Top 10 – Batman Graphic Novels
5: Batman: A Death in the Family.
Although the story may be a little old school and everyone already knows the ending, this story still gets a spot on my list. While I may have possibly, momentarily, lost my composure earlier discussing the death of another Robin, I’m not too broken up about Jason Todd’s death. That might sound bad but let’s just be honest, he sucked as Robin. He was bad, so bad the fans voted to kill him off at the hands of the Joker in a storyline that definitely impacted the Bat in a huge way and still does after all this time. If the Batman cares, so should you.
4: Batman: The Killing Joke.
Another ‘Must-read’ in the legacy of the Bat the Killing Joke focuses on the excruciating levels of detail by the Joker in his endeavour to try and drive Commissioner Gordon nuts. Shooting and paralyzing his daughter Barbara Gordon Joker tries to break and corrupt Gordon in a brilliant story detailing the true brutality of Gotham’s clown Prince and just how far he’ll go to get what he wants. Digging deep into the relationship of Batman and the Joker and even going so far as to offer an origin for the Joker too, Killing Joke boasts another highly controversial moment in its ending that still has fans talking.
3: Batman: Arkham Asylum.
How far down the rabbit hole can Batman go to psychoanalyze some of his villains before he goes too far? Arkham Asylum is a beautifully illustrated book that takes a look into the sanity of the Batman himself as he works his way through the halls of the asylum seeing more and more of himself in the inmates that run loose there. The astonishing illustration of Dave McKean totally brings a new level of epic to Batman and his villains. An amazing look into Batman’s mind as Morrison asks just how sane a man dressed as a bat can be. There’s also a fantastically woven ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme to this book that’s brought to life vividly by McKean’s art. Seriously go read it now.
2: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.
Batman kicks Superman’s ass for the second time on my list. This is a sensational read set in the dark future of Gotham long after the Batman’s retirement from kicking ass. The pages are literally crammed with panels as Frank Miller packs tons and tons of action and fantastic story telling. One of the most iconic books not just for Batman but as a series itself, Dark Knight Returns brings the Bat back to Gotham with a vengeance as he tackles gang wars inspires the heroes of tomorrow. And he kicks Superman’s ass.
1: Batman: Year One.
“Criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot…”
This I will say is the best Batman book there is. Frank Miller works to give Batman the definitive origin story he deserves, an origin so good it’s actually just been left alone for the most part by DC which in itself says a lot. Its Batman learning just how and what he must do to become the legendary Dark Knight we know he becomes. The story kicks off with Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon both arriving in Gotham city and taking their first steps to discover their place within it and how they’ll shape it in the years to come. Gordon plays an integral part in this book and it’s as much his story as it is Bruce Wayne’s. This is the book that Chris Nolan largely based his Batman Begins film from. With no traditional Batman villains present either, Year One puts the focus on a young Bruce Wayne crafting the legacy of the Dark Knight alongside Jim Gordon’s crusade against corruption within the GCPD. This is the best Batman book there is. I stand by it. I you go read at least one of the books I‘ve listed make it this one.
Here’s to another 75 years of the Batman!
Although the story may be a little old school and everyone already knows the ending, this story still gets a spot on my list. While I may have possibly, momentarily, lost my composure earlier discussing the death of another Robin, I’m not too broken up about Jason Todd’s death. That might sound bad but let’s just be honest, he sucked as Robin. He was bad, so bad the fans voted to kill him off at the hands of the Joker in a storyline that definitely impacted the Bat in a huge way and still does after all this time. If the Batman cares, so should you.
Another ‘Must-read’ in the legacy of the Bat the Killing Joke focuses on the excruciating levels of detail by the Joker in his endeavour to try and drive Commissioner Gordon nuts. Shooting and paralyzing his daughter Barbara Gordon Joker tries to break and corrupt Gordon in a brilliant story detailing the true brutality of Gotham’s clown Prince and just how far he’ll go to get what he wants. Digging deep into the relationship of Batman and the Joker and even going so far as to offer an origin for the Joker too, Killing Joke boasts another highly controversial moment in its ending that still has fans talking.
How far down the rabbit hole can Batman go to psychoanalyze some of his villains before he goes too far? Arkham Asylum is a beautifully illustrated book that takes a look into the sanity of the Batman himself as he works his way through the halls of the asylum seeing more and more of himself in the inmates that run loose there. The astonishing illustration of Dave McKean totally brings a new level of epic to Batman and his villains. An amazing look into Batman’s mind as Morrison asks just how sane a man dressed as a bat can be. There’s also a fantastically woven ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme to this book that’s brought to life vividly by McKean’s art. Seriously go read it now.
Batman kicks Superman’s ass for the second time on my list. This is a sensational read set in the dark future of Gotham long after the Batman’s retirement from kicking ass. The pages are literally crammed with panels as Frank Miller packs tons and tons of action and fantastic story telling. One of the most iconic books not just for Batman but as a series itself, Dark Knight Returns brings the Bat back to Gotham with a vengeance as he tackles gang wars inspires the heroes of tomorrow. And he kicks Superman’s ass.
“Criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot…”
This I will say is the best Batman book there is. Frank Miller works to give Batman the definitive origin story he deserves, an origin so good it’s actually just been left alone for the most part by DC which in itself says a lot. Its Batman learning just how and what he must do to become the legendary Dark Knight we know he becomes. The story kicks off with Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon both arriving in Gotham city and taking their first steps to discover their place within it and how they’ll shape it in the years to come. Gordon plays an integral part in this book and it’s as much his story as it is Bruce Wayne’s. This is the book that Chris Nolan largely based his Batman Begins film from. With no traditional Batman villains present either, Year One puts the focus on a young Bruce Wayne crafting the legacy of the Dark Knight alongside Jim Gordon’s crusade against corruption within the GCPD. This is the best Batman book there is. I stand by it. I you go read at least one of the books I‘ve listed make it this one.
Here’s to another 75 years of the Batman!
