Note: The Weekly List is a new feature for The Peak where we count down the Top 10 of anything and everything. Check back for a new list every week.
10. Year Zero
2013–present | Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV | Illustrated by Greg Capullo and Rafael Albuquerque
This one comes in at the bottom of this list simply because we’re still waiting for the final chapter in this trilogy that has been showing us the origins of the Dark Knight in the New 52, an ongoing relaunch of DC Comics which began in 2011. It is a great retelling of Batman’s origin story, as he slowly develops into the character we’ve known for years.
9. Gotham by Gaslight
1989 | Written by Brian Augustyn | Illustrated by Mike Mignola
The first of the Elseworlds comics, Gotham by Gaslight reimagines Batman in 1889, where he does battle with Jack the Ripper even as Bruce Wayne is accused of being the infamous serial killer. Its success launched an entire sub-genre of DC Comics in which the characters exist in entirely alternate worlds. A must read if you’re a fan of the steampunk genre, or Mike Mignola’s work with Hellboy.
8. A Death in the Family
1988–1989 | Written by Jim Starlin | Illustrated by Jim Aparo
This arc remains a significant milestone in the world of comics, featuring the death of Jason Todd, Robin #2, at the hands of the Joker. For the first time, we see Batman willing to cross the line set by his moral code and end the threat of the Joker once and for all. This death affected Batman for years, and even in the modern comic series, Jason’s death is considered a moment in Batman’s life almost as the death of his parents.
7. Requiem for Damien
2013 | Written by Paul Cornell, Peter Tomasi, Judd Winick | Illustrated by Scott McDaniel, Patrick Gleason, Guillem March
If the death of Jason Todd affected Batman over the course of several years, one can only imagine how much the death of the most recent Robin affected him, as that Boy Wonder was none other than Damien Wayne — his own son. This story arc gives us an insight into the suffering of both the hero Batman and the man Bruce Wayne; it shows him going through the stages of grief as he struggles to deal with the loss, not only of another partner, but of his child. This arc reminds us that, behind the mask and utility belt, Batman is a human being.
6. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
1989 | Written by Grant Morrison | Illustrated by Dave McKean
Fans of the 2009 video game Batman: Arkham Asylum will recognize this comic even if they’ve never read it, as it was used as a primary source for the game. It’s a psychological thriller, made all the creepier by Dave McKean’s distinctive art style. The Joker takes the staff of the titular asylum hostage and runs Batman through a gauntlet of his foes, all in an effort to show that Batman is just as crazy as they all are. In the novel’s famous conclusion, the Joker tells Batman that there’s always room for him in Arkham.
5. Batman: The Killing Joke
1988 | Written by Alan Moore | Illustrated by Brian Bolland
Considered by many to be one of the best Joker stories out there, The Killing Joke is the closest thing we’ve ever gotten to a Joker origin story, though the character has suggested he prefers his past to be “multiple choice”. The Joker kidnaps and tortures Commissioner Gordon, in an attempt to show that anyone can go mad after a bad day. This story really hit home the concept that Batman and Joker are two sides of the same coin, born out of tragedy, and that the difference between them is much smaller than either one realizes.
4. Death of the Family
2012–2013 | Written by Scott Snyder, Adam Glass, Kyle Higgins, John Layman, Scott Lobdell, Ann Nocenti, Gail Simone, Peter Tomasi, James Tynion IV | Illustrated by Greg Capullo, Eddy Barrows, Ed Benes, Brett Booth, Fernando Dagnino, Jason Fabok, Patrick Gleason, Jock, Timothy Green, Rafa Sandoval
One of the many Batman stories that crosses between multiple comic series, Death of the Family highlights the return of the Joker to the New 52 a year after his departure, as he systematically torments the members of the Bat-Family in an effort to eliminate all of Batman’s partnerships — which he sees as a weakness. In addition to Joker’s return, this story also showed that, despite his friendships and partnerships, Batman’s greatest weakness remains his inability to trust those around him.
3. Tales of the Multiverse: Batman–Vampire
1991, 1994, 1999 | Written by Doug Moench | Illustrated by Kelley Jones
My personal favourite Elseworlds story, this unique arc imagines Batman turned into a vampire in order to combat Dracula, who has come to Gotham in search of new feeding grounds. Though Batman has often struggled with his moral code regarding killing, this collection adds another dimension to that struggle, as he must fight his desire to feed even as he continues to serve as Gotham’s protector.
2. Batman: Knightfall
1993–1994 | Written by Chuck Dixon, Jo Duffy, Alan Grant, Dennis O’Neil, Doug Moench | Illustrated by Jim Aparo, Jim Balent, Eduardo Barreto, Bret Blevins, Norm Breyfogle, Vincent Giarrano, Tom Grummett, Klaus Janson, Barry Kitson, Mike Manley, Graham Nolan, Sal Velluto, Mike Vosburg, Ron Wagner
The introduction of the superstrong genius Bane was one of the most shocking events in the world of comic books, especially coming after the death of Superman only a year before. Everyone knows Bane as the supervillain who broke Batman’s spine, but many do not realize that he also orchestrated the breaking of his spirit, burning him out by forcing him to battle most of the villains in his rogues gallery before ambushing him at Wayne Manor. In the aftermath of these events, Batman takes a year to recover, while a reckless protegé takes his place.
1. The Dark Knight Returns
1986 | Written by Frank Miller | Illustrated by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson
In addition to being a major influence on both Tim Burton’s and Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies — as well as being arguably the best-written Batman arc — The Dark Knight Returns has often been credited with saving the character, as DC was considering cancelling Batman during the 1980s. The story focuses on a retired Batman at the age of 55 returning to save Gotham, which has become overrun by gangs in his absence. Several scenes from the film The Dark Knight Rises were pulled straight out of the pages of this comic, showing just how long its impact has lasted.
