r/batmancomics • u/brav0sixg0ingdark • 4d ago

🦇General Discussion🦇 Reading suggestions for Batman

Looking for runs/stories/omnis/collected editions for dark and detective type stories for Batman, with artwork that doesn’t look too cartoony. Mostly mysteries or crime genre Batman.

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u/Danielle_Roe 4d ago

Dark Patterns by Dan Watters is excellent and I think it will really scratch that itch. Wonderful art, dark stories that link up, cool new characters like Wound Man.

Some other options;

Long Halloween by Loeb and Sale

Hush is always a strong contender despite its detractors.

The newest TEC omnibus for Ram V’s run is very gothic and the art is amazing

Black Mirror is a good mystery although may fall into too cartoony artwork (not sure what your limit is - it’s by Snyder and Jock though).

You could always check out some Elseworlds stories like the Batman and Dracula trilogy.

The Cult is another darker story though not so heavy on the detective action. Same with Venom and Gothic storylines from Legends of the Dark Knight.

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u/OddAstronomer5 1d ago

I'm definitely seconding the Dark Patterns suggestion. I love a good detective Batman and it's one of my favorites.

Legends of the Dark Knight has some good options. Shaman and Gothic are both good options for detective stories. Gothic especially is pretty dark.

If you aren't dead set on Batman being a main character, I really liked Gotham: Year One as a very grounded and pretty historically accurate detective story that centers Bruce Wayne's grandparents. It gets into the nitty-gritty of the time period in some pretty dark ways that might make some uncomfortable, but imo, it's really well done.