In this review of Immortal Legend Batman #5, the Legends return to Gotham where they find another Shadow waiting on them. But there’s also someone else waiting for them to arrive.
Immortal Legend Batman #5 main cover by Dan Mora (DC Comics)
IMMORTAL LEGEND BATMAN #5
Written by KYLE HIGGINS and MAT GROOM
Art by ERICA D’URSO and DAN MORA
Main Cover: DAN MORA
Variant Covers: TOKITOKORO, ETHAN YOUNG
Page Count: 40 pages
Release Date: 12/24/25
This review contains spoilers
In the rare event a comic finds Batman outside of Gotham, inevitably Bruce Wayne finds himself back home one way or another.
Immortal Legend Batman #5 starts off with Batman, Robin, and Nightwing arriving back on Gotham after they reunited at the end of the previous issue.
And just like other issues, we meet this world’s version of Barbara Gordon, whose father has been abducted by “Bruce Wayne” and she asks for Batman’s help to find him. He tells her if he’s alive, he’ll do everythinghe can to find him.
That’s not the highlight of the second-to-last issue in the series, though. One look at the cover tells you all you need to know who Batman is battling and it’s the “shadow” version of the character everyone is waiting to see in mini-series like this one.
Yep, it’s Batman vs. The Joker time once again.
An absolutely epic battle ensues between the Joker and Batman with their mechs (including Batman using the “henshenite” mentioned in an earlier issue). Batman holds onto the Joker mech, which explodes and wounds Batman pretty badly.
Alfred arrives to help him before he’s shot by this world’s version of Hush, who was alluded to in the backup stories of previous issues.
Tommy Elliot wants the belt that Bruce used to become the Immortal Legend Batman but naturally, the Joker says that wasn’t part of the deal and sends both Tommy and Bruce into the water.
The Joker dons the belt and becomes the new Immortal Legend Batman. This sets up one heck of a series finale next month.
There’s no place like home… Gotham. (DC Comics)
Analysis
DC deserves a fair bit of criticism for going to the Joker well too often but the reinterpreting of the rivalry between Batman and The Joker should be commended.
Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom have done a wonderful job of keeping up a good pace with the stories and especially succeeded with the buildup to this latest Joker/Batman battle.
It’s that showdown that kicks Immortal Legend Batman #5 into high gear and makes this part of the story feel like the most “real” and like a traditional Batman story, despite the futuristic/galactic vibe of the entire series.
As someone who normally loves grounded, real Batman stories and sci-fi flavored ones, I was surprised how much I enjoyed Immortal Legend Batman #5. That’s what good writing can do for a story and it’s what happened here.
Even if the futuristic setting, at the heart of this story is who Batman is and despite all the technology in this super-advanced world, it’s that human element to this Batman that stands out and shows yet again why he’s endured for nearly 90 years now.
In terms of the artwork, Dan Mora and Erica D’Urso’s take on The Joker was fresh but familiar at the same time. If there was a Joker who decided to look like Bruce Wayne, this is the way to do it. Mora did the entire second half of the issue this time which featured the face-off between The Joker and Robin and Nightwing.
There were some panels here that harkened me back to the Scott Snyder/Greg Capullo run in the New 52 era, particularly the Endgame and Superheavy runs. That’s a pretty high compliment.
If I had one nitpick, it’s that the damage and destruction being shown isn’t quite detailed or heavy enough. These are some powerful things that are exploding, so the carnage should be a little more real. Guess that’s something that happens in a sci-fi story, right?
That said, the final image of Immortal Legend Batman #5 is especially striking and should be having you whet your lips for more.
Final Thoughts
As I read each book to get caught up to do this review, I became more and more intrigued by this version of Batman. It’s definitely been unique but issue #5 has been a perfect blend of the unique and the traditional. It’s definitely got me counting down the days until the final issue is released and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for an Immortal Legend Joker.
