By Zack Quaintance — The Batman movie is due out March 4, and we’ve been spending the past few weeks getting hyped for all things Batman, from re-posting Harry Kassen’s excellent Batman Comics Anatomy pieces to a Very Complete guide to Batman in the comics (one not without a bit of controversy). Today, we’ve compiled a list of the Best Batman Comics by asking our site contributors for their personal favorites.

One of the parameters for this list is that we sort of avoided the standard all-time best Batman comics picks — if you haven’t read Batman - Year One or Dark Knight Returns, please do so, they’re both essential — and instead we tried to push just a bit beyond those. What you’ll find below is a collection of recent-classic Batman books, with a cross-section of other favorites that include more idiosyncratic Bat-takes as well as highlights from eras that would be foundational for the modern character. Oh! And checkback next week for a list highlighting Batman comics we’d love to see adapted into future movies…

Enjoy!

The All-Time Best Batman Comics - Staff Picks

Batman: The Black Mirror
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jock and Francesco Francavilla
Letterers: Todd Klein and Jared K. Fletcher
A series of brutal murders pushes Batman's detective skills to the limit and forces him to confront one of Gotham City's oldest evils. Helpless and trapped in the deadly Mirror House, Batman must fight for his life against one of Gotham City's oldest and most powerful evils! Then, in a second story called "Hungry City," the corpse of a killer whale shows up on the floor of one of Gotham City's foremost banks. The event begins a strange and deadly mystery that will bring Batman face-to-face with the new, terrifying faces of organized crime in Gotham.
Why It’s Cool: Black Mirror is one of those perfectly-formed Batman stories that almost feels self-contained, and it’s probably my go-to pick from recent comics to hand to lapsed or new comics readers who have an interest in the character. It’s really got some of the foundational elements for modern takes on Batman at their finest, from detective work (which I’m hoping is something we see in the new film) to tinges of horror comics storytelling. (Zack Quaintance)
Order It Here: Batman: The Black Mirror

Batman: City of Crime
Writer: David Lapham
Artists: David Lapham, Ramon Bachs, Nathan Massengill
Letterers: Phil Balsman and Jared K. Fletcher
Collecting the epic tale from Detective Comics #800-808 and #811-814 written by David Lapham (Stray Bullets)! As the Dark Knight tries to shut down a drug ring turned deadly, Bruce Wayne must contend with a wayward 14-year-old who is dangerously close to Gotham City's underworld!
Why It’s Cool: City of Crime is one of those rare comics stories that delivers a compelling and unrelenting vision. It’s a story that puts the worst of the world on display and doesn’t sugar coat it. It delves into an aspect of Batman’s crusade few have tackled, that of which crimes escape his watch while he is stopping the larger supervillain threats. This spans from abuse to poverty. The villains of this tale are firmly grounded in reality instead of the exaggerated absurdity of a traditional comic. The art by Lapham, Bachs and Massengill also functions as the driving force here. The visuals speak volumes in and of themselves, even if you were to take out the narration and dialogue all the drama would still come across. It’s a tough read at times but one that never loses sight of the hope inherent in the idea of Batman. This is a book that takes all the key elements that make a great Batman comic and delivers them in a fresh and engaging way. (Ben Morin)
Order It Here: Batman: City of Crime

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight
Writer: Brian Augustyn
Penciller: Mike Mignola
Inker: P. Craig Russell
Colorist: David Hornung
Letterer: John Workman
In an age of mystery and superstition, how would the people of Gotham react to a weird creature of the night, a bat-garbed vigilante feared by the guilty and the innocent alike? The very first Elseworlds tale re-imagines the Dark Knight detective in Victorian times and pits him against the infamous murderer Jack the Ripper.
Why It's Cool: I could probably just write “Batman” and “Jack the Ripper” and leave it at that, because the concept is worth the price of admission alone, but this is a work that transcends even its awesome remit. This story is a testament to the versatility of the Batman concept, taking him out of his familiar modern setting and casting a noir mystery in 1889. And it has some absolutely incredible artwork from the legends Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell. Their styles mesh beautifully, preserving Mignola's inky shadows and blocky characters, but giving it some of Russell's fine lined outlines and precise facial expressions. All of it made even more interesting by David Hornung's use of a limited colour palette and John Workman taking full advantage of the epistolary parts of Brian Augustyn's scripts to really immerse the reader in the period. (d. emerson eddy)
Order It Here: Batman: Gotham by Gaslight

Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 1 - Vol. 3
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artists: Various
Colorists: Various
Letterers: Various
Now collecting the entirety of this epic saga, this first of three omnibus collections introduces Batman to his son, Damian Wayne, and takes the Caped Crusader from the brink of death to the edge of madness. These blockbuster stories, including the now-classic Batman & Son, Batman: The Black Glove and Batman R.I.P., feature a deconstruction of superhero comics like no other, with a challenging, thought-provoking take on the man behind the cowl.
Why It’s Cool: Do you want to immerse yourself in a years-long Batman epic that spans nearly a decade of mainline comics about the character? Well, if so, my pick for that kind of reading experience is absolutely Batman by Grant Morrison, arguably Morrison’s crowning achievement from many many years of telling stories with DC Comics characters. I don’t want to influence expectations too much for the uninitiated, but I will say that this is a modern-feeling comic that incorporates all of Batman’s history in varied and interesting ways. It’s an utter job, quite frankly. (Zack Quaintance)

Order It Here: Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus, Vol. 1; Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus, Vol. 2; and Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus, Vol. 3

Batman: Haunted Knight
Storytellers: Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale
Colorists: Gregory Wright & Android Images (separations for chapters two & three)
Letterer: Todd Klein
Batman faces off against his most demented and wicked foes in three dark tales of horror and intrigue. Taking place on the most evil of holidays, Halloween, the Dark Knight Detective confronts his deepest fears as he tries to stop the madness and horror created by The Scarecrow, the Mad Hatter, the Penguin, Poison Ivy and The Joker.
Why It's Cool: The Long Halloween may get more press and notoriety, but I feel like the dry run for that work is much better. Over the course of three annual specials for Legends of the Dark Knight, Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, Gregory Wright, and Todd Klein delivered a proof of concept for the longer work in three solid, self-contained tales that took a dive into some of Batman's heavies, while exploring some emotional elements of the broader Bat-verse. We get a bit of ill-fated romance, rebellious kids finding out that Gotham's more dangerous than it's worth, and more. There's a heart here that I feel shines through. Also, Tim Sale is at some of his more experimental with some incredible layouts and shifts in methods of visual storytelling. Especially in an absolutely glorious interpretation of A Christmas Carol. (d. emerson eddy)
Order It Here: Batman: Haunted Knight

Batman/The Shadow: Murder Geniuses
Writers: Scott Snyder & Steve Orlando
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Colorist: Ivan Plascencia
Letterers: Clem Robins & Deron Bennett (prologue)
As Gotham City’s guardian, Batman has investigated nearly every kind of murder―but he’s never seen a homicide as strange as this. The death of Lamont Cranston, an Arkham Asylum employee, leads the Dark Knight Detective to an impossible conclusion: the crime was committed by a man also named Lamont Cranston, who died more than 50 years ago―a man better known as the Shadow.
Why It's Cool: You don't really get a much better cross-franchise pairing than Batman and The Shadow when it comes to pulp and superhero sensibilities and the execution from Snyder, Orlando, Rossmo, Plascencia, Robins, and Bennett is top notch. This is an exciting, and sometimes weird, adventure that blends the mythos and supporting casts of both heroes in one hell of a wild ride. What truly elevates this story to the next level is some phenomenal artwork from Rossmo. (d. emerson eddy)
Order It Here: Batman/The Shadow: Murder Geniuses

Batman: Sword of Azrael
Writer: Dennis O’Neil
Penciller: Joe Quesada
Inker: Kevin Nowlan
Colorist: Lovern Kindzierski
Letterer: Ken Bruzenak
It will prove to be one of Batman's most challenging adventures as a new hero joins the Dark Knight's continuing cast of characters in BATMAN: SWORD OF AZRAEL. Azrael is the enforcer for the secret Order of Saint Dumas, a society whose existence dates back to the time of the Crusades. When this bullet-riddled angel of death crashes into the midst of a Gotham City parade, Batman is drawn into the mystery of Azrael, launching them on a quest that leads both Batman and the young Azrael to Europe where they separately investigate the systematic slaying of the members of the Order of Saint Dumas.
Why It’s Cool: I don’t know if this is the best Batman story, but for my money it’s perfect. Longtime Batman writer and editor Dennis O’Neil brings his signature 1970s globe-trotting thriller experience to bear, and Joe Quesada, Kevin Nowlan, and Lovern Kindzierski back it up with the most powerful visuals the 1990s could spare. Top it all off with the muscular and unique lettering of Ken Bruzenak and you have the makings of a classic. With a set of brand-new mysterious characters and a plot that moves along at the pace of an action blockbuster, Sword of Azrael is Batman if it was a little bit James Bond and a little bit The Da Vinci Code; a little bit Michael Mann and a little bit Assassin’s Creed. For those looking for non-stop thrills and high-octane art, this is the Batman book for you. (Harry Kassen)
Order It Here: Batman: Sword of Azrael

Batman by Tom King and Lee Weeks: The Deluxe Edition
Writer: Tom King
Artists: Lee Weeks and more
Colorists: Elizabeth Breitweiser and more
Letterers: Clayton Cowles, Deron Bennett, and more
Superstar comic book writer Tom King and others team with acclaimed artist Lee Weeks to take on pop culture's greatest hero, Batman! This collection includes "Cold Days," as Bruce Wayne gets jury duty for a court case involving Mr. Freeze! Will the evidence cause Batman to rethink his methods? In "Knightmares," Batman chases a new foe who outsmarts him at every turn-is it someone more familiar to the Dark Knight than even he suspects? And in the Eisner Award-nominated Batman/Elmer Fudd Special, Batman ends up in the Looney Tunes character's crosshairs in a story you never expected! Plus, classic tales illustrated by Weeks, including "Prodigal," in which Dick Grayson took on the Batman cowl for the first time. Collects Batman #51-53 and #67, Batman Annual #2, and Batman/Elmer Fudd Special #1.
Why It’s Cool: If you want to distill writer Tom King’s run on Batman down to a set of its finest moments, the collection featuring Lee Weeks might be your best bet. It’s got some of the true highs of the run, including Batman Annual #2 and the Cold Days Arc, which might be my personal favorite take on Batman in recent years (made even more interesting by The Batman film direct Matt Reeves saying he wants to do a grounded movie with Mr. Freeze…). On top of that, this deluxe collection also includes the irreverent bit of comics genius that is Batman/Elmer Fudd Special #1. There’s a whole lost of great Batman packed into this collection. (Zack Quaintance)
Order It Here: Batman by Tom King and Lee Weeks Deluxe Edition

Batman Universe
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Nick Derington
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterers: Josh Reed, Carlos M. Mangual, Tom Napolitano, Troy Peteri
In this story written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Nick Derington, Batman is pushed to his limit as he sets off in search of an item with incredible destructive powers-and embarks on a journey across the DC Universe! It's a race to the finish line as Batman chases the Riddler from Gotham to Gorilla City and beyond, with the fate of humanity in the balance. Guest stars include Vandal Savage, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Deathstroke, Jonah Hex, and more! Collects Batman: Universe #1-6.
Why It’s Cool: In my blurb for Batman: Black Mirror, I said that was my go-to book for folks who want to grab a self-contained Batman story, and it is. Batman Universe, however, is my go-to comic for folks that want a self-contained DC Universe story…with Batman at the center. This book is really just a delight from start to finish. It’s a lighter take on the character, one that can appeal to all ages, and it frames him more as an adventurer than a troubled and dark detective. In this comic you’ll find dinosaurs, misdirection, and a fantastic mystery that careens throughout the world’s of many DC characters. (Zack Quaintance)
Order It Here: Batman Universe

Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: Andy Kubert
Inker: Scott Williams
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Jared Fletcher
Best-selling author Neil Gaiman (The Sandman) joins a murderer's row of talented artists in lending his unique touch to the Batman mythos for this Deluxe Edition hardcover! Spotlighting the story "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" from Batman #685 and Detective Comics #852, Gaiman joins artist Andy Kubert and inker Scott Williams for a story that shines a new light on the Batman mythos. Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? also collects Gaiman stories from Secret Origins #36, Secret Origins Special #1, and Batman Black And White #2. This collection is not to be missed!
Why It’s Cool: It makes me sob, every single time. Emotional gut-punches aside, Whatever Happened is what I would consider to be a perfect distillation of Batman as a character. It’s only two issues, billed as the “last” issues of the respective mainline Batman (#686) and Detective Comics (#853) titles at the time, and being the “final Batman story” as the sales pitch. And it works tremendously. Neil Gaiman, Andy Kubert, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, and Jared Fletcher craft a masterful tale encapsulating what it means to be Batman for Bruce Wayne. It’s got action, intrigue, heart, and at its core is even a detective story. Kubert, Williams, and Sinclair homage classic artistic eras throughout the Caped Crusader’s history while maintaining their own artistic signatures and the result is a beautiful blend of Batman’s history. This story is my most recommended Batman comic and is the one I would hand to someone if they (somehow) had never heard of Batman before. It’s one that I don’t see on many “Top Batman stories” lists but I think should always be there. It’s my personal favorite Batman story and at just two issues it’s a breeze to read and blows me away every time. The title also calls back to the great Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow story by Alan Moore, and has even more history than that, and that’s just rad. (Alex Batts)
Order It Here: Batman - Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

Bruce Wayne Murderer
Writers: Greg Rucka, Devin Grayson, Ed Brubaker, Kelley Puckett, Chuck Dixon
Pencils: Rick Burchett, Roger Robinson, Scott McDaniel, Rick Leonardi, Damion Scott, Pete Woods, Trevor McCarthy, Steve Lieber, Leonardo Manco, Phil Noto, and William Rosado
Inkers: Klaus Janson, John Floyd, Jesse Delperdang, Rodney Ramos, Robert Campanella, Andrew Pepoy, Rod Stull, Andy Owens, Mick Gray, Rob Leigh, Mark McKenna, and Marlo Azquia
Colorists: Lee Loughridge, Jason Wright, Greg Wright, Gloria Vasquez, Patricia Mulvihill, Noelle Giddings
Letterers: Willie Schubert, Todd Klein, John Costanzo, Digital Chameleon, Bill Oakley, Albert T De Guzman, Roberta Tewes
After being found with the dead body of Vesper Fairchild in his arms, Bruce Wayne is arrested for her murder. Looking to prove Bruce's innocence, Nightwing, Robin and Batgirl quickly begin an investigation to discover the true killer. But as the mystery unfolds, evidence of Bruce's guilt mounts and even his closest allies begin to question their mentor's innocence. Tired of portraying himself as someone he is not and further embracing the freedom of his masked identity, Bruce decides to lay his millionaire playboy alter ego to rest and live life only as the Batman.
Why It’s Cool: I first stumbled onto this story while reading through Kelley Puckett’s Batgirl series as a kid. The story that had been ongoing shifted, joining a much larger crossover. Batgirl (at the time, Cassandra Cain) is asked by Oracle to tail a pair of officers at Wayne Manor. During this mission, she uncovers that Batman is Bruce Wayne; a revelation that was quite powerful at that time. I had to backtrack for myself and read more. And so I did, and I read stories of each member of the Bat-family, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, even Alfred involved with this plot. What I enjoyed most about this story was the scope, as well as its focus on consequences.
This is an interesting Batman comic to me because Bruce Wayne: Murderer DOES follow through on consequences. Unlike many stories that end with characters gently back into the proverbial toy box, this story ends by pushing forward a fresh set of narratives. Bruce Wayne is not absolved, he adapts and continues on. It’s a great example of how slow and earned changes can be made to these long-running characters, even Batman. (Larry Jorash)
Order It Here: Bruce Wanye: Murderer

Catwoman #37: “Only Takes a Night”
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Penciler: Sean Phillips
Inker: Stefano Gaudiano
Colorist: Laurie Kronenberg
Letterer: Clem Robins
It’s a single issue in which Batman busts out his sport coat and takes Catwoman to dinner and a movie. There is literally no fisticuffs in this one.
Why It’s Cool: To me, there is nothing more indulgent in the DC universe than when the Bat lays down with the Cat. It’s not healthy, it’s not going to end well, but that just makes it more tantalizing. Mr. Wayne subsists on a strict diet of moral rigidity and lean justice, but we love to see the big guy loosen his utility belt every once in a while.
In Catwoman: “Only Takes a Night,” Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips give us exactly what we want, and it is so, so sweet. While Selina was engaged elsewhere (the unwilling bride of the leader of an ancient Egyptian cult), the world’s greatest detective has a chance to examine his crime scene of a love life. It was a cut and dry burglary case, and Selina’s fingerprints were all over it.
When he finally makes his move, the B-man is stiff. I mean, his demeanor. He comes across as awkward. The Cat got his tongue, but lucky for him, they had similar plans for it. Not without dinner and a movie first. She is a lady after all. It is such a treat to see Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle have a little date night - and to watch Bruce fumble at it a bit. He may be a Dark Knight in the streets, but when it comes to asking a pretty girl to make out on the couch he’s a mess and it’s adorable. (Lisa Gullickson)
Order It Here: Catwoman #37

Gotham Central
Writers: Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka
Artists: Michael Lark, Brian Hurtt, Stefano Gaudiano, Greg Scott, Jason Alexander, Steve Lieber, and Kano
Colorists: Noelle Giddings, Lee Loughridge
Letterers: Willie Schubert, Clem Robins,
Not all of Gotham's heroes wear costumes. Batman may get all the credit for cleaning up the town, but Renee Montoya & Crispus Allen of the Special Crimes Unit are determined to do the job. Witness the gritty side of the GCPD from their perspective, as they solve crimes their own way.
Why It’s Cool: This is one of my all-time favorite Batman comics, and the thing is, it doesn’t have all that much Batman in it, at least not at its center. This book is actually about the folks who work for the Gotham City Police Department, and have to deal with Batman’s larger-than-life diabolical rogue’s gallery on a daily basis. It sounds wild to write this, but this is the story of someone who just shows up to do a job, to protect the community, and finds themselves suddenly frozen by Mr. Freeze. There’s never been a comic quite like this one, and I can’t recommend it enough. Check it out via omnibus or in four easy-to-find volumes. Also, side note: if you want to read more about this book, check-out our complete series of articles, Gotham Central: Case by Case. (Zack Quaintance)
Order It Here: Gotham Central Omnibus

Legends of the Dark Knight: Matt Wagner
Writers: Matt Wagner & Tom King
Artists: Matt Wagner & Dave Taylor
Colorists: Steve Oliff, Linda Medley, Dave Stewart & Tomeu Morey
Letterers: Willie Schubert, Bill Oakley, Tim Harkins, Rob Leigh & Clayton Cowles
Writer/artist Matt Wagner's noir tales of the Dark Knight are collected in a single volume for the first time! Batman has spent his first year fighting organized crime-but nothing in his early career as the Caped Crusader has prepared him for the new menace facing Gotham City: super-villains! Plus, Two-Face creates an army of deformed slaves! Collects Batman and the Monster Men #1-6, Batman and the Mad Monk #1-6, Batman: Riddler: The Riddle Factory #1, Batman #54, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #28-30, and a story from Batman Black and White #3.
Why It's Cool: You get to see Matt Wagner, he of creator-owned magnificence in Grendel and Mage, bring all of his comics storytelling acumen to Batman. Wagner's proven over the years that he's phenomenal with noir and crime tales, delivering a gritty, measured pacing that I often feel brings hard-boiled methods to visual storytelling, without the overwrought prose. Deep mood and atmosphere brought in very deliberate layouts and panel transitions. His “Faces” from Legends of the Dark Knight is often listed as one of the best Batman stories and an excellent exploration of Two-Face. The Monster Men/Mad Monk one-two punch of tales take us back to Batman's early days, framed in the kind of pulp storytelling akin to The Shadow, as Wagner revisits stories from Batman #1 and Detective Comics #32.
But the one that really grabs me and I highly recommend is Batman – Riddler: The Riddle Factory. It's one of my favourite Batman stories overall, originally released alongside Batman – Two-Face: Crime & Punishment (another book I recommend) to coincide with Batman Forever, this is a fascinating look at the Riddler, entertainment media, and the lies that the rich & famous keep from the public. It's also the only story collected here featuring art from someone other than Wagner himself, with Dave Taylor delivering work that somewhat reminds me of Joe Staton, fine-lined with somewhat thin and elongated characters. (d. emerson eddy)
Order It Here: Legends of the Dark Knight: Matt Wagner

Tales of the Batman: Steve Englehart
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin, Walter Simonson, Al Milgrom, Dusty Abell, Drew Geraci, Trevor Von Eeden, Joe Rubinstein, Javior Publido, Irv Novick, Frank McLaughlin, Sal Amendola, Dick Giordano
Colorists: Jerry Serpe, Glynis Wein, Chris Chuckry, Lovern Kindzierski, Rick Taylor, Dave Stewart
Letterers: John Workman, Willie Schubert, Sean Konot, Milton Snapinn, Ben Oda
In these moody tales from the 1970s, Batman faces his own lonely existence while struggling against one of his earliest foes, Dr. Hugo Strange. This run also includes the renowned "Joker Fish" story line, in which the Clown Prince of Crime comes up with his most off-the-wall scheme ever, along with the 2005 miniseries in which The Joker runs for office with the slogan "Vote for me or I'll kill you!" Collects Detective Comics #439 and #469-476, Batman #311, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #109-111, Legends of the DC Universe #26-27, Batman: Dark Detective #1-6, and a story from Batman Chronicles #19.
Why It’s Cool: Batman has no shortage of epic runs, acclaimed creators, and iconic stories. Every year you’ll find book after book people would consider definitive. And that’s great! We all win when a character feels like they’re always on creative fire, but sometimes that means we forget to look back at all the greatness of the past. Have you ever imagined a world without Dark Knight Returns, Year One, and Killing Joke? If you flashback to the 70s, in their place you’ll find none other than the classic Detective run by Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers! Included in this beautiful hardcover is every issue Englehart wrote on the character. If, like most people, your major exposure to Batman is The Animated Series with characters like Ruport Thorne and eerie episodes like “The Laughing Fish,” all of that started here! Not to mention a famous re-introduction to the golden age villain Hugo Strange, who was virtually absent for decades prior this run, as well as the first appearance of Deadshot’s iconic red costume. To top it all off, most of these issues are drawn by Marshall Rogers who is, for my money, the greatest Batman artist of all time. If you want to know what classic Batman feels like, if you just want a taste of the comic book roots without losing the modern edge, read this run! And immediately you’ll be struck by just how much pulls from these pages. (Steve Baxi)
Order It Here: Tales of the Batman: Steve Englehart