Batman Legends (retitled to simplyBatman for its third and fourth volumes) was a monthlyanthologycomic book series published in theUK byTitan Magazines as part of theirDC Comics 'Collector's' Edition' range. Initially published byPanini Comics for 41 issues between October 2003 and November 2006, Titan subsequently took over publication with the launch of the comic's second volume.[1] The title reprintedBatman-related comics originally published byDC Comics in theUnited States, typically including three stories per issue in a serialised format.
Batman Legends was the first DC Collector's Edition published for the UK and followed Panini's successfulMarvel Collector's Editions. Titan followed their own success with several other DC titles, includingSuperman Legends,Justice League Legends,DC Universe Presents Batman Superman,Batman: The Dark Knight,Arrow,DC Super Heroes: The Flash,DC Comics Showcase: Supergirl andDC Legends: Wonder Woman. Titan also published aBatman Annual in August 2013.[2]
Titan ceased publication of all their DC Comics titles in December 2018, ending a fifteen-year run for 'Batman'.[3]
The first volume reprinted numerous recent and classic Batman story arcs. The key storylines serialised were as follows:
It also contained numerous creator profiles, competitions and a review ofBatman Begins.
Volume Two was published by Titan Magazines and was edited initially by Rona Simpson, later by Ned Hartley.[4] Along with the customary three strips per issue, Batman Legends included a fan letters page, along with a feature on Batman-related merchandise titled 'Inside theBatcave'. As with each of Titan's DC titles during this time, each issue also included the 'Roll Call' feature which spotlighted various DC graphic novels and included a 'Hero of the Month' panel.
Volume two reprinted the following material as well as several miscellaneous issues from various Batman comics:
Volume two ended after 57 issues in June 2012 and was retitled to simply 'Batman' for volume three. Now edited by Andrew James, the first issue of the new format was released on 5 July, the same day as the first issue of Titan's new secondary Batman title,Batman: The Dark Knight.The title began printing theNew 52Batman and Robin series whilst also continuing to reprint ongoing pre-New 52 storylines. It later showcased strips fromNightwing andBatman Eternal, as well as other Batman-related spin-off series. Some longer US issues such as annuals and those with 'back-up' strips were published across several issues by Titan due to page count restrictions. Titan celebrated fifty issues of Volume 3 in April 2016.[5]
Volume 3 reprinted the following US issues:
Titan would relaunch 'Batman' from issue #1 once again in October 2016, now printing stories from theDC Rebirth publishing event.[6] This fourth volume ran for fourteen issues and would also prove to be the title's final, with Titan ceasing publication of all their DC Comics titles in December 2018.[7]
Volume Two, issue #18 featured anAll-Star Batman and Robin story which caused controversy due to the Joker referring to Gotham as "a sad old whore" and choking a woman to death. Furthermore, the Joker's assistant was a topless woman sporting swastikas on her breasts (a character who previously featured inThe Dark Knight Returns). The issue featured no warning of this content and the issue was discussed by parents on the Irish Radio TalkshowLiveline, hosted byJoe Duffy. It criticized stores for featuring the magazine on the bottom shelf alongside conventional children's comics such asPostman Pat. The issue was defended by fans, who stated that it was merely an adult storyline.
Issue #20 ofBatman Legends featured a warning stating that the magazine is 'Recommended for children of 12 years or older'. Some later issues had a "VIOLENT IMAGES" or a "Rated T for Teen" warning on the front cover of the magazine.
Titan followed the success ofBatman Legends with several other DC Comics titles following the same format, beginning withSuperman Legends in March 2007.[8]Justice League Legends andDC Universe Presents Batman Superman followed later in 2007.[9]
Titan launched a secondary Batman title in July 2012, initially titledBatman: The Dark Knight and occasionally referred to as simplyThe Dark Knight, which began by reprinting the USNew 52 titlesBatman: The Dark Knight andDetective Comics.[10] The title would be rebranded several times before its 2018 cancellation, first relaunching in January 2014 asBatman: Arkham.[11]Gotham Central would subsequently replace that title, before it was again rebranded asAll-Star Batman in February 2017, coinciding with the launch ofDC Rebirth.[12]
