Overview: In Batman: Urban Legends #22, we see stories featuring the Nightwing, Anarky, Arkham Academy, and the continuation of The Murder Club story.
Editor’s Note: Due to the anthology nature of this collection, we will feature a synopsis and analysis for each short story rather than breaking up the synopsis and analysis. Spoilers are sure to be revealed.
Story #1: Nightwing in “The Director” Part 1 by writer and artist Jamal Campbell
Synopsis: The first story in Batman: Urban Legends #22 sees the Blüdhaven police in hot pursuit of rogues on motorcycles. Nightwing swoops in and apprehends them. Later that week, in the Batgirls’ loft, Dick and Babs go over a series of crimes that may be connected to thousands of videos of Nightwing in action suddenly being uploaded.
Nightwing follows a clue to a suburban house but ends up with only Seer on a computer. She informs him and Oracle that she is not the Director but that she is playing a part. Elsewhere, the Director orchestrates the next event for the following night at the Lunar Crown Casino. Nightwing breaks up the affair and questions a runaway rogue he apprehended. A sniper shoots the rogue as Nightwing interrogates him. In his anger, Nightwing rushes to the movie studio the rogue mentioned and opens a door to see a room of dead people amidst a cloud of maroon gas.
Analysis: I generally like Jamal Campbell’s artwork, though I’m much less familiar with him as a writer. The story is not the most compelling narrative, although Nightwing and Oracle together are usually a rock-solid foundation on which to build. This is only a two-part story which seems like a good idea since there’s no way the setup so far could justify any longer series.
Story #2: Batman and Anarky in “Utility” by writer Yedoye Travis and artist Lucas Silveira
Synopsis: The second story in Batman: Urban Legends #22 sees two boys somehow come into possession of some Bat-equipment, and Batman is annoyed. He discovers that someone has uploaded his designs to the dark web and traces it to Anarky, who plainly wanted to be found.
Anarky leads Batman on a chase through Gotham, using various innocents as tracking points for Batman. Eventually, Batman catches up to him, and they battle. Batman prevails and apprehends Anarky.
Analysis: The best thing I can say about this story is that it is short and simple. The Golden Age art is definitely not my preferred aesthetic, but obviously, your mileage may vary.
Story #3: “Arkham Academy” Part 2 by writer Dennis Culver and artist Hayden Sherman
Synopsis: Li’l Kitten tells the story of how he came up. He ends up in class at Arkham Academy, listening to a manacled and muzzled Killer Croc lecturing them. The snotty kids mock Croc. He gets angry and breaks his shackles. Croc, unhindered by a shock collar, attacks and wounds Li’l Kitten.
Analysis: As the book itself draws to a close, some of the stories, like this one, really feel like scraping the bottom of the comic barrel.
Story #4: Batman in “The Murder Club” Part 3 by writer Joey Esposito and artist Vasco Georgiev
Synopsis: The final story in Batman: Urban Legends #22 opens in the Bat-Bunker, as Batman questions Time Commander about the Murder Club. Alfred interrupts to get Bruce back to the Batcave, where Thomas is demanding answers following up on the ending of the last issue. He proclaims Bruce a disappointment and walks away with Martha. Nightwing repudiates their criticism and tries to lift Batman.
Batman thanks him, and they speed off in the Batmobile to find whoever is key to Time Commander’s ability to bring Thomas and Wayne forward in time. In Wayne Manor, Martha counsels Thomas to enjoy their precious time with Bruce. Damian appears, apologizes for threatening Thomas, and introduces Thomas and Martha to some of the non-human animal companions (Titus the dog and Alfred the cat). Alfred hands the Waynes a book of Batman newspaper clippings and relates that “Batman is not about darkness and violence. He’s about shining a light to ward off the shadows for people other than himself.”
Batman and Nightwing work in the Bat-Bunker to develop an antidote for the person key to Thomas and Wayne’s presence in the future. Batman reflects on how good it is to work with Nightwing again, but they discover that Time Commander is gone from his holding room. Damian has him on the rooftop and is questioning him. He falls, but Batman saves him. Down below, as Batman questions Time Commander, he is pierced by a number of daggers.
The Court of Owls is in session.
Analysis: This is a genuinely solid effort. The high-powered cast is skillfully represented, and the dialogue hits the right emotional tone without becoming either overwrought or maudlin. It’s interesting to see Thomas and Wayne see what their son has become in the present timeline, and I like the Court of Owls more than most. The secondary plot that touches on Batman and Nightwing’s relationship is also handled with a deft touch, with the seed planted but not overwatered in ways that would detract from the resonance of the primary narrative. I am looking forward to seeing how this all ends in the final part.
Editor’s Note: DC Comics provided TBU with a copy of this comic for review purposes. You can find this comic and help support TBU in the process by purchasing this issue digitally on Comixology through Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
Batman: Urban Legends #22
Overall Score
2.5/5
As we hurtle towards the end of Batman: Urban Legends, The Murder Club story is the star here and stands as a reminder, perhaps, of what the book could have been.
