Since the success of his 1966 TV series, Batman has become the face ofDC Comics, especially when it comes to their publishing schedule. Over the last few decades, the character has achieved an unrivaled sales dominance in the comic book industry, and serves as the focus of most of DC’s crossovers, events and initiatives. This was especially true in the company’s Black Label initiative, which combined the creator freedom of Vertigo with the out-of-continuity stories of Elseworlds.
Black Label has focused on a variety of characters, like Superman, Wonder Woman and Question, but it’s hard to deny Batman’s leading status of the imprint. Not only was the character responsible for the line’s debut miniseries, but entire self-contained universes have spun out of the imprint for The Dark Knight. Readers are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a great Black Label Batman comic – and these titles prove it.
15Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child
Frank Miller and Rafael Grampa
Frank Miller and Klaus Janson’sDark Knight Returnshas been remembered as one of the greatest stories in Batman history. It also spawned a long list of sequels and spin-offs, withThe Golden Childserving as the most recent of these adventures. The one-shot follows a future, dystopian Gotham City, where Wayne has seemingly retired for good, and a new generation of heroes have taken his place. Focusing on a new Trinity formed of Carrie Kelly as Batwoman, Jonathan Kent as the Golden Child and Lara Kent, the story follows the heroes defend Gotham from ateam-up between Darkseidand Joker.
The Golden Childwasn’t the best follow-up to the MillerVerse, and suffered many of the same criticisms as Superman: Year One. However, it does allow Frank Miller the chance to put his own spin on a brand-new generation of heroes, moving beyond Bruce Wayne and into a new future. With one of comics' most bizarre villain team-ups, the story is worth a read.
14Batman/Catwoman
Tom King and Clay Mann
Continuing on Tom King’s work on the Bat/Cat relationship,Batman/Catwomanalternates between the early days of their relationship and the present day. With Selina portrayed as somewhat more morally compromised in her past, things get complicated when Joker shows up, dredging up their shared history in the process. Their daughter Helena, who has taken on the mantle of Batwoman, is caught in the crossfire.
Batman/Catwomanexplores the moral nuances of the pair’s relationship, showcasing how Selina’s troubled past may be buried, but it isn’t gone. Through Tom King’s signature writing style, the series is as much a deconstruction of the Bat/Cat relationship as it is a look at the lasting impact of past actions, and how they ripple through time.
13Joker: Killer Smile and Batman: The Smile Killer
Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino
Joker: Killer Smilefollows a psychiatrist, Dr Ben Arnell, who attempts to understand Joker in the hopes of treating his psychopathy. However, as his sessions with the Clown Prince of Crime progress, the man begins to question his own sanity, especially as the villain’s influence continues to affect him at home. As the story continues, readers are led on a descent into madness as Arnell’s mind deteriorates, signaling a key victory for the Joker.
Joker: Killer Smilewas followed up withBatman: The Smile Killer, which made the story even more grim. The one-shot follows Bruce Wayne as he wakes up in Arkham Asylum, where he realizes that, due to the influence of a sinister TV show he watched as a child, he is himself losing his grip on reality. The two stories put together form one of the best psychologically-themed stories in DC, leading even the reader to question the reality within the tale.
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12Batman vs Bigby: A Werewolf In Gotham
Bill Willingham and Brian Level
Batman vs Bigbyunites the worlds of Gotham City and Bill Willingham’s Fables in a brilliant, magical-themed creature feature that sees Bigby the werewolf clash with the Caped Crusader. The story initially focuses on Batman’s investigation of a slew of brutal murders, seemingly the work of a monstrous creature. When he crosses paths with Bigby, he naturally suspects the Big Bad Wolf of being responsible, causing a fight. After explaining himself, the wolf is able to form an alliance with The Dark Knight, explaining that he’s trying to recover a missing artifact.
Batman vs Bigbymakes for a great crossover, with Willingham turning in some of his most action-packed writing, as well as a great fairytale adventure. Blending elements of both series together, the miniseries stands out as one of Black Label’s most satisfying stories, one not as grim as other Black Label books.
11Batman: Damned
Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo
In 2018,Batman: Damnedushered in the Black Label imprint, telling a story where an injured Batman learns of the death of Joker – and is forced to question whether he’s responsible. Teaming up with John Constantine, Bruce Wayne delves into his past, revealing previous encounters with Enchantress that may have lasting effects on the hero’s mind and soul.
Batman: Damnedtakes readers on an exploration of the spiritual side of Batman’s career, exploring everything from his childhood and the fate of his parents to the limitations of his moral code. Leaving readers on a note of ambiguity, the series deserves a read even if for only being the inaugural book of Black Label – and Bermejo’s art does justice to Azzarello’s dark story.
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10Batman: Reptilian
Garth Ennis and Liam Sharp
Batman: Reptilianbegins with the mass murder of Batman’s rogues gallery, seeing everyone from Joker and Riddler to Penguin slain in brutal fashion. After realizing a connection between the culprit and Killer Croc, the Caped Crusader joins forces with his last surviving villain, revealing that they’re up against his mutant offspring. Heading into the sewers beneath Gotham, the pair try and put an end to the monster before it can do any more harm.
Batman: Reptilianstands out as one of the most surreal reading experiences in recent memory, with Sharp’s painted art style bringing Ennis' creepy creature feature story to life. For readers who want to experience an old school Batman with a dark sense of humor as he clashes with a giant monster, this series is perfect.
9Batman: The Imposter
Mattson Tomlin and Andrea Sorrentino
Batman: The Imposterserves as a prelude to Matt Reeves' 2022 film The Batman. Set in the early days of Bruce Wayne’s career as the Caped Crusader, the story follows an imposter Batman, one who uses the cape and cowl to commit murder. As he investigates the crimes in his vigilante persona, Bruce Wayne also meets and befriends a GCPD detective, later forming an imperfect romance with her.
Batman: The Impostermade for one of the few excellent movie tie-ins from DC, particularly thanks to its character study of Bruce Wayne and how it handles his attempt at forging a relationship. To those who read it ahead of the film, they understood they were in for a different type of Batman, one defined by his imperfections and a grounded touch added to his story.
8Batman: City of Madness
Christian Ward
Batman: City of Madnessreveals the existence of a nightmarish city, Gotham Below, a dark reflection of the main city fueled by the worst fears and darkest thoughts of those above. As the Caped Crusader explores this harrowing world, he encounters the Bat-Thing, a terrifying version of himself that dwells in the depths of the city. When Gotham proper is threatened, the hero is forced to confront his inner demons to defeat the monster.
Batman: City of Madnesswears its HP Lovecraft influences on its sleeve, playing up the idea of cosmic horror as the backdrop for its Batman story. If this brilliant miniseries has one message, it’s the fact that people create their own demons – and those demons haunt them for as long as they’re allowed to fester unchallenged.
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7Batman: One Dark Knight
Jock
Batman: One Dark Knightfollows the hero as he attempts to transport the villain EMP across Gotham City when his powers cause a major blackout. With the city carved up into gang territory, the Caped Crusader does his best to move the prisoner between threats, but the onslaught of criminals proves particularly perilous.
One Dark Knightis the sole creation of artist Jock, as he borrows from classic movies likeThe Gauntletand16 Blocksto fully explore the dangers of Gotham from the ground. Showcasing some of the artist’s best work, the series gives readersan ultra-violent trekacross DC’s most dangerous city, causing them to question whether the hero will even survive the ordeal.
6Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham
Rafael Grampa
Batman: Gargoyle of Gothamfollows the hero as he investigates a series of horrific murders in Gotham, all tracing back to a killer known as the Gargoyle. As his investigation deepens, the Caped Crusader begins to understand a deep connection between Gotham’s history and a sinister cult known as the Order of the Gargoyle. With the city seemingly on the brink of collapse, the Gargoyle made his presence known as a way to bring back order from the chaos.
Gargoyle of Gothamborrows from some classic chapters of Batman history, merging the secret society aspect of the Court of Owls with the character’s Gothic horror roots. The story sees Bruce Wayne’s mission taken to extremes, challenging the effect he himself has on the city.
