Immortal Legend Batman #1 is written by Kyle Higgins & Mat Groom and published by DC. Artwork is by Erica D’Urso & Dan Mora, colours by Igor Monti & Tamra Bonvillain and letters by Becca Carey. Main cover art (left) is by Mora.
Immortal Legend Batman #1 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic book are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Humanity broke the barrier between our universe and our universe’s shadow. From the void came horrific apparitions that craved nothing but destruction. But from this terror…a legend was born. A warrior who found away to access the energy that binds our universe and the shadow universe, transforming him into a cosmic dark knight. This immortal legend was named Batman. He fought to keep us safe but then one day abandoned the war. Though he didn’t disappear entirely. Now they say he hunts a rouges gallery of monsters…born from the shadows!
Review
When I say the name Kyle Higgins chance are one of two series will spring to mind first. It will either be his fan-favourite run on DC’s Nightwing which began all the way back in 2011. Or it will his mind-blowing work on BOOM! Studios Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, spawning an entire universe of comic books hailed for keeping the franchise alive in the minds of fans. Then there’s his own original creation Radiant Black, a huge hit for Image Comics. Today, Higgins returns to DC alongside co-writer Mat Groom (Inferno Girl Red) and artists Erica D’Urso (Inferno Girl Red) Dan Mora (Justice League Unlimited) for new Elseworlds series Immortal Legend Batman.
The series takes all the mythos of the DC Universe and runs it through the lens of Japanese tokusatsu. Essentially the series is taking inspiration from ideas behind Super Sentai, Ultraman and Kamen Rider. All the awesome series which have inspired this all-star creative team’s work on basically every project they’ve worked on leading up to this moment.
The premise is simple: set in the far-flung future, humanity has broken through the dimensional barrier to our shadow universe. Through that barrier has come monstrous attacks that have led to the arrival of three heroes. Batman, Robin and Nightwing also known as the Immortal Legends. This is where our story picks up on the world of Avoca, a frontier world known for mining crystals.
It’s an ambitious storyline. One which really speaks to the origins of the Elseworlds brand. Every element of the Batman and wider DC mythos has been considered and completely reprogrammed. Higgins and Groom have taken so much lore in to account in creating Immortal Legend Batman that it’s impossible no to take a step back and give a round of applause purely based on the synopsis alone. Considering the results success of issue #1 it would be prudent to hand down legendary status to this team and this book immediately.
The danger with a new Elseworlds tale is failing to challenge the reader’s perceptions. Selling an Elseworlds premise is easier when key elements remain in their traditional place. Immortal Legend Batman is certainly never going to be accused of being predictable. Instantly standing out as a wholly unique and unconventional story. The introduction to Batman himself works two-fold. In one it packs an immaculate visual punch which tells this reader this is something different. But in the second it spins the plot on a insane axis which nobody will see coming.
I want to steer clear of spoilers so I’m going to keep it vague. Higgins and Groom are able to inject a tonne world building in to this first issue. Regardless of how outlandish the premise, it’s never inaccessible. Immortal Legend Batman may wear its inspiration like a badge of honour. But those tokusatsu roots are also a source of great strength in proving why this book exists. There are moments where the book flirts with a grandiose scale that I hope comes to fruition in the coming months. But none of that comes at the detriment of introducing a cast of characters with whom we want to spend more time.
Erica D’Urso and Dan Mora are Dynamic Duo all of their own in bringing Immortal Legend Batman to life. Both have a legacy working with similar books making them the foolproof choice for the job. It’s often difficult with dual artist books to strike the right balance. Thankfully the difference between D’Urso and Mora is almost imperceptible. I mean that as a compliment. There’s subtle differences in the overall style. But on the whole their artwork snuggles up so neatly to each other that there’s never a dispute between them.
The design work in book is exquisite. The key here was putting the Batman in to the costume designs so as to not completely alienate the reader from the premise. The results seem somewhat effortless. It’s like Batman was born to wear a Power Rangers-inspired costume. There’s echoes of Batman Beyond which is a clever tie back to already established corners of the DCU. But as with the story, the look of Immortal Legend Batman feels entirely original and unique.
Verdict
It’s a bold and imaginative start for Immortal Legend Batman. This all-star creative team has taken the Batman legacy and turned it in to something incredible and unique. Taking inspiration from Japanese tokusatsu has opened up a universe of creative possibilities which speak to why DC Elseworlds is legendary in the industry.
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