With over 70 years in existence, the DC comics character Batman has been around long enough to be a cornerstone in the public eye. Even with this type of exposure, many are still unaware of the comic history of Batman, one that has evolved from a murderous vigilante in 1939 to the mysterious detective of today. For a newcomer, this history would be daunting, but here is a list of the best and most important Batman stories from the past two decades.
The Dark Knight Returns (1986)
A groundbreaking look into the future of Batman, this tale of a world gone to hell was written by Frank Miller (Sin City), inspiring a new look at Batman, who had been dismissed as a joke due to the television series of the 1960's. Dark, violent, and strangely prophetic (the running joke about 24 hour news stations breaking rumors as news seems to have eerily come true), this story sees Bruce Wayne, now 50, returning as Batman to take back a Gotham City that has gone to hell. Soon he is facing not only his old rogues gallery (Two-Face and the Joker return), but the Gotham police force, the United States government, and Superman. A major inspiration for Tim Burton's Batman film, this is the ground floor to the modern take on the Dark Knight.
Year One (1987)
Written by Frank Miller (Sin City), this tale of the initial outing of Batman arrived at the time that DC Comics revamped their entire line of superheroes, starting most of them from scratch, with Batman being the most successful of the relaunches. Miller places Batman firmly in reality, as a man struggling with his own psychosis after the death of his parents. Miller also reintroduced Commissioner Gordon as a conflicted police officer, trapped in a dying marriage and a police force that is anything but honest, with the only person he can trust being Batman. This is the foundation for not only the comic series, but for the latest film saga as well. Batman Begins takes direct inspiration from this comic.
The Killing Joke (1988)
In this brutal tale, written by Alan Moore (Watchmen), the origin of the Joker is hinted at in a tale of revenge. Not for younger readers, this story saw the Joker taking revenge on Commissioner Gordon by kidnapping him and paralyzing his daughter (Barbara Gordon, who was also Batgirl). Setting the stage for A Death in the Family, The Killing Joke is a dark look at the greatest villain in comics and the wake of destruction he leaves in his path.
A Death in the Family (1988/1989)
Controversial for its time, this story sees Robin (the second one, Jason Todd) murdered at the hands of the Joker and Batman readers. How did Batman readers have any say in the matter? DC Comics created a 1-900 hotline for fans of the comic to vote. And vote they did, much to the surprise of the Batman editors, stirring a minor firestorm in the media. Somewhat dated due to its overreliance on the middle eastern politics of its day, the story paved the way for the other publishers to kill of their characters at will (only to eventually bring them back). Jason Todd would return in the mid '00's, but this story would send shockwaves through the Batman books for years to come.
Knightfall (1993-1995)
A sprawling epic featuring a new Batman (Jean-Paul Valley), this tale came out during the height of the grim and gritty phase in comics, in which older characters had to be revamped into violent and harsh anti-heroes. Today, this looks like more of a commentary on the fad, showing in detail why an anti-hero Batman is no match for the original (Bruce Wayne).
The Long Halloween (1996/1997)
Written by Jeph Loeb (Smallville) with art by Tim Sale, this tale takes place in the months following Year One as Batman, District Attorney Harvey Dent and Commissioner Gordon take on the Falcone mob, while an influx of criminals such as the Joker and Catwoman begin to make their way into Gotham City. The beauty of this story is both the mystery involving the killer Holiday and the way Loeb initiates the turning of Gotham from a mob city into one filled with psychotic rogues. The characterization of Harvey Dent in this story was the inspiration for Aaron Eckhart's version of Dent in The Dark Knight.
Dark Victory (1999/2000)
This sequel to The Long Halloween is a continuation of the themes from its predecessor, detailing the rise of Two-Face and the disintegration of the Falcone mob. Of course, it is also a retelling of the origin of the original Robin (Dick Grayson) who is inadvertently forced into Batman's war on crime when his parents are killed.
Hush (2002-2003)
Artist Jim Lee drew this tale featuring several revisions to the Batman mythology. The return of an old friend, Thomas Elliott, ignites a series of events that leads to the resurrection of Jason Todd (the second Robin). Featuring numerous villains, Superman, and a return of the romance between Batman and Catwoman, this epic set the stage for the current status quo in the Batman universe.
R.I.P. (2008)
A strange, convoluted tale that manages to pay homage to the old science fiction tales of the 1950's, while pushing the character of Batman to new heights. Faced with a revelation that his parents may not be who they really were, Batman faces Dr. Simon Hurt and the Black Glove, a mysterious crime organization with ties to Bruce Wayne's father, Thomas. Grant Morrison spins a tale that allows for every issue of Batman to technically be in continuity, while setting the stage for Bruce Wayne's "death" and Dick Grayson taking over as Batman.
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