Matt Reeves ' highly - anticipatedThe Batmanis ultimately in dramatics ,   andDC Comicsis choose the chance to boost the source textile that inspired it . Of course , the common defendant include clap classic like Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’sThe Long Halloweenas well as Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli ’s seminalYear One .

With more fans likely to clump toward the Dark Knight ’s vast catalog , there are several other remarkable funny books to study that were n’t verbatim influences on the movie . These various comics all capsule different central elements that make Batman such a compelling character 80 - plus days afterward , ranging from the gritty crime - noir aura to his detecting prowess .

The Black Mirror

While Bruce Wayne is the original bearer of the Batman mantle , many fans see Dick Grayson – the original Robin – as the most compatible successor to the mantle and cowling . Scott Snyder – the author behind some of thebest Batman mirthful electric discharge of the 2010s– slide Grayson into the role during Bruce ’s absence inThe Black Mirrorfor an intensely gritty crime - noir saga . This story was expertly punctuate by artists Jock and Francesco Francavilla ’s gloomily - stylize graphics .

Batman has to tackle a assortment of sick case , including an underground religious cult of villain worshiper ,   where some end up intersecting when Commissioner Gordon ’s alienated son   James Gordon Jr. makes an unexpected return to Gotham City . The Batmanhas been praise for its handling of the tec - thriller subgenre , and it echoesThe Black Mirror ’s   grim plot and foreboding atm .

The Detective

More recently in DC Comics’Infinite Frontierbrand - wide relaunch , veteran writer Tom Taylor team up with creative person Andy Kubert for a globetrotting mystery caper   inThe Detective . It feels like a new rendering of Frank Miller ’s landmarkThe Dark Knight Returns , but Taylor does   praiseworthily well in make the account his   respective slice of the superhero ’s mythos .

Fans see an old ,   conflict - hardened   Bruce Wayne take on a grammatical case   involve a new supervillain targeting everyone the Caped Crusader has ever saved . The Batmanfeatures a second - yr version of the grinder amid an riveting enigma , but this seasoned tale should make fans experience at home . The Detectiveis a solid premix of sand with a swashbuckling quality . There areseveral acclaimed Batman writers , but Taylor is a worthy shoutout in the modern industry .

The Cult

One of the more " hidden gems " of Batman comics sink beneath the hatful of mainstream classic is writer Jim Starlin and artist Bernie Wrightson’sThe Cult . Starlin was the author for the iconicA Death in the Familyin the mid - late ' 90s , but this late ' 80s effort was a gripping , yet bleaker cause for the World ’s Greatest Detective to solve .

The Cultis the first instauration of   religious fanatic Deacon Blackfire , with the story revolving around the cultus drawing card exploit Gotham ’s downtrodden to indoctrinate them into his political orientation . Like with Bane inThe Dark Knight rise , Deacon Blackfire collect this following in the depths of the metropolis ’s sewers . In condition of tone , this could be another good tantrum for fans ofThe Batmanin how this comic explores a aspect of Gotham City ’s exploitative and bass - root corruption .

White Knight

DC Black Label terminate up cater some of the expert Batman comics of the last decennium , with the imprint give writers and artist the freedom to make their   tailored canon away from the baggage of mainline persistence . Perhaps the most well - take in of these serial was writer / artist Sean Murphy’sWhite Knightmaxiseries , as it creatively flipped ceremonious canon on its head .

The first entry shows fans a Dark Knight slip further and further into disturbed lyssa , behaving more mercurial and violently from make out with Alfred Pennyworth ’s terminal illness –arguably Batman ’s most critical relationship . At the same time , it give a more kindly version of the Joker in the process while blur the line of both their morals . Though this Batman is also entering center - eld , his barbarity and contend to retrieve his humanity is reminiscent of Robert Pattinson ’s drab looping .

The Imposter

Batman ’s had many backbreaking caseful   in the comics , but one of the more surprising 1 was withThe Imposter ’s essence premise . Writer Mattson Tomlin and creative person Andrea Sorrentino wrote this miniseries under DC Black Label as well , with a clever game   similar   toDaredevilseason 3 .

This world ’s   Caped Crusader is also operating within a anchor , naturalistic version of Gotham City and is dish out with an imposter attempt to slander his name . The fake Batman is going around murdering his target and provide himself to be caught on record doing it , with Tomlin taking clear inhalation from Pattinson ’s take on the traumatized Hero of Alexandria .

Curse Of The White Knight

Sean Murphy ’s late mainline entry of the maxiseries –Curse of the White Knight– capitalizes on what made its predecessor so exciting . It continue to make a riveting story by toying with classic milestone funny arcs from the mainline persistence , include some shocking ramification that will affect Bruce ’s persona increment . However , Murphy does n’t forget to showcase some stunning action sequence in doing so .

Curseserves as an replacement take onKnightfall , making Jean - Paul Valley the chief scoundrel opposite Batman . His new origin level is also benevolent and in effect fleshed out , though , perhaps the biggest change and Revelation of Saint John the Divine to the tale was the trueness behind the Wayne kinsperson legacy . It ’ll likely satisfy fans of the movie , asThe Batmanplaces Bruce and his bloodline amid Riddler ’s crashing enigma .

The Killing Joke

Writer Alan Moore and artist Brian Bolland’sThe Killing Jokestand in the pantheon of Batman ’s most influential comic books . For the likes of Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight , it served as a key inspiration in Heath Ledger ’s timeless personation of the Joker . It wo n’t take fans foresighted to get through it , asThe Killing Jokeis a compelling , tightly - written 46 - varlet one - shot .

And though the Joker is n’t the antagonist ofThe Batman , it ’s a must - study comedian to get a glance inside the sadistic mind of the Clown Prince of Crime . On the other end of one of the mass medium ’s most iconic dynamic , it also works as an interesting look into Batman ’s psyche and how he refuses to deflect to Joker ’s violently nihilistic worldview .

NEXT : The Batman - 10 thing You Do n’t Know About The Movie

Comic book art: batman by arkham asylum

Comic book art: Batman faces the four Robins: Nightwing Dick Grayson, Red Hood Jason Todd, Red Robin Tim Drake, and Robin Damian Wayne.

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

Split image of The Batman DC FanDome art, The Imposter, and The Black Mirror cover arts

Batman falling through a stark white background in The Black Mirror cover art

Batman perched on the side of a building in London on The Detective cover art

Bernie Wrightson and Bill Wray’s art of Batman for The Cult.

Cover artworks for White Knight featuring Joker and Batman

Split image of Batman perched on a building and facing his dark reflection in comic cover art

Sean Murphy’s Curse of the White Knight featuring Batman, Joker and Azrael.

The Joker in the moment he loses his sanity in The Killing Joke

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