Batman Legends

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.

Format

In the first Volume each issue is 76 pages long with both modern and classic stories reprinted.

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. Batman Legends is sold once every 3 weeks through UK Newsagents.

Volume One

The first volume reprinted numerous arcs from Batman's recent and classic history; the key storylines being:
* Issues 1-12
* Issues 13-18 Broken City
* Issues 19-23 As The Crow Flies
* Issues 22-25
* Issues 24-38
* Issues 26-31
* Issues 36-40 Superman/Batman: Supergirl
* Issues 38-41 Under The Hood

It also contained numerous creator profiles, competitions and a review of Batman Begins.

Volume Two

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.So far volume two has reprinted the following material as well as a couple of miscelleanous issues from various Batman comics:
* Issues 1-4, 15+ All Star Batman and Robin
* Issues 1-4 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
* Issues 1-4 Batman and Son
* Issues 5-10 Rules Of Engagement from Batman Confidential
* Issues 5+ Paul Dini's run on Detective Comics from #821
* Issues 7-11 Superman/Batman: Absolute Power
* Issues 11-14 The Black Casebook
* Issues 12-17 Lovers and Madmen from Batman Confidential
* Issues 17+ The Resurection of Ra's Al Ghul from Detective Comics, Batman, Nightwing and Robin

Controversy

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, also his assistant was a topless woman sporting swastikas on her breasts. 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'.

External links

* [http://www.paninicomics.co.uk Panini Comics]
* [http://www.titanmagazines.com/titanmag/app;jsessionid=882D373E37F4AE58F2BC7E213F53B9A9.nodebackupweb?service=external/Product&sp=S780 Batman Legends At Titan Magazines]
* Liveline Podcast - Batman Comic Explicit Content [http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2008/pc/pod-v-250408-23m13s-liveline.mp3]