The mainline DC Comics titles are where most Batman fans pay the most attention, and understandably so. However, the Dark Knight has an impressive lineup of Elseworlds comics in the 2020s already, showing readers creative new canons that stand on their own merits. The comic book publisher’s Black Label and the literal Elsworlds imprints are home to such exciting premises.
DC Black Label carried the weight of these alternate-timeline stories for some time in the many years of the latter’s absence. However, its return already signals more Elseworlds Batman comics to come. These imprints help show off the hero’s narrative versatility outside the mainline canon’s established conventions, from the action-packed White Knight series to the sci-fi, cosmic horror of City of Madness.
10 Curse of the White Knight is a Great Black Label Sequel
Sean Murphy's Batman Sequel Subverts Main Canon Storylines
Writer and artist Sean Murphy’s White Knight series has been one of the most prolific hits for Batman in Black Label. The maxiseries have fleshed out into a fully realized continuity of their own with their imaginative takes on classic Gotham-based characters. Sean Murphy’s distinct, stylized artwork also helps this series set itself apart, and Curse of the White Knight is a riveting second entry.
In the shocking aftermath of its predecessor’s take on the Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime takes advantage of the brainwashed Azrael to launch a crusade against Batman. What unfolds is a ruthless, action-heavy tale that twists mainline Batman canon events in stunning ways. Curse of the White Knight cleverly alters the histories of characters like Azrael and the legacy of the Wayne family, and it subverts tropes established by Batman’s iconic ’90s arc Knightfall in exciting ways.
9 The Imposter is a Gritty Standalone Batman Comic
Fans of The Batman Will Appreciate the Similar Atmosphere
Standalone Batman comics are a refreshing break from the typical ongoing books. Mattson Tomlin, Andrea Sorrentino, and Jordie Bellaire’s The Imposter is one of the best of the early 2020s, offering readers a one-off look into a gritty reality with a troubled young Dark Knight. This world follows a young Bruce Wayne early in his vigilante career, but he’s already struggling with a murderous impersonator tarnishing his fragile reputation.
Half of The Imposter‘s appeal is the engrossing neo-noir storytelling and worldbuilding, not unlike Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Meanwhile, Sorrentino and Bellaire’s artwork does a brilliant job of creating a grimy and immersive Gotham City. Another early-age Batman comic might not pique some readers’ interest on paper. However, this raw and unstable take on Bruce Wayne provides a unique psychological-thriller point of view, especially with how The Imposter incorporates Dr. Leslie Thompkins as his therapist to humanize him.
8 Beyond the White Knight Combines Two Worlds
DC Animated Universe Fans Will Find Elements of Batman Beyond
Some of the most beloved concepts explored in Batman’s mythology collide in Sean Murphy’s Beyond the White Knight—a grizzled, veteran-like Bruce Wayne coming out of retirement and the cyberpunk setting of Batman Beyond. In this third installment in the «Murphyverse,» it’s been 12 years since Batman revealed himself as Bruce Wayne, donated his wealth to the city, and turned himself in to the police. However, Gotham City has morphed into a techno-police state after Gotham Motors CEO Derek Powers consolidated the Waynes’ assets under his power.
Beyond the White Knight was similarly well-received like its predecessors for its thrilling alternate takes on Batman’s world and packed with over-the-top action. From the plucky young upstart who’s stolen a prototype Batsuit to Derek Powers serving as the main antagonist, there are plenty of entertaining nods to the DCAU’s Batman Beyond while creating an identity of its own. Murphy’s maxiseries continues to impress with how vibrant and lively he’s made his Batman-themed sandbox.
7 The Bat-Man: First Knight Honors the Hero's Debut
First Knight is a Standalone Homage to Detective Comics & Crime-Noir
Writer Dan Jurgens and artist Mike Perkins’ The Bat-Man: First Knight is already one of the most memorable Batman miniseries of the decade. This three-issue series is set in a DC world currently going through the looming threat of World War II and sees Gotham City suffer under the boot of crime and destitution more than usual. If the punishing economy and pending war abroad weren’t enough, Batman and Gordon must solve a series of murders linked to allegedly reanimated criminals.
Jurgens and Perkins immediately paint an atmospheric picture of Batman and his world, calling back to his roots in DC Comics history as a pulpy street-level detective. The Bat-Man: First Knight is an easy recommendation to Batman fans who favor his crime-noir stories. It exudes a sense of film-noir personality and makes the well-worn «grounded Batman» angle feel inventive in 2025.
6 City of Madness is Steeped in Cosmic Terror
This Alternate Batman Take Injects Lovecraftian Horror Into Gotham
Fitting into various subgenres has been one of the Caped Crusader’s greatest strengths in comics. For those wanting to see the character delve into the realm of cosmic horror, writer and artist Christian Ward’s City of Madness is an enticing read. Gotham has been no stranger to darkness and corruption, but things take a bleaker turn toward the supernatural. Even the Court of Owls is coming to Batman for help, as a supernatural door they have guarded has opened and unleashed a grim mirror version of the hero.
City of Madness excels in its visuals, with the moody colors and lighting making this Lovecraftian world of horrors feel surreal. It’s incredible how Batman’s world can meld with Cthulu-like terrors and not feel out of place. The concept of supernatural mirrors of Gotham and its cast is an exciting premise for an otherworldly Batman story, and it presents an exciting opportunity to experiment with the lore of Arkham Asylum and the Court of Owls.
5 The Riddler: Year One Explores the Origins of The Batman's Villain
Paul Dano Himself Helms The Batman's Spin-Off Comic
Though the steadily increasing wait for Robert Pattinson and Matt Reeves’ The Batman sequel is disappointing, there are some excellent sin-off materials to enjoy. The Penguin on HBO has been a terrific mobster-themed crime drama, and The Riddler: Year One gives The Batman fans an origin story for the movie’s main villain. The miniseries is written by actor Paul Dano himself and illustrated by Stevan Subic to explore Edward Nashton’s origin story.
The Riddler: Year One earned critical praise for its haunting imagery and for providing context to an already riveting live-action villain. Knowing Gotham’s genuinely broken institutions fail its people is unquestionably tragic. However, seeing Edward use the anger from his upbringing as motivation for disturbed vengeance adds a much more harrowing element to this character study. Dano continues to prove he understands his character on and off the screen, portraying the decay and psychosis of the soon-to-be serial killer in a convincing fashion.
4 Gotham by Gaslight — The Kryptonian Age Brings Back Victorian-Era Batman
The Limited Series Fleshes Out a Classic Elseworlds Batman Comic
The return of DC Comics’ Elseworlds imprint comes with a sequel to the late ’80s Gotham by Gaslight one-shot comic. Andy Diggle and Leandro Fernández’s Gotham by Gaslight — The Kryptonian Age revolves around a meteor that crash-lands in the Midwest and brings mysterious supernatural elements with it. Now, on top of the criminal threats Batman already clashes with, the hero must navigate a world where metahumans are shaking up the status quo.
Gotham by Gaslight — The Kryptonian Age is a promising sequel that builds on the strengths of an Elseworlds classic. The 19th century is another entertaining way to view Batman’s world from a different angle, but this time, it also shows this canon’s potential beyond Gotham’s city limits. From Superman to Wonder Woman to Green Lantern and more, the Gotham by Gaslight world could easily spawn a maxiseries of comics on its own.
3 Gargoyle of Gotham is Full of Grunge and Grit
Brooding as Batman's World is, This Gotham Feels Almost Hopeless
DC’s Batman is famous for being one of the darker characters in superhero fiction. However, creators Rafael Grampá and Matheus Lopes somehow take that sentiment even further for DC Black Label’s Gargoyle of Gotham. This four-issue miniseries is set in a new world where Gotham seems increasingly unsalvagable by the day. Meanwhile, Batman has decided to surrender his Bruce Wayne persona entirely to commit himself to his nocturnal role.
Grampá’s story, stylized illustrations, and Lopes’ colors combine to depict a unique and grueling take on Gotham City and the depravity that plagues it. Gargoyle of Gotham’s plot features a gripping murder-mystery to emphasize Batman’s detective traits while introducing original villains that help this continuity stand out among other Gotham Elseworlds. The comic miniseries’ style of grunge and darkness might be overbearing to some, but its intensely serious story is a good change of pace from the spectacle of mainline comics.
2 Dark Age Portrays Another Batman in an Interesting Point in History
Superman's Creative Team Returns to Offer a New Spin on Batman
Fresh from the Superman: Space Age limited series, writer Mark Russell and artists Michael and Laura Allred give the Caped Crusader a nostalgic story told in retrospect with Batman: Dark Age. The plot opens with an aged Bruce Wayne reflecting on his superhero career as a young Batman shaped by Gotham’s steady decline. It depicts the progress of his vigilante life from a spoiled and sheltered boy in the wake of his parents’ murders to a staunch champion for the city’s brighter future.
Dark Age earned a similar level of acclaim as the team’s previous endeavor with the Man of Steel. The limited series feels like a celebration of the character’s life as a hero while also adding a sense of melancholy. Having the story framed by an elderly and physically worn Bruce punctuates the highs and lows of the life of crimefighting he’s had to leave behind.
1 Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo Follows a Grisly Mystery
Batman and Joker's Uneasy Alliance Goes to Monstrous Places
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo endured a long hiatus but lived up to its hype. Written and illustrated by Image Comics CEO Marc Silvestri, the Dark Knight and Clown Prince of Crime form an unlikely «partnership» when Harley Quinn is kidnapped. The Joker comes to Batman to track her down, Commissioner Gordon is worryingly still missing, and monsters resembling the clown terrorize the streets.
On top of the masterful illustrations and colors from Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo comes with a blockbuster story. With ruthless action sequences, some sluething from the Dark Detective, and plenty of stylish, gothic artwork, this Batman limited series is filled with thrills and horror undertones to keep fans hooked. The Deadly Duo also feels like another fun way to explore the tried-and-true Batman and Joker dynamic without feeling played out.
