Best Batman Comics For Beginners, Ranked

Summary

• Batman and Robin is a great starting point featuring the dynamic duo in an ongoing series.
• Batman: Year One provides a superb introduction to Batman’s origins and iconic villains.
• Batman/Superman: World’s Finest explores Batman’s role within the wider DC Universe.

Batman is an internationally recognized character with the duality of billionaire Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego, Batman, first appearing in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Seven decades later, and Batman is still one of the most popular superheroes of all-time, with a vast number of adaptations in TV, movies, and gaming. The character has become one of the most iconic to come from DC Comics, and his rogues’ gallery has gone on to match with legendary villains like the Joker, Two Face, and Ra’s Al-Ghul. Throughout this time, fans of Batman comics have been graced with some amazing storytelling and different art styles from comics involving the world’s greatest detective.

In 2025, there are multiple variations of the legendary hero within the comics with different comic runs to explore, from Batman and Robin to Batman/Superman: World’s Finest. With the abundance of different comics over the years, there are undoubtedly many different jumping-on points for new readers looking to get started on reading Batman comics. But what are the best Batman comics for beginners in 2025?

7

Batman And Robin

The First Issue Of The Currently Ongoing Batman And Robin Run

• The first issue was published in 2023 and is still ongoing
• Written by Josh Williamson and illustrated by Simeone Di Meo

For beginners looking to get involved in an ongoing Batman comic, Batman and Robin is an ongoing series featuring the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder written by Josh Williamson. The run comes as part of the Dawn of DC event, following the events of Knight Terrors, with Batman and Robin back together, ready to protect Gotham.

This is a strong place for beginners as the dynamic duo are back together and are set to tackle new adventures and existing villains that are ready to tear apart Gotham City. With the series still ongoing, this is one of the best places for beginners to start their journey in Batman Comics, as it will keep them up to date on the current adventures of the Caped Crusader.

6

Batman: Year One

The Story That Chronicles Batman’s Beginning Under The Cowl

• Released in 1987
• Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli

For beginners looking to explore Bruce Wayne’s origins, Batman: Year One is a superb place to start. The series, written by Frank Miller, chronicles Batman’s first year as Gotham’s protector, leading up to his first meeting and team-up with Jim Gordon.

Batman: Year One does an excellent job of introducing readers to not only Batman and his backstory, but also different villains, such as Carmine Falcone, while the climax teases the appearance of the Joker. If beginners are looking to get into Batman comics, Batman: Year One is one of the absolute best starts.

5

Batman And Robin: Year One

Telling The Story Of The Early Adventures Of Batman And Robin

• First published in 2024 and is still ongoing
• Written by Mark Wade & Chris Samnee and illustrated by Chris Samnee

For beginners looking to dive into another story that is still ongoing in 2025, look no further than Batman and Robin: Year One. Detailing the early adventures of the Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder, beginning shortly after the death of Dick Grayson’s parents, Batman and Robin: Year One gives a perfect introduction to the crime fighting duo.

Introducing the General as a new villain to enter Gotham and providing a great introduction to Two Face for beginners, this comic blends incredible visuals and excellent writing. For new readers looking for a place to start, Batman and Robin: Year One is an excellent run to start with and catch up on before its final release.

4

Batman: The Knight

Detailing The Origin Of The Dark Knight

• Released in 2022
• Written by Chip Zdarsky and illustrated by Carmine de Giandomenico

Batman’s origins have been told multiple times, but the weight and magnitude of Batman: The Knight make this modern retelling an absolutely incredible ten issue run. The story begins with Bruce Wayne undergoing therapy with Dr. Hugo Strange, and it details his first meetings with the Al-Ghul family in a brutal story.

For beginners looking to explore the origins of how Bruce Wayne became Batman, Batman: The Knight hits all the major story beats of his origins in just ten issues. This makes Batman: The Knight one of the best stories for beginners.

3

Detective Comics #1062

The Ongoing Series Begins With Batman Starting To Show His Age

• Began in 2016 and is still ongoing
• Written by Ram V. and illustrated by Eber Ferreira

Another ongoing series for beginners to dive into, Detective Comics started an incredible run in 2016 with writer Ram V. showing off an older, more grizzled Batman who is beginning to slow down. The early stories show Batman grappling with his own mortality and the existence of Gotham without him.

The art style is exceptional, and the internal monologue of Batman provides excellent character moments throughout the run. As a starting point for beginners, being introduced to a Batman that is slowing down and still trying to stop the criminals of Gotham shows new readers the key qualities of both Bruce Wayne and Batman — making Ram V.’s run a great starting point for the wider Detective Comics series.

2

Batman: The Killing Joke

The Origin Story Of The Joker

• Released in 1988
• Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland

The Joker is one of the most iconic villains in comic book history, and Batman: The Killing Joke dives into the backstory of The Joker. Over the course of Alan Moore’s story, readers see how the Joker came to be following a failed robbery that was thwarted by Batman, and they witness his vicious attack on Barbara Gordon that led her to becoming Oracle.

This one-shot graphic novel does a superb job of adding extra depth to The Joker and Batman, showing them as parallels to each other: Batman developing a sense of justice after his parents’ death, and The Joker embracing chaos and crime after the chemical accident that bleached his skin. For beginners looking to dive into a character study of both Batman and the Clown Prince of Crime, Batman: The Killing Joke is an excellent comic to start with.

1

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest

Exploring How Batman Fits Into The Wider DC Universe

• Released in 2022 and is still ongoing
• Written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Dan Mora

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest brings together two of DC’s most iconic heroes in Batman and Superman, as they work together to defeat threats that will destroy the world. Beginning with Superman being poisoned by Metallo, the story takes many twists and turns across its 35 issue run — with more still to come.

The reason for beginners to get involved in this story is that it shows how well respected Batman is within the DC Universe, and it shows how he interacts with other heroes and villains that are more powerful than him. With the story still ongoing, this is a perfect series for beginners looking to start reading Batman Comics.