7 Batman Stories That Sparked Outrage and Debate Among Fans

Batman stands as one of the most renowned fictional figures from the last century, a fact that’s hard to dispute. Recognition of Batman extends far and wide, with many people across the English-speaking world having been introduced to his tales in some form or another. His influence even reaches Japan where he’s been portrayed in manga. Batman towers above others in popularity, gracing numerous types of stories. Over time, certain Batman narratives have stood out from the rest for various reasons. Sometimes they are hailed as the best superhero tales; other times, they stir debate, drawing controversy like a magnet.

One intriguing aspect of these debated Batman narratives lies in their enduring popularity, as they rank among the most iconic Batman stories ever created. Numerous authors have ventured to explore unconventional scenarios with Batman, sparking a wide range of reactions from fans. Among them, these seven controversial Batman tales stand out, continuing to generate discussion, even decades after their initial release. So, let’s activate the Bat-signal and delve into these thought-provoking stories together.

All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder

In the early 2000s, DC Comics aimed to rival Marvel’s Ultimate series, giving birth to the All-Star line. Readers eagerly anticipated a fantastic story. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely were assigned for ‘All-Star Superman,’ while Frank Miller and Jim Lee worked on ‘All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder.’ With such renowned talents involved, the success of the All-Star line seemed inevitable. However, one of these comics has captivated readers for two decades with its timeless story, while the other – regrettably – is the disappointing ‘All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder.’

The main issue with “All-Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder” was that it wasn’t penned by the 1980s Frank Miller, whose evolution as a writer was problematic for this Batman title. The portrayal of Batman in this comic was mentally unstable, leaving readers puzzled and disappointed.

Miller’s treatment of female characters in the book was particularly criticized, often reducing them to caricatures or sexualized objects rather than fully fleshed out characters. This issue is compounded by Jim Lee’s visually stunning artwork, which paradoxically highlights the questionable portrayal of women.

The script excerpts released, such as Miller’s directions for drawing a lingerie-clad Vicki Vale, only serve to further tarnish the creative process behind this book. Adding fuel to the fire is the depiction of Batman verbally abusing Dick Grayson shortly after his parents’ death and subsequently confining him in the Batcave with no sustenance.

The result is a Batman comic that is downright insane, eliciting ongoing discussion among fans, albeit not in a positive light. Even today, people continue to discuss this peculiar take on Batman.

Batman: Venom

The depiction of drug use has been a contentious topic in the realm of comic book superheroes. For quite some time, this issue was largely disregarded, but all that shifted in 1971. Comics heavyweights Marvel and DC began to publish stories featuring characters using drugs – Harry Osborn in issues #96-98 of The Amazing Spider-Man by Stan Lee and Gil Kane, and Green Arrow’s sidekick Speedy in Green Lantern/Green Arrow #85-86 by Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams. The use of drugs became a significant theme in comics, eventually reaching as far as Batman in Batman: Venom, co-written by Denny O’Neil, Trevor von Eeden, Russel Braun, and Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. This tale introduced the drug ‘Venom’, a potent steroid that would ultimately break Batman (Bane) and led to Batman’s own addiction to it.

Taking Batman and portraying him as a drug addict was a major departure, and the fact that DC Comics dared to do so was significant. Writer Denny O’Neil, a recovering alcoholic, brought an authenticity to the character’s struggle with addiction that other writers might not have achieved. The story of Batman battling his drug dependency created quite a stir among fans; after all, Batman is known for his immense power and unyielding will, so seeing him succumb to vice was shocking. However, using the drug Venom to enhance his abilities as Batman made this particular fall from grace even more compelling. This story has long-lasting implications for the future of the character, and it presented a unique take on Batman that had never been seen before. Despite the controversy surrounding this story, many fans still view it as one of the best Batman stories due to its powerful subject matter.

Batman: Death in the Family

In comic books, character deaths are not an uncommon occurrence. Sometimes, characters meet their end due to fan disapproval of them. However, instances where fans actively participate in the demise of a character are rare. This brings us to “Batman: Death in the Family.”

Initially, Dick Grayson had grown up and moved on from Batman, joining the Teen Titans and eventually transforming into Nightwing. This left a void for Robin in Batman’s life, which was filled by Jason Todd. At first, Jason was a rather straightforward character that didn’t resonate well with fans. To address this, DC decided to make him more edgy. Despite these changes, fans remained indifferent towards Jason.

This disfavor culminated in “Death in the Family,” a story penned by Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo. In an unprecedented move, fans were given a 900 number to call and vote on whether to kill off Jason Todd. Unfortunately for Jason, the majority of readers voted for his death.

In the tale, the Joker was responsible for Jason Todd’s demise. He manipulated the young hero using his mother as bait, brutally attacked him with a crowbar, and ultimately detonated the warehouse where he was trapped. The fans’ dislike of Todd led to his untimely death, an event that has stirred discussions for decades. DC later resurrected Jason Todd under the persona Red Hood, and his death remains one of Batman’s most profound regrets. More recently, DC has published a version of the story where Jason Todd survived, a spin-off titled “Batman: Death in the Family” that left a lasting impact on Batman, the Bat Family, and the entire DC universe.

Batman: War Games

2004 saw me immersed in an exhilarating Batman saga that spanned across multiple titles like “Batman”, “Detective Comics”, “Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight”, “Nightwing”, “Batman: Gotham Knights”, “Robin”, “Catwoman”, and “Batgirl”. At this time, Stephanie Brown had taken on the mantle of Robin from Tim Drake. Inherently driven to prove her worth to the Bat, she stumbled upon some of his covert strategies, one of them named “War Games”. This plan aimed to eradicate Gotham City’s criminal underworld, and if executed successfully, Stephanie believed it would earn Batman’s recognition. Unfortunately, the situation spiraled out of control, culminating in a heart-wrenching turn of events that led to Stephanie Brown’s demise.

The tragic demise of character Brown sparked significant controversy. This plot point mirrored the “women in refrigerators” trope, where female characters are killed for dramatic effect, primarily influencing male characters’ stories. However, Brown had recently been appointed as Robin and it seemed her death was premeditated. The public outrage eventually led to DC making a positive move: reviving Stephanie Brown and transforming her into Batgirl. This change occurred prior to the New 52 era, but didn’t last long. Since then, Brown has regained relevance thanks to fan support. In some instances, controversy can lead to favorable outcomes.

Batman: Damned

Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo make a formidable duo, each impressive individually yet truly exceptional when united. Their initial joint project, “Lex Luthor: Man of Steel“, was outstanding, prompting them to collaborate again on a Joker story following the release of The Dark Knight, during the peak of Jokermania. DC recognized their talent and appointed them to inaugurate their new mature imprint, DC Black Label. This partnership resulted in “Batman: Damned“, an independent tale that delved Batman into a more mystical realm as he pursued the Joker, who was already deceased yet continued to wreak havoc. The comic featured themes common to mature readers’ comics such as explicit language, violence, and even nudity; however, in this instance, it included full-frontal Batman nudity.

Readers witnessed an unprecedented amount of Batman in the graphic novel “Batman: Damned,” stirring up quite a commotion. However, DC swiftly walked back their decision on the book, even going so far as to edit later editions. To many, this uproar seemed excessive; if there had been frontal nudity of characters like Harley Quinn or Catwoman, it might not have garnered as much attention.

JLA: Tower of Babel

In a universe brimming with divine entities, mythical creatures, and superhumans beyond comprehension, Batman stands out as an ordinary human – yet remarkably, he has proven himself to be one of the toughest superheroes in existence. This transformation began with “The Dark Knight Returns”, where Batman demonstrated his capacity to overpower Superman, albeit a Superman weakened by circumstances. As time progressed, writers endowed Batman with increasingly impressive abilities, climaxing in “JLA: Tower of Babel” by Mark Waid and Howard Porter. In this storyline, Ra’s al Ghul orchestrated the theft of Batman’s Justice League emergency plans – plans designed to eliminate the team if they ever turned rogue. The execution of these plans revealed that even the mightiest beings on Earth could fall before Batman.

In the mythology of Batgod, a debatable twist on Batman’s legend, lies the most contentious point. Batgod symbolizes an invincible hero, one who possesses deep knowledge of everyone’s vulnerabilities and has a multitude of strategies to capitalize on them. Victory is always his, but for some fans, this portrayal of the character is disappointing as it diminishes the appeal of struggle. The comic “JLA: Tower of Babel” stirred controversy due to Batgod’s dominance, which significantly altered Batman and left a sour taste for not every fan. Essentially, Batman thrives on the human spirit — our intelligence (and our versatile thumbs) — to emerge victorious. However, the charm lies in Batman’s struggle to win. When Batman can defeat anyone, the essence of his character starts to fade. In “JLA: Tower of Babel,” Batgod rose to prominence, a change that has affected Batman permanently, and not always positively for fans.

Batman: The Killing Joke

In my opinion, “Batman: The Killing Joke,” penned by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland, stands among the greatest comics ever crafted. This masterpiece delves deep into the psyche of the notorious Joker, offering a chilling portrayal of his tragic origins that molded him into a menacing figure who fervently believes anyone can be pushed to madness with just one disastrous day. The story follows the Joker’s relentless pursuit of Commissioner Gordon, which culminates in an attempt to shatter his spirit by shooting Barbara Gordon, Batgirl, and taking explicit photographs for further torment. Tragically, Barbara was left paralyzed, effectively ending her career as Batgirl.

In a less than ideal portrayal of female characters, the graphic novel “Batman: The Killing Joke” was initially intended to eliminate Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. Len Wein, the book’s editor, infamously urged Alan Moore to “cripple the character,” which Moore has since regretted. This event is often referenced as a prime example of the “women in refrigerators” trope, and over time, fan sentiment towards it has grown increasingly negative. Despite being a significant piece of Batman lore that every fan has likely encountered, opinions on its most memorable scene make “Batman: The Killing Joke” one of the most contentious Batman stories to date.

2025-03-09 01:11