Over the years DC has done many things that have changed the status quo for their biggest characters. One of their most popular moves is taking familiar characters to change their classic origins & stories– many of these tales often written under the imprint of Elseworlds.
Although Elseworlds originally referred to a specific brand of comics, the term has extended to include all stories written in alternate universes or timelines. The best Elseworlds are departures that are more interesting than than the originals, and it is always fun to see fan favourite characters placed in totally different settings.
10 Gotham By Gaslight
Gotham By Gaslight is one of the biggest successes of Elseworlds and one of the most popular among the fans, to the point it was made into an animated film in 2018. In this story, fans are introduced to a victorian era Batman who is in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Jack The Ripper. Throughout the story Batman is believed to be the Ripper and even framed as Jack, until it is revealed to be a man who loved Martha Wayne and was rejected by her, so he set out to kill women who reminded him of Martha.
9 Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the perfect combination that fans didn't know they needed. The Turtles and Master Splinter find themselves teleported to Gotham City along with their enemy Shredder and his Foot clan soldiers. When Shredder starts stealing in order to get back home, Batman becomes involved and he & the Turtles team up to get them back home and take down Shredder who has teamed up with Ra's Al Ghul.
8 Superman: Red Son
A world where Superman doesn't believe in truth, justice, and the American way is a much more dangerous world for the citizens who live there. Superman: Red Son explores what would happen if Superman landed in Soviet Russia and was raised to be their ultimate war machine. In this version, Superman is used to take over the world and eventually rule it all for Russia. He alienates this version of Wonder Woman and Batman kills himself rather than be taken alive by Superman. It is a much different but extremely interesting reality.
7 Batman: Earth-One
This adventure written by Geoff Johns follows an alternate history for Batman. In this version, Alfred is hired as head of security for the Waynes. After Thomas and Martha are killed, Bruce is trained by Alfred in many forms of combat and then dons the cape & cowl to become Batman. Batman Earth One is a simpler, more noir version of the hero that is just as good as the original. It's also notable for showing Batman's eyes behind the cowl.
6 Justice Riders
Released in 1997, Justice Riders was a one-shot written by Chuck Dixon with art by J.H Williams III. It featured a Justice League team whose members were: Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Kid Flash, Martian Manhunter, Booster Gold, and Blue Beetle all going after Maxwell Lord for his destruction of the West.
Justice Riders is a gunslinging adventure with all the fun of superheroes tied into it. With a few special twists thrown in, Justice Riders is definitely worth picking up.
5 Kingdom Come
When public opinion forces the old heroes into retirement in favour of new heroes, with less regard for human life, the world is plunged into chaos. In this classic by Mark Waid and Alex Ross, readers see an aged Superman pulled back into a world were his ideals are being destroyed along with everything else. Batman won't help him and Captain Marvel is fighting against him, this story puts fan favourite heroes against each other in a final battle for the world.
4 Batman & Dracula
It was inevitable at some point Batman would be made into a vampire and in 1991 it happened. When Dracula came to Gotham, Batman started to feel changes in himself: a sensitivity to sunlight, increased strength, and deformation of his back resulting in giant wings. Dracula was hunting and eating the less fortunate of Gotham and some good vampire turned Batman into one in order to take on the Lord of the Undead. When his transformation was complete, he re-branded himself Bat-Man and prepared to face Dracula.
3 Batman: In Darkest Knight
In Batman: In Darkest Knight readers see a world where instead of Hal Jordan receiving the Green Lantern ring, Bruce Wayne does. This causes Bruce to become the Green Lantern of sector 2814. In this reality, Bruce is able to prevent the creation of the Joker at Ace Chemicals, Two Face is created by Sinestro, Catwoman is a Star Sapphire, and on-top of all that Commissioner Gordon is dead.
2 JSA: Liberty Files
JSA: Liberty Files features 1942 versions of Batman, Hourman, and Doctor Mid-Nite hunting Jack The Grin across Egypt as he has a secret to a super weapon which turns out to be Superman. The JSA race against the Germans to get to Superman. The story also has 1942 versions of Mister Terrific, Scarecrow, and Martian Manhunter to name a few.
1 The Golden Age
The Golden Age is interesting because it comes at the traditional superhero story from a much different angle. This comic focuses on the Justice Society & All-Star Squadron and their lives after World War II. It examines how the war has influenced its many members, from elevating political careers to being blacklisted by their own countries. It shows a more human side to the heroes before diving into the weird happenings affecting their world.