Summary
Batman’s evolution from a vibrant bat-themed detective Caped Crusader to a more brooding Dark Knight inDC Comicscame from a culmination of the publisher’s exploration of various themes and genres with the character. It’s thanks to Batman’s transition to darker, grittier stories that the world of comics has been presented with some of the most compelling narratives involving the hero, some of which tackle the cynicism and mystery often associated with the noir genre.
WithDC Comicsoften exploring larger-than-life stories with its characters, it’s usually up to Batman and the thematically appropriate downtrodden Gotham to become the backdrop of some of the publisher’s best noir hits. However, other DC characters also starred in stories falling into must-reads of DC Comics’ selection of noir tales, some of which are must-reads for fans.
2001
Continuity
Elseworlds
Batman becoming a force to reckon with in acrime-filled Gothammakes his city the perfect setting for a noir story, withBatman: Gotham Noirtransforming Batman’s home turf into the setting of a crime thriller starring an alcoholic James Gordon struggling to make a living as a private eye. With “the Bat-Man” being more of a mysterious figure that is more myth than reality, a crime being pinned on Gordon forces the detective to explore Gotham’s criminal underbelly.
Despite falling traditionally into the confines of a noir story,Batman: Gotham Noiris surprisingly stylistic in its depiction of a noir film-esque story. While its story elements fall into a familiar mystery-detective territory, seeingGotham Noirdepict Batman’s main cast in a 1949 version of Gotham makes for a different approach to the genre, especially when exploring noir in comics.
2004
Batman: Year One, Post-Crisis
Taking place alongside the events ofThe Long Halloween’s sequelDark Victory, Bruce Wayne’s will-they-won’t-they love interestSelina Kyle travels to Italy to solve questions about her pastinCatwoman: When In Rome. The spinoff series happens shortly after she leaves Bruce, being accompanied instead by the Riddler, Edward Nygma, in uncovering the truth of her father’s identity.
While Loeb’s take on Catwoman inWhen in Romeis more straightforward compared to the more complex mysteries of his previous works, Sale will recapture the reader’s interest with his art inspired by French/Italian fashion illustrator Rene Gruau. Selina’s preference for the stylish and the tragic romantic is shown in both art and story, makingWhen in Romea Catwoman story that doesn’t depend on Batman to make her character interesting.
Goodreads: 4.05
Writer, Artist
Writers: Ted McKeever, Archie Goodwin, Jan Strnad, Chuck Dixon, Neil Gaiman, Andrew Helfer, Denny O’Neil Artists: Ted McKeever, Bruce Timm, Joe Kubert, Howard Chaykin, Jose Munoz, Walt Simonson, Richard Corben, Kent Williams, Jorge Zaffino, Simon Bisley, Klaus Jonson, Tanino Liberatore, Matt Wagner, Bill Sienkiewicz, Teddy Kristiansen, Kevin Nowlan, Gary Gianni, Brian Stelfreeze, Katsuhiro Otomo
1996
Self-Contained, One-Shots
Fans and newcomers to theBatmanmythos may rely on theBatman: Black and Whitelimited series to provide a quick trip to the dark corners of Gotham, especially if they don’t have the time to read longer stories of Batman’s exploits with his rogues. WhileBlack and Whitealready have five Volumes, its first Volume is perhaps the series’ best attempt at bringing different dimensions of Batman’s personalities and adventures in a digestible format.
EachBlack and Whitestory is roughly 8 to 10 pages long, all self-contained and revolving around a particular story or theme. Stories of note in Volume 1 are Batman trying to solve a crime during an autopsy in Eisner nominee “Perpetual Morning,” as well as Two-Face attempting to turn a new leaf in “Two of a Kind,” which some fans consider one of the best stories related to the villain.
1999 to 2000
Batman: Year One,Post-Crisis
Set just months after the events ofThe Long Halloween, theorigin of Batman’s sidekick Robinis explored inBatman: Dark Victory. While Batman is left in the throes of depression after failing to stop Harvey Dent’s descent as Two-Face and breaking up with Selina Kyle, police officers become the victims of a new serial killer calling themselves the Hangman. Although clues point towards Harvey Dent as the prime suspect, Batman and Commissioner Gordon feel something is still amiss.
The pacing and format ofDark Victoryheavily resemble its predecessor, making it a worthwhile next read in theYear Oneseries of Batman’s retold origins. While it doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking from the perspective ofBatmanstories,Dark Victorylaid the foundations for more compact and cohesive interactions between Batman and his main cast.
2003
Before the likes ofInvincibleandThe Boysbecame a part of mainstream comic book fandom in their depictions of a hypothetical evil Superman, questions of Superman having an alternate origin was popularized as early asSuperman: Red Son. Released as an Elseworlds tackling the scenario of Kal-El crash-landing into the Soviet Union,Red Sonrevolves around a Superman shaking global geopolitics upon his reveal, sending the Cold War towards a focus on metahumans instead of nuclear weapons or the space race.
Events in theRed Sonbecome an interesting reexploration of the Superman mythos from an alternate perspective. Figures representing constants in Superman’s life in the main timeline were also affected by his new origins, withRed Sonfeaturing different versions of Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman, Batman, and even select heroes and villains.
1987
After the events of 1985’sCrisis on Infinite Earths“reset” the DC Multiverse for the first time, so too did 1986’sThe Dark Knight Returnsintroduce the world to a grittier, elderly Batman. Building upon the success of a “darker” version of The Dark Knight isBatman: Year One, a retelling of Bruce Wayne’s first year after donning the mantle of Batman. The story explores Bruce’s early attempts at crime-fighting and reintroduceskey figures to theBatmanmythossuch as then-detective Jim Gordon, then-prostitute Selina Kyle, and criminals prior to “naming” themselves in the way Batman created his own identity.
Back then,Batman: Year Onewas instrumental in shaping Batman as audiences view him today. Frank Miller’s grittier take on both Bruce’s playboy charms and Batman’s mystifying allure fit well in a much darker iteration of Gotham City. While its story is not as unique as the likes ofRed Son, events inYear Oneshowed the potential of a more realistic Batman insofar as characterization and narrative depth are concerned.
1996 to 1997
Set during Batman’s early years fighting crime in theYear Onecontinuity,Batman: The Long Halloweenputs the Dark Knight on the hunt for a serial killer known as Holiday who kills one victim on a holiday every month. When Batman catches wind of a brewing crime war between the Maroni and Falcone families, he enters a reluctant alliance with Captain James Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent to manage all these conflicts.
Considered one of the quintessential examples of aBatmanstory,The Long Halloweendepicts Gotham at its rawest, where Batman’s rogues make frequent appearances and villains may sprout out of desperation and hopelessness. Under the backdrop ofYear Oneexploring Batman’s origins,The Long Halloweenprovides depth to Harvey Dent’s moral compass that would inevitably lead him into thepath of becoming Two-Face.
1988
One-Shot, eventually tied into DC Comics timelines
Known today as one of the most iconicBatmanstories to ever grace media,Batman: The Killing Jokewon the 1989 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album by taking a step ahead in elaborating the nature of Batman and the Joker’s rivalry. This graphic novel depicts the tragic events of an unnamed failure of a comedian and the unfortunate events that led to his descent to insanity. The one-shot also depicts the attack on Barbara Gordon that led to her paralysis.
Originally released as a one-shot,elements ofThe Killing Jokemade their way to the core continuity, such as Barbara retiring the Batgirl persona to become the Oracle, the event being referenced in continuity relaunches such asThe New 52, as well as the Joker adaptingThe Killing Jokeas an archetype in the 2020’sThree Jokers. While the story was generally well-received, its tackling of its themes as well as Barbara Gordon’s assault were points of criticism.
DC Multiverse (Earth-21)
In today’s times where even superheroes are pushed to the extremes of their moral standards,DC: The New Frontierprovides a refreshing take on the origins of the Justice League that reflects both its formation in the DC Multiverse and events in the real world that led to the group’s conception. Set between 1945 and 1960,The New Frontiertackles how Golden Agesuperheroes of the Justice Society of Americacope with the arrival of younger Silver Age heroes amid the Korean War, the rise of the Soviet Union, and the civil rights movement.
The New Frontieris a worthwhile read for DC Comics fans who want to see Bruce Timm-esque art similar to acclaimed animated cartoons blend with larger-than-life stories of DC’s most iconic heroes. Just like its presentation as a celebration of DC Comics in both the Silver Age and Golden Age,The New Frontieralso graced critical acclaim with multiple Eisner Awards and Harvey Awards.
2002-2006
Batman, Pre-Infinite Crisis
Despite Batman’s martial prowess and innate intelligence, theDark Knight and the Bat Familywon’t be enough to solve all of Gotham City’s crime. This is where the Gotham City Police Department comes in, andGotham Centralreveals just how full their hands are with Batman’s rogues constantly creating a ruckus. Set as a police procedural, the 40-issue series is split into various storylines that deal with a particular crime and a member of the GCPD who happens to be dragged into it, introducing eventual fan-beloved characters such as Renee Montoya and Marcus Driver.
The decision to takeGotham Centralaway from mainstays such as Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Bullock breathed more life into the series. Mysterious murders and conspiracies interspersed with complex plots connected to supervillains just reveal how complicated things can get for the ordinary citizen. Moreover, seeing members of the GCPD pull through despite their issues makesGotham Centrala must-read noir series for both Batman and DC fans.
