The recent developments at DC Studios point to the DCU going in a totally different direction and that might be a positive thing for Batman. The possibilities are endless as there are already two iterations of Bruce Wayne, one portrayed by Robert Pattinson in the Reevesverse and the younger one portrayed by Dante Pereira-Olson in Todd Phillips’ Joker universe.
The unpredictability means the possibility fans might get to see either of these versions take a path that has never been explored before on screen. In the comics, there are numerous Batman Elseworlds stories that imagine the character in alternate timelines or universes. Among them, some have left a lasting impression on readers.
10 Batman Captures Jack The Ripper
Gotham By Gaslight by Brian Augustyn/ Art by Mike Mignola/ Letters John Workman
The list of Batman’s most ruthless foes is already long enough, but in Gotham By Gaslight, one of the world's most infamous serial killers joined their number. The story depicted Jack The Ripper bringing terror to a Victorian-inspired Gotham in the 19th century, forcing Batman to play detective.
The proceedings might seem a little similar to Bruce Wayne and The Riddler's cat-and-mouse games in The Batman, but they're more engrossing, given the ties to actual history. Blending reality with fiction makes this particular tale fascinating because the killer is eventually revealed, unlike in real life, where the case remains unsolved.
9 Batman Was Reimagined As A Vengeful Priest
Batman: Holy Terror by Alan Brennert/ Art by Norm Breyfogle, and Lovern Kindzierski/ Letters by Bill Oakley
Batman: Holy Terror transports readers back in time to a world where America is a colony of England. Instead of swimming in wealth, Bruce Wayne happens to be a clergyman by day and a vigilante by night.
Besides exploring the debate of whether religion and vengeance can mix, Batman: Holy Terror touches on more progressive themes. Navigating themes related to homosexuality and prostitution, readers learn that Bruce’s parents were killed for supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community.
8 Batman Becomes A Lethal And Savage Vampire
Batman & Dracula by Doug Moench/ Art by Kelley Jones, and Les Dorscheid/ Letters by Todd Klein
Batman turning into a vampire seems like an unpleasant development, but Batman & Dracula unfolds in a more fascinating manner than most fans presumably expected. Apart from Batman finally gaining superpowers, he also grows bat-like wings, eliminating his need for the Bat-wing.
Batman & Dracula ranks high in entertainment value because fans get to witness one of the most brutal fights in comic history between Batman and Dracula. The violent ending is also a memorable one as it involves Batman emerging the victor by impaling the legendary vampire on a tree.
7 Batman Rules The High Seas
Batman: Leatherwing by Chuck Dixon/ Art by Enrique Alcatena/ Letters by Richard Starkings
A wild Elseworlds story set during the Golden Age of Piracy depicts Batman, aka Captain Leatherwing, as a figure similar to one of the greatest ever movie characters, Jack Sparrow. Captain Leatherwing also happens to be working for King James II of England.
A Batman who pillages the ships of rival nations for the King makes for a rich storyline full of engaging entertainment. The saga also has what is arguably some of the best versions of Batman’s friends and foes. For example, Alfred is an Italian named Alfredo and Catwoman is the Contessa of Spain, otherwise known as Capitana Felina.
6 Two-Face Becomes The Dark Knight
Batman: Two Faces by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning/ Art by Anthony Williams, Tom Palmer, and Lee Loughridge/ Letters by Willie Schubert
Classic literature inspires many of the best DC Elseworlds comics, and this particular one borrows the template from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis. In it, Bruce Wayne creates a potion to "cure" Harvey Dent of his Two-Face alter. However, Bruce discovers he has an alter as well, switching from Batman to the Joker.
Having Batman and the Joker reflected in the same person is quite creative because it makes the battle between them a mental one. The similarities between Batman: Two Faces and Robert Louis’ novel aren't too glaring either. That's because the story has a couple of distinct subplots, with the major ones being Bruce Wayne's death and Harvey Dent becoming one of the best versions of the Caped Crusader.
5 Bruce Wayne Becomes The Green Lantern
Batman: In Darkest Knight by Mike W. Barr/ Art by Jerry Bingham/ Letters by Pat Brosseau
Little decisions and events change the course of one’s life completely. As for Bruce Wayne, his life takes a different turn after Batman: Year One when he receives a Green Lantern ring. Bruce dons the Lantern mantle instead of Hal Jordan and faces one of the deadliest Green Lantern villains, Sinestro.
The character swap aside, Bruce Wayne makes a journey to space, something that rarely happens in any form of Batman media. These events are also canon in Earth-32, where things start out in the same way as those of Prime-Earth.
4 Batman Becomes A Wanted Man
Batman: Year 100 by Paul Pope/ Art by José Villarrubia/ Letters by Jared K. Fletcher and John Workman
Scenes of the GCPD chasing Batman count for some of the most thrilling moments in both movies and comics. Luckily for readers, Batman: Year 100 delivers plenty of those thrilling concepts.
While plots about Batman being framed have become cliché, there is still a rejuvenating feel to the Elseworlds tale set in 2039 because Commissioner Gordon’s grandson is the new boss, and he isn’t too friendly. Consequently, the cat-and-mouse games flow from page to page, ensuring the tension never subsides.
3 Commissioner Gordon Dates Catwoman
Gotham Noir by Ed Brubaker/ Art by Sean Phillips and Dave Stewart/ Letters by Bill Oakley
Ed Brubaker’s Gotham Noir presents Commissioner Gordon as a detective and war hero in 1949 Gotham. He goes on to date Catwoman too, a pairing which makes sense because the GCPD officer is the hero of the story and not Batman.
The Caped Crusader appears infrequently in Gotham Noir, leaving the spotlight to Gordon. The angle will remind fans of the Gotham TV series where Gordon is also the star. Furthermore, unlike in other Batman stories where Gordon’s alcoholism tends to be glossed over, it’s explored in detail and also condemned.
2 Robin And Batgirl Precede Batman
Batman: Thrillkiller by Howard Chaykin/ Art by Dan Brereton/ Letters by Bill Oakley
Ordinarily, in most Batman mythos, the Caped Crusader comes before members of the Bat-family. That’s not the case in the ‘60s era Gotham, where Bruce Wayne isn’t the pioneer of vigilantism in his city, and Robin isn’t a sidekick.
Batman: Thrillkiller places Robin and Batgirl in the spotlight and covers an important part of American history. Most of the proceedings take place at the start of the Vietnam War and the Sexual Revolution, hence most of the decisions the characters make are influenced by these factors.
1 Batman Vows To Find Selina’s Killer
Batman: Nine Lives by Dean Motter/ Art by Michael Lark/ Letters by Bill Oakley
Dick Grayson is normally competent as Robin or Nightwing in DC canon, but in Batman: Nine Lives, he has a forgettable career as Selina Kyle’s bodyguard. When Selina is murdered, Grayson catches the blame for the horrible deed.
Batman’s detective skills are once again the focus, rather than the action. This results in a captivating saga full of blame games, fake clues, and frustrations. As the events of Batman: Nine Lives unfold, readers are left wondering who the real killer is and whether Selina will come back. After all, she has always been rumored to have nine lives.