Of the many, many myths and fallacies surrounding Batman, the one I hate the most is the claim that “Batman works alone.” Putting aside his multiple sidekicks and his membership in superhero teams like the Justice League or the Outsiders, Batman has always sought out help. His butler/father figure Alfred Pennyworth was with him at the beginning of his crusade, as were James Gordon and Harvey Dent before his tragic turn as Two-Face. Immortal Legend Batman #4 takes this claim, and Judo flips it into submission, in only the way this series can.
The Immortal Legend Batman’s quest has taken him to a mysterious planet teeming with living plant life…and all of it is hellbent on killing him. On top of that, there’s also a toxin seeping through the planet’s core that cuts deep down into Bruce Wayne’s core, laying bare his greatest fears. He’s battled monsters, madmen, and criminals, but can he overcome himself? Meanwhile, a backup story finally sees Batman reconnecting with the other Immortal Legends, Robin and Nightwing.
It’s no surprise that the presence of living plants and killer poisons all but signals that Immortal Legend Batman is introducing its version of Poison Ivy into the mix. However, this Ivy is completely different in the way that they attack Batman; the idea of using poison to latch onto his fears feels more like something the Scarecrow would do. To their credit, Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom use this to explore why Bruce is so hellbent on fighting his Shadow selves, and in the process they show that Batman never fights alone. That carries into the backup story, reminding readers of how strong the bond between Batman, Robin and Nightwing truly is – no matter the universe.
DC
Each issue of Immortal Legend Batman has been a chance for Erica D’Urso to push her artistic talents, and this one is no different. This is a comic full of flying dragons that are crafted entirely out of plant life, bears the size of tanks with glowing red eyes, and a Batman who delivers Kamen Rider style kicks to finish off his foes. D’Urso’s pièce de résistance lies in her take on Ivy, whose body is literally crafted from plants; their bones have the consistency of tree bark, while their arms stretch and extend into whiplike vines. This mix of superheroic and mystical elements only makes me even more excited for the upcoming Inferno Girl Red: Book Two next month.
Finally, Dan Mora has a chance to draw all three Immortal Legends, and it’s nothing short of epic. Backing up that epicness is Igor Monti’s color work, which drenches the page in vibrant blues, yellows, reds, and blacks. It’s a mixture that takes a hard shift into hazy red to represent Bruce’s past, or gold to represent his transition into Batman, but it also shows that years of working on Power Rangers and Massiveverse books have served Monti well.
Immortal Legend Batman #4 fully shatters a long-lasting myth that fans have had about Batman, and brings one of its best takes on the Dark Knight’s villains to life in the process. The end teases a visit to this universe’s version of Gotham, and I can’t help but wonder what’s around the corner – yet I trust this creative team to deliver.
You must be logged in to post a comment.