An iconic DC Comics character, Batman is the most iconic and popular superhero, according to numerous polls. So we wanted to pay tribute to him by looking back at the 15 best works around the Dark Knight of Gotham, whatever the medium!
#15 Batman: Caped Crusader, by Bruce Timm (2024)
Developed by the great Bruce Timm - the designer of Batman: The Animated Series (1992) - and produced by J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves, the series Batman: Caped Crusader reinvents the Dark Knight mythology by revisiting the 1940s (the decade in which the character was created). A true homage to the highly codified genre of Film Noir and German Expressionist cinema, the animated series is a delicious nostalgic treat for Bruce Timm fans. Some episodes are very effective, but it's a shame that the creators didn't manage to show more of their narrative ambitions during the first ten episodes that make up Season 1. We hope to learn more in Season 2, currently in production by Prime Video. Superman, by Zack Snyder (2016)
Lauded by Zack Snyder fans and vilified by his detractors, Batman v. Superman has as many qualities as it has flaws. The author of these lines, who confesses to not appreciating the filmmaker's often bombastic style, is forced to recognize certain strengths of the feature film that justify its inclusion in this selection. First of all, Ben Affleck, who plays a muscular Batman, is absolutely perfect in the role. Then, inspired in particular by Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns, Zack Snyder offers a more violent version of the Dark Knight, one we weren't used to seeing in the cinema. Batman's effectiveness in defeating Superman is, however, marred by a poorly written, and unfortunately rather ugly, third act.
#13 Batman: The Court of Owls, by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo (2011)
Tasks for reinventing the character of Batman as part of the New 52—a DC Comics publishing event that recast the superhero universe following Flashpoint—writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo expanded the mythology of Gotham's Dark Knight from the excellent first story arc. Bruce Wayne / Batman finds himself battling a mysterious organization that has ruled Gotham from the shadows since its creation. With a formidable sense of suspense, Scott Snyder weaves a story that revisits Gotham's history, highlighting its darkest areas. Effective! #12 Batman Beyond, by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini (1999)
Broadcast since 1999, the Batman Beyond series is a fascinating work that transposes the Gotham universe into a cyberpunk future. Under the tutelage of an aging Bruce Wayne, a young Terry McGinnis takes on the role of Batman. By choosing to cast a young teenager facing modern dilemmas as Batman, Bruce Timm and Paul Dini - the creators of Batman: The Animated Series (1992) - found in the mentor-student relationship an opportunity to develop Bruce Wayne's vulnerability and wisdom. Without ever betraying the essence of Batman, the animated series renews the hero's universe with a more pronounced darkness and a stunning futuristic aesthetic. Batman Beyond is an innovative, unique and memorable series, shining with its aesthetic and nuanced characters. (We hope that the animated film project based on Sony'sSpider-Verse model will see the light of day!)
#11 Batman, by Tim Burton (1989)
Although he had only two films to his credit, including the cult macabre comedy Beetlejuice (1988), he was chosen by Warner Studios to adapt the adventures of Batman for the big screen. Batman was experiencing a resurgence of interest among the public thanks to the triumph of Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller (1986) and then Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland (1988). Mixing film noir with a gothic aesthetic that would reach its climax in Batman Returns (1992), Tim Burton amplifies Batmania to a level we never thought possible. In addition to benefiting from top-notch art direction and Danny Elfman's now iconic soundtrack, the Batman film owes a lot to its casting, starting with Jack Nicholson in the role of a very theatrical Joker!
#10 Batman: Hush, by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee (2002)
After having sublimated Batman and Gotham alongside Tim Sale in A Long Halloween(1996),Jeph Loeb is back with the talented artist Jim Lee. Batman finds himself caught in a diabolical trap set against him by the mysterious Silence, who has called upon some of the most iconic villains from the Dark Knight universe. As usual, Jeph Loeb invents a memorable antagonist, who manages to put the winged detective in difficulty, who must use his intelligence and strength more than ever. The comic is served by the very modern art of Jim Lee. A classic!
#9 The Batman, by Matt Reeves (2022)
Faced with a moribund DCEU, director Matt Reeves created a surprise in 2022 with the film The Batman, the first part of a trilogy centered on the Dark Knight. Heavily influenced by The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale as well as by the cinema of David Fincher (Se7en, Zodiac), the filmmaker and screenwriter fully reconnects with the detective dimension of Batman, launched on the trail of the Riddler. In a Gotham that hasn't been this gothic since Tim Burton's Batman Returns (1992), Bruce Wayne makes his debut as Batman and forgets himself, too obsessed as he is with his personal revenge. Effectively exploiting several iconic characters from the Batman comics (Catwoman, James Gordon, The Penguin, the Riddler, the gangsters Falcone and Maroni), The Batman also shines with its absolutely sumptuous artistic direction and its terribly effective staging. The music composed by Michael Giacchino enhances the entire structure. While the second installment has been postponed to the fall of 2027, fans were able to discover last September the exceptional series The Penguin, whose events take place one week after the conclusion of The Batman. Must see!
#8 The Dark Knight, by Christopher Nolan (2008)
Three years after Batman Begins (2005), Oscar-winning American-British director Christopher Nolan has made one of his best films with The Dark Knight. Although they gloss over certain aspects of Batman mythology in order to immerse his character in the most realistic universe possible, Christopher Nolan and his brother Jonathan (credited as co-writer) have undeniably made their mark. Of course, the inhabited acting of Heath Ledger - some suggest that he let himself be consumed by the role of the Joker - has greatly contributed to the success of the feature film. But we should not underestimate the writing and directing talent of Christopher Nolan, who draws direct inspiration from Michael Mann's Heat and the Hong Kong trilogy Infernal Affairs by Alan Mak and Andrew Law, and Hans Zimmer in composing the soundtrack.
#7 Batman: Year One, by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli (1987)
After revolutionizing American comic book writing with The Dark Knight Returns (1986), Frank Miller returns to Gotham's vigilant guardian in Batman: Year One. This time, accompanied by artist David Mazzucchelli, Miller recounts Bruce Wayne's first year as Batman, battling gang leader Carmine Falcone. At the same time, the screenwriter recounts the arrival of James Gordon within the Gotham police force, and how his work will play a decisive role in his private life. A gem of writing and intelligence, Batman: Year One is an essential comic for anyone interested in the Dark Knight, who has lost none of his strength or relevance.
#6 Batman Arkham Tetralogy, by Paul Dini and Rocksteady Studios (2009-2013)
Developed by Rocksteady Studios, the Batman Arkham video game tetralogy - composed of Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Knight) captures the essence of the Dark Knight with a depth rarely matched. In addition to being a model of gameplay, the tetralogy offers a total immersion in the complex psyche of the hero. Combining exploration, infiltration and fluid combat, it intelligently utilizes each of Batman's facets: detective, fighter and strategist. The polished graphics magnifies the dark and gothic universe of Gotham. The care given to Batman is also visible in the writing of the antagonists, starting with the Joker and the Scarecrow, who are portrayed with exemplary narrative richness.
#5 Batman: The Long Halloween, by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale (1996)
If Batman had already reconnected with his detective verve in the 1990s, Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale amplify this dimension of the character in the magnificent Batman: The Long Halloween. Published in 1996, this comic plunges the Dark Knight into a complex investigation and a very dark atmosphere. Launched on the trail of the Holiday Killer, who strikes every holiday, Batman will encounter many emblematic antagonists, such as the Joker and Poison Ivy. Jeph Loeb's precise writing and Tim Sale's beautiful art helped make Batman: The Long Halloween one of the most popular and influential Batman films. Director Matt Reeves cites it as one of his main inspirations for the excellent film The Batman (2022). It's worth noting that its sequel Bittersweet Victory (2002) - which deserved to be included in this selection - inspired the series The Penguin, produced by Matt Reeves!!
#4 Batman Returns, by Tim Burton (1992)
Continued Following the triumphant success of Batman in 1989, and after the hiatus of Edward Scissorhands (1990), the brilliant director Tim Burton agreed to return for a sequel on the condition that he had total creative control over the film. Released in 1992, Batman Returns did not have the same success as its predecessor. However, it has since been widely rehabilitated. Absolutely sumptuous from an artistic direction point of view, it is undoubtedly one of Tim Burton's greatest films. By putting Batman in the background to focus on Catwoman and The Penguin, the filmmaker creates both a beautiful Christmas movie and a great monster movie. Danny Elfman's sublime music highlights the beauty of a Gotham that has never been so gothic. Undoubtedly, Batman Returns is a unique work, which continues to haunt us long after its release. A masterpiece! #3 The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller (1986)
After brilliantly resurrecting the character of Daredevil for Marvel, the great American screenwriter Frank Miller takes on the character of Batman in The Dark Knight Returns, which he wrote and drew. In a dystopian Gotham beset by violence, an aging and disillusioned Bruce Wayne returns to service as Batman to put an end to the reign of the terrible Mutant Gang. He saves a young girl, Carrie Kelley, who will accompany him in his crusade against crime. In just four chapters, Frank Miller created a comic book that would revolutionize American comic book writing, a few months before the release of Alan Moore's Watchmen.With a violence and darkness rarely equaled in the Batman universe, The Dark Knight Returns was followed by two rather disappointing sequels: The Dark Knight Strikes Again and The Dark Knight: The Master Race.
#2 Batman: The Animated Series, by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm (1992)
Released in the wake of Timm's Batman Returns Burton's Batman: The Animated Series is arguably the most influential Batman audiovisual work on the perception of Gotham's Dark Knight. Heavily influenced by Film Noir, this 85-episode animated gem features an impressive cast of characters, capturing their essence while making them accessible to a younger audience. From Paul Dini's scripts to Bruce Timm's art direction, the voice cast (Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill), and the soundtrack (including a theme song composed by Danny Elfman), the Batman animated series is a pinnacle of the Dark Knight's career. The series continues to be a firm favourite with fans today, who are grateful for bringing in some completely original characters, including Harley Quinn.
#1 The Killing Joke, by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland (1988)
Published in 1988, The Killing Joke is a work of incredible narrative power. Written by legendary screenwriter Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Watchmen, From Hell), the story dissects the Joker's psyche and his relationship with Batman over the course of some forty pages. The Clown Prince of Crime has escaped from Arkham Asylum once again and created a theme park where he tortures Commissioner James Gordon to demonstrate that any man, after a single bad day, can descend into madness. Formidably effective, The Killing Joke is one of those works that haunts you long after you've discovered it. From the Joker's past to its open ending, from the quality of its writing to that of its drawings, everything contributes to making it a masterpiece.
Did you like this selection? Then don't hesitate to tell us your favorite Batman works in the comments section. And if you found this article interesting, we encourage you to discover the superhero movies and series you absolutely can't miss between now and 2027!
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