Batman: Urban Legends, Vol. 5

Batman: Urban Legends (2021)

by Joey Esposito, Alberto Jiménez Albuquerque (Artist), John Kalisz (Colorist)

Batman may be the biggest name in Gotham City, but there are lots of other heroes—and villains...

Highlighting various villains and heroes in Gotham, Urban Legends Vol. 5 continues the incredible collections found in previous volumes! You won't want to miss the next installment in this thrilling collection!

Collects Batman: Urban Legends #18-23.

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

296 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2023

About the author

Joey Esposito grew up in New England reading comic books, playing video games, renting movies, and writing stories. After high school, Joey attended film school in New York. In college, Joey honed his writing skills, which he soon applied to his love of prose and comics.

After moonlighting as Long Island’s premier Starbucks barista, Joey wrote his first creator-owned comic book series, FOOTPRINTS (with Jonathan Moore), which was featured in USA Today’s Best of 2011 roundup and inspired a sequel, FOOTPRINTS: BAD LUCK CHARM, in 2014. His all-ages superhero series CAPTAIN ULTIMATE (with Ben Bailey and Boy Akkerman) was released in 2013 to overwhelming positive reception and his 2015 graphic novel, PAWN SHOP (with Sean Von Gorman), was released to critical acclaim.

In 2017, he was accepted into DC Comics’ exclusive Writers Workshop. Since his time in the program, Joey has published stories featuring major characters like Batman, Robin, Harley Quinn, Aquaman, and many more on titles such as BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS, AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM, and more to be announced. His comic book work has also appeared at Image Comics, Valiant Comics, Archie Comics, and others.

In 2024, his new creator-owned series with PAWN SHOP co-creator Sean von Gorman, THE PEDESTRIAN, debuted from Magma Comix.

He lives in Maine with his wife and pets in a house full of soulmates.

He can be found on BlueSky at @joeyesposito.bsky.social.

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent to good book. I wanted to give this 3.5 stars, but it does deserve a round up rather than down.

A good story of the Outsiders (Signal in particular). I like the format of Outsiders changing the 5th chair. I also like how the core members of the team have become closer.

The Murder Club story turned out to be a different and more heartwarming story than the title suggests.

Alfred's story is good old nostalgia and hibing Alfred a chance to shine. It's not my favourite story, but it is always nice to have Alfred as the main character.

The Arkham Academy is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Straight from the title, I don't think anyone would not see where this story is going.

A good collection of stories set in different eras of the Bat universe. The higher rating is more from nostalgia than anything else, but I think they cone across as an overall good.

[Batgirl_ALT_21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman Urban Legends is back on top with this redemption arc in vol 5 🙌!!

We have a total of 4 plots with great composition, illustrations, and moving storytelling, sure to make your heartstrings swell or give you a fright towards the end of the volume.

Our first plot begins with The Outsiders, with a heavy focus on Duke Thomas, aka the Signal, under the mentorship of Jefferson, Rex, & Katana. Duke charts his life through the lens of a calendar as he tries to find an answer to what happened to his mom since she was taken from the Joker attack Survivors Treatment facility that Bruce Wayne sponsored. Every day we see Duke try to balance his civilian life, including being a college kid in classes, with working, training, and going on missions with the Outsiders. It is also established that the Outsiders is divided into set roles for all 4 members with a 5th position given to a rotated member, eg, Red Robin, Batwoman, etc. Signal finally hits his limit during training, becomes fatigued, but wants to get the training move down. Static tries to have a moment with the kid to check in, but Signal becomes defensive and distant, trying to explain that he is dealing with a personal matter and doesn't want to talk about it.

Later that night, Batman is on the hunt for two storybook goons from MadHatter's Alice & Wonderland gang, aka the walrus & the carpenter, as they dash throughout the city with a machine gun. Static manages to cut them off, and after apprehending the goons, tells Batman that they need to talk about Duke. Static conveys that Duke has been going through something personal that he has kept a secret but Batman cuts to the chase and asks Jefferson if he wants Duke off their team. Static retorts by stating that he needs Batman to confront the kid to remind him that it is ok to need help. Batman responds that Duke has never asked for help before, when Static confirms that he never will, so it is up to them to check in. Batman agrees, and at dusk, the Outsiders & Batman confront Duke, who fell asleep at his desk, jotting down notes. Duke becomes defensive at the intervention until Batman appears and tells him to listen and show the Outsiders what he has been managing on his own. Signal shows the team his wall of clues, all related to his mother's case, and that he is close to solving it. Batman retorts that this is the issue as he is too close to the case and needs to remember that he isn't responsible for his mother's disappearance from the facility. The team gets a call to fight some off-world mutants, and Batman joins them, as well as promising to follow up on Duke's case. Upon the team's return, Batman learns of poachers who are interested in bribing staff from the hospital with mutant with rare Joker toxin compounds for transfer to their facility. The team devises a plan with Rex mutating into an off-world Mutant who is checked into the Pennyworth Hospital and is sold off to an ambulance in tow to the research facility. Rex de-morphs and begins to make contact with his team from the Rose Creek Rehab clinic, which we learn is operated by the Chief Administrator, Dr. Alan March, aka Francis Langstrom's father. Rex makes his way out of the transfer room and, in the hallway, comes across Alan March. Rex asks him why the research facility is kidnapping Jokerized people, to which Alan retorts that they have ID over 2,000 variants but endured limitations in the physical, emotional, mental, & ethical spectrum, so they took their research to new heights due to its side effects. Alan then transforms a giant Man-Bat and begins fighting Rex as well as warning his security to prepare for incoming fire. Katana and Static find a way in, and Alan releases the collars on the patients, forcing everyone to go rogue & crazy as they try to attack our heroes. Batman bursts through the 2nd floor with Katana where they meet up with Signal who is instructed to lead the patients down stairs. Signal runs into his mother and is taken aback when she threatens to hurt him. Rex then chimes in about the collars and begins using his chemistry skills & his body to reconstruct an antidote to be spread throughout the facility. Batman, Static, & Katana begin to fight off Man-Bat while Signal guides all the patients to the ground level. The moment that the patients' corner signal, it all seems bleak until the antidote travels through the vents and cures all of the patients to Signal relief. The Outsiders begin helping the patients reconnect with their loved ones through the police, who arrive and take those in need to the local hospital. Signal helps his mother, Elaine Thomas, to the ambulance for further treatment. On Saturday, Duke is reunited with his mother, and relief washes over him as they spend the week together. The Outsiders meet with Elaine & Duke to visit outside of costume as Jefferson expresses that he is proud of Duke and his promising future. On Thursday Duke sneaks into the hospital room and falls asleep in his costume next to his mother as she grasps his hand. We end with his Mother reading his journal log that is written by Duke claiming that he feels a piece of him is missing.

Our 2nd Plot begins with Batman's narration then dives into the concept of rich people suddenly dying from an illness that is tied to the mysterious Murder Club Society. We learn that Batman has conducted 3 sudden autopsies and collects samples from wealthy individuals' heirs who are suddenly dead with nothing more than a whisper as to why. He ends up following 1 small clue with his last lead, an eligible bachelor who is attached to the brick & mortar layers of Gotham's foundation, when he discovers a high roller card to the Iceberg Casino. Batman pays Oswald Cobblepot a visit to see if the man was tipped off and murdered the victim in question. Penguin objects then explains briefly how the man must have had multiple enemies and was seeking the thrill since he was so elite. The case continues as Bruce Wayne pays a visit to the Nielsens who are unveiling a new foundation & building to support women who are victims of domestic violence/abuse from their partners. We learn from Bruce's internal monologue how he & Elizabeth Nielsen were friends as children then as she grew older became the victim of abuse by her most recent relationship that lead to her murder. Batman attempted to bring her killer to light but the case fell flat when he committed suicide. We then observe a heartfelt speech from the mother of Elizabeth Nielsen, Anna who appears to be ill with lesions the mirror that of the past rich victims before their demise. Bruce attempts to get a closer look but Anna dismisses herself before Bruce can gain a closer observation. He runs into a few social light friends when he gets a sudden phone call from Alfred, who is driving home rapidly from Leslie Thompkins, and demands that Bruce arrive at the manor. Bruce is suddenly greeted by his parents, dressed in the attire they wore on their last day of life, in their abandoned Master Bedroom. Bruce is severely skeptical about the whole situation but when the Batsignal rises Bruce dismisses himself. Alfred calls Bruce out demanding for him to stop and spend precious time with his parents claiming that the individuals are the real Mr. & Mrs. Wayne. Bruce requests that Alfred retrieve DNA sample and evaluate the sample he retrieve from his autopsy conducted earlier that evening. When he is greeted by his son's Nightwing & Robin in the cave and these responsibilities are diverted to Nightwing while Robin returns to manor as Damien Wayne to greet his grandparents. Meanwhile, Batman drives across Gotham to the same newly unveiled Nielsen home which has suddenly caught fire leaving people trapped inside including Anna Nielsen. Batman leaps into action in the burning building to save the people trapped inside directing them to a window and warning Gordon to have the fire station prepared to rescue to saviors. Batman saves Anna directly who becomes disoriented and begins to fight him as he grabs her and the two jump out of the window. Right before she dies Batman asks her what lead to this and she says the murder club. Batman's suspicion are now confirms and the mystery revealed he leaves Anna Nielsen to the police. At the Manor Damien Wayne has shared more than a handful of his sentiments about his father to his grandparents and how he has enriched the lives of all he touched as well as how he clarifies that he will do all within his power to remove outsiders from infiltrating his family. Thomas & Martha manage to subdue what appears to a personal attack and agree with Damien that their interests also lie in protecting their family legacy name.

In the cave Nightwing continues to conducted his analysis and shares his results with Batman which reveal with 90% accuracy that Thomas & Martha match but there are some discrepancies in terms of radiation that matches time travelers. We cut Batman who is chasing down John Star who is also known as thr Time Commander.Batman ties John up, hangs him upside down, and begins questioning him about Anna Nielsen and the victims from the murder club. The Time Commander tells Batman how Anna was desperate for resolution so she sought him out given his ability to travel with time (previously a JSA member but used his futuristic time abilities in a criminal manner that led to his arrest/shady representation). The Time Commander agreed to take Anna back to that police shoot out where Elizabeth's boyfriend was hidding out and about to commit suicide when she finishs off the job. John further explains that he has all of his clients take a pill prior to travel which also possesses futuristic chemicals that erodes the body upon returning to their main timeline. John states that he didn't know that this sideffect was a possibility but it stuck and preserved the timeline from being corrupted so he continued doing it.

Meanwhile, Thomas & Martha are exploring their home when they stop to admire a portrait and come to the conclusion that they were not meant to survive their walk through Crime Alley. As they venture throughout the house, Thomas notices his study's old Grandfather clock and adjusts the time to match his watch which then opens the door to the Batcave where the Waynes are beyond perplexed upon reaching the end of the stairs.

Batman still wants to know who hired John to kill Mr. & Mrs. Wayne but he doesn't say because he swore his secrecy to that client. Batman throws John into a safehouse in the cave to be delt with later then returns to find his parents with Nightwing, Alfred, & Robin. Thomas becomes more enraged rather than curious as he observes the fortress full of costume, memorabilia, computers, and vehicles wondering why his son would invest his future in all of this junk. Bruce lowers his Cowl to meet his father eye to eye and counters that he is doing good for Gotham and trying to make a legacy in his parents' name. Thomas states that he is disappointed that this is the legacy that his son thought that they would have wanted then leaves with Martha (who seems disagreeableto her husband's brutal statments).

Bruce places his cowl back on and prepares to carry on with his investigation when Nightwing chimes in to tell Bruce that his parents haven't witnessed the accomplishments he's made as Batman nor the family he has created and lives he's changed since their passing. Dick's uplifting speach cheers Bruce up and the two return to work to reverse what the Time Commander has done by creating an antidote for the futuristic pill. While Damien is left with Alfred.

In the master Bedroom, Thomas is still enraged by the whole interaction while Martha argues in defense of her son and states that Thomas was too harsh. Thomas questions whether Martha is accepting of this life Bruce has made in their name to which she retorts that she is more interested in cherishing the precious moments she has left with son and as a family claiming that this is all that matter. Thomas finally decompress and agrees when Damien walks in with Titus & Alfred the Cat as he apologies for his earlier outburst. Thomas & Martha forgive Damien and Alfred walks in to show the Waynes a scrapbook that he has kept charting all of Batman's adventures as a crimefight from various clipping while also sharing a story about how he first saw Batman in action. Alfred further goes on to explain that Batman is clocked in darkness as a tool to bring light to all of those around him and to save the innocent to make them surviviors rather than victims as this city seeks to claim more lives & damage more souls. Martha is elated to learn more about the man Bruce has become and thanks Alfred for taking care of their son all of these years.

We cut back to Batman & Nightwing working on the antidote with some of John Starr's help as Robin supervises the prisoner. The two finally synthesized the antidote when they notice John is missing. We then see Robin on the roof with John leaning forward on a steep building with 3 ties. Robin seeks to know who hired him but John refuses to say. He then asks how long the Waynes have before they are either killed or dissappear. John struggles to answer as he puts together the calculations and Robin becomes impatient throwing Batarange and mistakenly cuts the wrong rope. As John falls to his death he is suddenly save by Batman who demands Starr anwsers the boy's question while Nightwing stays above with Robin. Starr claims that the Waynes have less than 24 hours to return to their timeline before the events are permanently altered. On the roof Robin asks if Nightwing the question that what if his grandparents stay instead. Nightwing replies with that not being an option to which Robin replies that he doesn't mind if he disappears so long as his father finally has the chance at happiness. Batman finally asks John Star one last time who hired him and just as he is about to replie he is stabbed by multiple knives in his back as the Court of Owls arrive.

Batman regroups with Nightwing & Robin in the alley as the Judge of the Owls reveals herself and explains that in order to get rid od Batman you make him not exist from the beginning. The events unravel but instead of Joe Chill murdering the Waynes, the judge murders Joe Chill leaving Bruce & his parents untouched. We cut back to present day and the Owls begin to fight the Bats. The Judge asks what is the harm in giving Batman every thing he has always wanted. Batman replies with the fact that the judge will die unless an antidote is delivered. The fight carries on until a car pulls up with the Waynes & Alfred in tow giving Batman the moment he needs to deliver the antidote & apprehend the Judge while the others scatter. Batman thanks Alfred for his sharp wit but he gives all credit to Martha who insisted they go to them. Batman gives the necessary details to Gordon as John Starr is transported to the morge & the Judge is apprehended. The rest return home where Batman finishes fixing The Time Commander's hour glass and then takes his parents for a ride to view their last sunrise in Gotham. Thomas, Martha, & Bruce share a touching moment then return back to the grave sight to say their goodbyes. Martha thanks Dick for giving Bruce hope & pulling him back from the abyss while Thomas assures Damien that the Wayne legacy will live on with him and is in good hands. They all have a family group hug moment and Thomas & Martha leave with the parting words that family is the most important thing to cherish in life before being returned to their rightful timeline.

We then cut to our last scene where Batman, Nightwing, & Robin are on the rooftop preparing for dusk to hunt the Owls. Bruce confesses that it was wrong of him to bring his family into this life of crimson fighting to which Robin retorts that he chose this life for himself and Nightwing agrees while arguing that being Batman is no about what is lost but what has been gained. Batman agrees that claims that this is why he made the vow he did so that his parents name would not be memorized in tragedies but transformed into hope. The three then take off to hunt the Owls.

Our third plot focuses on Alfred who attempts to hunt down a thief who destroyed a vase from a turkey seller in exchange for 1 item of his choosing. Alfred embarks an a mystery of his own involving a Russian Harpoon guild and ends in a museum standoff with the lore of Alien fish creatures & the mob. It is intense, mysterious, and perfectly reflective of Alfred's detective skills. In the end Alfred solves the mystery and returns with a Batman/Batfam Russian nesting doll set.

Our final plot centers around an Arkham Youth Juvenile program where the ex-villian sidekicks to hiers to the most infamous Arkham inmates are sent to be rehabilitate by Dr. Olivia Otus. The teenagers are essentially in a scared straight program but the son of Wrath learns that the motives of this place are less than ideal when Killer Croc is sent to scare the teens but ends up murdering one who became too invested in making fun of him thinking there would be no consequences. The group of Arkham rejects are forced to band together and Wrath's son Scorn is pulled aside where Dr. Otus reveals herself to be apart of the Court of Owls to lead the children into a life of crime.

Overall this was a fantastic volume that singlehandedly saved this series with its engaging mystique plots & at times heartfelt moments. It is an all around great book, I loved it. 9.5/10 ⭐️. I can't wait to read the final installment to Batman Urban Legends.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down to 3 stars

Batman: Urban Legends Vol. 5 collects issues 18-23 of the DC Comics series

3/5 The Signal & The Outsiders - Written by Brandon Thomas with art by Alberto Jimenez. Spinning out of The Joker War and The Outsiders, Duke Thomas is continuing to search for his mother who is believed to be dead after being a victim of Joker Gas. Showing signs of exhaustion due to the mental toll, The Outsiders and Batman team-up and stop at nothing to get to the answers Duke needs.

4/5 The Murder Club - Written by Joey Esposito with art by Vasco Georgiev. When Gotham’s elite begin dying with a mysterious drug in their system, a strange time displacement radiation is found at the scenes. Bruce will face one of his toughest moral dilemmas when he comes face to face with his parents.

3.5/5 The Pennyworth Files - Written and illustrated by Chris Durnham. While shopping for antiquities Alfred is the written of a robbery. Taking matters into his own hands, Alfred investigates the case which spiral into a a case of ancient treasure and secret institutions.

2.5/5 Arkham Academy - Written by Dennis Culver with art by Hayden Sherman. A group of troubled youth with super powers are brought to Arkham Asylum as part of an experiment to turn them into the next generation of supervillains.

Murder Club was surprisingly powerful and heartfelt and deserved to be a story told in either Detective Comics or the Batman ongoing series instead of being shoved into Urban Legends. The Signal story was pretty good even though the mystery revolving around his mom has dragged on a dangling plot thread for way too long. The Pennyworth Files was a fun story with unique art. Arkham Academy felt like a pitch for a new ongoing series but I didn’t feel attached to any of the characters. Overall this is my favorite collection of Urban Legends story arcs to date.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know the drill - Urban Legends is an anthology book, so you're gonna get some good with the bad. The overall trend however is still more good than bad, for sure.

We open with The Signal & The Outsiders, which is a continuation of Brandon Thomas's other stories with them across some other Batman series. It's nice to see some closure for Duke regarding his parents, which is a plotline that's hung around since his introduction, and the other Outsiders working together is a joy to see. Alberto Albuquerque's art's not bad either.

The Murder Club, by Joey Esposito, seems to be one kind of story before becoming something entirely different before the end. There's a lot going on, and some points land better than others, but you can't deny the heart here. I'm sure Batman's met his parents in other stories before, but there's something kind about this one. Vasco Georgiev's artwork is great, I'm rapidly becoming a fan after this and his Voidsong mini-series he did.

The Pennyworth Files, with art and story by Chris Burnham, is probably my favourite story because it's Alfred being Alfred with a dash of Cthulhu Mythos, and if that doesn't make you want to read it, I don't know what's wrong with you. Burnham remains a more impressive Frank Quitely (I said what I said) artistically as well.

The Arkham Academy story that rounds off the volume feels too short at three issues. Like The Murder Club, there's a lot going on here, but none of it really lands very well - none of the characters are particularly likeable, and while the resolution promises more, I'm not sure I want to see any of them again. Hayden Sherman's art is surprisingly good though, much cleaner than I've seen from him before.

Three outta four ain't bad.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of Bat-Fam stories was surprisingly good.

The Signal and the Outsiders by Brandon Thomas and Alberto Jimenez Albuquerque
Probably the least interesting of the 4 stories within. It doesn't work on it's own merits, relying on the reader to have read Future State to know what's going on. It's about Duke stretching himself too thin while working with the Outsiders and trying to also find his mom. The art is wonky too.

The Murder Club by Joey Espocito and Vasco Georgiev
Seems to be headed one direction when the book shifts towards something with some more sentimental elements. I quite liked it and Georgiev is an artist to watch.

The Pennyworth Files by Chris Burnham
Alfred takes center stage when a robbery occurs in front of him. Loved the Cthulhu elements. Burnham's art is always interesting.

Arkham Academy by Dennis Culver and Hayden Sherman
I think the name says it all. I liked the idea of this enough to see this turned into its own mini even if the characters themselves don't have much depth at this point. Sherman's art isn't too bad here for once.

[Jacob Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly I’ve been reading Batman Urban Legends in single issue format on Infinite but this is the best way to catalog it

Signal and the Outsiders was a fine story with great important things to say, just a tid boring

The Murder Club started out feeling icky for me, I did not like the art style, but I never expected the twists and turns this story took and it was a LOT of fun

The Pennyworth Files was something of the opposite for me, I LOVE the art style done by the author and illustrator of this book, but the scooby doo ahhh ending did not pay off for me

Arkham Academy again has an amazing art style, it feels like it takes me back about 20 I love how fuzzy it is. Fun characters, fun plot, I’m sure this spins out to something else and I look forward to reading that in the future

[Liz Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is probably the best volume since the first one. The only storybthat didn't really do it for me was Pennyworth Files. I loved the exploration of the pressures of being a superhero for Signal. I thought the scenes between Damian and the Waynes were hilarious. Arkham Academy was a little weird but getting double court of owls in this volume was amazing. Lil Kitten being an influencer who took it too far and thought crime would be good publicity was great and honestly I could see it happening if super heroes and villains were real.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every anthology book has highs and lows. This collection is no different. It's nice to see a collection like this do it right.

There's always a new anthology coming. This was a good one.
--
Bonus: Thomas Wayne cameo? Man, he's everywhere (hahahahaha!)
Bonus Bonus: Arkham Academy feels like DC's answer to Strange Academy in Marvel

[Joel Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good compilation of stories. Highlights included the four-part "The Murder Club" story, followed by the charming three-part "The Pennyworth Files." Together, those two take up the majority of this volume, so it was overall a very well-written and entertaining read.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The signal and the outsiders - 3.5/5
Murder club - 4.5/5
Pennyworth files -3.7/5
Arkham academy - 3.9/5

Overall - 3.9/5

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The other stories were just okay, but Alfred, man, I just miss Alfred so much ❤️😭

[Sam Bakos · Rating 3 out of 5]

there is two very good stories and two very meh stories

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Reread issues)

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.


Two pretty good stories and two mehish.

[Aidan]

Chris Burnham Alfred story 😚👌

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good graphic novel.

[Keegan Schueler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Outsiders story was solid and the murder club story was very good boosting the book up overall. The last two stories were alright bringing it down.

[Kurt Lorenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Signal and The Outsiders, ☆☆
The Murder Club, ☆☆
The Pennyworth Files, ☆☆☆☆
Arkham Academy, ☆☆☆