Every Batman Relaunch, Ranked Chronologically

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Batman is by far DC’s most popular hero, and he’s been a mainstay in DC Comics since Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Barely a year later, he received another ongoing inBatman, and he’s maintained both those ongoings for almost a century now. He’s had such consistency that his books have almost never needed a relaunch because fans are always willing to buy his comics.

Occasionally, DC likes to do massive, line-wide relaunches that even Batman isn’t safe from. Currently, the Caped Crusader manages no less than four major ongoings that all follow his adventures, from his time as an inexperienced new hero in Absolute Batman to his struggles to balance his mission with being a father in Batman and Robin. DC fans can’t get enough of the Dark Knight, and DC is all too happy to provide all they could ask for.

9

Batman and Robin Volume 1 Saw Two New Heroes Protect Gotham

#1 Core Creative Team: Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely

One of the biggest launches of Batman’s career didn’t involve the original Dark Knight. Following the end of another DC Crisis event, Final Crisis, Bruce Wayne was believed to be dead. His protégé, Dick Grayson, took over as Batman, while Bruce’s son Damian took over as Robin. For a time, Batman and Robin became the main Batman title as readers followed the adventures of this new Dynamic Duo.

The opening issue begins with a bang, as the new Batman and Robin chase down Mister Toad in their flying Batmobile to stop him from committing crimes. Later, Dick tries to understand the point of Toad’s ridiculous crime of stealing domino pieces while Damian adjusts to his new role as the official Robin. Elsewhere, Professor Pyg makes his first appearance, mutilating one of Mister Toad’s henchmen while his daughter helplessly watches on. It’s a riveting ending to an already incredible opening issue.

#1 Core Creative Team: Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion

Batman’s first big relaunch happened at the beginning of the New 52 era. For the first time since 1940, Batman received a brand-new #1 comic that allowed Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo to redefine the Dark Knight for a new generation. This team remained on Batman Volume 2 for 51 of the volume’s 52 issues, resulting in one of the most beloved Batman runs of all time, and some of Batman’s coolest fights ever.

The first issue begins with Batman working with Dick Grayson, disguised as Joker, shutting down an attempted breakout at Arkham Asylum. Later in the issue, Bruce announces his plans to expand Gotham’s infrastructure, only to be pulled back to his hero job to investigate a murder. While investigating, Batman discovers evidence of a secret group of assassins known as the Court of Owls and learns of their next victim: Bruce Wayne. It was a shocking debut that set the Dark Knight on the right path for the New 52.

7

Detective Comics Volume 2 Gave The Joker A New Makeover

#1 Core Creative Team: Tony S. Daniel, Ryan Winn

Every comic being rebooted for the New 52 meant relaunching Detective Comics, one of the longest-running monthly comic books ever. While the other comics focused on Batman and the rest of the Bat-Family, Tony Daniel was able to do some Batman solo stories. Of course, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that the book opened by focusing on one of Batman’s biggest villains, the Joker.

It starts with the Joker brutally murdering someone just as Batman arrives to stop him, only for Batman to have to escape to avoid a confrontation with the Gotham Police Department. Batman later discusses the case with Gordon, learning that a girl who witnessed the murder tipped the police about Joker’s next location. While the police fall for Joker’s trap, Batman catches him and turns him into the police. While in Arkham, Joker has a dark physician appear and cut off his face for his next big “evolution.” This would remain Joker’s look for the next several years in the New 52 era.

6

Batman: Earth One Presented A Modernized Batman Origin

#1 Core Creative Team: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, John Sibal

DC tried a new format with their Earth One books, a line of comics that would be shipped as original graphic novels, continuing DC’s excellent graphic novel reputation. The idea was to give readers a complete story at launch while giving writers and artists the proper time to create, away from the hectic monthly schedule.In their own universes, Geoff Johns and Gary Frank got to do their take on Batman, starting from his earliest days.

The series retells Bruce’s origin from scratch, starting with the familiar story of how he lost his parents and then his clumsy earliest attempts at being Batman. The main story involves Batman’s attempt to bring down Gotham’s corrupt Mayor Cobblepot while also tracking down a serial killer. The first volume gradually brings together Batman’s usual supporting cast, including Alfred, Harvey Bullock, and even Commissioner Gordon.

5

Batman and Robin Volume 2 Saw Bruce Begin Bonding With His Son

#1 Core Creative Team: Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray

With the New 52, Batman and Robin relaunched with a new focus. With Bruce as the only Batman again, it was finally time for Batman and Robin to become a father-son comic. Pete Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s work on Batman and Robin went a long way toward humanizing Damian Wayne, making hima character that Batman fans could love.

The first issue of this new relaunch opened with a new criminal killing the Batman of Moscow, then vowing to hunt down Bruce Wayne and stop his Batman Incorporated mission. Later, Bruce takes Damian on a trip to Crime Alley to honor his parents’ passing, resulting in a contentious conversation as Damian gradually adapts to living with his dad. The two eventually wind up on a mission to stop a group of criminals from robbing a nuclear plant, only to discover the thieves missing after saving part of the city from contamination.

4

Batman Volume 3 Started An Epic Batman Saga

#1 Core Creative Team: Tom King, David Finch, Matt Banning, Jordie Bellaire

DC’s Rebirth again saw the main Batman comic relaunched, with writer Tom King and penciler David Finch as the core creative team. This run kicked off King’s memorable 75-issue run, featuring many classic stories such as “The War of Jokes and Riddles,” “Superfriends,” and “I Am Bane.” While this run is divisive among some Batman fans, what wasn’t divisive was Bruce finally seeming to settle down with Selina. Fans appreciated the idea of Bruce finally experiencing growth and were angry when DC changed their minds about letting them get married at the last minute.

The first issue doesn’t include any of that, however. Instead, it focuses on Batman learning at the last possible minute about some heavy ordinance entering Gotham, only for someone to use it to try to crash a plane. With some advanced technology, Batman tries to stop the plane from crashing into Gotham City, knowing that doing so will cost him his life. Fortunately, he’s saved by the arrival of two new heroes stopping the plane themselves: Gotham and Gotham Girl.

3

Detective Comics Volume 1 Saw Batman Leading The Bat-Family

#934 Creative Team: James Tynion IV, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Adriano Lucas, Marilyn Patrizio

Detective Comics returned to its original numbering at the end of the New 52. This new “relaunch” involved bringing on superstar creative team James Tynion IV and Eddy Barrows to do a book not just starring Batman but many of the vigilantes he’d inspired. This series brought several of Bruce’s young proteges, like Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Cassandra Cain, back into prominence. It also featured Batwoman and a reformed Clayface, all operating as Batman’s agents within Gotham City.

The first issue focused on Bruce seeking out Kate to make his second-in-command before the two sought out the other members to fill out his group. The goal was to create a group that could counter a new force arriving in Gotham, only for the end of the first issue to reveal the army Bruce feared was already present. Tynion and Barrows’ Detective Comics was one of the most beloved runs from the Rebirth era, largely because it finally allowed DC’s Bat-Family characters the chance to shine in a book all to themselves.

2

Batman and Robin Volume 3 Sends Robin To High School

#1 Core Creative Team: Joshua Williamson, Simone Di Meo, Steve Wands

Batman and Robin relaunched as part of the Dawn of DC line of comics. While other Batman comics tend to focus on Batman’s superhero adventures, Batman and Robin specifically dials in on Batman’s relationship with his son, Damian. It deals with both the ramifications of Tom King killing off Alfred and the side effects of major events like Gotham War.

The first issue begins with Damian moving with Bruce to his brownstone apartment in the middle of Gotham City. After moving in, Bruce notes that he wants Damian to start attending high school, hoping he can have a more normal life than he did as a teenager. Meanwhile, Batman and Robin try chasing down the criminals White Rabbit and the Terrible Trio. In the middle of one mission, they instead learn of Man-Bat and his latest scheme to take over Gotham, which involves turning the bats of Gotham against the citizens.

1

Absolute Batman Presents A Deadly New Batman For A New Era

#1 Core Creative Team: Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, Clayton Cowles

Absolute Batman is one of the biggest launches in the DC Universe recently. The series is set in DC’s new Absolute Universe, which starts DC’s history from the beginning—with a twist. Scott Snyder, best known for his work on the New 52’s Batman ongoing, returned with artist Nick Dragotta to bring fans a new vision for Batman.

The first issue opens with Alfred, a secret agent, appearing in Gotham to monitor a group of criminals known as the Party Animals. In the middle of his reconnaissance mission, he encounters Batman, who swiftly defeats the Party Animals after they try to attack a town hall meeting. Later, Alfred tries to track down Bruce to force him to give up being Batman, only to have Batman give him the slip…and steal his bike. Even in this issue, Absolute Batman is full of changes to Batman lore, including when Bruce’s mom is revealed to be alive.

“}]] Though he might be DC’s most popular hero, Batman still experienced a few relaunches that either fell totally flat or greatly impressed his fans.  Read More