Top 5 Batman Graphic Novels

Batman is bigger than ever right now thanks to the blockbuster success of The Dark Knight, so where can new fans get started on the comics? The thousands of options out there might seem overwhelming, so here's five graphic novels that all feature the Caped Crusader and are well worth checking out.

The Dark Knight Returns
Not only one of the best Batman stories ever produced, but one of the best comic stories period. Frank Miller does a fantastic job of showing us a future where Gotham has become so overrun with crime that an aging Bruce Wayne must come out of retirement to help the city he had defended for years. The thing is Bruce does have much patience left and his new more brutal tactics are causing quite a stir. With the introduction of a new Robin, a run in with his old pal Superman, and some amazing artwork courtesy of Miller, this is a must read for any Batman fan.

Batman: The Killing Joke
With all the hype surrounding the upcoming Watchmen movie it should be noted that writer Alan Moore, like Frank Miller, has created one of the most well-known, and well-written Batman stories of all time with The Killing Joke. In this tale we are finally treated to a closer look at The Joker, a man who past, as well as motivations, have always been a mystery to Batman. Moore weaves a tale that presents the Joker's origin, while also blurring the line between mental stability and insanity. As the Joker attempts to drag Commissioner Gordon over to the side of mentally ill, Batman must question just how different he actually is from his greatest adversary.

The Long Halloween
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale have a long running creative relationship that has yielded some of comics best mini-series, and The Long Halloween is no exception. Set during Batman's first year on the streets, The Long Halloween tells the story of a killer who only strikes on holidays. While Batman struggles to piece together a number of clues so the killer cannot strike again, District Attorney Harvey Dent must decide what lines he is willing to cross for what he considers justice. The Long Halloween is a masterfully crafter noir tale that combines elements of classic mystery tales with complex characterization and of course classic Batman action.

Batman: Hush
Also written by Jeph Loeb (and illustrated by renowned artist Jim Lee) Hush is a twisted story of manipulation and desire. While it may seem that Batman is always in control, using the fear as a weapon in his war on crime, Hush shows what happens when someone finds a way to toy with Batman. While fighting villains like the brutal Killer Croc and the seductive Poison Ivy Batman soon discovers a shadowy figure is putting him to the test. As if that weren't enough cameos from Catwoman and the Man of Steel also make for a great read.

Batman: Arkham Asylum
Well we've already got a Miller and Moore story so why not one from one of comics other best writers, Grant Morrison. Morrison is know for twisting expectations and warping reality into deep and complex tales and Arkham Asylum is no different. When the inmates of Arkham take the institution over Batman is forced to face all of his greatest foes in order to save the lives of a number of hostages. As his battle rages on though, Batman begins to question his own sanity. Besides featuring Morrison's usual high-level storytelling, this book is also beautifully painted.