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Batman Post-Crisis #86
Batman: Legacy Vol. 1
It begins with the return of the Apocalypse Plague-a deadly disease that infected Gotham City and almost killed Robin-now in an even more virulent form. Batman, Robin, Nightwing and even Catwoman must find out the origin of this ancient virus before it is released worldwide. Their travels take them from the heart of Gotham halfway around the world to Sudan, where two of their greatest enemies are revealed to be the masterminds of this wicked plot. The stakes have never been this high and the question remains: Will Batman and his allies stop a relic of the past from dooming mankind’s future?
Now, for the first time ever, get the complete BATMAN: LEGACY storyline along with never-before-collected chapters that reveal the architects of the outbreak in BATMAN: LEGACY! Collects BATMAN #533, BATMAN SHADOW OF THE BAT #53, CATWOMAN #33-35, DETECTIVE COMICS #697-700 and ROBIN #31.
Now, for the first time ever, get the complete BATMAN: LEGACY storyline along with never-before-collected chapters that reveal the architects of the outbreak in BATMAN: LEGACY! Collects BATMAN #533, BATMAN SHADOW OF THE BAT #53, CATWOMAN #33-35, DETECTIVE COMICS #697-700 and ROBIN #31.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2017
18 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,426 books1,029 followersCharles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 6, 2017
Yikes, that was terrible! So Batman: Legacy, Volume 1 is Utterly Garbage Batman Book #874 or thereabouts (I’ve lost count at this point). It’s so, so bad!
The first third is about a shit Punisher ripoff called Lock-Up who kidnaps criminals from prison so he can Lock them Up (geddit - like his name?! Yup, that’s the level of inventiveness Chuck Dixon operates at!) in his own prison. What? Why?! It’s not just that it’s beyond boring to read but it’s got absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the book. It’s a complete waste of time.
Catwoman goes on a trite Indiana Jones-wannabe caper to get an ancient stone disk from a temple filled with easily-overcome deathtraps for a villain called Collector who - ahh, you beat me to it, yes he COLLECTS STUFF! Honestly, Chuck Dixon must’ve had some serious dirt on DC’s top brass to have kept getting hired to write this level of dogshit for as long as he did.
The disk is connected to the main story the subtitle refers to but only just - like the Lock-Up nonsense, the Catwoman drivel could’ve easily been dispensed with entirely without any effect on the Legacy storyline. It’s just yet more needless padding.
Not that the Legacy stuff is worth reading anyway. It’s just another bad Ra’s Al-Ghul storyline who’s, sigh, trying to wipe out humanity once more. It’s a cliche at this point. It even ends with Batman yet again taking his shirt off to sword fight with Ra’s - WTF?! Is that the only way Batman can face Ra’s or something?!
Amazingly there’s still more crap here like Huntress pointlessly doing her thing in Gotham, Azrael droning on about nothing, Tim Drake and Wildcat uselessly teaming up, and Nightwing sporting a laughable pony tail but, really, spare yourselves the misery and skip Legacy entirely. The only legacy this collection leaves is the reminder that Batman in the ‘90s was a joke.
The first third is about a shit Punisher ripoff called Lock-Up who kidnaps criminals from prison so he can Lock them Up (geddit - like his name?! Yup, that’s the level of inventiveness Chuck Dixon operates at!) in his own prison. What? Why?! It’s not just that it’s beyond boring to read but it’s got absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the book. It’s a complete waste of time.
Catwoman goes on a trite Indiana Jones-wannabe caper to get an ancient stone disk from a temple filled with easily-overcome deathtraps for a villain called Collector who - ahh, you beat me to it, yes he COLLECTS STUFF! Honestly, Chuck Dixon must’ve had some serious dirt on DC’s top brass to have kept getting hired to write this level of dogshit for as long as he did.
The disk is connected to the main story the subtitle refers to but only just - like the Lock-Up nonsense, the Catwoman drivel could’ve easily been dispensed with entirely without any effect on the Legacy storyline. It’s just yet more needless padding.
Not that the Legacy stuff is worth reading anyway. It’s just another bad Ra’s Al-Ghul storyline who’s, sigh, trying to wipe out humanity once more. It’s a cliche at this point. It even ends with Batman yet again taking his shirt off to sword fight with Ra’s - WTF?! Is that the only way Batman can face Ra’s or something?!
Amazingly there’s still more crap here like Huntress pointlessly doing her thing in Gotham, Azrael droning on about nothing, Tim Drake and Wildcat uselessly teaming up, and Nightwing sporting a laughable pony tail but, really, spare yourselves the misery and skip Legacy entirely. The only legacy this collection leaves is the reminder that Batman in the ‘90s was a joke.
June 20, 2021
The first 7 issues of this collection don't really have anything to do with the Legacy crossover except for the last page of each of the 3 stories. That being said, they're still solid stories. Chuck Dixon pens most of the issues, who was a capable Batman family writer throughout the 90's.
Legacy spins directly out of Batman: Contagion. The Clench has been lying dormant in each of the people previously infected by the virus and it's only a matter of time before they all die. Batman, Nightwing, and Robin must track down an ancient cure before everyone succumbs to the virus, including Robin.
Legacy spins directly out of Batman: Contagion. The Clench has been lying dormant in each of the people previously infected by the virus and it's only a matter of time before they all die. Batman, Nightwing, and Robin must track down an ancient cure before everyone succumbs to the virus, including Robin.
October 6, 2020
More 90's fun with Batman's Legacy event(ish). This time the virus can come back from cantagion and it's got Robin worried he might die again!
But before we get to the main focus, since this title is mostly the prelude to Legacy event really. We have Lockup, a guy who, you guessed it, locks people up for being bad guys. Kind of like a discount Punisher. Luckily, besides his terrible outfit and name, he's pretty fun and goes after Robin and Nightwing which make for a fun story. We then move into the main plot with Batman finding out who brought the virus and why. The main legacy plot isn't bad in a cheesy 90's Batman adventure type way.
The Catwoman stories range from so over the top they're fun to godawful stupid dialogue and moments. It is honestly what brings down the series. Luckily Huntress is much better written in this book.
So overall a decent collection of a decently fun story. A 3 out of 5.
But before we get to the main focus, since this title is mostly the prelude to Legacy event really. We have Lockup, a guy who, you guessed it, locks people up for being bad guys. Kind of like a discount Punisher. Luckily, besides his terrible outfit and name, he's pretty fun and goes after Robin and Nightwing which make for a fun story. We then move into the main plot with Batman finding out who brought the virus and why. The main legacy plot isn't bad in a cheesy 90's Batman adventure type way.
The Catwoman stories range from so over the top they're fun to godawful stupid dialogue and moments. It is honestly what brings down the series. Luckily Huntress is much better written in this book.
So overall a decent collection of a decently fun story. A 3 out of 5.
April 15, 2022
(more leaning towards 3.5 stars)
The first half of this was amazing. I love seeing Tim Bruce and Dick interact so this was basically a field day for me. Tim getting captured by that Prison Guard wannabe dude and getting held in a cell with Harvey, and then Nightwing coming by which makes Harvey realised that Tim is Robin??? None of them caring about this fact???? Golden. I hope it comes to bite them in the ass.
Catwoman's solo adventures??? Also amazing. I love her to bits. She so cool and great and fun and camp. I would die for her. I love how she gets involved in all of these "bigger than her" heists and then she gets shocked when she's captured or attacked or inconvenienced in any way. It's hilarious and she never learns her lesson. Getting captured at the very end and trying to get Ra's attention and Ra's completely ignoring her.
Tim's entire story arc is great. I love my little guy. He is definitely my favourite Robin. Him trying to figure things out with Ariana while being a vigilante is my favourite thing. The fact that he gets along with literally all of the people Bruce dislikes? Golden. He's just a bright kid that tells jokes and everyone loves him including myself. Which leads me to my next point. Can we stop trying to kill him? Please. I mean, I absolutely LOVE the way his realisation to the fact that he might die soon is portrayed, it is absolutely amazing to see him going through it especially when he's usually such a happy go lucky character but like. Can we stop hurting my boy? Just for like one issue. He's been through enough. But also the scene where they almost drown might be one of my top scenes ever in all Batman comics right now. Scene that also begs the question, does Bruce have the plague???? I think he does. RIP to him he's been gone so long and now he's gonna die again.
I honestly am kind of disappointed in myself that it didn't INSTANTLY click in my brain that a character dubbed as "The Immortal" was our favourite Bath Man Ra's al Ghul but then again, I guess I just erased from my brain this irrelevant and boring character, as I expect most people do. Thank God Talia was there too. And you know what, I could have forgiven it. I really could have. It makes sense, and it was a very nice build up, genuinely I could have made my peace with this being a Ra's story. But why is Bane here.
Like.
Why.
And I get it! Bruce's opposite, blah blah (and I guess he does fit in that category of villains that knows about Bruce's identity but won't use it against him in the sense that they won't reveal it to the world) but I just. It feels like two very different worlds and I don't know how I feel about them colliding. Also the objectification of Talia (not that she was too far away from being one, but still) doesn't sit right with me.
Jean Paul is a bit much. Like his new costume though.
The first half of this was amazing. I love seeing Tim Bruce and Dick interact so this was basically a field day for me. Tim getting captured by that Prison Guard wannabe dude and getting held in a cell with Harvey, and then Nightwing coming by which makes Harvey realised that Tim is Robin??? None of them caring about this fact???? Golden. I hope it comes to bite them in the ass.
Catwoman's solo adventures??? Also amazing. I love her to bits. She so cool and great and fun and camp. I would die for her. I love how she gets involved in all of these "bigger than her" heists and then she gets shocked when she's captured or attacked or inconvenienced in any way. It's hilarious and she never learns her lesson. Getting captured at the very end and trying to get Ra's attention and Ra's completely ignoring her.
Tim's entire story arc is great. I love my little guy. He is definitely my favourite Robin. Him trying to figure things out with Ariana while being a vigilante is my favourite thing. The fact that he gets along with literally all of the people Bruce dislikes? Golden. He's just a bright kid that tells jokes and everyone loves him including myself. Which leads me to my next point. Can we stop trying to kill him? Please. I mean, I absolutely LOVE the way his realisation to the fact that he might die soon is portrayed, it is absolutely amazing to see him going through it especially when he's usually such a happy go lucky character but like. Can we stop hurting my boy? Just for like one issue. He's been through enough. But also the scene where they almost drown might be one of my top scenes ever in all Batman comics right now. Scene that also begs the question, does Bruce have the plague???? I think he does. RIP to him he's been gone so long and now he's gonna die again.
I honestly am kind of disappointed in myself that it didn't INSTANTLY click in my brain that a character dubbed as "The Immortal" was our favourite Bath Man Ra's al Ghul but then again, I guess I just erased from my brain this irrelevant and boring character, as I expect most people do. Thank God Talia was there too. And you know what, I could have forgiven it. I really could have. It makes sense, and it was a very nice build up, genuinely I could have made my peace with this being a Ra's story. But why is Bane here.
Like.
Why.
And I get it! Bruce's opposite, blah blah (and I guess he does fit in that category of villains that knows about Bruce's identity but won't use it against him in the sense that they won't reveal it to the world) but I just. It feels like two very different worlds and I don't know how I feel about them colliding. Also the objectification of Talia (not that she was too far away from being one, but still) doesn't sit right with me.
Jean Paul is a bit much. Like his new costume though.
March 10, 2025
Esta historia me encantó de una forma muy rara.
Es una continuación del Batman Contagion, pero no tiene nada que ver.
Se trata de nuevo sobre un virus mortal que puede destruir el mundo, pero no tiene nada que ver con eso.
Es simplemente un excelente ejemplo de cómo Batman iba pasando de ser un personaje lleno de bati-bromas, a un personaje con historia, con continuidad, con simbolismo y con un sentido social.
La historia alberga a personajes como Dick, Tim, Huntress, Catwoman y algunos varios villanos. Y lo genial es que ya hay menos tontería cósmica ni bromas, sino una verdadera narrativa sobre ser Batman, de esas que se sienten o se sintieron mucho en historias como el Nuevos 52 o los videojuegos de Arkham.
En tanto las ediciones de VID tienen un montón de cosas padres; traen trivias como por ejemplo de Dick, de Catwoman, de Ra's o sobre la Baticueva, trae semblanzas de personajes (por fin entendí quién era ese personaje viviendo en la baticueva, que sale en Nightfall), e incluso trae publicidad de historias como Año Uno y Batman VS Alien, las cuales al ya haberlas leído fue mucho mejor. También cuenta con cartas y correos para contar a otros fans en toda latinoamérica; obviamente ya no sirve ni existen pero es genial pensar en haber tenido esos cómics hace como 30 años y poder entrar en contacto con otros fans de Batman.
De nuevo, sobre el virus, gótica y cómo detenerlo hay casi nada de historia, creo que ni un solo contagiado. Sino más bien la idea que dio forma a la última película de Nolan, con Bane y Ra's medio mezclados en la idea de purificar el mundo. Y una historia donde los buenos igual salen heridos, donde es un misterio bien planteado cómo saldrán con vida y la continuidad es muy fluida.
No es una mega historia, no es un mega desenlace, no es un gran evento. Pero es la prueba de que agregarle continuidad a los personajes y las historias creo un gran entretenimiento.
Es una continuación del Batman Contagion, pero no tiene nada que ver.
Se trata de nuevo sobre un virus mortal que puede destruir el mundo, pero no tiene nada que ver con eso.
Es simplemente un excelente ejemplo de cómo Batman iba pasando de ser un personaje lleno de bati-bromas, a un personaje con historia, con continuidad, con simbolismo y con un sentido social.
La historia alberga a personajes como Dick, Tim, Huntress, Catwoman y algunos varios villanos. Y lo genial es que ya hay menos tontería cósmica ni bromas, sino una verdadera narrativa sobre ser Batman, de esas que se sienten o se sintieron mucho en historias como el Nuevos 52 o los videojuegos de Arkham.
En tanto las ediciones de VID tienen un montón de cosas padres; traen trivias como por ejemplo de Dick, de Catwoman, de Ra's o sobre la Baticueva, trae semblanzas de personajes (por fin entendí quién era ese personaje viviendo en la baticueva, que sale en Nightfall), e incluso trae publicidad de historias como Año Uno y Batman VS Alien, las cuales al ya haberlas leído fue mucho mejor. También cuenta con cartas y correos para contar a otros fans en toda latinoamérica; obviamente ya no sirve ni existen pero es genial pensar en haber tenido esos cómics hace como 30 años y poder entrar en contacto con otros fans de Batman.
De nuevo, sobre el virus, gótica y cómo detenerlo hay casi nada de historia, creo que ni un solo contagiado. Sino más bien la idea que dio forma a la última película de Nolan, con Bane y Ra's medio mezclados en la idea de purificar el mundo. Y una historia donde los buenos igual salen heridos, donde es un misterio bien planteado cómo saldrán con vida y la continuidad es muy fluida.
No es una mega historia, no es un mega desenlace, no es un gran evento. Pero es la prueba de que agregarle continuidad a los personajes y las historias creo un gran entretenimiento.
September 22, 2020
It's hard to give a single rating to these crossover compilations because the individual issues usually have different creative teams. In this collection one issue was completely awful - writing and art. A few were dumb/bad/boring. The rest were...ok.
(Sort of a side note... I had to shake my head and chuckle at how obviously the artists on Catwoman pander to hormone-soaked 14 year olds.)
(Sort of a side note... I had to shake my head and chuckle at how obviously the artists on Catwoman pander to hormone-soaked 14 year olds.)
May 9, 2025
This is a small TPB of just 10 issues, but it's fun and I've read it in a single sitting. It even collects Detective Comics #700, which has a very cool reveal.
This directly follows up the Contagion story and continues it. I really like how a lot of the comics at this time interconnected and how well this reads in collected editions.
These stories were published in late 1996, around the time when the artwork in comics really blossomed and started to look really good.
I'd be happy to upgrade these TPB books into an Omnibus edition if DC got around to make that.
This directly follows up the Contagion story and continues it. I really like how a lot of the comics at this time interconnected and how well this reads in collected editions.
These stories were published in late 1996, around the time when the artwork in comics really blossomed and started to look really good.
I'd be happy to upgrade these TPB books into an Omnibus edition if DC got around to make that.
August 26, 2020
mostly okay, unfortunately predictable. Although, I kid you not, an early story in here asserts that Batman hates pineapple on pizza, which makes him a villain in this one, sorry folks.
December 22, 2017
(Art 3/5, Story 3/5) I was debating whether to give the story 2 or 3 stars since it did get more interesting towards the last 2 or 3 issues. But I felt like much of the story was unneasary, boring, and drawn out. I gave it three with the idea of separating the stories from each other since they don't really flow and relate as well as they could. The beginning was kind of a story by itself about a villain named Lock up. Not too bad, the Catwoman adventure was long and drawn out, even though I usually like Catwoman stories. It started off alrught but didn't really go anywhere interesting. Finally, when Batman finds out that Robin is in trouble becsuse of the virus still potentially killing him, they get to the actual story and meet up with the man responsible for the virus and have an interesting escape and showdown. I was interested in knowing what happens in vol 2 by the end if that says anything.
Starts off with an interesting villain, named Lock-Up, looks kind of like Shredder from Ninja Turtles. He had a few villains including Two face and Firefly and a guy named Veezer locked up in a hidden cell. He was kind of a vigilante who, when caught, wouldn't give the location away in order to let them die. But he escapes and Robin goes under cover to get caught by him and brought to the cells in order to find out the location. Nightwing and Batman rescue him and they catch Lock-Up again. (Art 4/5
Then Catwoman meets an old enemy named Hellhound. Looks like a red spiky Batman. She meets him during a heist to take a silicon chip. He kidnaps her to use her skills to get to a booby trapped and heavily guarded wheel describing things in ancient languages pertaining to destruction. She gets captured after finishing the trials and we move to a Robin story. (Art 3/5
Robin and a girl, Adi, are at a car show and see an old Blackgate prisoner. Suspecting he'll try s car theif, he scopes em out and meets another vigilante, a Panther Catman looking guy named Wildcat. After stopping the car theives, we don't find out who Wildcat is yet, but Batman and Alfred are reconcerned about "the clench," the disease from "Contagion." (Art 3/5
Huntress tries to get information about loot stolen from abandoned houses after the plague. Then we go back to Batman trying to find a cure for the clench to save Robin from a relapse. They seek Azraels help.
They find out that they need to go to Sudan, where the plague was made to find a cure, so they leave Huntress with Gordon to watch the city while it panics because of a soon to be implemented quarantine for all those who once had the virus since it can mutate now. When they get there, they meet the one responsible for making the plague,
Starts off with an interesting villain, named Lock-Up, looks kind of like Shredder from Ninja Turtles. He had a few villains including Two face and Firefly and a guy named Veezer locked up in a hidden cell. He was kind of a vigilante who, when caught, wouldn't give the location away in order to let them die. But he escapes and Robin goes under cover to get caught by him and brought to the cells in order to find out the location. Nightwing and Batman rescue him and they catch Lock-Up again. (Art 4/5
Then Catwoman meets an old enemy named Hellhound. Looks like a red spiky Batman. She meets him during a heist to take a silicon chip. He kidnaps her to use her skills to get to a booby trapped and heavily guarded wheel describing things in ancient languages pertaining to destruction. She gets captured after finishing the trials and we move to a Robin story. (Art 3/5
Robin and a girl, Adi, are at a car show and see an old Blackgate prisoner. Suspecting he'll try s car theif, he scopes em out and meets another vigilante, a Panther Catman looking guy named Wildcat. After stopping the car theives, we don't find out who Wildcat is yet, but Batman and Alfred are reconcerned about "the clench," the disease from "Contagion." (Art 3/5
Huntress tries to get information about loot stolen from abandoned houses after the plague. Then we go back to Batman trying to find a cure for the clench to save Robin from a relapse. They seek Azraels help.
They find out that they need to go to Sudan, where the plague was made to find a cure, so they leave Huntress with Gordon to watch the city while it panics because of a soon to be implemented quarantine for all those who once had the virus since it can mutate now. When they get there, they meet the one responsible for making the plague,
October 25, 2024
After Contagion comes Batman: Legacy, Vol. 1, another Batman crossover event that spans multiple titles (i.e., Batman, Detective Comics, Robin, Catwoman, and Shadow of the Bat). This book would be better titled as Batman: Prelude to Legacy because it primarily collects the issues that set up the main Legacy storyline, such as the prelude issues, i.e., Shadow of the Bat 53 and Batman 533, among others. The only issue from this collection that is part of the main Legacy storyline is Detective Comics 700 (Legacy, Part One: Progeny of the Demon).
This book is a continuation of the Contagion storyline. While Contagion focused on the effects of the Clench virus on Gotham City, Legacy dives into who was behind the Clench virus and why it was created in the first place. I thought the book was just okay overall when I first read it. As mentioned, this collection doesn’t actually include the main Legacy storyline—only the last three issues are relevant to it. The primary antagonists in the Detective Comics and Catwoman issues—Lock-Up and Hellhound—weren't particularly interesting, although the Lock-Up story was entertaining.
I also didn’t fully grasp the significance of Ra’s return at the time. Back then, I wasn’t much of a fan of his character, though he’s now one of my favorite Batman villains. Looking back, I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I were reading it today. For fans of the Demon’s Head, this book does feature the customary Batman-vs.-Ra’s shirtless fight.
Aside from the Batman issue written by Doug Moench and the Shadow of the Bat issue by Alan Grant, Chuck Dixon was the writer of all the other issues in this collection. Wow, I didn’t realize he was writing Robin, Catwoman, and Detective Comics all at the same time.
As for the art, I definitely felt some nostalgia seeing Nightwing with his classic ponytail and Catwoman in her iconic purple suit. Graham Nolan’s work in the Detective Comics issues is clean and sharp, and, of course, it’s a given that Jim Balent draws Catwoman exceptionally well. I was surprised, though, because when I checked my initial notes for this book, I’d written that the art in the Catwoman issues was bad. I guess I’ve had a change of heart. Another standout for me was Dave Taylor’s art in Shadow of the Bat 53. Jim Aparo illustrated the lone Batman issue in this collection, though it didn’t quite feel like his usual style—I’m not a fan of how Bill Sienkiewicz inked his work.
Collects Detective Comics (1937) 697–700, Catwoman (1993) 33–35, Robin (1993) 31, Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992) 53, and Batman (1940) 533.
My Batman Collected Editions Instagram page
This book is a continuation of the Contagion storyline. While Contagion focused on the effects of the Clench virus on Gotham City, Legacy dives into who was behind the Clench virus and why it was created in the first place. I thought the book was just okay overall when I first read it. As mentioned, this collection doesn’t actually include the main Legacy storyline—only the last three issues are relevant to it. The primary antagonists in the Detective Comics and Catwoman issues—Lock-Up and Hellhound—weren't particularly interesting, although the Lock-Up story was entertaining.
I also didn’t fully grasp the significance of Ra’s return at the time. Back then, I wasn’t much of a fan of his character, though he’s now one of my favorite Batman villains. Looking back, I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I were reading it today. For fans of the Demon’s Head, this book does feature the customary Batman-vs.-Ra’s shirtless fight.
Aside from the Batman issue written by Doug Moench and the Shadow of the Bat issue by Alan Grant, Chuck Dixon was the writer of all the other issues in this collection. Wow, I didn’t realize he was writing Robin, Catwoman, and Detective Comics all at the same time.
As for the art, I definitely felt some nostalgia seeing Nightwing with his classic ponytail and Catwoman in her iconic purple suit. Graham Nolan’s work in the Detective Comics issues is clean and sharp, and, of course, it’s a given that Jim Balent draws Catwoman exceptionally well. I was surprised, though, because when I checked my initial notes for this book, I’d written that the art in the Catwoman issues was bad. I guess I’ve had a change of heart. Another standout for me was Dave Taylor’s art in Shadow of the Bat 53. Jim Aparo illustrated the lone Batman issue in this collection, though it didn’t quite feel like his usual style—I’m not a fan of how Bill Sienkiewicz inked his work.
Collects Detective Comics (1937) 697–700, Catwoman (1993) 33–35, Robin (1993) 31, Batman: Shadow of the Bat (1992) 53, and Batman (1940) 533.
My Batman Collected Editions Instagram page
February 26, 2019
Man, some of these reviews are harsh! Overall, I thought vol. 1 wasnt that bad. Yes there is alot of story that isn't relevant to the Legacy arc, but there are bits and pieces that do lead up to the actual story. The first arc with Lock-Up was cheesy, and had maybe one or two references to Legacy and the virus, so that probably could've been left out. The Catwoman arc though I feel was necessary to the buildup of Legacy with how it delves into the origin of where the virus came from and the role it's going to play in Legacy, but I do have to agree the art is pretty bad. The robin and wildcat team up could've been left out except the last page, and again the art is bad. 2/3 of the book through and you finally get to the prelude and first chapter of Legacy. Although the majority of this book was not necessary, it was still fun reading the chapters that took place between Contagion and Legacy, everything seemed to be back to normal but that couldnt be more wrong. I liked it, but I also grew up reading Batman in the 90s so I might be biased, but I would still recommend it to someone who has read Contagion
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January 14, 2020More a prelude to Legacy than the actual crossover, this collection is a mixed bag. The first three issues are completely throwaway, as Tim, Two-Face, and a few others get captured by lame new vigilante Lock-Up (Get it? He locks up criminals. Ugh). Then comes the Catwoman interlude, a shameless Indiana Jones rip-off that manages to move the plot forward slightly. Things get interesting in the final three issues when Batman, Robin, and Nightwing travel to Sudan to confront the mastermind behind the plague from the previous crossover, Contagion. It’s supposed to be this big build up with a shocking reveal, but the hints are so obvious that it's Ra's al Ghul. When the confrontation happens in Detective 700, it’s fine. Dixon tries a little too hard to make it like the O’Neil/Adams stories (shirts off, swordfight), though it’s a fairly exciting fight with another big reveal at the end that I didn’t anticipate. Overall, this first volume is okay, but I feel like DC is desperately trying to outdo themselves with one Batman crossover after another by this point. Knightfall set a tone, for better or worse.
November 30, 2017
Siempre escuche que Legacy era uno de los Arcos argumentales más interesantes de Batman publicados en los 90’s, fue por eso que me anime a comprar esta compilación... y después de leerlo... sigo con la duda de que tan bueno/regular o malo será Legacy, porque este primer tomo es puro cómic de relleno donde apenas mínimamente hacen mención a eventos ocurridos en Contagio y posteriores.
Las historias rayan en lo más gris y olvidable: Batman , Nightwing y Robin haciendo equipo se embarcan en una búsqueda lejos de ciudad gótica, dejando como vigilantes a Huntress y Gordon ( que de por si ese es su trabajo).
Es hasta el final del libro donde vemos el preludio y la primera parte de Legacy, que por lo que vi, pude parecer una historia interesante (tampoco para algo espectacular, pero digamos algo más que aceptable).
Esperare el segundo tomo para ahora si poder conocer de qué va esta historia, porque esto fue pura paja y relleno innecesario.
Las historias rayan en lo más gris y olvidable: Batman , Nightwing y Robin haciendo equipo se embarcan en una búsqueda lejos de ciudad gótica, dejando como vigilantes a Huntress y Gordon ( que de por si ese es su trabajo).
Es hasta el final del libro donde vemos el preludio y la primera parte de Legacy, que por lo que vi, pude parecer una historia interesante (tampoco para algo espectacular, pero digamos algo más que aceptable).
Esperare el segundo tomo para ahora si poder conocer de qué va esta historia, porque esto fue pura paja y relleno innecesario.
April 13, 2021
3.5
Contagion is still on the way but this arrived earlier so I thought I would read Legacy 1 and 2 and treat Contagion like a prequel. Chuck Dixon has created some of the best Dark Knight stories so it was not a tough task for me to track this book down. I'm currently reading a lot of post crisis books and realised this is one of the books that has missed my collection.
Why the 3.5?
This is one of those halfway books that teases more than it delivers. The final issues are the key here with the bulk of the issues split between the batfamily. I enjoyed the artwork and the mixture of character issues. The main issue is the key plot arc is introduced so late and the book only picks up steam in the latter half. I still read it and thought it was okay but not a pivotal book in the batman world. These batman events are hit and miss so I'm not that shocked that this book wasn't the giant event Chuck Dixon tends to deliver.
Contagion is still on the way but this arrived earlier so I thought I would read Legacy 1 and 2 and treat Contagion like a prequel. Chuck Dixon has created some of the best Dark Knight stories so it was not a tough task for me to track this book down. I'm currently reading a lot of post crisis books and realised this is one of the books that has missed my collection.
Why the 3.5?
This is one of those halfway books that teases more than it delivers. The final issues are the key here with the bulk of the issues split between the batfamily. I enjoyed the artwork and the mixture of character issues. The main issue is the key plot arc is introduced so late and the book only picks up steam in the latter half. I still read it and thought it was okay but not a pivotal book in the batman world. These batman events are hit and miss so I'm not that shocked that this book wasn't the giant event Chuck Dixon tends to deliver.
July 27, 2025
Legacy was my very first Batman comics that i had read back in the day when i first understood the concept of comics . Now i am revisiting this in order to make my own collection of comics which hav the ability to stand the test of time and be good enough to read and enjoy in this day and age. And i daresay the first part is quite good but is marred by needless side quests of catwoman and huntress , not to mention the lock up story , which was cook but really needless. Other than that the story is filled with repetitive monologues explaining readers the over-the-top plot. All said though the art is slick , action sequences are good and the plot is entertaining and gives a 80s treasure hunt adventure movies . Batman saving everyone by using his brain and than kicking butts is all way too entertaining to concentrate on the obvious flaws such as How Bane an intelligent and powerful specifen has agreed upon becoming a minion for Ra's
April 9, 2019
There's a LOT of padding in this one.
So much so that I'm questioning its title, Legacy Volume One. For starters, even the prelude to the event does not start roughly until the last quarter. Everything relevant before that can be summed in two panels, one where mayor Krol suddenly dies, the other is where the hazmat guys are standing over his body saying "Oh sh*t, it's back and it's worse than before." We've got some Catwoman story detailing how she gets into the cell in the villain's stronghold and she does not even meet Batman in this book. Only three issues total are marked as the event ones. But on the other hand we get a decent chunk of Chuck Dixon action comics that are good enough by themselves and are probably not collected digitally yet. So you've been warned.
So much so that I'm questioning its title, Legacy Volume One. For starters, even the prelude to the event does not start roughly until the last quarter. Everything relevant before that can be summed in two panels, one where mayor Krol suddenly dies, the other is where the hazmat guys are standing over his body saying "Oh sh*t, it's back and it's worse than before." We've got some Catwoman story detailing how she gets into the cell in the villain's stronghold and she does not even meet Batman in this book. Only three issues total are marked as the event ones. But on the other hand we get a decent chunk of Chuck Dixon action comics that are good enough by themselves and are probably not collected digitally yet. So you've been warned.
March 11, 2025
Yet another storyline I've read without realizing it is a continuation. "Batman: Legacy" happens after "Batman: Contagion." The collection begins with Lock-Up imprisoning rogues, such as Two-Face and Killer Moth, in a unknown location. It reminds me of the BTAS episode "Lock-Up". Yeah, the GCPD can arrest Lyle Bolton, but he won't tell where his secret prison is, and without him bringing them food, the criminals will starve to death. Batman, Robin (Tim Drake), and Nightwing work together to find and rescue the rogues, especially when Bolton kidnaps Tim, thinking he's a teen looking to buy drugs.
After that is dealt with, it is discovered that the deadly virus known as The Clench has seemingly returned even worst than before; now people can die within days or hours. Meanwhile, Catwoman is strong-armed by a ninja named Hellhound/Kai to help locate an ancient wheel in the desert of Sudanfor a man named The Collector with another man named Brother Umberto. Umberto has spent 20 years translating the journal of Eritrius, who discovered the wheel centuries ago, and his job is to help Catwoman avoid the traps. Besides The Collector, there are three other interested parties in the wheel: the order of St. Dumas, the Vatican, and "The Immortal."
Back with the Batfamily, Azrael explains that he found the original cure for the Apocalypse Virus in an underground ancient ruin in Sudan. Batman, Nightwing, and Robin decide to travel there in search of another cure, leaving Huntress in charge while they are gone. The three find the dig site, as well as the immortal Ra's Al Ghul and his entourage. They fight, almost drown or die by sword, and unfortunately, Ra's Al Ghul and his daughter Talia get away, but there is also another familiar face: Bane.
After that is dealt with, it is discovered that the deadly virus known as The Clench has seemingly returned even worst than before; now people can die within days or hours. Meanwhile, Catwoman is strong-armed by a ninja named Hellhound/Kai to help locate an ancient wheel in the desert of Sudanfor a man named The Collector with another man named Brother Umberto. Umberto has spent 20 years translating the journal of Eritrius, who discovered the wheel centuries ago, and his job is to help Catwoman avoid the traps. Besides The Collector, there are three other interested parties in the wheel: the order of St. Dumas, the Vatican, and "The Immortal."
Back with the Batfamily, Azrael explains that he found the original cure for the Apocalypse Virus in an underground ancient ruin in Sudan. Batman, Nightwing, and Robin decide to travel there in search of another cure, leaving Huntress in charge while they are gone. The three find the dig site, as well as the immortal Ra's Al Ghul and his entourage. They fight, almost drown or die by sword, and unfortunately, Ra's Al Ghul and his daughter Talia get away, but there is also another familiar face: Bane.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2023
I think it's kinda odd that this is split up like this, but hey, anything to get more titles on my end of the year reading list. It's okay, I don't really like that we're still not finished with the Clench storyline. Catwoman's storyline was my favorite, and I love her art style. I think once I'm done reading Robin I'll read hers. I like Tim's angst and how he almost gives up towards the end. It's refreshing to see a character not accept everything. He's angry, he's testing his life by going on this journey. He wants to live, he just doesn't see it happening that easily. Helena is my everything, but that's nothing new. I hope the next few series are more focused in Gotham, I'm starting to miss the dreary city. Onto the next part!
November 27, 2025
We start off with a lawful-chaotic named Lock Up versus Batman and the villains of Gotham
Then we quickly derail to Catwoman, abducted by a very 90’s feller called Hellhound, made to Raid(er) through a Tomb, survive traps and find the codex wheel relating back to Contagion
Now to Robin with Wildcat, idk Tim and Ari are goin through it, can ya imagine
Back to the Clench woooooo, this is what I wanted from Contagion, to see the effects of the clench on Gotham. Weirdly enough it comes here, after the clench has already been cured and is now back with a new strain, acting faster and killing people who made it through the first time. Covid heads where ya at
Penguin has a dirty stinky plan to incite riots and rage in the streets
Of course the guy behind the Clench is the guy behind the clench, that mfer always tryna wipe out civilization with disease
Good to see Selina where we left her, made the whole thing feel worth it
Then we quickly derail to Catwoman, abducted by a very 90’s feller called Hellhound, made to Raid(er) through a Tomb, survive traps and find the codex wheel relating back to Contagion
Now to Robin with Wildcat, idk Tim and Ari are goin through it, can ya imagine
Back to the Clench woooooo, this is what I wanted from Contagion, to see the effects of the clench on Gotham. Weirdly enough it comes here, after the clench has already been cured and is now back with a new strain, acting faster and killing people who made it through the first time. Covid heads where ya at
Penguin has a dirty stinky plan to incite riots and rage in the streets
Of course the guy behind the Clench is the guy behind the clench, that mfer always tryna wipe out civilization with disease
Good to see Selina where we left her, made the whole thing feel worth it
July 19, 2020
It seems that the 90's were just one giant, earth shattering disaster after another for the Caped Crusader. While not nearly as protracted Knightfall, the setup here is, at times, interminable, but the big reveal at the end goes a long way to making up for it. It's certainly much more satisfying then the rather anti-climatic ending of Contagion (which wasn't really an ending at all considering this story). The art is pretty consistent, though I'd obviously prefer a single writer/artist team this is about as well coordinated as you can get for a crossover of this size. Ultimately, this is par-for-the-course for 90's Batman.
April 5, 2021
Maybe this collection should've been given a different title, since most of the stories don't relate to Legacy much, if at all. I do understand why they were collected - to give completists a chance to read and/or own complete runs of the Bat-titles in question, since many of the issues have never been collected before. But perhaps most of it could've been collected together with the last few arcs from the new Contagion TPB and formed a kinda-random book of its own, with the last couple chapters put into the current Legacy Vol. 2.
That aside, the 1990s weren't a good time for quality writing in comic books, TBH. Stories are mainly perfunctory, and nothing really stands out.
That aside, the 1990s weren't a good time for quality writing in comic books, TBH. Stories are mainly perfunctory, and nothing really stands out.
July 2, 2022
This was really good Batman. Legacy follows on the heels of Contagion, and it's well worth reading the two back-to-back as one story. Volume one starts out with what seem like individual stories from Robin, Batman, and Catwoman, with Nightwing and Huntress showing up, all of which end on a cliffhanger, and the final issue ties these stories together, and itself ends in a cliffhanger. The story surrounds the return of the plague from Contagion, and the steps the Bat Family has to take to solve it. There is, again, a great mix of detective work, plot, character building, and action. The art is really solid as well.
August 12, 2022
The follow up to the "Contagion" story line, it was OK but not great. (Not that Contagion was all that.) For one thing, what was "edgy" in the late 90s is still kind of meek compared to today's standards. And the problem with this story gravitating between several titles is that the artwork and story are better in some, weaker in others. The Dixon/Nolan Detective and Dixon/Balent Catwoman issues, which were most of the lead-in ones, and the Grant/Taylor Shadow of the Bat were decent, but the Robin issue and the Moench/Aparo Batman left a lot to be desired, mostly due to Aparo's outdated art style. On to part 2...
April 13, 2022
I think one of the most intriguing storylines of Batman and his team is to stop Ra's Al Ghul's plan of cleansing the world by using an Ebola virus. This storyline features Bane who knows Batman's real identity. This is also the new Robin's first encounter with Ra's whereas Nightwing here also already encountered the Demon when he was the Robin.
I believe the story was decent. Now when I read it, there was one scene where Robin got to know that Ra's used a Windows 95 PC to create the strain of the virus. I laughed a lot. The story was published in the year 1996 (probably).
I loved it.
I believe the story was decent. Now when I read it, there was one scene where Robin got to know that Ra's used a Windows 95 PC to create the strain of the virus. I laughed a lot. The story was published in the year 1996 (probably).
I loved it.
August 22, 2024
More of a 2.5
The first half of this collection was pretty meh, but it really picks up toward the end.
If there's one thing I'm glad I've gotten out of reading these 90s Batman comics, it's the discovery of Helena and Tim's friendship. Not looking forward to that being practically non-existent once I get back to present day Batfam (or anything they've done with Huntress, but that's another story).
The first half of this collection was pretty meh, but it really picks up toward the end.
If there's one thing I'm glad I've gotten out of reading these 90s Batman comics, it's the discovery of Helena and Tim's friendship. Not looking forward to that being practically non-existent once I get back to present day Batfam (or anything they've done with Huntress, but that's another story).
August 12, 2019
Nothing amazing, I'd difficulties to remember what had already happened in the volume, but there was a very pleasant team work with Batman, Nightwing and Tim-Robin. I didn't really care about Batman but as I really like Grayson and Tim, I was happy to see them fight some of the usual big villains. There's also a good suspense around the plague (from Contagion) and the fact Catwoman was involved was nice.
June 17, 2022
What bizarre editorial choices here. The first volume of the Legacy collection involves two thirds of the book that have almost nothing to do with Legacy. The stories that are collected are subpar to say the least. Catwoman is abysmal, Robin bad, and Batman average. The reveal as to who the big bad is was completely obvious. The art was okay for the time. Overall, the book shouldn't have been collected this way and this storyline shows little potential.
April 15, 2025
Old friends and enemies reunited!
No spoilers, but it was very satisfying to see exactly who is behind the latest threat to resurrect the Clench in Gotham.
Great artwork again throughout this volume, and really glad to see the whole saga including Catwoman's prelude included. Really good storyline and snappy dialogue for the mid-90s, this is an excellent opener for one of the darkest periods for Gotham in a long time.
Highly recommended.
No spoilers, but it was very satisfying to see exactly who is behind the latest threat to resurrect the Clench in Gotham.
Great artwork again throughout this volume, and really glad to see the whole saga including Catwoman's prelude included. Really good storyline and snappy dialogue for the mid-90s, this is an excellent opener for one of the darkest periods for Gotham in a long time.
Highly recommended.
December 19, 2021
The Clench is back... never left really. I own the latest Volume 1 with the crossovers. We finally get the big bad behind the virus. I love 90's Bat Family, Dixon is king. Huntress watches Gotham as Bats, Robin and Nightwing travel to Africa searching for a cure. Catwoman gets thrown in the mix for good measure. So good.
December 11, 2025
Review is for both volumes read consecutively
The less Batman in a tale the less enjoyable it is.
The further afield from Gotham the story travels the less enjoyable it is.
Like it's predecessor 'Contagion storyline, it feels drug out and extended to spread across issues moreso than for artistic merit.
Read if you're a completist, but don't rush. Skipping it will lose you nothing.
The less Batman in a tale the less enjoyable it is.
The further afield from Gotham the story travels the less enjoyable it is.
Like it's predecessor 'Contagion storyline, it feels drug out and extended to spread across issues moreso than for artistic merit.
Read if you're a completist, but don't rush. Skipping it will lose you nothing.
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