5 Best Batman Comics of 2025, Ranked

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Being a Batman fan in 2025 was a real treat. For about ten years, Batman comics had become predictable, retreading old stories that fans were already tired of. The comics often focused on making Batman unhappy, with recurring themes of villains controlling Gotham, family conflicts, and a constant breakdown of Bruce Wayne’s character without any real resolution. It felt like the comics were punishing Batman for simply being Batman, and stories like “Gotham War” and “H2SH” were prime examples of how low the character had sunk. Thankfully, 2025 marked a turning point for the better.

For years, Batman comics often portrayed Bruce Wayne as a problematic figure. However, recent issues – both in the main Batman series and related titles – have really focused on celebrating the hero. While DC’s recent ‘All In’ event was fantastic overall, the Batman comics reached a level of consistent quality that hasn’t been seen in decades, and perhaps never before. In this article, we’ll be highlighting the five Batman comics that stood out in 2025, ranking them to show just how good they were, and discussing the positive impact they’ve had on Batman fans.

5) Batman and Robin: Year One

This series offered a fresh look at Batman’s origins and the beginning of Robin’s crime-fighting journey. It beautifully depicted the evolving relationship between Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne, showing how they grew from partners to a father-son dynamic, even if unspoken. Though the main villain was somewhat generic and his storyline ended weakly, the compelling mystery and the emotional connection between Bruce and Dick elevated the comic. The final issue was a touching tribute to the Dynamic Duo, highlighting their positive impact on each other and Gotham City, and the closing scenes are genuinely some of the most heartwarming Batman moments ever created.

4) Detective Comics

Tom Taylor’s work on Detective Comics began in late 2024, but it truly gained momentum this year, quickly becoming a standout title. It’s become the definitive Batman book, presenting the classic Dark Knight in compelling mysteries that explore all facets of his personality. Each story showcases his skills as a detective and fighter, his ties to Gotham and his allies, and the core of his character.

This is definitely among Taylor’s strongest work, consistently delivering a great story with each issue. It’s a flawless comic, and in most years would easily be a top-three contender. However, it lacks that truly legendary quality found in the other top entries. Honestly, if the biggest criticism you can offer is that it’s a fantastic Batman story, that’s high praise indeed.

3) Batman (2025)

For years, Batman fans suffered through convoluted storylines like “Failsafe” and “H2SH.” Matt Fraction’s run offered a welcome change, immediately shifting Batman from a bleak, hopeless world to one filled with optimism and the potential for redemption – all in a single issue! The first issue is easily a highlight of the year, thanks to its hopeful direction for the character, stunning artwork by Jorge Jiménez, and a fantastic new Batsuit – arguably one of Bruce Wayne’s best looks yet.

This Batman comic revitalized both the city of Gotham and Bruce Wayne himself. Writer Fraction immediately began developing new everyday characters to enrich the world of Gotham, promising a brighter, less gloomy atmosphere, and he made Bruce Wayne feel relevant again. Plus, the story effectively features Tim Drake, making this the most hopeful beginning to a Batman series in a long time. It’s a genuinely comforting read, like revisiting a beloved friend. I could talk about it endlessly, but we need to move on to our next two picks.

This Batman run is already shaping up to be legendary, and it’s likely to become one of the best ever. However, with only four issues released so far, it’s too early to place it higher on a ranking list. I fully anticipate this series will be remembered as the one that revitalized the character, restoring Batman to his heroic roots, and that’s what matters most.

2) Absolute Batman

Absolute Batman isn’t just a good comic book—it’s become a major hit. DC’s ‘Absolute’ format, which started with Absolute Batman, has been incredibly successful. It launched last year and quickly became popular, but 2025 proved it wasn’t just a trend; it’s becoming a classic. I haven’t seen this much excitement and discussion around every single issue of a comic in a long time. Whenever a new Absolute Batman issue is released, fans eagerly anticipate the brutal and visually stunning action as Batman battles new villains.

Absolute Batman perfectly blends the thrilling fun of monster trucks and action with a surprisingly emotional story about fighting for hope when things seem impossible. It portrays Batman as the beacon Gotham desperately needs, even if the city rejects him. The comic brilliantly reimagines classic characters – its versions of Bane and the Joker are genuinely terrifying – and is arguably the most creative and enjoyable Batman (and comic book) series in years. It’s sparked a renewed interest in comics, inspiring a new wave of readers, which is a fantastic achievement.

1) Batman: Dark Patterns

While Absolute Batman is a rare gem and Batman (2025) a fantastic revival, Batman: Dark Patterns is a true classic. This twelve-issue series redefined Batman storytelling and sets an incredibly high bar, offering a near-perfect experience for fans of a particular style of Batman comic. Dark Patterns consists of four self-contained mysteries taking place during Batman’s third year – a point where he’s skilled and effective, but still developing into the iconic hero he’ll become. It perfectly captures a sweet spot in his career, and achieves the same balance in portraying his character.

This comic showcases Batman at his absolute peak. It perfectly captures his role as both Gotham’s hero and the world’s greatest detective, demonstrating his relentless pursuit of truth and unwavering dedication to saving the city. What truly sets this series apart is its portrayal of a deeply human Batman, both physically and emotionally, driven by compassion and an unbreakable will. It masterfully blends the realistic and fantastical aspects of the Batman universe, creating an immersive experience. While many Batman comics are excellent, this one embodies everything the character represents and will undoubtedly be considered a classic alongside landmark stories like The Killing Joke and The Long Halloween for years to come.

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2025-12-20 18:16