Because most of their work is known for their surprises, cliffhangers, and crossover events, DC Comics has released the top 10 single issues from the past decade. Without having to anchor the story with exposition, the creative team is able to put together a standalone that will possibly go over the usual 20 pages. In order to introduce newcomers to what they're missing from the world of comics, an annual issue has to stand on its own, without having to explain mythology.
Longtime readers already know Bruce Wayne lost his parents as a child and witnessed their murders due to a tragic robbery gone wrong. How does someone as lonely as Batman put together a team of angry and grieving orphans as his own family? We don't need to know how Superman, aka Clark Kent, and Lois Lane fell in love for the billionth time, especially since they are now raising a child together. Single issues are really about pushing the character forward since the mythology has already been put in place.
10 10. Green Lantern Annual #1
Though he is a lawman at heart, Hal Jordan is usually away on space adventures and he doesn't have time to put his feet firmly on Earth's ground. He's a stranger mostly to his friends, especially since he only visits them when he needs to crash on a sofa.
He cannot stay in a long-term relationship because there is always an emergency taking place in outer space. Now, what does the Jordan family think when the prodigal son returns for the holidays? How can the Green Lantern keep his secret and protect his family at the same time?
9 9. Tales of the Dark Multiverse: The Death of Superman #1
Imagine an Elseworlds twist on the Death of Superman event. It's not the Man of Steel who turns evil, it's Lois Lane this time around. Usually, Lois Lane serves as Clark's moral conscience, but she just witnessed the love of her life die at the hands of Doomsday.
Now with superhuman powers, Lois puts on the black Superman costume and becomes a killing machine. Batman has to get involved when Lois's vengeful side takes a life, which is something the Man of Steel would never do. Lois reveals what Superman really thought of the Dark Knight before killing him.
8 8. Lobo Annual #1
During The New 52 era, Lobo, the last Czarnian, had a drastic change in his character design. With a stylish hairstyle and a slimmer look, Lobo wasn't so bulked up, but he still had the same mean attitude. Lobo looked more like a supermodel than the most vicious bounty hunter in the galaxy.
It was interesting to see how this Lobo would handle a fight against the Sinestro Corps. Always ready for a brawl, the intergalactic assassin has been hired to take out Sinestro, the team leader wearing the glowing yellow ring.
7 7. Suicide Squad Annual #1
What makes the Suicide Squad series great is how Task Force X can randomly put any super-villain into the lineup. Task Force X has been assigned by their leader, Amanda "The Wall" Waller, to track down and bring back an escaped convict.
Solomon Grundy, the brutish and oversized zombie, has reluctantly joined Rag Doll, a master contortionist, and Merlyn, also known as The Dark Archer. What was supposed to be an easy mission turns into a horrifying battle against The Swamp Thing, who could care less if they live or die at his green monstrous hands.
6 6. The Flash Annual #2
This is a great tie-in to Heroes in Crisis because the story dives into the themes of grief and death. Like many people do when they are mourning, Barry Allen, also known as The Flash, has trouble dealing with the death of Wally West. How does Barry tell Wally's favorite aunt, Iris Wrest, that he passed away?
Iris's reaction is honest and pure, ranging from anger to acceptance as she breaks down from hearing the news. The most gut-wrenching scene comes across when Bart Allen, aka Impulse, returns to discover his mentor passed away.
5 5. Wonder Woman Annual #1
In the flashback, Wonder Woman revisits how she first encountered the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight. The Man of Steel wants to believe in the best out of Wonder Woman but Batman has his own suspicions about her. Rather than start a fight, one which she could easily win, Wonder Woman decides to have all three participate in holding the glowing Lasso of Truth.
When asked the truth about his real name, Superman easily gives up his secret identity. Interestingly, the Dark Knight still refers to himself as Batman, even when he is in costume.
4 4. Nightwing Annual #1
Imagine if Dick Grayson, the former Robin, ended up in his own episode of Mr. Robot as he has to face off against the Dark Web. Outside of his comfort zone, Grayson, also known as Nightwing, has to deal with a cyberwar he barely understands.
Journalist Vicki Vale, from the Gotham Gazette, has to figure out how information is being discredited and why people are being easily persuaded by alternative facts. As if the story was ripped from the headlines, Nightwing and Vicki Vale find themselves failing as gatekeepers of truth as disinformation spreads.
3 3. Batgirl Annual #2
Police Commissioner Jim Gordon has been hiding a dark secret about his own family. Though he was loved wholeheartedly by his father, James Gordon Jr. grew up to become a vile serial killer who feels no remorse after killing his victims.
Barbara Gordon, also known as Batgirl, finds herself tracking down her mysterious killer, who happens to be following the same murderous patterns of her brother. Like Hannibal Lecter, is Barbara's brother helping her solve the case? Or is he secretly planning something big behind his prison cell?
2 2. Superman Annual #1
The most fun stories to read are when superheroes find themselves on opposite sides and have to fight each other. Something horrible has been plaguing the Kent farm. Clark is struggling to hold onto the last remnants of his childhood, especially after losing his loving parents to a tragic accident.
This is why it matters so much to Clark to save the dying farm. After merging his mind with the Man of Steel, Swamp Thing realizes Superman himself is responsible for the mess. Swamp Thing has to fight Superman in order to protect the Green.
1 1. Batman and Elmer Fudd Special #1
The Looney Tunes cartoons are mostly known for their madcap adventures starring Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny. And yet, they were also experimental, especially with What's Opera, Doc? In this noir-inspired crossover, Elmer Fudd is a bounty hunter who is obsessed with capturing the Dark Knight.
In order to get Batman's attention, Fudd ends up passing through the seedy dark alleys and visiting the high-class parties of Gotham City. The Batman and Elmer discover they have a common enemy as they are both after the elusive gangster known as "The Bunny."