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Batman: Dark Victory #0-6
Batman: Dark Victory Part 1
The Holiday killer is out of jail, saved by the money and machinations of the Falcone crime family, under a verdict of insanity. And now the killings start again, a series of murders of Gotham police. Left behind at the crimes are hangman puzzles, with clues that seem to point to Harvey Dent, now calling himself Two-Face. On the case is Commissioner James Gordon, increasingly obstructed by new District Attorney, Janice Porter, a woman who seems to loathe the methods of Batman. And while the Dark Knight attempts to stop the cop-killer, he seems to have increasingly lost his own human face, as he isolates himself from those around him. Originally published as Batman: Dark Victory #0-6.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
2 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Jeph Loeb
1,589 books1,375 followersJoseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an Emmy and WGA nominated American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a Co-Executive Producer on the NBC hit show Heroes, and formerly a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost.
A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.
A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 18, 2025
I feel the same way about Batman: Dark Victory, Part 1 as I did The Long Halloween, Part 1—it’s a good setup volume lacking payoff as of yet.
If I hadn’t just read The Long Halloween, I probably would’ve enjoyed this more. This story feels like a reskin of its predecessor, and I simply enjoyed the original mystery more.
Don't get me wrong, this volume still has its hooks. I'm dying to know who the Hangman is, I felt genuine emotion at some of the murders, and the entire Arkham Asylum breakout sequence was awesome.
The main selling point this one has over its prequel is the heavy involvement of Harvey Dent/Two-Face. Dent himself has the potential to make this finale the best of the trilogy. There hasn’t been enough of him so far, but every bit I have seen, I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Ultimately, Dark Victory succeeds in maintaining the atmosphere and mystery of the original, but the familiar structure makes it feel repetitive. Its current 3-star rating rests heavily on the promise of Two-Face delivering a spectacular conclusion.
If I hadn’t just read The Long Halloween, I probably would’ve enjoyed this more. This story feels like a reskin of its predecessor, and I simply enjoyed the original mystery more.
Don't get me wrong, this volume still has its hooks. I'm dying to know who the Hangman is, I felt genuine emotion at some of the murders, and the entire Arkham Asylum breakout sequence was awesome.
The main selling point this one has over its prequel is the heavy involvement of Harvey Dent/Two-Face. Dent himself has the potential to make this finale the best of the trilogy. There hasn’t been enough of him so far, but every bit I have seen, I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Ultimately, Dark Victory succeeds in maintaining the atmosphere and mystery of the original, but the familiar structure makes it feel repetitive. Its current 3-star rating rests heavily on the promise of Two-Face delivering a spectacular conclusion.
May 5, 2025
5/5
Well I must admit that coming into this I didn't even consider the fact that I could love this more than TLW with it being a sequel. It appears I was wrong. This is my favourite so far out of the TLW series and one of the best comics I've ever read.
Firstly, this takes everything TLW did well, does it again, and adds to it. We see a very similar plot line play out but of course under different circumstances and yet it's the same group of players taking part with a couple of extra additions. Strong personalities like the Falcones and Two face that were built up in TLW are shown in their full glory here. The plot is great because its just TLW but with new additions that are even better.
Harvey Dent. Two face. He continues to show that TLW was essentially made to showcase him and his indepth character. He has some really good scenes here (especially the one with the joker) and he continues to be a pivotal player in all proceedings.
Batman. I love the batman that Loeb brings to life in TLW. He's so good and he encapsulates everything I love about the character. He's even better here as we see him more exhausted, more haunted, and with even more to lose.
Jim Gordon. Same story as batman. I love the Gordon that Loeb gives us and again we see a version here that is even more haunted and more beaten down.
Familiar faces from the rogue gallery are once again shown, this time perhaps in a lesser degree than in TLW but there still some great cameos. Which brings me onto...
I love Loebs Riddler. A farcry from the creepy edgey version we see in Pattersons batman and back to the real roots of the character.
And now for my favourite part of the entire thing. The relationship between Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne. And most importantly, that touching final scene. It really spoke to me profoundly the way that Loeb went about showcasing this relationship and that final scene was full of emotion. Bruce Wayne "beleives in Gotham City." She's his lady, his promise, his burden to carry regardless of how much it weighs him down. And even when it comes at the cost of such personal prices, he keeps moving forward. Because that's what batman does. Because he's the dark knight. Jeph Loeb gets batman. He understands the character. Don't be fooled by the 3 fives I've given out lately, I hope the three earlier kind of showed that a little, not every batman comic is a 5, Loeb is just that good.
Unbelievable read.
Well I must admit that coming into this I didn't even consider the fact that I could love this more than TLW with it being a sequel. It appears I was wrong. This is my favourite so far out of the TLW series and one of the best comics I've ever read.
Firstly, this takes everything TLW did well, does it again, and adds to it. We see a very similar plot line play out but of course under different circumstances and yet it's the same group of players taking part with a couple of extra additions. Strong personalities like the Falcones and Two face that were built up in TLW are shown in their full glory here. The plot is great because its just TLW but with new additions that are even better.
Harvey Dent. Two face. He continues to show that TLW was essentially made to showcase him and his indepth character. He has some really good scenes here (especially the one with the joker) and he continues to be a pivotal player in all proceedings.
Batman. I love the batman that Loeb brings to life in TLW. He's so good and he encapsulates everything I love about the character. He's even better here as we see him more exhausted, more haunted, and with even more to lose.
Jim Gordon. Same story as batman. I love the Gordon that Loeb gives us and again we see a version here that is even more haunted and more beaten down.
Familiar faces from the rogue gallery are once again shown, this time perhaps in a lesser degree than in TLW but there still some great cameos. Which brings me onto...
I love Loebs Riddler. A farcry from the creepy edgey version we see in Pattersons batman and back to the real roots of the character.
And now for my favourite part of the entire thing. The relationship between Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne. And most importantly, that touching final scene. It really spoke to me profoundly the way that Loeb went about showcasing this relationship and that final scene was full of emotion. Bruce Wayne "beleives in Gotham City." She's his lady, his promise, his burden to carry regardless of how much it weighs him down. And even when it comes at the cost of such personal prices, he keeps moving forward. Because that's what batman does. Because he's the dark knight. Jeph Loeb gets batman. He understands the character. Don't be fooled by the 3 fives I've given out lately, I hope the three earlier kind of showed that a little, not every batman comic is a 5, Loeb is just that good.
Unbelievable read.
September 28, 2025
THE LONG HALLOWEEN is my favorite Batman story. It focuses on the World’s Greatest Detective as a detective, solving murders that take place on holidays. DARK VICTORY is the sequel with a similar premise, this time with cops being the victims on holidays. I’d only read it once before parts 1 and 2 were delivered in my monthly Batman graphic novel subscription box, and it’s held up well.
Part 1 focuses on Batman’s loneliness. Bruce Wayne is single, although that's self-inflicted at this stage; and Batman is without many allies or friends. He’s searching desperately for a missing Harvey “Two-Face” Dent, not sure whether his former friend escaped from Arkham or was abducted. Either way, Batman hopes to… what, exactly? Bring Dent to justice? Help him restore his humanity?
No, I think his motivation is a lot simpler than that. He wants to find, and help, an old friend. Because Batman can empathize with Dent. Both men, along with Jim Gordon, carried a great burden on their shoulders. Dent is someone who, despite not knowing Batman’s identity, can relate to him, and Batman can relate to Dent. There are few people Batman can relate to, and Dent is one of them.
Part 1 focuses on Batman’s loneliness. Bruce Wayne is single, although that's self-inflicted at this stage; and Batman is without many allies or friends. He’s searching desperately for a missing Harvey “Two-Face” Dent, not sure whether his former friend escaped from Arkham or was abducted. Either way, Batman hopes to… what, exactly? Bring Dent to justice? Help him restore his humanity?
No, I think his motivation is a lot simpler than that. He wants to find, and help, an old friend. Because Batman can empathize with Dent. Both men, along with Jim Gordon, carried a great burden on their shoulders. Dent is someone who, despite not knowing Batman’s identity, can relate to him, and Batman can relate to Dent. There are few people Batman can relate to, and Dent is one of them.
May 25, 2019
So in this issue, you have Batman chasing the Holiday Killer (one of Falcone's mob) after he was let out of jail on an insanity plea (cough, bribe, cough), but Hervey Dent has also escaped, problem is, however, his descent into becoming Two Face... well he's officially Two Face now.
If that wasn't enough The Hangman is leaving riddles all over Gotham with his hung corpses but who is he? (she?) could it be Dent or one of the other notorious villains that made a cameo? Joker, Grundy, or maybe even Penguin?
Add in the sensuous Catwoman who is trying to Batman and the lovely Selina Kyle who is trying to snuggle up to Bruce Wayne and you honestly have everything in a Batman comic that I want.
Jeph Leob is hands down my favourite Batman writer (then Snyder) and Tim Sale's artwork is just gorgeous fantastic colouring.
If that wasn't enough The Hangman is leaving riddles all over Gotham with his hung corpses but who is he? (she?) could it be Dent or one of the other notorious villains that made a cameo? Joker, Grundy, or maybe even Penguin?
Add in the sensuous Catwoman who is trying to Batman and the lovely Selina Kyle who is trying to snuggle up to Bruce Wayne and you honestly have everything in a Batman comic that I want.
Jeph Leob is hands down my favourite Batman writer (then Snyder) and Tim Sale's artwork is just gorgeous fantastic colouring.
January 23, 2019
Temné vítězství plynule navazuje na Dlouhý Halloween a opět se řeší sériová vrah. Je to skvělá noirová detektivka, která vás nepustí, dokud neotočíte poslední stránku druhé knihy. Stejně jako u Dlouhého Halloweenu je to docela hodně zamotané, ale konec je zde, alespoň pro mě, jasnější a bez otazníků. V druhé knize mě docela potěšil zmodernizovaný origin Robina. Kresbu Tima Sala jsem si oblíbil už v Dlouhém Halloweenu. Sice mám k některým prvkům jeho kresby výtky, ale jeho kompozice, práce se stíny a celkově atmosféra je parádní.
December 27, 2017
Great to get Batman's story in the background, but too many repetitions, and not fan of the illustrations.
July 31, 2018
Nada especial de momento, a ver si tiene más interés la segunda parte.
January 5, 2023
A very promising start with this first part, let's see if the rest of it is also good enough.
August 15, 2024
Uff hay un panel que muestra el dolor de Bruce por perder a Dent que es espectacular, muestra una faceta melancólica del murciélago que realmente me guata. En general una primera parte muy buena.
March 1, 2019
3/130 (2019 Reading Challenge)
Legend of Batman #21
Loved this one. Fantastic stylish artwork. & a good mystery story & serial killer for the detective side of Batman to solve. Eagerly await starting pt2
Legend of Batman #21
Loved this one. Fantastic stylish artwork. & a good mystery story & serial killer for the detective side of Batman to solve. Eagerly await starting pt2
May 26, 2025
No recuerdo cómo estaban distribuidos los capítulos de Dark Victory en estos tomos pero los tuve mucho antes que el recopilatorio en inglés. Debería encontrarlos para revisar bien el contenido.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews