Summary
Batmanis a dark character with many storylines that delve into mature subjects such as macabre serial killers and straight-up horror that can be nightmare fuel, but he is also a character who appeals to all ages. As a result, parents might want to get their children aBatmancomic to get them started on their collecting journey, but they may not know what to get.
Fortunately, Batman has over eighty-five years of history in the DC Multiverse, allowing a wide variety of writers to explore different interpretations of the character. Some portrayals are more family-friendly and offer the adventures of the Caped Crusader that all fans enjoy, making themsuitable for children as well.
10Batman And The Outsiders
Batman Joins A New Team Of Superheroes
After being rejectedby the more famed Justice League, Batman joins a team of what were lesser-known heroes such as Katana, Black Lightning, Metamorpho, and Halo named The Outsiders. While the main Batman comics of the time were dark and gritty,Batman And The Outsiderswas a more action-packed and colorful comic run with fun, lighthearted characters.
DC has used Batman many times in this way, serving as a springboard for other characters to shine, since he is one of the most iconic superheroes of all time. This particular story would be the main inspiration for the third season ofYoung Justice, mixing the darker elements of the Bronze Age with plenty of thrilling escapism to enjoy.
9Batman ‘66 Meets The Green Hornet
A Clash Of Famous 1960s Superhero Television
Created by Kevin Smith,Batman ‘66 Meets The Green Hornetis the perfect crossover. Back in the 1960s, the Adam WestBatmanseries andThe Green Hornetwere superhero TV sensations and were very similar in many ways. The Green Hornet and his partner. Kato, even made a cameo appearance inBatman, so a crossover episode might have been considered at one point.
Fans had to wait until 2015 to see the four heroes team up, but even in comic book format, it feels like a true episode of the ‘66Batmanseries. Kevin Smith demonstrates his affection for both shows by crafting a story that is suitable for all ages, including younger generations who may not be as familiar with either series.
8Batman: Arkham City
How The War Inside Arkham City Started
TheBatman: Arkham Citycomic is the bridge betweenBatman: Arkham Asylumand the game of the same name. It focuses on Batman chasing after the shipments of Titan formula that were shipped off Arkham Island by the Joker, forcing him to fight more of the mindless Titan-infused brutes. This is combined with how the war between Two-Face, Penguin, and Joker began.
Paul Dini, the co-creator ofBatman: The Animated Seriesand writer of the first twoBatman: Arkhamgames also writes the comic, so fans of the two Batman incarnations can enjoy it. In terms of kids, it may be the most family-friendly adventure setwithin the Arkhamverse timeline, featuring a more grounded yet thrilling story that leads up to the events ofBatman: Arkham City.
7Batman And The Signal
The Perfect Story To Introduce The Signal To New Readers
Gotham City’s criminals do not magically vanish during the day, so Batman has a newmember of his family of heroes. Duke Thomas, aka. The Signal, is a vigilante trained by Batman to fight crime during the day, but inBatman And The Signal, both heroes shine as partners, defending Gotham from a rise in metahuman threats.
Seeing Gotham during the day is a refreshing experience, especially when seeing it from The Signal’s point of view. Duke and Bruce have a different mentor/apprentice relationship compared to other characters like Robin. Bruce entrusts so much responsibility to him at such a young age, but as The Signal, Duke is willing. It makes for a simpler superhero story, but one that anyone can enjoy, even if they’ve never seen Duke Thomas before.
6Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Crossover That Made Childhood Dreams Come True
The title gives all the reader needs to know; this is a classic crossover between the Dark Knight and the Heroes In A Half-Shell.Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlespairs up the titular heroes to face down the combined threat of Shredder and Ra’s Al Ghul, both leaders of dangerous ninja clans.
Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesblends action, suspense, and comedy, playing to the strengths of both properties, with Batman being the straight man, whilethe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesare comedic relief. Batman and the Turtles are beloved characters for many children all over the world, so a crossover that shows them fighting against and with each other is perfect for any young reader.
5Beware The Batman
The Closest Thing To An Official Season Two
In the long line of Batman animated shows,Beware The Batmanwas the most unfortunate because, despite being high quality, it only lasted one season on Cartoon Network. However, those who want a second season can check out the comic run set in the same continuity, and since it was a show on Cartoon Network, that means it was designed so that children can read and enjoy it.
Other than the lack of an explanation as to why Batman is partnered with Katana, theBeware The Batmancomic can still be enjoyed on its own. The art of Luciano Vecchio replicates the style of the show rather well, arguably improving on it in some areas, and provides the same detective-centric stories mixed with action as the series across twelve issues.
4Batman: The Golden Age
Readers Should Always See Where Batman Got His Start
Batman was a much darker character when he debuted inDetective Comics #27, but when he got his own line of comics withBatman,the first issue introducedDick Grayson, aka. Robin, to the universe. It was meant to appeal more to kids, and it was successful, as theBatmancomics would go on to be massive successes.
In today’s age, getting a copy of the originalBatman #1will not only be difficult, but expensive. However, DC has many omnibuses, likeBatman: The Golden Age,which help collect the original comics into one large book to read. They also feature the introductions of villains like The Joker, The Penguin, Two-Face, Killer Croc, and so much more.
3World’s Finest Vol. 1
Batman And Superman’s Friendship Is Always A Delight To See
While it was made in 1990,World’s Finestfeels like it was made during the Golden Age of comics, with Batman and Superman feeling like brothers as well as partners. Even the art style evokes a classic superhero story in a then-modern way, featuring the duo on an adventure which shows that, despite being total opposites in many ways, these characters are perfect together.
Not only is theWorld’s Finesta team-up of Batman and Superman, but it also features the Joker and Lex Luthor working together. It’s as classic of a team-up story as one can get, and it helped solidify thefriendship between Batman and Superman. It was also the main inspiration for the crossover episode ofThe New Batman AdventuresandSuperman: The Animated Series.
2Batman: Universe
Sometimes The Simplest Stories Are The Best Ones
ModernBatmancomics heavily embrace darker themes or are so embedded in pre-established lore that it’s hard for younger readers to get started. However,Batman: Universeis a good solution for such an issue. This is a simple twelve-issue miniseries that takes the titular vigilante across the wider DC Universe.
There is little to no prior knowledge needed to pick upBatman: Universe. Batman goes on adventures, dealing with the Riddler, dinosaurs, time travel, and allying with variousheroes such as Green Arrow. In many ways,Batman: Universefeels like it was inspired byBatman: Brave And The Bold, mixing Silver Age corniness with modern storytelling and visuals to create popcorn fun.
1The Batman Adventures
Think Of It As The Lost Episodes Of The Animated Series
For many,Batman: The Animated Seriesand its sequel series,The New Batman Adventures, are thego-to DC animated showsfor kids and adults alike. They can be enjoyed by children, but they are very intelligent and mature and, as a result,The Batman Adventuresis the ideal comic for all ages of fans as well. It is a comic series that serves as more episodes of the show.
Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Kevin Altieri, Dan Riba, and other creators who worked on the animated shows also worked onThe Batman Adventures. It even adapts episodes in comic book form, including “Mad Love” and the movie,The Mask Of The Phantasm.
