The Dark Knight: Top 20 Best-Selling Batman Comics of All Time

Batman, the enigmatic Dark Knight, has been a fixture of the comic book world since his debut in Detective Comics #27 in 1939.

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With a rogues’ gallery of iconic villains and a rich mythology, Batman has consistently held the attention of readers and become a cultural phenomenon. In this article, we will share to you and together we will explore the top 20 best-selling Batman comics of all time, showcasing the remarkable stories that have defined Gotham City’s protector.

Top 20 Best-Selling Batman Comics of All Time

  1. Detective Comics #27 (1939) – The Birth of a Legend: Batman’s first appearance in Detective Comics #27 is a historic moment in comic book history and marks the inception of the Dark Knight’s legacy.
  2. Batman #1 (1940) – The Start of a Solo Series: Batman #1 marked the launch of Batman’s solo series and introduced readers to classic villains such as the Joker and Catwoman.
  3. The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986) – A Dark and Gritty Masterpiece: Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns revitalized Batman’s image and is a seminal work in the comic book medium.
  4. Batman: The Killing Joke (1988) – The Joker’s Origin: Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s graphic novel provides a dark and definitive origin story for Batman’s arch-nemesis, the Joker.
  5. Batman #404-407 (1987) – Batman: Year One: Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One reimagined Batman’s early years and his evolution into the Caped Crusader.
  6. Batman #608-619 (2002-2003) – Batman: Hush: Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee’s Batman: Hush storyline introduced a mysterious new villain and featured Batman’s iconic rogues’ gallery.
  7. Batman #251 (1973) – “The Joker’s Five-Way Revenge!”: Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams delivered a classic Joker tale in Batman #251, setting the tone for the Clown Prince of Crime’s modern interpretation.
  8. Detective Comics #359 (1967) – The Introduction of Batgirl: Barbara Gordon made her debut as Batgirl in Detective Comics #359, adding a formidable ally to Batman’s crusade.
  9. Batman #3 (1940) – The First Appearance of the Penguin: The Penguin, one of Batman’s most enduring adversaries, first appeared in Batman #3.
  10. Detective Comics #140 (1948) – The Riddler’s Debut: The enigmatic Riddler was introduced in Detective Comics #140, challenging Batman with mind-bending puzzles.
  11. Batman #181 (1966) – The First Appearance of Poison Ivy: Poison Ivy, the eco-terrorist with a deadly touch, made her debut in Batman #181.
  12. Batman: The Long Halloween (1996-1997) – A Year of Crime: Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s The Long Halloween is a gripping tale that explores Batman’s quest to apprehend a serial killer over the course of a year.
  13. Batman #47 (1948) – “The Origin of Batman”: Batman #47 delved into Batman’s origin story, providing readers with insights into the character’s tragic beginnings.
  14. Batman #1 (2011) – The New 52 Relaunch: The New 52 relaunch in 2011 began with Batman #1, featuring a fresh take on Batman’s adventures in a reimagined continuity.
  15. Batman #251 (1973) – “The Joker’s Five-Way Revenge!”: Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams delivered a classic Joker tale in Batman #251, setting the tone for the Clown Prince of Crime’s modern interpretation.
  16. Batman: A Death in the Family (1988) – Jason Todd’s Tragic Fate: In this storyline, readers had the power to decide the fate of Jason Todd, the second Robin, in a controversial telephone poll.
  17. Batman #497 (1993) – “Knightfall”: “Knightfall” began in Batman #497, depicting the brutal showdown between Batman and the villainous Bane.
  18. Batman #4 (1940) – The First Appearance of Clayface: Batman #4 introduced the shape-shifting villain known as Clayface to the Batman mythos.
  19. Batman #23 (2017) – “The Button” Crossover: “The Button” crossover storyline in Batman #23 explored the mysterious connection between Batman and the Flash’s respective pasts.
  20. Batman #251 (1973) – “The Joker’s Five-Way Revenge!”: Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams delivered a classic Joker tale in Batman #251, setting the tone for the Clown Prince of Crime’s modern interpretation.

The legacy of the Dark Knight

Batman’s legacy as the Dark Knight of Gotham City is etched in the annals of comic book history. These top 20 best-selling Batman comics represent the most iconic and influential moments in the Caped Crusader’s extensive career. Whether you’re a seasoned Batman fan or a newcomer to Gotham’s shadowy streets, these comics provide a thrilling journey through the world of the world’s greatest detective.

The Comic Collector
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An individual who has a strong interest in comic books and the culture surrounding them. Comic books are a form of printed or digital media that combines text and artworks that tell beautiful and interesting stories, often featuring characters with superhuman abilities and adventures. A comic fan, passionate about the medium and collect, read, discuss, and even create comic books.