Batman: Urban Legends, Vol. 2

Batman: Urban Legends (2021)

by Brandon Thomas, Meghan Fitzmartin, Dan Watters

The next chapter in the lives of Gotham Citys greatest heroes is here. The Outsiders fight the forces of Future State and Fear State! Batwoman tries to save Gotham City from itself. Tim Drake searches for a kidnapped friend and discovers his own identity. Azrael returns to Gotham City. Oracle and the Batgirls chart out new paths following the Joker War.

Collects:
- The Outsiders in THE CARETAKER and FEAR STATE: THE FEARFUL
- Tim Drake in SUM OF OUR PARTS and A CAROL OF BATS
- Azrael in DARK KNIGHT OF THE SOUL
- Oracle in GHOST IN THE MACHINE
- Batgirls in WILDCARD
- Batwing in SUPERMAN PUNCH!
- Batwoman in FEAR STATE: DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN
- Nightwing in THE BATS OF CHRISTMAS PAST

Collects stories from Batman: Urban Legends #1-6, 8-10

Genres: Comics, Batman, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Queer, Graphic Novels Comics

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2022

About the author

Brandon Thomas is the writer and co-creator of critically-acclaimed comics series EXCELLENCE (Skybound/Image), HORIZON (Skybound/Image) and THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY. Previous work includes the comics series NOBLE (Lion Forge), VOLTRON (Dynamite), and FANTASTIC FOUR TALES (Marvel).

NOBLE #1 was awarded the Fist Award for Best International Comic by the 2017 Lagos Comic-Con, in recognition of best usage of characters/stories based on persons of African descent. NOBLE was also nominated for 2019 Glyph Comics Awards in six categories: Story Of The Year; Best Cover (winner); Best Writer; Best Artist (winner); Best Male Character (winner); and Best Female Character.

Since 2003, Brandon has written comics for several publishers, including Marvel, Lion Forge, Arcade, Dynamite, and DC Entertainment, and has published over 300 original columns as part of the Ambidextrous series. His first creator-owned project THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY shipped from Archaia Entertainment to widespread critical success, leading to his biggest comics projects to date — the sci-fi conspiracy thriller HORIZON (co-created with artist Juan Gedeon), and the action fantasy series EXCELLENCE (co-created with artist Khary Randolph) — both published by Robert Kirkman’s Skybound Entertainment.

Brandon also hosts The Two Brandons podcast with Eisner-Nominated writer Brandon Easton (Transformers: War For Cybertron, Star Trek: Year Five, Vampire Hunter D: The Series).

He lives and writes in Southern California with his wife and son.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I think we could do some real good. You've been out every night, running yourself ragged, and the city . . . well, it isn't getting any better." -- Tim Drake's Robin, to his mentor Batman

Sort of a big disappointment - on the heels of really enjoying Batman: Urban Legends, Vol. 1 earlier this summer - Vol. 2 ups the ante by being comprised of ten stories (instead of just the two in that initial volume), but the increased quantity did not necessarily translate into quality. While there were a handful of good tales - notably the connected two involving Tim Drake's Robin, and the finale piece with Dick Grayson's Nightwing in a sort of sideways crimefighter version of the old Dickens chestnut A Christmas Carol - the remainder were sometimes too brief and/or hurried along to make much of a lasting impression. Also, it should be made known that while the Dark Knight's name is prominently title-displayed he actually only appears in just ONE story near the conclusion, with the rest of the starring roles being filled by the various younger sidekick members of the 'Bat' family.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Outsiders in The Caretaker by Brandon Thomas & Max Dunbar ★★
Katana's mother-in-law sends a bunch of ninjas after the Outsiders for losing her husband's soul. Would have been better with more context of what's going on. Felt like a teaser for a new series.
References that a new series is coming in 2021 but I'm guessing that was scrapped.

Tim Drake in Sum of Our Parts by Meghan Fitzmartin & Belen Ortega ★★★
Tim finally figures out he's bisexual while searching for a friend who was kidnapped by a cult.

Azrael in Dark Knight of the Soul by Dan Watters & Nicola Cizmesija ★
Teases some of the things going on in Task Force Z. Azrael nonstop talk of religion is nauseating.

Oracle in Ghost in the Machine by Cecil Castellucci & Marguerite Sauvage ★
Sauvage's art is always welcome but this story is a snooze as Oracle tries to hunt down another hacker named Vi Russ. So cheesy.

Batgirls in Wildcard by Marguerite Bennett & Sweeney Boo ★★
A tease for the Batgirls series. The story is not very interesting. Ryan Wilder gets a cameo.

Batwing in Superman Punch by Camrus Johnson & Loviso Mkize ★★★
Luke Fox is led around by the riddler solving his riddles. I liked the ending of this one.

Batwoman in Fear State: Disinformation Campaign by Alyssa Wong & Vasco Georgiev ★★★
Batwoman teams up with her sister Red Alice during a Fear State interlude.

The Outsiders in Fear State: The Fearful by Brandon Thomas & Ciam Tormey ★
I don't even know what was happening in this. Black Lightning comes back from 30 years in the future of Future State where Signal has a demon arm. None of this made any sense.

Tim Drake in A Carol of Bats by Meghan Fitzmartin & Alberto Jimenez Albuquerque ★★
Tim tries to sort through his personal issues while talking to Batman and Nightwing.

Nightwing in The Bats of Christmas Past by Tini Howard & Christian Duce ★★
The story looks fantastic. It's a half-assed attempt at using Scarecrow's fear gas to induce a Christmas Carol homage. The pieces don't fit together though.

[Molly™☺ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why does this book exist? Whilst the first volume offered some fun, but mostly inconsequential shorts, this one contains miss after miss. With a focus on more secondary Batverse characters + the Batfam, one would hope for some interesting content that will make the reader want to find out more about them. Instead, you're left with a forgettable jumble of half-arsed story telling that you won't even remember by the time you've glanced at the last variant cover at the back.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read the first two volumes of Batman: Urban Legends, I have decided the Batman family is waaaay to big nowadays and filled with waayyyy to many mopey characters who never do anything interesting. I'm done with this series.


The Outsiders in "The Caretakers" - 2 stars

A figure from Katana's past attacks, angered by their perception of her relationship with Black Lightning. Metamorpho is caught up in the action and dragged along. There's a whole lot of running in circles before the trio commits to expanding and relaunching their on-and-off group. Can't bring myself to care.


Tim Drake in "Sum of Our Parts" - 2 stars

Tim's questioning about his identity is undercut by the silly computer terminology and formatting of his narration and an unimaginative story about a cult kidnapping kids.


Azrael in "Dark Knight of the Soul" - 1 star

A delusional religious fanatic butts head with a mad scientist and another religious fanatic. Does anyone actually like Jean-Paul Vallee? He's the worst member of the Batman family, and I have no idea why DC keeps publishing stories about him.


Oracle in "Ghost in the Machine" - 2 stars

All the good comic villain names are already taken, I suppose, which is why Oracle has to face a pathetic hacker called Vi Ross (vi-rus).


Batgirls in "Wild Card" - 2 stars

All the good superhero names are also taken, I guess, so half the heroes in the DC and Marvel universes now have to share the same name. This book alone has three Batgirls and one of the two or twenty current Robins. This story tries to convince me a new character, another hacker called Wildcard is intriguing, but it fails. At least she wasn't also going by Vi Ross.


Batwing in "Superman Punch" - 2 stars

I've managed to miss most of Batwing's previous appearances, and the few times I have seen him he seems to be a complete non-entity. This story wherein he is strung along by the Riddler isn't doing anything to make him seem more necessary to the Batman family.


Batwoman in "Fear State: Disinformation Campaign" - 2 stars

Another character upon whom my interest has never been able to get any traction. Having a sister with mental health issues tied to an obsession with Alice in Wonderland is not helping.


The Outsiders in "Fear State: The Fearful" - 2 stars

I've managed to miss most of the Signal's previous appearances, and the few times I have seen him he seems to be a complete non-entity. This story wherein he joins the Outsiders and fights against a future dystopia caused by the Scarecrow isn't doing anything to make him seem more necessary to the Batman family.


Tim Drake in "A Carol of Bats" - 2 stars

Tim thinks Batman is extra broody this Christmas and wants to cheer him up. Maybe a nice tie?


Nightwing in "The Bats of Christmas Past" - 2 stars

Another Christmas story? Must be time to pull out the umpteenth homage to Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."



FOR REFERENCE:

Contents:
• The Outsiders in "The Caretaker" [chapters 1-3, issues 1-3] / Brandon Thomas, writer; Max Dunbar, artist
• Tim Drake in "Sum of Our Parts" [chapters 1-3, issues 4-6] / Meghan Fitzmartin, writer; Belén Ortega, artist
• Azrael in "Dark Knight of the Soul" [chapters 1-3, issues 8-10] / Dan Watters, writer; Nikola Čižmešija, artist
• Oracle in "Ghost in the Machine" [issue 2] / Cecil Castellucci, story; Marguerite Sauvage, artist
• Batgirls in "Wild Card" [issue 5] / Marguerite Bennett, writer; Sweeney Boo, artist
• Batwing in "Superman Punch" [issue 4] / Camrus Johnson, writer; Loviso Mkize, penciler; Trevor Scott, inker
• Batwoman in "Fear State: Disinformation Campaign" [chapters 1-2, issues 8-9] / Alyssa Wong, writer; Vasco Georgiev, artist
• The Outsiders in "Fear State: The Fearful" [chapters 1-2, issues 8-9] / Brandon Thomas, writer; Cian Tormey, penciler; Raul Fernandez, inker
• Tim Drake in "A Carol of Bats" [issue 10] / Meghan Fitzmartin, writer; Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque, artist
• Nightwing in "The Bats of Christmas Past" [issue 10] / Tini Howard, writer; Christian Duce, artist
• Cover Gallery / Derrick Chew, Irvin Rodriguez, Dustin Nguyen, Mimi Yoon, Colleen Doran, Francesco Francavilla, Khary Randolph, Riccardo Federici, Belén Ortega and Bengal, illustrators

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seemed to like this more than most people did. The storylines here are a bit short and not very in depth, but they're fun and action packed. The main arc, of course, is Tim Drake's gradual realization that he's bisexual (at the least), and the way it was done was so sweeet. I also liked the new GCPD detective Williams, also a queer character, and how he kind of mentored Tim as he was thinking things through.

Absolutely loved the Oracle story, which seemed modern/relevant/timely/whatever, and the art was beautiful to look at.

I want more of these Outsiders, especially with Frankenstein helping out on the team. That guy is one of my favorite DC characters.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman Urban Legends Vol. 2 collects issues 8-10 and the back-up stories from 1-6. Authors include Brandon Thomas, Meghan Firzmartin, Dan Watters, Cecil Castellucci, Marguerite Dennett, Camrus Johnson, Alyssa Wong, and Tim Howard and art by Max Dundar, Delén Ortega, Nikola Čižmešijā, Sweeny Doo, Loviso Mkize, Vasco Georgie, Cain Tormey, Alberto Jimenez Albuquerque, and Christian Duce.

Stories include Tim Drake realizing he is bisexual, The Outsiders battling ninjas, Azrael still being a crazy religious nut that should be in Arkham himself, Oracle battling another computer genius, Batgirls Stephanie Brown and Casandra Cain teaming up, Batwing solving a riddle game set-up by - you guessed it - The Riddler, Batwoman and Alice going up against a new adversary, The Outsiders again in a Future State story with Black Lightning traveling to the past to prevent Gotham from being overpowered by a new fear agent, Tim Drake trying to make Batman happy, and Nightwing getting the ‘A Christmas Carol’ treatment.

A mix of pretty good and pretty bad comics. Both Outsider stories and Azrael are bad. Why is Azrael still a thing? He should be left to the 90s. I enjoyed the Tim Drake, Nightwing, and Batwoman stories the most. It’s good seeing Tim Drake being utilized again. The Detective Comics arc starting Rebirth was one of that era’s best stories. There were a few stories in here revolving around Future State. That was traumatic. Future State is one of DC’s biggest missteps in the last 20 some years and I dread anything that is set in that era. This volume wasn’t as good as the first volume, but still good to see what some other Batfamily characters are up to.

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this set of medium sides stories much more than I thought I would. The great think about the book it shone the spotlight on a number of the Bat-family that do not currently have their own books. This is a perfect way to launch a few series as well as add to the main characters stories.

The story of Red Robin's big decision along with working a case was one of my favorites. Partly as Tim Dake Wayne is one of my favourite characters.

It was also good to see Batgirl/Oracle put and about, nor my faverite story but good.

I don't know as much about Batwoman, so it was also good to get a peak into her life, and if is a great tie in to Fear State.

Also great to catch up with the Outsiders. I did feel the Batman and the Outsiders finished a bit abruptly, and I am looking forward to more from them.

Also features stories and appearances from Nightwing, Batwing, Batgirls, Azrael and Batman himself. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery. A great lead into what is coming next in some cases and tie ins for others.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟

Nice to see various stories about the Bat family.

[Josef Ploski · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I over all liked the book I would caution anyone who hasn't picked up a batman comic in a few years to know that a lot has changed. There are new characters, new events that influence the world at large. I learned that Wayne Manor has been vacated, there is a new story arc called Fear State that involves the Scarecrow not to mention Future State and Joker War. So while there are some good stories unless you've kept up you might be a bit lost at times.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked these stories especially the ones focused on Tim Drake.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gunna have to take a bit of a leap of faith to work out what's in this once, since the first volume was only the lead stories of #1-6 instead of everything.

This volume apparently collects #7-10, which is a little more believable since most of the stories there are shorter, either one, two, or three part entries rather than the longer six parters in the first volume.

Issue #7 is a cavalcade of alternate Bat stories, including a prelude to the new Batman Beyond mini-series, a story featuring Damian Wayne, Batman 666, Cassandra Cain of Future State, and Batman One Million.

Similarly, issues 8 and 10 are themed around Halloween and Christmas, with the Christmas issue including a follow-up to the Tim Drake story that wasn't collected in the last volume, so that's...clever, I suppose.

#8 and #9 are also Fear State themed (to carry over the Halloween into two months I guess?) so we get to see the Outsiders once again, as well as Batwoman's role in the story that didn't get to play out in the main book.

The longest story is the Azrael one, which is also one of the better entries. This one's a prelude to Dan Watters' Arkham City mini-series as well, but it does stand on its own quite well. The Tweedle story is also kinda sad.

Another mixed volume, but probably a lot more bang for your buck than the previous one at least.

[Jojo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sommige verhalen zijn leuk om te lezen, maar anderen vind ik zo ontzettend saai eigenlijk omdat ik niet altijd iets geef om de personages

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

feliz navidad no sé

[Atlas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the Tim story

Buts it’s moments like this I can’t really get into comic books because it is just random stories and not just a main story line

[Sky Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me way to long to figure out that this is an anthology

[Monita Roy Mohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Outsiders story was really short and they left us on a cliffhanger. I always find it weird how American comics exoticize Asian cultures. Katana definitely falls into that category, especially in this book. I have never met the third member of this team, Frankenstein, before and he certainly is strange, but you know, the team dynamics weren’t bad at all. And I’m intrigued to find out who the fifth member is and how they’ll find Maseo’s soul back.

——————

The Tim Drake story felt very classic Batman and I liked it. I’m not used to Tim being this intense especially at such a young age, but I’m also not sure where the story falls in the timeline. He’s been through a lot in recent runs so maybe this fits with his personality.

Aside from the Chaos peoples outfit, which triggered my trypophobia, the art is very cute which fits the romantic subplot, but not the rest of the comic. The colouring saves the day there. I like this Detective Williams, I hope he and Tim partner up again.

It was a bold decision to make Tim want to explore his sexuality, but I’m so glad DC Comics creators made that decision. Not sure how long it’ll last, but Bernard and Tim being each other’s awakenings is sweet.

——————

I didn’t care for the Azrael story. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Bat Universe story that’s so faith based. Does this kind of Christian ideology really belong in comic books? In any pop culture really? If any other religion was quoted in this fashion or with so much emphasis, I doubt large swathes of readers would sit for it. And yet, add one Black person or queer person to the mix, and suddenly there’s ‘an agenda’ and we’re ‘forcing wokism down their throats’. This one is a no from me.

——————

The Oracle story was a quick and thrilling read. I think it was too simplistic, but that’s always going to be an issue with cyber stories in pop culture. But yes, the story does examine our reliance on digital networks for our day to day lives. I’m not sure about the art. I like that it’s vibrant and hopeful, but why does Babs have to have the childish art? Nothing wrong with the art, but I think it does the story and characters a disservice by being so child like.

——————

The Batgirls story was just one issue, but I really want to read more. Can’t believe Ryan Wilder is in the mix. So excited for her to be working alongside the Batgirls, and not against. Hopefully soon.

——————

The Batwing story was also only one issue and way too short. I think it got wrapped up too conveniently. Tonally it was a bit off. I thought some horrid thing had happen to Tim Drake, then realized that Luke has a brother named Tim. So I thought Tim Fox had died a terrible death, but no, apparently it’s just that Tim is returning home. Maybe from prison? Maybe he did something bad! I don’t know enough about Luke Fox in the comics but I am looking forward to reading more from him. Campus Johnson is obviously very fond of the character and brings a lightness to Luke that I feel would otherwise be missing in the character if someone else wrote him.

——————

The Batwoman story kinda got me. I only know Kate and Beth’s relationship from the CW show, and I loved them there. So this book got me in the feels, especially how it focuses on Beth trying to battle with and conquer her trauma. And I love how protective and loving Kate is of her sister.

I don’t know much about the world Kate inhabits—I’ve read it in bits and pieces but I want to read more. The Seer, Simon Saint and Magistrates are how they work together is interesting, if only because they remind me somewhat of the Sentinels in the X-Men comics. The story feels like it’s set in the near future, and has its own unique vibe to it.

The colours are perfection. You see how beautifully lit and happy Kate’s home is, as opposed to the darkness of Gotham outside. The colours of the costumes pop. It’s brilliant. What I didn’t like is the character art. It was erratic and inconsistent. Out of the suit, Kate looks too thin and like a 70s secretary. The facial expressions are all to exaggerated and cartoony. In this book itself it feels like the artists don’t know how to give the female leads enough gravitas through their drawings, and that irks me. I’m not saying go edgy and dark, but be respectful of the few female superheroes we have and draw them like heroes, not caricatures.

Character art aside, I loved this story and I want to read more.

——————

The Future State story—bit of a cop out that the fifth member would be rotated, I was excited that someone new was joining the Outsiders. But that’s all beside the point though.

I generally enjoyed the story even though I’m not a big fan of magic stories in the Bat Universe. The Outsiders are cool and I liked their dynamic with Red Robin. Intrigued to read more Future State as well.

The art was great, nice character drawings and the colours kept us off balance. I liked this one.

——————

And back to Tim Drake. So, it’s a Christmas story which is weird but also sweet. I kinda liked it in the end. I like it when Batman realizes not every problem can be fixed with a punch, it’s long overdue honestly.

Not sure about Nightwing brushing his hands off Bruce, but then again, he’s a grown man and he can’t keep putting his life on hold for his dad. That’s the moral of the story here—Tim is dating Bernard and he’s happy but he feels he shouldn’t be because Bruce is in a bad place. But he learns and Bruce himself tells Tim to just live. I loved this one. It’s so sweet.

The art isn’t my favorite, but that’s ok. Everyone got their style and they can run with it. I want to read more of the Bat family now.

——————

The final story features Nightwing so yay. But the story itself was… out of character. I mean, there’s only so many Christmas Carol-sequel stories you can make without it coming across as super cheesy and silly. And that’s the problem with this story. It’s understandable that Nightwing isn’t in a celebratory mood because of bereavement and endless disaster, but why would Babs nag him to join the party when he’s literally in the middle of saving people? Did she want him to just leave the department store full of dead gas? It’s ridiculous.

And they show him one moment in time when he was an angsty teen waiting for Bruce to wish him on Christmas. That seems, unlike Dick. Maybe it’s canon, but it was so contrived and dumb. Dick isn’t the sole reason for hell for the Bat family, and he shouldn’t be made to feel guilty for having a moment to himself.

I liked the art and the colours, but this story doesn’t work with Nightwing as the protagonist.

[Batgirl_ALT_21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lightningontinuation for an epic arc of multiple Batman/Batfamily plot points 😁👍. I can't wait to read more of the Batman Urban Legends line.

Our story begins with the Outsiders with Black Lightning & Rex/Metamorpho entrapped in a self-contained prison while Katana fights off the horde of followers/ninja assassins under Shiori. Metamorpho awakens thanks to a jolt of lightning set by Black Lightning, restoring Rex's foggy memory as he drags his friend through the forest to locate Katana and come to her aid.

Meanwhile, Shiori manages to gain the upper hand and questions why Katana has lost the love in her heart for her son Maseo whose soul was imprisoned in Tatsu's Katana. The two talk over tea as Shiori questions why Tatsu has lost the soul of her son from the Katana because of her new budding relationship with Jefferson. Tatsu counters that she has been training with Jefferson and that the two are close friends who care for each other deeply but it is all platonic. We then shift our attention to Black Lightning & Metamorpho who manage to take on a horde of Shiori's ninja warriors. When our heroes emerge, Katana rises to greet them, assuring that everything is under control, as the two agreed to part ways with a contract for Tatsu to restore Maseo's soul to the Katana in one year. The three then leave and get Ramen in a nearby village reflecting on their ample & busy workload as the Outsiders.

In our second arc, we follow Red Robin/Tim Drake who is investigating a case regarding kidnapped teenagers who have vanished under mysterious pretenses with no discernible patterns. After a brief interrogation with 2 friends of a missing girl, Red Robin learns that she was involved in some cult and made mention of the Monster of Chaos. Red Robin logs off for the night to go on a date with Bernard (a rich family friend he grew up with before becoming Robin). All the while, before Bernard arrives, we see a very nervous Tim Drake who questions whether this is a good decision, but the two end up having a pleasant night until the Monster of Chaos appears. Tim rises to the challenge but is knocked out by a gas bomb and a solid hit. When Tim awakens, he is greeted by the cops, who tell him that Bernard was taken. In a desperate attempt to find his close friend, Tim throws himself into his work. Stephanie takes notice and visits Tim and offers help but Tim refuses and pushes Stephine further away. Connor also calls Tim on his communicator as Red Robin is on his way to investigate more clues at Bernard's house where Commissioner Renee Montoya visits his parents. We also see a simultaneous passage that shows Tim trying to join a pain cult that he believes is at the center of the missing teens case, but not much is learned, and Tim manages to escape to the roof. In the next scene, we see Tim investigating a detective named Williams' car, who seems to be open to the Bats' operation in Gotham, even though Renee is against it. Williams leaves details on what he knows about the case for Red Robin to find. While out on patrol, we see Red Robin happen to locate another young teen who escaped the pain cult, only to be confronted by the Monsters of Chaos. Red Robin observes and then invades their sacrificial ceremony with Benard on the altar. Red Robin frees Bernard and instructs him to run, but he stays to fight the Monsters of Chaos and asks that Red Robin tell Tim Drake that he enjoyed their date if he doesn't make it out. The two overpower their adversaries, and the authorities are called to free the children/teens from the cult. Red Robin retreats to an elevated rooftop where Williams congratulates him on his victory. Red Robin shares that he still feels like as failure as he tries to figure out what to do with his life and the pressure from his family to continue to develop that ideal version of himself. Williams tells him to let go of that ideal version and do what will make him happy. The next day, Tim visits Bernard and asks him on a second date, elevated by his acceptance.

In our third arc, we follow Azrael, who attempted to take down a thug named Bullet Tooth, but before he can do so, the miscreant sets off a bomb, leveling the multistory building and killing himself in the process. Azrael questions the sin that lies in men's hearts, as well as why this thug chose to do what he did, and whether he could have been redeemed. That evening, we see Jean-Paul work as a nurse in a hospice care where he tends to one of his regular patients, Stefano, who is dying of cancer. Through their interaction, we learn that both Jean & Stefano are born-again Christians who are dedicated to following Jesus and regularly share Bible study together by reciting passages. Jean implores Stefano to take his medication, but he refuses, claiming that he has had a good 10 years of redemption post-stabbing a pregnant woman in a robbery and has repented for his sins since. Jean returns home and is greeted by Batman questions Jean about the collapsed building and the death of Bullet Tooth. Jean counters that there was nothing he could do and that his purpose is not to act as a judge or executioner, for he has spent his time undoing the programming from St. Dumbas is only now following the right Christian scripture. Batman leaves with a warning for Azrael to be more careful than he departs. Azrael investigates and finds the body of Bullet Tooth, who was briefly resurrected, dead once more. Azreal finds a clue leading him to St. Thomas and goes there when he finds a mad scientist-looking figure who shares that he has been the one reanimating people to experiment with his Lazarus-like serum, when he is swiftly dispatched by a female chosen Azreal. She further explains what led her to investigate this place and how the Lazarus substance is extremely dangerous before shattering all Azreal knows about St. Dumbas that it was one of many organizations before departing. Azreal then spends the last moments of Mr. Stefano's life with him who reassures Jean of his faith before dying.

Our next arc is short & sweet as we follow Oracle as she attempts to block Anti-Oracle, aka VI Ross, who begins spreading tech viruses to shut down the electrical banking system. Oracle is hot on her heels as she enlists the help of Nightwing, Spoiler, & Batgirl to track her down. Stephanie comes the closest, but it is Barbara who delivers the final blow at the bank, revealing through a string of code who VI is as she attempts to clear out an ATM machine, but is then swiftly arrested by the police.

In the next installment we follow The Batgirls aka Stephanie & Cass who are chilling in the old abandoned WM playing video games when they get a call in from Oracle to investigate a 'red calling card' left in an abandoned gaming convention. The two Batgirls find their culprit red-handed with a slew of evidence, including dismembered body parts. When Spoiler & Batgirl chase her down, they are met with repercussions as their attacks are turned back upon themselves. In the end, their wildcard manages to get free.

We then follow our next protagonist, Luke Fox, aka Batwing, as he investigates a sewer Riddler scam before being led to an elaborate riddle that requires him to think back to a time when he was close to his brother, when he was studying for a test in grade school. The answers of A.M & F.M. are delivered, but the Riddler fails to keep his word and flees, leaving Batwing to battle Killer Croc & a horde of goons. Batwing makes a deal that he will turn a blind eye to Killer Croc's freedom on the condition that he helps him hunt down Riddler.

In the next arc we follow Batwoman & Alice aka Kate & Beth Kane who are living together in a new apartment post the events of Batwoman Rebirth. Beth is still struggling with her multiple personality disorder as she often loses consciousness and is constantly fighting her darker self Alice. Our main villain, the Anti-Oracle, rises to the forefront when Batgirl, aka Cassandra Cane, is framed for murder with an altered video. The GCPD is hot on the case as they attempt to arrest & locate the Batfamily with Renee Montoya as the new Commissioner in charge seeking to bring calm to a storm of confused people. In an attempt to broker a peace treaty and get answers, Renee approaches Kate in her apartment to inquire whether she knows anything about the subject, but Beth is quick to quell the allegations against Batgirl, and Kate follows in support by insisting Renee leave. Later that evening, Kate goes out on patrol to confirm with Batgirl what is going on, leaving Beth at home in their apartment complex. While out, Batwoman runs into Batgirl, and Cass confirms that those murders were not her, but at that moment, the nearby screens turn on as Anti-Oracle takes it over, showing Cass, Beth, and Kate. A creepy bloody eye image of Beth speaks saying that a surprise was left for Kate at home. Batwoman rushes to find Beth with a knife poised to kill the Madjestrate sent to kill her. Batwoman snaps Beth out of it just in time as she was about to lose control submitting to Red Alice. After a moment to recover Batwoman begins searching for clues with the Batfam identities now at risk of being compromised by Anti-Oracle. Beth then offers a solution by contacting people from the dark side who would help Red Alice as the Religion of Crime if she channels into her dissociated mental state. The next series of events occurs at her old hideout in a chapel where Alice boldly asks her goons to help her take down Anti-Oracle. Alice tries to pretend and elicit the excitement in her ranks to help her cause but they are skeptical and dismayed when Anti-Oracle appears. Batwoman crashes the party as well to team up with Alice when she falls deeper into her persona and begins killing the Madjestrate working with Anti-Oracle. Batwoman does her best to remind Alice that she doesn't have to kill when Beth falls deeper into her subconscious in a fragmented mirror state. In the end, Beth accepts that Alice is a part of her but that she will still be in control.
The two take down Anti-Oracle and we end with Batwoman & Alice standing in front of a mirror to reveal their normal civilian selves.

The next arc is a whole ordeal about a future reality where Duke ends up with a demon arm all because an ex-student of Scarecrow/Dr. Johnathan Crane was fear-gassed with a toxic and viral-contaminated dosage that is spread throughout Gotham. In order to change the events Duke sends the sword version of Black Lightning through a portal where he returns to his human form and finds the Outsiders + Robin & Signal to help them locate the feared student. All ends well with the future Duke's demon arm disappearing and Black Lightning being restored.

We end with 2 arcs focusing on a Christmas theme.

In the 1st we follow Robin who has witnessed a change in Batman post Joker War as he feels the city turning away from the Caped Crusader. Robin tries to convince Batman that that's not the case but Batman points to the Churches housing the homeless who have lost loved ones in the Joker War ordeal. At a loss for words, Robin takes off to find Nightwing to ask his older brother to come back and give Bruce some encouragement to but Dick refuses claiming that he is tired of pulling Bruce from that same black hole and that Tim should stop feeling like it's his responsibility to make it right. Robin returns to Gotham and finds Batman when a horde of civilians attempts to rush them but Batman extends the olive branch and greets them with remorse for all that they've been through. The group then goes to the homeless shelters and brings the citizens to the church where a feast is given to the people on Christmas. Robin inquires as to what made Batman change his mind to which Bruce responds that he had to conclude on his own.

In the 2nd arc, we follow Nightwing who is seeking to take down Scarecrow's goons but is interrupted by Barbara asking him to come to the apartment for Christmas Dinner. Dick finds a way to slip away from the conversation to keep working but has now isolated himself from the tech support he needs so he drives home to Gotham to locate the old computers in the cave but is greeted by the ghosts of Christmas past present and future as well as a reminder of how he isolated himself in the past when he was hurting and the ramifications of those past actions. The story ends with Dick showing up at Bruce's apartment with his usual Jovial spirit after witnessing Scarecrow's goons being wrapped up and taken away. Batgirl shows up and reveals that she was the one who took care of the goons as a Santa swap gift for Dick.

This was a great series of short stories that I greatly enjoyed. I think my favorites were Batwoman & Beth, Batwing & Killer Croc, Oracle, & The Nightwing Christmas special. Batman Urban Legends is shaping up to be a great series and I can't wait to read more 8.7/10 🌟.

[Thurston Hunger · Rating 2 out of 5]

As another reviewer mentioned here, for people who have not really kept up with this corner of the Bat-verse, you may be a bit lost here. I was, I knew there were multiple Robins, didn't know one was bisexual, but might have guessed for a variety of reasons. That's cool, everyone needs heroes (or even senators/mayors/vice/presidents that they can see themselves in.

It's been awhile since I actually read this, but the love story felt a little more Archie than Batman. There are a bunch of other stories in here as well, some funky religious overtones, a Batman has a homeless heart episode, Batgirl, Riddler and Killer Croc.

IIRC it didn't feel so much like gathering threads together, as one might hope in the post Mad Men entertainment world, or Alan Moore Swamp Thing, etc....where individual stories work on their own but carry an arc. Instead more an anarchic collection...but again more active readers might find this all more rewarding.

[Trevor Kidd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like that these anthology type series give new writers a shot at writing DC characters, but the second volume of Batman Urban Legends is full of forgettable short stories, with the exception of Tim Drake coming out.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for the Tim Drake and Nightwing stories (and always Steph Brown ❤️).

[Wren Worthington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Outsiders: the caretaker
Story/writing: 3/5
-I fear I don't know enough abt these characters to judge. I've never read a comic with black lightning or katana as the mc and I straight up don't know who the other guy is -Duke Thomas mention tho 👀
Art/lettering: 4/5
-The characters look kind of spindly but I rly like the way Dunbar does action scenes.

Tim Drake in: sum of our parts
Story/writing: 2/5
- 'different ages' of the kidnapping victims immediately followed by 'all that unites them is their age' please dc can we proofread before we publish its not that hard
- okay so,,,, my opinion as a queer person. Self discovery stories are great but the way this was written honestly seemed more like Tim was struggling with feeling a lack of direction and purpose in a career/what am I doing with my life sense than anything else and I don't see a sexuality revelation as a satisfying conclusion to that
Art/lettering: 4/5
- Belen Ortega art,,,, Pretty
- the contrast on the red/green text boxes was genuinely hard to read. Cannot imagine how bad that shit would be if I was colourblind.

Azrael: dark knight of the soul
Story/writing: 4/5
- Azrael is fascinating. Fucked up little guy
Art/lettering: 2/5
- There's stylised and then there's 'never learned how to draw legs',,,

Ghost in the machine: an oracle adventure
Story/writing: 2/5
- letting barbara be oracle instead of batgirl ❤❤❤
- next to no acknowledgement of her disability as usual I see. The cane tech piece would have been a nice touch if she actually fucking used it
- the chess piece assignments for steph, dick, and cass are,,,,,, Very Incorrect but its fine maybe our author just doesn't play
Art/lettering: 5/5
- Margeurite Sauvage my beloved!!!!!! Gorgeous as always

Wildcard
Story/writing: 5/5
- cass and steph's dynamic in this is fantastic
- Of Course it's Margeurite Bennet hi girl I loved bombshells <3
- okay Wildcard? Is her name ryan? I love her I want more
Art/lettering: 4/5
- nice clean art style

Superman punch!
Story/writing: 4/5
- LUKE FOX HIIIII I MISSED U
Art/lettering: 4/5
- another one where its just fine

Fear State
Story/writing: 2/5
- 2 'anti oracle' type villains in one book is,,,,, a bit Much but OK
- 'but if red alice commands them to, they will come' please god why I do Not care abt the red alice storyline
Art/lettering: 2/5
- I generally like the style but the proportions are fucking hilarious sometimes

Outsiders: the fearful
Story/writing: /5
- DUKE THOMAS
- I fear I don't understand the time stuff at all
- Tim ily but why the fuck are u here
- oh wow Clownhunter too truly all my faves are here
Art/lettering: 3/5
- no complaints
- okay I lied the faces look kind of goofy but it's fine
- forgot how much I fucking love the freaky new scarecrow design

Tim Drake in a carol of bats
Story/writing: 1/5
- hi meghan fitzmartin :/
- 'there's nothing that will make the city better' Batman Would Not Fucking Say That Shit
- the conclusion is fine but the way we got there is dumb and makes it feel hollow. Average fitzmartin story I fear
- 'you don't have to try to make me happy, Tim. I am happy. Because you're my son' sick to death of having writers make batman act like a shitty dad and then make him say one nice thing and suddenly he's a wonderful parent. No. Fucking act like it.
Art/lettering: 2/5
- the red/green text is back Why
- the style makes everyone look old as fuck

Nightwing in the bats of christmas past
Story/writing: 1/5
- oh christ I should have realised what we were doing from the title uuuuuugggghhhh
- robin jason my beloved
- 'ditz grayson' ,,,, Fuck Off
- okay that was dumb
Art/lettering: 4/5
- okay I do rly like this style

[Chris Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume 1 contained a fantastic Red Hood story and an awful Grifter story. Volume 2 is a very different beast containing 10 different stories. They’re mostly too short to get your teeth into though and end up feeling like inconsequential back up stories.

The Caretaker by Brandon Thomas: an Outsiders story starring Black Lightning, Katana and Metamorpho as they fight Katana’s mum-in-law because her husband’s soul has done a runner from her sword. It’s pretty fun and enjoyable but not memorable.

Sum of our Parts by Meghan Fitzmartin: Tim Drake realises he’s bisexual and goes on a date with minor supporting character from the 90s Bernard. There is a plot about kidnappings but Fitzmartin doesn’t care about that so why should I. Tim being bi makes sense and is an interesting direction for the character. Perfect boyfriend Bernard who bears no resemblance to the character he’s allegedly meant to be and has no personality except being perfect (he can even suddenly fight like Tim by the last part) is terrible writing and I hated it. Also Tim and Steph breaking up off panel without warning or reason really annoyed me as someone invested in that relationship.

Dark Knight of the Soul by Dan Watters: Azrael grapples with his christian faith while battling Bullet-tooth (the actual name of the villain) and the concept of resurrection. Not the best.

Ghost in the Machine by Cecil Castelucci: a really short Barbara Gordon story with offensively bright art where she takes down a rival hacker I couldn’t care less about. I haven’t read Castelucci’s Batgirl run that precedes this and this doesn’t make me want to.

Wild Card by Marguerite Bennett: a mini-pilot fir the Batgirls series starring Steph Brown and Cassandra Cain. It’s a nothing story that I literally cannot remember anything about seconds after reading.

Superman Punch by Camrus Johnson: a short Batwing vs The Riddler story also featuring Killer Croc. Actually a lot of fun and probably my favourite apart from the last one which I’d already read, which definitely surprised me.

Fear State: Disinformation Campaign by Alyssa Wong: a Batwoman tie-in to Fear State that leads into Nightwing: Fear State. Batwoman and Alice (who DC remembers is reforming and living with Kate!) try to hunt down Seer, the evil oracle. It’s not groundbreaking but it’s pretty enjoyable and nice to see some development for Beth.

Fear State: The Fearful by Brandon Thomas: Another Outsiders story (with Duke and Frankenstein as well now), loosely tying into Fear State but mostly a sequel to their rubbish Future State story. This one is also rubbish and hard to follow or care about.

A Carol of Bats by Meghan Fitzmartin: Another Tim Drake story. Following on from the Bernard one, Tim tries to make Batman hopeful again after Fear State by being his Robin again at Christmas. Nightwing also appears. This one was actually quite touching and while the characterisation was a little off at times, I did enjoy it.

The Bats of Christmas Past by Tini Howard: I’d already read this Nightwing story in Nightwing Fear State and I might talk about it more when I review that but basically I really enjoyed it. Dick trying to skive off Bat-family Christmas to fight Scarecrow goons is entertaining, and its a relatively light Christmas Carol pastiche. I also really enjoyed Cassandra Cain’d role. The best of the bunch here by far.

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whereas volume 1 had two stories, volume 2 has ten. Most of the stories were just okay in my opinion. The 3 stars are mainly for "Dark Knight of the Soul," "A Carol of Bats," and "The Bats of Christmas Past."

The Outsiders: The Caretaker
I don't know about the Outsiders. I only know of Katana because she was in the Suicide Squad film. Apparently, Katana's mother-in-law is upset that her son/Katana's husband's soul is no longer in the sword. Wouldn't that be a good thing? Does it not mean he has passed on the the afterlife?

Tim Drake: Sum of Our Parts
Tim Drake realizes he is bisexual. Okay...good for him? There's also something about kidnapping and a cult.

Azrael: Dark Knight of the Soul
While I hate Azrael!Batman from the Knightfall storyline, I don't dislike Jean Paul Valley/Azrael as a character. I might be in the minority, but I liked this story. I like that despite the brainwashing by and the troubles from the Order of St. Dumas, he is still religious. I also like that Azrael cares for his patient and returns in the end. A "dark night of the soul" is a phrase meaning having a crisis of faith. Very fitting.

Oracle: Ghost in the Machine
Barbara Gordon (aka Oracle) takes down a hacker called Vi Ross (virus). Why does she need a lime green tracksuit to do so? Maybe this is due to me not following every Batman comic, but I thought Barbara was in a wheelchair when she becomes Oracle. Does she eventually get the use of her legs again?

Batgirls: Wildcard
This feels like it is only a part of a longer story. It leaves me with questions.

Batwing: Superman Punch
Like the Outsiders, I do not know Batwing. I guess this is Lucius Fox's son Luke? Batwing vs Riddler with special guest Killer Croc. I like the ending.

Batwoman: Fear State: Disinformation Campaign
First, I haven't read Fear State (or Future State). Second, I only vaguely know Batwoman. Third, I didn't know that Batwoman had a sister, let alone a twin. Fourth, who is Red Alice? Is she involved with the Mad Hatter or is there another Alice in Wonderland villain in Gotham? Apparently, Beth can control it now that she has accepted Red Alice as a part of her?

The Outsiders: Fear State: The Fearful
Another Fear State story. Another story featuring the Outsiders. It is interesting that the ghost of Black Lightning is sent back in time by an older, demon-armed Duke Thomas/Signal. The Fearful character is interesting, as well as how he is defeated eventually, but the timetravel storyline seemed complex. Also, Frankenstein is a DC character?!

Time Drake: A Carol of Bats
One of two Christmas stories in this book. Batman seems more brooding and depressed. Tim wants to help. My favorite part is when Batman hugs the Gotham citizen. Yes, they have lived through bad things. Sometimes all one can do is accept that it isn't fair.

Nightwing: The Bats of Christmas Past
The other Christmas story in the book. Nightwing tries to avoid attending Christmas with the Batfamily. He isn't in the holiday spirit. Instead, he is trying to stop some of Scarecrow's followers. Nightwing is accidently exposed to fear toxin, and despite his claim that it usually wears off quickly, he is having multiple hallucinations. Similar to A Christmas Carol, there is Christmas of the past, what is happening in the present, and what the future for Christmas in Gotham could be.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's still a bit discombobulating reading these anthologies because I don't really know the characters very well but the paradox, of course, is that the only way to get to know comicbook characters is just read a bunch ... so it's a bit of a mixed bag. I don't know who The Outsiiders are and the shorts featuring them here don't try to do anything to entice me. On the flipside I'm already getting to know the Batgirls and Robin and Nightwing a little better and there's a lot of them in this volume and their stories are ... just great. These could so easily have just been tossed off to fill out a supplementary book for people to buy but whilst they remain entirely disposable on one level, on another the care each other and artist has taken to create a little mood here is endearing.

That just leaves the Fear State story which made no sense, and I suspect would make no sense even if I'd read Fear State. We'll see, I'll get to it at some point.

Overall an essential anthology collection that shouldn't have been this good.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Volume 1 was great stuff and contained two stories in which engaged you. Volume 2 gives you 10...yes, you heard me right 10! Here they all are listed for you below.

- The Outsiders - The Caretaker and FEAR STATE: The Fearful
- Tim Drake - Sum of our Parts and A Carol of Bats
- Azrael - Dark Knight of the Soul
- Oracle - Ghost in the Machine
- Batgirls - Wildcard
- Batwing - Superman Punch!
- Batwoman - FEAR STATE: Disinformation Campaign
- Nightwing - The Bats of Christmas Past

The painful thing is with so many stories...there were also so many forgettable ones. There is also a very very notable thing missing even more so than the previous volume...BATMAN! This definitely was a Bat-family book...but sold on the name of the Dark Knight. There are some gems in here, but for the massive page count and stories stretching from Batman Urban Legend #1-6 and #8-10 it just does not hit as good as the first volume.

[Rhys Causon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars as I couldn’t fully enjoy some stories as they seem to tie into the Fear State storyline, which I haven’t read yet. Though I do have it ready to be read soon.

However for the most part I did enjoy this anthology, despite not knowing much about several of the characters. I’ve not followed DC comics properly for years but know sprinklings of stuff. But reading about a team made up of Katanna, Metamorpho, Black Lightning at the start of a Batman book was a bit weird. Until I realised The Signal ties into them later down the line. Again, I dip in and out and don’t follow along properly.

A collection of interesting stories with the Bat-Family and I’m interested in seeing how different members bounce off one another.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Evidence that the batman universe needs less books and characters. A lot of middling to dull stories with little to recommend them. The Tim Drake stuff was the most interesting to me but all far too brief.

[Phou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Batfam ones always make me emotional. Loved this last one (specially Nightwing's and Red Robin's).

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaaaaah my Batkid feelings

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mix of stories in quality and education throughout the Bat family.