The Top 25 Batman Stories of All Time

Posted by Matt Butrovich | May. 15, 2008 04:15PM PST | 5298 views | 0 comments

FILED UNDER: Features, Opinion. Comics, Movies, TV.

If you've followed my posting at all, you've figured out by now that I'm a big fan of Batman. The Dark Knight is easily my most anticipated movie of the year, and I'm trying to spread my love for all things Batman. As a challenge to myself and a service to you all, I set out to compile a list of the best Batman stories of all time, across all media. That includes movies, television, and of course, comics. I don't want to spoil the list, but suffice to say my choices will likely ruffle a few feathers, especially for some of the older Batman fans out there.

25. The Dark Knight Returns (1986)

We're starting things off with some controversy. I like that. Look, The Dark Knight Returns is no doubt one of the most important comic books ever. Frank Miller's tale of a long-retired Bruce Wayne that returns to the cape and cowl set the tone for Batman for the next 20 years, resulting in a much darker and grittier character. Miller almost single-handedly gave us back the brooding Dark Knight, instead of the campy Caped Crusader that had dominated Batman in the previous decades. But is it a truly great Batman story? Not when compared with what's to come in this list. It's a comic that every Bat-fan should experience once, which is why it's here, but it's not one I find myself pulling off of the shelf to read over and over again.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

24. JLA: Tower of Babel (2000)

Batman is one seriously paranoid dude. Or maybe he just likes to always be prepared. Either way, JLA: Tower of Babel demonstrates the lengths to which Batman will go to protect himself by maintaining contingency plans for the destruction of the Justice League. He keeps a database of every member's weaknesses and methods in place to exploit them if necessary. When those secret files are stolen, the League is faced with one of its most difficult battles ever, and Batman is forced to bear the consequences of his actions. Though it seems overly deceptive at first, the JLA does eventually recognize the need for Batman's research, should any or all members of the League ever find themselves forced against one another. Batman tries to justify his actions, but the end result is easy to guess. It's interesting to note that Batman's reason for his betrayal, if you want to call it that, is retconned and further explained in the 2004 series, Identity Crisis.

JLA: Tower of Babel

23. Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

We'll get the ball rolling for animated stories with Mask of the Phantasm, or as it's also known, Batman: The Animated Movie. What makes this film a great story is not its emphasis on Batman, but rather Bruce Wayne. We get an intriguing look at the man behind the mask and some of the motivations that drive him to don the cape and cowl. We also get a glimpse at Batman's genesis in the DC animated universe, which makes it an origin story. Mask of the Phantasm is must-view material for anyone with a passing interest in the animated continuity, as characters are introduced that return over ten years later for the Justice League Unlimited series.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

22. BTAS: Almost Got 'Im (1992)

Two animated selections in a row, but this one's from the second season of Batman: The Animated Series. "Almost Got 'Im" is a great episode that really serves to embellish Batman's rogues gallery more than anything. With seven of Batman's nemeses making appearances, the plot revolves around four retelling their best encounters with the Dark Knight and arguing over who's come the closest to killing him. There's some hilarious banter between the villains as we come to understand their uneasy alliance, but the real payoff for the episode is at the end. It's not quite a twist for the ages, but it's a fun surprise that pulls the whole story together.

Batman - The Animated Series, Volumes 1-4

21. Knightfall (1993)

The early 90s were a depressing time to be a DC comics fan. Superman was killed, and then came Batman: Knightfall. After years of battling the Joker, Two-Face, and the Riddler, readers probably began to view Batman as invulnerable. Enter Bane, the brilliant (at least in the comics) and brutal fugitive from Arkham Asylum. Having figured out Batman's secret identity, he attacks Bruce Wayne in his home when he's most vulnerable and snaps his back. Over the course of the story arc, Azrael steps in at Bruce's request to defend Gotham City as Batman, while his relationships between Tim Drake and Dick Grayson are pushed to the breaking point. The entire saga is a long read, but provides an entertaining look at Batman's psyche and his support cast when he needs them the most.

Batman: Knightfall, Part One: Broken Bat

Batman: Knightfall, Part Two: Who Rules the Night

Batman: Knightfall, Part Three: KnightsEnd

20. STAS: Knight Time (1998)

We're back to animated adventures, but this one's not from a Batman series. Nope, this episode belongs to his Kryptonian comrade and comes from the third season of Superman - The Animated Series. Then why is it on a top 25 Batman list? Simple: it's a cross-over story. When Bruce Wayne goes missing, Superman finds himself filling in for the Caped Crusader in Gotham. Teaming up with Tim Drake's Robin, Superman in Batman garb must imitate Bruce's detective skills in order to find him. What makes it more of a Batman story is the fact that Supes is dealing with Batman's rogues gallery (until the plot's mastermind is revealed), and their reactions to the Dark Knight's improved abilities are hilarious.

Superman - The Animated Series, Volumes 1-3

19. A Lonely Place of Dying (1989)

Tim Drake is the best Robin. There, I said it. Unlike Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, who Bruce Wayne brought into his life out of charity, Tim Drake earned his spot. Following the death of Jason Todd, Batman is a wreck. He's little more than a brute in a costume, seemingly with a death wish. Tim Drake can see that the Caped Crusader is in need of a partner, and by using his detective skills is able to deduce the secret identities of both the Batman and his former Robin, Dick Grayson. However, Dick has no interest in being the Boy Wonder again, and it slowly becomes clear that Tim is the best candidate to step into the role. Though Tim is hesitant to become Batman's new sidekick, he eventually embraces it and the Dynamic Duo is in action once again. Batman is put back on track, and Tim becomes the hero he was born to be.

Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying

18. BTAS: Two-Face (1992)

Though it's not as epic as Two-Face's comic origins, the animated version of Two-Face's creation is a surprisingly mature and disturbing retelling, considering its cartoon format. What's interesting to note is that Harvey Dent is portrayed as having a dual-personality disorder prior to his disfigurement, which then only further damages his psyche. The episode also does a great job of showing Bruce Wayne's guilt at the loss of Harvey Dent, and his resolve to redeem him. It ends with Batman and James Gordon ruminating on the loss of their friend, with Batman saying that wherever there is love, there is hope.

Batman - The Animated Series, Volumes 1-4

17. A Death in the Family (1988)

Jason Todd's death as the second Robin is one of the most important moments in Batman's history, maybe in all of comics history. For too long, fans were frustrated by the lack of permanence in comics story lines. Villains and heroes were killed, only to come back at a later time. This time, DC wanted to make an impression by killing off a high profile character, permanently. The unpopular second Robin, Jason Todd, seemed like an easy target. They gave the choice to their readers, and over 10,000 people actually paid to cast their vote, with a small margin for death winning out. The readers got their wish. The story itself is more of a means to an end, with the plot revolving around the Joker hijacking a nuclear weapon and hiding out in the Middle East, while Jason Todd goes off in search of his parents. It's all a bit strange, but the outcome is what's important. Jason's death forces Batman to cope with emotions he hasn't felt since his parents' death, and to manage the desire for revenge that goes with them. Thankfully, he doesn't have to do it alone.

One final note: Jason Todd's death was retconned in the last few years. Who didn't see that coming?

Batman: A Death in the Family

16. STAS: World's Finest (1997)

Here's another animated cross-over, and this one's fantastic. Once again Batman shows up in Superman - The Animated Series, this time in a three-part saga dubbed "World's Finest," which was later reedited and sold individually as The Batman Superman Movie. The Joker and Lex Luthor have teamed up to kill Superman, and only a similar allegiance between Supes and Bats can stop them. Along the way, their uneasy teamwork is a joy to watch, while a love triangle that develops with Lois Lane further adds to the tension. The Superman/Batman dynamic isn't quite as acrimonious as in The Dark Knight Returns, but it's entertaining nonetheless. The Joker is also on the top of his game in this story, and when paired with Harley Quinn, you can't help but love them.

The Batman Superman Movie

Superman - The Animated Series, Volumes 1-3

15. BTAS: Robin's Reckoning (1993)

Dick Grayson is the first Robin. His history as a circus performer forced to cope with the death of his family is known by every Bat-fan. Once again, Batman - The Animated Series handles those flashbacks with a great deal of maturity, while at the same time presenting a modern story of Robin seeking revenge for his family's death. Throughout the two-part episode, Dick's relationship with Bruce is chronicled from its genesis to its current troubled times. In the end, Robin is forced to make a decision between justice and vengeance.

Batman - The Animated Series, Volumes 1-4

14. Hush (2002)

Is Jason Todd really dead? Well, now we know that no, he isn't. Thanks DC, for falling right back into your old ways by bringing back long dead characters. Regardless, at the time of its release, Hush was a great surprise for its readers, as Batman is forced to cope with the idea that Jason Todd is back from the dead. The main storyline isn't even related to the second Robin, but rather a mysterious villain known as Hush that is terrorizing Gotham. During the course of the entertaining plot, we get to see Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Ra's al Gul, The Riddler, Superman, and numerous other DC characters in action as Batman tries to determine the identity of Hush. The grand reveal isn't much of a surprise, but the story is a fun ride throughout. For the proper return of Jason Todd, you'll have to check out Batman #638 and some of the Nightwing issues from the One Year Later event.

Batman: Hush, Vol. 1

Batman: Hush, Vol. 2

Absolute Batman: Hush

13. JLU: Epilogue (2005)

Talk about a great way to cap off the DC animated universe. At the time of its creation, Justice League Unlimited hadn't been renewed for another season, so it seemed that "Epilogue" would be the end of a legacy. The writers took this opportunity to jump forward into the future, and create what is essentially one final Batman Beyond episode. Terry McGinnis has now been Batman for over 15 years when he discovers a startling revelation about Bruce Wayne's past, as well as his own. With the assistance of Amanda Waller's reminiscing, Terry comes to understand Bruce Wayne in a moment that has come to define the animated version of the character. Be sure to watch through Batman Beyond before getting to "Epilogue," otherwise its impact will likely be lost on you.

Justice League Unlimited, Seasons 1-2

12. The Man Who Laughs (2005)

The Joker is a sadistic nut-job unlike any other Batman has encountered. Though The Killing Joke established the depths of Joker's madness long ago, the more recent story The Man Who Laughs gives us a glimpse into Gotham's harsh introduction to the Clown Prince of Crime. James Gordon is still just a Captain on the police force and Batman has only been around a short time when a new villain, the first of the so-called "freaks," appears. The upcoming Batman movie, The Dark Knight, appears to borrow several thematic elements from The Man Who Laughs, including the idea of escalation caused by Batman's appearance in Gotham. The tale is a perfect character piece for the Joker, and a great read in advance of The Dark Knight. Thankfully it's no longer hard to find, due to the hardcover reprint just a few months ago.

Batman: The Man Who Laughs

11. Arkham Asylum (1989)

Though Arkham Asylum tells an interesting story and provides a unique glimpse into the minds of Gotham's favorite psychotics (including Batman), the real standout here is the fantastic artwork. Had any other artist attempted this story, it likely wouldn't have worked. There are in fact two stories told over the course of Arkham Asylum. In one, we get to see Batman's journey into Arkham, and even begin to wonder if perhaps the Dark Knight should have a cell of his own. In the other, we see the story of Arkham's early days, and its founder's very own descent into madness. With any other artist, this story would have been a mess. Instead, Dave McKean paints a stunning picture that lets us almost see into the minds of Arkham's residents. Nearly all of Batman's rogues gallery is present in this tale, so it makes for a great story if you don't always want to read about the Joker and Two-Face.

Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)

10. BTAS: Sins of the Father (1997)

Ask DC animated fans who Robin's secret identity is, and you're more likely to hear "Tim Drake" more than "Dick Grayson." As the second Robin in DC animated continuity "Sins of the Father" gives us Tim's origin story, and manages to toss in a fun Two-Face story at the same time. Here, Tim Drake is something of an amalgamation of his DC comics counterpart and the ignored Robin, Jason Todd. Though not quite the detective as his print version, Tim's just as determined to make a difference and finds himself joining forces with the Caped Crusader in no time. Though Batman is initially hesitant to accept further help, by the end his trust in Tim's resolve grows. There's also a great cameo in the closing moments that manages to bring the Robin mythos full circle.

Batman - The Animated Series, Volumes 1-4

9. BTAS: Old Wounds (1998)

Dick Grayson's beginning as Robin made the list, so why shouldn't his end as well? "Old Wounds" is primarily a flashback episode, with Dick telling Tim Drake about his final days as the Boy Wonder and the straw that finally broke the camel's back. Tucked in among the drama is a good Joker plot and some defining moments for Batgirl as well. The closing moments bring some heart to Batman's character, while at the same time finally moving Dick and Bruce past their differences.

Batman - The Animated Series, Volumes 1-4

8. Dark Victory (1999)

Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale already handled the Two-Face origin story beautifully, so why not tackle Robin's origin next? In a story that picks up right after The Long Halloween, Two-Face is waging war against the mafia with the enlistment of other so-called "freaks." Villains like the Joker, the Riddler, Mr. Freeze, and Poison Ivy are united in their desire to control crime in Gotham, and only Batman can stop them. However, he won't be doing it alone. Dick Grayson's parents are lost in the fight for Gotham as collateral damage and Bruce Wayne decides to take him in. With the help of Grayson, Batman is able to put an end to the immediate violence and release Gotham from the war. It's interesting to note that The Long Halloween and Dark Victory are favorites of Christian Bale, the star of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. With those two films borrowing so much from The Long Halloween, I'd say it's a safe bet that a theoretical third movie would lift material from the events of Dark Victory.

Batman: Dark Victory

7. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)

Though none of the individual episodes made the list, Batman Beyond was a great series that showed us an entirely new Batman in Terry McGinnis. His battles with his own past, as well as the pressure of living in the shadow of the original Batman create a character that may be even more sympathetic than Bruce Wayne. For the Batman Beyond movie, titled Return of the Joker, Batman's long gone archenemy suddenly makes a return, and Bruce Wayne can't understand it. Along the way, we're provided flashbacks to Batman's final battle with the Joker, and it's horrifying conclusion. If you've caught it on TV before, you owe it to yourself to pick up the DVD. The original version was heavily edited and doesn't have nearly the same gravity as the uncut version. Thankfully the original, uncut version can still be found quite easily, so be sure to pick that one up.

Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker (The Original Uncut Version)

6. BTAS: Mad Love (1999)

Poor Harley Quinn. For reasons unknown, she loves the Joker with all of her heart and stays complacent through an abusive relationship. Mad Love gives us a look into the beginnings of the love affair, and how Batman had a hand in it. Though the entire episode is largely a character piece for Harley Quinn, the end provides a fascinating example of the Joker's ego and the lengths to which he'll go to maintain it. Though she allies herself with the bad guy and nearly manages to kill Batman herself, you can't help but love her. Mad Love was actually released as a comic first and won an Eisner Award for "Best Single Story" before being translated, literally shot for shot, into cartoon form. The comic is just as good, but Mark Hamill performing the Joker gives the animated version the edge.

Batman - The Animated Series, Volumes 1-4

5. Batman Begins (2005)

We still haven't gotten a perfect Batman movie in my eyes, but Batman Begins sure came close. Batman Begins brings the same brooding Dark Knight we've been reading for 20 years to the big screen, tossing the awful Burton and Schumacher continuities out the window. By borrowing from the best comics in the history of the Bat, including Year One and The Long Halloween, Begins presents a much more grounded and realistic Batman than we'd seen in theaters before. Rachel Dawes wasn't used properly, and the villains aren't Batman's most prolific members of the rogues gallery, but for an origin story it works. The story established James Gordon as a committed cop, Alfred as a trusted companion, and Lucius Fox as a brilliant ally. Most importantly, Bruce Wayne was presented as a real character, with a history that isn't completely implausible. For those who wished that the villain lineup was stronger, we'll get Batman's two most notable foes in the next film, The Dark Knight.

Batman Begins [Blu-ray]

Batman Begins (Limited Edition Gift Set) [Blu-ray]

4. BTAS: Heart of Ice (1992)

If anyone ever tries to question the merits of Batman - The Animated Series, I merely have to bring up "Heart of Ice" and their arguments are silenced. This Emmy Award-winning episode singlehandedly turned Mr. Freeze from one of Batman's worst villains into one of the best. Suddenly Dr. Victor Fries is a sympathetic enemy, fighting for a cure for his terminally ill wife, rather than a one-dimensional gimmick member of Batman's rogues gallery. Mr. Freeze's back story is handled so well that his presence in Batman comics was immediately greatened after "Heart of Ice," and many of its details were lifted for the film Batman & Robin.

Batman - The Animated Series, Volumes 1-4

3. Year One (1987)

Thank Year One for the Batman that we have today. As a complete reset of Batman's origins, Year One paints a compelling picture of Gotham in decay. The police are corrupt. The politicians are blind. The mob rules. No one is willing to fight, until James Gordon arrives from Chicago, and Bruce Wayne returns from over a decade abroad training in martial arts and investigation. We see the moment that Bruce decides to don the cape and cowl, and along the way even get a glimpse into Catwoman's origin. The most striking moment is one that forever changes our view of James Gordon. At the end of the story, Gordon happens to see Batman without his mask, but dismisses the event saying he can't see a thing without his glasses. In that instant, James Gordon changes from a reluctant cop along for the ride, to a committed fighter, willing to guard Bruce Wayne's identity to protect Gotham.

Batman: Year One

2. The Long Halloween (1996)

I really wanted to give this story the number one spot. That's how good it is. As a follow-up to Year One, The Long Halloween serves as a great introduction to Batman's rogues gallery over the course of the year-long tale. What begins as a simple mob story, including Sal "The Boss" Maroni and Carmine "The Roman" Falcone, evolves into a grand mystery that has Batman's detective skills pushed to the limit. It also chronicles Batman's early days working with James Gordon and Harvey Dent, and serves as a contemporary origin story for Two-Face. The Dark Knight should borrow quite a bit of material from The Long Halloween, and we've already seen a direct line from the book in one of TDK's trailers. The Long Halloween is second to only one Batman story, and should not be missed.

Batman: The Long Halloween

Absolute Batman: The Long Halloween

1. The Killing Joke (1988)

If it wasn't Year One or The Long Halloween, it had to be The Killing Joke. We always knew that the Joker was bad, but we never understood how maniacally twisted he was until Alan Moore's The Killing Joke was released. In addition to serving as an origin story for the Joker, The Killing Joke also has one of the most shocking moments in comics history - a moment that forever changed the DC Universe. The Killing Joke provided a chilling glimpse into the Joker's mind unlike anything we've seen before, creating a new understanding of the tormented character. At the same time, we learn a lot about Batman's character as he battles his most diabolical villain, and struggles to bring him in by the book. Featuring superb artwork, fantastic writing, and a surprisingly touching final scene, The Killing Joke is the greatest Batman story of all time.

Batman: The Killing Joke

Closing Comments

You probably noticed that there are no black and white serials from the 1940s, no early Detective Comics, and no Adam West. In fact, every entry is a post-Crisis on Infinite Earths story. I didn't set out to make the list exclusive to modern Batman, but that just happens to be the version of Bats I enjoy the most. Post-Crisis Batman is a more sympathetic and compelling character than his earlier iterations. Bruce Wayne in particular has some substance to him, as do his villains. As far as I'm concerned, the Golden and Silver Age stories are merely curiosities, only to be experienced for nostalgia value.

Batman Begins made the list, but where are the other recent Batman films? How could I forget about Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher? I won't dignify the latter's attempts with a response - YouTube can field that one. I also have several issues with the Tim Burton films, but they're large enough for their own dedicated rant in the future. Put simply, Buton's movies weren't great representations of The Dark Knight, and with the film canon reset with Batman Begins, Batman '89 and Batman Returns just aren't relevant anymore.

Yes, about half of the list was animated. Guess what? The Diniverse is just that good. I view it as DC's counterpart to Marvel's Ultimate series, which draws upon the ideas and characters of its aging comic roots, but gives them much more contemporary redesigns. It's no surprise that elements from the DC animated universe have become canon, as it does a much better job with some of the characters. Thank the DCAU for the creation of Harley Quinn, a Mr. Freeze that doesn't suck, and numerous other additions.

I'd love to know where you'd make changes, so be sure to hit up the comments section below and tell me what you think.

(Source: InfoAddict Original)

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