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<< batman graphic novels Batman Comic History (Part 1) >>I’ve recently gotten involved in the online comic blog movement, and noticed that there was a lack of good websites that describe the best batman graphic novels. Out of all the established comic characters out there, Batman has the largest inventory of top notch graphic novels. From Batman Dracula: Red Rain, to Batman: Faces, Batman is the one character that can be cast in a variety of roles and still retain the bearing of a dark avenger. An essential Batman Graphic Novel library needs to hold true to three main themes.
1.The Canonical Batman Stories
2 The “What If” Batman Stories
3.The “end” Batman Stories (Probable endings for the character)
So where is there to start for “definitive” batman stories? A good place to start is “Batman Year One”. “Year One” is written by Frank Miller (of Sin City fame) and describes Batman’s first days as a crime fighter. It’s a gripping story that tells of how Batman came to be, and was also the main inspiration for Batman Begins. Other stories that are told in this same period and can also be considered “essential” are Batman: The Long Halloween, “Shaman”, “Gothic” and “The Man Who Falls”. Each of these stories delves a little deeper into the Batman Mythos, and gives a complete origin story for the character.
“What If” stories hold up a large bulk of other batman graphic novels. This is where the reader needs to be leery of substandard material. Sturgeon’s law quotes on how 97% of all entertainment can be crap. The same can be applied to a lot of Batman graphic novels. In this category, Batman has been cast as a Frankenstein Monster, a zombie, and even as a magical imp! (See batmite entries in Wikipedia for more information). The one story that hold a candle above all these other stories is Batman Dracula:Red Rain. In this horror apocalyptic world, Batman has to fight the most evil of villains, Dracula. In the process he becomes the thing he hates most, and in turn becomes a twisted reflection of himself. Red Rain is a gripping storyline that becomes a thesis on how to retain one’s own humanity in the midst of utter horror. Other recommended stories in this realm are “Batman: Gothic” and “Arkham Asylum”.
In regards to future tales, there is one that sits on its own pedestal. “The Dark Knight Returns” has become the defacto last Batman Story. In this twisted future, an aging Bruce Wayne needs to return to the role of Batman for his own sanity, and also to return peace to ha gang ridden Gotham City. It’s very dark, and has redefined Batman to the role of an obsessive compulsive sociopath who will do whatever it takes to “get the job done”. There’s not much else that can be really considered definitive Batman stories in this category. The only other story that has an epic final note is Kingdom Come (this can really be considered a Superman Story).
So there you have it, a definite list of essential Batman Stories. I will break them down into an easy to read list below.
Canonical Batman Stories
- Batman Year One
- The Long Halloween
- Shaman
- The Man Who Falls
“What If” Stories
- Batman Red Rain
- Arkham Asylum
- Gothic
End Batman Stories
- Dark Knight Returns
- Kingdom Come
All of these stories can be regarded as essential takes on the character. There are a 1000 others, and a 1000 different opinions. But most people can agree on most of the above picks. For more listings of batman graphic novels, please visit visit this site regularly for more updates.
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