We walk through the dark legacy and secrets of Talon.
In the shadows of Gotham, where secrets are intertwined with the fate of heroes and villains, a unique story emerges, capturing the essence of the mystery surrounding this city. Talon’s figure, practically forgotten by many, but his legacy as one of the most resonant names in the Batman franchise is astounding. But who was this immortal Talon in contact with Ra’s al Ghul and what is the story behind its creation?
Unusual origin
In the year The 2011 relaunch of DC’s “New 52” brought Talon back into the spotlight in Batman comics, although his existence was predated by the character’s debut in Batman Chronicles #6. This character is distinguished as an immortal hero who was introduced during the “Legacy” crossover after the proposal for his own series was rejected.
It was in Batman Chronicles #6, in which Ra’s Al Ghul starred in the middle of the Batman crossover, but not as part of it, that the character made his only appearance. This story, written by Mark Nevins and art by Jesse Delperdang, Ray McCarthy and Enrique Alcatena, introduced us to a character who was immortal like Ra’s.
Court of Owls
Before we jump into the past, it’s important to mention that “The New 52” introduced the Talons as operators of the Court of Owls, with William Cobb and Lincoln March prominently featured in the post-reboot Batman series. These Talons, including Calvin Rose, left the team before gaining the life-extension abilities of the others and starred in his own series as the superhero Talon, not the first to carry this name under the Batman title.
The real trick is revealed when we return to the original Immortal, whose existence creates a mystery in Gotham’s cast. In a journal that Batman reads, it is revealed that Talon once teamed up with Ra’s al Ghul, a third immortal known as Blackheart, centuries ago. This alliance marks a dark and forgotten chapter in Gotham’s history, when Talon and Ra’s fight together but the immortal Ra’s hides a secret he wants to know.
A project between friends
The story behind the creation of the character is as fascinating as the character itself. Mark Nevins, primarily a scholar who has written only a handful of comics, was able to participate in the special project thanks to his friendship with Darren Vincenzo, one of the Batman Chronicles executive editors. Despite the obstacles faced by the editors of the group, a “pilot” was made for the character, who wants to explore the potential of the immortal hero. However, the challenges continued and despite his interest, the character was relegated to one chapter in the Gotham saga.
Talon represents a unique facet in the Batman universe, a hero of immortal hope and endless adventures, whose history is rarely sketched in the pages of Gotham. His relationship with himself and his role in significant events like the “Legacy” crossover highlight the complexity and depth that supporting characters bring to the main narratives.
This forgotten immortal story, a story between legend and oblivion, reminds us that in every corner of Gotham there are stories waiting to be told, characters waiting to be discovered and mysteries that defy time. The Forgotten Immortal is a testament to the richness of Batman’s narrative, an invitation to explore Gotham’s shadows and uncover its still-hidden secrets.