Rob Hughes :: Artwork - Personal Collection

THE UNTOLD LEGEND OF THE BATMAN #1 by JOHN BYRNE and JIM APARO - ORIGIN OF BATMAN!

Artists: John Byrne (Penciller) , Jim Aparo (Inker) , Len Wein (Writer)

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THE UNTOLD LEGEND OF THE BATMAN #1 by JOHN BYRNE and JIM APARO - ORIGIN OF BATMAN! Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	THE UNTOLD LEGEND OF THE BATMAN #1 by JOHN BYRNE and JIM APARO - ORIGIN OF BATMAN!
Artist:	John Byrne (Penciller)
Artist:	Jim Aparo (Inker)
Artist:	Len Wein (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	643
Likes on CAF:	6 7
Favorited on CAF:	2
Comments:	5
Added to Site:	6/28/2021
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Before I begin with this synopsis, let me simply state for the record that The Untold Legend of the Batman 3-issue miniseries is nothing short of a genuine MASTERPIECE. Presented here is a historic origin page original artwork from The Untold Legend of the Batman #1 (DC/ July, 1980), which was wonderfully written by Len Wein and exquisitely illustrated by such GIANTS of the comic book industry as John Byrne (pencils) and Jim Aparo (inks). I originally read this miniseries when I purchased each issue directly off the rack from Pacific Comics on Cass Street in Pacific Beach, CA in the summer of 1980. As an impressionable 13-year old boy who had been recently befriended two years prior by Batman's creator Bob Kane, who affectionately nicknamed me "Batman Jr.," I was "over the moon" to finally be presented with the most in-depth, most inspiring, most inspirational, most intelligent, most intriguing and influential origin of Batman ever told in the history of the character. The tragic and dramatic story of HOW and WHY a grief-stricken orphaned boy became the greatest detective and crime fighter the world would ever know. To this very day, this miniseries not only laid the foundation for the Batman Mythos, but is the quintessential presentation of the origin of Batman and his supporting characters.

This page is from the landmark first issue entitled, "In the Beginning," and features the emotional scene at the grave site of Thomas and Martha Wayne as a young Bruce Wayne vows to avenge their deaths by waging all-out war upon all criminals. Wein's narrative is dramatically moving and ingeniously introspective, "But my spirit knew no peace...until at last driven by emotions I could no longer control, I knelt by my parents graveside -- and an angry sky bore silent witness as I made a solemn vow!"

"I swear I'll dedicate my life and my inheritance to bringing your killer to justice -- and making war on all criminals! I SWEAR IT!!"

As the angry heavens pour a deluge down upon this grim and solemn scene, we just might hear the distant rumblings of divine thunder...a sign of the conflict yet to unfold.

Batman's original origin tale was first published in Detective Comics #33 (DC/ November, 1939). This very brief origin was inserted within writer Gardner Fox's main story entitled, "The Batman wars Against the Dirigible of Doom," and consists of a mere one and 3/8th's of a page. This origin is credited to Bill Finger and generally believed to have been written by him among seasoned collectors and die hard Bat aficionados alike. However, this long held viewpoint is in dispute and not yet fully determined as undisputed historical fact. I strongly suspect and suggest that it was indeed Gardner Fox who created and wrote Batman's tragic origin tale in Detective Comics #33 and not Bill Finger. And, before anyone starts coming after me with pitchforks and torches, I simply ask you to keep an open mind and to take the time to consider my research and reasons for this theory in my article "Gothic Genesis," OFFERED FOR FREE online at:

https://www.archangels.com/mythos.php

The rest of this page reveals how young Wayne began his tireless training his body to his physical peak as well as his determined mind to dutiful and determined study. Also featured here is the housekeeper Mrs. Chilton, the mother of Joe Chill (a most ironic and interesting choice by Wein for sure,) along with young Bruce's initial inspiration to seek out Harvey Harris - one of the greatest detective's of them all, who would personally mentor young Bruce in his monumental quest.

Author Franck Martini wrote an excellent article in Back Issue #50 (TwoMorrows Publ.,/ August, 2011) entitled, "The Untold Legend of the Batman. The Origin that Did Not Last" wherein he writes, "John Byrne penciled the first issue, inked by Jim Aparo, who remained as penciler and inker on the remaining two issues after Byrne's departure. It was Byrne's first DC work and it did not work out the way he wanted. He told Jon B. Cooke and Eric Nolen-Weathington in 2006's Modern Master Vol. 7, 'It was a three-moth hole in my schedule, and it ended up taking Len (Wein) something like nine months to write it (the whole story), so I was only able to do the first issue.'"

Martini continues, "The first issue provided the incredible matching of the Byrne and Aparo styles and gave a classic look and feel to the miniseries. Not to diminish the stellar Aparo work on issue #2 and 3, but one regrets not seeing what the pairing of these two talents would have given the entire series. It could have been a landmark for both creators."

Nonetheless, in my view, this issue does represent a true and timeless watershed moment for the Mythos of The Batman by the three creators: writer Len Wein, penciler John Byrne and finisher Jim Aparo.

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About the Owner

	Rob Hughes ( 4 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	February 2006
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	water-walker
Website:	http://www.archangels.com
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Bill J
Member Since 2009

Posted on 6/28/2021

Historic page by some legendary talents!

Neon Dragon
Member Since 2017

Posted on 6/28/2021

This is one of the pieces at the top of my lifetime list I regret not pursuing when it went up for sale. It really fleshes out Batman to show him not as some mutant superhero but an ordinary guy who is brilliant and equipped with what he needs to fight crime, by his own doing. What a masterpiece by two artists who were superheroes themselves!!!

kent mansley
Member Since 2015

Posted on 6/29/2021

Two giants of the industry working in their prime on a character that I love so much! This is a brilliant page and I'm so happy to see it on CAF. Thanks for sharing and major congrats!

Robert Binkley
Member Since 2011

Posted on 7/6/2021

Very Cool Page ! Congrats !

Scott Gaulke
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/15/2023

Such a great page. Congrats!

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