Explore stories, heroes, and adventures.

Batman: The Long Halloween

A mob boss, Carmine Falcone, tries to control Gotham, but Batman, Harvey Dent, and Jim Gordon team up to stop him. A mysterious killer called “Holiday” begins murdering people on holidays, sparking a gang war between crime families. As events unfold, Harvey Dent is disfigured and becomes Two-Face, eventually killing Falcone. The Holiday killer is revealed to be Alberto Falcone, though it’s hinted there were actually multiple killers—possibly including Dent and his wife Gilda, who secretly started the murders.

Batman: Hush

In the Batman: Hush storyline, Batman survives a near-fatal encounter with Killer Croc and uncovers a complex conspiracy manipulating many of his enemies, including Poison Ivy, who uses mind control on Catwoman and even Superman before being stopped. As Batman and Catwoman grow closer—leading him to reveal his identity—tragedy strikes when his friend Thomas Elliot is seemingly murdered, pushing Batman toward brutality. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure called Hush orchestrates events from the shadows, involving figures like Ra's al Ghul and exploiting Batman’s past, including the apparent return of Jason Todd (later revealed as a deception by Clayface). The mastermind is ultimately exposed as Elliot, harboring a lifelong grudge against the Wayne family, though he is seemingly killed before confirmation. In a final twist, Riddler is revealed as the true architect who deduced Batman’s identity using a Lazarus Pit and manipulated Elliot into enacting the plot. Though Batman thwarts the scheme, lingering mysteries—especially about Jason Todd—and his inability to fully trust Catwoman leave him emotionally unresolved as their relationship ends.

Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

The story begins with the apparent death of Batman. Friends, allies, and enemies gather at a strange funeral in Gotham City to share stories about his life and death. However, every version of Batman’s final days is different and often contradictory. Catwoman claims Batman died after she chose not to save him, while Alfred Pennyworth tells a bizarre story in which he secretly created many of Batman’s villains to help Bruce Wayne cope psychologically. Other mourners also describe alternate versions of Batman’s end, making it clear that none of the stories are fully real. As these eulogies continue, Batman’s spirit watches over the funeral and slowly realizes he is experiencing a metaphysical near-death state rather than an actual funeral. Eventually, he meets his mother, Martha Wayne, who explains that Batman’s life is an endless cycle of struggle, sacrifice, and rebirth. Bruce finally accepts that he can never truly stop being Batman. The story ends with his symbolic rebirth: Bruce is born again to Martha and Thomas Wayne, suggesting that Batman’s mission and identity will continue forever in different forms and stories.

Superman: All-Star Superman

In a flashback, Clark Kent spends time with his father, Jonathan Kent, at the Kent farm and later plays in space with Krypto. While visiting friends Lana Lang and Pete Ross, Clark discovers that mysterious visitors have arrived from the future. One of them, Kal Kent, explains that he is a descendant of Superman and part of the Superman Squad, which is hunting a time-eating creature called the Chronovore. During the battle, the Chronovore steals three minutes from Superman's life—coincidentally the exact three minutes during which Jonathan Kent dies. Unable to save his father despite all his powers, Clark mourns at Jonathan's funeral. Before departing, the future Supermen are joined by Superman Prime, who gives Superman an indestructible flower from New Krypton, ending the story on a bittersweet note about loss and legacy.

Batman: Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 1

The story opens with the Joker attacking Commissioner James Gordon and seemingly capturing Batman. However, the “Batman” Joker brutalizes turns out to be a mentally unstable ex-cop impersonating Batman. The impostor shoots Joker in the face before the real Batman arrives, rescues Joker, and takes the fake Batman into custody. Gotham begins spreading rumors that Batman himself finally snapped and shot Joker, which Bruce quietly allows because it frightens criminals. Back at Wayne Manor, Bruce appears exhausted and increasingly consumed by his role as Batman. Alfred Pennyworth notices Bruce barely acts like Bruce Wayne anymore, even speaking constantly in his Batman voice. Tim Drake encourages Bruce to relax and reconnect with his public billionaire persona. Meanwhile, Talia al Ghul and the League of Assassins kidnap scientist Kirk Langstrom’s wife and force him to hand over the Man-Bat serum. Talia is accompanied by a young boy who immediately recognizes Bruce Wayne as his father, hinting at a hidden connection to Bruce’s past. Bruce travels to London for a charity gala, attempting to revive his carefree playboy image with Alfred’s coaching. However, Talia secretly watches him with her son while preparing an army of Man-Bat Commandos, setting the stage for a confrontation involving Batman’s unknown child and the League of Assassins.

Batman: Dark Victory

Several months after the Holiday killer is exposed as Alberto Falcone, Gotham faces a new string of murders by a killer dubbed the Hangman, who targets corrupt officials connected to Harvey Dent’s rise. Batman, increasingly isolated and blaming himself for Dent’s transformation, investigates while suspicion falls heavily on Dent, who has disappeared and appears to be unraveling further. As bodies pile up and clues point toward Dent, it’s revealed he is conducting his own violent investigation, while Janice Porter, the new district attorney and Dent’s secret lover, becomes entangled and is ultimately killed. Meanwhile, Alberto is manipulated into believing he is responsible, and chaos spreads through Gotham with involvement from villains like the Joker and Scarecrow. In the end, the true Hangman killer is revealed to be Sofia Gigante, who orchestrated the murders to frame Dent and eliminate those tied to his career. Amid the turmoil, Batman takes in Dick Grayson as Robin, marking the beginning of a new partnership, while Dent seemingly dies after being shot, and the Falcone family collapses from within.

Batman: Death of The Family

The Joker returns to Gotham with a brutal assault on the GCPD, reclaiming his preserved face and killing numerous officers before announcing a plan to murder Mayor Hady, though the mayor survives a chemical attack. Batman traces clues to ACE Chemicals, where he encounters Harley Quinn disguised as the Red Hood and learns Joker has changed. As Joker escalates his campaign, he kidnaps Alfred, targets Commissioner Gordon, and reenacts past crimes while revealing his intent to destroy Batman by eliminating his allies, claiming knowledge of their identities. Despite multiple confrontations, Joker repeatedly evades capture, manipulating and psychologically tormenting Batman and the Bat-Family, even orchestrating a deadly “dinner” trap in the caves beneath the Batcave. Batman ultimately thwarts Joker’s plan and rescues his allies, discovering Joker never truly knew their identities and does not care who Batman is beneath the mask. The ordeal fractures trust within the Bat-Family, leaving Batman isolated as he reflects on Joker’s obsession and the lingering threat he poses.

Batman: The Black Mirror

Dick investigates a series of disturbing crimes tied to Gotham’s black market for supervillain artifacts, known as the Mirror House. Criminals are using dangerous toxins and experimental technology linked to Gotham’s villains, causing horrific mutations and murders throughout the city. While investigating, Dick battles criminals such as Tiger Shark and uncovers corruption tied to Gotham’s elite and organized crime. At the same time, Commissioner James Gordon struggles with the return of his estranged son, James Gordon Jr.. Although James claims he has recovered from his psychopathic tendencies through medication and therapy, both Gordon and Barbara Gordon become increasingly suspicious of him. Flashbacks reveal James Jr.’s disturbing behavior as a child, including implied involvement in disappearances and murders. Eventually, Barbara discovers that James has secretly altered his medication into a compound designed to remove empathy and turn people into psychopaths. James Jr. reveals his hatred of human emotion and kidnaps Barbara, intending to kill her. Dick, as Batman, rescues her after tracking James with a hidden tracer, while Commissioner Gordon finally accepts the truth about his son and arrests him. The story ends with Gotham recovering from the chaos, while Dick and Gordon reflect on the darkness within the city and the difficulty of protecting it.

Batman: Knightfall

In Broken Bat, Bane engineers a mass breakout at Arkham Asylum to systematically wear Batman down by forcing him to confront a relentless wave of escaped villains, including Joker and Scarecrow. As Batman becomes increasingly exhausted, Bane discovers his identity as Bruce Wayne and ultimately confronts him at Wayne Manor, defeating him and breaking his back, leaving Gotham under Bane’s control. With Bruce incapacitated, Jean-Paul Valley (Azrael) takes up the mantle of Batman instead of Dick Grayson, leading to tension within the Bat-Family. Although initially successful, Jean-Paul becomes unstable due to his conditioning and exposure to fear toxin, growing more violent and unhinged. He eventually defeats Bane but continues to descend into paranoia and brutality, marking a dangerous era for Gotham under a darker Batman.

The Dark Knight Returns

If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre, then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known also for his excellent Sin City series and his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the top contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics and Miller set himself a tough task taking on the camp crusader and turning this laughable, innocuous children's cartoon character into a hero for our times. The great Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, the arguably peerless Watchmen) argued that only someone of Miller's stature could have done this. Batman is a character known well beyond the confines of the comic world (as are his retinue) and so reinventing him, while keeping his limiting core essentials intact, was a huge task.Miller went far beyond the call of duty. The Dark Knight is a success on every level.

Batman: The Long Halloween

A mob boss, Carmine Falcone, tries to control Gotham, but Batman, Harvey Dent, and Jim Gordon team up to stop him. A mysterious killer called “Holiday” begins murdering people on holidays, sparking a gang war between crime families. As events unfold, Harvey Dent is disfigured and becomes Two-Face, eventually killing Falcone. The Holiday killer is revealed to be Alberto Falcone, though it’s hinted there were actually multiple killers—possibly including Dent and his wife Gilda, who secretly started the murders.

Batman: Hush

In the Batman: Hush storyline, Batman survives a near-fatal encounter with Killer Croc and uncovers a complex conspiracy manipulating many of his enemies, including Poison Ivy, who uses mind control on Catwoman and even Superman before being stopped. As Batman and Catwoman grow closer—leading him to reveal his identity—tragedy strikes when his friend Thomas Elliot is seemingly murdered, pushing Batman toward brutality. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure called Hush orchestrates events from the shadows, involving figures like Ra's al Ghul and exploiting Batman’s past, including the apparent return of Jason Todd (later revealed as a deception by Clayface). The mastermind is ultimately exposed as Elliot, harboring a lifelong grudge against the Wayne family, though he is seemingly killed before confirmation. In a final twist, Riddler is revealed as the true architect who deduced Batman’s identity using a Lazarus Pit and manipulated Elliot into enacting the plot. Though Batman thwarts the scheme, lingering mysteries—especially about Jason Todd—and his inability to fully trust Catwoman leave him emotionally unresolved as their relationship ends.

Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

The story begins with the apparent death of Batman. Friends, allies, and enemies gather at a strange funeral in Gotham City to share stories about his life and death. However, every version of Batman’s final days is different and often contradictory. Catwoman claims Batman died after she chose not to save him, while Alfred Pennyworth tells a bizarre story in which he secretly created many of Batman’s villains to help Bruce Wayne cope psychologically. Other mourners also describe alternate versions of Batman’s end, making it clear that none of the stories are fully real. As these eulogies continue, Batman’s spirit watches over the funeral and slowly realizes he is experiencing a metaphysical near-death state rather than an actual funeral. Eventually, he meets his mother, Martha Wayne, who explains that Batman’s life is an endless cycle of struggle, sacrifice, and rebirth. Bruce finally accepts that he can never truly stop being Batman. The story ends with his symbolic rebirth: Bruce is born again to Martha and Thomas Wayne, suggesting that Batman’s mission and identity will continue forever in different forms and stories.

Superman: All-Star Superman

In a flashback, Clark Kent spends time with his father, Jonathan Kent, at the Kent farm and later plays in space with Krypto. While visiting friends Lana Lang and Pete Ross, Clark discovers that mysterious visitors have arrived from the future. One of them, Kal Kent, explains that he is a descendant of Superman and part of the Superman Squad, which is hunting a time-eating creature called the Chronovore. During the battle, the Chronovore steals three minutes from Superman's life—coincidentally the exact three minutes during which Jonathan Kent dies. Unable to save his father despite all his powers, Clark mourns at Jonathan's funeral. Before departing, the future Supermen are joined by Superman Prime, who gives Superman an indestructible flower from New Krypton, ending the story on a bittersweet note about loss and legacy.

Batman: Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 1

The story opens with the Joker attacking Commissioner James Gordon and seemingly capturing Batman. However, the “Batman” Joker brutalizes turns out to be a mentally unstable ex-cop impersonating Batman. The impostor shoots Joker in the face before the real Batman arrives, rescues Joker, and takes the fake Batman into custody. Gotham begins spreading rumors that Batman himself finally snapped and shot Joker, which Bruce quietly allows because it frightens criminals. Back at Wayne Manor, Bruce appears exhausted and increasingly consumed by his role as Batman. Alfred Pennyworth notices Bruce barely acts like Bruce Wayne anymore, even speaking constantly in his Batman voice. Tim Drake encourages Bruce to relax and reconnect with his public billionaire persona. Meanwhile, Talia al Ghul and the League of Assassins kidnap scientist Kirk Langstrom’s wife and force him to hand over the Man-Bat serum. Talia is accompanied by a young boy who immediately recognizes Bruce Wayne as his father, hinting at a hidden connection to Bruce’s past. Bruce travels to London for a charity gala, attempting to revive his carefree playboy image with Alfred’s coaching. However, Talia secretly watches him with her son while preparing an army of Man-Bat Commandos, setting the stage for a confrontation involving Batman’s unknown child and the League of Assassins.

Batman: Dark Victory

Several months after the Holiday killer is exposed as Alberto Falcone, Gotham faces a new string of murders by a killer dubbed the Hangman, who targets corrupt officials connected to Harvey Dent’s rise. Batman, increasingly isolated and blaming himself for Dent’s transformation, investigates while suspicion falls heavily on Dent, who has disappeared and appears to be unraveling further. As bodies pile up and clues point toward Dent, it’s revealed he is conducting his own violent investigation, while Janice Porter, the new district attorney and Dent’s secret lover, becomes entangled and is ultimately killed. Meanwhile, Alberto is manipulated into believing he is responsible, and chaos spreads through Gotham with involvement from villains like the Joker and Scarecrow. In the end, the true Hangman killer is revealed to be Sofia Gigante, who orchestrated the murders to frame Dent and eliminate those tied to his career. Amid the turmoil, Batman takes in Dick Grayson as Robin, marking the beginning of a new partnership, while Dent seemingly dies after being shot, and the Falcone family collapses from within.

Batman: Death of The Family

The Joker returns to Gotham with a brutal assault on the GCPD, reclaiming his preserved face and killing numerous officers before announcing a plan to murder Mayor Hady, though the mayor survives a chemical attack. Batman traces clues to ACE Chemicals, where he encounters Harley Quinn disguised as the Red Hood and learns Joker has changed. As Joker escalates his campaign, he kidnaps Alfred, targets Commissioner Gordon, and reenacts past crimes while revealing his intent to destroy Batman by eliminating his allies, claiming knowledge of their identities. Despite multiple confrontations, Joker repeatedly evades capture, manipulating and psychologically tormenting Batman and the Bat-Family, even orchestrating a deadly “dinner” trap in the caves beneath the Batcave. Batman ultimately thwarts Joker’s plan and rescues his allies, discovering Joker never truly knew their identities and does not care who Batman is beneath the mask. The ordeal fractures trust within the Bat-Family, leaving Batman isolated as he reflects on Joker’s obsession and the lingering threat he poses.

Batman: The Black Mirror

Dick investigates a series of disturbing crimes tied to Gotham’s black market for supervillain artifacts, known as the Mirror House. Criminals are using dangerous toxins and experimental technology linked to Gotham’s villains, causing horrific mutations and murders throughout the city. While investigating, Dick battles criminals such as Tiger Shark and uncovers corruption tied to Gotham’s elite and organized crime. At the same time, Commissioner James Gordon struggles with the return of his estranged son, James Gordon Jr.. Although James claims he has recovered from his psychopathic tendencies through medication and therapy, both Gordon and Barbara Gordon become increasingly suspicious of him. Flashbacks reveal James Jr.’s disturbing behavior as a child, including implied involvement in disappearances and murders. Eventually, Barbara discovers that James has secretly altered his medication into a compound designed to remove empathy and turn people into psychopaths. James Jr. reveals his hatred of human emotion and kidnaps Barbara, intending to kill her. Dick, as Batman, rescues her after tracking James with a hidden tracer, while Commissioner Gordon finally accepts the truth about his son and arrests him. The story ends with Gotham recovering from the chaos, while Dick and Gordon reflect on the darkness within the city and the difficulty of protecting it.

Batman: Knightfall

In Broken Bat, Bane engineers a mass breakout at Arkham Asylum to systematically wear Batman down by forcing him to confront a relentless wave of escaped villains, including Joker and Scarecrow. As Batman becomes increasingly exhausted, Bane discovers his identity as Bruce Wayne and ultimately confronts him at Wayne Manor, defeating him and breaking his back, leaving Gotham under Bane’s control. With Bruce incapacitated, Jean-Paul Valley (Azrael) takes up the mantle of Batman instead of Dick Grayson, leading to tension within the Bat-Family. Although initially successful, Jean-Paul becomes unstable due to his conditioning and exposure to fear toxin, growing more violent and unhinged. He eventually defeats Bane but continues to descend into paranoia and brutality, marking a dangerous era for Gotham under a darker Batman.

The Dark Knight Returns

If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre, then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known also for his excellent Sin City series and his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the top contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics and Miller set himself a tough task taking on the camp crusader and turning this laughable, innocuous children's cartoon character into a hero for our times. The great Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, the arguably peerless Watchmen) argued that only someone of Miller's stature could have done this. Batman is a character known well beyond the confines of the comic world (as are his retinue) and so reinventing him, while keeping his limiting core essentials intact, was a huge task.Miller went far beyond the call of duty. The Dark Knight is a success on every level.