There are few names in all modern fiction as iconic as Batman. One of DC Comics’ very first superheroes, Batman has consistently remained one of the company’s greatest characters for over 85 years. Almost everything associated with Batman, from his comics, TV shows, movies, and video games, has played a massive role in making the superhero genre a mainstream and global phenomenon. And whenever the comic book industry undergoes a significant tonal shift, like from the Silver Age to the Bronze Age, Batman is almost always at the forefront, paving the way for the innovation. There’s no denying that the Caped Crusader has some of the most important stories of all time that helped define not just DC Comics, but the superhero genre.
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With a history dating back to some of the earliest superhero stories, Batman has had a nearly unrivalled impact on how the genre has emerged and evolved over the years. These stories will be ranked not by their quality, but by how they impacted the Batman mythos and comic books in general.
10) “Under the Hood”
Seventeen years after his brutal murder, Jason Todd, the second Robin, is resurrected as the vicious vigilante known as the Red Hood. In the story “Under the Hood,” Batman confronts his greatest failure—allowing the death of his son Jason. A resurrected Jason begins slaughtering criminals, having twisted his former mentor’s ideology into one consumed by hatred and vengeance. The story unflinchingly challenges the impact Batman has had on others and whether his no-kill rule has done more harm than good. With its heartbreaking reintroduction and reimagining of Jason Todd, “Under the Hood” forever changes the Bat-Family dynamic and Batman’s mythos.
9) “Knightfall”
In 1993, Bane arrives in Gotham and made history as the man who breaks the Bat. In “Knightfall,” Bane orchestrates an Arkham Asylum breakout with all the Caped Crusader’s villains running amok. After several days catching criminals without rest, an exhausted Bruce comes home only to be ambushed by Bane. The image of Bane snapping Batman’s spine over his knee is one of the most iconic panels in comics and has been referenced countless times. And with Bruce’s incapacitation, the vicious anti-hero Azrael becomes the new Batman and begins mercilessly killing criminals. This development forces Bruce to recover and to reclaim his mantle. Batman in “Knightfall” is at one of his lowest points and the story cements Bane’s role as one of the hero’s strongest and most intelligent adversaries.
8) The Long Halloween
Batman has always been considered the World’s Greatest Detective, and this late 1990s mini-series solidified that title. The Long Halloween is set early in Batman’s crime-fighting years. Batman is trying to uncover the identity of a mysterious killer known as “Holiday.” On every significant holiday over the course of a year, Holiday picks off members of the Falcone crime family. This noir mystery is intertwined with a modernized and tragic retelling of Harvey Dent’s descent into madness and transformation into Two-Face. This story also explains the transition from mob bosses to costumed supervillains as the principal force terrorizing Gotham City. It’s a dark tale full of twists, which makes it the definitive Batman mystery story which has inspired many future adaptations of the Caped Crusader.
7) The Killing Joke
One of Alan Moore’s most impactful works, 1988’s The Killing Joke, presents the definitive version of Batman and the Joker’s relationship, as well as providing the most iconic incarnation of the villain’s origin story. Batman in the story is pushed to his limits when the Joker commits some of his most heinous and impactful crimes: paralyzing Batgirl and trying to drive Commissioner Gordon insane. Meanwhile, the readers are given glimpses of the Joker’s backstory as a failed comedian driven mad, and the origin of his terrifying yet tragic “one bad day” philosophy. The Killing Joke is a controversial yet thought-provoking tale that explores the differences and similarities between Batman and the Joker. It’s a story that forever changes their dynamic and influences countless future Dark Knight storylines.
6) “A Death in the Family”
The 1988 story “A Death in the Family” left the life of Batman’s second ward in the hands of the readers. When the Joker uses Jason’s mother to lure him into a trap, the Clown Prince of Crime bludgeons the boy with a crowbar. The Joker then leaves Jason and his mother to die in an explosion, which Batman fails to stop. DC then let readers vote as to whether Jason lives or dies. In the end, the readers vote to kill Jason. The murder of a child was a shocking development that had not been done before and it forever changed Batman stories. The story also paves the way for the debut of the third Robin, Tim Drake, and, decades later, to Jason’s resurrection as the Red Hood.
5) Batman: Year One
In 1987, after the Crisis on Infinite Earths event rebooted the DC Universe, Batman: Year One was the first Dark Knight story written in the new canon. The story reimagines Batman’s origin and the beginning of his vigilantism. Presenting how and why Bruce creates his Batman identity, the story reveals the character’s psychological trauma and imbalance. Readers follow as a young and inexperienced Batman struggles to make an impact as a shadowy figure of vengeance. Batman’s story intertwines with that of Lieutenant Jim Gordon as he moves to Gotham and learns just how corrupt the city really is. Batman: Year One establishes a modern and darker version of the Caped Crusader’s mythos and is a starting point for countless Post-Crisis stories.
4) The Dark Knight Returns
Considered by many to be one of the greatest comics ever written, 1986’s The Dark Knight Returns’ impact can’t be understated. After decades of campy Silver Age stories, this mini-series set in a dark, gritty future establishes the modern version of Batman. The story centers on an old Bruce who comes out of retirement to save a dying Gotham from both villains and a corrupt government. There are countless iconic moments in this story, including Batman fighting Superman. The grim, violent, and realistic tone of the comic, combined with biting political commentary and character introspection, showed people that the comic book industry was growing up and was not just for kids. Almost every Batman comic and adaptation since can trace its inspiration back to Frank Miller’s masterpiece.
3) “Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder”
Released in 1940 as part of Detective Comics #38, “Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder” not only introduces Dick Grayson, aka “Robin,” but also marks the introduction of the first sidekick in superhero comics. The story shows the Boy Wonder’s origin. Dick was raised by trapeze artists. But tragically, their act is sabotaged by gangsters, and Dick watches as his parents fall to their deaths. Sympathizing with Dick’s plight as an orphan, Bruce takes the young boy under his wing and trains him to be his crime-fighting apprentice. And so, the first adolescent superhero, Robin, is born. The story also marks significant shift in tone as DC began marketing Batman to a younger audience. This shift lasts for several decades and helps establish the Silver Age.
2) Batman #1
The very first solo comic centered on the Caped Crusader, 1940’s Batman #1, helped establish key elements of Batman’s mythos and the superhero genre. The comic features several short anthology stories. After a quick retelling of Batman’s origin, Batman #1 has the Dynamic Duo meet two of their most famous adversaries: The Joker and Catwoman. Not only is Batman #1 the debut of Batman’s archenemy and his most iconic love interest, but it also introduces the very concept of supervillains. Before the Joker and Catwoman, superheroes only fought gangsters, mad scientists, and the Axis Powers. The debut of two costumed criminals with three-dimensional, memorable personalities was a gamechanger, helping the superhero genre remain relevant for nearly a century.
1) “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate”
In 1939, the world changed forever with the release of Detective Comics #27 and its short story “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate.” This tale introduces Batman who works with Commissioner Jim Gordon to solve a murder. The Caped Crusader’s iconic design and street-level stories made him an instant hit and helped catapult the superhero genre. Batman’s dark aesthetic drew heavily on noir detective stories. And instead of relying on superpowers, Batman uses his ruthless fighting styles, various bat-themed gadgets, and deductive mind to operate as the scourge of Gotham villains. All these factors were revolutionary at the time and helped make Batman one of the biggest names in fiction.
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