DC’s Elseworlds line has always been about taking familiar characters and throwing them into new worlds, and Immortal Legend Batman #1 definitely runs with that idea. Writers Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom (of Radiant Black and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fame) launch a gonzo sci-fi adventure that fuses anime, manga, and Tokusatsu influences with Batman’s mythos. The result? A bold, weird, and sometimes uneven debut that leaves you curious about what comes next.
The Farthest Reaches of Space is where Immortal Legend Batman #1 begins. Instead of Gotham’s alleys, the story unfolds in a frontier-style mining colony under the watch of Sheriff Bruce Wayne. But things quickly turn sideways when Batman himself storms in, accusing Bruce of being more than he seems, possibly even a monster disguised as a man. From there, the tension ramps up. The colony is plagued by vicious energy beings called “Shadows,” the world brims with futuristic tech and space-western grit, and before long, Batman and Bruce find themselves on a collision course, both literally and ideologically. It’s Batman vs. Bruce Wayne, and the issue doesn’t waste time setting up the clash.
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Reading this debut is a bit like stepping into two stories at once. On one hand, it’s a mystery why Batman is hunting Bruce, and who’s really telling the truth? On the other hand, it’s a love letter to sci-fi spectacle and Tokusatsu-style action. The concept alone is exciting: Elseworlds Batman, filtered through Kamen Rider armor, Star Wars vibes, and even shades of Pitch Black or Ghosts of Mars. That mash-up is wild, and sometimes it totally works.
Batman’s suit design is sleek, sharp, and futuristic, while Erica D’Urso’s art and Igor Monti’s colors paint a world that’s vibrant yet shadowy, full of energy. The action delivers, too, with explosive panels and even a very toku-style finishing move. But the issue also has its clunky spots. The lore dump about the Immortal Legends, complete with “Way of the Bat, Robin, and Nightwing,” feels silly, and the exposition gets dense fast. Plus, Batman himself is written so aggressively that he’s hard to root for. He barrels into town, throwing accusations without proof, making Bruce feel more likable by comparison.
That imbalance makes the issue a mixed bag. On the “good” side, it’s thrilling to see DC push Elseworlds into stranger, bolder territory, and the creative team’s influences are clear in the kinetic energy of the art and action.
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The twist of Batman vs. Bruce Wayne is a strong hook, and the mystery behind the Shadows adds stakes that could build into something epic. The Dan Mora-drawn backup story helps too, filling in backstory while expanding the sense of scale. But on the “bad” side, the pacing sometimes stumbles under the weight of its worldbuilding, and Batman’s portrayal doesn’t always land. If the lead character feels off-putting, that’s a hurdle.
In the end, Immortal Legend Batman #1 is an ambitious, weird, and visually striking Elseworlds debut. It mashes up Batman with sci-fi, anime, and Tokusatsu energy in a way we haven’t really seen before. Sure, the lore can be clunky and Batman himself isn’t the easiest to like here, but there’s enough mystery and spectacle to keep readers hooked for issue #2. If you’re into toku, space operas, or just want to see Batman in a totally new light, this is worth a look, even if it stumbles along the way.
‘Immortal Legend Batman’ #1 Review: A Sci-Fi Elseworlds Mystery with a Toku Twist
Immortal Legend Batman #1 is an ambitious, weird, and visually striking Elseworlds debut. It mashes up Batman with sci-fi, anime, and Tokusatsu energy in a way we haven’t really seen before. Sure, the lore can be clunky and Batman himself isn’t the easiest to like here, but there’s enough mystery and spectacle to keep readers hooked for issue #2. If you’re into toku, space operas, or just want to see Batman in a totally new light, this is worth a look, even if it stumbles along the way.
