7 Grant Morrison Batman Comics Every Fan Needs to Read Before Their New Series Hits

Recently, Grant Morrison confirmed their comeback to the Big Two publishing houses, and subsequently unveiled plans for a new Batman project. This is thrilling news for both Batman enthusiasts and fans of Morrison’s work; Morrison has had significant involvement with DC Comics in the past, including the creation of Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, penning Batman during their blockbuster JLA run in the ’90s, and serving as a key caretaker of Batman comics from 2007 to 2013, writing titles like Batman, Batman and Robin, and Batman Inc. Vol. 1 and 2. Morrison’s Batman stories are often considered among the greatest Batman tales ever told, offering fresh takes on Batman for contemporary audiences while still honoring his rich history. Morrison’s Batman run can be divided into three distinct phases: Batman battling the Black Hand, Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne assuming the roles of Batman and Robin, and Bruce Wayne returning to redefine Batman on a global scale. Few writers possess the mastery over Batman and his mythos that Morrison does, so whether they’re writing Batman or any of his supporting characters, it’s bound to be an enjoyable experience.

Reflecting on Grant Morrison’s six-year tenure writing Batman, it’s clear that certain tales resonate more profoundly than others. Morrison has a knack for crafting extraordinary superhero narratives that venture where few dare to tread, and his Batman saga is rich with such moments. Presently, this is an ideal moment to delve into Morrison’s finest Batman tales, and these seven stories are particularly noteworthy.

Batman #666

In Morrison’s initial phase of writing for Batman, issue #666 played a significant role in hinting at the story’s direction. Set in the future and featuring artwork by Andy Kubert, this issue saw Damian Wayne assuming the mantle of Batman as he confronted the menace of Devil Batman, one of three Batmen created by Gotham City police before Damian’s birth. Distinguished by his brutal tactics, even Bruce Wayne’s own son surpassed him in terms of lethality during this battle. Known for his aptitude in flash-forward storytelling, Morrison’s work on Batman #666 is among the best, with Andy Kubert delivering exceptional artwork that stands out as one of his finest works throughout his career. This single issue serves as an engaging exploration of a unique Batman tackling an unconventional threat and is highly recommended for readers seeking a fresh take on the Dark Knight.

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne

In the comic series titled “Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne“, we find Batman, who appeared to have perished in “Final Crisis“, being hurled into prehistoric times by Darkseid. This epic tale is a collaboration between artists Chris Sprouse, Frazier Irving, Yanick Paquette, Georges Jeanty, Ryan Sook, and Lee Garbett. The story picks up where “Final Crisis” ended, as Batman’s tribe in the wilderness is under attack by Vandal Savage. This is merely the beginning of a thrilling journey, as Batman travels through time, assuming various roles such as a witch hunter, pirate, detective, and masked gunfighter, continually reappearing near Gotham’s vicinity. Simultaneously, in the present, Tim Drake, who doesn’t accept Bruce’s supposed death, embarks on a mission to locate him. “Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne” is essentially six stories rolled into one, each featuring unique art styles, all leading towards an exhilarating climax that only Grant Morrison could conceive. This captivating Batman adventure offers exceptional artwork and a thought-provoking revenge plot that leaves readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist. It’s a testament to the brilliance of both Grant Morrison and the character of Batman at their best.

Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn

Grant Morrison’s tenure as Batman’s writer is highlighted by Dick Grayson’s stint as Batman, and the initial six issues of Batman and Robin offer a captivating glimpse into this remarkable period. It should be noted that these first six issues actually consist of two three-issue stories, with artwork from Frank Quitely and Phillip Tan. In the first story, the revamped Dynamic Duo confronts Professor Pyg and his band of criminal misfits. The second story features Jason Todd’s return as a reimagined Red Hood in one of his best post-resurrection tales. Additionally, a new assassin called the Flamingo is introduced, stalking Gotham City. Both Pyg and the Flamingo were hinted at in Batman #666, making their appearance here all the more thrilling. These six issues are compiled as Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn, providing fans of Batman with two compelling tales brimming with Batman-related excitement. The duo formed by Dick Grayson and Damian make an outstanding team, and this narrative demonstrates why Morrison’s Batman and Robin is a standout during his tenure as the Caped Crusader’s writer.

Batman #667-669

In a fresh take on the classic Batman narrative, Morrison skillfully modernized previous concepts, and one of the most striking instances of this can be found in “Batman” issues #667-669. This gripping three-part tale marked the revival of the Club of Heroes, a coalition of Batmen from across Europe and beyond. With each passing minute, more members of this team were meeting untimely deaths, prompting them to reunite to investigate the murder of one of their own. The Black Glove, an organization that would later gain significant importance in Morrison’s first arc during “Final Crisis” and “Batman R.I.P.”, was first introduced in this story. This tale is a classic whodunit, set within the familiar backdrop of detectives gathering at the deceased’s home to search for clues, but with a unique twist from Morrison. Artists J.H. Williams’ intricate page layouts beautifully complemented Morrison’s script, creating an exhilarating whodunit experience for readers. I opted to highlight this story over “Batman and Son”, which is also significant as it introduced Damian Wayne, but I found this story to be a superior representation of Batman, showcasing exceptional atmosphere, plot development, and characterization.

“Gothic”

Since the 1940s, DC Comics has consistently profited from Batman, publishing numerous titles centered around the caped crusader. In 1989, they introduced “Batman: Legend of the Dark Knight,” an anthology series featuring rotating creative teams telling Batman stories. Following the acclaim of “Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth,” Grant Morrison and Klaus Janson were enlisted to contribute to this series, creating a story called “Gothic.” In issues #6-10 of “Batman: Legend of the Dark Knight,” Batman is commissioned by Gotham’s crime bosses to track down a murderer who’s been terrorizing them. This investigation leads Batman into the shadows of Gotham’s past, drawing inspiration from the opera “Don Giovanni.” The “Gothic” storyline, with Morrison and Janson’s artistic collaboration, has remained a fan favorite for decades due to its captivating narrative.

“Batman R.I.P.”

The comic series ‘Batman R.I.P.’ marks the conclusion of Grant Morrison’s initial phase as Batman’s writer. The enigmatic Black Glove, a threat that has been brewing in the shadows since Morrison took over ‘Batman’, finally unleashes its attack. They sever Batman from all sources of aid, shatter his psyche, and inject him with a lethal blend of crystal meth and heroin, causing him to believe he’s nothing more than a homeless man with grandiose fantasies. The Joker, in his most ruthless form, becomes involved, forcing Batman to rely on a backup plan he had forgotten he even created. ‘Batman R.I.P.’ embodies the best of Morrison’s Batman writing: captivating villains, bizarre scenarios, and a narrative that remains true to Batman, no matter how unconventional it may be. Morrison, in collaboration with artist Tony S. Daniel, craft an epic Batman tale that ranks among the greatest of all time in many ‘Best Batman’ lists.

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

1989 marked Morrison’s timely arrival in DC, with the blockbuster film Batman hitting theaters and the publisher eager for diverse Batman content. They secured the services of Morrison, rising star from Animal Man, and artist Dave McKean, who would later become renowned as the cover artist for The Sandman. Prior to this collaboration, McKean had made a significant impact at DC with his work on Black Orchid. The duo delivered one of Batman’s greatest stories — Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. This narrative reimagined the typical scenario of Arkham Asylum prisoners seizing control, taking hostages, and challenging Batman to intervene. Instead, it delved into the curse of the Arkham family, who established the asylum to manage their wealthy yet mentally unstable relatives. Arkham Asylum is a hallucinatory exploration of psychological horror, a twisted tale steeped in the occult, featuring art that revolutionized Batman storytelling at the time. If possible, seek out a copy of this classic with its original cover and hardback design for an enhanced reading experience, as McKean was both the designer of the book and dust jacket.

2025-05-03 22:10