Ultimate List of Batman Storylines
Batman is one of the most iconic and enduring characters in comics history. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939, the Dark Knight has been thrilling readers for over 80 years with his complex story arcs, fascinating rogues gallery, and gripping detective stories. Here, we’ll take a look at the 20 best Batman storylines of all time, diving deep into the history, characters, and themes of each story, and exploring what makes them so great.
Batman:Year One (1987)
Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, Batman: Year One is widely considered to be one of the greatest Batman storylines of all time. It is a retelling of Batman’s origin story, detailing his first year as the Dark Knight, and his relationship with Commissioner Gordon. The story explores the themes of identity and justice, and it is also known for its high-quality illustration and art style.
The Dark Knight Returns (1986)
Another iconic story by Frank Miller, The Dark Knight Returns is a seminal Batman story that explores the character’s return to crime-fighting after a ten-year retirement. The story is set in a dark and dystopian version of Gotham City where Batman returns to fight crime and battles against his most iconic villains such as The Joker, Two-Face and more. The story also features a legendary fight between Batman and Superman, and it has been widely influential for many years.
Batman: Hush (2002-2003)
Written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Jim Lee, Batman: Hush is a complex and thrilling story that explores Batman’s relationships with his allies and enemies. The story is known for its high-quality illustration and art style and its clever plot twists, that keeps the reader guessing. Hush is a masterful story that explores the themes of love, trust and identity
Batman: Knightfall (1993-1994)
A massive storyline spanning several Batman titles, Knightfall tells the story of Bane breaking Batman’s back and the eventual return of Bruce Wayne to the mantle of Batman. The story also introduced the character of Jean-Paul Valley, who would become the vigilante Azrael, and it had a big impact on the Batman comics for a long time.
Batman: A Death in the Family (1988)
A controversial storyline in which the readers were given the choice to vote on the fate of Jason Todd, the second Robin. The story deals with the consequences of that choice, as well as Batman’s struggle to deal with the death of his ward. The story is known for its emotional depth and its exploration of the themes of grief and loss.
Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland, The Killing Joke is a one-shot graphic novel that explores the relationship between Batman and The Joker. The story delves into the psychology of the characters and their motivations, and it also deals with the themes of madness, morality and the nature of evil. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest Joker stories ever told and it has had a huge impact on the Batman comics and on the Joker’s character.
Batman: No Man’s Land (1999-2000)
A massive storyline that deals with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Gotham City. Batman is forced to navigate a city without laws, where gangs and criminal organizations fight for control. The story is known for its high-stakes action and its exploration of the themes of survival and the human condition. It also features a lot of prominent characters from the Batman universe, and the epic story arc is considered one of the greatest Batman comics ever made.
Batman: The Long Halloween (1996-1997)
Written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Tim Sale, The Long Halloween is a crime noir story that explores the early days of Batman’s career, as he deals with a mysterious serial killer known as Holiday, who strikes on holidays. The story is known for its atmosphere, suspense and its exploration of the themes of justice and redemption.
Batman: The Court of Owls (2011-2012)
Written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo, The Court of Owls is a story that explores a secret society that has been pulling the strings of Gotham City for centuries. The story is known for its tight storytelling, suspense, and its exploration of the themes of power and corruption. The story introduces a new villain, The Court of Owls, who would play a big role in Batman comics for many years.
Batman: Black Mirror (2011)
Written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Jock, Black Mirror is a story that explores the legacy of the Wayne family, as well as Batman’s relationship with his protege Dick Grayson. The story is known for its atmosphere, suspense, and its exploration of the themes of family and trust. It is also known for its high-quality illustration and art style.
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again (2001-2002)
Written and illustrated by Frank Miller, The Dark Knight Strikes Again is a sequel to The Dark Knight Returns, the story is set in a dark and dystopian version of Gotham City where Batman, now an old man, returns to fight crime and battles against his most iconic villains such as The Joker and Lex Luthor. The story is known for its high-quality illustration and art style, and its exploration of the themes of power and corruption.
Batman: Detective Comics #27 (1939)
This is the first appearance of Batman in comics, this story marked the beginning of one of the most iconic characters in comics history. This story introduced the character’s origin, his motivation, and his modus operandi. It is considered a classic and it is the foundation of the Batman mythology.
Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
Written by Judd Winick and illustrated by Doug Mahnke, Under the Red Hood is a story that explores the return of Jason Todd, the second Robin, who was thought to be dead. The story is known for its emotional depth, its exploration of the themes of love, trust and identity, and its high-quality illustration and art style.
Batman and Son (2006)
Written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Andy Kubert, Batman and Son is a story that introduces Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne, as the new Robin. The story is known for its exploration of the themes of family, identity, and the nature of heroism.
Batman: R.I.P. (2008)
Written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Tony S. Daniel, Batman: R.I.P. is a story that explores the psychological state of Bruce Wayne as he deals with the return of an old enemy and his own mortality. The story deals with themes of identity, grief, and the cost of being Batman. It features some of Morrison’s signature twists and turns, and it sets the stage for the return of Bruce Wayne as Batman and the introduction of the new Batman, Dick Grayson.
Batman: The Black Glove (2007)
Written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Andy Kubert, Batman: The Black Glove is a story that explores the mysterious Black Glove organization and its ties to Bruce Wayne’s past. The story deals with themes of identity, truth, and the cost of being Batman, it also features some of Morrison’s signature twists and turns.
Batman: The Black Mirror (2011)
Written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Jock, Batman: The Black Mirror is a story that explores the legacy of the Wayne family and Batman’s relationship with his protege Dick Grayson. The story deals with themes of family, trust, and the cost of being Batman. It is also known for its high-quality illustration and art style.
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne (2010)
Written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Yanick Paquette, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne is a story that explores the return of Bruce Wayne as Batman and his journey through time. The story deals with themes of identity, destiny, and the cost of being Batman. It features some of Morrison’s signature twists and turns and it sets the stage for the next chapter in Batman comics.
Batman: The Cult (1988)
Written by Jim Starlin and illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, Batman: The Cult is a story that explores the mind control powers of the villain Deacon Blackfire and his cult. The story deals with themes of control, manipulation and the cost of being Batman. It is also known for its high- quality illustration and art style, as well as its intense and disturbing storyline that pushed the boundaries of what a Batman story could be.
Batman: The Court of Owls Saga (2012-2013)
Written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo, Batman: The Court of Owls Saga is a story that continues to explore the Court of Owls and their hold over Gotham City. The story deals with themes of power, corruption, and the cost of being Batman. It is also known for its high-quality illustration, art style, and intense and thrilling storyline that kept readers on the edge of their seats. This story-arc has become one of the most popular and iconic Batman story-arcs in recent times.
These are just a few examples of the many amazing and gripping Batman storylines that have been published over the years. Batman is one of the most iconic and enduring characters in comics history and these stories are a testament to the character’s enduring legacy. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the world of the Dark Knight, these 20 storylines are sure to capture your imagination and keep you coming back for more.
