Batman Trailer

The popularity of the new films is likely to encourage viewers to seek out more Batman stories on their own. However, the vast amount of series with the Bat-logo on them in comic shops can be intimidating for new readers. Thankfully, most comic shop owners are always happy to guide new readers to some good starting places. Here’s what they’ll most likely suggest. Given Batman’s new popularity, most of these are available in regular bookstores as well as comic shops.

1. The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson. This story is considered not only one of the greatest Batman tales, but one of the greatest comic stories of all time. Miller writes a hard-bitten Batman who has given up crime-fighting in the face of modern crime, but is inspired to return in order to fight a bigger conspiracy. Miller’s psychological depiction is spot-on, and the reader is introduced to a number of Batman’s most popular foes.
2. Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. After the success of DKR, Miller wrote this storyline for the official comic series. It’s a drastically different depiction, with Batman as an idealistic crime-fighter just starting out. However, he quickly realizes both his own limitations, and the corruption of the police force around him.
3. Batman: A Death in the Family by Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo. One of the most pivotal moments in the Batman mythos, this story follows Batman and Jason Todd as Robin as they investigate the reappearance of Jason Todd’s birth mother. The climax is breathtaking, and sets Batman off on a dangerous path of revenge.
4. Batman: Arkham Asylum by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean. Not for the light-hearted, this psychological horror story questions Batman’s own motivations with dark painted art accompanying it. The story serves as a tour of Batman’s most notable villains, all locked up (safely?) in Arkham Asylum.