Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #16

Legends of the Dark Knight (1989)

by Dennis O'Neil, José Luis García-López (Artist), Trevor Von Eeden (Artist)

The 5-part, fan-favorite "Venom" storyline begins here! When a failed mission causes Batman to question his physical abilities, he's introduced to a new chemical alternative. But once he swallows the drug, Batman finds himself on a dangerous path between who he is and the monster he could become!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Batman, Comic Book

27 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 1991

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I get that they really wanted to do the drug story line, and that's exactly the kind of situation where you get writing that feels inorganic and forced, but there are just so many things wrong with the doctor's actions here that alarm bells should have been ringing all over. Batman falling for it just makes him look stupid.

[Tawfek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a great comic read with tons of potential.
Batman is faced with a child he couldn't save and it drives him to try out a drug that makes him stronger, power corrupts absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Can't wait to read more of this.

[Gavin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unless there's an explanation later on, the Doctors reaction to the death of his daughter was ridiculous. It took me right out of the story. To then have Batman take an untested drug without question seems very much against what I thought his morals were. Characters need be believable even in a fantasy comic.

I'm assuming this run is supposed to convey the 'Don't do drugs!' message to the youth.

Artwork and colouring are great but this story is not off to a great start.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.8 stars.
A poor young girl dies. Because Batman couldn’t lift a massive boulder out of the way.
At least that’s what Bruce thinks.

Sissy’s father seems unbothered by the fact that his only daughter died, alone and frightened.

What he really tries to do is get Batman to take one of the pills he created.

Of course Batman refuses… At first.

But after a run in with the kidnappers, in which an injury leaves Bats knocked out, he goes back to Porter and takes a pill…

He’s injured no more and is easily able to lift the weight he couldn’t before.

I’ve been excited to read this story for a while now! Quite an intense starting off point.

[Rob S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art and letters were great. The weak link, and it's very weak, is Denny O'Neil's script.

[Mauro German · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batsy on Drugs , cool.

[Mikey Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh this is dark and i love it. batman/bruce struggle with the death of sissy and in turn he turns to Venom (a drug) to help him be “better”

[mello doc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bro did not even cringe when batman told him his daughter died