5 Perfect Batman Comics For Brand-New Fans

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Batman first appeared in 1939, and with his 90th anniversary approaching, there’s a huge collection of comics available. This can be daunting for new readers who aren’t sure where to begin. Early Batman comics, from what’s known as the Golden Age, mostly featured stories about fighting ordinary criminals and gangsters. Supervillains came later. However, those older stories aren’t really necessary to read, as DC Comics has updated and improved upon them in more recent comics that are often better stories.

Want to get into Batman comics? Here are five excellent choices that cover his beginnings and key events – perfect for new readers who want to learn the basics and start reading regularly.

5) Batman: Year One

For new Batman fans, the best place to start with his origin story is the comic series Batman: Year One. Published in 1987 by Frank Miller and Dave Mazzucchelli, it offers a fresh take on Bruce Wayne’s first year fighting crime after the tragic death of his parents. This series essentially reimagined Batman’s beginnings and was the first major Batman story released after the Crisis on Infinite Earths event.

Despite several updates to the character’s history, like the New 52, Batman’s core origin story has stayed largely the same. This story, told in Batman issues #404-407, simplifies a previously complex backstory for Batman and his allies. While staying true to the original vision of Bill Finger and Bob Kane, it also incorporates Frank Miller’s take on how Batman forged his identity and began his fight against crime. This is the ideal starting point for anyone new to Batman.

4) The Long Halloween

If you’re new to Batman comics, Batman: Year One is a fantastic place to begin. But to really understand the villains, The Long Halloween is the next story to read. Created by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale and released in 1996-97 as a limited series, it revisits a character from Year One – mob boss Carmine Falcone – and focuses on how Batman’s most iconic enemies first emerged.

Reading Batman comics isn’t just about the hero himself; it’s also about getting to know his unforgettable villains, who are among the most famous in all of comic books. This particular series introduces many of Batman’s classic foes – like the Riddler, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, and Two-Face – and that’s only the beginning. It’s a great story for new readers to learn about the rogues’ gallery that makes Batman so compelling.

3) The War Of Jokes And Riddles

In Tom King and Mikel Janin’s 2017 Batman series, The War of Jokes and Riddles, Batman’s two most iconic enemies, the Joker and the Riddler, engage in a full-scale gang war. This story takes place during Batman’s second year of crime-fighting, fitting into the established timeline after events in Batman: Year One and The Long Halloween.

If you enjoy Batman’s villains, especially the Joker and Riddler, this comic book series is a must-read. Issues #25-32 of Batman Vol. 3 show the Joker and Riddler competing for power, drawing in many other villains and putting Batman right in the middle of their conflict. Fans of the Harley Quinn animated series will also appreciate the significant role given to Kite-Man. Many consider this series to be a turning point for Batman, pushing him to his limits.

2) Batman/Superman: The World’s Finest

I’ve been following Superman and Batman for years, and it’s less about one big story and more about a long history of comic books with different takes on their adventures. What really got me hooked was seeing them team up regularly in World’s Finest. But if I had to pick a single story that’s truly amazing, it’s the first arc of the 2003 series, called “Public Enemies.” It’s just unforgettable!

In a surprising turn of events, despite Superman’s hopes, the American people elected Lex Luthor as President. Luthor quickly retaliated by declaring Batman and Superman enemies of the state and offering a massive $1 billion reward for their capture. The story, which unfolded over six issues, saw Superman nearly give in to his anger and kill Luthor, with Batman prepared to let it happen. Ultimately, both heroes managed to restrain themselves and worked together to reveal Luthor’s true criminal nature to the world. This storyline is considered a prime example of how to write a compelling Batman and Superman team-up.

1) Batman And Robin: Year One

If you’re new to Batman and want a more recent story that explains everything, I’d recommend Batman and Robin: Year One. It came out in 2024 and tells the story of how Dick Grayson became the very first Robin. You probably know Batman: Year One showed us Batman’s beginnings, and The Long Halloween introduced a lot of his famous enemies. The War of Jokes and Riddles really focused on two of the biggest villains. This new series fills in the gaps and shows us exactly how Batman took on his first partner.

Dick Grayson has grown into Nightwing, and several others have taken on the role of Robin, with Damian Wayne currently filling the position. But it’s especially enjoyable to see Batman team up with a teenage hero for the first time, and villains like Two-Face add to the excitement. After experiencing these five stories, a new reader will have a solid understanding of Batman’s core characteristics, and be ready to explore the more complex stories within the Batman universe.

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2025-11-09 22:11