What are the must-read Batman stories?

One must - read Batman story is 'The Killing Joke'. It delves deep into the relationship between Batman and the Joker. It's a dark and psychological exploration that shows the complex nature of their rivalry.

One of the must - read stories is 'The Dark Knight Returns'. It shows an older Batman coming out of retirement in a dystopian Gotham. Another great one is 'Year One' which details Batman's early days and his relationship with Commissioner Gordon.

Definitely check out the story where Clayface teams up with other villains against Batman. It shows his role in the criminal underworld of Gotham. Also, the story that focuses on Clayface's attempts to get revenge on the people who made him what he is. It's a dark and engaging tale that shows his motives and his powers in action. In addition, there's a story where Batman has to use his wits to outsmart Clayface's disguises, which is really exciting.

Well, 'The Long Halloween' is a great start. It's a murder mystery that involves many of Batman's rogues gallery. It has a great plot and really shows Batman's detective skills.

For new fans, 'Black Mask: Year One' is a great start. It tells how he came to be, his backstory is really interesting. It gives you an idea of what makes him tick. Another one is the story where he first clashes with Batman. It's a classic good - vs - evil encounter that shows the basics of their relationship.

Another great one is 'Batman: Eternal'. It's a long - running story that involves a lot of different characters and plotlines. It really showcases the complexity of Gotham and Batman's role in it.

There are quite a few great ones. 'Soulbound' is a popular one where their connection is explored on a deeper, almost spiritual level. It shows how their different ideologies can complement each other in a soulmate relationship.

One of the top stories is 'The Dark Knight Returns'. In this, an older Batman comes out of retirement in a gritty, dystopian Gotham. His return also brings him into conflict with Superman, who is sort of a government - controlled enforcer at that point. It's a great exploration of their ideologies and a very different take on the characters compared to the more traditional portrayals.

Some essential Batman graphic novels include 'The Dark Knight Returns' by Frank Miller. It's a classic that redefined Batman in a darker, more gritty way. Another is 'Batman: Year One' which delves into Batman's origin story in a really engaging manner. And 'Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth' which is a psychological exploration of Batman's world.

Some of the must - read Batman non - graphic novels include 'Batman: The Long Halloween' which has an exciting mystery plot. 'Batman: Dark Victory' is also important as it builds on the story of 'The Long Halloween'. And 'Batman: No Man's Land' in novel form is great for seeing Batman's determination to save Gotham in a dire situation.