Immortal Legend Batman #3 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. Daniel Bayliss joins the team for additional artwork this month.
Immortal Legend Batman #3 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
What’s the one question the Immortal Legend Batman is afraid of? Learn the answer as the hero is drawn to a long-abandoned estate on a distant moon… now occupied by a devious resident. In a tense battle of wits—in which any mistake will have explosive, tragic consequences—can Batman solve the madman’s riddles? And more importantly…can you?
Review
Prepare to get hands on as Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom’s Immortal Legend Batman puts readers to task with its third issue. This month the series looks to cement itself as one of the most out of the box from the big two publishers. But can it prove itself as a worthy twist on one of our most beloved superhero IPs?
Continuing to push boundaries this month takes the form of a Riddler-inspired game. Right from the outset Immortal Legend Batman #3 puts the reader to work. Arriving on the world of Elvir, a Riddler-symbol and a handy message directly to us sets up the job. Look out for the riddles in the book and attempt to solve them ourselves. For those less interested in the game there is a handy page explaining it all towards the end of the book. But for those who do want to get in on the action it’s a brilliant way to become part of the story.
I admittedly fell quite badly at the first hurdle and never manage to recover. So take it from me, these puzzles are not easy…
The real Bruce Wayne is on the trail of another of his shadows, but this one is different. Higgins and Groom are teeing up some fundamental questions about what it means to be Batman. Using the shadow taking on the guise of The Riddler to shake Bruce to his core. It’s a really interesting premise which sets up some interesting flashback moments to his past. For the first time we’re seeing more about who this version of Batman is and the unique setup only enhances that further.
Immortal Legend Batman is so different to anything we’ve seen before, even from a DC Elseworlds book. I have to give credit to the entire team again for the ease at which they fold in established elements from the canon. The use of The Riddler in this issue is a prime example of utilising the right character in the right moment. There’s no sense that anyone has been shoehorned in simply as a nod to what we know from elsewhere. The fact the book has maintained this throughout the first three issue is a real testament to the strength of its story.
Each issue has setup a new location and new characters for Batman to encounter. That’s consistently challenged Erica D’Urso, Dan Mora and the rest of the art team to create something new. This issue is no different. Layering on top of that the intricately designed puzzles and Immortal Legend Batman #3 becomes an even more dynamic and engrossing book for its audience. The entire team steps up to the plate to create a distinctly brighter world on Elvir.
This issue splits the team in two with Erica D’Urso and Igor Monti working on the Batman vs. Riddler portion of the story. Meanwhile Dan Mora and Tamra Bonvillain complete the second part which returns to Robin and Nightwing as they continue their pursuit of Batman. Joining them this month is Daniel Bayliss who brings a new signature style to the flashback sequences neatly setting them apart from the rest of the book.
There’s a lot of cooks in this kitchen but Immortal Legend Batman succeeds in finding the perfect way to make it work.
Verdict
Higgins and Groom continue pushing boundaries with reader-interactive puzzles and profound questions about Batman’s identity. Despite juggling multiple artists and experimental storytelling, Immortal Legend Batman maintains its distinctive voice and vision.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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