The Wellington Comic Lover’s Guide to... Batman: Part 1

After witnessing the death of his parents at the hands of a petty crook, Bruce Wayne dedicates his life to avenging them. Deciding that Gotham City needs someone who can work outside the law to bring wrongdoers to justice, Bruce trains his mind and body to peak performance and adopts the bat as a symbol to strike fear in the hearts of criminals.

He is vengeance. He is the night. He is Batman!

Given that Batman is one of DC Comic’s most published heroes, this particular guide covers some classic Batman stories, young Batman, the new 52, and DC rebirth. See Part 2 for more Batman series, or read the full guide!

Updated September 24, 2024
W
Wellington City Libraries Youth team at Wellington City Libraries
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Batman : year one
Miller, Frank
Paper Book
In 1986, writer Frank Miller joined with artist David Mazzucchelli and colorist Richmond Lewis to create one of the most groundbreaking superhero tales ever to see print--BATMAN: YEAR ONE, now available in a deluxe edition!   Originally published over four issues in the monthly...
Batman. V. 9, Bloom
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
New York Timesbestselling series! Bruce Wayne has a nearly perfect life. He's in love with an amazing woman and works by her side every day at one of Gotham's youth centers, helping the children of the city he loves. His memory has been patchy ever since he nearly died in the...
Hush
Loeb, Jeph.
Paper Book
Gotham City's worst criminals--Joker, Riddler, Ra's al Ghul, Clayface and others--have emerged to throw Batman's life into utter chaos. However, these villains are part of a much more elaborate, sinister scheme to destroy the Dark Knight once and for all, one headed by a mastermind much closer to...
Batman, the Dark Knight returns
Miller, Frank
Paper Book
Writer/artist Frank Miller completely reinvents the legend of Batman in this saga of a near-future Gotham City gone to rot, 10 years after the Dark Knight's retirement. Forced to take action, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of fury, taking on a whole new generation of criminals and matching their...
Batman haunted knight
Loeb, Jeph
Paper Book
From the Eisner Award-winning creators Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, this graphic novel includes three dark tales of horror and intrigue featuring Batman facing off against his most demented and wicked foes. On the most terrifying of holidays, Halloween, the Dark Knight Detective...
Batman : the Knight
Zdarsky, Chip
Paper Book
The origin of Batman and his never-ending fight against crime in Gotham City is modern mythology, but what of the story in between? Superstar writer Chip Zdarsky (Daredevil) and acclaimed artist Carmine Di Giandomenico (The Flash) will take Bruce Wayne on a fraught journey, making...
Batman. Vol. 1, I am Gotham
King, Tom
Paper Book
Batman is Gotham City's greatest protector. But now he's not alone. There are two new heroes in town-a pair of masked metahumans with the powers of Superman and a devotion to preserving all that is good about this twisted city. Calling themselves Gotham and Gotham Girl, they've saved Batman's life,...
Batman. Vol. 2, I am suicide
King, Tom
Paper Book
Bestselling writer Tom King continues his epic run on the Dark Knight! Still reeling from a cataclysmic battle, Batman finds himself up against some of the biggest (literally) threats he's ever faced within the city limits of Gotham. To save the city he loves, Batman enlists the help of the toughest...
Batman and the Monster Men
Wagner, Matt.
Paper Book
Written by Matt Wagner Art and cover by Wagner Matt Wagner takes the Dark Knight through his sophomore season in this new trade paperback collecting the 6-issue miniseries! Batman has spent his first year fighting organized crime - but nothing thus far in his early career as the Caped Crusader has...
Batman black and white. Volume three
Alexander, Doug.
Paper Book
The first two volumes of Batman: Black And White explored the many sides of the Dark Knight in stories written and illustrated by some of comics' greatest talents. Now, DC Comics presents a new collection of Batman: Black And White tales, featuring visions of Batman in stories by Brian Azzarello...
Arkham Asylum : a serious house on serious earth
Morrison, Grant.
Paper Book
The inmates of Arkham Asylum have taken over Gotham's detention center for the criminally insane on April Fool's Day, demanding Batman in exchange for their hostages. Accepting their demented challenge, Batman is forced to endure the personal hells of the Joker, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Two-Face and...
Batman. Volume oneKnightfall
Moench, Doug
Paper Book
#1 New York Times Bestseller The villainous Bane breaks the Bat in one of the most popular and well-known Batman tales! The inmates of Arkham Asylum have broken free and Batman must push himself to the limits to re-apprehend the Joker, Poison Ivy, the Riddler, Killer Croc...
Batman Knightfall. V. 2, Knightquest
Paper Book
Mentally defeated and physically broken, Bruce Wayne suffered a crippling blow while battling the brutal Bane. Now, the mantle of the Bat must be passed on to another, and Jean Paul Valley answers the call! But as the new Caped Crusader slowly loses his grip on sanity, his idea of justice takes a...
Batman. Under the red hood
Winick, Judd
Paper Book
Batman is confronted with a hidden face from the past-it's the return of the vigilante Red Hood who appears to be Batman's one-time partner Jason Todd, the same Jason Todd that died many years ago. But the Red Hood's violent ways pit him against the Dark Knight in his hunt for the very person...
Batman. The black glove
Morrison, Grant.
Paper Book
Written by Grant Morrison Cover by Williams Art by J.H. Williams III, Tony Daniel & Jonathan Glapion Writer Grant Morrison (ALL STAR SUPERMAN, FINAL CRISIS) brings Batman and a group of global heroes to a mysterious island to face a killer in this volume collecting BATMAN #667-669 and 672-675. Then,...
Batman. The return of Bruce Wayne
Morrison, Grant.
Paper Book
Written by GRANT MORRISON Art by CHRIS SPROUSE, FRAZER IRVING, RYAN SOOK, YANICK PAQUETTE, LEE GARBETT, GEORGES JEANTY KARL STORY and MICK GRAY Cover by ANDY KUBERT Grant Morrison's best-selling multipart Batman epic continues with this collection of the six-issue miniseries!Witness Bruce Wayne's...
Batman : his greatest adventures
Puckett, Kelley
Paper Book
The best of Batman's adventures and trials are here in BATMAN: HIS GREATEST ADVENTURES, an all-ages anthology graphic novel. With over seven decades of storytelling from some of the greatest writers and illustrators in comics industry, Batman has become one of the most beloved characters of all time...
Batman : night of the owls
Snyder, Scott.
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLER As evil spreads across Gotham City, Batman's allies, including Red Robin, Batwing, Robin, Batgirl, the Birds of Prey, Nightwing and even Catwoman find themselves in a battle coming from all sides. The Court of Owls have shown their hand, and it...
Batman : universe
Bendis, Brian Michael
Paper Book
In this all-new original story written by Brian Michael Bendis, Batman is pushed to his limit as he sets off in search of an item with the potential to destroy the universe as we know it! Batman isn't the only one looking for this item though. It's a race to the finish line with the fate of the...
Batman. Whatever happened to the Caped Crusader?
Gaiman, Neil
Paper Book
The story that truly defines the years of Batman's life. New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN) joins a murderer's row of superstar artists in lending his unique touch to the Batman mythos! Spotlighting the story "Whatever Happened to the Caped...
Batman. Last knight on Earth
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
Powerhouse creative team Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo (Batman- The Court of Owls, Dark Nights- Metal) conclude a decade-long partnership with the Caped Crusader in Batman- Last Knight on Earth. Twenty years in the future, Bruce Wayne wakes up in Arkham...
Batman beyond. Vol. 1, Escaping the grave
Jurgens, Dan
Paper Book
Writer Dan Jurgens (Action Comics), artist Bernard Chang (Green Lantern Corps) and colorist Marcelo Maiolo (Green Lantern Corps) bring Terry McGinnis' Batman back to the future in Batman Beyond Volume 1: Escaping the Grave as a part of DC Rebirth!    As the...
Batman : under the cowl
Morrison, Grant.
Paper Book
Whenever Bruce Wayne has been out of action, others rise to take his place as Batman. This new collection features a tale of Darmian Wayne, the Batman of a nightmarish, near-future Gotham City, an ordinary citizen of Gotham City who's mistaken for Batman, a futuristic tale based on the...
Kingdom come
Waid, Mark.
Paper Book
Written by MARK WAID Art and Cover by ALEX ROSS Now back in print! The unforgettable, best-selling miniseries by acclaimed writer Mark Waid and superstar painter Alex Ross returns, with a sketchbook section, annotations on the series, rare art and more! Advance solicited - On sale JANUARY 25 - 8.25"...
Batman. Volume 3, Death of the Family
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! One year ago, the Joker limped off the streets of Gotham, mutilated and scarred when someone had taken the pale white skin right off of his face. But now, the Dark Knight's greatest foe has returned but for once, Batman doesn't...
Batman. Volume 4, Zero year-secret city
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Before the era of superheroes began-before the Batman spread his wings to protect the innocent and punish the evil-Gotham City's prodigal son, Bruce Wayne, had been missing for years. But this was exactly the cover of darkness Bruce...
Batman. V. 5, Zero Year-Dark City
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
Before the Batcave and Robin, the Joker and the Batmobile ... there was Zero Year. The Riddler has plunged Gotham City into darkness. How will a young Dark Knight bring his beloved hometown from the brink of chaos and madness and back into the light? From the critically acclaimed...
Batman. V. 6, Graveyard shift
Snyder, Scott.
Paper Book
In the wake of the death of his son Damian, Batman is in danger of losing his humanity. However, the foes of this grief-ridden Dark Knight mean to strike him when he's at his weakest. Has Batman's worst foe become... Bruce Wayne? Plus, three pivotal chapters from the epic ZERO YEAR...
Batman. Volume 7, Endgame
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
HA. HA. HA.    Batman's greatest foe has returned for one last gag. But this time, not even the Joker is laughing. In their last encounter, the Dark Knight failed to live up to Joker's grand plans, so now the Joker is deadly serious. The games are over, and for their final...
Batman. V. 9, Bloom
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
New York Timesbestselling series! Bruce Wayne has a nearly perfect life. He's in love with an amazing woman and works by her side every day at one of Gotham's youth centers, helping the children of the city he loves. His memory has been patchy ever since he nearly died in the...
Batman. V. 10, Epilogue
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES best-selling series!   THE LAST CHAPTERS... As acclaimed writer Scott Snyder draws the final curtain on his game-changing Batman series, the newly returned Dark Knight battles familiar foes and new enemies. These exquisite stand-alone stories take the...
All-star Batman. Vol. 1, My own worst enemy
Snyder, Scott
Other
From the #1 NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author of BATMAN, Scott Snyder, comes his newest Dark Knight project as a part of DC Universe Rebirth, ALL-STAR BATMAN VOL. 1- MY OWN WORST ENEMY! Snyder is one of the most critically acclaimed authors in the comics world, with titles that include...
All-star Batman. Vol. 2, Ends of the earth
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES best-selling BATMAN author Scott Snyder's ALL STAR BATMAN continues with a new volume featuring new stories drawn by some of the top artists in all of comics! For more than 75 years, Batman has been one of the most widely-recognized and revered super-heroes in all of...
All-star Batman. V. 3, The first ally
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
New York Times #1 best-selling writer Scott Snyder and artist Rafael Albuquerque, the Eisner Award-winning creative team of American Vampire, reunite for All Star Batman Vol. 3: The First Ally--a pulse-pounding thriller striking directly at the heart of the Bat-mythos, now in...
Batman : night of the monster men
Orlando, Steve (Comic book writer)
Paper Book
The first Batman crossover of DC Rebirth is here in BATMAN: NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN!   It's the storm of the century, and it's headed straight for Gotham City. The guardians of this sprawling urban center--Nightwing, Batwoman and the Batman himself--think they've prepared...
Batman. Vol. 3, I am Bane
King, Tom
Paper Book
Monster Men. New costumed vigilantes. Mad doctors. Each new threat has brought Batman--and Gotham City--to the brink. But it was all a smokescreen for the real threat in the shadows... Bane. The man who has physically tested the Dark Knight like no man before is back to finally...
Batman/The Flash : the button
Williamson, Joshua
Paper Book
The road to Doomsday Clock begins here, with the invasion of the Watchmen into the DC Universe! Batman/The Flash: The Button Deluxe Edition is the prelude to this epic story from Geoff Johns and Gark Frank.    During the unforgettable events of DC...
Batman. Vol. 4, The war of jokes and riddles
King, Tom
Paper Book
Zero Year. 12 months in which Gotham City was left without power, without laws, without hope. 365 days in which the Riddler ruled the streets. But once again, Batman was victorious. In the aftermath of Zero Year? War. The Joker vs. The Riddler. They called it the War of Jokes and...
Batman. Vol. 5, The rules of engagement
King, Tom
Paper Book
When Catwoman accepted Batman's marriage proposal, she changed more lives than just Bruce Wayne's and Selina Kyle's. A union between the World's Greatest Detective and one of Gotham City's fiercest criminals is a shake-up that will rattle everyone in the Dark Knight's life--from the young...
Batman. Vol. 6, Bride or burglar?
King, Tom
Paper Book
The path to the altar has never been so dangerous! Not long after Batman announces his engagement to Catwoman, he and Wonder Woman are called to honor an old commitment requiring them to fight for Earth in a distant, magical realm. But time flows strangely in this new land, and...
Batman. Vol. 8, Cold days
King, Tom
Paper Book
Author Tom King pens the next epic volume of his critically acclaimed, best-selling Batman series in Batman Vol. 8- Cold Days! Bruce Wayne has been selected for jury duty in a chilling court case involving Mr. Freeze! Freeze claims the charges should be dismissed...
Batman. Vol. 9, The tyrant wing
King, Tom
Paper Book
The Penguin claims Bane, the man who broke the Bat, is the one pulling the strings in Batman's life. But how could that be when Bane is safely locked away in Arkham Asylum--and a broken man himself? He's been in a padded room, in a nearly catatonic state, since his last encounter with the Bat.<...
Batman. Vol. 10, Knightmares
King, Tom
Paper Book
Eisner Award winner Tom King's explosive Batman run continues as he plunges the Dark Knight's world further into a spiral of madness from which he may never return. There are strange goings-on in the dark alleys of Gotham City, mysteries that will require a different skill set...
Batman. Vol. 11, The fall and the fallen
King, Tom
Paper Book
Bruce and Thomas Wayne, THE BATMEN OF TWO WORLDS! Batman has uncovered the mastermind behind his recent (and not-so-recent) troubles- Bane. But Batman's closest allies refuse to believe Bane is active again, and even after battling the villain himself, puzzlingly, there's no...
Batman. Vol. 2 The Joker War
Tynion, James, IV
Paper Book
This is it- the Clown Prince of Crime battles the Dark Knight Detective head-to-head for the last time. And one way or another, this will be the final chapter of their agelong conflict. The Clown Prince of Crime and the Dark Knight Detective go head-to-head for the last time. The...
Batman. Vol. 3, Ghost stories
Tynion, James, IV
Paper Book
A new day dawns in Gotham, and the horrors of "The Joker War" are just being realized. A bold new direction for Batman begins as Bruce Wayne's circumstances are forever changed. How did The Joker's rampage affect the citizens of the city? Bruce Wayne and the city he...
Batman. V. 4, The cowardly lot
Tynion, James, IV
Paper Book
Following the tragic events in the Infinite Frontier special, Batman and his new ally Ghost-Maker must reckon with a new gang operating in Gotham City. The bestselling creative team behind last year's epic "The Joker War" returns for a thrill-packed, dangerous story...
Batman. V. 1, Failsafe
Zdarsky, Chip
Paper Book
Superstar writer Chip Zdarsky joins red-hot artist Jorge Jimenez to define a new era in Batman with their critically acclaimed and bestselling Failsafe arc! Batman has battled all manner of criminals, monsters, and super-villains, but nothing could have prepared him for what's...
Batman. Vol. 2, The Bat-Man of Gotham
Zdarsky, Chip
Paper Book
Gotham City has never been darker or deadlier. And after Failsafe, there is no Batman to save it. The mean streets of Gotham City have gotten meaner as the likes of Harvey Dent and Killer Croc roam free, brutalizing the population. Where is Batman and why hasn't he responded to...
I Am Batman, Vol. 2 Welcome to New York
Ridley, John.
Paper Book
Jace Fox is moving from Gotham City to the Big Apple...is New York City ready for Batman? Batman's arrival in New York City went even more smoothly than Jace could have hoped. The mayor and law enforcement are trying to cooperate with their new Dark Knight in ways Gotham never...

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