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Legends of the Dark Knight (1989)
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #17
Batman becomes more and more addicted to the strength-enhancing drug, but have things gone too far? Can he pull himself together before he's exploited? Or will one of his closest allies be caught in the crossfire between The Dark Knight and a dark dependence?
27 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 1991
4 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Dennis O'Neil
1,752 books276 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 25, 2024
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #17 is part 2 of 5 of the “Venom” arc written by Dennis O’Neil, art by Trevor Von Eeden and Russell Braun, and inks by José Luis Garcia-Lopéz. It is cover dated April 1991.
After not being able to save young Sissy Porter from drowning because he was not strong enough to move a boulder blocking his path, Batman has become obsessed with getting stronger. Not sleeping for over 96 hours straight and pushing his body beyond its limit, Batman collapses. When he awakes he turns to a scientist who has created a new untested drug that will grant him superior strength. Batman quickly changes into a man relying on brute strength instead of his usual detective work and doesn’t realize how sloppy, angry, and addicted he has become to these pills.
Legendary comic writer Denny O’Neil provides one of the best and most underrated comic arcs of the 90s. It serves as the basis of introducing the drug compound Venom into the DC Universe, the same Venom that Bane will later use to break Batman’s back during the Knightfall epic. Batman’s decent in the first two issues is so jarring and against everything we know of the Dark Knight. The gritty art adds to the atmosphere of the book making it one of the true classic stories in Batman mythos.
After not being able to save young Sissy Porter from drowning because he was not strong enough to move a boulder blocking his path, Batman has become obsessed with getting stronger. Not sleeping for over 96 hours straight and pushing his body beyond its limit, Batman collapses. When he awakes he turns to a scientist who has created a new untested drug that will grant him superior strength. Batman quickly changes into a man relying on brute strength instead of his usual detective work and doesn’t realize how sloppy, angry, and addicted he has become to these pills.
Legendary comic writer Denny O’Neil provides one of the best and most underrated comic arcs of the 90s. It serves as the basis of introducing the drug compound Venom into the DC Universe, the same Venom that Bane will later use to break Batman’s back during the Knightfall epic. Batman’s decent in the first two issues is so jarring and against everything we know of the Dark Knight. The gritty art adds to the atmosphere of the book making it one of the true classic stories in Batman mythos.
April 11, 2021
Really good storytelling and art love it.
Batman continues to take the pills.
The doctor and the general reach phase 2 of their plan making batman their lackey.
Batman continues to take the pills.
The doctor and the general reach phase 2 of their plan making batman their lackey.
August 15, 2017
While I find this arc weak in general, this is probably the part that comes closest to being real, with the selfishness and scattered mind of the addict. I do like that it is for Jim that he has to change, and that the first person he reconnects with is Alfred. Those things seem right.
January 23, 2026
Don't do drugs kids!
This is so heavy-handed in delivering its message. I don't believe for one second that Wayne would get himself into this position.
It's only the artwork that's saving this so far.
I guess this is the same Venom that set old Bane off on his path?
This is so heavy-handed in delivering its message. I don't believe for one second that Wayne would get himself into this position.
It's only the artwork that's saving this so far.
I guess this is the same Venom that set old Bane off on his path?
April 22, 2022
The Bat snapped.
February 6, 2025
bats is getting played by the general and porter, maybe alfred quit to teach bruce a lesson? this venom is making him a monster quick
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2025
Batman had withdrawals
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews