10 Best Batman Comics Of The 21st Century (So Far)

For over 80 years, Batman has been a hugely popular comic book character, and his adventures fill a vast library of stories. Throughout the decades, the Dark Knight has experienced almost everything imaginable, resulting in some truly exceptional comics that have both entertained readers and significantly influenced the character and the world of comics.

Batman has a long history of compelling stories, but the 21st century has been especially strong for the character. Stories from the 2000s really stand out, diving deep into Batman’s origins, his inner world, and the complex relationships with those around him. Here are 10 of the best Batman stories from this century, many of which could be considered among the very best ever told.

10) Absolute Batman

Though recently released, Absolute Batman is already having a significant impact on the Batman mythos and the wider DC universe. The story takes place in a reimagined reality – the Absolute Universe – where a mysterious ‘Darkseid energy’ has flipped everything on its head, making heroes the underdogs and creating a much darker tone. For Batman, this means a drastically different origin: he’s not the billionaire playboy, his technology is self-made and more rudimentary, and his family history is altered. Instead of both parents being killed, only his father is murdered, leaving a deeply traumatized Bruce to be raised by his mother, but still bearing lasting emotional scars.

Written by Scotty Snyder and illustrated by Nick Dragotta, Absolute Batman presents a fresh take on the iconic hero. Though it shares some familiar themes with other Batman stories, it delves deeper into Bruce Wayne’s emotional life than most mainstream versions. The story significantly expands on Bruce’s friendships and explores the painful impact those relationships have on his ongoing fight against crime, offering a uniquely moving perspective. It’s a fantastic story that’s already shaping up to be one of the best Batman tales of the 21st century.

9) Batman: Cold Days

Tom King’s time writing Batman received a varied response from fans, but the “Cold Days” storyline is widely considered a highlight. In “Cold Days,” Bruce Wayne unexpectedly finds himself on a jury for a case involving Mr. Freeze. Mr. Freeze argues that Batman used too much force against him, and Bruce is forced to examine his own methods and motivations while serving on the jury.

I was really struck by how this story showed Bruce, and Batman, at his most human. Seeing him so vulnerable after Selina left him at the altar felt incredibly raw and real, and it forced him to confront his own feelings. It wasn’t just action; it was a beautiful exploration of who Bruce is underneath the Batman persona, even making him question his beliefs. It’s a story that really stays with you because it delves so deeply into the man behind the mask.

8) Batman: The Court of Owls

Scott Snyder’s Batman: The Court of Owls is considered a standout addition to Batman’s history, potentially one of the best changes to the character’s lore in over 80 years. When a string of violent murders rocks Gotham City, Batman discovers a far-reaching conspiracy rooted in the city’s past.

In this story, Batman uncovers the existence of the Court of Owls, a secret and influential group of Gotham’s elite who control the city from the shadows. This discovery fundamentally changes Batman’s understanding of Gotham’s history, as the Court has surprising ties to the Wayne family. It’s a compelling and expertly crafted narrative that will make you see Batman and his world in a whole new light.

7) Batman: Hush

Often considered one of the best Batman comics of the 21st century, “Hush” is a compelling story despite some flaws. Written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Jim Lee, it centers around a series of chaotic events orchestrated by the enigmatic Hush, who aims to dismantle Batman’s life. As Batman investigates, he uncovers a shocking truth: Hush is actually someone from his past – his childhood friend, Thomas Elliot.

Hush is a fantastic, sprawling mystery that unfolds with careful brilliance. It’s a truly challenging and personal story for Batman, pushing him to his absolute limits. While the ending isn’t perfect, the story’s overall impact on Batman and his legacy is unmatched.

6) Paul Dini’s Detective Comics Run

As a huge comic book fan, I always recommend Paul Dini’s entire run on Detective Comics from the mid-2000s. Most people know him for Batman: The Animated Series, which is fantastic, but his work on Detective Comics is seriously underrated. What I loved about it was that it wasn’t one big, sprawling story. Instead, it was a collection of mostly self-contained issues – almost like old-school comics! It’s such a refreshing read because you don’t need to worry about remembering tons of backstory or a complicated overarching plot. You can just jump in and enjoy each individual story as it comes.

These are excellent stories. Paul Dini’s work here shares a similar style to his acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series, but geared towards adults. The result is a collection of incredibly rewarding tales that rank among the best of recent years.

5) Bruce Wayne: Murderer? and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive

These two connected Batman stories, “Bruce Wayne: Murderer?” and “Fugitive,” are surprisingly overlooked gems. “Bruce Wayne: Murderer?” starts with a shocking discovery: Bruce Wayne finds his girlfriend, Vesper Fairchild, dead in his mansion, and he’s immediately arrested for the crime. Things get tricky because Vesper knew Bruce was Batman, and he can’t prove where he was when she died. Frustrated with being stuck in jail as Bruce and unable to investigate himself, he breaks out and vows to abandon his Bruce Wayne identity. “Fugitive” continues the story, following the investigation as Batman works to uncover the real killer and clear his name.

This story offers a compelling look inside the minds of both Bruce Wayne and Batman, cleverly questioning which persona is the true self. It also examines the relationships within the Bat-Family as they grapple with a shocking possibility: that Bruce may have committed a murder. While it’s a grittier take on the Batman mythos, it’s a truly excellent story that challenges your understanding of the character and pushes the boundaries of what Batman can be.

4) Batman: The Black Mirror

“Black Mirror” is another fantastic Batman story by Scott Snyder, but this one focuses on Dick Grayson taking on the role of Batman while Bruce Wayne is busy with Batman Incorporated. The story centers around a series of disturbing crimes and the reappearance of James Gordon Jr., with the Joker also playing a key part. It’s full of unexpected twists and turns, and the artwork by Jock and Francesco Francavilla makes it a visually impressive read.

“The Black Mirror” is a compelling story exploring how lives can diverge, focusing on the paths of Dick Grayson and James Gordon Jr. It skillfully revives a long-forgotten plotline – James Jr. – and develops it into a complex and heartbreaking narrative. Plus, it’s refreshing to see a Batman story centered on characters other than Bruce Wayne.

3) Batman R.I.P.

Grant Morrison is a celebrated comic book writer, and they’re known for turning wild ideas into amazing stories. A prime example is Batman R.I.P., which brilliantly utilizes Batman’s extensive backstory in a surprising way. The story centers around Batman and his allies being targeted by a mysterious group called the Black Glove. This leads to Batman being drugged and Alfred being attacked, leaving Bruce Wayne with amnesia and a distorted sense of reality. As a result, a fractured version of Batman – the “Batman of Zur-En-Arrh” – emerges, guided by the unpredictable Bat-Mite.

Honestly, trying to explain the plot sounds totally crazy, but trust me, when Morrison writes it, it all clicks. It’s a really deep dive into Batman’s psychology, and it feels like Morrison took the idea of him always being prepared and pushed it to the absolute limit. It’s a Batman story unlike anything else he’s ever done – truly unique.

2) Batman: Dark Patterns

The recently finished comic series, Batman: Dark Patterns, is already considered one of the best Batman stories of the 21st century. It’s a particularly strong detective story, written by Dan Watters and illustrated by Hayden Sherman. The twelve-issue series features four separate, self-contained mysteries that take place when Batman was first starting out in Gotham City.

“Dark Patterns” is a unique Batman story that focuses more on detective work than Batman’s usual crime-fighting. It’s realistic and intense, with a strong 1970s feel that feels both classic and fresh. This story presents a Batman who is genuinely challenged and must rely on his intelligence, rather than his gadgets, to overcome threats, allowing for a more relatable and compelling portrayal. If you enjoyed Matt Reeves’ The Batman, you’ll likely love this comic.

1) Batman & Robin: Year One

Mark Waid and Chris Samnee’s Batman & Robin: Year One offers a new and updated look at how Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson first became the Dynamic Duo. Many consider it the best story to use the Year One concept, and it stands out as one of the few truly excellent Batman series that focuses equally on both Batman and Robin.

This story delves into the early days of Batman and Robin, revealing a more human side to both characters. We see Bruce Wayne grappling with the challenges of leadership and fatherhood, both as Batman and in his personal life. While the dangers they face are intense, their relationship feels more hopeful. The narrative also thoughtfully explores whether Batman should even have a young sidekick. Ultimately, it’s a definitive Batman and Robin story, and arguably one of the best Batman tales of the 21st century.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/10-dc-supervillains-who-defined-the-1940s/embed/#

2025-11-21 23:16