Batman Recommended Reading



Batman is one of the oldest and greatest super-heroes in existence, along with his supporting cast having been handled by more writers and artists than probably any other comic book character throughout history. His mythos has been adapted into many different settings and genres and even time periods. There are many different sides to the character and interpretations of his personality and motivations. Having been published since in 1939, it can be difficult to figure out where to start with Batman... this is a guide on which stories are good for readers unfamiliar to the character, and provides recommendations on great stories for experienced readers as well.

If you're looking for a chronological listing of Batman collections, try the BTRO project.

New readers

 * Batman: The Court of Owls by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo is the first Batman story in New 52 continuity. Batman investigates a conspiracy dating back to the origins of Gotham that played a role in his parents' murder.
 * Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is Frank Miller's 1986 classic, an epic story set in a future where Bruce Wayne has long since retired, and triumphantly returns to the cowl in a new era that needs him more than ever and refuses to tolerate his attitude and presence.
 * Batman: Dark Moon Rising is a two-part story written and illustrated by Matt Wagner about Batman's first confrontations with supernatural crime and horror, taking place in his first year as the caped crusader. Batman and the Monster Men introduces mad scientist Hugo Strange and his creatures, Batman and the Mad Monk has him fight an ancient vampire.
 * Batman: Hush is a modern classic written by Jeph Loeb with artwork by Jim Lee, a conspiracy involving almost every member of Gotham's rogues, designed to strike at the heart of Bruce Wayne by a mysterious new enemy known as Hush.
 * Batman: The Long Halloween is a story by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale set in Batman's earliest years, dealing with the change in Gotham's underworld from organized crime to costumed freaks and his earliest alliances in the war on crime, revolving around the search for a holiday-themed serial killer.
 * Batman: The Man Who Laughs is Ed Brubaker and Doug Mahnke's one-shot graphic novel featuring Batman's first meeting with his greatest nemesis, the Joker.
 * Batman: Year One is the definitive origin story, written by Frank Miller with artwork by Dave Mazzucchelli.

Single issues

 * Batman: Ego
 * Batman: Mad Love
 *  -- Joker's Five Way Revenge
 *  -- The Clown at Midnight
 *  -- Batman in Bethlehem
 *  -- Time and the Batman
 *  -- Joker's Late Night Lunacy
 *  -- Mortal Clay
 *  -- The Eye of the Beholder
 *  -- Work That's Never Done
 *  -- The Player on the Other Side
 *  -- The Case of the Chemical Syndicate
 *  -- There is No Hope in Crime Alley
 *  -- The Doomsday Book
 *  -- Fool's Errand
 *  -- Dead Reckoning
 *  -- Mimsy were the Borogoves
 *  -- Slayride
 *  -- Blood Secrets
 * Secret Origins Special #1 -- Original Sins