In 1989, DC Comics launched a new comic called Legends of the Dark Knight. The book would go on to feature some truly great Batman stories, including Mask and Blades.
The first story to feature in Legends of the Dark Knight was Shaman – a five-part tale that appeared in issues #1 to #5. Written by Dennis O’Neil, with art by Edward Hannigan, Shaman is set during the beginning of Batman’s career and has a slight supernatural element to the story.
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What happens in Batman: Shaman?
Book One
In North Alaska, while on the trail of a criminal called Thomas Woodley, Bruce Wayne is injured. He is healed by a local shaman, who tells him a sacred story about a bat, which appears to aid Bruce in his recovery.
Upon returning to Gotham, Bruce begins to take to the streets to fight crime. He adopts the costume of the Batman and strikes fear during his first outing as the Dark Knight.
Book Two
Six months have passed and Bruce has established himself as Batman. As he begins to work on his resources and infrastructure, he looks to create a base of operations below the grounds of Wayne Manor.
Meanwhile, in Gotham City a sinister plot is unfolding – and it shares a connection to Bruce’s time in North Alaska.
Book Three
Bruce continues to investigate the trouble in Gotham, which involves drugs and human sacrifice. The trail seems to point back to North Alaska.
Returning to the snow-covered region he once spent time in, Bruce comes to realise he might be partially responsible for Gotham’s current troubles. He shared sacred information about local folklore with an acquaintance, and it has radically altered life for the local population.
Book Four
Following a car crash, Bruce saves the life of the shaman and his granddaughter – the same shaman who once saved his life. He performs the sacred ritual, effectively becoming a shaman himself.
Upon returning to Gotham, Bruce continues to investigate the case. He begins to piece everything together, but is unaware that Thomas Woodley has broken into Wayne Manor and is threatening the life of Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce’s butler.
Book Five
Bruce engages in combat with Woodley, who eventually flees Wayne Manor wounded. Bruce does not give chase, instead he goes after the real villain of the tale – Carl Fisk, a corrupt banker, who has been using human sacrifice as a cover for drug dealing.
After exposing Fisk, Batman tracks down Woodley, who dies from his injuries. Bruce takes Woodley’s body to North Alaska, then returns to Gotham to continue his life as Batman.
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Is Batman: Shaman a good read?
Set during the Year One-era of Batman stories, Batman: Shaman is an engrossing detective tale, which is well plotted and a delight to read. The story mostly focuses on presenting a more stripped back, realistic approach to Batman, yet at the same times has a hint of the unusual – slightly reminiscent of a mild episode of The X-Files.
The comic boasts strong artwork from Edward Hannigan, and is backed by a superb colour palette from colourist, Richmond Lewis. Lewis uses a minimalist approach to colour, and in doing so he is able to make the images very expressive.
The artwork compliments the story, which is brought to life by Dennis O’Neil. O’Neil has a long-standing association with the Dark Knight, having written and edited various Batman comics, and proves to be the perfect scribe for this tale.
If you like Year One, or back-to-basic Batman stories, which place more of a focus on the Caped Crusader’s detective work, then Shaman is story for you. It looks good, reads well, and keeps its pace across all five issues.
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Has Batman: Shaman been adapted for film?
Has Batman: Shaman been adapted for film?
To date, Shaman has not been adapted for film. Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins (2005) shares some similarities with the story, but Shaman is its own piece and would work best as an animated feature or a multi-part story in a television show.
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I hope this information on Batman: Shaman has proved useful. Should you want to read more posts about Batman, please take a look through I’ll Get Drive-Thru, or alternatively check out one of the recommended reads below.
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