Batman Legends

Batman Legends volume 2, #1

Batman Legends is part of the UK's 'Collector's' Edition' line of comic books. The first volume was published by Panini Comics for 41 issues between October 2003 and November 2006. The second volume has been published since December 2006 by Titan Magazines. Both volumes reprint Batman related comics from DC Comics from the United States.

Batman Legends was the first DC Collector's Edition published for the UK and follows from the successful Marvel Collector's Editions. It has been followed by Superman Legends, Justice League Legends and DC Universe Presents Batman Superman.

Format

In the first Volume each issue is 76 pages long with both modern and classic stories reprinted, always being published every four weeks.

In Volume Two the page count is normally 76 pages and it no longer prints classic stories. The modern stories it prints are generally printed much more recently in the US than those featured in the first volume and whilst generally published every four weeks has also being published once every 3 weeks and once every 2 months.

Volume One

The first volume reprinted numerous arcs from Batman's recent and classic history; the key storylines being:

• Issues 1-12 Hush
• Issues 13-18 Broken City
• Issues 19-23 As The Crow Flies
• Issues 22-25 Batman: Year One
• Issues 24-38 War Games
• Issues 26-31 Death In The Family
• Issues 36-40 Superman/Batman: Supergirl
• Issues 38-41 Under The Hood

It also contained numerous creator profiles, competitions and a review of Batman Begins.

Volume Two

Volume Two is published by Titan Magazines and is edited by Ned Hartley. Volume Two features advertisements for Titan Books' trade paperbacks and does features on Batman related merchandise, known as "Inside the batcave!".

So far volume two has reprinted the following material as well as a couple of miscelleanous issues from various Batman comics:

• Issues 1-4, 15+ All Star Batman and Robin
• Issues 1-4 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
• Issues 1-4 Batman and Son
• Issues 5-10 Rules Of Engagement from Batman Confidential
• Issues 5+ Paul Dini's run on Detective Comics from #821
• Issues 7-11 Superman/Batman: Absolute Power
• Issues 11-14 The Black Casebook
• Issues 12-17 Lovers and Madmen from Batman Confidential
• Issues 17-21 The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul from Detective Comics, Batman, Nightwing and Robin
• Issues 22-23 Images
• Issues 24-25 Trust from Detective Comics
• Issue 25 The fiend with nine eyes
• Issues 26+ Batman:R.I.P
• Issues 48-51 Batman and Robin Must Die and Batman 700

Controversy

Volume Two Issue 18 featured an All-Star Batman and Robin story which was controversial as it showed the Joker referring to Gotham as 'a sad old whore' and choking a woman to death; his assistant was a topless woman sporting swastikas on her breasts (a character who previously featured in The Dark Knight Returns). The issue featured no warning of this and this was discussed by parents on the Irish Radio Talkshow Liveline, as hosted by Joe Duffy. It criticized stores for featuring the magazine on the bottom shelf alongside the likes of Postman Pat. The issue was defended by fans stating that it was merely an adult storyline.

In Issue 20, Batman Legends featured a warning stating that the magazine is 'Recommended for children of 12 years or older'. Some of the more recent issues have a "VIOLENT IMAGES" warning on the front cover of the magazine.

External links

• Panini Comics
• Batman Legands page at the Titan Comics website
• Liveline Podcast - Batman Comic Explicit Content[1]