Here are the essential Batman comics you gotta read to celebrate this year’s Batman Day!
Many of those stories are in the guide below.
Youll undoubtedly want to branch out from this list once youre done with Batmans essential tales, though.
Some are good opportunities to explore other corners of Batmans universe.
DKRisnt even Millers foundational take on Batman.
Rather its a searing tirade on the 80s and all its components, from every direction.
The world he inhabits is dark and grungy and grimy and shitty.
But theres a subtlety in his body language that later period Miller tends to lose.
BuyThe Dark Knight Returnson Amazon.
A word of warning!
There are many editions ofYear One.
If the covers yellow, leave it mellow.
Or it’s possible for you to get a digital version.
BuyBatman:Year Oneon Amazon.
JLA: Tower of Babel
Be thankful Im not telling you to buy all of MorrisonsJLA.
Seriously, it worked pretty well.
And dont sweat it if you cant find the version of the book thats just Tower of Babel.
You really should buy all of that run, too.
runs
BuyJLA: Tower of Babelon Amazon.
Oh yeah, andThe Killing Jokewas written by Alan Moore.
Worthwhile, but tough to read.
BuyBatman: The Killing Jokeon Amazon.
Back and cool again.
Problem is, Jason was a little bit of a shit, and the fans kind of hated him.
Three guesses as to what they picked.
BuyBatman: A Death In The Familyon Amazon.
Knightfallis pretty damn good.
It introduces Bane, who breaks everyone out of Arkham.
But Bruce…uhh…gets better and decides to take the costume back.
BuyKnightfallon Amazon.
GO READ AND ENJOY, FOLKS!
BuyHushon Amazon.
BuyBatman: Gates ofGothamon Amazon.
Im kidding, but Im alsonotkidding: its incredible.
It is inarguably the best detective story in Batman in the last 20 years.
Any more details would take some fo the enjoyment away from reading.
The art is nothing short of magnificent.
This book is an absolute masterpiece.
Buy Batman: The Black Mirror on Amazon
Batman Vol.
1: The Court of Owls
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have done something special on New 52Batman.
Its got an assload of guest stars, a great secret conspiracy, and fun art.
Its kind of likeHush, only well-written.
As of publication, its still being published, but it is BANANAS.
It ties together threads from all of Snyders run and mixes them with a healthy dose of Morrisons mythology.
BuyBatman vol.
1: The Court of Owlson Amazon.
Batman & Robin Vol.
5: The Big Burn
Dont be fooled by the name: Robin is nowhere to be found.
PS.The Long Halloweenis steaming garbage and youll never convince me otherwise.
If you like this, keep going with Tomasi and GleasonsBatman & Robin.
Its a really entertaining Batman comic.
BuyBatman & Robin volume 5: The Big Burnon Amazon.
The two issues where he investigates a murder with Swamp Thing are particularly good.
And if you read through this whole series and dont go from Kite Man!
to Holy crap, Kite Man, I will give you one crisp dollar.
*
*Monopoly money that I scanned and emailed to you.
Morrison wrote this and teamed with Dave McKean, who later found greater fame doing covers for Neil GaimansSandman.
BuyArkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earthon Amazon.
BuyThe Black Casebookon Amazon.
Gotham Central
Gotham Centralactually makes me a little mad.
BuyGotham Centralon Amazon.
But that doesnt mean you shouldnt read this.
Or maybe it does?
IfGotham Centralproves the versatility of the Batman mythos,Batmangadoes the same for Batmans iconography.
BuyBatman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmangaon Amazon.
You get that with The Jokers Five Way Revenge.
Also in this volume: the introduction of Ras and Talia al Ghul.
BuyBatman Illustrated by Neal Adams: Volume 3on Amazon.
paired with some incredible artists Adams, Walt Simonson, Aparo, Irv Novick.
BuyTales of the Batman by Len Weinon Amazon.
Not slight, but like, 68, lean and incredibly graceful.
Reading it just makes me feel happy.
BuyLegends of the Dark Knight: Jim Aparoon Amazon.
Cloud, who subsequent creative teams mostly left alone out of respect for the great work this team did.
BuyLegends of the Dark Knight: Marshall Rogerson Amazon.
If that name is only ringing a faint bell, hes the guy who created and drewAkira.
So yeah, this is amazing.
