ReelzChannel: Batman Guide Part 3: Batman in Print

Batman Guide Part 3: Batman in Print

By Jeff Otto

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Intro: Second only to Superman, Batman is the longest consistently-running comic book in history. He has been the subject of monthly comic tales including Detective Comics, Batman, Justice League as well as graphic novels, print novels and of course live action and animation. Batman has truly transcended the medium and taken on just about every form imaginable.

As we near the release of another Batman story on screen, Christopher Nolan's hotly anticipated The Dark Knight, we wanted to offer up some recommendations for Batman newbies looking to dig a little deeper. Nolan's work draws influence from a variety of Batman tales both in terms of story and design. There are literally thousands of Batman comics to choose from, so here's a very abbreviated list of some choice material that should give you a nice overview of the character on the page. In the spirit of The Dark Knight Week, the tales that follow are a bit weighted towards those involving The Joker.

Detective Comics # 27 (1939)

Written by Bob Kane and Bill Finger; Illustrated by Bob Kane

Batman's very first appearance. Sure, it's a bit dated by today's standards, but the basics of Bob Kane and Bill Finger's creation, from origin to the standard look (cape, cowl, bat symbol on chest) remain unchanged today. Batman's first appearance is brief, but it set the stage for an amazing legacy to come.

Available as part of numerous early Batman collections.

Batman # 1 (1940)

Written by Bill Finger; Illustrated by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson

Now that Batman had graduated to his very own comic with Batman # 1, he needed a worthy adversary. Whether Kane and Finger were aware of it at the time or not, The Joker was to become almost as popular as Batman himself. In the joyous maniac's very first appearance right on page one, The Joker already looks pretty scary, with sunken eyes and a maniacal grin as he holds playing cards featuring Batman, the boy wonder Robin and a Joker. By page two, Joker has already murdered a man and left him scarred with the trademark ear-to-ear grin -- scary stuff for a medium aimed at kids in the early '40s.

Available in "The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told."

The Dark Knight Returns (1986)

Written and Illustrated by Frank Miller

Frank Miller revived The Dark Knight in a big way with this haunting tale of a future-Gotham where Batman has hit middle age and retired -- he hasn't been seen in a decade. Without him, Gotham City has gone straight down the toilet. Stories of Batman have become legend and younger citizens believe him to be nothing more than a silly myth. As the city continues to spiral out of control, a grizzled, aged-Batman can watch from the sidelines no more. He returns to the streets, taking aim on the criminals once again. This time, however, he is far from the same loyal crime fighter of the past. Batman is intensely jaded and fueled by anger. He isn't interested in turning the new criminals over to the justice system until after he's beaten them nearly to death. The city is split on support for Batman. An aging Commissioner Gordon is nearing retirement, still a strong supporter of the Dark Knight's non-traditional tactics in crime-fighting. The Dark Knight Returns is a modern comic classic featuring gorgeous animation, a layered storyline rife with classic tales of redemption, modern political commentary and brutal, unflinching pulp noir violence. A wide variety of Batman and DC characters make appearances including The Joker (who's grown even more insane with age) and Superman. Required reading for anyone who thinks comics are just for kids.

Available in graphic novel form.

The Killing Joke (1988)

Written by Alan Moore; Illustrated by Brian Bolland

Widely regarded as the finest of all the Joker tales, Alan Moore brought some of the adult themes of his Watchmen epic into the Batman world. After years feuding as arch-enemies, Batman finally confronts Joker and tries to reason with him. As it so happens, The Joker has already escaped and Batman has been talking to a doppleganger. Meanwhile Joker, dressed like a tourist on a tropical vacation, storms into the home of Commissioner Gordon, brutally shooting his daughter and leaving her in a pool of blood. He takes Gordon hostage for his own brand of tortured amusement, intending to drive Gordon insane simply to prove a point. The parallel themes of Batman and Joker's scarred psyche are explored throughout the story (and explored further in the following year's Arkham Asylum). The story culminates in a rare moment of bonding between the caped crusader and his arch enemy. "It doesn't have to end like that," a compassionate Batman tells Joker. "I don't know what it was that bent your life out of shape, but who knows? Maybe I've been there too. Maybe I can help."

Available in graphic novel form.

Batman: The Man Who Falls (1989)

Written by Dennis O'Neil; Illustrated by Dick Giordano

By the mid-'80s, the classic characters of the DC comics universe were starting to feel a little stale. They tasked their artists and writers with reworking the origin stories of their classic characters. In the case of Batman, the origin would stay the same but the specifics would be altered as-needed. In The Man Who Falls, O'Neil explores the period during which Wayne left Gotham in order to improve his skill set for his future missions. The training sequences here provided inspiration for the origin story of Batman Begins. Some panels of the comic are almost identical to scenes from Nolan's first Batman adventure.

Currently out-of-print in graphic novel form but may be found at comic book stores.

Batman: Year One (1986)

Written by Frank Miller; Illustrated by David Mazzuchelli

Having already reworked Batman into the grizzled old codger of the future in The Dark Knight Returns, comic savior Frank Miller returned to the character as writer-only to tell a new tale of Batman's origin. Slightly expanding the classic Bob Kane/Bill Finger origin story, Miller's tale focuses on Batman's first year serving Gotham as a masked vigilante. The tale also follows Commissioner Gordon, who has just moved to Gotham as the new police commissioner. A little lighter in tone than The Dark Knight, this is still a very dark, brooding tale of Batman in a Gotham City gone awry. Mazzuchelli's work is classic, a clear inspiration for the look of Batman on the '90s animated series. It's also a great story, further cementing the literary credibility of The Dark Knight.

Available in graphic novel form.

Arkham Asylum (1989)

Written by Grant Morrison; Illustrated by Dave McKean

Easily the most twisted of all the Batman tales, Batman finds himself blackmailed into Gotham's famed Asylum. The Joker and assorted miscreants of Gotham (including Two-Face) have taken control of the Asylum and forced Batman to join the fun. Although it would be easy enough to kill Batman or at the very least unmask him, The Joker is more interested in proving that Batman is just as insane as everyone else that has been committed to the Asylum. The artwork of Asylum is simply stunning, each frame a masterpiece worthy of a museum in its own right. McKean's work is probably the greatest influence on the look of Heath Ledger's incarnation of The Joker. Arkham Asylum was also a unique achievement story-wise, a deeply disturbing, frightening tale that surely kept more than a few younger readers (who probably weren't supposed to be reading it anyway) laying awake in bed at night with visions of that chalky white face and blood red grin. McKean and Morrison create the comic equivalent of a living-nightmare and yank you inside.

Available in graphic novel form.

Batman: The Long Halloween (1996-1997)

Written by Jeph Loeb; Illustrated by Tim Sale

A major influence on both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Long Halloween is generally regarded as the best Batman tale of the past decade. Told in 13 parts, this epic storyline cobbles together tales of film noir and gangster cinema, mixing them into a pot along with all the storied elements of the Batman legend. A stark, detailed, sprawling tale of crime, injustice and criminal conspiracy finds Batman at his most vulnerable struggling to take on a fully united criminal element that includes crime boss Carmine Falcone, Poison Ivy and Two-Face.

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	Detective Comics # 27 (1939) Written by Bob Kane and Bill Finger; Illustrated by Bob Kane Batman's very first appearance. Sure, it's a bit dated by today's standards, but the basics of Bob Kane and Bill Finger's creation, from origin to the standard look (cape, cowl, bat symbol on chest) remain unchanged today. Batman's first appearance is brief, but it set the stage for an amazing legacy to come. Available as part of numerous early Batman collections.
	Batman # 1 (1940) Written by Bill Finger; Illustrated by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson Now that Batman had graduated to his very own comic with Batman # 1, he needed a worthy adversary. Whether Kane and Finger were aware of it at the time or not, The Joker was to become almost as popular as Batman himself. In the joyous maniac's very first appearance right on page one, The Joker already looks pretty scary, with sunken eyes and a maniacal grin as he holds playing cards featuring Batman, the boy wonder Robin and a Joker. By page two, Joker has already murdered a man and left him scarred with the trademark ear-to-ear grin -- scary stuff for a medium aimed at kids in the early '40s. Available in "The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told."
	The Dark Knight Returns (1986) Written and Illustrated by Frank Miller Frank Miller revived The Dark Knight in a big way with this haunting tale of a future-Gotham where Batman has hit middle age and retired -- he hasn't been seen in a decade. Without him, Gotham City has gone straight down the toilet. Stories of Batman have become legend and younger citizens believe him to be nothing more than a silly myth. As the city continues to spiral out of control, a grizzled, aged-Batman can watch from the sidelines no more. He returns to the streets, taking aim on the criminals once again. This time, however, he is far from the same loyal crime fighter of the past. Batman is intensely jaded and fueled by anger. He isn't interested in turning the new criminals over to the justice system until after he's beaten them nearly to death. The city is split on support for Batman. An aging Commissioner Gordon is nearing retirement, still a strong supporter of the Dark Knight's non-traditional tactics in crime-fighting. The Dark Knight Returns is a modern comic classic featuring gorgeous animation, a layered storyline rife with classic tales of redemption, modern political commentary and brutal, unflinching pulp noir violence. A wide variety of Batman and DC characters make appearances including The Joker (who's grown even more insane with age) and Superman. Required reading for anyone who thinks comics are just for kids. Available in graphic novel form.
	The Killing Joke (1988) Written by Alan Moore; Illustrated by Brian Bolland Widely regarded as the finest of all the Joker tales, Alan Moore brought some of the adult themes of his Watchmen epic into the Batman world. After years feuding as arch-enemies, Batman finally confronts Joker and tries to reason with him. As it so happens, The Joker has already escaped and Batman has been talking to a doppleganger. Meanwhile Joker, dressed like a tourist on a tropical vacation, storms into the home of Commissioner Gordon, brutally shooting his daughter and leaving her in a pool of blood. He takes Gordon hostage for his own brand of tortured amusement, intending to drive Gordon insane simply to prove a point. The parallel themes of Batman and Joker's scarred psyche are explored throughout the story (and explored further in the following year's Arkham Asylum). The story culminates in a rare moment of bonding between the caped crusader and his arch enemy. "It doesn't have to end like that," a compassionate Batman tells Joker. "I don't know what it was that bent your life out of shape, but who knows? Maybe I've been there too. Maybe I can help." Available in graphic novel form.
	Batman: The Man Who Falls (1989) Written by Dennis O'Neil; Illustrated by Dick Giordano By the mid-'80s, the classic characters of the DC comics universe were starting to feel a little stale. They tasked their artists and writers with reworking the origin stories of their classic characters. In the case of Batman, the origin would stay the same but the specifics would be altered as-needed. In The Man Who Falls, O'Neil explores the period during which Wayne left Gotham in order to improve his skill set for his future missions. The training sequences here provided inspiration for the origin story of Batman Begins. Some panels of the comic are almost identical to scenes from Nolan's first Batman adventure. Currently out-of-print in graphic novel form but may be found at comic book stores.
	Batman: Year One (1986) Written by Frank Miller; Illustrated by David Mazzuchelli Having already reworked Batman into the grizzled old codger of the future in The Dark Knight Returns, comic savior Frank Miller returned to the character as writer-only to tell a new tale of Batman's origin. Slightly expanding the classic Bob Kane/Bill Finger origin story, Miller's tale focuses on Batman's first year serving Gotham as a masked vigilante. The tale also follows Commissioner Gordon, who has just moved to Gotham as the new police commissioner. A little lighter in tone than The Dark Knight, this is still a very dark, brooding tale of Batman in a Gotham City gone awry. Mazzuchelli's work is classic, a clear inspiration for the look of Batman on the '90s animated series. It's also a great story, further cementing the literary credibility of The Dark Knight. Available in graphic novel form.
	Arkham Asylum (1989) Written by Grant Morrison; Illustrated by Dave McKean Easily the most twisted of all the Batman tales, Batman finds himself blackmailed into Gotham's famed Asylum. The Joker and assorted miscreants of Gotham (including Two-Face) have taken control of the Asylum and forced Batman to join the fun. Although it would be easy enough to kill Batman or at the very least unmask him, The Joker is more interested in proving that Batman is just as insane as everyone else that has been committed to the Asylum. The artwork of Asylum is simply stunning, each frame a masterpiece worthy of a museum in its own right. McKean's work is probably the greatest influence on the look of Heath Ledger's incarnation of The Joker. Arkham Asylum was also a unique achievement story-wise, a deeply disturbing, frightening tale that surely kept more than a few younger readers (who probably weren't supposed to be reading it anyway) laying awake in bed at night with visions of that chalky white face and blood red grin. McKean and Morrison create the comic equivalent of a living-nightmare and yank you inside. Available in graphic novel form.
	Batman: The Long Halloween (1996-1997) Written by Jeph Loeb; Illustrated by Tim Sale A major influence on both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Long Halloween is generally regarded as the best Batman tale of the past decade. Told in 13 parts, this epic storyline cobbles together tales of film noir and gangster cinema, mixing them into a pot along with all the storied elements of the Batman legend. A stark, detailed, sprawling tale of crime, injustice and criminal conspiracy finds Batman at his most vulnerable struggling to take on a fully united criminal element that includes crime boss Carmine Falcone, Poison Ivy and Two-Face.