Continuing the topic, we decided to present you with the ten best chapters from the life of the Dark Knight - Batman. What and why the MTV Geek reviewers chose, you can read below.

Batman: Dark Victory

Another book that sheds a little light on a history full of horror is Gotham After Midnight, written by Steve Niles and drawn by Kelly Jones. Batman vs one of his most monstrous enemies! Niles' script is beyond praise, but Jones' style... That's what really makes this comic so great. History and drawing are combined just incredible!

Also on our list is perhaps the scariest Batman comic ever. Grant Morrison sends him into the trap of insanity, Batman ends up in the Arkham psychiatric hospital. And there he slowly goes crazy. For those looking for something a little different from your typical superhero story, highly recommended!

Alan Moore's classic comic strip re-imagines the Joker and his appearance. Full of controversial moments, the story is a must-read for all fans of interesting villains in comics! Which top Batman comic book doesn't have this story?

An unusual look at the future of Bruce Wayne in superstar Paul Pope's indie comic book that throws Batman into a story that destroys all his glory. This is a brutal book that will prove to skeptics that comics are art too!

If you liked Batman: The Animated Series (and yes, you did, we know), then you'll want this book in your collection. She was created by Paul Dini specifically for Detective Comics. Each release is made almost perfectly and inscribed in a single story. The best way to get started with The Dark Knight comics.

One of those stories that introduces a new generation of readers to Batman. Introducing a dark take on Batman's future, Frank Miller filled the comic with now-classic dialogue and scenes.

Scott Snyder's new Batman book has quickly become one of the best stories ever! The brilliant work of artists Jock (Jock) and Francesco Francavilla (Francesco Francavilla) led to the creation of an unusual story in the noir style. We were shown all over Gotham and introduced one of the best new villains in recent times.

Alex Zalben's (MTV Geek author) favorite book about The Dark Knight, Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's team classic Long Halloween has been a mystery for a year (okay, thirteen months), every issue is like a holiday! This time Batman is embroiled in an unusual story of crime and revenge. One of the best Batman stories ever written.

Are there any other contenders for the first place? Maybe you thought this comic would not be here at all? Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli created a seminal Batman book for the modern era, providing an updated look at a man driven to the brink and fighting in memory of his slain parents. Careful analysis, showing the gradual development of the personality of Bruce Wayne as Batman, was the key to undeniable success. It was on this comic that a wonderful cartoon came out this year, it was Nolan who took it as the basis when working on Batman Begins. must read.

Batman (eng. Batman), originally Bat-man (eng. Bat-man, Russian. Bat-man) is a fictional superhero, a gloomy defender of the city of Gotham, which is a collective image of Chicago and New York in the United States. Possesses the strength and reflexes of a human at its peak, similar to an Olympic athlete. He uses with might and main an extensive collection of high-tech gadgets and equipment with the prefix “bat”: batarangs, batmobile, batplane, etc. The main base, called the Batcave, is located underground on the territory of the Wayne family estate. Batman is a comic book character published by Detective Comics (Russian Detective Comics), first appearing in #27 in May 1939. Along with Superman, Batman is one of the earliest and most famous comic book heroes. Created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. He is sometimes referred to as the Dark Knight or The Greatest Detective.
Batman is the alter ego of Bruce Wayne, the wealthy owner of Wayne Enterprises Corporation. He declared a crusade against crime after his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne, were killed in front of him by a mugger. Shocked by the cruelty and injustice of this act, little Bruce vowed to become stronger and protect the innocent so that a similar tragedy would never happen again.
Far from immediately, he adopted the image of a bat. Bruce Wayne left the city and spent several years traveling, training in hand-to-hand combat, the art of escape, studying the psychology of criminals and many other skills. The return to Gotham coincided with the appointment of police officer James Gordon, Batman's future ally, to the position of lieutenant. More about this is described in the comic book "Batman. Year one." In the future, the list of enemies and allies of Bruce Wayne expanded significantly. Sequel to Batman. Long Halloween" he will face Catwoman, and in the comic book closing the trilogy "Batman. Dark Victory ”will get a permanent partner - Robin. However, Batman does not always fight with ordinary mafiosi. One of the Dark Knight's most recognizable adversaries is the insane maniac clown nicknamed the Joker. It is their first meeting that is dedicated to the comic "Batman, the Man Who Laughs". Bruce is the founder and one of the longest running members of a group called the Justice League. Comics "Justice League. Book 1: Beginning tells about the first meeting of a team of superheroes and their joint fight against alien invaders. The Dark Knight does not shy away from working alongside other superheroes. For example, the Superman/Batman series focused on the adventures of the super duo. Of particular interest are the so-called alternative universes. Masterpiece comic "Batman. The Dark Knight Returns tells the story of an elderly Bruce Wayne who has retired from crime fighting but decides to return amid violent gang activity. Batman appears in an unexpected role in the story “Superman. red son", in which Batman's parents were killed by the KGB, so he vowed to fight the system and the Soviet Superman.

After Christopher Nolan's incredibly successful film adaptation, Batman has essentially become the most popular comic book hero at the moment. The trilogy has collected not only a sensational box office at the box office, but also a huge number of Dark Knight fans around the world. And now, some people who are not very close to comic book culture may quite rightly ask themselves: where to start reading Batman comics? We will talk about this today.

Batman's first appearance in comics was in May 1939. Detective Comics #27, Of course, over so many years, tons of paper have been written and hundreds of thousands of art have been drawn, entire generations have grown up on these stories, in addition, the character and his character have repeatedly changed, as the world around has changed. This is a completely natural movement, because comics have always been a kind of alternative reflection of reality, so their characters should always be relevant.

We tried to compile a list of comics that fully tells the story contemporary Batman up to The New 52.

Main Stories

Batman: Year One (1987)

The cult arc of Frank Miller, telling the story of the formation of Batman. According to IGN, this particular comic takes first place in the top 25 graphic novels about Batman. In addition, he is a kind of reference point from which the story of the dark and realistic Batman, such as we are used to seeing him now, begins. A solid part of the story focuses on police rookie Jim Gordon, who, like Bruce Wayne, does not want to play by the rules of Gotham, steeped in corruption. From the pleasant: a small cameo of Catwoman and Holly Robinson (it was she who appeared as an accomplice of Selina Kyle in Christopher Nolan's last film) and an epic cat rescue. After all, Batman has always had a thing for cats.

The Long Halloween (1996-1997)

A logical, but not quite formal continuation of Batman Year One. The comic was released in a limited series of 13 issues in 96-97 by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale and was very well received by the public. This is a twisted detective story about a mysterious serial killer named Holiday, who is very fond of killing people on holidays, be it Halloween or St. Patrick's Day. But he is not the central character of the story. The main value of this comic is definitely the story of Harvey Dent, his mental and physical transformation into Two-Face (yeah, hell, the Joker did not set fire to the prosecutor in the fuel depot!). It is interesting that it is here that the already known opponents of Batman in the face of two mafia clans are joined by criminals of a completely different kind: the Joker, the Riddler, Poison Ivy and other Gotham villains already known to us.

Dark Victory (1999-2000)

Continuation of the story started in The Long Halloween from the same authors. Ark kicks off with a massive escape from Arkham Psychiatric Hospital b about most of the guests, including Two-Face, Joker, Solomon Grundy, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy and many others. On top of that, a new serial killer named Hangman appears in Gotham (by analogy with a child's game), Batman has a hard time and the orphan Dick Grayson becomes the only bright spot in his life. Whose appearance was the subject of a serious dispute between the two authors of the comic: Tim Sale was against the addition of Robin, because. he did not fit into his concept of Batman at all. Loeb, on the other hand, insisted on the importance of this union, explaining it by the need to give Batman some kind of anchor that would not allow Bruce Wayne to completely dissolve into his alter ego.

This story has a continuation, although it would probably be more correct to say a spin-off: Catwoman: When in Rome, which somewhat expands on the hypothesis about the origin of Selina Kyle and her biological father, started in Dark Victory. And if you're wondering, Dark Victory is Christian Bale's favorite comic.

The Dark Knight Returns (1986)

Another iconic 4-comic arc from Frank Miller that has been arguably the toughest for DC Publishing. Miller missed every conceivable and unthinkable deadline, but that is what allowed the author to create a story that has become a classic and a must-read for any comic book fan, although this was not always the case. The story of an aged and retired Batman and his triumphant return to Gotham's Avengers by Night did not resonate with The New York Times, which published a very unflattering review of Frank Miller's work in 1987. However, since the 2000s, this comic has been regularly included in all the tops and must-read lists, and in September 2012, an animated film was released that retells this story frame by frame. The art style of the original is quite difficult to perceive, but this is hardly a problem if you really want to touch the classics of the genre.

Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)

A very popular one-shot by Alan Moore dedicated to the Joker. This is the story of Batman's arch-rival in detail, from the downtrodden comedian who unsuccessfully tries to provide for his pregnant wife, to the Red Hood, to the maniac clown who brutally maimed Barbara Gordon. It is here that you can trace the essence of the relationship between the two most implacable enemies of Gotham City. Also, this comic indirectly started the story of another character known as the Oracle. After meeting with the Joker, for certain reasons, Barbara Gordon ceases to be Batgirl, and subsequently assembles the Birds of Prey team under the new pseudonym Oracle. The comic was re-released in 2008, so you can easily find it in excellent quality.

Batman: Hush (2002-2003)

An insanely entertaining arc from Jeph Loeb (who this time teamed up with the greatest Jim Lee!), introducing Gotham City's newest villain, Hush. If you are not aware of the identity of this villain, then the story will keep you in suspense until the very last issue. In addition, for the first time in the comic, the resurrection of Jason Todd is hinted at, and Batman's relationship with Catwoman is moving to a completely different level, if you know what I mean ...

In the wake of success and positive reviews, Loeb and Lee were going to launch a continuation of the story of Hush, but for a number of reasons the project had to be closed. In 2011, a deluxe edition was published, which is also not difficult to find.

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth (1989)

Here will happen your first acquaintance with a man like Grant Morrison. And it begins with a graphic novel about a riot in the Arkham Asylum led by the Joker. Psychedelic, non-linear storytelling and a non-standard visual approach are the main features of Morrison and you will meet this more than once. If the words “surrealism”, “Jan Shvankmeier”, “The Kwai Brothers”, “Jean Cocteau” and “Carl Jung” scare you, then hug your teddy bear tight and read it boldly. Do you love Heath Ledger's Joker? So he created his image in the movie "The Dark Knight", relying on this particular comic. Mandatory must read.

Knightfall (1993)

After Christopher Nolan's film, The Dark Knight Rises has become a must-read. Actually the story of how Bane takes away Gotham City from the exhausted Batman and how Azrael returns it back. Azrael's approach, as the new Batman, to the fight against crime, and in particular with the pumped-up venom, Bane is highly controversial, but not without its logic. This brutality frightened many, but it’s stupid to go with a stick against a tank, so Azrael modifies Batman’s costume a little ... well, you’ll see for yourself.

There is also a small cameo from the offended Nightwing, who was not offered to try on the Batman costume. Subsequently, Grayson will take the place of Batman twice, but Azrael became the pioneer.

Batman: The Man Who Laughs (2005)

A very small one-shot of Ed Brubaker about the Joker, logically continuing the story of Batman: Year One (1989). This is the first appearance of the Joker in Gotham City. Of course, it’s funny and funny to death ... with a mountain of smiling corpses and crowds of frightened townspeople.

Batman suspects that he is indirectly involved in the emergence of the Joker, then it just becomes clear why the Dark Knight cannot kill the insane clown, and on the contrary, he is trying to help him. The story certainly has something in common with Batman: The Killing Joke, but to strengthen the basic knowledge about the main villain of Gotham City, it is recommended reading.

A Death in Family (1988-1989)

Jim Starlin's cult arc, released under the influence of negative reader feedback. Dennis O'Neill (DC Editor-in-Chief) understood that the public didn't like Jason Todd and that his days as Robin were numbered, but he wasn't sure how to get the character out of the Batman story. The breakdown of the pen became a crowbar and the Joker, however, after the release of the issue, where the half-dead Robin and his mother are locked in a warehouse, O'Neal launched an unprecedented campaign to save Todd by opening a telephone vote. With a margin of 200 votes, it was decided to kill Jason. There are rumors that there was some kind of programmed phone, which predetermined the outcome of the vote, but there is no exact information on this. One way or another, the death of Jason Todd had a very important impact on the entire subsequent history of Batman and, despite the updated canon in Issue #00 The New 52, ​​Jason Todd remains one of the key characters of Gotham City, now as the new Red Hood.

Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying (1989)

A 5-issue Batman/New Titans crossover featuring the new Robin, Tim Drake. Logically continuing the previous story, Batman is depressed by the death of Jason Todd and does not consider the possibility of a new Robin. However, this option is considered by the persistent and extremely gifted teenager Tim Drake. It's no secret that the guy will achieve his goal and become the most popular Robin (even more popular than Dick Grayson), although now little Damian is encroaching on his laurels, but about him a little later.

Once you've dealt with the small arcs and one-shots mentioned above, you should definitely continue your acquaintance with the work of Grant Morrison in the pre-The New 52 series, namely:

Batman and Son -> Batman The Black Glove -> Batman R.I.P.(Batman and the Outsiders/Detective Comics/Nightwing/Robin crossover, R.I.P. compilation available for download)

First appearance of Damian Wayne-al Ghul, an obnoxious child falls on the head of an unsuspecting Batman. Raised by League of Shadows mercenaries, the ambitious kid even almost kills Tim Drake in pursuit of Robin's place, which he later takes. The main villains of the story are Black Mask and Doctor Hurt, who together manage to capture Gotham, drive Batman crazy and kill him. Dick Grayson takes Bruce's place for the first time and takes Damian Wayne as Robin. Morrison's corporate style is quite recognizable, so you shouldn't expect a linear narrative, you won't be able to read with one eye either, you will need attention and a lot of free time, the series is quite voluminous.

-> Time and the Batman -> Batman and Robin vol 1.: Batman Reborn -> Batman vs. Robin -> Return of Bruce Wayne -> Batman must die -> Batman Inc.

A logical continuation of the series with a small crossover, the end of the Batman era before The New 52 reboot.

*(Batman issues 655 to 713 + crossovers above)

UPDATED: Our guide is also available in video format, for this many thanks to Tatorio & Vendy

Batman is one of the oldest superheroes, turning 77 this year. How does he manage to remain popular at such a venerable age? Thanks to successful films and games, you will say - and you will be right.

But behind the adaptations is the original source - hundreds and hundreds of comics. Anyone who wants to approach them will immediately run their eyes from the number of volumes, restarts and branches. Where is it better to start, what will be clear to a person from the outside and will immediately be able to hook him? We offer our own.

Year one (1987)

Everyone knows Batman's origin story. With various interpretations, it has been presented dozens of times already. But the version from this comic is the closest to the generally accepted canon, the most logical and rational.

"Year One" brings to a common denominator all the stories about the appearance of the hero. How did wealthy orphan Bruce Wayne get the idea to dress as a bat? How did he present himself to the public? How was his relationship with the only non-corrupt cop, James Gordon? It's all told in Batman: Year One, the graphic novel by Frank Miller that heavily influenced Batman Begins.

Killing Joke (1988)

Batman and the Joker are inseparable opposites, they are like black and white, Holmes and Moriarty, cola and mentos. Antipodes born from tragedy. Anyone interested in the Joker should start with The Killing Joke - this is where this villain is best revealed. In this deluxe graphic novel, he and Batman must fight not only for Gotham, but for the sanity of Commissioner Gordon.

"Killing Joke" gives a new perspective on Batman. Alan Moore, like no one else, knows how to penetrate his characters into the brain. In his cynical way, he predicts how the interminable confrontation between Batman and the Joker will end, and describes the Dark Knight as, in fact, just another lunatic.

The Long Halloween (1996–1997)

This Halloween, Batman, Commissioner Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent join forces to save the city from a mafia war and a mysterious assassin. The seasoned spider-weaver Jeff Loeb keeps the tension and intrigue to the very end - it's impossible to break away.

The Long Halloween, like the Dark Knight inspired by it, shows the true tragedy of the figure of Harvey Dent, his duality, which not every author managed to catch. Those interested in the origins of one of the DC Universe's most iconic villains and fans of triple-bottomed mysteries should not pass by.

Knightfall (1993–1994)

A sort of response to The Death of Superman. The supervillain Bane decides to break Batman, both physically and psychologically. He opens the doors of Arkham Asylum, and the Caped Crusader has to go to the limit of his strength to catch patients one by one. This time, the hero finds himself among the villains of all stripes and calibers at the least suitable moment for this. Mad Hatter, Two-Face, Firefly, Scarecrow, Joker - in this series we will see many of Batman's enemies.

And for dessert, Bane himself. He will inflict such an injury on the hero from which he, it would seem, will not recover. Did you think Batman always wins?

Justice League of America: Tower of Babel (2000)

Batman is not only the protector of Gotham. He is also a member of the Justice League, in which he has to interact with the strongest (and most dangerous!) Creatures in the DC Universe. "Tower of Babel" tells how Batman's foresight is complemented by paranoia and distrust even of his neighbor.

Those who are familiar with members of the Justice League will be interested to see the Dark Knight in an unusual setting, but newcomers will be captured by the cunning of Ra's al Ghul opposing the heroes.

Quiet! (2002–2003)

Batman's opponents rarely team up, but this is exactly the case. A conspiracy is organized against Batman, involving almost all of his old enemies. Who is behind this? Someone who passionately hates the hero of Gotham and knows more about him than anyone else.

Screenwriter Jeph Loeb has created another great, vibrant mystery. A tangle of secrets unwinds, lifting the veil over both Bruce Wayne's childhood and his relationship with Selina Kyle and Talia al Ghul.

Crazy Love (1994)

Joker's girlfriend Harley Quinn is perhaps the most popular anti-heroine in the Batman universe (at least among cosplayers, for sure). Not everyone remembers that she first appeared in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series and only then in this comic. Harley has changed a lot these days, and seeing how her actual father, screenwriter Paul Dini, portrayed her is priceless.

The comical, gripping and touching story of Harley Quinn's mad love for the Joker won the Eisner Award. It makes sense to read it before the release of "Suicide Squad", in which Harley debuts on the big screen.

The Man Who Laughs (2005)

The Joker appeared in comics almost at the same time as Batman himself and is too important to be limited to one volume about him on this list. Unfortunately, the comics of the 1940s, in which this character debuted, can no longer impress today's demanding reader. But Ed Brubaker managed to modernize the first story about the Clown Prince of Crime. The comic not only explains how the Joker quickly managed to become the number one enemy of Batman, Gotham and the whole society, but also shows an ordinary person, Commissioner Gordon, in the face of this element.

Batman and Son (2006)

Batman has a son, and he will have to babysit! And everything would be fine, but the shket is a trained killer!

This may sound like the start of another Joel Schumacher kitsch movie, but luckily Grant Morrison didn't stumble. This comic of his became the basis of the stories about the Dark Knight for years to come, and at the same time answered all the questions about Damien Wayne and his wild temper.

Court of Owls (2011–2012)

The first Batman story since the reboot of the DC Universe helps readers figure out what's going on with the Dark Knight right now.

In the story, Gotham has been controlled for centuries by the Court of Owls, a mysterious organization that even Batman himself was unaware of until they decided to strike him. And in the sequel Night of the Owls, the whole vast Bat-family fights with the henchmen of the Court. So the comic presents a new look at the environment of Bruce Wayne: Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Alfred and others.

* * *

Of course, this list does not include all the best stories about the Dark Knight. It doesn't feature complex graphic novels like Arkham Asylum, Gothic, and Batman R.I.P. Grant Morrison, Brian Azarello's cynical crime drama Joker, Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Neil Gaiman and Frank Miller's masterpiece The Dark Knight Returns...

All of these things are best suited to a reader already familiar with the basics. Namely, they are set out by the stories from our list that will help you understand the motives and character of Batman and his environment. Happy reading and welcome to Gotham!