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Legends of the Dark Knight (1989)
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #5
Batman fights for Alfred's life against a maniacal cult in this finale to the 5-part "Shaman" storyline!
27 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 1990
About the author
Dennis O'Neil
1,758 books283 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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 22, 2024
3.5/5 Stars
"Something marked you, wounded you, when you were a child. You have a choice. Either let go of it or use it. Stop fighting, surrender and let its power transform you"
As someone with CPTSD who is reliving a lot of stuff in their 30s, this part resonated very hard.
"Something marked you, wounded you, when you were a child. You have a choice. Either let go of it or use it. Stop fighting, surrender and let its power transform you"
As someone with CPTSD who is reliving a lot of stuff in their 30s, this part resonated very hard.
February 11, 2021
Truly an amazing story line in batman shaman, accompanied by amazing art.
In this issue batman fights the renegade indian to save alfred's life.
Then he catches the man trading in drugs hands him to the police with his confessions, i wonder though since batman got to keep the mask will we see it again?
In this issue batman fights the renegade indian to save alfred's life.
Then he catches the man trading in drugs hands him to the police with his confessions, i wonder though since batman got to keep the mask will we see it again?
Read
July 25, 2017"I don't know any stories, Tom. At least, none that are appropriate. And even if I did, I don't think you'd really want to hear them. Once, maybe, before you befriended the cold. But not now. Instead, I'll just say some simple words I learned as a child.
...
Rest in peace."
...
Rest in peace."
September 5, 2022
I couldn't help but think the "took it to the nest of the vulture" line at the end is funny because of Michael Keaton's roles.
August 21, 2025
Of course Bruce realised something was wrong when there were no footprints outside his house. So he catches his would-be killer by surprise!
After a quick fight where Bruce is grateful that Woodley’s knife was only cutting his padding, the killer flees into the woods.
In the batcave, Alfred inquires about the identity of ‘Chubala’. Turns out it was Carl the banker!
Who somehow had taken over the Santa Priscan narcotics operation…
And is using a disguise that creates fear in his dealers to control them.
Remembering Tina, Batman puts Carl’s ruse to an end, using his own techniques of fear and superstition.
Carl’s reasoning for doing all of this… He couldn’t be poor.
The same night(?), Batman heads into the woods and calls out to Woodley.
The killer comes out of hiding without a fight, and passes the bat mask to the hero.
Woodley dies as a result of falling on his own knife. Batman tells him to rest in peace.
Returning once more to Otter Ridge, Bruce learns the shaman died, sober.
The unnamed granddaughter goes on to tell Bruce that something had marked him as a child. He can either fight it or ‘surrender’ to the change it will create.
She also tells him to keep the bat mask.
A lot more of a spiritual Batman story than I’ve read before. There were aspects I really didn’t like but overall, it was an enjoyable story. With certain moments that I really did like.
After a quick fight where Bruce is grateful that Woodley’s knife was only cutting his padding, the killer flees into the woods.
In the batcave, Alfred inquires about the identity of ‘Chubala’. Turns out it was Carl the banker!
Who somehow had taken over the Santa Priscan narcotics operation…
And is using a disguise that creates fear in his dealers to control them.
Remembering Tina, Batman puts Carl’s ruse to an end, using his own techniques of fear and superstition.
Carl’s reasoning for doing all of this… He couldn’t be poor.
The same night(?), Batman heads into the woods and calls out to Woodley.
The killer comes out of hiding without a fight, and passes the bat mask to the hero.
Woodley dies as a result of falling on his own knife. Batman tells him to rest in peace.
Returning once more to Otter Ridge, Bruce learns the shaman died, sober.
The unnamed granddaughter goes on to tell Bruce that something had marked him as a child. He can either fight it or ‘surrender’ to the change it will create.
She also tells him to keep the bat mask.
A lot more of a spiritual Batman story than I’ve read before. There were aspects I really didn’t like but overall, it was an enjoyable story. With certain moments that I really did like.
January 17, 2026
And so Batman: Shaman concludes with a couple of exciting fights and a message.
I did enjoy this story and the evolution of Wayne/Batman but the plan he devised was convenient plotting to the extreme. Yes, it's a comic and it made for some gorgeous panels. Yes, Batman is a 'normal bloke' but several things had to work here perfectly for his plan to succeed. Maybe I'm being a cynical old git, maybe the mask was involved more than I thought, but this run had so many realistic moments (even with the shamanistic elements) when it dips into 'cartoon' to resolve issues it kinda takes me out the story.
I know I'm being harsh and I know as I read more Batman, I'll be more forgiving as I learn the rules.
I'm loving the sandbox Batman is currently playing in. I'm hooked.
I'd rate the complete run of Batman: Shaman 3/5
I did enjoy this story and the evolution of Wayne/Batman but the plan he devised was convenient plotting to the extreme. Yes, it's a comic and it made for some gorgeous panels. Yes, Batman is a 'normal bloke' but several things had to work here perfectly for his plan to succeed. Maybe I'm being a cynical old git, maybe the mask was involved more than I thought, but this run had so many realistic moments (even with the shamanistic elements) when it dips into 'cartoon' to resolve issues it kinda takes me out the story.
I know I'm being harsh and I know as I read more Batman, I'll be more forgiving as I learn the rules.
I'm loving the sandbox Batman is currently playing in. I'm hooked.
I'd rate the complete run of Batman: Shaman 3/5
March 8, 2022
Lectura adicional después de ver el film "The Batman".
Muy buena serie en 5 números. Un guion bien escrito acompañado de maravillosos dibujos donde me quedo destacando muchísimas viñetas.
Muy buena serie en 5 números. Un guion bien escrito acompañado de maravillosos dibujos donde me quedo destacando muchísimas viñetas.
November 21, 2024
dont even have the words rn this was a beaultiful tale
June 19, 2025
Wow
I picked up this storyline after reading Year One. Before Year One I’ve never read a comic. Shaman has set a bar I’m afraid will never be surpassed.
I picked up this storyline after reading Year One. Before Year One I’ve never read a comic. Shaman has set a bar I’m afraid will never be surpassed.
January 12, 2017
It's Just Okay
I've read a lot of Batman comics. While this one is alright, it just doesn't seem very logical. I like to feel satisfied after I finish a good story, and "Shaman" didn't do that for me. It's not bad. It's just not that great. There are better Batman stories out there.
I've read a lot of Batman comics. While this one is alright, it just doesn't seem very logical. I like to feel satisfied after I finish a good story, and "Shaman" didn't do that for me. It's not bad. It's just not that great. There are better Batman stories out there.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews