In this story set in the early part of Batman's career, the caped crusader is still trying to decide who to trust in the Gotham police even while the police try to figure out if Batman is a criminal or not. This dilemma is complicated when a new band of gun-toting killer vigilantes, called "Rough Justice," come on the scene. They casually kill off criminals and credit Batman as part of their inspiration. Not surprisingly, the authorities react by ordering the police, including then-Captain James Gordon, to bring in all vigilantes, Batman included.

Frankly, we have seen this too many times before. This is the Magnum Force-type parable where the superhero has to distinguish his "acceptable' vigilanteism from the death squad-style tactics of a bunch of the Punisher-wannabees. Even the Gotham depicted in the story seems to be right out of a Charles Bronson movie from the 1970-1980s, complete with roving street gangs terrorizing bystanders and mob shootouts in broad daylight so you can almost sympathize with Rough Justice.

Still, Wagner does put in some touches that make the story stand out. Both Batman and Gordon find themselves questioning their loyalties to each other, quite a change from the present situation where the two seem even closer than Batman and Robin. Not enough is revealed about Rough Justice in this first part but they seem to have an urgency and genuine anger that makes their brutal crusade almost understandable. A times, you wonder if this group is intended as a take-off from the old "Chain Gang War" team that was once published by DC.

Brunner's art complements the story quite well. He makes Gotham City look both realistic and nightmarish so even if this plot is old, the presentation seems new. Perhaps Wagner and Brunner can still pull a few surprises that will make this story worthy of being called a "legend" of the dark knight.