In this review of Immortal Legend Batman #2, an unexpected trip to a pirate base uncovers a Shadow Bruce was not expecting, especially when he doesn’t have access to his powers.
Immortal Legend Batman #2 main cover by Dan Mora (DC Comics)
IMMORTAL LEGEND BATMAN #2
Written by KYLE HIGGINS and MAT GROOM
Art by ERICA D’URSO and DAN MORA
Main Cover: DAN MORA
Variant Covers: MICHAEL CHO, SERG ACUÑA
Page Count: 40 pages
Release Date: 9/24/25
Bruce’s solo mission to locate and eliminate the Shadows continue in Immortal Legend Batman #2. The story takes a somewhat different approach the issue #1. Whereas in the first issue, Batman goes directly at the Shadow beast disguised as Bruce Wayne, in Immortal Legend Batman #2, writers Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom sends Bruce on an undercover mission. In doing so, we’re introduced to this universe’s iteration of long-time Batman alias Matches Malone.
In explaining the need for this mission in this way, Higgins and Groom highlight something that wasn’t clear in the first issue of the series. Because the powers of Immortal Legend Batman, Nightwing, and Robin originate from the same place the Shadows come from, the beasts can sense when Bruce is near just as he can sense them. So for Immortal Legend Batman #2, Bruce becomes “(Matches) Malone”. This issue also debuts some other well-known figures from the world of Batman. First, there’s Alfred. However, this Alfred Pennyworth is a robot. Yet, Alfred still finds himself in the service of Bruce Wayne and his secret identity.
A backstory also introduces readers to Lady Shiva, who trains the young Bruce Wayne in fighting (in typical Shiva fashion). It’s unclear if Bruce hired her after picking up the mantle of Batman from Roger Elliot (Tommy Elliot’s father and the previous Immortal Legend Batman or if this was done before then. I would hope to come back to this a some point in future issues as it would help flesh out the Bruce Wayne of this universe more. Two issues in, this is the most we’ve learned of the hero’s secret identity.
Batman’s quest to find the Shadows in Immortal Legend Batman #2 places Malone on a freighter with other traveling through an area known as a haven for pirates. This is known to the ship’s captain, so when a pirate vessel accosts the freighter, the captain assures his passengers that the pirates only want credits (or money). Yet, as the pirates board the ship, their leader makes it known they want more than money. They want the ship. He not only kills the captain, but a member of his own crew before literally letting the “women and children go” (along with an elderly man).
This is not your typical pirate… (DC Comics)
Malone and the remaining passengers are taken along with the ship to the pirate’s base for a “job interview” the join the pirate gang. After dispatching of the goons, we experience the third debut in this new universe. The pirate leader reveals himself to be this universe’s version of Bane (The Bane of Man). He reveals knowing who Bruce was based on his fighting technique, which tells me Bane interacted with Shiva (or was her). But Bane also appears to be a Shadow because Bruce has no problem destroying Bane after the two fight.
It would be interesting to see how Higgins and Groom follows up with this connection that apparently exists between Bruce, Bane, and Shiva. Having the backstory just to prove that Bruce doesn’t give up doesn’t make much sense, even this early in the series. There’s a connection there that I can’t wait to read more about — unless there is none.
The art in Immortal Legend Batman #2 is truly impeccable. It looks like D’Urso penciled the backstory and the non-Batman pages. The faces appear eerily similar to her work on Inferno Girl Red (also written by Groom). Based on the cover work, Mora handled the Batman pages and the pages with Nightwing and Robin. Either way, the colors from Igor Monti (who also does the colors on Inferno Girl Red) really bring things together with the two artists. There’s enough change in the pages’ hue of the colors to distinguish between the backstories and the present. What is also apparent in that this trio of the artistic team work well together.
Before Immortal Legend Batman #2 ends, we finally get some pages highlighting the other members of the Immortal Legend Trio — Nightwing and Robin. They’re facing off with a Shadow beast. While the beast succeeds in injuring Robin, Nightwing destroys it. But as the story ends, they realize it’s time to get to the bottom of something they’ve been putting off… They need to figure out what’s going on with Batman.
Final Thoughts
Immortal Legend Batman #2 succeeds in two things. First, it fleshes out a little about who the universe’s Bruce Wayne is under the cowl (do we call it that). Second, and most important, it finally sets the stage for an encounter to occur between our trio of heroes. One would think it won’t all be roses. Either way, this reader is here for it.
