DC Comics’de facto flagship superhero, Batman, has dominated the company’s sales for decades, especially when he clashes with his arch-nemesis, the Joker. For many readers, there’s some debate about whether the villain is even the best choice for the Caped Crusader’s true match, with characters like Bane and Ra’s al Ghul challenging him more directly. All the hero’s best adversaries have their own gimmicks, and these only serve to enrich the comic book history of Bruce Wayne.
With the Joker stealing the limelight from other villains so often, even in their own stories, it’s worth highlighting some tales where the Clown Prince of Crime doesn’t appear at all. Ranging from the epic introductions of new villains to character-defining stories of established rogues, some of Batman’s greatest adventures simply don’t feature his arch-nemesis. For all the classic Dark Knight stories that showcase the killer clown, other villains deserve some attention – and these stories show how great the rest of the rogues gallery is.
10Batman vs Bigby: A Wolf In Gotham
Bill Willingham, Brian Level and Jay Leisten
Created for hisFablesuniverse, Bill Willingham’s signature hero, Bigby, is best-known as the sheriff of Fabletown. InBatman vs Bigby, the former Big Bad Wolf is forced to make his way to Gotham to recover a stolen magic book from a villain known as Bookworm. However, when his arrival coincides with a slew of grizzly murders, Batman mistakenly blames the wolf, leading to a fight.
Batman vs Bigbyoffers readers a fun blend of the grim world of Gotham and the fairytale world ofFables, bringing together two brilliant heroes for a grudge match. The six-issue miniseries can work as a great entry point for readers into Fabletown, or a fun Dark Knight team-up adventure – one that doesn’t rely on Joker one bit.
9Dark Knight, Dark City
Peter Milligan, Kieron Dwyer and Dennis Janke
Batman is no strange to horror and the supernatural, something that has been a running theme under writers like Ram V and Alan Grant. One of the hero’s best forays into dark horror came in “Dark Knight, Dark City,” a story that follows Batman’s pursuit of the Riddler, who manipulates the hero into participating in a ritual to summon a terrifying Bat-demon, Barbatos.
“Dark Knight, Dark City” blends mystery with supernatural horror, ultimately paving the way for one of DC’s best “big bad” villains of recent years, Barbatos. With an air of Lovecraftian horror to it, the story hints at Gotham’s status as a city haunted by the lingering effects of a demonic ritual – something that leaves Batman reeling from the experience.
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8Cold Dark World
Peter J. Tomasi, Doug Mahnke, Jose Luis, Christian Alamy, Mark Irwin, Keith Champagne, Tyler Kirkham and Matt Santorelli
During Peter J. Tomasi’sDetective Comics, Mr Freeze got an upgrade from Apex Lex, as a part of the Year of the Villain event: the revival of Nora Fries. While the pair initially rekindle their love by heading out on a crime spree, Victor is horrified when his beloved wife wants to escalate, explaining that he didn’t want to be a villain at all. In response, she attacks the villain, driving him into the arms of Batman for help.
“Cold Dark World” shows readers Victor Fries' dream turned into a nightmare, exploring the psychological shock of Nora as she finally comes into a world in which her husband is a villain. The story also reminds readers that Batman’s most tragic villain isn’t evil at heart, while also finding a way to simultaneously ensure he remains a criminal for the future. The story gives Mr Freeze fans both closure and continuation all in one, standing out as one of the villain’s best stories.
7Darkest Night of the Man-Bat
Doug Moench and Kelley Jones
Since his debut, Man-Bat has served as one ofBatman’s most terrifying villains, especially as his stories cast him as an increasingly feral, vicious creature. One of the best stories to explore this decline is “Darkest Night of the Man-Bat,” a three-issue arc that follows Kirk Langstrom in his monstrous form as he preys on humans for food. As hired guns hunt the creature, Batman pursues him to the Arctic Circle, where he fights for the life of his enemy, while also saving innocent lives from his attacks.
“Darkest Night of the Man-Bat” shows the full tragedy of Kirk Langstrom’s condition, highlighting how the man fights the urge to feed on humans, but his monstrous nature gets the better of him. The story also showcases Batman’s commitment to preserving life, no matter how terrifying or broken the person is.
6Ten Nights of the Beast
Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo
In “Ten Nights of the Beast,” Batman is forced to hunt down a rogue Soviet super soldier, KGBeast, who has set his sights on Ronald Reagan for termination. Working in concern with the GCPD, Russians and Secret Service, the Caped Crusader attempts to set a trap for the rogue killer, only to realize just how tough he is. From skyscrapers to sewers, the hero hunts the president’s would-be assassin, requiring all of his might to bring his enemy’s reign of terror to an end.
“Ten Nights of the Beast” immediately establishes KGBeast as one of the most unrelenting villains in Gotham, someone so tough Batman almost has to compromise his no-kill rule to bring him down. The comic reads like an ’80s action movie taken to the next level, blending a political thriller with the world of The Dark Knight.
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Joshua Williamson and Howard Porter
DC’sOne Bad Daylineof comics brought readers a slew of done-in-one graphic novels, which focus on Batman’s core villains in the vein of The Killing Joke. Where many of these stories pit the hero against his foes, the Bane story casts its subject as an unlikely hero. After briefly teaming up with the Bat to stop a group of villains producing their own Venom serum, the villain is forced to complete his mission alone after Bruce Wayne seemingly perishes in battle.
One Bad Day: Banefeatures a great adventure for its protagonist, exploring the villain’s sense of honor as he tries to lead an honest life. With Howard Porter turning in some brilliant art for the villain, the story stands out as the best in its imprint, showcasing just how similar Batman and Bane are.
4Gotham By Gaslight
Brian Agustyn, Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell
Batman: Gotham By Gaslighttakes place in turn-of-the-century Gotham, where Bruce Wayne spends his nights as Batman to keep the city safe. When a string of murders are committed that mirror those of England’s serial killer, Jack the Ripper, Wayne himself is framed for the crime as circumstantial evidence points to the wealthy Gothamite. Setting out to clear his own name and prevent more macabre, the Caped Crusader comes face-to-face with one of history’s most infamous murderers.
Gotham By Gaslight has become the de facto face of DC’s Elseworlds imprint, mastering the formula of placing DC characters into alternate history and literature. Here, Bruce Wayne plays the role of a steampunk Sherlock Holmes, pursuing Jack the Ripper at all costs.
3Batman vs Ra’s al Ghul
Neal Adams
Batman vs Ra’s al Ghulmarks the official conclusion of Neal Adams' tenure on Batman in a story that brings the hero face-to-face with one of his greatest foes. The story begins with The Dark Knight trying to save Gotham from a series of terrorist attacks, during which Ra’s al Ghul appears. Claiming to help, the Demon’s Head uses this orchestrated chaos to infiltrate Gotham’s system from within, just as an imposter Batman sets about destroying the hero’s reputation.
Batman vs Ra’s al Ghuldemonstrates the cunning, strategic mind of its villain, exploring his ultimate plan to try and topple Gotham from within. The miniseries has one of the more unique tones in modern DC, with an almost psychedelic feel to its story and art – offering a great send-off for a comic book legend.
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2Year One
Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli
In Batman “Year One,” Frank Miller tackles the origin and early career of Bruce Wayne as Batman, from the murder of his parents to his first night of vigilantism. At the same time, the arc explores Jim Gordon’s move to Gotham, where he deals with corruption on the GCPD, and first encounters The Dark Knight. With both men keen on bringing down the city’s criminal underworld in their own way, the two clash before realizing they have a shared cause.
“Year One” is notable for its absence of Batman’s standard rogues gallery, instead focusing on issues like organized crime and police corruption, both of which were rife during his early days. The story is key in exploring the relationship between Gordon and the Caped Crusader, as well as showing just how corrupt and broken a city Gotham was before its protector.
1Batman: The Cult
Jim Starlin and Bernie Wrightson
Batman: The Cultfollows The Dark Knight as he looks into a string of murders committed by a religious cult, led by the terrifying Deacon Blackfire. However, when his investigation leads to his captivity, the deacon breaks down his mind, brainwashing him into becoming a member of his lethal cult. Through a stroke of luck, Wayne is able to break free and regain his senses, but is haunted by his experience. With Robin at his side, he returns to confront the killers one last time.
Batman: The Cultis understandably viewed by many as the hero’s greatest story, one that proves he doesn’t need his classic rogues gallery to be compelling. In fact, the absence of his colorful and eccentric foes helps to raise the stakes considerably, ensuring the story receives an unpredictable, dark tone. The four-issue miniseries reminds readers that Bruce Wayne is only a man, and explores the topic of trauma as the Caped Crusader copes with having committed unthinkable crimes.
