Love it.  I found out this was by JB years later.  At age 11, I was neither a DC guy, nor one to really pay attention to who did what.  I still have my copy of Untold Legends #2 though.

Particularly in hindsight, the art calls to mind the Neal Adams era.  Alfred's surprised face in the splash, as well as the emotive faces in the unmasking panel remind me of those larger than life facial expressions of Neal's.

I didn't have that that thought at the time because (1) I was a silly little kid; and (2) I think the Adams Batman was the iconic Batman in 1980.  It loomed so large that you wouldn't really think "Adams" at that time, you would think "Batman."

JB, if you are following this, do you agree that about the Adams look being there?  If so, was it conscious?

This was my first full exposure to JB's art. I loved the first issue. Hooked me instantly. I'd just missed X-Men, and I don't think the FF had started just yet. I pursued all 3 issues of Untold Legend. I had to have them all. I wasn't aware of the art duties and their divisions. I just knew this was "it." The definitive Batman. The Batman the way I wanted him to be. With a thoughtful, thrilling, expanded origin story to boot.

Years earlier, my parents had given me the original Joe Chill story in a big, DC hardcover called "Secret Origins". I knew who Joe Chill was when I read Untold Legend, and it was a true thrill to see his story, and Batman's, intersect once again. This mini-series was done well. I think it was just before mini-series really blew up on the then-popular market (as Wolverine and Hercules later did). Or maybe Untold Legend of The Batman kicked the whole thing off. It's that good.       

Hey, there's a page form that issue for sale on Will Gabri-El's site if anyones interested I think it pretty cheap at $375. It's where a young Bruce Wayne swears on his parents grave to make war on all criminals! Here's the link:

http://qurls.com?i=1454

Will is VERY reputable I bought three or four pages from him in the past :)