10 Darkest DC Comics to Date, Ranked

DC Comics has long been at the forefront of pushing storytelling boundaries, unafraid to explore the depths of its heroes’ and villains’ psyches. Their tales have ventured into the darkest fates imaginable for these iconic characters, offering a raw, unflinching look at the consequences of their actions. In this list, we’ll rank DC’s darkest comics, each one taking readers on a harrowing journey through the shadows, where hope is fleeting, and the line between right and wrong becomes increasingly blurred.

Be warned, though, these stories aren’t for the faint of heart, featuring grim themes, potentially triggering content, devastating consequences, and moments of despair that have broken even the strongest heroes of the DCU. But if you clicked on this article, you likely already knew that—you’re a fan of stories that push characters past their breaking point and then just a little farther for good measure. While each of the comics on this list is dark for different reasons, all are deserving of their place and are considered some of the most intense storylines that DC has to offer.

10 ‘DC vs. Vampires’ Made the ‘B’ in Bat-Family Stand for ‘Betrayal’

Creators: James Tynion IV, Matthew Rosenberg, Otto Schmidt

DC vs. Vampires is a gripping and sinister Elseworlds tale that reimagines the DC universe amidst a vampire apocalypse. The story plunges readers into a world of paranoia and mistrust as a hidden force corrupts even the most virtuous heroes. Themes of betrayal, moral compromise, and the fragility of alliances make this series one of DC’s darkest. Notably, this series also sees the Bat Family unraveling as Bat turns against Bat in the pursuit of power and world domination. With its blend of shocking twists, unrelenting stakes, and an ever-rising death toll, DC vs. Vampires leaves readers questioning whether they ever truly knew these characters to begin with.

9 ‘Kingdom Come’ Gets a Double D Rating (Dark & Depressing)

Creators: Mark Waid & Alex Ross

Kingdom Come, one of DC’s most iconic and beloved Elseworlds tales, is a gripping and thought-provoking story set in a dystopian future where the ideals of heroism are overshadowed by reckless violence and unchecked power. It delivers a haunting exploration of responsibility, legacy, and the devastating cost of losing sight of humanity’s greater good. The story’s dark tone is rooted in its portrayal of moral ambiguity, catastrophic conflict, and the harsh truth that even heroes can falter when the lines between right and wrong blur. If the phrase “Never meet your heroes; they’ll only disappoint you” were ever brought to life in comic form, it would be Kingdom Come.

8 ‘Batman: Damned’ Is a Hardcover-Bound Nightmare

Creators: Brian Azzarello & Lee Bermejo

Batman: Damned is a chilling and atmospheric tale that unfolds like a fever dream, plunging the Dark Knight into a macabre mystery where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. Following the apparent death of the Joker under suspicious circumstances, Batman is left to confront the unsettling possibility that he may be the culprit. Teaming up with John Constantine, he descends into a nightmarish underworld in search of answers. With its mature themes, gritty/scandalous artwork, and unnerving tone, Batman: Damned offers a haunting reimagining of the Caped Crusader’s world, including DC’s darkest portrayal of Harley Quinn to date—a scene so disturbing it will leave some sick to their stomachs.

7 ‘The New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract’ Made Deathstroke a Major Red Flag

Creators: Marv Wolfman & George Pérez

The New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is a landmark story that blindsides the Teen Titans with a traitor in their midst, triggering a shocking unraveling of alliances. The story delves into themes of deception and emotional vulnerability, as the heroes grapple with how their closest bonds could be so easily exploited. Beyond its mature exploration of manipulation, betrayal, and the loss of innocence, The Judas Contract also earns its place on this list for the deeply disturbing and inappropriate relationship between Deathstroke and one of the Titans. This moment has forever tainted Slade Wilson’s character and remains a highly controversial point within the DC fandom.

6 ‘DCeased’ Will Kill ALL Your Darlings

Creators: Tom Taylor & Trevor Hairsine

DCeased is a harrowing apocalyptic tale that thrusts the DCU into chaos as a mysterious techno-organic virus transforms heroes, villains, and civilians into mindless, bloodthirsty monsters. As this plague spreads, the uninfected face impossible choices, including heartbreaking moments where heroes must kill their own loved ones. With its heart-wrenching twists and unflinching portrayal of loss, despair, and the fragility of even the greatest heroes, DCeased is a gripping exploration of survival, sacrifice, and the lengths heroes—and villains—will go to endure in a world that hope has abandoned. Prepare to be devastated; this series will leave you in tears.

Creator: Daniel Warren Johnson

Wonder Woman: Dead Earth is a haunting post-apocalyptic tale that reimagines the Amazonian princess as humanity’s last hope in a world shattered by nuclear catastrophe. Awakening from a centuries-long slumber, Diana finds Earth in ruins and its survivors battling monstrous creatures and their own despair. As Diana uncovers the truth behind the devastation, readers are confronted with one of the darkest and most tragic endings for the Justice League’s iconic Trinity. Faced with this brutal reality, Wonder Woman must grapple with her failings regarding Superman and Batman and make unthinkable sacrifices to protect what little remains of humanity.

Creators: Tom Taylor (Year Zero–Year Three: #1–7), Brian Buccelato (Year Three–Year Five: #8–12), Various Artists

Injustice: Gods Among Us, a comic series based on the smash-hit video game, is a gripping and deeply tragic exploration of what happens when the ultimate symbol of hope—Superman—falls into despair. Set in an alternate universe, the story begins with the Joker committing one of his most heinous acts that irreparably changes the Man of Steel fans know and love. As Superman embarks on a tyrannical path, alliances unravel, friends become foes, and morality is tested, forcing both heroes and villains to choose sides in an escalating war that threatens the very foundation of justice.

3 ‘The Batman Who Laughs’ Gives Robin His Darkest Fate in Any Continuity

Creators: Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo

The Batman Who Laughs is a chilling and nightmarish exploration of what happens when Batman’s unparalleled intellect and determination merge with the Joker’s chaotic insanity. Emerging from the darkest corners of the Multiverse, this unhinged version of the Dark Knight embodies the worst of both characters, becoming a twisted villain of unspeakable terror. The comic’s darkness is amplified by its macabre tone, disturbing imagery, psychological torment, and the brutal moral dilemmas it presents. The Batman Who Laughs is the ultimate answer to what would happen if Batman succumbed to the darkness within and depicts Robin enduring one of his most sickening fates yet.

2 ‘Identity Crisis’ Is PEAK Emotional Damage

Creators: Brad Meltzer, Rags Morales, Michael Bair, and More

Identity Crisis is widely considered one of, if not the darkest storylines in DC’s history. When a shocking tragedy strikes close to home, the Justice League is pushed to their emotional and moral limits, uncovering dark secrets and confronting long-buried traumas. The story’s darkness lies in its raw portrayal of loss, betrayal, and the moral compromises heroes are willing to make to protect those they love. With its intense, character-driven narrative and heart-wrenching twists, Identity Crisis explores the personal costs of heroism and the fragile bonds that hold the DC Universe together. Its emotional weight is so overwhelming that some have even questioned whether it should have been published at all.

1 ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ Will Mentally Scar You

Creators: Alan Moore, Brian Bolland, and John Higgins

Coming in as DC’s darkest story is Batman: The Killing Joke, a deeply unsettling and emotionally traumatizing exploration of the fragile line between sanity and madness. The story provides a chilling descent into the Joker’s psyche while delivering one of the most personal and brutal attacks on Batman, Commissioner Gordon, and Barbara “Batgirl” Gordon. This comic stands as one of the darkest DC has ever published, its darkness fueled by graphic depictions of trauma, triggering content, moral ambiguity, and the Joker’s cold-blooded cruelty. As a result, it has become one of DC’s most controversial and thought-provoking stories.