Batman Legends is part of the UK's 'Collector's' Edition' line of comic books. The first volume was published by Panini Comics for 41 issues between October 2003 and November 2006. The second volume has been published since December 2006 by Titan Magazines. Both volumes reprint Batman related comics from DC Comics from the United States.
Batman Legends was the first DC Collector's Edition published for the UK and follows from the successful Marvel Collector's Editions. It has been followed by Superman Legends, Justice League Legends and DC Universe Presents Batman Superman.
Contents |
In the first Volume each issue is 76 pages long with both modern and classic stories reprinted, always being published every four weeks.
In Volume Two the page count is normally 76 pages and it no longer prints classic stories. The modern stories it prints are generally printed much more recently in the US than those featured in the first volume and whilst generally published every four weeks has also being published once every 3 weeks and once every 2 months.
The first volume reprinted numerous arcs from Batman's recent and classic history; the key storylines being:
It also contained numerous creator profiles, competitions and a review of Batman Begins.
Volume Two is published by Titan Magazines and is edited by Ned Hartley. Volume Two features advertisements for Titan Books' trade paperbacks and does features on Batman related merchandise, known as "Inside the batcave!".
So far volume two has reprinted the following material as well as a couple of miscelleanous issues from various Batman comics:
Volume Two Issue 18 featured an All-Star Batman and Robin story which was controversial as it showed the Joker referring to Gotham as 'a sad old whore' and choking a woman to death; his assistant was a topless woman sporting swastikas on her breasts (a character who previously featured in The Dark Knight Returns). The issue featured no warning of this and this was discussed by parents on the Irish Radio Talkshow Liveline, as hosted by Joe Duffy. It criticized stores for featuring the magazine on the bottom shelf alongside the likes of Postman Pat. The issue was defended by fans stating that it was merely an adult storyline.
In Issue 20, Batman Legends featured a warning stating that the magazine is 'Recommended for children of 12 years or older'. Some of the more recent issues have a "VIOLENT IMAGES" warning on the front cover of the magazine.