16 Essential Batman Comics

Most people see this as Batman's true start.Batman: Year OneBruce Wayne and Jim Gordon fight crime in Gotham for one year. Readers watch Bruce Wayne mess up as a new Batman, and Gordon worries about being the only honest cop. This sets up Batman's legend with a great noir start.

Taken from theBatman:Year Onecontinuity.The Long HalloweenThis murder mystery happens early in Batman's crimefighting. A killer murders someone on one holiday every month in Gotham. Batman, Captain Jim Gordon, and District Attorney Harvey Dent team up to find the Holiday Killer. Tim Sale's muted, stark artwork enhances this fantastic noir mystery.

Many consider this the Joker's true origin.The Killing Joke This is tough stuff. Alan Moore shows how the Joker kidnaps Commissioner Gordon to drive him insane while showing the Joker's creation. Many modern readers debate the content ofThe Killing JokeSome find The Killing Joke problematic because panels strongly suggest Barbara Gordon was sexually assaulted after the Joker shot her. Still, read it for its impact on modern comic history. Brian Bolland's art shows gritty realism.

This story is one of the most important comic book stories ever.The Dark Knight ReturnsFrank Miller wrote The Dark Knight Returns. A retired Bruce Wayne decided to wear the cape and cowl again. He was in his mid-to-late 50s. This story showed superhero books work for older readers. That was rare then.

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee create a Batman story featuring almost every popular villain in the modern Batman lineup. InHush, Batman's enemies act strangely, confusing Batman. As the story moves, Bruce Wayne's childhood friend Tommy Elliot returns, bringing up old memories and causing trouble for Bruce's future.HushThis comic provides dynamic artwork and an engaging story.

The Wayne Family has been a Gotham fixture for years, so Bruce Wayne knows the city and its history. Does he? There is a legend of a secret group of Gotham's rich running the city from the shadows, but that is just a city myth, right?

During Batman's New 52 reboot, theCourt of OwlsThis story stands out because Batman is not the smartest person in the room. A Gotham Illuminati operated under his nose for decades before and during Batman's fight against crime. This story andNight of the OwlsThis shows Batman at his weakest point, exposed, still caught up in the mystery of who is in the secret Court of Owls.

The story itself is not great, butA Death in the FamilyRead this for the full Batman experience. This book shows the brutal killing of Robin, the death of Jason Todd. Batman finds Robin's corpse, feeling heartbreak because he arrived too late to save him. This classic story shows Batman's biggest failure.

KnightfallThe story shows Batman, usually strong and determined, finally defeated and broken. Bane rises, an intelligent powerhouse aiming to shatter Batman and take Gotham down. The story uses '90s art and storytelling; it is a major piece of Batman's modern history alongside follow-up stories.KnightquestandKnightsEnd.

Dark VictoryThis is another great murder mystery that picks up right whereThe Long Halloweenleft off. A killer named "The Hangman" prowls Gotham, killing police officers. Batman hunts him. This story also shows the origin of Dick Grayson/Robin in the Batman mythos.

Arkham AsylumGrant Morrison's Arkham Asylum is a nightmare. Batman must stop a riot inside the infamous Arkham Asylum. We follow the Dark Knight to learn about the tragic history of the sanitarium holding Gotham's most ruthless criminals. Dave McKean's bleak yet beautiful artwork makes this a masterwork.

Death of the FamilyDeath of the Family shows a great Batman story. It offers an interesting take on the Joker. In the New 52 continuity, the Joker cut off his own face and hid. A year later, the Joker returns. He wears his severed face as a mask. He captures Robin, Batgirl, and other Bat Family members. He does this to get rid of Batman's "distractions" and make him a better guardian of Gotham. This twisted story has high stakes. The artwork is beautifully brutal. It shows a unique take on the Batman and Joker relationship.

You know James Gordon has two kids, right? You remember Barbara as Batgirl, but what about James, Jr.? After debuting as an infant inBatman: Year One, The Black MirrorJames Gordon, Jr. returns as an adult from psychiatric care. Dick Grayson becomes Batman to solve a murder mystery and tells a heartbreaking story for the Gordon family.

Darwyn Cooke wrote and drew Batman: Ego.Batman: EgoBatman: Ego differs from other Batman stories. Most Batman tales feature mystery or adventure.EgoEgo is a character study. Bruce Wayne argues with his dark Batman psyche. This story shows emotional pain and inner debate, using Cooke's throwback art style.

Neil Gaiman wrote Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader?Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader?The story happens at Batman's wake. Bruce Wayne's spirit watches odd eulogies from Batman allies and foes. This comic explores many stories and pasts. It takes on Batman and his comic book characters. It pays tribute to all Batman comic book eras, flaws included.

Bruce Wayne's girlfriend is murdered in Wayne Manor. Bruce becomes the prime suspect. Police take Bruce into custody. Nightwing and the Bat Family try to find the killer. Bruce refuses to prove his innocence. This casts doubt on even his loyal supporters. The mystery tests the Batman/Bruce Wayne dynamic, showing which persona is real and which is a fake. Pair upBruce Wayne: Murderer?withBruce Wayne: Fugitiveget the full story.

Batman: Black and WhiteThis series shows short tales of the Dark Knight from top artists and storytellers. The series offers many takes on Batman. Each volume holds short mysteries, action, and funny stories. These cover everything Batman can be. Readers should enjoy these bite-sized Batman stories.