SPOILER ALERT: The following comic breakdown contains major spoilers from last week’s Immortal Legend Batman #1.
 

Drawing inspiration from Japanese tokusatsu and cosmic science fiction, Immortal Legend Batman #1 utilizes the freedom that comes with writing an Elseworlds story by pushing boundaries and creating something spectacularly unique.

The premise is pure cosmic goodness. In this futuristic world, humanity has mastered space exploration and colonization, but they have done so by using dangerous technology that has shattered the barrier between their universe and its shadowy counterpart. As a result, horrific shadow apparitions now plague the universe and terrorize the people living in it. Luckily, a cosmic Dark Knight has found a way to harness the energy that binds the two universes—he is known as The Batman. With the help of his companions Robin and Nightwing, he has successful managed to keep these monsters at bay. But the Immortal Legend Batman has disappeared, having seemingly abandoned the war against these creatures…only, he hasn’t disappeared entirely. He now hunts a rogues gallery born from the shadows (literally!)

The series is written by Kyle Higgins (Radiant Black, Batman Beyond) and Mat Groom (Inferno Girl Red). The stunning artwork is by Erica D’Urso (Inferno Girl Red, The Mighty Valkyries) and Dan Mora (Superman, Justice League Unlimited). Colors are by Igor Monti (Moon Man) and Tamra Bonvillain (Supergirl), with Becca Carey (Absolute Wonder Woman) on letters. This creative team is insane!

First, let’s discuss the details of the thrilling opening scene.

This is a powerful first issue. Immortal Legend Batman #1 establishes the world and tone of the series right from the first scene as readers are dropped onto the bleak planet of Avoca. We witness a ship crash into a cave and from it emerges a mysterious man running for his life. Why? Well, that’s complicated and it will shock you!

Batman is chasing this man. Why? He is chasing this man because he is looking for Bruce Wayne. Why? Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?

Immediately, I was hooked.

From a visual standpoint, the designs found within this book are what help to establish and flesh out this world—from the clearly tokusatsu-influenced ship to the costume designs of Batman and his unnamed quarry. These designs tell a story. The man’s clothes have a western-meets-outer-space vibe that feels lived in and tells us who he is as a character—a working blue-collared man. Batman looks like a tokusatsu warrior similar to Super Sentai, and he looks so dang cool! It's clear this creative team has a unique and clear vision for this world. And as a massive science fiction fan, I find that this world reminds me of Firefly and Alien.

Time to meet some familiar faces—Mayor Dent and Sheriff Wayne!

Two unexpected characters present themselves as allies, Mayor Harvey Dent (Two-Face) and Sheriff Bruce Wayne! There has been an influx of brutal deaths and murders on the planet of Avoca and these two men are tasked with figuring out who’s responsible. As we meet more people of this world, we begin to see that there is a clear western influence on the aesthetic and fashion of many of these characters, but not all of them, which makes me believe that fashion is a way to represent roles in society.

But the plot truly thickens when we see the Immortal Legend known as Batman attack Dent and Wayne. He accuses Wayne of being the shadow responsible for this string of murders. The only thing is, shadows can’t really talk, they can barely think, and they cannot impersonate a person. So, either Batman is correct and these shadows are evolving, or Batman has truly lost his way and is responsible for the deaths of these people himself.

But the biggest question is…if Bruce Wayne isn’t Batman in this world, who is?

As Batman corners his suspected culprit Bruce Wayne, it is time for the big reveal. Is Wayne really a shadow? Mayor Dent claims this is impossible, and if what Batman claims is right, these shadows now possess a significant threat to humanity: the ability to impersonate people.

How does Batman prove that Wayne is a shadow? He does so by revealing his own identity. Batman is Bruce Wayne, which means this man is an imposter. This is where the story truly begins. After striking the impersonator, his form changes as half of his body becomes pure shadow. Batman was right. He is the Two-Faced Man! Dent might have to find a new alter ego now…

This changes everything. The shadows are evolving and the world just became a whole lot more dangerous.

But that’s not possible! Bruce Wayne is a trillionaire (yeah, there are trillionaires in the future). He is human. How can he be an immortal legend?

The immortal legends started with three people who learned how to access the power that binds the universes in three different ways. “The Way of the Robin” embraces the spirit-lifting bright side of the energy. “The Way of the Bat” harnesses the terrifying and dark half of the energy. And “The Way of the Nightwing” utilizes both halves of the energy. These are the three heroes that are humanity’s only hope against the dangerous shadows.

They may be legends, but are they actually immortal? Well, not in a literal sense. The general public doesn’t know this, but we learn the positions are passed down through generations and Bruce Wayne is merely the latest person to take up the mantle of Batman. We also learn that Batman has abandoned his partners and is wreaking havoc on the world he was supposed to protect. What does it all mean?

Why has Bruce Wayne abandoned his duties?

That’s the trillion-dollar question, isn’t it? Why has he left Robin and Nightwing to face these dark forces on their own? My theory after reading the first issue is that he is the only one who knows that shadows can impersonate people, so he’s decided to take on a solo mission of hunting down a rogues gallery of shadows. But if that’s true, why hasn't he confided in his team?

The people who have chosen Bruce to take over the mantle now have to…adjust. They have decided he needs to be replaced. With who? Their choice is Thomas Elliot…a familiar name for DC readers. But there can only be one Batman at a time. The game of cat and mouse begins as Thomas is tasked with finding Bruce and taking the mantle for himself!

This was a thrilling first issue with so much to appreciate and enjoy as a sci-fi fan. The cosmic terror combined with the whimsical designs of Japanese tokusatsu creates something truly spectacular and special. Readers are left with so many questions while the first issue has set up so much for us to look forward to as the story unfolds.

I love Elseworlds stories because of the freedom they have to create unique worlds and recontextualize beloved characters. This creative team is absolutely insane!! Immortal Legend Batman is making DC Comics history.

All I’m saying is, you should add this one to your pull list!
 

Immortal Legend Batman #1 by Kyle Higgins, Mat Groom, Erica D’Urso, Dan Mora, Igor Monti and Tamra Bonvillain is available this week in print and as a digital comic book.

Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.