Batman's Continuity Explained Dammit!
(Not Concluded)
The Batman continuity is something newcomers will take a while to fully understand. Most people know it as before 'Frank Miller' and after 'Frank Miller.' That is, when Miller created 'The Dark Knight Returns' and brought Batman from the Adam West campyness to the dark and disturbing icon we know and strangely love to today. (Even though there was some great Batman stories before 'The Dark Knight Returns.')
The following is a basic list of Batman trades, graphic novels and story collections that are in an order of reading that makes sense, not an order that is technically chronological by intricate timelines and minuscule moments in Batman's history that place things here and there by a hardcore geeks unnecessary standards. REMEMBER this is only for beginners and those who only wish to read for enjoyment, fulfilment and closure.
MODERN BATMAN:
Batman: Year One
Batman: Prey
Batman: The Man Who Laughs
Batman: Four Of A Kind
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: Haunted Knight
Batman: Dark Victory
Robin: Year One
Batgirl: Year One
Nightwing: Year One
Batman: Strange Apparitions
Batman: The Killing Joke
Batman: A Death In The Family
Batman: Noel
Joker
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
If you don't care for closure and like to think 'The Dark Knight Returns' is non-cannon, then continue with the current ongoing Batman series that is 'supposed' to tie in with the New 52 of D.C.'s releases. This list has continuity notes:
Batman: Year One
(Bruce Wayne becomes Batman. Introducing James Gordon, Harvey Dent and Catwoman) This is to be replaced with 'Zero Year'.
Batman & The Monster Men
(First encounter with super-human foes. Introducing the bat-mobile)
Batman & The Mad Monk
(First encounter with supernatural foes)
Batman: Prey
(Though "Mad Monk" is meant to lead directly into "Man Who Laughs," Prey fits as a good sequel to Monster Men. Ignoring continuity issues like when the bat-signal is created and the bat-mobile is introduced, it works well as happening the same time as "Man Who Laughs." Though I like to think this introduces Bruce making a new bat-mobile improving on the one in "Monster Men," explaining why he has so many others later on.)
Batman: The Man Who Laughs
(Joker is introduced. Batman comes to the realisation that it won't be just mobsters he has to deal with, but freaks as well)
Batman: Four Of A Kind
(Though not neccessary, fits as an introduction to the Riddler, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy and Man-Bat) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman: Gothic
(An older Grant Morrison story. Some love it, some don't like Morrison toying with Bruce Wayne's childhood. Still worth reading)
Batman: Venom
(Batman realises he has limits. After not being able to save a girl from drowning, Batman resorts to performance enhancing drugs (Bane's Venom) and must then overcome an addiction. The very same drug Bane uses to defeat him. Memorable for 2 epic moments; Bruce growing a beard and fighting a shark, though not the first time!)
Batman: The Long Halloween
(Batman investigates murders by the holiday killer, involving nearly all of Batman's famous villains and also depicts Harvey Deny's downfall to become the mad man Two-Face)
Batman: Haunted Knight
(If you ignore that the individual stories take place on different halloweens, then this underrated classic fits great here. Shows off a great cat and mouse between Batman and the Scarecrow, introduces the Mad Hatter and what many don't tell you is that it serves as a great introductory to a young Barbara Gordon)
Batman: Terror
(The lacklustre sequel to "Prey." Though it unintentionally helps to connect "Prey" to "Strange Apparitions") Now collected with 'Prey' TP
Batman: Dark Victory
(Batman investigates another string of murders involving the favourite Batman villains. Most importantly, introduces Dick Grayson and how he became Robin, the Boy Wonder. Gordon is promoted to Commissioner)
Catwoman: When In Rome
(Coincides with "Dark Victory." Worth reading if you like "Dark Victory" & "The Long Halloween")
Robin: Year One
(Robin's first year by Batman's side as the Boy Wonder. Ignore the minuscule change in Two-Face's origin as well as Gordon referred to as Captain and this is a fun read)
At this point, you might wanna read "Justice League: Origins" and any depiction of Batman's first encounter with Superman. "Gotham Central" books are great too, but continuity wise are all over the place.
Batgirl: Year One
(Barbara Gordon becomes Batgirl. Another fun read, though you might want to read "Justice League: Year One" or "Justice League: Origin" before it)
Batman: Strange Apparitions (This gem came before The Dark Knight Returns)
(A classic Batman run of old that still holds up reasonably well. A must for bat-fans. Batman now wears the yellow insignia) OUT OF PRINT!
(Why not throw in Huntress: Year One around this time for the sake of it.)
Batman: Tales Of The Demon
(Batman's first encounters with Talia Al Ghul and Ra's Al Ghul)
Nightwing: Year One
(Grayson has had enough being a sidekick and wants to be his own hero. This shows us a different interpretation on how he became Nightwing and more interestingly shows us an updated origin for Jason Todd as the new Robin) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman: The New Adventures
(D.C. has solicited this trade for 2015, and if it is true, then this will collect Batman issues #402-403, #408-416, and Annual #11, which has Jason Todd's original post-crisis origin, which can be read alongside 'Nightwing: Year One')
(Be sure to check out 'Teen Titans: Judas Contract' to see Nightwing become his own and Deathstroke make his appearance)
Batman: Son Of The Demon
(Another one-shot classic of old. This time Batman teams up with Ra's and conceives Damian Wayne with Talia, who tells him they lost the baby)
Batman: The Killing Joke
(The ultimate Joker story. It has Joker's supposed origin and a horrifying, life changing moment for Barbara Gordon that shook the bat-universe for years to come. The new version removes the yellow insignia from Batman's costume. For new readers, I recommend you start here to understand the Batman mythos, then start from the beginning through to the end)
(As for where to best start with Barbara Gordon as Oracle, i've yet to find an available trade!)
Batman: The Cult
(One of the few trades with Jason Todd besides "Death In The Family." A lesser known gem full of darkness and the first real defeat of Batman besides the future confrontation with Bane. though this one is psychological) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman: A Death In The Family
(A very dated but necessary tale of how the Joker once again pushes Batman too far. Joker murders the second Robin, Jason Todd, by not only beating him senseless with a crow bar, but then blowing him up)
Batman: A Lonely Place Of Dying
(Batman has been on edge since the death of Jason Todd. This not only tells how Batman fan boy Tim Drake becomes the new Robin, but also why Batman needs Robin)
Batman: Dark Knight, Dark City
(Soon to be reprinted, this inspiration for some of Grant Morrison's Batman stuff should fit somewhere here in the timeline)
Robin: A Hero Reborn
(Tim Drake proves himself capable as being sidekick to the Dark Knight. You'll want to try 'Robin: Tragedy & Triumph' too, though no longer available) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman: Sword Of Azrael
(A beautifully drawn introduction to Jean-Paul Valley, Azrael)
Batman: Knightfall
(A long running 90's epic. Bane comes to Gotham to defeat the Batman and take over. He succeeds by testing Batman to his limits before breaking his back. Azrael questionably takes over as Batman and designs a new suit. He becomes power crazy and this epic builds up to Batman's return and his showdown with Azrael)
Knightfall (now includes "Veangence Of Bane")
Knightsquest
Knightsend
Batman: Prodigal
(Bruce Wayne still needs some time off after returning to the mantle of the Dark Knight and so leaves Dick Grayson temporarily as Batman. Now included in "Knightsend". 'Batman: Troika' follows but is not collected and supposedly terrible. It is also around this time you can start Nightwing's solo series)
Batman: Mad Love
(Why not throw this one here, since Harley Quinn's actual first cannon appearance in Batman comics is in No Man's Land)
Batman: No Man's Land
(Another long epic. In "Contagion, a deadly virus breaks out in Gotham City. In "Legcay," Batman tracks down where the virus came from and has a rematch with Bane. In "Cataclysm," and earthquake hits Gotham causing chaos on a mass scale and sets up "No Man's Land," where Gotham city becomes sealed and overrun by its many freaks. During this saga, Batman returns to a classic costume)
Contagion (out of print!)
Legacy (out of print!)
Cataclysm (Supposed to be reprinted in 2015)
Road To No Man's Land (Never printed)
No Man's Land Vol. 1
No Man's Land Vol. 2
No Man's Land Vol. 3
No Man's Land Vol. 4
Batman: Evolution
(It is often mistaken that batman returns to his classic look, removing the yellow insignia in no man's land, but is in fact in 'Evolution'. This is also the first major story in the rebuilt Gotham City, post-No Man's Land) Out of print but still available!
(Around this period, the only story arcs worth reading is Batman: Bruce Wayne-Fugitive & Batman: Bruce Wayne-Murderer. Though it is rarely ever referenced, maybe once in 'Superman/Batman: Public Enemies'. Let's forget about the whole 'War Drums' saga)
Batman: Hush
(An enemy from Bruce Wayne's past causes all sorts of trouble in Gotham City. Though universally considered great, long time fans find this has too many plot holes and ends with too much unresolved. However, it did bring back quality in writing after inconsistent epics like "Knightfall" and "No Man's Land") You may want to read the whole 'Batman: War Games' after this but you honestly don't need to. 'Hush Returns' can be read after as well but it is terrible.
Batman: Under The Red Hood
(Jason Todd comes back from the dead, angry and bloodthirsty due to some unnecessary and irrelevant events in the larger D.C. comics universe. The story is told well, but it is a story we did not want. Bringing Jason back from the dead was just plain wrong, but he shows up in later great stories making this a must own.) Infinite Crisis happens during and after this. You may want to read the 52 or 'Batwoman: Elegy' after Infinite Crisis, though I prefer to read 'Elegy' during 'Battle For The Cowl.'
For the best reading of 'Infinite Crisis' with Batman's involvement, try:
(Crisis On Infinite Earths, Superman: President Lex, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies)
Identity Crisis
The OMAC Project & Superman: Sacrifice
Infinite Crisis
52 volumes 1-4
Batman: Face The Face
(Fast forward a year after Infinite Crisis and Batman has left Harvey Dent in charge of protecting Gotham City. (Spoiler if you haven't read "Hush." Two-Face had plastic surgery and is a good guy once again.) This story shows his return to evil even going so far as to scar himself. Of more importance, Bruce Wayne adopts Tim Drake as his own son) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman & Son
(For lack of any better explanation, this where shit gets crazy. Writer Grant Morrison takes over for arguably one of the best comic runs in history. Damian Wayne is introduced to Bruce for the first time and sets the tone for what's to come)
Batman: Resurection Of Ra's Al Ghul
(Ra' Al Ghul returns and needs his demonic grandson for his selfish needs of immortality)
Batman: The Black Glove
(Dr. Hurt is introduced as the Black Glove, or his he the devil? What we do know is this is Batman's most WTF enemy in his most psychedelic head scratching adventures since the campy years)
Batman: Heart Of Hush
(Thomas Elliot or Hush returns to kill Batman before the Black Glove do)
Batman: R.I.P
(The Black Glove strike and Batman goes bat-shit crazy in one of the most bat-shit stories ever. Whether you like it or not doesn't matter. It must be read)
Final Crisis
(A convoluted mess. Batman breaks his gun rule and killing rule only this once to kill a god or alien villain or whatever you think Darkseid is. Then Batman dies! or does he? spoiler alert, get over it.)
Batman: Battle For The Cowl
(An action packed fun run that divided fans on whether it was good or not. Dick Grayson decides to become Batman, maybe forever, but has to fight other Batman wannabes along the way, notably Jason Todd. On a better note, this sets up the new "Batman & Robin" with Damian Wayne becoming the new Robin. Surprise surprise) 'Batgirl Rising' can be read during this.
Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn
(The most accessible of Grant Morrison's Batman epic since "Batman & Son." Damian Wayne goes from demonic, annoying, mercilessly killing brat to a cute and very likeable mini Batman, who still kills. Sorry to say for Bruce Wayne, but this Batman & Robin duo may be the best ever)
Batman & Robin: Batman vs. Robin
(The Continuing adventures of Batman & Robin or Dick & Damian)
Batman: Time & The Batman
(Tying loose ends between "R.I.P," "Final Crisis" and "Return Of The Batman")
Batman: The Return Of Bruce Wayne
(SPOILER WARNING: Batman didn't die. Instead he went on a time spanning journey of crazy shit. Even if you prefer a darker, realistic Batman, if you've come this far, then you should be used to this by now and remember, these are comics. What you should have realised with "R.I.P," is that Grant Morrison has tried to make every thing in Batman's comic history from 1939 to now cannon. Whether you like that, or whether you think he succeeded is up to you as a reader personally. Hear more about that in here)
Batman & Robin: Batman Must Die
(It's time to take down Dr. Hurt! and welcome back Bruce Wayne!)
Batman Incorporated
(Batman decides to create and expand an empire of batmen and women across the globe to prepare for a new threat known as Leviathan, who is not threatening the world, but Batman personally)
Batman: The Black Mirror
(A great read about Dick Grayson as Batman in Gotham City while Bruce travels the world for Batman Incorporated. As good as it is, i refuse to acknowledge it due to Gordon's son James becoming a creepy serial killer. How can you do that to this character after Bruce so heroically saved him as a baby in "Year One" and give Commissioner Gordon more grief?)
(New 52 starts)
Batman: Faces Of Death
(Not very good, but this is where Joker has his face cut off!)
(It is worth reading 'Nightwing: Traps & Trapezes' and 'Batgirl: The Darkest Reflection' around this time with the depictions of Dick Grayson returning to his role and Nightwing and Barbara Gordon walking again.)
Batman: Court Of Owls
(Apparently there is a very dangerous group under the guise of Owls that have been hiding below Gotham's foundations. They have decided to rise up (only now?) to take Gotham from Batman) 'You should probably read 'Nightwing: Traps & Trapezes' before this as well as 'Batgirl: The Dark Reflection' since Nightwing's ties in with 'Court Of Owls' and Batgirl's shows how she has come to terms with recovering from paraplegia and retaking the role of Batgirl.
Batman: City Of Owls
(The lacklustre conclusion to the Court Of Owls arc.)
Batman: Death Of The Family
(Joker Returns)
Batman Incorporated Volume 1: Demon Star
(After discovering who Leviathan is, it really does become personal for both Bruce Wayne & Damian Wayne)
Batman Incorporated Volume 2: Gotham's Most Wanted
(Still an ongoing comic series, will be collected in trade soon!)
Batman & Robin: Requiem For Damian
(Available 2014)
Of course, the above will drain the dollars and needs a lot of patients. I find it best to stick to the first list if you are only a casual reader as their are so many classics among them plus most influenced both the Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan film franchises. Now check out the reviews so that you have an idea what you are in for before you spend (or you evil people who torrent!).
The following is a basic list of Batman trades, graphic novels and story collections that are in an order of reading that makes sense, not an order that is technically chronological by intricate timelines and minuscule moments in Batman's history that place things here and there by a hardcore geeks unnecessary standards. REMEMBER this is only for beginners and those who only wish to read for enjoyment, fulfilment and closure.
MODERN BATMAN:
Batman: Year One
Batman: Prey
Batman: The Man Who Laughs
Batman: Four Of A Kind
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: Haunted Knight
Batman: Dark Victory
Robin: Year One
Batgirl: Year One
Nightwing: Year One
Batman: Strange Apparitions
Batman: The Killing Joke
Batman: A Death In The Family
Batman: Noel
Joker
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
If you don't care for closure and like to think 'The Dark Knight Returns' is non-cannon, then continue with the current ongoing Batman series that is 'supposed' to tie in with the New 52 of D.C.'s releases. This list has continuity notes:
Batman: Year One
(Bruce Wayne becomes Batman. Introducing James Gordon, Harvey Dent and Catwoman) This is to be replaced with 'Zero Year'.
Batman & The Monster Men
(First encounter with super-human foes. Introducing the bat-mobile)
Batman & The Mad Monk
(First encounter with supernatural foes)
Batman: Prey
(Though "Mad Monk" is meant to lead directly into "Man Who Laughs," Prey fits as a good sequel to Monster Men. Ignoring continuity issues like when the bat-signal is created and the bat-mobile is introduced, it works well as happening the same time as "Man Who Laughs." Though I like to think this introduces Bruce making a new bat-mobile improving on the one in "Monster Men," explaining why he has so many others later on.)
Batman: The Man Who Laughs
(Joker is introduced. Batman comes to the realisation that it won't be just mobsters he has to deal with, but freaks as well)
Batman: Four Of A Kind
(Though not neccessary, fits as an introduction to the Riddler, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy and Man-Bat) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman: Gothic
(An older Grant Morrison story. Some love it, some don't like Morrison toying with Bruce Wayne's childhood. Still worth reading)
Batman: Venom
(Batman realises he has limits. After not being able to save a girl from drowning, Batman resorts to performance enhancing drugs (Bane's Venom) and must then overcome an addiction. The very same drug Bane uses to defeat him. Memorable for 2 epic moments; Bruce growing a beard and fighting a shark, though not the first time!)
Batman: The Long Halloween
(Batman investigates murders by the holiday killer, involving nearly all of Batman's famous villains and also depicts Harvey Deny's downfall to become the mad man Two-Face)
Batman: Haunted Knight
(If you ignore that the individual stories take place on different halloweens, then this underrated classic fits great here. Shows off a great cat and mouse between Batman and the Scarecrow, introduces the Mad Hatter and what many don't tell you is that it serves as a great introductory to a young Barbara Gordon)
Batman: Terror
(The lacklustre sequel to "Prey." Though it unintentionally helps to connect "Prey" to "Strange Apparitions") Now collected with 'Prey' TP
Batman: Dark Victory
(Batman investigates another string of murders involving the favourite Batman villains. Most importantly, introduces Dick Grayson and how he became Robin, the Boy Wonder. Gordon is promoted to Commissioner)
Catwoman: When In Rome
(Coincides with "Dark Victory." Worth reading if you like "Dark Victory" & "The Long Halloween")
Robin: Year One
(Robin's first year by Batman's side as the Boy Wonder. Ignore the minuscule change in Two-Face's origin as well as Gordon referred to as Captain and this is a fun read)
At this point, you might wanna read "Justice League: Origins" and any depiction of Batman's first encounter with Superman. "Gotham Central" books are great too, but continuity wise are all over the place.
Batgirl: Year One
(Barbara Gordon becomes Batgirl. Another fun read, though you might want to read "Justice League: Year One" or "Justice League: Origin" before it)
Batman: Strange Apparitions (This gem came before The Dark Knight Returns)
(A classic Batman run of old that still holds up reasonably well. A must for bat-fans. Batman now wears the yellow insignia) OUT OF PRINT!
(Why not throw in Huntress: Year One around this time for the sake of it.)
Batman: Tales Of The Demon
(Batman's first encounters with Talia Al Ghul and Ra's Al Ghul)
Nightwing: Year One
(Grayson has had enough being a sidekick and wants to be his own hero. This shows us a different interpretation on how he became Nightwing and more interestingly shows us an updated origin for Jason Todd as the new Robin) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman: The New Adventures
(D.C. has solicited this trade for 2015, and if it is true, then this will collect Batman issues #402-403, #408-416, and Annual #11, which has Jason Todd's original post-crisis origin, which can be read alongside 'Nightwing: Year One')
(Be sure to check out 'Teen Titans: Judas Contract' to see Nightwing become his own and Deathstroke make his appearance)
Batman: Son Of The Demon
(Another one-shot classic of old. This time Batman teams up with Ra's and conceives Damian Wayne with Talia, who tells him they lost the baby)
Batman: The Killing Joke
(The ultimate Joker story. It has Joker's supposed origin and a horrifying, life changing moment for Barbara Gordon that shook the bat-universe for years to come. The new version removes the yellow insignia from Batman's costume. For new readers, I recommend you start here to understand the Batman mythos, then start from the beginning through to the end)
(As for where to best start with Barbara Gordon as Oracle, i've yet to find an available trade!)
Batman: The Cult
(One of the few trades with Jason Todd besides "Death In The Family." A lesser known gem full of darkness and the first real defeat of Batman besides the future confrontation with Bane. though this one is psychological) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman: A Death In The Family
(A very dated but necessary tale of how the Joker once again pushes Batman too far. Joker murders the second Robin, Jason Todd, by not only beating him senseless with a crow bar, but then blowing him up)
Batman: A Lonely Place Of Dying
(Batman has been on edge since the death of Jason Todd. This not only tells how Batman fan boy Tim Drake becomes the new Robin, but also why Batman needs Robin)
Batman: Dark Knight, Dark City
(Soon to be reprinted, this inspiration for some of Grant Morrison's Batman stuff should fit somewhere here in the timeline)
Robin: A Hero Reborn
(Tim Drake proves himself capable as being sidekick to the Dark Knight. You'll want to try 'Robin: Tragedy & Triumph' too, though no longer available) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman: Sword Of Azrael
(A beautifully drawn introduction to Jean-Paul Valley, Azrael)
Batman: Knightfall
(A long running 90's epic. Bane comes to Gotham to defeat the Batman and take over. He succeeds by testing Batman to his limits before breaking his back. Azrael questionably takes over as Batman and designs a new suit. He becomes power crazy and this epic builds up to Batman's return and his showdown with Azrael)
Knightfall (now includes "Veangence Of Bane")
Knightsquest
Knightsend
Batman: Prodigal
(Bruce Wayne still needs some time off after returning to the mantle of the Dark Knight and so leaves Dick Grayson temporarily as Batman. Now included in "Knightsend". 'Batman: Troika' follows but is not collected and supposedly terrible. It is also around this time you can start Nightwing's solo series)
Batman: Mad Love
(Why not throw this one here, since Harley Quinn's actual first cannon appearance in Batman comics is in No Man's Land)
Batman: No Man's Land
(Another long epic. In "Contagion, a deadly virus breaks out in Gotham City. In "Legcay," Batman tracks down where the virus came from and has a rematch with Bane. In "Cataclysm," and earthquake hits Gotham causing chaos on a mass scale and sets up "No Man's Land," where Gotham city becomes sealed and overrun by its many freaks. During this saga, Batman returns to a classic costume)
Contagion (out of print!)
Legacy (out of print!)
Cataclysm (Supposed to be reprinted in 2015)
Road To No Man's Land (Never printed)
No Man's Land Vol. 1
No Man's Land Vol. 2
No Man's Land Vol. 3
No Man's Land Vol. 4
Batman: Evolution
(It is often mistaken that batman returns to his classic look, removing the yellow insignia in no man's land, but is in fact in 'Evolution'. This is also the first major story in the rebuilt Gotham City, post-No Man's Land) Out of print but still available!
(Around this period, the only story arcs worth reading is Batman: Bruce Wayne-Fugitive & Batman: Bruce Wayne-Murderer. Though it is rarely ever referenced, maybe once in 'Superman/Batman: Public Enemies'. Let's forget about the whole 'War Drums' saga)
Batman: Hush
(An enemy from Bruce Wayne's past causes all sorts of trouble in Gotham City. Though universally considered great, long time fans find this has too many plot holes and ends with too much unresolved. However, it did bring back quality in writing after inconsistent epics like "Knightfall" and "No Man's Land") You may want to read the whole 'Batman: War Games' after this but you honestly don't need to. 'Hush Returns' can be read after as well but it is terrible.
Batman: Under The Red Hood
(Jason Todd comes back from the dead, angry and bloodthirsty due to some unnecessary and irrelevant events in the larger D.C. comics universe. The story is told well, but it is a story we did not want. Bringing Jason back from the dead was just plain wrong, but he shows up in later great stories making this a must own.) Infinite Crisis happens during and after this. You may want to read the 52 or 'Batwoman: Elegy' after Infinite Crisis, though I prefer to read 'Elegy' during 'Battle For The Cowl.'
For the best reading of 'Infinite Crisis' with Batman's involvement, try:
(Crisis On Infinite Earths, Superman: President Lex, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies)
Identity Crisis
The OMAC Project & Superman: Sacrifice
Infinite Crisis
52 volumes 1-4
Batman: Face The Face
(Fast forward a year after Infinite Crisis and Batman has left Harvey Dent in charge of protecting Gotham City. (Spoiler if you haven't read "Hush." Two-Face had plastic surgery and is a good guy once again.) This story shows his return to evil even going so far as to scar himself. Of more importance, Bruce Wayne adopts Tim Drake as his own son) OUT OF PRINT!
Batman & Son
(For lack of any better explanation, this where shit gets crazy. Writer Grant Morrison takes over for arguably one of the best comic runs in history. Damian Wayne is introduced to Bruce for the first time and sets the tone for what's to come)
Batman: Resurection Of Ra's Al Ghul
(Ra' Al Ghul returns and needs his demonic grandson for his selfish needs of immortality)
Batman: The Black Glove
(Dr. Hurt is introduced as the Black Glove, or his he the devil? What we do know is this is Batman's most WTF enemy in his most psychedelic head scratching adventures since the campy years)
Batman: Heart Of Hush
(Thomas Elliot or Hush returns to kill Batman before the Black Glove do)
Batman: R.I.P
(The Black Glove strike and Batman goes bat-shit crazy in one of the most bat-shit stories ever. Whether you like it or not doesn't matter. It must be read)
Final Crisis
(A convoluted mess. Batman breaks his gun rule and killing rule only this once to kill a god or alien villain or whatever you think Darkseid is. Then Batman dies! or does he? spoiler alert, get over it.)
Batman: Battle For The Cowl
(An action packed fun run that divided fans on whether it was good or not. Dick Grayson decides to become Batman, maybe forever, but has to fight other Batman wannabes along the way, notably Jason Todd. On a better note, this sets up the new "Batman & Robin" with Damian Wayne becoming the new Robin. Surprise surprise) 'Batgirl Rising' can be read during this.
Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn
(The most accessible of Grant Morrison's Batman epic since "Batman & Son." Damian Wayne goes from demonic, annoying, mercilessly killing brat to a cute and very likeable mini Batman, who still kills. Sorry to say for Bruce Wayne, but this Batman & Robin duo may be the best ever)
Batman & Robin: Batman vs. Robin
(The Continuing adventures of Batman & Robin or Dick & Damian)
Batman: Time & The Batman
(Tying loose ends between "R.I.P," "Final Crisis" and "Return Of The Batman")
Batman: The Return Of Bruce Wayne
(SPOILER WARNING: Batman didn't die. Instead he went on a time spanning journey of crazy shit. Even if you prefer a darker, realistic Batman, if you've come this far, then you should be used to this by now and remember, these are comics. What you should have realised with "R.I.P," is that Grant Morrison has tried to make every thing in Batman's comic history from 1939 to now cannon. Whether you like that, or whether you think he succeeded is up to you as a reader personally. Hear more about that in here)
Batman & Robin: Batman Must Die
(It's time to take down Dr. Hurt! and welcome back Bruce Wayne!)
Batman Incorporated
(Batman decides to create and expand an empire of batmen and women across the globe to prepare for a new threat known as Leviathan, who is not threatening the world, but Batman personally)
Batman: The Black Mirror
(A great read about Dick Grayson as Batman in Gotham City while Bruce travels the world for Batman Incorporated. As good as it is, i refuse to acknowledge it due to Gordon's son James becoming a creepy serial killer. How can you do that to this character after Bruce so heroically saved him as a baby in "Year One" and give Commissioner Gordon more grief?)
(New 52 starts)
Batman: Faces Of Death
(Not very good, but this is where Joker has his face cut off!)
(It is worth reading 'Nightwing: Traps & Trapezes' and 'Batgirl: The Darkest Reflection' around this time with the depictions of Dick Grayson returning to his role and Nightwing and Barbara Gordon walking again.)
Batman: Court Of Owls
(Apparently there is a very dangerous group under the guise of Owls that have been hiding below Gotham's foundations. They have decided to rise up (only now?) to take Gotham from Batman) 'You should probably read 'Nightwing: Traps & Trapezes' before this as well as 'Batgirl: The Dark Reflection' since Nightwing's ties in with 'Court Of Owls' and Batgirl's shows how she has come to terms with recovering from paraplegia and retaking the role of Batgirl.
Batman: City Of Owls
(The lacklustre conclusion to the Court Of Owls arc.)
Batman: Death Of The Family
(Joker Returns)
Batman Incorporated Volume 1: Demon Star
(After discovering who Leviathan is, it really does become personal for both Bruce Wayne & Damian Wayne)
Batman Incorporated Volume 2: Gotham's Most Wanted
(Still an ongoing comic series, will be collected in trade soon!)
Batman & Robin: Requiem For Damian
(Available 2014)
Of course, the above will drain the dollars and needs a lot of patients. I find it best to stick to the first list if you are only a casual reader as their are so many classics among them plus most influenced both the Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan film franchises. Now check out the reviews so that you have an idea what you are in for before you spend (or you evil people who torrent!).
If you want everything before the modern Batman, try reading BATMAN CHRONICLES volumes 1 through to 11. However, these go back a long time and are very old and mostly dated.
For a much more detailed, in depth and complicated timeline, check out this page!
For a much more detailed, in depth and complicated timeline, check out this page!