ComicsDc ComicsBatmanThe 10 Best Batman comics of all timeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ComicsDc ComicsBatmanThe 10 Best Batman comics of all timeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: DC Comics)
When it comes to the best Batman comics, there are a lot of opinions since few characters have as much widespread popularity and appeal as Bruce Wayne. Over the years, we’ve seen the Caped Crusader in games and movies, and even some of thebest Batman villainshave had their own spin-offs, too (just look at the new show, The Penguin).
But a big part of his success in pop culture comes from how strong the original comic source material is, as illustrated in the best Batman stories of all time. Still, as we mentioned above, picking a list of the top comics ever is not only tricky because the character has been around for over 80 years, but there’s also a constant monthly wave ofnew Batman comicsbeing released as we speak.
10. Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?
(Image credit: DC Comics)
Kicking off our list of the best Batman comics is Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert gave us a two-parter that works as a celebration of Batman’s history and how the famous DC character has changed over time.
Gaiman’s dreamlike approach to such a massive undertaking makes this undeniably a ‘Neil Gaiman Comic Book,’ but the real star is Andy Kubert’s linework. Kubert’s style is undeniably his own, but the script forces him to try on elements from many great Batman artists over the years while still maintaining a cohesive visual narrative. ‘Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?’ is one of comic books' greatest love letters to one of its most lasting characters.
Buy Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader Amazon
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9. The Court of the Owls
(Image credit: DC Comics)
While the ‘New 52’ is a sore spot for many fans, you’d be hard-pressed to find too many complaints about Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman run. Snyder’s horror roots come through in a big way with ‘Court of the Owls,’ introducing readers to a secret cult that’s intrinsically tied to Gotham’s history. In exploring this new mystery, Snyder doubles down on one of the oldest tropes of noir storytelling - the city as a character - and invites readers to forget everything they knew about the place that Bruce Wayne is sworn to protect.
Artistically, Capullo was more than up for the challenge, syncing up with Snyder’s intentions from page one and imbuing Gotham with a dark energy that the story demanded. Add in a slightly more streamlined approach to Jim Lee’s Batsuit redesign against the stark horror visuals of the Court of Owls, and we’ve got one of the most memorable stories of the 21st century.
For more information, read Newsarama’s catch-up with Snyder and Capullo to reminisce aboutBatman: Court of Owlsa decade later.
Buy The Court of the Owls on Amazon
8. The Man Who Laughs
(Image credit: DC Comics)
Batman’s rogues' gallery is oft-cited as a big reason for the lasting legacy of the character and there is one villain who stands above them all: the Joker. The Man Who Laughs is a modern update on Joker’s appearance way back in 1940’s Batman #1, but more than that it creates a dialogue that brings past, present, and future versions of the character together.
Ed Brubaker’s vision of the Joker is brutal and unrelenting in ways that kept him relevant for audiences who, in 2005, were primed for a more adult take on the world of Batman. Doug Mahnke’s art echoes those same violent and sinister sentiments to help deliver a book of one of thebest Joker and Batman storiesever made.
Buy The Man Who Laughs on Amazon
7. Hush
(Image credit: DC Comics)
With Hush, Jim Lee established himself as far more than just that guy who drew that one X-Men cover (just kidding)! But Lee’s style evolved in really meaningful ways to this point. He was always a good draftsman but his pages in ‘Hush’ combined his solid character acting and expression work with some pulse-pounding action sequences. Arguably, he hasn’t topped them since.
And Jeph Loeb is no slouch, either. His long-form approach to Batman mysteries might have been a bit formulaic at this point, but he managed to expand on Bruce’s history while introducing a menacing new villain. That’s tough stuff, especially from a comic book-reading audience that can sometimes resist new concepts. You can read our in-depthBatman Hush review of the seminal story arcif you are after more information.
Buy Batman Hush on Amazon
6. Batman RIP
(Image credit: DC Comics)
Grant Morrison’s run on Batman is a long, strange trip through ideas from every nook and cranny of the Dark Knight’s history, andBatman RIPis extremely representative of Morrison’s kitchen-sink approach. Morrison manages to pull together some of the weird parts of Batman’s publishing history, like Bat-Mite and the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, while taking readers (and Bruce) on a path to rediscovering just what who and what DC’s Dark Knight is.
Of course, Bruce prevails, but not before he becomes intertwined with the events of Final Crisis, kicking off an era of great creativity in the Batline, including the emergence of Kate Kane andThe Bat Family memberDamian Wayne, Dick Grayson’s time under the Cowl, and eventually, Bruce’s return and the formation of Batman Incorporated.
Artist Tony S. Daniel and the editors of ‘Batman R.I.P.’ spoke with Newsarama in 2021 fora retrospective of the seminal arc.
Buy Batman RIP on Amazon
5. A Death in the Family
(Image credit: DC Comics)
While other iterations have made his seemingly superhuman readiness the focus of the character, Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo zeroed in on what could make Batman break. Of course, readers themselves had a say in this story —calling into one of two hotlines to vote on Jason Todd’s fate- but for once, they might have made the right choice. DC recently published a “fauxsimile” version of the issue in which Jason Todd died, showing the unpublished alternate ending where he lives.
Buy A Death in the Family on Amazon
4. The Long Halloween
(Image credit: DC Comics)
We’ve reached the portion of the list where you could make an argument that any of these stories could take the top slot. But one thing that can’t be argued is that The Long Halloween is Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s masterpiece.
The two creators would collaborate on another Batman story with Dark Victory and their famous Marvel color books but The Long Halloween stands above the rest — a harrowing mystery that is a perfect marriage of Batman’s noir detective roots and his colorful rogues' gallery. It’s no wonder that Christopher Nolan and Matt Reeves cited this story as a big influence on two of thebest Batman moviesever made.
Buy The Long Halloween on Amazon
3. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
(Image credit: DC Comics)
Playing to Batman’s gothic sensibilities, Morrison enables readers to uncover the history of the Arkhams along with Bruce Wayne as he seeks to wrest the hospital back from Joker’s control. And we get to see that Arkham Asylum is so much darker than we’ve ever realized. Of course, the big draw is also Dave McKean’s unsettling, painted artwork. There’s never been a Batman book that looked quite like this before or since. It’s also a great taster if you fancy exploring thebest Joker storiesas well!
Buy Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth on Amazon
2. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
(Image credit: DC Comics)
If there’s a creator who has cast the longest shadow on the Bat, it’s Frank Miller. For a time, there might have been no greater creator in comic books that was able to redefine characters for decades. In terms of the best Batman comics, this is the one that most fans will point to as their favorite because it’s not just about the man; it’s about the impact of his legacy.
Buy Batman: The Dark Knight Returns on Amazon
1. Year One
(Image credit: DC Comics)
In a post-Crisis on Infinite Earths DC Universe, there was room for a retelling of Batman’s origin, and writer Frank Miller and artist David Mazzucchelli told the quintessential version in Batman: Year One. Miller made changes that lined the Dark Knight up more with where he would eventually get to in The Dark Knight Returns and presented Batman simply as a brave man trying to do what’s right.
He took away some of the more fantastic elements of Bruce’s origins and reminded us that there’s more to Wayne than just thebest Batman gadgets. And as Bruce learned to be Batman, Jim Gordon learned what it meant to be a cop in Gotham City. Miller took the two men on journeys that would test their resolves, but that ultimately maintained something that is a throughline in all of Miller’s best work: hope.
Meanwhile, David Mazzucchelli grounded the story in a noir realism that helped underline the grittiness of those early days in Gotham. Mazzucchelli is a huge part of why ‘Year One’ remains not just one of the most enduring post-Crisis Batman comics but one of the most enduring of all time.
Read more about the best Batman comic of all time in Newsrama’s in-depth retroBatman Year One review.
Buy Year One on Amazon
Still not enough Batman for your buck? Well, read ourThe Penguin review, or check out this guide ranking thebest Batman gamesof all time.
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More about dc comicsCreature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftDC reveals its full slate of March 2025 comics and covers featuring Batman, Superman, the Justice League, and more
More about dc comics
Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftDC reveals its full slate of March 2025 comics and covers featuring Batman, Superman, the Justice League, and more
Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift
Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift
DC reveals its full slate of March 2025 comics and covers featuring Batman, Superman, the Justice League, and more
DC reveals its full slate of March 2025 comics and covers featuring Batman, Superman, the Justice League, and more
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”