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In the first issue of Immortal Legend Batman, Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom set the stage for a sci-fi Elseworlds tale in which Bruce Wayne must hunt down twisted, shadowy versions of himself. We got a hefty dose of exposition, a setup for the cosmic stakes, and the promise of new reimaginings of Gotham’s rogues. Issue #2 picks up that thread with Batman going undercover as “Matches Malone” to infiltrate a vicious crew of space pirates, while a nightmarish new take on Bane makes his debut.

“Matches” is an excellent continuation that blends undercover noir, space opera, and body-horror villainy. The story opens on a transport vessel in the Keystone Lanes, where pirates usually take bribes in exchange for passage. But with a new leader in charge, things escalate quickly: passengers are slaughtered, the captain is executed, and anyone left alive faces forced recruitment or abandonment in the void.

Enter Bruce Wayne, disguised as the grizzled Malone, trying to slip inside the gang to prevent further carnage. It’s a risky plan, one Alfred the robo-butler warns him against, and it doesn’t exactly pay off. By the time Batman makes his move, lives have already been lost. From there, the issue shifts to the pirates’ world, where Bruce has to navigate brutal initiation rites and the terrifying might of their leader: the Immortal Legend version of Bane.

Here’s where the issue shines and stumbles. On the one hand, it’s thrilling to see Batman return to his undercover roots. The Malone persona has always been a fun wrinkle in the mythos, and here it gets a sci-fi remix that actually works. There’s something fascinating about Bruce trying to play the long game, even if it costs him in the short term. But the tradeoff is frustrating: watching him stand by as innocents are slaughtered feels more like negligence than strategy. For a hero who insists he “can’t let people die,” it’s a hard pill to swallow.

The big draw, of course, is Bane. And this version is grotesque in all the right ways. Instead of breaking backs, he breaks spirits, dragging captives into a pit where survival means fighting him head-on. Artist Erica D’Urso and colorist Igor Monti lean into body horror, giving Bane acid-green veins and a monstrous frame that looks like Venom wearing a lucha mask. It’s one of the most disturbing designs for the character in years, and it fits perfectly into this Elseworlds’ mix of horror and tokusatsu spectacle.

Alfred’s upgrade into a towering butler-bot continues to be a highlight, equal parts sarcastic and intimidating, like a cross between Shockwave and an Evangelion unit. Lady Shiva also gets a spotlight in flashbacks, grounding Bruce’s skills in this strange new universe. And the backup tale by Dan Mora, featuring Nightwing and Robin battling the Shadows, is a fun tease of what’s to come. It raises big questions: why are the Robins separated from Batman, and what will happen when they reunite?

As a whole, Immortal Legend Batman #2 is a mixed but exciting ride. The undercover angle adds grit and suspense, though it risks making Batman look ineffective. Bane is an absolute standout, both in design and presence, stealing the issue with every panel. The supporting cast, robotic Alfred, Lady Shiva, Robin, and Nightwing expand the universe in ways that feel fresh, even if some design elements (polygonal ships, odd costumes) don’t land as strongly. Most importantly, the story takes a leap forward from the exposition-heavy first issue, embracing a monster-of-the-week energy that fits the Elseworlds vibe.

Immortal Legend Batman #2 proves this series has teeth. It’s messy in places, but when it hits, it hits hard, especially in its reinvention of Bane and its bold sci-fi lens on Batman’s world. If you like your Dark Knight cosmic, monstrous, and a little reckless, this issue delivers.

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• Reddit
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In the first issue of Immortal Legend Batman, Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom set the stage for a sci-fi Elseworlds tale in which Bruce Wayne must hunt down twisted, shadowy versions of himself. We got a hefty dose of exposition, a setup for the cosmic stakes, and the promise of new reimaginings of Gotham’s rogues. Issue #2 picks up that thread with Batman going undercover as “Matches Malone” to infiltrate a vicious crew of space pirates, while a nightmarish new take on Bane makes his debut.

“Matches” is an excellent continuation that blends undercover noir, space opera, and body-horror villainy. The story opens on a transport vessel in the Keystone Lanes, where pirates usually take bribes in exchange for passage. But with a new leader in charge, things escalate quickly: passengers are slaughtered, the captain is executed, and anyone left alive faces forced recruitment or abandonment in the void.

Enter Bruce Wayne, disguised as the grizzled Malone, trying to slip inside the gang to prevent further carnage. It’s a risky plan, one Alfred the robo-butler warns him against, and it doesn’t exactly pay off. By the time Batman makes his move, lives have already been lost. From there, the issue shifts to the pirates’ world, where Bruce has to navigate brutal initiation rites and the terrifying might of their leader: the Immortal Legend version of Bane.

Here’s where the issue shines and stumbles. On the one hand, it’s thrilling to see Batman return to his undercover roots. The Malone persona has always been a fun wrinkle in the mythos, and here it gets a sci-fi remix that actually works. There’s something fascinating about Bruce trying to play the long game, even if it costs him in the short term. But the tradeoff is frustrating: watching him stand by as innocents are slaughtered feels more like negligence than strategy. For a hero who insists he “can’t let people die,” it’s a hard pill to swallow.

The big draw, of course, is Bane. And this version is grotesque in all the right ways. Instead of breaking backs, he breaks spirits, dragging captives into a pit where survival means fighting him head-on. Artist Erica D’Urso and colorist Igor Monti lean into body horror, giving Bane acid-green veins and a monstrous frame that looks like Venom wearing a lucha mask. It’s one of the most disturbing designs for the character in years, and it fits perfectly into this Elseworlds’ mix of horror and tokusatsu spectacle.

Alfred’s upgrade into a towering butler-bot continues to be a highlight, equal parts sarcastic and intimidating, like a cross between Shockwave and an Evangelion unit. Lady Shiva also gets a spotlight in flashbacks, grounding Bruce’s skills in this strange new universe. And the backup tale by Dan Mora, featuring Nightwing and Robin battling the Shadows, is a fun tease of what’s to come. It raises big questions: why are the Robins separated from Batman, and what will happen when they reunite?

As a whole, Immortal Legend Batman #2 is a mixed but exciting ride. The undercover angle adds grit and suspense, though it risks making Batman look ineffective. Bane is an absolute standout, both in design and presence, stealing the issue with every panel. The supporting cast, robotic Alfred, Lady Shiva, Robin, and Nightwing expand the universe in ways that feel fresh, even if some design elements (polygonal ships, odd costumes) don’t land as strongly. Most importantly, the story takes a leap forward from the exposition-heavy first issue, embracing a monster-of-the-week energy that fits the Elseworlds vibe.

Immortal Legend Batman #2 proves this series has teeth. It’s messy in places, but when it hits, it hits hard, especially in its reinvention of Bane and its bold sci-fi lens on Batman’s world. If you like your Dark Knight cosmic, monstrous, and a little reckless, this issue delivers.