Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #120
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #120 is the issue in which Cassandra Cain is officially bestowed the Batgirl identity by Batman himself, making it her first appearance in costume as Batgirl and a pivotal transition in the character's history. The same story simultaneously resolves the mystery of who had been operating as Batgirl during the No Man's Land crisis, unmasking Helena Bertinelli (the Huntress) and stripping her of the mantle — a dramatic double-beat that reshapes two characters at once. Cassandra would go on to headline the first-ever ongoing solo Batgirl series in 2000, making this the launchpad for one of DC's most distinctive and enduring heroines. As part 31 of the sprawling No Man's Land crossover, the issue also captures a crucial turning point in Batman's effort to reunite and recoordinate his entire extended family after a period of isolation.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
The issue was written by Greg Rucka, penciled by Mike Deodato Jr., and inked by Sean Parsons, with a cover by Dale Eaglesham and Sean Parsons; it carried a cover date of August 1999 and a cover price of $1.99. It slots into the enormous 1999 No Man's Land crossover event — a line-wide Batman story in which Gotham City has been quarantined following a catastrophic earthquake — serving as part 31 of that saga, subtitled 'Assembly.' The story's events were designed to coordinate directly with concurrent chapters in Nightwing #34 and Robin #64, reflecting the tightly choreographed, multi-title nature of the No Man's Land editorial initiative under DC's Batman editorial office. Cassandra Cain as a character had been created by Kelley Puckett and Damion Scott and debuted just one month earlier in Batman #567, meaning this issue appeared almost immediately after her introduction.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of Cassandra Cain as Batgirl — Batman officially gives her the Batgirl costume and mantle in this issue.
- Cassandra Cain's character was created by Kelley Puckett and Damion Scott, debuting in Batman #567 (July 1999) one month prior; LOTDK #120 is her first costumed Batgirl appearance.
- Written by Greg Rucka; art by Mike Deodato Jr. (pencils) and Sean Parsons (inks); cover by Dale Eaglesham and Sean Parsons. Cover date: August 1999.
- The issue reveals that Helena Bertinelli (the Huntress) has been operating as Batgirl throughout No Man's Land, and Batman confronts and effectively dismisses her from that role in this same story.
- Story title is 'Assembly'; it is Part 31 of the No Man's Land crossover event, which ran across all Batman-family titles in 1999.
- Cassandra Cain's name is not revealed to the reader within this issue itself — she is referred to only as 'the new girl.'
- Cassandra became the first Batgirl to receive her own ongoing eponymous comic book series, launching in 2000, written by Puckett with art by Damion Scott.
- The issue is reprinted in the Batman: No Man's Land collected editions, including the Batman: No Man's Land Omnibus Vol. 1, which collects LOTDK #116–121 among many tie-in issues.