This series is designed as a way to call attention to things, practices, places, activities, or anything else you might not be aware of that I think are worth checking out. I try to cover as wide a variety of topics as I can.
This week, with the arrival of the final Christopher Nolan Batman film in theatres, I thought it would be a good time to look at some of the classic Batman graphic novels. These can all serve as a great initiation into the world of comic reading and should be mandatory reading for any comic fan who hasn’t already checked them out.
Batman: Year One
Frank Miller’s follow-up to The Dark Knight Returns retells the Batman origin story. Released in 1987, it launched the darker, more mature version of the caped crusader that still persists to this day. Downplaying fantastical elements and emphasizing a gritty reality, this book forever changed the way we view the character and is a great starting point for anyone who (somehow) is unfamiliar with how Bruce Wayne became Batman.
The Killing Joke
Alan Moore wrote this excellent story in 1988. It pits Batman against his ultimate foe, the Joker. Over the course of its single issue, it tells the story of the Joker’s origin, nearly drives Batman insane, and changes the course of a major character’s life in a huge way. That Moore can accomplish all this in such a limited number of pages speaks volumes about his skill in the medium.
The Dark Knight Returns
The story that relaunched interest in Batman in 1986. This is widely regarded as Frank Miller’s masterpiece. It features an older Bruce Wayne who has long since left crime fighting and left Gotham to its own devices. Upon returning he discovers a city which has destroyed itself and embarks upon a final attempt to clean it up. This is a book that is so good it should be read even if you have no interest in comics. Just go pick it up.
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