Legends of the Dark Knight: Shaman
{4/5} “‘I’ll consider this a test. If I win I’ll continue.’ ‘And if you lose?’ ‘Who knows? Maybe I could get used to a life of sanity.’ ‘I wish you well. But I confess.. I’m not certain whether that means I’m hoping for success or failure.'” — Bruce & Alfred
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight — Shaman by Dennis O’Neil, published in 1989-90
When Bruce Wayne follows a criminal to the Alaskan wilderness, he ends up getting pneumonia and is healed by a Shaman. He’s been preparing for years to be Batman, and now he’s ready. Back in Gotham he heads to a clinic that’s been robbed 3 times in the last month. He defeats some robbers but a woman who’s on the scene kills herself with a knife — he wants to know why.
The first solo Batman comic book since 1940 debuted at the time I was collecting comic books — that was irresistible.
The story is good but I was still a bit disappointed because I was hoping for great. The antagonists aren’t very interesting. When Bruce makes a key discovery he uses information we don’t have.
Bruce’s interactions with Alfred and Gordon are nice. I like how Bruce gets his information from Gordon while shining his shoes dressed as an old man.
The artwork by Edward Hannigan and John Beatty is good.