The lights are on
UPDATE: In the spirit of our Batman: Arkham City coverage, I figured I would move this list back up into the feed.
ORIGINAL STORY When my Batman: Arkham Asylum review hit the Internet, my mailbox filled up with reader comments pertaining to my critique of the game’s story. Since I poked holes in the underdeveloped plot, most readers wanted to know what I thought made for a great Batman story.
Upon the release of the game, my mailbox filled up again – this time with questions relating to specific plot moments from the game. Why did Batman say, “This time I break you” to Bane? When was Batman first infected with venom? Who is Oracle?
As I answered these questions, I realized I was referencing my favorite Batman stories. Listed below are my 10 all-time favorite Batman tales. Many of these books can be viewed as prequels to Arkham Asylum, while others are stories all self-respecting Batman fans should read. And no, I do not feel any of the Batman films (even The Dark Knight) belong on this list.1. The Dark Knight ReturnsWritten by: Frank MillerArt by: Frank MillerWith The Dark Knight Returns, scribe Frank Miller looked deep into Batman’s future. What affect did the death of Jason Todd (the second Robin) have on Bruce Wayne? What would happen if Batman lost his faith in the world? For the time, comics didn’t explore dark emotional themes. Giving emotional scars to a character didn’t just create an interesting story; it changed the landscape of comics forever. This comic signaled a change from whimsical crime capers to darkly themed dramas.
Miller’s story follows Bruce Wayne’s return to the mantle of the bat, and the resurgence of his fallen foes. Batman’s turmoil is the centerpiece of this plot, but Miller also shows us he knows how to write action. A scene with Superman is, without question, my most beloved comic book moment.
If you do decide to read The Dark Knight, do not, and I repeat, DO NOT read the sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again. With this follow-up, Miller bookends his Batman career with the best and worst Batman stories.
2. Batman: Year OneWritten by: Frank MillerArt by: Dave MazzucchelliOnce again, comic fans have Frank Miller to thank for Batman’s evolution as a comic book character. In Year One, Miller explores the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon. Both characters see Gotham City in different ways. Jim humanizes the city, whereas Bruce demonizes it. The relationship between Batman and Gordon is fully explored. You see how their friendship takes shape, and how their unified goal to protect the city is divided by faith and remorse. This story concludes with one of comic’s most memorable scenes with Batman revealing his true identity to Gordon.
3. The Killing JokeWritten by: Alan MooreArt by: Brian BollandCould you ever see yourself sympathizing with the Joker? That’s exactly what this story makes you, and Batman, do. While many comic writers have explored different origin stories for the clown prince – a move that has added to the psychosis of the character –this is the introduction most comic fans, myself included, see the most truth in. This exciting page-turner shows Joker lashing out at the world, destroying lives we are led to believe are similar to his own. The Gordon family falls victim to Joker’s rampage. Intent to make Commissioner Gordon crack, Joker shoots and paralyzes his daughter, Barbara (who was Batgirl at the time). Barbara, not willing to give up, later dons the new guise of Oracle. Unable to do work in the field, Oracle helps Batman and other heroes on a technical end.
Email the author Andrew Reiner, or follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Game Informer.
Thanks, I've been looking for some comics about batman that are good, the character bios in AA really are awesome and some of the villians sound hilarious/awesome. I'll have to check these out.
Well my Amazon account just got alittle bulkier.
I would love to hear what you think after you read them.
Batman = best superhero of all time. No special powers, just the drive for revenge and some badass science and martial arts skills.
I have the Hush collectors edition. Good story. I've read the Killing Joke and The Dark Knight returns. I'll have to check some of the other ones. There are a couple I've never heard of.
Comics may not be for you, Michael. But you are still early.
Good list. I've only read three of the ones up there, but I think my roommate has the rest, so I'll have to give 'em a read. I've been working on catching up on Morrison's recent Batman work. I'm stalled at RIP right now. Waiting for the softback trade. Curse DC and its apathy.
Hmm, I'm tempted to check this out, but I'm also pushed away by the huge lore behind most major DC/Marvel characters. I like to know the entire story, and I feel to do that would be too daunting a task. It's what pushes me away from most American comic books.
I want to expand my love for graphic novels beyond just manga and Watchmen, but I feel a little intimidated. If you have advice for that, I might just check these out.
Oh yeah, I also dislike any manga that I feel is being pushed past it's natural conclusion. Series like Naruto or Bleach that I feel have been published for too many years. I prefer short to medium sized manga series that reach natural conclusions. So it's not that I dislike american comics.
Nice article Reiner. The Killing Joke is probably my favorite out of the ten. Oh, and btw, in the section on no man's land, didnt you mean Martial Law instead if Marshall Law? (Or was "the fighting chef" busy kicking tail up and down Gotham?)
Well I did read The Dark Knight Returns, and as my first graphic novel (read The Watchmen shortly after), I thought it was fantastic. Never really read Batman but was always a fan of the animated show and character.
I'm very rarely all that interested in reading graphic novels (although I did read The Watchmen and loved it) but I absolutely love the characters in Batman's universe. What I really want to read are not so much stories that delve into the mind of Batman himself but rather the villains, the Riddler in particular. If you want to feature a fantastic character and put Batman's detective chops to the test then he's the guy to do it. And I'd very much like to see a story where they flesh out someone besides the Joker for a change.
Dunadanjets, I did pull a Tekken.
You got the written by and art by mixed up on No Man's Land! Tsk tsk!
I've read most of these and they are great! I would add Dark Victory (the sequel to The Long Halloween), and Batman Gothic (a Batman horror story). I love everything Batman!
@ #4 in the list: I bet DC fans were ticked that they killed Robin off so violently :-P
I don't read many graphic novels (Watchmen, The Dark Tower, and some of Dad's old comics), but most of these definitely look like good reads, specifically Arkham Asylum and Death In The Family.
I think I'm going to read this now. I didn't know they could answer some of the questions brought up in the game.
Im going to have to add Kevin Smith's sublime "Batman: Cacophony"
I'm really glad I found this Article. After Playing Arkham, I really wanted to read the batman comics and what not, but I didn't want to read any of the boring ones!
I was intrigued by some of the references to Batman comics in Arkham Asylum. Now that I have read this, I know what to look for.
Wow, I just opened the website for my county libraries in another tab. It looks like I'll be able to get every one of these no-problem. I like to check a copy out and see it before I buy one myself, so this works out great. Thanks, Reiner.