Batman Comics
Explore the comic history of Batman, from his first appearance to modern storylines.
Comic History
Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (cover-dated May 1939), created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, then headlined his own series Batman #1 in spring 1940. Since then, the Batman title has run in three volumes:
Volume 1
Spring 1940–Aug 2011
715 issues (plus specials and annuals)
Volume 2
Sep 2011–May 2016
57 issues (plus specials and annuals)
Volume 3
Jun 2016–present
152 issues as of Nov 2024 (plus one-shots, specials, and annuals)
Alongside Batman, his flagship partner title Detective Comics (1937–present) has published over 880 issues as of 2011, making it the longest-running U.S. comic book series.
Landmark Storylines
In the Modern Age, landmark storylines reshaped the Batman mythos:
Batman: Year One
1987Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: David Mazzucchelli
Miller & Mazzucchelli's origin reboot in Batman #404–407 that follows Bruce Wayne's return to Gotham City and his first year as Batman.
The Dark Knight Returns
1986Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: Frank Miller
Miller's four-issue miniseries that reinvented an older, grimmer Dark Knight. Set in a dystopian future, an aging Bruce Wayne returns to the role of Batman.
The Killing Joke
1988Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Brian Bolland
Moore & Bolland's one-shot exploring Joker and Gordon's darkest hour, including a possible origin story for the Clown Prince of Crime.
Hush
2002Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Jim Lee
Batman confronts a mysterious adversary named Hush who seems to know all his secrets while facing many of his greatest villains.
Court of Owls
2011Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
Batman discovers a secret society called the Court of Owls that has controlled Gotham City for centuries.
The Long Halloween
1996Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
Early in Batman's career, he hunts a serial killer known as Holiday who murders on holidays, one each month.
Major Relaunches
The New 52
2011DC rebooted all titles; Batman, Detective Comics, Batman and Robin, and The Dark Knight all relaunched with new #1s
DC Rebirth
2016Restored legacy numbering and launched Batman vol. 3, written by Tom King