If there ever was an ongoing monthly title that truly deserved a little recognition for being a visionary work it would be LEGENDS OF THE DARK NIGHT. While it was Frank Miller who created the notion of re-examining the early days of Batman in the seminal mini-series BATMAN: YEAR ONE, LOTDK took things a step further and crafted a monthly series examining what may or may not have happened in Batman's formulative years. While some may take this approach for granted these days mainly because this type of storytelling has become commonplace such narratives were not often employed 15+ years ago. This is why LOTDK was such a unique and interesting title.

For 50 years, there were two monthly Batman titles: DETECTIVE COMICS and BATMAN. LOTDK was the first new Batman monthly to debut since the 1930's. (In time, along came the equally excellent SHADOW OF THE BAT) Rather than rehash a "villain of the month" storyline, LOTDK really sought to explore the history and motivations of Batman. Such an approach had really not been taken outside of Miller's work in the 1980's and Steve Englehart's excellent (brief) work in the 1970's.
 

In fairness, in the 1980's, even the villain of the month formula Batman followed was starting to take on more complex storytelling. While Marvel was more popular in terms of sales, DC, overall, was moving away from weak storytelling. It had to do this; the books had become stale. The DC line needed a shot in the arm and it got in the form of a number of well written and well thought out books.

 
LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT was one such brilliant approach. Long may it reign…