BATMAN.
The Dark Knight. The Caped Crusader.
The World's Greatest Detective.
Bruce Wayne was orphaned as a child when his parents were gunned down during a violent mugging. After years of intense and tireless training away from Gotham City, he returned to enact vengeance on the rampant crime of his corrupt city as The BATMAN. By day he is billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne, keeping the cameras entertained with his wild endeavors. By night, he strikes fear into the hearts of Gotham's criminal underworld and the masked super villains who would attempt to bring the city to its knees.
Year One.
"Father, I Shall Become A Bat."
In 1987, a four-issue story arc written by the legendary Frank Miller, illustrated by the incredible David Mazucchelli,colored by the amazing Richmond Lewis, and lettered by the spectacular Todd Klein rewrote the Dark Knight's early crimefighting years in an inspirational, iconic classic about one man standing up to corruption in his city and becoming a symbol for Gotham against all odds. Fun Fact. Christopher Nolan took much inspiration from Miller's iconic tale for 2005's big screen comeback for the caped crusader Batman Begins.
Batman #404-407
THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS.
“In my gut the creature writhes and snarls and tells me what I need.”
In 1986, Frank Miller (sensing a pattern here?) along with jaw-dropping artist Klaus Janson, forged what many comic book fans consider to be the greatest Batman, even superhero, tale ever created in an unforgettable four-issue limited series. Bruce Wayne, aged 55, breaks his vow of retirement to be the Batman once again, up against a terrifying, bloodthirsty new gang of mutants who have taken the city hostage through utter terror. This epic included a new Robin for the caped crusader, his final encounters with aged nemeses, and a showdown with an American icon. Fun fact: Zack Snyder drew heavy inspiration (including actual lines of dialogue and moments of amazing action) from this legendary classic for Ben Affleck's interpretation of the Dark Knight in 2016's Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
The Dark Knight Returns #1-4
THE COURT OF OWLS.
"Beware The Court of Owls, that watches all the time, ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed speak not a whispered word of them or they'll send the Talon for your head.”
In 2011, the iconic dynamic duo creative team of writer Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo created one of the most sinister and haunting threats the Dark Knight has ever faced. One that has occupied his city for decades upon decades without his knowledge. This tale pushed Batman to his absolute limits as he tackled one of the creepiest cases of his crime-fighting career.