20 best comic book Batman to explore the character
Books / / December 19, 2019
Batman - one of the most popular comic book characters. Everyone knows the story of millionaire Bruce Wayne, whose parents shot the robber in an alley near the cinema. When Bruce grew up, he used all his knowledge, effort and money to fight crime, wearing a costume to frighten bat.
But if the movie about Batman, everything is simple - there are only about a dozen - that deal in the history of comics is much more difficult. For many the question is: where to start?
It may seem that the answer is obvious: to get acquainted with the character you need from the very first editions. But in the case of Batman is hardly worth doing. Firstly, comics this character has already released almost 80 years, and will go on to read too much time. Secondly, most of the old stories seem to the modern reader is too simple, and the graphics - uninteresting. Third, even among modern editions of a significant part is communicating stories that are unlikely to attract new readers. So, if you're not going to write scientific work on Batman, examine all the huge archive is not necessary.
The more so because over the years the biography of the hero repeatedly corresponded with the whole universe of DC Comics, as well as separate branches. So to start is better to choose a dozen of generally accepted best works.
10 comic books from which we should start
1. Batman: Year One
One of the best comics of Batman, and a great way to learn about the history of the hero. It was written by the famous Frank Miller - author of "sin city"," 300 "and many other popular comics.
In the story of a young orphan millionaire Bruce Wayne returns to his native Gotham City. He is faced with crime on the streets of a thriving and decides to defend the city in the form of the avenger of the night. In parallel, showing the first steps of Commissioner Jim Gordon - he was transferred to Gotham, and he tries to fight corruption in the government. You could even say that it is Gordon - the protagonist of this comic. And the main purpose of the Miller - show the bleakness of life mired in crime Gotham.
Batman costume here comes a little more emphasis on how Bruce Wayne comes up with an image - which, incidentally, quite accurately copied Christopher Nolan in the film "Batman. Start".
Artist series "Year One" is designated David Matstsukelli. But, he said, most of the work Miller has done himself, he could only finish the drawings. And the comic can be found in two versions: standard, where everything is traced in the traditional Miller pale colors and a special edition with more vivid colors. There is also a cartoon of the same name in 2011, which almost frame by frame retold this story.
2. killer joke
The product of a brilliant writer of comic books by Alan Moore. Very short, but very atmospheric history that Batman can sometimes be as obsessed as those on whom it preys.
In the center - the confrontation between the hero and his eternal enemy the Joker. And that famous clown Batman is trying to prove that to turn into a psychopath man needs only one bad day. To this end, he kidnaps Commissioner Jim Gordon, and shoots his daughter Barbara spine before.
Comics and more important in that it tells the story of the origin of the Joker, though he himself is not sure of his memoirs.
The love for the "murderous joke," admitted himself Tim Burton. And Jared Leto, before you try on the image of the Joker in 'Suicide Squad', posted a photo on which the copied character on the cover of a comic book.
In 2016 he published a cartoon of the same name, in which the plot "murderous joke," added the prehistory of love relationships Batman and Barbara. But many fans of the comic book, this part seemed superfluous, and they prefer to watch cartoon from the middle.
3. The Man Who Laughs
Chronologically, the events of the comic come to the story "A murderous joke" and just continue to "Year One." However, here again, remember the story of the origin of the Joker, so read them better in that order.
Batman investigates the appearance in the new maniac. He pre-announces on television the names of their victims - wealthy of Gotham. But, despite all their efforts, neither of them did not manage to save, they all die with a frozen smile on his face. Batman tries to catch the criminal and understands that this case is related to the person, once fallen into chemicals at the factory.
It is interesting that in fact this comic - a remake of the very first appearance of the Joker in the pages of DC Comics in 1940. Authors Ed Brubaker and Doug Monkey only to modernize the story and pictures and connect it to the later developments DC universe. And the name refers to the novel by Victor Hugo, to be exact - for its main character, with which and copied once Joker.
4. "The Long Halloween" and "Dark Victory"
Two detective stories by the famous author Jeph Loeb (now directs television division Marvel). These are two separate stories, but to read them better in a row, because they are drawn by a single artist Tim Salem, and just continue to each other.
The first plot is more complicated. Here Batman often have to justify their title of the best detective than the best fighter. In the city there is a maniac who kills only on holidays, with the victims he chooses among the members of the major mafia clans. Indeed, until the end is almost impossible to guess who the murderer.
In "Dark Victory" maniac kills police, leaving the crime scene clues in the form of a children's game "gallows". Here the story a little easier, but those who liked "The Long Halloween", to accurately assess and follow-up.
It is in this comic prosecutor Harvey Dent pour face acid, after which it becomes a two-faced madman. Here die circus acrobats Graysons family, and for the first time Batman takes an assistant - Dick Grayson, the first Robin.
Visually, these comics are very gothic. Cape of Batman often looks like a black blob on the floor. By the way, the role of the performer Batman Christian Bale says he tries to copy your image is with these stories.
5. Death in the family
One of the rather old comic, who now looks rustic. But he just needed to understand the depth of the character. Especially the old comics seem to many entirely bright and positive.
First you need to bear in mind that Batman had several companions with a common name Robin. The first of them - Dick Grayson, his story begins in "the Long Halloween." Later he moved to another city and took the name Nightwing - about it has a separate comic book series, and now the series is removed. After that Batman has found a new assistant - a homeless orphan Jason Todd. He became the second Robin. But readers did not like the character, and then the authors decided to do a cruel stroke. The story arch "Death in the Family" Joker Jason locked in the warehouse and to the death beat him with a crowbar.
6. knight Fall
And another important, though not a very interesting story visually. Those who watched the film Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises", the comic accurately is essential reading. After all, this is where Batman faces with its superior strength and cunning enemy Bane, who in a fight breaks his back.
This story is significantly changes the perception of Bruce Wayne. First, he loses the image of the invincible hero. And secondly, the authors show that Batman - it's not just Wayne, his suit can be transferred to another person. And those who have tried the way of a bat, became a warrior Azrael, who used quite different methods of dealing with the wicked.
7. Batman: Hush!
Another product of Jeph Loeb, and the detective again. Although this time the story is much less twisted.
In Gotham appears mysterious character Hush (hush word means "quiet"). He subdues all the criminals and leads some very strange game. And its main purpose, of course, will be the Batman.
From "The Long Halloween" this comic distinguished primarily graphics. Here, the artist made famous by Jim Lee, and his style is not impossible to learn. First, it draws a lot of detail in detail: background, details of clothing, vehicles and weapons. And secondly, very specifically draws characters. For this he was often criticized the critics, because all the men in his comics willed chin and clenched teeth, and for women - big breasts. But for the same fans love him.
In "Batman: The Quiet" Jim Lee allowed to enjoy the portrayal of female characters - at least briefly appear here almost all the main characters of DC Comics: from Harley Quinn to Catwoman. And by the way, this is where the relationship of Batman and cats will go to the next level.
8. Arkham Asylum. House of sorrow on earth mournful
Those who still thinks that comics - this is only a story about superheroes in pictures, be sure to read the work of Grant Morrison and Dave McKean. Because it was not created in order to tell something to the reader. It is frightening. The plot of "Arkham Asylum" is simple: Joker rioted in a psychiatric hospital, where he was once again hidden away, and takes the staff hostage. He is willing to let the hospital staff under one condition - Batman must voluntarily surrender to him.
In parallel, the story reveals a man who built a clinic. He was trying to cope with the traumas of childhood and even help others, but in the end he went mad.
It would seem, is nothing new authors do not tell, but it is changing the approach to the protagonist. Once in the hospital, Batman asks himself the question: What if it is a place for a man who is dressed in the costume of a bat. In addition, the authors have realized their ideas very unusual way. Comic book is a collection of frightening images, photos, hard to read fonts and many hidden characters on each page.
All this puts the viewer into the world of madness and nightmares. If you stay with this comic book alone late at night, reading will become a view of the horror film scares when every rustle.
9. Return of the Dark Knight
Once again, a lover of the hard stories Frank Miller. In contrast to the comic "Year One," is the story of the old Batman, who plans to retire. Bruce Wayne is already over 50, and he was absent for a long time in Gotham. During this time, the government banned all superheroes and Superman will now act as the president orders. Wayne comes into the fight with a gang of mutants, but then he will have to withstand the Superman in an unequal battle.
Lovers of fine drawing characters with this comic book will have some difficulty, because Miller illustrated it himself, and he does everything rough and flourish. But the plot is much compensates for the simplicity of drawing. Where each character is represented by ambiguous, and does not tell who all the same hero and who the villain.
In the story of the comic book of the same name filmed cartoon, accurately conveys the content. And it is taken as a basis for Zack Snyder, while filming the movie "Batman vs. Superman: At the dawn of justice." Although many of the topics the director turned upside down, an elderly Bruce Wayne and fight in a steel suit came straight from Miller's stories.
10. Batman: Earth-1
For those who are tired of the endless repetitions of history of the origin of Batman in DC has an outlet - "Earth-1." It can be said, a parallel world where the characters are more like real people.
The creators of this comic book Batman decided to tell a little differently about youth hero. Yes, his parents were also killed, but the motive for the conversion of the young Bruce Wayne in Batman becomes not revenge, but rather a sense of guilt. And not a lesser role played by the butler Albert. Here he not only ministered to and helps Bruce - a former military man turns to his main mentor. It seems that this history guided the authors of the series "Gotham».
"Earth-1" - is a great way to see more plausible and mundane heroes. Beginners here in full Batman break his favorite gadgets, he falls, and fears losing. Just like in life.
10 more comic for those who have already got used
Those who read comics and basic whom they liked, and can be taken for more complex stories.
11. Lonely place to die
After the death of Jason Todd Batman has a new Robin - Tim Drake. This is the only case when the boy found himself Bruce Wayne, figure out who is hiding under the guise of a bat. But, like all companions of Batman, in the life of a young Tim tragic events occur.
12. Under the red hood
On the return of Jason Todd hinted more in the comic "Batman: Quiet", but then it turned out to be a hoax. But in the series "Under the red hood," he really came back to life. However, in another form: Now, Todd speaks antihero - a reflection of Batman's brutality.
13. Gotham in the gas light
If you are tired of watching the same characters, be sure to read this comic. What if Batman will not live in our time, as in Victorian times? And who but he should calculate the very first serial killer in the world - Jack the Ripper? In addition to unusual ideas and entourage, the story more interesting and a complete departure from the canons. This means that the killer could be anyone.
14. Fleshpoynt: Batman. retaliation Knight
In DC Universe occur regularly the global scene, resets the history of all the characters. One such event was the "Fleshpoynt" - the story, when the flash went back in time and saved his mother from killing, thus changing the course of history. And in a parallel world in the alley was not killed Bruce Wayne's parents and the boy himself. As a result, Batman became his father - Thomas Wayne, much more aggressive than the son. But what happened to the mother, to get to know from the comics.
15. Injustice: Gods among us
In this comic book Batman just one of many characters. But those who are already acquainted with the same name gameIt will be helpful to know the background of the events. Joker deception causes Superman to kill pregnant Lois Lane. After that, the Man of Steel goes crazy and decides to build a perfect world without crime. Over time, he turns into a real tyrant. And then part of the former colleagues, including Batman, go to the resistance of trying to overthrow the power of Superman.
16. court of Owls
It would seem that Batman navol order on the streets of Gotham City and eliminate all crime. But then he discovers that his city has long been secretly run by a kind of "Owls." And now, the Dark Knight will have to face them.
17. Noel
One of the strangest ideas - combine classical "Christmas Carol"Charles Dickens, where the grim old man Scrooge of Christmas spirits to come, with the characters from the comic book Batman. However, as it turned out, it can look very interesting.
18. Gothic
Another work of Grant Morrison, which refers to the lurking fears. Here Batman will confront not only the various enemies, as his memories of childhood. You can get acquainted with interesting facts about the youth of the hero.
19. Cult
Where else can you see Batman, which fell under the influence of a dangerous cult. The Dark Knight comes even before that takes a firearm in his hands. Although it would seem, the founder of the cult, like the main character, wants to clean up the city from crime.
20. Black and white
And finally - the most graceful than informative comics. Four short but really exciting stories of Batman's life, executed in black and white.
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