts, dialogue, and story were perfect, but the inking seemed odd to me at times.
Altogether, the issue displays the power of restraint, which comics lost in the 1990s forever, it seems. O'Neill proves he has an ear for language, and can capture that in his script.
I need to read the full series.
Pencilling, layouts, dialogue, and story were perfect, but the inking seemed odd to me at times.
Altogether, the issue displays the power of restraint, which comics lost in the 1990s forever, it seems. O'Neill proves he has an ear for language, and can capture that in his script.
I need to read the full series.
May 11, 2017
Awesome!!
All that can be said is Awesome! Nice origin story. The Shaman's ways and concoctions help Bruce gain more ammunition for his quest. Must read for all, read this piece, you will not be disappointed.
All that can be said is Awesome! Nice origin story. The Shaman's ways and concoctions help Bruce gain more ammunition for his quest. Must read for all, read this piece, you will not be disappointed.
September 5, 2022
We get a glimpse of Batman's origin here. One thing that didn't age well was the Shakespeare conspiracy comment. But the cliffhanger ending with the stab to the heart after the attack on Leslie Thompkins' clinic really makes me wanna read the next issue right away.
December 29, 2023
Good but not great
Although it provides some good complimentary content to Year 1, the story involves him going up a mountain, instead of down, after losing his jacket and backpack and completely ignoring the dead dude’s right next to him.
Although it provides some good complimentary content to Year 1, the story involves him going up a mountain, instead of down, after losing his jacket and backpack and completely ignoring the dead dude’s right next to him.
August 15, 2025
Did I only include this because Robert Patterson said he read it? Why yes, yes I did.
Actual rating 3.7 stars.
This story flashes back to Bruce learning how to hunt killers.
Which ends up with him almost dying in the snow!
The young man is found and told a Native American story (about how bats gained their wings) to heal.
Once he recovers enough, he decides to leave and is told never to repeat the story he heard.
After his travels, Bruce returns home. On his first night, he goes out… (Which is covered in Year One).
We see the classic 'bat breaks through the window' moment and the first time Bruce tries on his costume!
Then, after he saves Leslie from a few thugs, he tries to comfort a patient. Before she plunges a knife into her own heart!
I appreciate how this was a new way to tell Batman's origins without giving us the same old story.
Actual rating 3.7 stars.
This story flashes back to Bruce learning how to hunt killers.
Which ends up with him almost dying in the snow!
The young man is found and told a Native American story (about how bats gained their wings) to heal.
Once he recovers enough, he decides to leave and is told never to repeat the story he heard.
After his travels, Bruce returns home. On his first night, he goes out… (Which is covered in Year One).
We see the classic 'bat breaks through the window' moment and the first time Bruce tries on his costume!
Then, after he saves Leslie from a few thugs, he tries to comfort a patient. Before she plunges a knife into her own heart!
I appreciate how this was a new way to tell Batman's origins without giving us the same old story.
March 5, 2024
Willy Dogget claims to be the best bounty hunter in Alaska. Best tracker, too.
He and Bruce Wayne scale a cliffside as they seek Thomas Woodley.
Struggle; a seemingly-Pyrrhic victory.
It’s dangerously cold. The Shaman comes to Bruce in visions.
Incredible artwork. The Native American elements are beautiful.
The shamanic dreams are super cool.
A very intriguing take on the origin story.
Engaging, exciting, fun read.
To say my debut as a crimefighter was inauspicious would be like saying Sitting Bull was impolite to Custer at the Little Big Horn.
He and Bruce Wayne scale a cliffside as they seek Thomas Woodley.
Struggle; a seemingly-Pyrrhic victory.
It’s dangerously cold. The Shaman comes to Bruce in visions.
Incredible artwork. The Native American elements are beautiful.
The shamanic dreams are super cool.
A very intriguing take on the origin story.
Engaging, exciting, fun read.
To say my debut as a crimefighter was inauspicious would be like saying Sitting Bull was impolite to Custer at the Little Big Horn.
January 16, 2026
Being only familiar with the movies, I found this telling of how Batman came to be, really exciting.
Artwork was fantastic, with the yellow panels showing Batman in the alleyway giving the hoodlums a choice, really standing out.
Thankfully, Wayne/Batman's dialogue has sensible font. 😆
The story is intriguing, with a nice hint of mystism. You were also shown alternate angles of Batman in the Year One story so it all ties in very nicely.
Artwork was fantastic, with the yellow panels showing Batman in the alleyway giving the hoodlums a choice, really standing out.
Thankfully, Wayne/Batman's dialogue has sensible font. 😆
The story is intriguing, with a nice hint of mystism. You were also shown alternate angles of Batman in the Year One story so it all ties in very nicely.
May 29, 2026
The art is surprisingly beautiful, GREAT story, I love Bruce’s character here..we get to know the origin of Batman where did the idea come from and why a bat? Want drama? You have it, want mystery? You have it..we see the progression of Batman as a fighter and a detective..one more time,the art is fantastic
February 21, 2024
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #1 is a DC Comic title written by Dennis O’Neil, drawn by Ed Hannigan, and colored by Richmond Lewis. It is cover dated as November 1989.
A young Bruce Wayne and tracker Willy Doggett are persuing the assassin Tom Woodley through the Alaskan mountain wilderness. Taken by surprise, Doggett is killed and Bruce survives after accidentally throwing Woodley from a cliff face. Injured with no help in sight, Bruce collapses only to be saved my a local Shaman who recites a tribal story of a bat and raven. After Bruce recovers and travels back to Gotham, he begins his vigilante pursuit on crime. When a bat crashes through his window, Bruce remembers the Shaman’s tale and decides to take up the mantle of the Bat. In his first night out as Batman, he encounters a group of thugs who are harassing Leslie Thompson’s clinic and kidnap a young girl. After Batman saves the two, the young woman stabs herself to death in an apparent shock.
When it was released at the end of the 1980s, LOTDK was the first new solo ongoing Batman book since the 1940s “Batman.” Being released at the same time as Frank Miller’s “Year One” updated origin in the Batman ongoing series, this title adds some additional details to Batman’s new backstory. The art is good throughout and provides a more vibrant color palette than the Year One sister story.
A young Bruce Wayne and tracker Willy Doggett are persuing the assassin Tom Woodley through the Alaskan mountain wilderness. Taken by surprise, Doggett is killed and Bruce survives after accidentally throwing Woodley from a cliff face. Injured with no help in sight, Bruce collapses only to be saved my a local Shaman who recites a tribal story of a bat and raven. After Bruce recovers and travels back to Gotham, he begins his vigilante pursuit on crime. When a bat crashes through his window, Bruce remembers the Shaman’s tale and decides to take up the mantle of the Bat. In his first night out as Batman, he encounters a group of thugs who are harassing Leslie Thompson’s clinic and kidnap a young girl. After Batman saves the two, the young woman stabs herself to death in an apparent shock.
When it was released at the end of the 1980s, LOTDK was the first new solo ongoing Batman book since the 1940s “Batman.” Being released at the same time as Frank Miller’s “Year One” updated origin in the Batman ongoing series, this title adds some additional details to Batman’s new backstory. The art is good throughout and provides a more vibrant color palette than the Year One sister story.
March 25, 2018
Everyone wants to revisit this Batman moment.
Hard to tell what's going on here. This is not a great standalone book.
Hard to tell what's going on here. This is not a great standalone book.
March 2, 2020
3.5 stars
April 5, 2021
Really interesting read on the beginnings of the Batman and the reason why he chose bat. Good read.
March 7, 2022
Lectura adicional después de ver el film "The Batman".
March 27, 2023
Honestly maybe the strongest origin or quasi-origin of Batman I've seen (and that includes Year One, which it borrows from). Way into the art and the seeming meta-commentary on the power of stories.
December 25, 2023
Complementando al mito de Batman
Una historia entretenida, que te invita a seguir leyendo. Una visión complementaria de cómo llega a ser Batman Bruce Wayne
Una historia entretenida, que te invita a seguir leyendo. Una visión complementaria de cómo llega a ser Batman Bruce Wayne
January 26, 2024
More violent than expected
Very different from regular batman stuff I've read before. This is good but might not be amazing I don't know yet I will keep reading.
Very different from regular batman stuff I've read before. This is good but might not be amazing I don't know yet I will keep reading.
March 24, 2024
Decent, but not great, artwork. Slight retconning of Bruce's decision to become "The Batman." I am not a big fam of retconning.
July 2, 2025
Ohhh look I’m Baaaattttman
March 19, 2025
FULL REVIEW ON MY WEBSITE
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
This comic book is an exemplary piece that delves deep into the psyche and origins of Gotham’s iconic hero. At the same time this comic book is a testament to the enduring appeal and complexity of Batman.
The storytelling in this comic book is both compelling and introspective, capturing the nuanced layers of Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman. Set in the early days of his crime-fighting career, the narrative explores his relentless pursuit of justice and the personal demons that drive him. The writing in the comic book is sharp and sophisticated, blending action with philosophical undertones that has invited me personally to ponder the nature of heroism and vengeance.
The plot is expertly paced, balancing intense action sequences with moments of quiet reflection. The creators of this comic book creates a narrative that is as much about Batman’s inner struggles as it is about his battles against external foes. This dual focus adds depth to the story, making it more than just a typical superhero tale.
The artwork itself in this comic book brilliantly complements the narrative in this comic book, because it is capturing the dark and gritty atmosphere of Gotham City. The illustrations we get in this comic book are detailed and dynamic, effectively conveying the tension and drama of each scene. The depiction of Batman is both iconic and fresh, staying true to the character’s essence while adding his own artistic flair.
What sets this comic book apart is its ability to explore the psychological aspects of Batman’s character without losing sight of the action and excitement that define the genre. This comic book delves into the motivations and fears that propel Bruce Wayne, offering us as readers a deeper understanding of what it means to be the Dark Knight.
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
This comic book is an exemplary piece that delves deep into the psyche and origins of Gotham’s iconic hero. At the same time this comic book is a testament to the enduring appeal and complexity of Batman.
The storytelling in this comic book is both compelling and introspective, capturing the nuanced layers of Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman. Set in the early days of his crime-fighting career, the narrative explores his relentless pursuit of justice and the personal demons that drive him. The writing in the comic book is sharp and sophisticated, blending action with philosophical undertones that has invited me personally to ponder the nature of heroism and vengeance.
The plot is expertly paced, balancing intense action sequences with moments of quiet reflection. The creators of this comic book creates a narrative that is as much about Batman’s inner struggles as it is about his battles against external foes. This dual focus adds depth to the story, making it more than just a typical superhero tale.
The artwork itself in this comic book brilliantly complements the narrative in this comic book, because it is capturing the dark and gritty atmosphere of Gotham City. The illustrations we get in this comic book are detailed and dynamic, effectively conveying the tension and drama of each scene. The depiction of Batman is both iconic and fresh, staying true to the character’s essence while adding his own artistic flair.
What sets this comic book apart is its ability to explore the psychological aspects of Batman’s character without losing sight of the action and excitement that define the genre. This comic book delves into the motivations and fears that propel Bruce Wayne, offering us as readers a deeper understanding of what it means to be the Dark Knight.
May 29, 2020
After futzing along not really ever having a plan, I found The Real Batman Chronology Project. This is my kind of guidance. This came on the heels of my son convincing us to purchase a DC Universe membership today. Of course, it is something I was recently looking at myself. His plea worked in my favor. :) It looks like I have access to most of the Batman catalog as far as comic books are concerned. With the above reading order, I have a plan. And tonight, I began it.
My knowledge of Batman is sketchy outside the '60s Adam West series and the recent Fox Gotham series. I kind of know Bruce disappeared and got training in Asia. Shaman plays on that, but he's in Alaska instead. After the bounty hunter he hired is shot and killed, Bruce is left to his own without a weapon to take down Thomas Woodley (his first kill). He does but is seriously injured in doing so. He is found and healed back to health by a shaman and his family.
While in a coma, Bruce hears the tale of a bat in a mask. When he awkens and is healthy enough to leave, he is asked not to repeat that story.
Bruce returns to Gotham and begins his career as a crime fighter. Night one is rough. Night two, Alfred presents the costume. Bruce/Batman is now confident and takes care of business. He tells a thug to let everyone know that the Batman rules the streets of Gotham now.
One of the women Batman protected takes a knife and commits suicide. She was pregnant. Seems odd and rather dark. We shall see what becomes of that.
My knowledge of Batman is sketchy outside the '60s Adam West series and the recent Fox Gotham series. I kind of know Bruce disappeared and got training in Asia. Shaman plays on that, but he's in Alaska instead. After the bounty hunter he hired is shot and killed, Bruce is left to his own without a weapon to take down Thomas Woodley (his first kill). He does but is seriously injured in doing so. He is found and healed back to health by a shaman and his family.
While in a coma, Bruce hears the tale of a bat in a mask. When he awkens and is healthy enough to leave, he is asked not to repeat that story.
Bruce returns to Gotham and begins his career as a crime fighter. Night one is rough. Night two, Alfred presents the costume. Bruce/Batman is now confident and takes care of business. He tells a thug to let everyone know that the Batman rules the streets of Gotham now.
One of the women Batman protected takes a knife and commits suicide. She was pregnant. Seems odd and rather dark. We shall see what becomes of that.
January 10, 2016
DC Storytelling Made Good
At the level of sound the "dark knight" is redundant. What night is without darkness, unless you're up in Alaska in the Summertime. And it is that season recalled with my reading SHAMAN by O'Neil, Hannigan, and Beaty, part one of five. This is one report about a reading of part one. Immediately, the storytelling style of the comic was apparent. What I would call old-school comic book storytelling might be guess is DC storytelling style and most likely guess correctly. Reading this was fascinating fun. Fascinating by how the legend about the bat and the raven is rendered. Although it would be passed on to generation to the next orally, this folk legend is presented in an inventive manner as a written tradition and an admirable rendering as well. Just enough of the unusual mixed well with the ordinary makes this comic book both interestingly fresh with good measures of nostalgic fun.
At the level of sound the "dark knight" is redundant. What night is without darkness, unless you're up in Alaska in the Summertime. And it is that season recalled with my reading SHAMAN by O'Neil, Hannigan, and Beaty, part one of five. This is one report about a reading of part one. Immediately, the storytelling style of the comic was apparent. What I would call old-school comic book storytelling might be guess is DC storytelling style and most likely guess correctly. Reading this was fascinating fun. Fascinating by how the legend about the bat and the raven is rendered. Although it would be passed on to generation to the next orally, this folk legend is presented in an inventive manner as a written tradition and an admirable rendering as well. Just enough of the unusual mixed well with the ordinary makes this comic book both interestingly fresh with good measures of nostalgic fun.
September 18, 2025
This first issue was actually really good, it just ended so abruptly! I need the rest of the story, like, yesterday!
September 29, 2016
When Bruce Wayne is lost in the Himalayas he is rescued by a wise Shaman that teaches him ancient tribal secrets. With this new found knowledge, he returns to Gotham to take on the crime underworld.
I really enjoyed this - Alfred is given many dry and biting comebacks, while Bruce Wayne, still learning to become the Batman is a man torn between two lives. Fast, frenetic action and well paced storytelling.
I can't wait to read the rest of this 5 story arc. Recommended for new and old Batman fans.
I really enjoyed this - Alfred is given many dry and biting comebacks, while Bruce Wayne, still learning to become the Batman is a man torn between two lives. Fast, frenetic action and well paced storytelling.
I can't wait to read the rest of this 5 story arc. Recommended for new and old Batman fans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews