As one of the most popular characters in comics,Batmanhas enjoyed many of the most well-acclaimed comics in the history of the medium. As a result, there’s no shortage of fantasticBatmancomics to pick and choose from, and many of these stories enjoy no shortage of adoration from fans, as well as the publisher. However, some of the character’s finest stories may be slipping under the radar of even the most dedicated fans.
Though DC Comics may be sleeping on theseBatmanstories, they’re no less deserving of a read than the character’s more iconic ventures. Many of these comics, though not as widely known asthe character’s classic stories, have remained fan favorites in the eyes of readers who have found them, and they offer some of the most exciting takes on the Caped Crusader and his world.These are some of the bestBatmancomics that DC Comics is sleeping on.
7Batman: Gothic (1990)
Created by Grant Morrison and Klaus Janson
Published in the pages ofLegends Of The Dark Knight #6-10,Batman: Gothicis a tale set early on in Batman’s career.This story sees Batman being dragged into a case involving Gotham’s early mobsters, a murderer without a shadow, a deal with the devil, and a lost chapter of Bruce Wayne’s childhood. It’s a story of horrors, challenging Batman in a way which the Caped Crusader has rarely been challenged.
Gothicis, rather fittingly,a dark tale in Batman’s history, but finds success in darkness. The combination of Grant Morrison’s writing and Klaus Janson’s artwork makes for astory filled to the brim with a haunting atmosphere and literary allusions.Mister Whisper, the main antagonist of this story, remains one of the darkest villains Batman has ever faced, striking a chord that few members of Batman’s rogues gallery have ever hit.
6Batman: The Last Arkham (1992)
Created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle
Told in the first four issues ofBatman: Shadow of the Bat,Batman: The Last Arkhamtells the story of the newly rebuilt Arkham Asylum, all while a string of murders is taking place in Gotham City. As these murders mirror the work of Victor Zsasz,Batman fakes his insanity and goes into Arkhamto prove that the killings are the work of Zsasz. Jeremiah Arkham, the uncle of the Asylum’s late founder, Amadeus Arkham, works to break Batman, seeing him as merely another of his patients.
The Last Arkhamis some of Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle’s finest work with the character. In his debut appearance, Victor Zsasz makes his mark among Batman’s already notable rogues gallery, cementing himself as a fan favorite.As Arkham Asylum plays such a notable rolein Batman lore,The Last Arkhamprovides a haunting look at one of Gotham’s most infamous institutions.
5Batman: Black & White - Perpetual Mourning (1996)
Created by Ted McKeever
Originally published inBatman: Black and White #1,Perpetual Mourningis the opening story of this anthology series. In it,Batman conducts an autopsy on a woman who has been murdered in hopes of finding her killerand discovering her name. While Batman is conducting the autopsy, he muses to himself about the nature of the world he lives in and his role within it, set against the visual motif of a dance.
Ted McKeever’s work on this short story is moody and introspective, filled with a sense of loneliness that deeply resonates within Batman’s world. In just eight pages,McKeever captures Batman’s character brilliantly, portraying him as a vessel for all those he couldn’t save. Few stories have understood Batman so acutely, and the lack of color in the artwork only amplifies the haunting atmosphere.
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4Batman: Ego (2000)
Created by Darwyn Cooke
Originally published as a one-shot,Batman: Egotakes readers on a journey through the dark psychology of the character.Consumed by guilt, Bruce Wayne questions his role as Batman and contemplates whether he should retire. However, he soon finds himself in the midst of a battle within his own mind, as his identity and superego clash over both his choice and the way he’s lived his life.
Director Matt Reeves cited this story as an inspiration for his 2022 filmThe Batman, starring Robert Pattinson.
Egois one of the finest explorations of the Dark Knight’s psyche. Darwyn Cooke’s writing and artwork bring this haunting conflict to life,interrogating whether Batman or Bruce Wayne is the true identity of the character.While other authors may have their own answers to this question, Cooke’s take on it remains one of the greatestexaminations of Batman’s mindever published.
3Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth (2003)
Created by Warren Ellis and John Cassidy
Published as a one-shot,Planetary/Batman: Night on Earthsees the Planetary team crossing over with the Caped Crusader.When the Planetary team chases an unstable reality warper in their version of Gotham City, the world shifts around them, bringing the team face to face with multiple different versions of the Dark Knight. Notably, these versions run through the history of the character, from the modern take on Batman up to the original take on the hero from his 1939 debut.
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Planetary/Batman: Night on Earthis a wonderful summation of the character’s history whilecutting to the very heart of who Batman is and why he has remained such an enduring icon.Warren Ellis keeps the different versions of Batman feeling distinct, while John Cassidy’s artwork perfectly homages the era of each Batman while still keeping his unique touch. Ultimately,Planetary/Batmanis a comicabout the many different versions of Batman and the heart of the character, which keeps them all true.
2Batman: Heart of Hush (2009)
Created by Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen
Published inDetective Comics #846throughDetective Comics #850,Batman: Heart of Hushsees Hush wreaking havoc on Batman’s life once again.Here, he also sets his sights on Catwoman while reconstructing his own face to be a facsimile of Bruce Wayne’s, with plans to kill them both and steal Bruce’s fortune. The story is also interspersed with flashbacks to Thomas Elliot’s life, telling the story of how he became Hush.
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Heart of Hushbrings the villain back into the spotlight, fleshing him out and letting him grow beyond his original story. Paul Dini perfectly characterizes Hush as cruel and vindictive,believing that he deserves to live Bruce Wayne’s life as he sees fit.Additionally, much of the book focuses on Batman’s romance with Catwoman, showing just how far Bruce will go for Selina.WhileHushmay have introduced the villain,Heart of Hushis what made him a worthy foe for Batman.
1Batman: The Black Mirror (2011)
Created by Scott Snyder, Jock, and Francesco Francavilla
Published inDetective Comics#871 and ending inDetective Comics#881, Batman: The Black Mirroris set during Dick Grayson’s time under the cape and cowl. As Batman,Dick faces off against newer and darker criminals emerging in Gotham City.Meanwhile, Jim Gordon is forced to confront his son, James Gordon Jr, who has returned to Gotham as a serial killer with plans to continue his crimes in his father’s city.
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The Black Mirrorstands as one ofDick Grayson’s best stories as Batman, with Scott Snyder infusing tones of noir and horror into the narrative. Jock and Francesco Francavilla do wonders as the artists for the story, rendering a Gotham which feels just as dangerous as the new villains Dick sees himself facing off against. Though far from Dick Grayson’s only story casting him in the role ofBatman,The Black Mirroris one of his best under the cape and cowl.
