Are you a fan of Batman Comics? If you are, welcome. If not, you are also welcome to find out more about this legendary DC Comics superhero!
By the end of this article my hope is that you will know much more about the Caped Crusader’s escapades through the four ages of comic book history.
- Golden Age (1939 – 1956)
- Silver Age (1956 – 1970)
- Bronze Age (1970 – 1985)
- Modern Age (1985 – Present Day)
Not only that, you will also have direct links to buy these timeless stories of The Dark Knight in the BEST formats available.
- Absolute Editions (Best of the best and largest format)
- Omnibus Editions (Also best of the best, usually more issues in a slightly smaller format)
- Deluxe Editions (Very similar to omnibus editions except the run does not have enough issues to be called an ‘omnibus’)
With that being said, this list of Batman comics for sale will be periodically updated as more of the best Batman comics are published.
Of course, DC Comics is the source for character facts.
However, here is a brief dossier before you take a look at some of the best Batman comics:
| Name: | Batman |
| AKA: | Dark Knight, Caped Crusader, Matches Malone |
| Alter Ego: | Bruce Wayne |
| Powers: | advanced martial artist, strategist, excellent detective, limitless funds, technology superiority |
| Ethos: | Brooding drive to fight crime after witnessing the death of his parents as a child |
| First Appearance: | Detective Comics #27 (1939) |
| Created By: | Bob Kane and Bill Finger |
Batman Comics List:
Golden Age (1939 – 1956):
| Volume | Batman Comics | Description | Premium Omnibus Edition |
| I |
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The stories that catapulted Batman to legendary status are collected here in a single, massive volume. The origin of the Dark Knight, as well as the debuts of Robin, Commissioner Gordon, Professor Hugo Strange, The Joker, Catwoman and more! BATMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 1 features the work of such luminaries as Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Gardner Fox, Jerry Robinson and more!
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| II |
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This second BATMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS includes dozens of stories from the early 1940s in which the Dynamic Duo battle evildoers including the Penguin, the Joker, Two-Face, the Scarecrow and many more. These tales were written and illustrated by such luminaries as Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Gardner Fox, Jerry Robinson and more! | |
| III |
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This third BATMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS includes dozens of stories from the early 1940s in which the Dynamic Duo battle evil-doers including the Penguin, the Joker, Two-Face and many more. These tales were written and illustrated by such luminaries as Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Gardner Fox, Jerry Robinson, and more. |    CHECK VOLUME 3 PRICE! |
| IV |
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As World War II comes to an end, Batman and Robin continue to fight crime on the streets of Gotham City and beyond. In these thrilling adventures, the Dynamic Duo battle old foes like the Penguin, the Cavalier and the Joker, while also meeting such classic characters as the Three Musketeers, Professor Moriarty and Santa Claus. All this, plus Alfred starts an amateur detective agency and Catwoman debuts an all-new costume. |   CHECK VOLUME 4 PRICE! |
| V |
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For Batman and Robin there are always more evildoers to fight! Duty calls as the Dynamic Duo defend Gotham City from iconic villains like The Joker, the Penguin and Catwoman, as well as from a motley assortment of crooks, thugs and gangsters of all stripes! And when everyday crime-fighting just isn’t enough, the Caped Crusaders’ adventures take them back in time to Camelot and Sherwood Forest, and even into outer space! All of this, plus the origin of the Batcave’s giant penny. |   CHECK VOLUME 5 PRICE! |
| VI |
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In these thrilling adventures, the Dynamic Duo defends Gotham City from iconic villains like The Joker, Catwoman and the Penguin, and uncovers the identity of Thomas and Martha Wayne’s killer! And when everyday crime-fighting just isn’t enough, the Caped Crusaders’ adventures take them back in time to meet Marco Polo and Leonardo da Vinci, and even into the Viking Age! All this, plus the first appearances of the Riddler and the Mad Hatter. |   CHECK VOLUME 6 PRICE! |
| VII |
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In these thrilling adventures, the Dynamic Duo defends Gotham City from iconic villains like The Joker, Catwoman and the Penguin, and uncovers the identity of the Red Hood and the origin of The Joker! And when everyday crime-fighting just isn’t enough, the Caped Crusaders’ adventures take them back in time to meet Cleopatra and even into the future to meet a descendant of The Joker! All this, plus the first appearances of Deadshot and Killer Moth. |  CHECK VOLUME 7 PRICE! |
| VIII |
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The Dynamic Duo defends Gotham City from iconic villains like the Joker, Two-Face, and Catwoman–and faces off against new foes like the Human Magnet, Mr. Hydro, the Gorilla Boss, the Masked Mystic, and Selina Kyle’s brother, the King of the Cats! |   CHECK VOLUME 8 PRICE! |
| IX |
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These stories from the early 1950s feature alternate versions of the Caped Crusader, as well as Batman’s foes The Joker, Two-Face, the Penguin, and Catwoman. Along the way, the Dynamic Duo travel back in time to meet “The Batman of Yesterday,” and encounter another Batman in modern-day Gotham City. Plus, Batman joins the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Catwoman stalks a beauty pageant, The Joker directs his own movie crimes, and more. |   CHECK VOLUME 9 PRICE! |
Silver Age (1956 – 1970):
| Volume | Batman Comics | Description | Premium Omnibus Edition |
| I |
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They had been fighting crime separately for years, but it wasn’t until the historic SUPERMAN #76 in 1952 that Superman, the Man of Steel, finally teamed up with Batman himself. That story proved so popular that the two quickly became the main feature in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS—and the greatest friendship in comics was born. Their adventures together would feature heroes and villains such as Robin, Batwoman, Lex Luthor, Bat-Mite, Mr. Mxyzptlk, and more alien threats than might seem possible. |   CHECK VOLUME 1 PRICE! |
| II |
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The world’s greatest superheroes–Superman and Batman–teamed up for these tales from the mid-1950s and early 1960s, which include their battles with villains including Lex Luthor, Clayface, Brainiac, Bizarro, Bat-Mite, Mr. Mxyzptlk and many others |  CHECK VOLUME 2 PRICE! |
Bronze Age (1970 – 1985):
| Volume | Batman Comics | Description | Premium Omnibus Edition |
| I |
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The late ’60s marked the height of Batmania, when fans of the television series and the comic books couldn’t get enough of the Caped Crusader. His appearances on covers meant higher sales, so it was decreed Batman would take up permanent residence in THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD. His courage was never questioned, and he fearlessly teamed up with the most daring partners from across the DC Universe at a time when such crossovers were rare. | |
| II |
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Back in the ’70s, The Brave and the Bold famously paired Batman with a wild array of partners. Metamorpho, Swamp Thing, Supergirl, Mister Miracle, Kamandi and The Joker (among others) all showed up to take their turns in the spotlight. These stories, mostly written by Bob Haney and drawn by the incomparable Jim Aparo, represent Batman in all his Bronze Age glory. | |
| NA |
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Neal Adams is considered one of the greatest Batman artists of all-time, and one of comics’ most influential illustrators. Now, DC Comics has collected all three volumes of the Batman: Illustrated by Neal Adams series together with Adams’ critically acclaimed series Batman: Odyssey in one hardcover omnibus. |
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Modern Age (1985 – Present Day):
| Volume | Batman Comics | Description | Premium Omnibus, Deluxe, and Absolute Editions |
| *Essential Batman I |
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One of the most popular and influential graphic novels in the history of American comics. By turns brutal, tender, grim and hopeful, Miller and Mazzucchelli’s masterful reimagination of Bruce Wayne’s first year as Gotham City’s champion has electrified generations of readers with its unprecedented fusion of gritty realism and elegance of form. |   CHECK VOLUME PRICE! |
| *Essential Batman II |
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The Eisner Award-winning team of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale created some of the most memorable and important Batman stories of all time. Now, for the first time ever, their complete works on the Dark Knight are collected together in one definitive omnibus edition. |  CHECK VOLUME PRICE! |
| *Essential Batman III |
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Critically acclaimed author Alan Moore redefined graphic novel story-telling with Watchmen and V for Vendetta. In Batman: The Killing Joke, he takes on the origin of comics’ greatest super-villain, The Joker, and changes Batman’s world forever. |   CHECK VOLUME PRICE! |
| *Essential Batman IV |
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In a dark dystopian future, Gotham City has descended into lawlessness in the ten years since the Dark Knight retired. When his city cries out for help, Batman returns to save the city he had dedicated his life to protecting. Joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenaged female Robin, Batman takes to the streets to end the threat of the mutant gangs that have overrun the city. And after facing off against his two greatest enemies, the Joker and Two-Face, for the final time, Batman finds himself in mortal combat with his former ally, Superman, in a battle that only one of them will survive. |
  CHECK VOLUME PRICE! |
| I |
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The Joker, Two-Face, the Mad Hatter, the Riddler, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Firefly and Zsasz—one by one, Batman must face them in mortal combat. But lurking at the end of this seemingly endless gauntlet is the deadliest menace of all—a mysterious man-mountain known as Bane! Will Bane break the Bat, or will the Dark Knight be able to save Gotham City from the newest reign of terror to hit its streets? |  CHECK VOLUME 1 PRICE! |
| II |
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A new Batman’s deadly crusade against the criminals of Gotham City begins! Bruce Wayne, battle-broken and out of commission after his epic showdown with Gotham’s famous villain Bane, has appointed a new Dark Knight to keep the bad guys at bay. Jean-Paul Valley (a.k.a. Azrael) has assumed the role of the caped crusader, but without Bruce’s integrity as a calming influence, Jean-Paul is swiftly getting out of hand, alienating both Robin and Commissioner Gordon. |   CHECK VOLUME 2 PRICE! |
| NA |
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The year-long “Hush” — an epic tale of friendship, trust, and betrayal that spans a lifetime — reinvigorated the Dark Knight, pitting him against the deadliest members of his Rogue’s Gallery and introducing his newest foe! This Absolute edition includes an all-new cover by Lee and Williams, a Jim Lee Sketchbook, and issue-by-issue commentary by the creative team! |   CHECK VOLUME PRICE! |
| I | BATMAN #0-33, #23 BATMAN ANNUAL #1-2 |
In this first of two omnibus collections, acclaimed storytellers Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo introduce the Caped Crusader to the Court of Owls, terrorize the whole Bat-Family with the Joker’s faceless return in Death of the Family and retell Batman’s origin for a new generation during the pivotal Zero Year! With inks by Jonathan Glapion and Danny Miki and guest appearances by James Tynion IV, Rafael Albuquerque, Becky Cloonan, Andy Kubert, Andy Clarke, Jason Fabok, Jock and more. |   CHECK VOLUME PRICE! |
| I |
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Now collecting the entirety of this epic saga, this first of three omnibus collections introduces Batman to his son, Damian Wayne, and takes the Caped Crusader from the brink of death to the edge of madness. These blockbuster stories, including the now-classic Batman & Son, Batman: The Black Glove and Batman R.I.P., feature a deconstruction of superhero comics like no other, with a challenging, thought-provoking take on the man behind the cowl. |   CHECK VOLUME 1 PRICE! |
| II |
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Grant Morrison’s plunges the Dark Knight into his wildest adventure yet. Batman has proven he can win no matter the odds, but what happens when his opponent is death itself? Now collecting the entirety of this epic saga, this second of three omnibus editions finds Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne donning the mantle of Batman and Robin, and Bruce Wayne embarking on an extraordinary journey through time. These blockbuster stories feature a deconstruction of superhero comics like no other, with a challenging, thought-provoking take on the man behind the cowl. |   CHECK VOLUME 2 PRICE! |
| III |
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Morrison continues his earth-shattering run on the Batman titles with this exciting series illustrated by hot artist Yanick Paquette who features the next stage of evolution of the Dark Knight. Bruce Wayne publicly announces that he is the financial backer of Batman and establishes a worldwide franchise of Batman that will protect the entire globe. This is the beginning of a stunning direction for the World’s Greatest Detective that will team him with Catwoman, Batwoman and Batman on international crime-fighting missions against villans like Lord Death Man in Japan, Argentina, and other parts of South America. |   CHECK VOLUME 3 PRICE! |
*Essential Batman indicates ComicsTrove recommended reading in the specified order
Batman Comics: The Ultimate Guide
You just read a brief history of the the Caped Crusader as well as his unending quest to fight crime throughout the ages of DC Comics.
In case you are wondering about Batman comics where to start? I highly recommend you start by purchasing the volumes I’ve noted as ‘Essential Batman’ from the modern era.
Just because these Batman comics are from the modern era does not mean you have to go back and read all nine volumes from the golden era in order to understand The Dark Knight.
For example, Batman Year One is THE BEST starting point for gaining an understanding of Batman’s early years.
That foundational story arc segway’s perfectly into the Batman Omnibus by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale run.
Many of these premium format editions sale out fast. Are there any you have had trouble adding to your collection?
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Ultimate Guide of Batman comics collected editions. Feel free to comment below or share with others.
Happy Reading!
