We just got our new Superman film, but it may be a while before we get a new Batman film. Still, Batman is one of the most popular comic book characters ever created. Batman comic books usually sell more than Superman comics. With all due respect to the Man of Steel, Batman is actually more popular with modern fans. Batman comics are more fun, grounded, and adventurous.
Bruce is a mentally ill billionaire who thinks they can trauma punch away crime by himself. He fights crime with gadgets, child vigilante sidekicks, and with the help of a corrupt police system that looks the other way. Batman is a fascinating character to read about in ways that don’t compare to Superman.
Batman Comic Books
If you’re only a Batman fan with it comes to various comic book adaptations, you’re doing yourself a disservice. There are Batman comic books for every type of fan. Some of Batman’s biggest fans are casual readers more familiar with Batman films, shows, video games, and cartoons.
So, whether you are a hardcore comic book fan or a casual reader, here are 12 Batman comic books you should read now.
1. Batman: Year One (1987)
Batman: Year One is a secondary origin story for the character and is one of the best Batman comic books ever produced. In this story, Bruce Wayne is young, extremely naive, and reckless, and has only been operating as Batman for a year. A younger Jim Gordon must learn to trust a masked vigilante after accepting that the only thing he can trust about Gotham is that it will only become more corrupt.
A young and angry Bruce Wayne must learn to balance his trauma with his drive for vengeance. He learns what he must sacrifice to become Batman and protect gotham.
2022’s The Batman was partially inspired by this story.
This 136-page story collects all the issues of the miniseries. Get now at Amazon for $12.74.
2. Batman: Venom (1991)
Tom Hardy made Bane a household name in The Dark Knight Rises, even though Bane was already popular. In the Batman comic books, Bane uses a synthetic drug called “Venom” to gain enhanced strength, physicality, and reflexes. However, Bane was not the first DC character to use venom.
Batman was the first to use Venom, long before Bane.
In Batman: Venom, Batman fails to save the life of a kidnapped child. The failure crushes his drive and confidence. He becomes addicted to Venom to become a better vigilante.Venom gives Batman augmented strength, better reflexes, the ability to operate longer with less rest, and more.
Batman becomes a hopeless Venom junkie and loses his way. A syndicate offers him more Venom in exchange for a mission that tempts Batman too much.
Buy this 143-page story on Kindle for $10 now.
3. Batman: Gotham By Gaslight (1989)
Batman: Gotham By Gaslight was the first DC comic to publish under the “Elseworlds” imprint. Set in the 19th century, Gotham City resembles Victorian-era England. A Sherlock-like Batman begins his vigilante investigations and searches for Jack the Ripper. This comic was the inspiration for the 2018 animated film of the same name.
Buy the 208-page paperback now for $19 at Amazon.
4. Batman: Knightfall (1993)
This comic made Bane a fan favorite among readers long before Tom Hardy came along. It is also the story that inspired 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. In Batman: Knightfall, Bane manifests a citywide crime wave that overwhelms and exhausts Batman.
Bane then attacks Batman and breaks his back. Gotham struggles without the real Batman as Bruce Wayne recuperates.
This 640-page paperback collects the story as well as several tie-in issues. Buy it now from Amazon for $21.
5. Batman: The Long Halloween (1996)
In The Long Halloween, a serial killer named Holiday kills one person a month relative to a major holiday. Batman must consult with a criminal in Arkham Asylum to find out the true identity of Holiday. This story was the inspiration for the Nolan Batman Trilogy, 2022’s The Batman and the HBO crime drama The Penguin.
Buy the 384-page paperback for $20 at Amazon.
6. Gotham Central Omnibus (2003)
Along with Alfred the Butler, Robin, and an extensive rogues gallery, the biggest supporting cast in Batman comics are the cops. Commissioner Gordon, Renee Montoya, and Harvey Bullock are among the most vital supporting characters in Batman lore, even though they are cops with no powers.
In 2003, DC published Gotham Central for 40 issues. The series is about a special crimes unit of Gotham cops, their personal lives, and how they deal with the aftermath of Batman’s vigilante activities.
This 968-page hardcover collects all 40-issues of the series. Buy it now at Amazon for $55.
7. Batman: Last Knight on Earth (2019)
Batman: Last Knight on Earth is a limited comic book series published under the Black Label imprint by DC Comics for mature readers. Bruce Wayne wakes up locked in Arkham Asylum in a dystopian world where he was never Batman.
Wayne travels in this dark unfamiliar world with the living, decapitated head of the Joker trying to figure out what happened. These are not traditional Batman comic books, so be prepared for for a darker version of the typical Batman story.
Buy this 184-page hardcover for $17 at Amazon now.
8. Batman and Son (2006)
In Batman and Son, Batman learns that he has a preteen son with Talia Al Ghul. Damian Wayne is also the grandson of ecoterrorist Ras Al Ghul; he’s also the leader of the League of Assassins, Talia,’s father, and one of Batman’s deadliest foes.
Damian is still brainwashed by the League of Assassins’ programming as Batman tries to bond with his son.
Buy the 200-page paperback for $7.70 at Amazon now.
9. Batman: Court of Owls (2011)
In 2011’s main Batman comic books, DC introduced the secretive Court of Owls organization. The Court of Owls is a secret society of the wealthiest and most influential Gotham citizens that have existed since the city’s founding.
However, no one have ever heard of them before. Batman has to fight a secret society that has owned and controlled Gotham City long before he was even born.
Get the 173-page paperback for $10 at Amazon now.
10. Batman: Son of the Demon (1987)
Batman teams up with his arch-enemy Ras Al Ghul to stop a common enemy in Batman: Son of the Demon. Also, Batman also has a dalliance with Ras’ daughter, Talia. After learning Talia is pregnant Batman is told that she miscarried.
However, Talia had the child in secret, a boy she later named Damian. This comic features the first technical appearance of Damian as a baby even though it is non-canonical. Damian would return years later to DC Comics to become the most popular Robin character ever.
Buy the 80-page hardcover for $35 now at Amazon.
11. Batman: Hush (2002)
Batman: Hush is considered to be one of the most influential Batman comic books ever. In this story, Batman is troubled by a new villain named Hush who has links to Bruce Wayne’s childhood. Batman teams up with Catwoman to find out his personal connection to Hush. While fans love the story, the artwork of legendary artist Jim Lee is a major reason for its success.
Buy the 352-page paperback for $9.29 now at Amazon.
12. Batman: Arkham Asylum (1989)
Even if you are unfamiliar with Batman comic books you’ve probably heard the term “Arkham Asylum.” It’s April Fools’ Day in Batman: Arkham Asylum; the Joker and every insane criminal in the asylum have rioted, taken over the facility, and are threatening to kill the staff.
They demand Batman comes in exchange for the hostages. Batman must contend with the inmates while unraveling the origins of Arkham.
Buy the 220-page hardcover for $21.39 at Amazon now.
Batman Comic Books for Every Fan
Batman was created in 1939. So, there are over 86 years of comic book stories and canon that fans of all kinds can enjoy. If you’re a casual comic book reader, check out the comic books on this list or consult with a comic book fan you know.
DC Comics is always reimagining Batman for new eras. So, some of the best Batman comic books are yet to come.
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