COMICS • COLLECTOR GUIDES
Created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, Batman debuted in 1939 as Bruce Wayne, a Gotham City vigilante who relies on training, detective work, technology and intimidation rather than super-powers. His screen history spans colourful adventure, gothic fantasy, grounded crime drama and modern shared-universe interpretations, making Batman one of DC’s most frequently reinvented film characters.
Start with the essential comics, follow the character through the movie library, then continue into related stories and live shop inventory.
Bruce Wayne witnesses the murder of his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne, as a child and dedicates his life to preventing others from suffering the same kind of loss. He trains his body and mind to exceptional levels, adopts the frightening symbol of a bat and becomes Gotham City's Batman, relying on detective work, preparation, technology and determination rather than superhuman powers.
Important comic-book milestones for the character and why each issue or story matters.
Major key · 1939Detective Comics #27Major key — first appearance of Batman.Read collector guide →
Major key · 1939Detective Comics #33Major key — first telling of Batman's origin.Read collector guide →
Major key · 1940Batman #1Major key — first Batman solo title; introduces Joker and Catwoman.Read collector guide →
Major key · 1987Batman #404Major key — beginning of Batman: Year One.Read collector guide →Additional source-material touchpoints from the movie guides below. Essential character keys already shown above are not repeated here.
Batman and Wonder Woman unite Earth’s heroes against Steppenwolf and Darkseid’s invasion. Its comic connection is a synthesis: familiar characters and ideas are combined into a new cinematic…
A second-year Batman hunts the Riddler through a conspiracy rooted in Gotham’s elite. Its comic connection is a synthesis: familiar characters and ideas are combined into a new…
Barry alters the past to save his mother and creates a collapsing alternate reality. Its closest comic relationship is loose flashpoint adaptation, with the feature reshaping that material…
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