Batman comics: where to start reading? Gotham City Policeman - Best Batman Comics Read All Batman Comics

After the incredibly successful adaptation of Christopher Nolan, Batman has essentially become the most popular comic book hero at the moment. The trilogy 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 the culture of comics may quite rightly ask themselves: where to start reading comics about Batman? We will talk about this today.

The first appearance of Batman in comics took place back in May 1939 in Detective Comics # 27, of course, over the years, tons of paper have been written and hundreds of thousands of art have been drawn, whole generations have grown up on these stories, in addition, the character and his character have repeatedly changed, as the world around him 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 will tell the full story modern Batman up to The New 52.

Major stories

Batman: Year One (1987)

Frank Miller's iconic arc, which tells the story of the rise of Batman. According to IGN, this particular comic is ranked first in the top 25 graphic novels about Batman. In addition, he is a kind of starting point from which the story of the dark and realistic Batman begins, as we are used to seeing him now. A good chunk of the story focuses on police rookie Jim Gordon, who, like Bruce Wayne, doesn't want to play by the rules of Gotham, mired in corruption. From the pleasant: a small cameo of Catwoman and Holly Robinson (it was she who appeared as Selina Kyle's accomplice in the last film by Christopher Nolan) and the epic rescue of the cat. After all, Batman has always had a thing for cats.

The Long Halloween (1996-1997)

A logical, but not quite formal sequel to Batman Year One. The comic was published in a limited edition of 13 issues in the years 96-97 by Jeff 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 loves to kill people on holidays, whether it's Halloween or St. Patrick's Day. But he is not the central character of the story. The main value of this comic is undoubtedly the story of Harvey Dent, his mental and physical transformation into Two-Face (yes, damn it, the Joker did not set fire to the prosecutor in the fuel warehouse!). It is interesting that it is here that criminals of a completely different kind join the already well-known opponents of Batman, represented by two mafia clans: Joker, 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 Arkam Psychiatric Hospital b aboutmost 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 serious controversy between the two authors of the comic: Tim Sale was against the addition of Robin, because he didn't fit into his concept of Batman at all. Loeb insisted on the importance of this alliance, explaining it by the need to give Batman some kind of anchor that would not allow Bruce Wayne to completely dissolve in his alter ego.

This story has a continuation, although it would probably be more correct to say 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, which was arguably the most challenging for DC. Miller thwarted every conceivable and inconceivable deadline, but this is what allowed the author to create a story that has become a classic and a must read for any comic fan, although this was not always the case. The story of an aged and retired Batman and his triumphant return to the night avengers of Gotham, did not find a response in the heart of The New York Times, which in 1987 published a very unflattering review of the work of Frank Miller. However, since the 2000s, this comic regularly hits 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 difficult enough to grasp, but it hardly hurts if you really want to touch the classics of the genre.

Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)

Alan Moore's very popular one-shot dedicated to the Joker. This is the story of Batman's main enemy in detail: from the downtrodden, unlucky comedian who unsuccessfully tries to provide for his pregnant wife, continuing with the Red Hood, and ending with 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. In addition, this comic indirectly began 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 gathers the "Birds of Prey" team under the new pseudonym "Oracle". The comic was reissued in 2008, so you can easily find it in excellent quality.

Batman: Hush (2002-2003)

An insanely interesting arc from Jeff Loeb (who this time joined forces with the greatest Jim Lee!), Featuring the new villain of Gotham City - Hush. If you are not aware of the identity of this villain, then the story will keep you on your toes until the very last release. In addition, for the first time in the comic, they hint at the resurrection of Jason Todd, and Batman's relationship with Catwoman moves to a completely different level, if you know what I mean ...

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

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

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

Knightfall (1993)

After Christopher Nolan's film The Dark Knight Rises, it became a must-read. Actually the story of how Bane takes Gotham City from the exhausted Batman and how Azrael brings him back. Azrael's approach, as the new Batman, to the fight against crime and in particular with the pumped up venom, Bane is very controversial, but not devoid of its own logic. This brutality scared many, but it's stupid to go against the tank with a stick, so Azrael modifies Batman's costume a little ... but by the way, you'll see for yourself.

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

Batman: The Man Who Laughs (2005)

A very small one-shot of Ed Brubaker about the Joker, which logically continues the story of Batman: Year One (1989). The first appearance of the Joker in Gotham City is described here. It goes without saying that it is funny and funny to death ... with a mountain of smiling corpses and crowds of frightened citizens.

Batman suspects that he is indirectly involved in the emergence of the Joker, it just becomes clear why the Dark Knight cannot kill the insane clown, and even on the contrary - tries to help him. The story certainly echoes Batman: The Killing Joke, but it is recommended to read it to strengthen the basic knowledge about the main villain of Gotham City.

A Death in Family (1988-1989)

Jim Starlin's iconic arc, released under the influence of negative reader feedback. Dennis O'Neill (DC Editor-in-Chief) knew the public didn't like Jason Todd and his days as Robin were numbered, but he wasn't sure how to get the character out of Batman's story. The breakdown of the pen became the crowbar and the Joker, but after the release of the room where the half-dead Robin and his mother find themselves locked in a warehouse, O'Neill launched an unprecedented campaign to rescue Todd by opening a telephone vote. With a margin of 200 votes, it was decided to kill Jason. There are rumors that there was a certain programmed telephone that predetermined the outcome of the vote, but there is no exact information on this score. Either way, 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, \u200b\u200bJason Todd remains one of the key characters in Gotham City, now as the new Red Hood.

Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying (1989)

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

After you've dealt with the small arches 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, downloadable by R.I.P.)

Damian Wayne-al Ghul's first appearance, the obnoxious child falls on the head of the unsuspecting Batman. Raised by mercenaries of the League of Shadows, 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 Dr. Hurt, who together manage to capture Gotham, drive him crazy and kill Batman. 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 wait for a linear narration, 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 era of Batman before the reboot of The New 52.

* (Batman 655 through 713 + crossovers above)

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

Batman, originally Bat-man, is a fictional superhero, grim defender of the city of Gotham, who is a collective image of Chicago and New York in the United States. Possesses the strength and reflexes of a person at the peak of his capabilities, similar to the Olympic athlete. He uses with might and main an extensive collection of high-tech gadgets and equipment with the prefix "beta": batarangs, batmobile, bat plane, etc. The main base, the Batcave, is located underground on the Wayne ancestral home. Batman is a Detective Comics comic book character who first appeared in # 27 in May 1939. Along with Superman, Batman is one of the earliest and most famous comic book heroes. It was created by artist Bob Kane in collaboration with 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. He declared a crusade against crime after his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne, were killed in front of him by a robber. 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, as a lieutenant. Read more about this in the comic "Batman. Year one ". In the future, the list of enemies and allies of Bruce Wayne has expanded significantly. In the sequel "Batman. The Long Halloween ”he will face Catwoman, and in the closing comic book“ Batman. Dark Victory ”will acquire a permanent partner - Robin. However, Batman does not always fight the usual mafiosi. One of the most recognizable opponents of the Dark Knight is the insane maniac clown nicknamed the Joker. It was their first meeting that the comic "Batman, The Man Who Laughs" is dedicated to. Bruce is the founder and one of the longest-running members of a group called the Justice League. Justice League comic. Book 1. The Beginning ”tells the story of the first meeting of a team of superheroes and a joint struggle against alien invaders. The Dark Knight does not shy away from working in tandem with other superheroes. For example, the Superman / Batman series focused on the adventures of a super duo. The so-called alternative universes are of particular interest. Masterpiece comic "Batman. The Return of the Dark Knight "tells the story of an elderly Bruce Wayne, who retired from the fight against crime, but decides to return amid the activity of violent gangs. Batman also 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 Soviet Superman.

Batman is one of the most popular comic book characters. Everyone knows the story of millionaire Bruce Wayne, whose parents were shot by a robber in an alley near the cinema. As Bruce grew up, he used all his knowledge, strength and money to fight crime, wearing a bat suit to intimidate.

But if everything is simple with the Batman films - there are only about a dozen of them - then it is much more difficult to understand the history of comics. Many people have a question: where to start?

It may seem that the answer is obvious: you need to get to know the character from the very first issues. But in Batman's case, it's hardly worth doing. Firstly, comics about this hero have been published for almost 80 years, and it will take too much time to read. Secondly, most of the old plots will seem too simple to the modern reader, and the graphics will not be interesting. Thirdly, even among modern editions, a significant portion are passing stories that are unlikely to attract a new reader. So, if you are not going to write a scientific paper on Batman, studying the entire huge archive is not at all necessary.

Moreover, over the years, the hero's biography has been repeatedly rewritten together with the entire DC Comics universe, as well as in the form of separate branches. Therefore, for a start, it is better to choose a dozen generally recognized best works.

10 comics to start with

1. Batman: Year One

One of the best Batman comics and a great way to get to know the hero's story. It was written by the famous Frank Miller - the author of "", "300" and many other popular comics.

In the story, a young orphan millionaire Bruce Wayne returns to his native Gotham. He faces a thriving crime on the streets and decides to defend the city as a night avenger. At the same time, Commissioner Jim Gordon's first steps are shown - he is transferred to Gotham, and he is trying to fight corruption in the government. You can even say that it is Gordon who is the main character of this comic. And Miller's main goal is to show all the gloom of life in Gotham, mired in crime.

Batman in a suit appears little here, more emphasis is placed on how Bruce Wayne comes up with an image for himself - by the way, he copied this quite accurately in the movie “Batman. Start".

David Mazzukelli is named the artist of the Year One series. But, according to him, Miller did most of the work himself, he only had to finish the drawings. Moreover, the comic can be found in two versions: standard, where everything is drawn in pale colors, traditional for Miller, and a special edition with brighter colors. There is also a cartoon of the same name in 2011, where this story is almost frame by frame retold.

2. Killing joke

A work of genius comic book writer Alan Moore. A very short but very atmospheric story about how Batman can sometimes be just as obsessed as those he hunts.

In the center - the confrontation between the hero and his eternal enemy Joker. And it is the famous clown who is trying to prove to Batman that it only takes one bad day for a person to turn into a psychopath. To this end, he kidnaps Commissioner Jim Gordon, and before that he shoots his daughter Barbara in the spine.

The comic is also important in that it tells the story of the origin of the Joker, although he himself is not sure of his memories.

He confessed his love for the "Murderous Joke" himself. And Jared Leto, before trying on the image of the Joker in Suicide Squad, posted a photo in which he copied the character from the cover of the comic.

In 2016, the cartoon of the same name was released, in which the backstory of the love relationship between Batman and Barbara was added to the plot of "Killing Joke". But to many comic book fans this part seemed superfluous, and they prefer to watch the cartoon from the middle.

3. The man who laughs

Chronologically, the events of this comic take place before the plot of "The Murderous Joke" and directly continue "Year One". However, here again the story of the origin of the Joker is remembered, so it is better to read them in that order.

Batman investigates the appearance of a new maniac in the city. He announces in advance on television the names of his victims - the rich from Gotham. But, despite all the efforts, none of them can be saved, they all die with a frozen smile on their face. Batman tries to catch the criminal and realizes that this case is related to a man who once fell into chemical reagents at a factory.

Interestingly, in fact, this comic is a remake of the very first appearance of the Joker on the pages of DC Comics in 1940. Authors Ed Brubaker and Doug Monkey only modernized the plot and picture and connected it with the later events of the DC universe. And the name itself refers to the novel by Victor Hugo, or rather, to its main character, from which the Joker was once copied.

4. "The Long Halloween" and "Dark Victory"

Two detective stories from renowned author Jeff Loeb (now head of the television division). These are two separate stories, but it is better to read them in a row, since they are both drawn by the same artist Tim Sale, and literally continue each other.

The first plot is more confusing. And here Batman often has to justify his title of the best detective than the best fighter. A maniac appears in the city, killing exclusively on holidays, and he chooses victims among members of large mafia clans. Indeed, until the very end it is almost impossible to guess who the killer is.

In "Dark Victory" the maniac kills the policemen, leaving clues at the crime scene in the form of a child's game "gallows". The story is a little simpler here, but those who liked The Long Halloween will definitely appreciate the sequel.

It is in this comic that Attorney Harvey Dent is poured acid on his face, after which he becomes insane Two-Face. Here, the Grayson family of circus acrobats perishes, and Batman for the first time takes on his assistant - Dick Grayson, the first Robin.

Visually, these comics are very gothic. Batman's cloak often appears as a black blot on the floor. By the way, the performer of the role of Batman, Christian Bale, said that he tried to copy his image from these plots.

5. Death in the family

One of the pretty old comics that looks rustic now. But to understand the depth of the character, he is simply necessary. Moreover, the old comics seem to many to be entirely light and positive.

First you need to consider that Batman had several partners with the common name Robin. The first is Dick Grayson, whose story begins in The Long Halloween. Later he moved to another city and took the name Nightwing for himself - there is a separate series of comics about him, and now they are filming a series. After that, Batman found a new assistant - a homeless orphan Jason Todd. He became the second Robin. But the readers did not really like this character, and then the authors decided on a really cruel move. In the Death in the Family story arc, Joker locked Jason in a warehouse and beat him to death with a crowbar.

6. The fall of the knight

And one more important, though not very visually interesting plot. For those who have watched Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, the comic is definitely recommended reading. After all, it is here that Batman encounters an opponent Bane, superior in strength and cunning, and he breaks his back in a duel.

This story significantly changes the perception of Bruce Wayne. First, he loses the image of an invincible hero. And secondly, the authors show that Batman is not only Wayne, his costume can be transferred to another person. And the one who tried on the image of a bat was the warrior Azrael, who used completely different methods of fighting villains.

7. Batman: Quiet!

Another novel by Jeff Loeb, and again a detective story. Although this time the plot is much less twisted.

In Gotham, the mysterious character Hash appears (the word hush in translation means "quietly"). He subdues all criminals and plays some very strange game. And his main target, of course, will be Batman.

What distinguishes this comic from The Long Halloween is primarily its graphics. Here the famous Jim Lee acted as an artist, and it is impossible not to recognize his style. Firstly, he draws a lot of details in detail: background, details of clothing, vehicles and weapons. And secondly, he draws heroes very specifically. For this, critics often scold him, because all the men in his comics have strong chins and clenched teeth, and women have large breasts. But fans love him for that.

In Batman: Quiet, Jim Lee was allowed to enjoy the portrayal of female characters - at least briefly, almost all the main characters in DC comics appear here, from Harley Quinn to Catwoman. And by the way, this is where the relationship between Batman and the Cat will reach a new level.

8. Arkham Asylum. House of Sorrow in Sorrowful Land

Those who still think comics are just stories of superheroes in pictures should definitely read the work of Grant Morrison and Dave McKean. Because it was not created to tell the reader something. It's just scary. The plot of "Arkham Asylum" is simple: Joker organizes a riot in a psychiatric hospital, where he was once again hidden, and takes the staff hostage. He is ready to release the hospital staff on one condition - Batman must voluntarily surrender to him.

In parallel, the story of the man who built the clinic is revealed. He tried to cope with childhood traumas and even help others, but in the end he lost his mind.

It would seem that the authors are not telling anything new, but here the approach to the main character changes. Once in the hospital, Batman asks himself the question: what if this is the place for a man who dresses up as a bat? In addition, the authors have implemented their ideas in a very non-standard way. The comic features a collection of scary pictures, photographs that are hard to read and many hidden symbols on every page.

All this plunges the viewer into the world of madness and nightmares. If you stay alone with this comic late at night, then reading will turn into watching a real horror movie, when every rustle scares.

9. Return of the dark knight

And again, Frank Miller, a lover of hard stories. In contrast to the comic "Year One", this is a plot about an elderly Batman who plans to retire. Bruce Wayne is in his 50s and has been away from Gotham for a long time. During this time, the government banned all superheroes, and Superman is now following the president's orders. Wayne enters the fight with a gang of mutants, but then he will have to confront Superman himself in an unequal battle.

Fans of subtle character drawing with this comic will have a hard time, because Miller illustrated it himself, and he does everything roughly and sweepingly. But the plot compensates for the simplicity of the drawing many times over. Here, each character is presented ambiguously, and it is impossible to make out who is still a hero and who is a villain.

According to the plot of the comic, the cartoon of the same name was shot, accurately conveying the content. And he was also taken as a basis by Zack Snyder when he shot the movie "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Although the director turned many themes upside down, the middle-aged Bruce Wayne and the fight in the iron suit came straight from Miller's story.

10. Batman: Earth-1

For those tired of the endless repetitions of Batman's origin story, DC has an outlet - Earth-1. It can be said to be a parallel world, where the heroes are more like real people.

The creators of this comic about Batman decided to tell a little differently about the hero's youth. Yes, his parents also die, but the motive for turning young Bruce Wayne into Batman is not revenge, but rather guilt. And the butler Albert plays an equally important role. Here he does not just serve and help Bruce - the former military man turns into his main mentor. It seems that the authors of the series "" were guided by this very story.

Earth 1 is a great way to see more believable and down-to-earth heroes. The beginner Batman here with might and main breaks down his favorite gadgets, he falls, loses and is afraid. Everything is like in life.

10 more comics for those who are already hooked

Those who read the main comics and like them can be mistaken for more complex stories.

11. A lonely place to die

After the death of Jason Todd, Batman has a new Robin - Tim Drake. And this is the only case when the boy himself found Bruce Wayne, figuring out who is hiding under the mask of a bat. But, like all Batman's partners, tragic events take place in the life of young Tim.

12. Under the red cap

The return of Jason Todd was hinted at in the comic "Batman: Quiet!", But then it turned out to be a hoax. But in the series "Under the Red Cap" he really came back to life. True, in a different way: now Todd acts as an anti-hero - a kind of reflection of Batman's cruelty.

13. Gotham in Gas Light

If you are tired of watching the same characters, be sure to read this comic. What if Batman doesn't live in modern times, but in the Victorian era? And who, if not he, should calculate the very first maniac in the world -? In addition to the unusual idea and surroundings, this plot is also interesting because of the complete departure from the canons. So anyone can be the killer.

14. Flashpoint: Batman. Vengeance knight

In the DC universe, global events regularly occur that restart the stories of all heroes. One of these events was "Flashpoint" - a plot where Flash returned to the past and saved his mother from murder, thereby changing the course of history. And in a parallel world in an alley, not Bruce Wayne's parents were killed, but the boy himself. As a result, his father, Thomas Wayne, became Batman, much more aggressive than his son. But what happened to the mother, it is better to learn from the comic.

15. Injustice: Gods Among Us

In this comic, Batman is just one of many characters. But for those who have already familiarized themselves with the same name, it will be useful to know the background of events. The Joker tricks Superman into killing the pregnant Lois Lane. After that, the Man of Steel goes crazy and decides to build his ideal world without crime. Over time, he turns into a real tyrant. And then some of the former colleagues, including Batman, go into resistance, trying to overthrow the power of Superman.

16. Court of Owls

It would seem that Batman has brought order to the streets of Gotham and eradicated all crime. But then he finds out that his city has long been secretly ruled by some "Owls". And now the Dark Knight will have to face them.

17. Noel

One of the strangest ideas is to combine the classic "" by Charles Dickens, where the gloomy old man Scrooge came to the spirits of Christmas, with characters from the comics about Batman. However, as it turned out, it might look very interesting.

18. Gothic

Another work by Grant Morrison that addresses hidden fears. Here Batman will have to confront not so much various enemies as his memories from childhood. You can get acquainted with interesting facts from the hero's youth.

19. Cult

Where else can you see Batman, who fell under the influence of a dangerous cult. The dark knight even goes so far as to pick up a firearm. Although, it would seem, the founder of this cult, like the main character, wants to clear the city of crime.

20. Black and white

And finally - more elegant than meaningful comics. Four short yet truly gripping stories from Batman's life, rendered in black and white.

Description:
No one has ever been able to stop the dark crusade. Not to the Joker. Not two-faced. Not even to all the members of the Justice League. But what will Batman do when a new hero comes up against him, who wants to save Gotham from the Dark Knight?

Reviewed by Yellow Geek - Batman # 1. Much immediately catches the eye. For starters, pattern and colors. In my humble opinion, everything has become better and more pleasant. I especially liked the colors. Second. If we compare with the first issue of Batman Rebirth, then we were given a different Batman. Although the story is about the same person. Only last time, he hung without fear over the abyss, clutching the helipad handrail with his slippery, sweaty hands, and now, diving on a blown up plane into the cold waters of Gotham Bay, he asks Alfred to pass a couple of pleasantries to everyone on the road, and ends this with a tearful moment when Bruce asks Alfred, “Would my parents be proud of me? Is this a good death? " Where is the brutality in a bat costume? Or is it something hormonal? But aside from the incredible speed of Bats' mood swings, I must say that this guy is more interesting to me than that pumped-up monster in leggings. Two numbers with opposite images. Now I wonder in which direction King will lead the character further. The third point is references to the creators of Batman - Kane and Finger. Just nice. The last element of the comic takes only one page, but it is difficult not to notice it. Two new characters - Gotham and Gotham Girl. Well, the passengers of the falling plane complained that they did not have a "normal" hero like Superman or Flash, and now they got two big flying guys at once. How do I feel about this? With interest. New characters are always an opportunity to develop something interesting. The main thing here is a skillful author. The only thing I don't like is their appearance. These suits with a Gothic letter G on the chest look awkward. Maybe I'll get used to it, or maybe they will be given a new form. The number gave me a reason to read the series further. I wonder where King's story will lead. Although, to be honest, I have a feeling of being secondary. The feeling that I have already seen all these scenes in the All-Star Superman, when Sups returned to Metropolis, and there are two other Kryptonians.

Reviewed by Regular Punks - Batman # 1 - Weakly something. I must say right away that Finch's drawing is ordinary. It doesn't hurt the eyes, but it's not beautiful either. The backs are cardboard, the color is still normal. He tries to draw only characters, but forgets about the background. The plot is ... well, soooo. A collection of clichés about Batman. Shit happens, Bats learns that the league (OH STANDBY) cannot answer the call, Bats decides everything himself, says that he will die now, remembers his mother and folder (it WOULD work, but we already had Batman's death, quite recently that's why the drama doesn't work here), but the Deus Ex Machine, in the guise of Gotham and Gotham Girl, saves the situation. Gotham and Gotham Girl? What ?! Yeah, they're superhuman too. They fly, airplanes are raised by hands. Zbs, only our Super theme is over, as another begins. It would be much better if they weren't superhuman. It's just that, judging by the description of the following numbers, there will be a story about that Gotham and Gotham Girl will become heroes better than Batman and, as it were, that Batman is a symbol of the past and in general ... Well, King, just don't need it. Come on, you do a feint with your ears and fiddle with something cool, okay?

This year marks 75 years since the release of the first Batman comic, the twenty-seventh installment of the Detective Comics series. DC Comics has officially declared July 23rd as Batman Day. There's plenty to celebrate: After all, Batman is one of the most important and influential superheroes in comic book history. Look At Me has collected 15 main stories with his participation.

"The Return of the Dark Knight"

Probably the most famous Batman comic, and certainly the main comic about Batman from the 80s: a dark story from Frank Miller (author of "City of Sins", "300 Spartans" and much more) about 55-year-old Bruce Wayne, retired, who puts on the Batman costume for the last time and goes to battle against all his enemies. Together with Alan Moore's Keepers, The Dark Knight Returns turned the tradition of superhero comics upside down - and showed what they can do; before the Miller series, superheroes did not age, did not get sick and were generally flawless, he also painted an ambiguous cyberpunk universe in which there is no obvious good and evil, and even Batman does not seem to be a very good psychopath. The comic remains a timeless classic, and any attempt to reinvent Batman is inevitably compared to The Return. Well, yes, this is the same comic book in which Batman fights with Superman, and, consider, wins.

"Batman: Year One"

Re-inventing Batman from the end (i.e., writing about the hero's future), Frank Miller set about starting a hero, and a year after The Dark Knight Returns, he drew Year One, a comic that tells exactly how Bruce Wayne decided to put on a bat costume and start fighting crime. Year One is similar to Return, an equally dark comic strip on the verge of realism that brings new features to the old hero; in order to start reading comics about Batman, he fits perfectly - despite the fact that over the 75 years of the hero's existence, his origin has been told many times, it is Miller's version that can be considered the most classic.

"Batman: The Killing Joke"

The Joker is the main character in the Batman gallery of supervillains; a hero who complements Batman and makes his story many times deeper and, in general, more terrifying. Like a man in a bat costume, the Joker has experienced a lot of interpretations throughout its history, from a harmless joker to a terrorist and a dangerous maniac. The Killing Joke, written by Alan Moore and drawn by Brian Bolland, is the most important book for the hero - another version of his origin is told here (the local Joker is an unlucky stand-up comedian) and it is shown to what cruelty he is capable of reaching. The ending in "The Killing Joke" is very ambiguous: for a long time it was believed that Batman, as usual, does not kill his main opponent and sends him to a mental hospital; but acclaimed screenwriter Grant Morrison recently suggested that the exact opposite is happening.

"Arkham Mental Hospital - Home of Sorrow in Sorrowful Land"

A schizophrenic experimental comic book dedicated to an important building in Batman mythology - the Arkham Asylum, where Batman, who never kills, sends defeated supervillains. According to the plot of "House of Sorrow", a riot occurs in Arkham, and Batman goes there to figure it out. After that, the plot of the comic book becomes somewhat difficult to follow: it is extremely abstractly drawn, filled with Jungian symbolism, and even the villains here are the embodiment of Batman's internal psychological problems. We warmly recommend reading the 2004 edition of the comic, released for his fifteenth birthday: there are comments from the author, Grant Morrison, with which the book becomes much easier to understand.

The Long Halloween, Dark Victory

This is the best detective story featuring Batman in this one-piece concoction between screenwriter Jeff Loeb and artist Tim Sale. The first book describes a year-long story of a maniac who kills his victims on holidays and who is hunted by the whole of Gotham - from police and Batman to the mafia. In the second - another year in the life of Batman, in which the authors fold all the ends left after the first comic. Loeb and Sale cover all major Batman themes in Halloween and Victory; there are mysterious murders, and the whole story has a tragic connotation, and almost all the main supervillains manage to appear, and the dilogy, as usual, ends rather ambiguously and even sadly. In addition, the comics are brilliantly drawn: no one drew Batman like Tim Sale.

"Batman: Year 100"

Batman: Year 100

DC Comics, 2006, Paul Pope

Year 100 is one of the most distinctive graphic novels of the 2000s. Independent comic book star Paul Pope kicked out the myth of Batman Bruce Wayne and his eternal enemies and sent action into the cyberpunk world of 2039 from Heavy Liquid and "100%", in which the police state watches over its citizens. Who cares who is under the helmet: Batman is always a legend, an urban non-conformist guerrilla who behaves like a cypherpunk, always tries to get to the bottom of the truth and never bends under power. By crossing the techniques of manga and European comics, Pope created a fresh take on the character. Plus, it's just an exciting reading: in fact, the whole story is a series of dynamic chases that you can't tear yourself away from. An excellent fusion of mass and author's comics.

"Batman: Gotham in the Light of a Gas Lantern"

Like any other important superhero, Batman has gone through a huge number of strange interpretations and migrations to alternate realities and time periods: from the Middle Ages and the distant future to vampires and zombies. Gotham by Gaslight is a late 19th century steampunk Batman designed by Brian Augustin and drawn by Mike Mignola (by the author of Hellboy)... A short, literally fifty pages, story in which a young Bruce Wayne returns to America from a trip to Europe and, of course, brings with him Jack the Ripper, with whom he has to fight. Gotham by Gaslight became the first comic in the Elseworlds series (included it there, however, after the release), in which Batman was just placed in different alternative realities, but Mignola and Augustin did better than all subsequent authors.

"Batman and Dracula: Red Rain"

Batman & Dracula: Red Rain

Red Rain, DC Comics, 1991, Doug Menh, Kelly Jones

An amazing comic strip confronting Batman with the main vampire in history: Dracula attacks Gotham, who begins to turn its inhabitants into his vampire servants (and he manages to convert many - for example, the Joker)... Of course, the only person who can stop him is Batman; but only Bruce Wayne is also infected and turned into a vampire. Batman is often referred to as the creature of the night (this makes sense considering that he dresses in a bat costume), and in "Red Rain" it is interpreted literally. Comic book authors were fascinated by vampires long before the creators of films and TV series - and Red Rain is almost the best thing that we managed to do with them. The comic teeters on the edge of farce, but is absolutely brilliantly drawn, which greatly helps the story.

"Batman Black and White"

A book made from a simple idea: to gather all the best writers and artists in comics, give them a few pages and ask them to write and draw short and exciting stories about Batman - and also make them black and white. As you might guess, "Black and White" is not as deep and complete comic book as other stories about Batman, but the anthology is full of witty ideas; the main thing is that all the stories are very different, from serious to funny. There is, for example, a story from Neil Gaiman and Simon Beasley, in which the Joker and Batman are presented as actors playing roles in the pages of the comic. Or the story of Batman as a legend that a mother tells her son in the distant future.

"Batman: Black Mirror"

The Black Mirror story arc from Detective Comics in the first half of 2011 is the newest story on this list, and perhaps the best thing that has happened to Batman in the past five years. Scott Snyder constructed a series of scary and mysterious stories about the life of Gotham that flow into each other - the city here appears not just as a background, but as a separate character in the story - and thus brought himself to the rank of the main author of DC Comics. Everything in Black Mirror is great: both the detective plot and the drawing (Jock and Francesco Francavilla were responsible for it), and characters - first of all (spoiler) This is the crazy son of Commissioner James Gordon.

"Batman: Quiet"

Sometimes the journey is more important than the result, and one of the most popular stories of the 2000s, created by the duo of the already mentioned Jeff Loeb and Jim Lee, is a perfect example of this. Hush is like a summer movie blockbuster: a very effective story that runs through all the key superheroes of Gotham for a dozen episodes and surprises with unexpected plot twists, but in the end, rather, leaves the reader at a loss. Hush introduced the eponymous villain to the world of Batman and resurrected former Robin Jason Todd, who was killed by the Joker, but he is not interesting for that. Although Loeb once again used his favorite detective intrigue with the character gallery, the plot proved to be the novel's weak point. But here they fight very nicely (and kicks Superman in the face) - and a very sexy Catwoman. Why do you need something else?