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10 Batman Books You Must Read
io9.com — With The Dark Knight less than two weeks away from opening, now is the time to start pretending that you know all there is to know about Batman in order to impress family and friends alike. To help you do that, we've come up with a list of 10 Essential Batman Books You Must Read, and it's not just the ones that you'd expect.
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- spookyttws, on 07/05/2008, -0/+62An essential Batman list without 'The Long Halloween'? (most certainly one of Christopher Nolan's influences)
- whahaa, on 07/06/2008, -0/+8QFT. The Long Halloween is the primary source material adapted for The Dark Knight.
- BSeffrood, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3And Batman Begins. That is why part of it came boxed with the special edition of Batman Begins
- antiorblkflag9, on 07/06/2008, -2/+12And no Hush either....
- radsprack, on 07/06/2008, -2/+4I cannot believe Hush was not included. It is definitely one of my favorites, in fact I'm halfway through re-reading it now.
- iamsynecdoche, on 07/06/2008, -1/+2I hated Hush. Too much Loeb trying to wedge every single villain possible into a plot, and then swerving constantly and ending up with a new villain. It's not the worst thing, but I think it is over-rated.
- thatsmyaibo, on 07/06/2008, -0/+7You guys nailed it. No Hush or Long Halloween? Not a complete list. I was thinking the same thing before even opening the comments section. Wouldn't mind seeing No Man's Land either.
- frelk, on 07/06/2008, -2/+1I like Venom and Contagion. Venom particularly, where batman basically gets addicted to performance enhancing drugs, explores batman's unique strengths and weaknesses.
- Elranzer, on 07/07/2008, -0/+3The most obvious missing entry is the "Knightfall" 3-part series. This is up there with the Death & Return of Superman, in which Batman meets Bane for the first time (who promptly paralyzes Batman), and must be replaced by a darker Batman, Azrael.
Also a good (and recent) entry is "Superman: Emperor Joker." While the main hero may be Superman, the main villain is (you guessed it) The Joker, who has nearly as much screen time in the novel as Supes.
"Batman: Tales of the Demon" is a good collection of the Ra's al Ghul series. Pretty much essential if you're a Batman Begins fan and want to read the real story of its villain.
Arkham Asylum, Hush and The Long Halloween are too obvious to miss as well.
- whahaa, on 07/06/2008, -0/+8QFT. The Long Halloween is the primary source material adapted for The Dark Knight.
- markwahlberg, on 07/05/2008, -4/+14what about batman vs predator? that is ESSENTIAL.
- docsimmons, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3That is a sweet book.
- KillsTheWeak, on 07/06/2008, -0/+2Cause it's elseworlds
- klitzbtc, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Only sweet cause he catches a batterang in that ugly mug of his.
- FloridaMike, on 07/05/2008, -2/+40Buried for no "Arkham Asylum"
- ThePenrod, on 07/06/2008, -1/+7I was about to say the same thing, along with Long Halloween. It's kind of weird that they didn't include those two stories but included All Star.
- papusman, on 07/06/2008, -1/+6YES! The scariest Batman book ever. You can't beat Grant Morrison's insanity, and Dave McKean's art is what brilliant crazies scrawl in their notebooks. That book kept me up at night.
- archivist, on 07/06/2008, -1/+4i was enraged that they did not include Arkham Asylum - it should have been there.
- revrev, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1dugg anyhow, but i fully agree that arkham asylum is sadly missing.
- cerealjynx, on 07/05/2008, -0/+6Not just the ones you expect. There's a list of Goofy ones at the end! A-HYUCK
- asguardian, on 07/06/2008, -3/+12All-Star Batman? Really? Goofy or not, it shouldn't be on ANY 'must read' list.
- chadwalters23, on 07/06/2008, -1/+2That series is so wrong, on so many levels. It is, however, highly entertaining. Extremely disrespectful to Batman, but REALLY fun to read.
http://www.additiverich.com/knife/archives/Goddamn ...
- chadwalters23, on 07/06/2008, -1/+2That series is so wrong, on so many levels. It is, however, highly entertaining. Extremely disrespectful to Batman, but REALLY fun to read.
- docsimmons, on 07/06/2008, -9/+3He should have noted Batman R.I.P.
- chadwalters23, on 07/06/2008, -3/+24Hush
- chadwalters23, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1http://www.rogers-md.net/v/wallpapers/Jim_Lee_Batm ...
- bonniegrrl, on 07/06/2008, -2/+7what? No Batman Vs. Dracula?
- ichbeineinrcg, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3Dugg. Bloodstorm, Red Rain, and Crimson Mist are one hell of a trilogy.
- badmofo95, on 07/06/2008, -1/+2Missing actual books like "Further Adventures of Batman" and "Further Adventures of the Joker" - Martin Greenberg.
- scooterbaga, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Reread FAoJ several times. I have FAoB volumes one and two, but I haven't gotten to reading those yet.
Do you think they're as good as FAoJ?
- scooterbaga, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Reread FAoJ several times. I have FAoB volumes one and two, but I haven't gotten to reading those yet.
- smitas, on 07/06/2008, -2/+10Why should I listen to you?
- X9001, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1Because its a blog, people with blogs ALWAYS have valid opinions
~cuts self because he is a tool and knows it~
- X9001, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1Because its a blog, people with blogs ALWAYS have valid opinions
- jbenson2, on 07/06/2008, -20/+3Great title for the kids still living in their mommy's basement playing games all day long.
- sims5487, on 07/06/2008, -1/+12This from a guy who dugg "15 Greatest Bond Gadgets of All Time".
- vichussmith, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3Says the guy who found this digg article, looked at it, and took the time to comment on it. Who are you kidding? Maybe you could come up with more original insults.
Also, it would sting people who play video games if you goofed on them, but everyone plays games now. It's a billion dollar industry. What are you going to say next, that the internet is a fad?- jbenson2, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1My, we are rather sensitive today, aren't we?
It's not an insult - just a fact.
If you have to read 10 Batman books (comics) to enjoy the Batman movie, then it speaks volumes about your sad and perverted lifestyle.
- jbenson2, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1My, we are rather sensitive today, aren't we?
- zomgwaffles, on 07/06/2008, -6/+15can't have a Batman MUST READ list without Hush on it
- davecapp, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4Yes you certainly can. Hush was the beginning of Jeph Loeb's downfall into hack-dom. Every Batman villain appeared for no reason, the twists were forced and were altered after the fact, all it really was was a showcase for Jim Lee's art. Long Halloween/Dark Victory are good Jeph Loeb stories, this is not.
- ichbeineinrcg, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3I'm with Dave. In part one of Hush we meet Bruce's childhood friend, the doctor. In the final part of the series the evil bad guy is revealed to be....well, I think you can see where this is going.
Plus, Hush killed off Harold the Hunchback, who I rather liked. They did go an interesting direction with Harvey Dent, but that's all been flushed away now.
Flush Hush. - iamsynecdoche, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1I concur wholeheartedly!
- ichbeineinrcg, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3I'm with Dave. In part one of Hush we meet Bruce's childhood friend, the doctor. In the final part of the series the evil bad guy is revealed to be....well, I think you can see where this is going.
- davecapp, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4Yes you certainly can. Hush was the beginning of Jeph Loeb's downfall into hack-dom. Every Batman villain appeared for no reason, the twists were forced and were altered after the fact, all it really was was a showcase for Jim Lee's art. Long Halloween/Dark Victory are good Jeph Loeb stories, this is not.
- coinjerryking, on 07/06/2008, -6/+1Just got done reading Batman Year One which Batman Begins is loosely based off of. It is a for sure a gread read and a must for any Batman fan but Im so excited for the Dark Knight i want something with the joker in it!!!
- BobbyMC, on 07/21/2008, -1/+2Long Halloween doesn't count much for expanding your knowledge, because while Year One had the same vague premise as Begins, Long Halloween is stylistically what both it and Dark Knight are based off of, and I suspect the third movie will be as well.
Rather, I think the trilogy is the cinematic equivalent. What with Crane still running around and all doing petty nonsense, the Joker having his time to shine, but the story really ending with Harvey Dent. - WocCixelsyd, on 07/06/2008, -2/+3The killing joke is a fantastic short one. I read it a few months ago, and I loved it. I especially loved how the ending of it is not so clear and is open to some interpretation.
- chadwalters23, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1The outcome for Barbara Gordon has never been "open to some interpretation." For such an elseworlds-feeling book it sure did have some long-term, powerful consequences. Oracle.
- chadwalters23, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1Nerd. Calling myself out for this one.
- chadwalters23, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1The outcome for Barbara Gordon has never been "open to some interpretation." For such an elseworlds-feeling book it sure did have some long-term, powerful consequences. Oracle.
- thrallie, on 07/06/2008, -1/+2Am I the only one that liked the batman graphic novel where he went after child molesters? That was a good one.
- amawg9, on 07/06/2008, -2/+1This one?- http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/TheCourtn ...
- juniorb, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Batman: Night Cries
- scoottie, on 07/06/2008, -3/+3do they have them on tape .... or cd
- DrunkenSavior, on 07/06/2008, -1/+4Any 'must read' list of Batman books MUST include 'The Long Halloween' and its sequel, 'Dark Victory.'
- RoboBolan, on 07/06/2008, -1/+2Seriously...no Long Halloween...seriously?
- blckng, on 07/06/2008, -2/+6What if I've already read all of those and I DO know everything there is to know about Batman (and the DCU in general)?
Oh, and while this list gets an insane amount of props for mentioning the criminally underrated and ignored Gotham Central book, this list fails pretty hard for including a Showcase collection and Death in the Family over the Loeb/Sale stuff, the strictly Batman Morrison stuff (Arkham Asylum? Black Glove?), or Grayson's much overlooked Gotham Knights run. Ooh, and what about Brubaker's The Man Who Laughs, or any of the old Denny O'Neil arcs?
Eh. Oh, and All Star is awesome. Dick Grayson. Age 12. Goddamn Batmobile. Goddamn Batman. Goddamn whores. - RegularJohn, on 07/06/2008, -2/+3The Frank Miller books are pretty badass, but the Joker tales aren't too shabby either.
- shagg187, on 07/06/2008, -1/+9The lack of Knightfall disturbs me. Sure, its a series and not just a book but watching Bane beat the living hell out of Batman from the start of the comic to the end was pretty badass both on bane and batman's sense.
- archivist, on 07/06/2008, -1/+2No Arkham Asylum? WTF!?
- brainscab, on 07/06/2008, -2/+3Arkham Asylum
Long Holloween
Batman Black and White
Earth 2
maybe even Knightfall (when batman gets his back broken) - ThatDustyGuy, on 07/06/2008, -1/+19A better list:
The 25 Greatest Batman Graphic Novels:
http://comics.ign.com/articles/624/624619p1.html
(Sorry the list is divided up into multiple pages, though.) - Jimmerz, on 07/06/2008, -1/+2Don't know if this fits into the traditional canon of Batman literature, but Andrew Vachss' novel "Batman: Ultimate Evil" was pretty good.
- themightyhlp, on 07/06/2008, -1/+4I loved No Man's Land
- powerhandler, on 07/06/2008, -6/+6There is no such thing as a Batman book anyone must read, I'm really sorry guys.
- brainscab, on 07/06/2008, -2/+1 Thats not a list, thats an Amazon.com 'you might like' list
add:
Hush
Batman: Black and White
Arkham Asylum
Long Halloween
Earth 2
Dark Victory
'Knightfall'
And remove Batman and Robin All Stars (it might turn out all right, but right now... meh)
and shouldnt it say "10 Graphic Novels" or "10 comic books" not "10 books" that made me think novels. - Thrilltone, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1#11
The Batman Chronicles
http://www.comicmix.com/news/2007/12/10/presidenti ...
http://notwelcomesite.com/paulbat.gif - streetlightpoet, on 07/06/2008, -8/+2There are Batman books? There are more than ten of these?!
- Cedargrove, on 07/06/2008, -9/+2The only thing gayer than reading these batman books is the people in here pissed about their favorites that were left off.
- tehknotte, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1there's no use explaining to someone like you.
- Cedargrove, on 07/07/2008, -1/+1I understand that if I liked the comic, I would share your feelings, but I don't. I understand it's perfectly fine for you to read them, and if you care enough about them, feel upset. If my favorite sports team was left off of some list I'd probably feel like you. But just because I can sympathize, doesn't mean I have to. Though I would agree that my feelings of anger for a sports team are as gay as your feelings about that comic book., it's just that we aren't talking about sports, we're talking about your gay comic book. Seriously, Robin was worthless, why the hell else would he have him around?
- tehknotte, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1there's no use explaining to someone like you.
- hpfilter, on 07/06/2008, -4/+2Was searching on the net for all the material that's been used for Dark Knight. Read somewhere that the Killing Joke was used for Ledger's portrayal as Joker. Just finished reading it. Definitely a classic.
Random Injustice !! - solidcube, on 07/06/2008, -7/+1Why must I read Batman books? If I read a Batman book, it would most likely be one of the Frank Miller graphic novels, and I would do that for the art and not the story. The man who called superheroes "underwear perverts" had it just about right. There's something deeply geeky and bizarre about them. Not least the Caped Crusader.
- aenima987, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4Quiet or Papa Spank.
- FurryToaster, on 07/06/2008, -2/+1Batman: Year 69 was pretty good too
- copypastry, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Goddamn Batman FTW
- Ransack, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1I agree, Arkham Asylum should be on it. Also, this list focuses on graphic novels, and ignores Detective Comics and Batman comics which have at times had amazing multi-book stories.
- frelk, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Yes, but if it's not collected, it takes 1000 times the effort to go out and find that stuff. Nobody's going to spend that kind of effort unless they start with the basics, like some of the stuff on this list. Plus Arkham.
- dingedarmor, on 07/06/2008, -0/+0Some of them were good but as is already noted by others--way too many really classic Batman graphic novels were left off that should have been included. What was nice to see on the list was Gotham Central--although Batman is a 'background' character in that series,it is truly brilliant and worth reading--the entire series.
All Star Batman has far too many issues(all puns intended) to be worth reading.
New Frontier and Kingdom Come also have some nice Bats background as well. They may not be cannon but still great reading and I agree with the Ellis Planetary comment--it was incredible!
Hell, the Infinite Crisis story arc has enough Bats to make it worth reading for that matter. - soulsuck, on 07/06/2008, -0/+2Burying it. Bad list. No Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Arkham Asylum, or Knightfall.
- koreaski, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1damn. I've never checked out long halloween. grab that next time borders is giving us proles 40% off papers.
- klitzbtc, on 07/06/2008, -0/+2No ***** Knightfall? Seriously? I was hoping to god they're resurrect bane in a new movie and make up for that horrible showing in past batman movie.
I would love to see bane crack christian bales back over his knee, so epic.
This list on IGN is muuccchhh better, http://comics.ign.com/articles/624/624619p2.html
but there's of course a lot on that site I've never even read. :( - STYLUSS, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1i can't support this when it has All-Star "Goddamn" Batman in the list.
- heinleineken, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1no Andrew Vacchs-- no cookie
- cerealjynx, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4Batman vs. Predator
That was the most awesome thing when I was like, 13 - dRun, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1is it bad to have most of them? :-/
- scooterbaga, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1"The Further Adventures Of The Joker" is SORELY missing from this list. It's simply one of the best books I've ever read... And one of the very few I've read more than once. It's a collection of short stories from the Joker's point of view. It's the most twisted, dark, downright psychotic thing I've ever laid eyes on.
You should really check it out. - TinternAbbot, on 07/06/2008, -1/+3Uh, no.
- allothersnsused, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1There are zero Batman Books that I "must read"
- backgen, on 07/06/2008, -0/+2Though of course fans will say that if it's not a comic book it's not "Batman", but seriously, No Man's Land was an Incredible book. Makes the Joker look absolutely insane...which is how i love him.
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