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Batman is arguably one of the most popular superheroes of all time. Inspired by the pulp heroes of yesteryear, the Dark Knight became National Comics’ most popular hero, so much so that National formally changed its name to DC Comics (yes, Detective Comics Comics) eventually. Since then, DC has largely been dominated by the world's greatest detective.

It can be daunting wading through all of the Batman storylines! With over 80 years of Batman, we have seen some truly amazing tales of the Caped Crusader. Here are the top ten best Batman comics for fans of all ages, as well as new and old fans, can enjoy.

Best Batman comics: Batman: The Long Halloween (1996)

It can be hard to reignite interest in characters that can be decades old, but The Long Halloween does it with ease. The story takes us to a younger, fresher Batman with engaging artwork by the late Tim Sale and a captivating story by Jeph Loeb. Batman is on the hunt for Holiday, a villain who only kills on holidays throughout the year.

The 13-issue story also reintroduced Calendar Man, who aided Batman on his quest for justice in his own special way. The Long Halloween also ties into Two-Face’s origin story. This story is heavy with Batman rogues from all eras and has inspired The Dark Knight trilogy as well as The Batman.

Best Batman comics: Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)

Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s dark one-shot comic changed the dynamic of the Batfamily for years to come. The Joker ambushes an unsuspecting Barbara and Commissioner James Gordon at their home by shooting Barbara in the stomach, which would lead her to be paralyzed from the waist down, and kidnapping Commissioner Gordon.

The Killing Joke serves as an origin story for Joker, while also deepening the feud between him and Batman. This one-shot was so impactful that DC decided to make it canon. The events of The Killing Joke are still lingering in today's Batman comics, especially in stories centered around Batgirl.

Best Batman comics: Batman: Knightfall (1993)

Batman’s rogue's gallery is filled with foes of all shapes and sizes, though none are as intimidating as Bane. Bane has released Arkham Asylum’s deadliest criminals to slowly break Batman down over time. Bruce himself, feeling burnt out from being Batman, becomes weaker and weaker with each passing criminal. A calculating Bane strikes when the iron is hot, breaking Batman’s back. A new Batman – Azrael – assumes the cowl, but due to his increasingly violent nature, the public’s and Gotham PD’s trust in Batman is thus tarnished.

It’s not often that we see our heroes fall. Knightfall shows how vulnerable someone like Batman can truly be. This story is a must-read for anyone, as it humanizes Batman and bolsters the importance of the Batfamily.

Best Batman comics: Batman: Hush (2003)

Batman’s rogues' gallery is once again given the spotlight in this villain-heavy storyline. A mysterious man with bandages on his face is using the rogues of Gotham against Batman. But the mastermind – Hush – has a big secret. He knows the true identity of Batman. While this could prove to be disastrous, there is one other person who also knows who Batman is, Catwoman. 

Batman: Hush is a great modern mystery, which shows us that it is possible for Batman to learn to trust those outside of his inner circle. This also shows a more human side of Batman and Bruce Wayne, who falls in love with Catwoman. This is a great story for both Batman and Catwoman fans.

Best Batman comics: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986)

After World War II, most people regarded comics as nothing more than mindless entertainment for children. When The Dark Knight Returns hit comic shops, people were taken aback by the gritty take on what was once a fun, colorful character. In The Dark Knight Returns, we see a dystopian Gotham City, ten years after the death of Jason Todd. Bruce Wayne has given up being Batman, and crime in Gotham has run rampant. A new gang called The Mutants is taking crime to a whole new level, forcing Wayne out of retirement. Things have gotten so out of hand in Gotham that the President of the United States calls on Superman to discuss what’s happening.

The Dark Knight Returns delivers several twists and turns and will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This story is also one of the first times we see Batman beat Superman to a pulp. This story would inspire some of Zack Snyder’s 2016 movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Best Batman comics: Batman: A Death in the Family (1988)

Deaths in comic books aren’t usually absolute, except for certain characters. In A Death in the Family, we encounter the first real death of a hero with Jason Todd/Robin dying at the hands of the Joker. Up until this point, Todd was an impulsive Robin who defied Batman’s orders and routinely went on missions by himself. Batman thus relieves Todd of his duties, which further angers Todd.

This storyline was unique in that readers ultimately decided Todd’s fate. DC set up a 900 number that readers could call in to vote on the ultimate outcome of the story. Despite the fans voting for Todd’s death, the public's outcry for DC killing off one of its iconic heroes was shocking. Per writer Jim Starlin, A Death in the Family was one of DC’s best-selling titles in 1988. The overall story is heart-wrenching yet harrowingly beautiful and is a must-read for any comic book fan.

Best Batman comics: Batman: The Court of Owls (2012)

Gotham City is an important character in the Batman mythos. Yet for all the good Batman does for the city, there will always be those who wish to take the city down. Long before Bruce Wayne was born, a group of Gotham’s wealthiest created the Court of Owls in order to keep Gotham in the palms of their hands. As a result, some of Gotham’s most violent offenders are linked to the Court – and they all have eyes on Bruce Wayne.

The Court of Owls is a fantastic starting point for new Batman fans, as they were introduced to 'The New 52'. The storyline is complex and compelling, and will keep readers guessing. This storyline also blends some supernatural horror, making it a truly captivating read.

Best Batman comics: Batman: Three Jokers (2020)

What is more terrifying than one Joker? Three different Jokers with one goal: to cause panic and chaos to the Batfamily. This storyline follows the events from both The Killing Joke and A Death in the Family, with Batman, Batgirl, and Red Hood all going after three different Jokers, and facing their own personal demons. But which Joker is the real Joker?

This story explores the many possibilities of the Joker's origin, while also shining a light on who the Joker really is. The Three Jokers was released under the DC imprint DC Black Label, noting that this story is intended for mature readers (and non-canonical).

Best Batman comics: Batman: Year One (1987)

Batman: Year One follows Bruce Wayne’s first year as Batman. He is not the polished and refined detective we’re already familiar with, but this sheds much-needed light on how Batman became Batman. Written by Frank Miller and masterfully drawn by David Mazzucchelli, Year One helped inspire The Dark Knight trilogy as well as The Batman.

The story also plays a crucial role in filling in the blanks with Commissioner Jim Gordon's relationship with Batman, which many of the Gotham Police Department still don’t understand. Year One is a great story for new Batman fans, as well as fans looking to deepen their knowledge on the Dark Knight.

Best Batman comics: Batman: The Golden Age Volume 1

 

Batman made his debut in Detective Comics #27 in May of 1939, forever changing the course of comic book history. The Golden Age Batman stories are the most important stories as they introduce many elements and key players that still exist to this day, including the Joker, Robin, Catwoman, and the Batmobile. These stories are fresh and raw, yet are essential reading for all Batman fans. Most of us can’t afford a copy of Detective Comics #27, but these reprints help us relive the excitement of seeing Batman in his debut comic.

He is vengeance, he is the night, he is... one of Popverse's favorite subjects. Learn how to do a Dark Knight movie marathon right with our Batman movie guide, and for the true World's Greatest Detectives out there, dive deep into the heart of Gotham City by getting to know Batman with Popverse.