Batman is one of the most recognizable- and popular- fictional characters on the planet. For over eighty years, Batman has been thrilling fans all around the world with his adventures, be it in comics, on TV, at the movies, or in video games. Batman has stood the test of time, thanks to the greatness of the character, his amazing supporting cast, and his unmatched roster of villains.
When a character has been around as long as Batman has, there are so many stories to choose from that it can be hard for a fan to know which ones to read. Batman has a lot of must-read stories, ones that stand out as some of the best in comics and are arcs that any fan of the hero should check out.
10 Batman: I Am Suicide
Batman: I Am Suicide, by writer Tom King and artist Mikal Janin, is the second volume of King's Rebirth run on the Caped Crusader. Batman needs the power of Psycho Pirate to help his new ward Gotham Girl but Psycho-Pirate is being held by one of Batman's greatest villains- Bane. In order to liberate him, Batman turns to some unlikely sources for help.
This story sees Batman assemble his own Suicide Squad and go after Bane, which is worth the price of admission alone. However, King and Janin fill the book with amazing action and character moments that make it even better. Tom King's run has its ups and downs, but this one is definitely worth a read.
9 Batman: Endgame
Batman: Endgame, by writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo, is one of the best Batman and Joker stories of the modern age. The Joker returns to Gotham, with his face healed since the last time he faced the Dark Knight (when he had peeled off the flesh of his face) and engages Batman in one of their most deadly battles yet, one that ends in a way no one could guess.
Any time Batman tangles with the Joker, one of his greatest foes, is a good time but Endgame goes above and beyond. Snyder packs it full of creepy moments as the Joker tries to convince Batman of his immortality and Capullo's art is amazing as always—his Joker is one of the most frightening renditions of the villain. Snyder and Capullo put out a lot of amazing Batman stories but this one is definitely the highlight of their run.
8 Batman: Hush
Batman: Hush, by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, teams the two superstar creators for one of the most acclaimed Batman stories of the 2000s. A mysterious new villain hits Gotham City named Hush and his secret will drive Batman and Catwoman into a mystery that involves all of Batman's greatest foes.
The best way to describe Batman: Hush is that it's a Batman greatest hits album. It's the kind of story that one can hand to any Batman neophyte and they'd love it. However, it's also rewarding for long time fans, as Loeb packs in all kinds of references to past stories and just plain great Batman moments. On top of all of that, Jim Lee's art set a new standard for the Dark Knight and the heroes and villains in his life- it still stands up as the best looking Batman comic ever.
7 Batman: Under The Red Hood
Batman: Under The Red Hood, by writer Judd Winick and artists Doug Mahnke, Eric Battle, and Shave Davis takes one of the biggest failures of Batman's career and makes it even worse. A new Red Hood comes to Gotham City, consolidating his hold over the criminal scene and bedeviling Batman at every turn, but the villain's secret identity will shake Batman to his core.
While the story's twist, the return of Jason Todd, is well known by now, it doesn't change just how good this story is. Winnick and company tell an amazing story, one that shows Batman having to deal with his greatest failure. Jason Todd has changed a lot over the years and it all starts here.
6 Batman: The Killing Joke
Batman: The Killing Joke, by writer Alan Moore and artist Brian Bolland, is a problematic masterpiece but still worth reading for all of that. The Joker decides that anyone can be like him if they have one bad day, so he targets Commissioner Gordon, attacking him and his daughter Barbara at home, paralyzing her, and taking him hostage. It's up to Batman to find Gordon before it's too late.
Giving a probable origin of the Joker, there's some very uncomfortable stuff in this comic (to the extent that Moore himself has always regretted writing it), but it still stands out as one of the best Batman stories of all time.
5 Batman And Son
Batman And Son, by writer Grant Morrison and artist Andy Kubert, is the beginning of Morrison's blockbuster Batman run. After being attacked by ninja Man-Bats, Batman is introduced to his son, Damian Wayne, and enmeshed in a new scheme by Talia al Ghul.
This story introduces Damian Wayne, who would go on to become a fan favorite Robin, and is just a whole lot of fun. Any time ninja Man-Bats show up is a good time and this story has serves to set up the future of Morrison's Batman, one of the most creatively fertile period in the Dark Knight's history.
4 Batman #232: "The Daughter Of The Demon"
Batman #232, by writer Denny O'Neal and artist Neal Adams, sees the introduction of Ra's al Ghul, one of the most important villains in Batman's long and storied history. Robin is kidnapped and Ra's al Ghul comes to Batman asks for his help, as al Ghul's daughter Talia was also kidnapped. Batman agrees but there's more going on than meets the eye.
Ra's and Talia al Ghul are two of the most important characters in the Batman mythos and this comic introduces them, setting up a rivalry that goes on till this day.
3 Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers's Detective Comics Run
Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers were one of the best creative teams in comics in the '70s. While their Detective Comics run, which took place in Detective Comics #471-476, was short (although Englehart would remain as writer on the book after #476), it was also one of the most fruitful Batman runs of all time.
The stories the two worked on would serve as inspirations for the first Batman movie in 1989 and for some of the most beloved episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. The two creator's stories stand the test of time, serving to modernize the Dark Knight.
2 Batman R.I.P.
Batman R.I.P., by writer Grant Morrison and artist Tony Daniel, is the fruition of the first part of Morrison's Batman run. The Black Glove finally springs their trap for the Dark Knight, depriving him of his resources and sanity. On the streets and addicted to heroin, Batman is at his lowest ebb but Batman never dies.
Morrison's Batman run is full of amazing Batman tales and this one is no exception. The Black Glove is one of the coolest villain groups Batman has ever faced and this story is full of great Batman moments from a master of the comic craft, with Daniel's art bringing it all to life.
1 The Dark Knight Returns
The Dark Knight Returns, by writer/artist Frank Miller, is not only one of the best Batman stories of all time but one of the best comics of all time. Taking place in an alternate future, Batman comes out of retirement to clean up a Gotham City gone mad, facing down some of the greatest challenges he's ever faced—including old age.
The Dark Knight Returns is one of the books credited for the maturation of the comic medium. Miller does an amazing job in this book of presenting an older Batman, one who is trying to fight against the greatest foe of all- aging- to keep up the good fight and save the day. There's so much to love about this book, including the best Batman/Superman fight of them all.