The DCEU is getting a shakeup with James Gunn at the helm. Despite the main universe being reset, it seems that one-shots like The Batman get to continue their creative visions. Batman has always flourished in tightly written narratives, and The Batman was a peak example of that.
This has been true in the comics for a long time. Batman is a character with such a rich history of villains and stories that one-shots tend to work well for him. Some one-shots are so iconic that they’ve managed to transcend the quality of entire Batman arcs. From Christmas classics to psychological horror, these one-shots are the peak of what Batman stories can be.
Batman Noel
Batman: Noel follows Batman on one of his daily patrols across Gotham. Only this time, it’s the Christmas season. Unfortunately for Batman, crime doesn’t go on holiday. The death of Jason Todd has hardened the Caped Crusader, and his terrorizing of Bob becomes an instigator for his “ghosts” to arrive.
This tale is a unique take on the classic Christmas Carol formula. Batman being Scrooge works on several narrative levels. Both are rich recluses who’ve let their careers overtake their lives, pushing out everyone and everything they’ve ever loved along the way. Lee Bermejo’s beautiful art is also a major boon for readers.
Detective Comics #826 “Slayride”
In this standalone story, Tim Drake is seen running away from a gang of drug dealers when a passing car offers him an escape. Unfortunately, the driver seat happens to be occupied by the Clown Prince of Crime himself. After being knocked out and bound by Christmas lights, Robin is forced to be a passenger in a terrifying joyride.
This story is a fantastic character study for both Tim Drake and the Joker. Tim, being one of the more intellectual Robins, actually manages to draw a conversation out of the deranged psychopath. Tim is smart enough to know that Joker likes to play games, and Joker is delighted to have a Robin that’s willing to play along. Joker’s no honorable villain, but this issue is proof there’s a method to the madness.
Batman Ego
Batman Ego is a short psychological trip through the titular Batman’s mind. Batman goes through a mental episode wherein his “Bat” alter ego takes on a physical form. This “Bat” starts confronting the man behind the mask about the choices he’s made in his life. It’s Bruce reflecting if what he’s doing is worth the effort.
Batman Ego does something that’s rare to see for the Dark Knight. It shows him as vulnerable and fallible. People often worship the Bat, but many forget that there’s still a man underneath the mask. A man so broken that he’s decided fighting crime is the only way to make sense of his shattered life and family.
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth
Arkham Asylum has gained a more quaint reputation as of late. The institution’s revolving door of villains makes many writers consider the place more of a glorified prison. It’s sometimes easy to forget that it’s an asylum for the truly deranged. A Serious House on Serious Earth is a somber reminder of how terrifying the place can be.
The story follows Batman as he explores the depths of Arkham Asylum after its patients have taken over the building. The art, illustrated by Dave McKean, is unsettling in its macabre beauty. The story has an otherworldly quality to it, a fascinating way for the writer to convey the fractured psyches of the patients it holds within.
Batman Annual #4: From The Diary of Alfred Pennyworth
In this 2019 annual, the story follows the diary of Alfred Pennyworth and his many scribblings of Batman’s adventures. Alfred recalls various points of Bruce Wayne’s life from his eyes, from Batman’s Year One to his childhood. The story cleverly captures every facet of the Batman mythos. The good, the bad, and even the downright ridiculous.
Yet somehow, even the ridiculous parts just can’t help but feel so fitting with Batman. It didn’t matter that he was facing a dragon, smiling for charity, or raiding drug labs. All of this was just a day in the life of one of DC’s most iconic heroes, told from the perspective of his greatest ally. It’s pure Batman goodness.
Gotham by Gaslight
Leaving the modern conveniences of the 21st century, Gotham By Gaslight takes Batman to a gritty 1889. This Batman studied under Dr. Sigmund Freud and was personally trained by the original World’s Greatest Detective: Sherlock Holmes. The main story follows Batman on his vengeful quest to find out who Jack the Ripper truly is.
With the penciled stylings of Mike Mignola, Gotham by Gaslight takes Batman back to his pulp fiction roots. The roughshod style and storyline perfectly fit those old-timey stories, filled with intrigue and larger-than-life characters, while still being grounded in a dirty reality. Plus, it’s just cool to see “low-tech” versions of classic Batman gadgets and villains.
Batman Confidential #49
A great “boots on the ground” story for the Caped Crusader, Batman Confidential #49 follows Batman as he follows a 911 call to a woman whose husband was murdered. Tragically, Batman arrives too late and goes on the trail of clues to find the woman’s kidnapped daughter. Batman Confidential #49 is a great showcase of what Batman has to deal with daily.
There’s no supervillain to fight. No bombs to defuse. Not even a sidekick by his side. It’s a standard patrol dealing with an all-too-common murder case, and it shows how traumatic every day must be for Bruce. His stoicism isn’t just a character trait. It’s a necessity to do his duties every night.
Detective Comics #439 “Night of the Stalker”
In this issue, Batman grapples with past trauma as he sees a couple murdered by thugs, leaving behind an orphaned boy. With vengeful fury, he stalks the criminals who orphaned the little boy, picking them off one by one with terrifying efficiency. All without Batman saying a single word to the thugs.
While the narration of the time does lean towards “telling” instead of “showing”, the pulpiness of the writing and fantastic character insights make for a great reading experience. The art puts a lot of emphasis on body language and facial expressions, giving Batman’s usually stoic face a sense of real despair.
Batman Gotham Knights #32
A lot of critics of Batman often like to cite his massive wealth, and why he seemingly does nothing with it. As most comic fans know, that’s simply not true, and Batman Gotham Knights #32 is a fantastic showcase of one of Batman’s more “boring” days. It follows Bruce Wayne doing charity work during the day and his usual crime-fighting career at night.
A rare story where Bruce is seen smiling. The movies and most major comic book arcs focus on the villains who nearly break Batman. This issue showcases the reasons why Bruce Wayne/Batman continue their struggle. It’s because they love helping people. They love to see their efforts go towards the betterment of Gotham. This story is the rare occasion when Batman gets to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
The Killing Joke
It couldn’t have been anything else. While it’s subjective among fans which Batman one-shot is their favorite, nobody can deny that The Killing Joke is the most popular of them all. There’s a case to be made that The Killing Joke is Batman’s most famed story. An in-depth character study that gives the Joker a new facet of his character. A true moral test for both Gordon and Batman as well.
It’s perhaps the story that defined what many view the Joker as. He’s a murderous psychopath to be sure, but what makes him terrifying isn’t so much what he does. It’s the implication that anybody could become what he is. All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy.