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 LibrariesYouth team at Wellington City Libraries
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Batman. Year one
Miller, Frank
Paper Book
In 1986, Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli produced this groundbreaking reinterpretation of the origin of Batman-who he is, and how he came to be. Sometimes careless and naive, this Dark Knight is far from the flawless vigilante he is today. In his first year on the job, Batman feels...
Batman. Volume 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 : haunted knight : the legends of the Dark Knight Halloween specials : three tales of Halloween in Gotham City
Loeb, Jeph
Paper Book
This graphic novel by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale-the creative team behind the classic BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN-includes three dark tales of horror and intrigue featuring Batman facing off against his most demented and wicked foes. Taking place on the most evil of holidays, Halloween, the Darknight...
Batman. The imposter
Tomlin, Mattson
Paper Book
A unique new vision of Gotham, built to be the logical next step for fans of the 2022 film THE BATMAN! Bruce Wayne's mission as the Batman has only been underway for a year or so, but he can tell he's making a difference in this city. Unfortunately, he's made some powerful...
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. Time and the Batman
Morrison, Grant.
Paper Book
Written by GRANT MORRISON and FABIAN NICIEZA Art by DAVID FINCH, TONY DANIEL, ANDY KUBERT and FRANK QUITELY Cover by DAVID FINCH and SCOTT WILLIAMS Grant Morrison returns to BATMAN with tales from issues #700-703, illustrated by an all-star roster of artists including Andy Kubert, Tony Daniel and...
Batman, Kings of fear
Peterson, Scott
Paper Book
What is Batman's greatest fears? When the Scarecrow orchestrates a riot at Arkham Asylum to conceal an escape, the chase will take the Dark Knight on a journey into the depths of his own mind. Batman has faced Jonathan Crane's fear gas before, but a dose of the...
Batman the Dark Knight returns
Miller, Frank
Paper Book
Written by Frank Miller; Art and Cover by Miller and Klaus Janson It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired and Gotham City has sunk deeper into decadence and lawlessness. Now as his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. Joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenage female...
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. 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 8, Superheavy
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
COMMISSIONER GORDON IS THE NEW BATMAN! Following the disappearance and presumed death of Batman, former police commissioner Jim Gordon has been called to carry on the Dark Knight's legacy and become the Dark Knight's successor. But while the name and what it stands for...
Batman. Volume 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. Volume 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. 2, Ends of the Earth
Snyder, Scott
Paper Book
New York Times best-selling writer Scott Snyder, author of such instant-classic BATMAN graphic novels as THE COURT OF OWLS, DEATH OF THE FAMILY and ENDGAME, joins forces with an all-star lineup of comics' top artists to bring the madness and menace of some of the Dark Knight's greatest...
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/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. 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 : City of Bane
King, Tom
Paper Book
The complete collection of Batman- City of Bane from Eisner Award winner Tom King and Mikel Janin! Batman faces his most personal and epic showdowns! The Caped Crusader had a sinking suspicion there was someone lurking in the shadows plotting against him. There has been an...
Batman/Catwoman
King, Tom
Paper Book
The Bat and the Cat's past, present, and future collide in a thrilling and romantic epic from the superstar team of writer Tom King and artist Clay Mann! Tom King returns to the rocky, romantic saga of Batman and Catwoman with his frequent collaborator, superstar artist Clay Mann...
Batman. Vol. 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. Vol. 5, Fear state
Tynion, James, IV
Paper Book
Gotham City is on the brink of martial law as Batman fights a two-front battle! The Scarecrow is unleashing a devasting attack on the city while the Magistrate have made their move to invade! The BATMAN- THE JOKER WAR creative team of James Tynion IV and Jorge...
Batman : secret files
Tynion, James, IV
Paper Book
Dive into the depths of Gotham's underbelly with Batman- Secret Files! Collecting tales from all over Gotham...Huntress, the Gardener, Peacekeeper...even the history of Miracle Molly! It's all here! Discover a story so secret even Miracle Molly doesn't...
Batman. Vol. 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. 1
Ridley, John.
Paper Book
The age of a new Dark Knight starts now! Spinning out of the events of The Next Batman- Second Son, Jace Fox thrusts himself into action when the Magistrate's crackdown on Alleytown begins! With his own Bat-Suit, Jace hits the streets to inspire and protect... ...
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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