The Top 50 (Detailed)
50. Noël
Writer: Lee Bermejo
Artist: Lee Bermejo
2011
"If the higher concept of Batman: Noel sounds slightly bizarre to you, well, you're right. It is. But it's a book that is better to experience yourself than to try and sum up in a neat pitch-ready bow. At the end of the day, Noel delivers a Batman tale like none other – and considering the sheer amount of Batman stories out there, that's a feat in and of itself." - Joey Esposito, IGN
49. Last Knight on Earth
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
2019
"Throughout its three extended issues, Batman: Last Knight on Earth is a grand mystery that unravels and adds new layers to the Bat-mythos and the DC Universe in general. This is a terrific send-off for both Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo that celebrates their time with the Dark Knight." - Rory Wilding, AIPT Comics
48. Endgame
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
2014 - 2015
"Batman: Endgame succeeds in staging an exciting superhero epic, but its greatest strength clearly comes from its comprehensive understanding of the relationship that lies at its (broken) heart. The message we are supposed to gleam from Batman and Joker’s eternal conflict is that the meaning in life exists only in the connections we make within it, and that is clearly demonstrated in this often beautiful finale." - Kenny U, The Kenpire
47. Birth of the Demon
Writer: Dennis O'Neil
Artist: Norm Breyfogle
1989 - 1991
"It’s cruel, tragic and engrossing, even when Batman is absent for sixty pages in the middle... O’Neil created the character, and a fantastic touch in story terms is the brief period of savage madness endured by anyone prolonging their life, twice used to good effect. It’s a story still worth reading, although the original version was published as a larger book, and better displays Breyfogle’s art." - Ian Keogh, The Slings and Arrows
46. Joker's Five Way Revenge
Writer: Dennis O'Neil
Artist: Neal Adams
1973
"The story works pretty well as a self contained unit, with the plot ultimately being resolved by the end of the issue, O’Neil does a great job of scripting a cat and mouse game as Joker tracks down his old gang knowing that one of them was a snitch... Adams oft imitated but rarely bettered penciling work on Batman is at a highpoint here, the panels flow really well making the action seem logical and well paced, which helps to raise the stakes in the story as we can see Batman struggle within the situations the Joker lead him towards." - Gary Kane, Big Comic Page
45. Batman and the Monster Men
Writer: Matt Wagner
Artist: Matt Wagner
2005 - 2006
"Adding to the nostalgic feel of the story is Wagner's artwork. Even in the few shots of daylight, Gotham is noir and somber, and the crime scenes are wonderfully visceral and detailed. His depiction of the Batcave, made up of stairs and a large computer, is especially good. Even more effective are the character designs, which both reinvent and pay homage to other versions." - Hugo Bravo, IGN
44. Heart of Hush
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
2008 - 2009
"Heart of Hush adds additional layers to an already-engaging Baman villain, providing perhaps the best justification for his existence that I’ve read... Beautiful art from Nguyen carries the weight of Dini’s narrative well, while occasionally lightening the mood with a playful self-awareness... This is a book that rewards repeat readings, and I look forward to enjoying it for years to come." - Brian Warshaw, Batman News
43. Gothic
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Klaus Janson
1990
"The artwork by Klaus Janson is stylish, and old-fashioned (in a good way). Much as Morrison draws attention to the fact that the reader is reading a comic book by using the conventional clichés and tools, Janson gives us slightly speckled panels that remind us of pulpy works from decades back. Janson’s style compliments the dark tone of the story that Morrison is telling. It’s rich, scratchy, dark and strangely beautiful." - Darren Mooney, The Movie Blog
42. Gotham Central
Writer: Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka
Artist: Michael Lark
2003 - 2006
"Sadly undersold when originally published despite picking up both Eisner and Harvey Awards, Gotham Central is an excellent procedural drama focussing on the Gotham police force. Appearances by Batman are minimal and peripheral, and while assorted of the costumed criminals infesting Gotham do appear, they’re secondary to the character dramas and investigative plots concocted by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka." - Frank Plowright, The Slings and Arrows
41. Three Jokers
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jason Fabok
2020
"The book is beautiful. Its artwork brings its characters to life, allowing for the telling of a thrilling story that keeps you guessing until the very end. If you’re searching for a great read with plenty of action, suspense, and drama, this is certainly one to check out! Three Jokers is an exciting and engaging read, and I highly recommend it to both fans of superhero stories and to those of us who enjoy a good psychological thriller." - George L Thomas, georgelthomas.com
40. Haunted Knight
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
1993 - 1996
"Haunted Knight is a solid collection that is worth checking out for fans of the creative team. It’s fun to go back and see the roots of what would become The Long Halloween, and the stories stand very well on their own. It’s clear from reading these stories that the duo of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale were destined to do great work with the Caped Crusader, and these early tales stand up well with the rest of their work." - Detective Comments
39. Prey
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Paul Gulacy
1990 - 1991
"Batman: Prey is one of my favorite Batman stories of all time and I believe that this tale along with Grant Morrison and Klaus Janson’s Gothic represent the high point of the Legends of the Dark Knight title. It really shouldn’t be so surprising that this story was such a success as Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy had collaborated with each other before over at Marvel on Master of Kung Fu which was one of the most critically acclaimed runs of the 1970s. These two creators had a history of excellence and it was great to see them bring that to Batman." - Detective Comments
38. Joker
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Lee Bermejo
2008
'Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo's Joker is a deeply disturbing and completely unnerving work, a literary achievement that takes its place right alongside Alan Moore's The Killing Joke as one of the few successful attempts to scratch beneath the surface of the Joker's impenetrable psyche. It's also a hellish decent into the bowels of the most foul and reprehensible city in all of fiction, with its most foul and reprehensible citizen as our tour guide... Joker is a true stroke of twisted genius, a masterpiece of chaos, gore, grit, guts, filthy gutters and unimaginable insanity." - Dan Phillips, IGN
37. Batman and Son
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Andy Kubert
2006
"Wonderful storytelling, beautiful artwork, and the promise of future greatness make this an essential volume for any Batman fan. This volume helps start a saga in Batman history that will fundamentally change his life. It also is simply a joy to read, as the stories contained within stand well on their own. Any fan of Batman would be remiss to pass over this volume." - ComicBookWire
36. Batman #1
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Bob Kane
1940
"Finger’s scripts demonstrated the character’s genius and cunning, but also his ruthlessness, while Kane’s art portrayed the sinister horror of his actions. There’s not a lot of Batman in these stories. Not a lot of detective work. But in a way, that would come to define this rivalry. Detective work implies reason, patterning, and logic... And there’s enough of that danger in these stories to have positioned the Joker as the Dark Knight’s new and permanent greatest adversary." - Reid Vanier, Modern Mythologies
35. Tales of the Demon
Writer: Dennis O'Neil
Artist: Neal Adams
1971 - 1980
"O’Neil’s brief was to separate Batman from the perception of the 1960s TV show, for comic readers at least, and he began this with a series of gothic mysteries. As he hit his stride, though, he began something far more ambitious, dragging Batman out of Gotham and pitting him against a very different type of opponent. As Sam Hamm’s very readable introduction points out, Ra’s Al Ghul has an ideological agenda far beyond committing crimes with a gimmick, vast resources and a global reach. The idea that he wants to mentor Batman and marry him off to his daughter Talia was motivation previously unknown in a Batman comic." - Ian Keogh, The Slings and Arrows
34. The Batman Adventures: Mad Love
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Bruce Timm
1993 - 1994
"Mad Love & Other Stories is essentially a celebration of the work of Bruce Timm and Paul Dini on a character that they defined for a generation of young viewers. I genuinely believe that the pair are two of the best craftsmen of Batman stories ever to work in the industry, and so it’s impossible to resist the charm of this delightful collection. It’s an accessible illustration of the sort of thing that comics should be – fun and open and clever, but without confusing cynicism for depth. It’s a classic." - Darren Mooney, The Movie Blog
33. Shaman
Writer: Dennis O'Neil
Artist: Edward Hannigan
1989 - 1990
"With Shaman, O’Neil seems to be hinting at something that would become an essential part of the Batman mythos with Knightfall and No Man’s Land – the idea that Batman-as-a-story that is more powerful than Batman-as-a-man. It is an idea that would inform Christopher Nolan and Grant Morrison’s portrayals of the Dark Knight. It also – rather cleverly – seems like the perfect sentiment with which to open Legends of the Dark Knight, a collection of isolated and displaced stories about Batman." - Darren Mooney, The Movie Blog
32. Venom
Writer: Dennis O'Neil
Artist: Trevor Von Eeden, José Luis García-López
1991
"With Venom O’Neil tells a mature thoughtful story, that’s also a fun adventure story befitting of the character. O’Neil does a great job of telling a story about addiction within the confines of a Batman story and does it in a way that makes sense with the character, all while not coming off as cynical and depressing." - Detective Comments
31. Batman and Robin
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Frank Quitely
2009 - 2011
""This is it. Batman and Robin. Together again for the first time." And what a beginning it is. The much anticipated "Batman and Robin" #1 has everything you'd expect and want with a new creative team, a new Batmobile, new villains, a new secret hideout, and, of course, a new dynamic duo protecting Gotham. With expectations high, "Batman and Robin" #1 could have easily disappointed, but it not only meets those expectations, it exceeds them. No one could have asked for a better introduction to the new Batman and Robin." - Chad Nevett, Comic Book Resource
30. Ego
Writer: Darwyn Cooke
Artist: Darwyn Cooke
2000
"Batman: Ego isn’t a novel reinvention of Bruce Wayne’s psyche, but a deeper analysis of the iconic character we already know and love. After reading Ego, you will walk away with a richer understanding of Batman and his moral struggles and fears. This is one of the greatest stories to capture the internal dilemmas of Batman, and how strong this hero truly is. If you’re a new comics fan looking for a quick read, this is one of the best Batman stories you can find." - Vin, Cosmic Circus
29. Batman & Dracula: Red Rain
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Kelley Jones
1991
"Red Rain is full of the unexpected. Just about every page offers a new twist, a fun surprise. And though you never know what's going to happen next, you'll never get lost along the way. And when Bats grows wings, well, it really starts kicking ass at that point." - Hilary Goldstein, IGN
28. White Knight
Writer: Sean Murphy
Artist: Sean Murphy
2017 - 2018
"To me, Batman White Knight is a truly fantastic piece of storytelling, sequential art, art in general, and Batman content. Franchise veteran or complete novice, this one is worth at least one read. As such, this may be the perfect way for DC to be launching their new, darker stories under the 'DC Black Label'." - Megan Fabbri, Comics Beat
27. Year 100
Writer: Paul Pope
Artist: Paul Pope
2006
"In his notes after the main story, Paul Pope writes that his ideal Batman ought to combine the best elements of a Fritz Lang film with those of a Hong Kong action movie, and by those criteria Pope has created a near faultless work... Of all the hundreds of interpretations of Batman over the years it remains rare to come across a re-working as daring and individual as this. It’s excellent." - Karl Verhoven, The Slings and Arrows
26. Zero Year
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
2013 - 2014
"Going this hard on crafting a new origin for Batman was a pretty monumental task, especially if you look at it as forming a foundation while also telling the biggest, loudest, flashiest possible superhero story, but that's exactly what they've done with "Zero Year." It's phenomenal action, built solidly around amazing themes, and it sticks the landing. It might never replace Year One, but it more than lives up to that legacy. - Chris Sims, Comics Alliance
25. A Lonely Place of Dying
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: George Pérez, Jim Aparo
1989
"A Lonely Place of Dying is a testament to the detective skills that make the Dark Knight's extended family more than mere thuggish vigilantes. Batman, who has forgone using his brain, is nothing more than a meathead in a bat-suit at this point, the Bat-Cave just a dark mausoleum. Dick and Tim, however, use their detective skills to the fullest. It's clear to all that Tim is a natural pick for the next Robin -- clear to all but Tim. The reluctant hero takes his time coming to grips with the thought of being Batman's sidekick. By the end of A Lonely Place of Dying, it's hard not to cheer him on." - Hilary Goldstein, IGN
24. Earth One
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Gary Frank
2010 - 2015
"Batman: Earth One is a resounding success. There’s no supplemental material to speak of, but the beautiful characterization, interesting new direction, and stunning artwork makes it an easy recommendation... Johns and Frank have rejuvenated this line tenfold and made sure that Batman fans have a great new graphic novel to rave about." - Joey Esposito, IGN
23. Strange Apparitions
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin
1977 - 1978
"There is not a weak page or a dull image in this sequence of stories. Everyone from the gothic, menacing Hugo Strange to the least important walk-on henchman has interesting, personality-filled dialogue and distinctive character, but the best of all is Englehart and Rogers’ two-part Joker story, ‘The Laughing Fish’. It’s an absolutely perfect revision of the Clown Prince of Crime back to the creepy, unpredictable, murderously compelling figure that he was when first introduced, and it’s still one of the greatest Joker stories ever." - Woodrow Phoenix, The Slings and Arrows
22. Black and White
Writer: Various Writers
Artist: Various Artists
1996
"Batman: Black & White is a fun exploration into the world of Batman as depicted by a range of creators. It gives us a glimpse in how different creators would approach Batman – often in ways that we would never see elsewhere. The art is definitely the standout here, and the scripts are equally as strong. No matter your take on Batman, there’s something here for you. So, if you’re at your shop today, go ahead and pick it up. This book is well worth your time and money." - Joshua McDonald, Batman News
21. Son of the Demon
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Jerry Bingham
1987
"The best of the Ra's trilogy, Son of the Demon is a refreshing read. Over the past few years, Batman has been turned into a completely anti-social zealot in DC continuity. However, this is not how he was envisioned nor how the Batman was portrayed in the '80s and early '90s. Batman is human and that humanity is on full display in Son of the Demon." - Hilary Goldstein, IGn
20. Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: Andy Kubert
2009
"I loved this story so much more than I ever imagined I could. This might just be my favorite Batman book ever. Neil Gaiman set out to craft a final Batman story, and accomplished this in spades. A fitting end to a character that has no end. “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” is a must read for any comic fan." - Alex Batts, Multiverse Reviews
19. Under the Red Hood
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Doug Mahnke
2004 - 2006
"Winick is a master of storytelling, presenting Red Hood as a complex and sympathetic character. Loeb’s art is shadowy and suspensful, playing off the darkness of Gotham. Under The Red Hood showcases themes of loss and morality. The lines between justice and vengeance are blurred and the distance between a father and son is established." - Jamie Ryder, The Comic Vault
18. No Man's Land
Writer: Various Writers
Artist: Various Artists
1999 - 2000
"It’s drama involving ordinary people that’s frequently the best written portions of Batman crossovers, and Gale, O’Neil and Rucka all supply good examples, while Lisa Klink may not be as well known, but her story of a veteran protecting his home matches them. A fair few Gotham villains also show their faces, though, and they’ll come to predominate in later volumes, while Kelley Puckett and Jon Bogdanove show why Superman remains ineffective in the city. There’s also some excellent art, Guy Davis and Phil Winslade in addition to those already highlighted." - Frank Plowright, The Slings and Arrows
17. Gotham By Gaslight
Writer: Brian Augustyn
Artist: Mike Mignola
1989
"Mike Mignola’s artwork, beautifully diluted to look like a decaying relic amongst the bright vibrant world of the superhero, works perfectly with Brian Augustyn’s psychological thriller. Taken out of his contemporary context the comic questions at what point does Batman stop being Batman? Take him out of his social norms, throw him into a 1800s version of Gotham and does he still maintain the justice and sense of morality of the traditional Dark Knight? Gotham by Gaslight is a unique and intelligent comic that shows the fluidity of the Batman ethos, experimenting with the many themes and genres that shape his character and is an ageless tale that definitely puts the dark in Dark Knight." - Megan Sinclair, The Slings and Arrow
16. JLA: Tower of Babel
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Howard Porter
2000
"Running only four issues instead of a massive sprawling crossover across an entire line of comic books, Tower of Babel is certainly more condensed than either Knightfall or No Man’s Land, hitting on many of the same themes and concepts. It is very much constructed as a cautionary tale – a warning about taking a particularly cynical approach to Batman to its logical extreme... Tower of Babel is a fantastic comic book, and a wonderful opening chapter to Mark Waid’s run on the title. It’s also a rather wonderful look at the character of Batman in the nineties, examining just why “Batjerk” is not a sustainable characterisation" - Darren Mooney, The Movie Blog
15. The Cult
Writer: Jim Starlin
Artist: Bernie Wrightson
1988
"I think the story has aged very well, there’s a lot to admire and fans will be able to recognise it for the milestone that it is. It gives us a hero in crisis and his ultimate redemption. This story took me through a gamut of emotions; it scared me, it worried me and it astounded me. Seeing a man torn down, afraid of everything and at his lowest ebb is very humbling, especially when that man is usually so strong. Seeing a hero come back from defeat more resolute, more determined and stronger than ever is truly inspiring. Classic stuff." - Steve J Ray, Dark Knight News
14. R.I.P.
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Tony S. Daniel
2008
"For the past several months, fans of Batman have had a lot to look forward to with significant developments and changes in the life of the Dark Knight... There are far too many superhero books that deliver the same old thing in the same old manner. How refreshing to see creators trying to dodge conventional storytelling and, more importantly, succeeding" - Richard George, IGN
13. Death of the Family
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
2012 - 2013
"When The Death of the Family finally reaches its phenomenal finale, it wont be what you expect. Snyder successfully manages to defy the expectations of what a status quo changing event can be, setting up a new world for Bruce Wayne to deal with. Snyder and Capullo’s take on the Joker is not only one of this creative team’s best stories, but one of the best Batman stories ever. This is what events in superhero comics should aspire to be." - Sean Robinson, Comics Herald
12. The Man Who Laughs
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Doug Mahnke
2005
"This a great story and it’s nice that Brubaker was able to tell it and able to work with an artist that played to his strength. Surprisingly when the book was released in 2005 it kind of got overlooked and didn’t make much of an impact. Thankfully with the release of The Dark Knight in 2008 DC decided to capitalize and reprint the book allowing it to find a wider audience and it’s been in print ever since. It’s now considered an essential Batman story and often makes “Best Of” lists. If you’re a fan of Ed Brubaker’s work and also like “early years” Batman stories than this is definitely worth checking out." - Detective Comments
11. The Black Mirror
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jock, Francesco Francavilla
2011
"Though his run as Batman is over, The Black Mirror will remain the defining chapter of Dick Grayson's stint as the Dark Knight, eclipsing even Grant Morrison's run on Batman and Robin. Perhaps more importantly is the story's contributions to Jim Gordon and Gotham City itself – two of DC's most underappreciated characters – which Snyder and company give a defining appearance not seen in such stunning display since Batman: Year One. By all accounts, The Black Mirror is the Batman story to beat for the next generation of superhero comics." - Joey Esposito, IGN
10. Dark Victory
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
1999 - 2000
"It’s not only a truly great book, but gives us one of the best examples of introspection into how Batman became Batman and how his circumstances are reflected both through his enemies and his allies. This is Batman realizing that he doesn’t have to be the Dark Knight all the time. Sometimes he can just be a knight. It’s not just Batman the troubled orphan vigilante, it’s Batman the superhero, and that’s why I love it so much." - Nat Brehmer, Dark Knight News
9. A Death in the Family
Writer: Jim Starlin
Artist: Jim Aparo
1988 - 1989
"In these moments Starlin really shines as a writer and the story earns its weight. Aparo’s art is also fantastic, the storytelling is top notch and there’s a reason why this man was tasked with drawing so many of the bat’s memorable moments." - Detective Comments
8. Knightfall
Writer: Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench
Artist: Jim Aparo, Graham Nolan
1993 - 1994
"If you are eager to read some books that are still a big part of Batman continuity, Knightfall Part One is a good choice. And really, if you are any kind of Batman fan you owe it to yourself to see how Batman's will was broken (which is much more interesting than cracking his back). The despair in Batman's face and his crumpled body language before his battle with Bane makes this a rather unique instance in Batman's history -- the one time where he loses it all." - Hilary Goldstein, IGN
7. The Court of Owls
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
2011 - 2012
"...Just as Batman discovers new layers of Gotham City that he never knew existed, so too will the reader discover new depths to the story. What Snyder and Capullo have presented in this first volume of Batman is a meticulously plotted tale that aims to shake the very root of the Batman mythos to its core." - Joey Esposito, IGN
6. Hush
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Jim Lee
2002 - 2003
"Once or twice a generation, a story comes along that either redefines a character or sets the stage for things to come that will forever alter their narrative. In the early '00s, writer Jeph Loeb paired off with rock star artist Jim Lee and frequent co-collaborators Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair to deliver a year-long story that would excite fans and influence future Batman creators for years to come. And that monumental story? Batman's 'Hush.'" - Forrest C. Helvie, Games Radar
5. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Dave McKean
1989
"In Arkham Asylum, though, it’s as if madness itself was one of the characters in the story, so much so that Batman is afraid of it: he constantly fears that he could be no less mad than the people he fights. Here, Batman emerges more victorious from his self-discovery, because not only does he realize his weaknesses, but, coming out of the asylum, he overcomes them." - Giulia Orati, Hypercritic
4. The Killing Joke
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Brian Bolland
1988
"The themes of violence, insanity and the fragility of the human psyche are paramount in this book. Some passages are nauseatingly real, others are insanely psychedelic, and all are masterfully written, and drawn. The ways that one page, set in the present, leads to a scene set in the past on the following page, are cinematic in a way that would make most Hollywood directors hand in their union cards and go home." - Steve J Ray, Dark Knight News
3. Year One
Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: David Mazzucchelli
1987
"What do you say about a book that is so hugely influential that it is not only considered one of the best Batman stories ever (arguably THE best) but one of the best comics ever produced (arguably THE best?). People have been talking about BATMAN: YEAR ONE since its release in 1987 and they frankly, have never stopped. There have been other stories that covered Batman’s origins before and since but none I think have made the impact that the Miller year one did." - Glenn Matchett, ComicsVerse
2. The Long Halloween
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
1997
"Loeb’s writing style is brilliant in The Long Halloween, the way that he sets up tension, the way that he hints at twists to come and the nature in which he portrays the Dark Knight are all remarkable. The first time that I read this book I could not put it down, frantically turning the pages to get to the major reveals, which is the sign of any great detective story." - Daniel Boyd, Big Glasgow Comics Page
1. The Dark Knight Returns
Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: Klaus Janson
1986
"Above all, The Dark Knight Returns stands out for its density and coherence. It is a complicated exploration of power and violence that is more interested in making readers intuit complexity than coming to conclusions. It is at once hysterically satirical and darkly serious. It captures the absurdity of fighting violence with violence, and the depressing suspicion that maybe violence is inescapable." - H. W. Thurston, The Comics Journal