Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » DC Comics » REVIEW: ‘Batman: Legends of Gotham,’ Issue #1

REVIEW: ‘Batman: Legends of Gotham,’ Issue #1

William TuckerBy William Tucker01/31/20234 Mins ReadUpdated:04/13/2024
Batman Legends of Gotham #1 - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Batman: Legends of Gotham #1 is a one-shot published by DC Comics, written by Andy Diggle, art by Karl Mostert, colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr, and letters by Troy Peteri. RedHood breaks into the Batcave for information on a missing cache of files, but he is caught by Black Lightning and Katana, which leads to a team-up.

There is a brilliant plot within this comic. The setup takes its time but is well worth it. There is a primary mission that takes up so much space, purposefully distracting from the opening. It carries the traditional air of a team-up, pitting Red Hood and members of the Outsiders into a lion’s den of villains. It uses previous tales in order to set itself up, filled with callbacks and references.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Whilst you could go into the book without so much previous knowledge, I don’t think the comic does a good enough job of directly telling the reader where to look for further reading. The issue turns into a tense confrontation with a standoff of egos before exploding in a rush of chaos. Diggle’s storytelling is magnificent as the complicated is used to disguise the simple, hinting at the truth so blatantly whilst keeping it obscured. This is a comic that revisits the past, resets the present, and opens the door to the future all at the same time.

The cast of Batman: Legends of Gotham #1 is ultimately quite small. Red Hood is the focus, flanked by the idealistic minds of both Katana and Black Lightning. These two work brilliantly, as they know of Red Hood without overly understanding him, unlike the Robins or Bruce himself. So perhaps he can string them along in a way he would not be able to with his brothers. Whilst he is a loner, Diggle demonstrates how and why he will always be connected to the Bat Family.

Katana is used well, this passionate and angry character that actively doubts Red Hood and would be willing to go toe to toe with him if necessary. Black Lightning may be too reserved for my liking in this, either the pilot or part of the escape plan. Bane’s presence is extremely intimidating. He goes into a battle of confidence with figures such as Mercy Graves and Killer Croc, with the menacing ability to knock them down a peg. 

The art is fantastic. It is nice to see Red Hood with a more classic design, using a hood with a mask instead of a full helmet. The rest of his costume is distinct but created from more casual clothes. Mostert’s design or both Black Lightning and Katana are terrific too, placing an emphasis on details and additions over simplicity. Both Killer Croc and Bane, two important figures within this title, are huge and menacing.

The fight scenes are excellently choreographed, mixing the powers of Black Panther with the athletic martial arts of Todd and Katana. Red Hood’s violence is brutal and swift, dealing some rather surprising and gruesome damage. There is a flashback scene that recurs throughout the comic, and there is a change in aesthetics. Jason is younger and more volatile, his anger radiating from his body. The location for most of the story is a cityscape with some alien and off-world influences.

The colors are amazing. There are some very vibrant pieces—the rich shades on the costumes of the characters and the skin of some of the city’s residents. In the flashback, the tones go more understated and melancholy. The lettering is really characterful, with blemishes and scratchiness.

Batman: Legends of Gotham #1 is a magnificent comic. It is action-packed and energetic and filled with a dark soul. It uses the stories that have been told before to try and wrap some of them up, an epilogue for Jason Todd’s recent adventures. Diggle’s script is fantastic and intelligent, brought to life by a tremendous art team that really generates fun.

Batman: Legends of Gotham #1 is available wherever comics are sold.

Batman: Legends of Gotham #1
4.5

TL;DR

Batman: Legends of Gotham #1 is a magnificent comic. It is action-packed and energetic and filled with a dark soul. It uses the stories that have been told before to try and wrap some of them up, an epilogue for Jason Todd’s recent adventures. Diggle’s script is fantastic and intelligent, brought to life by a tremendous art team that really generates fun.

  • Read Now on ComiXology with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Superfuse’ is Dreary and Beautiful (PC)
Next Article REVIEW: ‘DC Power: A Celebration,’ Issue #1
William Tucker

William is a screenwriter with a love of comics and movies. Once referred to Wuthering Heights as "the one with the Rabbits."

Related Posts

Absolute Batman Issue 12 cover

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Batman’ Issue 12

09/10/2025
Red Hood Issue 1 cover

REVIEW: ‘Red Hood’ Issue 1

09/10/2025
Cover of Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 6

09/03/2025
Cover of Absolute Superman Issue 11 that features an image of Brainiac

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Superman’ Issue 11

09/03/2025
Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 11

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 11

08/27/2025
Justice League Unlimited Issue 10

REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 10

08/27/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here