First of let me say again, Batman was the superhero that got me into comics, to others it was Superman the almost unbeatable hero and to some it was Wolverine because.... he had claws, but for me it was always Batman I think it was because of the motives and the way he used his apperance in costume to frighten crinimals.
Well without anymore of my nattering here's my list of
Top 14 Batman Moments -
14 - "I'm The Goddam Batman"
In All Star Batman & Robin The Boy Wonder we are given an all new Batman, this Batman is tough and scary but he's also arrogant and nasty, when saving the young Dick Grayson from corrupt Gotham cops he doesn't just swoop in and save the boy no.... He plows into them killing some and then he snaps at young Grayson and later leaves him in the Batcave to look after himself.
This is a Batman that seems to enjoy the fear he inflicts and its amazing to see on page and its a difference from the quiet Batman we usually see.
13 - The Batman 2004 - 2008
The Batman was a show that played when I felt that I was at that stage where I 'should' stop watching 'Kids shows' (so I stopped watching Bear in the Big Blue House and watched this isntead) but this show was something different it was a guilty pleasure of mine and portrays Bruce three years into his Batman career.
The show was a breath of fresh air to superhero themed shows and the character redesigns were amazingly fun also the fact that they had characters like Lucius Fox and didn't rush adding Batgirla nd Robin was nice.
12 - "Don't kill me! Don't kill me!"
In Tim Burton's Batman (1989) the scene that introuduces Batman is a masterpiece seriously, the way Batman was set up there as this fear the crinimals of Gotham have and that at this point he's an urban legend, when the two muggers are on the rooftop in Burtons dark Gotham examining what they've taken from their victims and we see Batman slowly drop down like a shadow in the background as the two men talk about whether he is real or not.
That ensuing struggle in which Batman hangs one mugger over the rooftop as he screams "Don't kill me!" showing the true fear he has over them as Batman remarks he want's the man to spread the word he is then questioned who are you? and Keaton cooly delivers that line "I'm Batman"
11 - I Believe in Batman
Batman's last apperance in 'The Long Halloween see's Batman purched on a gargoyle, the Holiday killer has been aprahended and and although the long halloween is now over an important ally has been lost, Batman salutes us with "I Believe in Batman" a line I still can't read without a smile.
10 - "This Doesn't Change Anything"
The last page of Batman Under The Redhood Vol.1 we have found out that Jason Todd the second Robin who for years was belived dead is in fact alive, we had been teased with Jason's return ever since Batman Hush Vol.2 but Bruce had strongly disbelieved it to be true.
But now he knows its true after a battle with Jason in his Redhood status, Alfred questions removing Jason's Robin costume from the cave but Bruce taking a moment to embrace it all walks away stating this changes nothing Bruce has spent years mouring Jason and he isn't going to forget the boy he once was and the loss he suffered after all loss is what made him The Batman.
9 - "Should Be Here Any Minute"
At the end of the legendary Batman Year One after being promoted to captain Jim Gordon stands on the Gotham police department building and mentions the panic caused by someone threatening to poison the Gotham reservoir (The Joker) and that Gordon has a friend coming who might be able to help, then with a smile notes "Should be here any minute"
This not only gives us a cool Joker reference but also marks the important relationship between Gordon and Batman a relationship that will stay strong for years to come.
8 - Tower Of Babel
During the Justice League story 'Tower Of Babel' the League find out that Batman has planed ways of taking them all down individually this causes for them to cast a vote after dealing with the following mess as to whether he should stay in the group, Batman leaves without hearing their answer.
The fact that Batman actually went through the effort of finding a way to take down each of his team mates shows that he is prepared to take a step incase one were to go out of control now yes he could have told the group about this but the fact that he kept this to himself shows he feels somewhat responsible for the steps others wont take.
7 - "He Gave Us This"
The end of Batman (1989) as the city cheer for Batman recognising him as their hero Comishioner Gordon announces that Batman left them something for if they ever need him, The Bat Signal.
As the signal lights up the camera pans up to the city rooftops where we see Batman already waiting its a brillaint display and warms you as we see the hero in his element.
6 - "Batman? Your Real?"
In the new 52! Justice League Vol.1 Origin Issue.1 when Green Lantern first meets Batman his opening line is literally being suprised that Batman is real again going with the Batman the myth thing, this leads to an entire volume of Green Lantern and Batman coldly warming up to each other due to Hal Jordan's class clown role and Batman's stern and serious role clashing this leads to an interesting set up.
5 - Bell Tower Show Down
In Burtons 1989 Batman the end battle fills me with excitment everytime I watch the movie because one we are seeing Batman taking down The Joker's henchmen one by one and then leads to the classic "You wouldn't hit a man with glasses" line delivered perfectly by Jack Nicholson.
But what I love most about this scene is the way Batman shows he can take down all the threats as each henchman that runs to attack him seems like more of a challenge for example the kung fu guy that displays some skill only to be taken down easily.
4 - "My God"
In the animated movie Batman - Mask of the Phantasm when we get our origin and the first time Bruce put on the mask seeing his silohette as he walks through the shadows of the Batcave up to Alfred who looks on in horror and gasps "My God".
This gave me chills as a kid and it still does as it shows even Alfred Bruce's guardian is scared of The Batman on first encounter.
3 - "Your Feast Is Nearly Over"
During Batman Year One Gothams corrupt wealth gather at the mayors mansion to dine, Batman smokes the place out and in an amazing apperance states that they have eaten well their meal being Gotham's wealth and spirit and then tells them that from that moment on none are safe, this is amazing because Batman is showing himself to be fact instead of myth and it also gives Carmaine 'The Roman' Falcone his first dreaded look at Batman.
2 - So We'll Hunt Him
The end of most peoples favorite Batman movie The Dark Knight, Batman has accepted that all the work Harvey Dent has done will be a wasted effort if the world find out Harvey now Two-Face had gone on a murderous rampage before falling to his death, Batman takes a stand and leaves being chased by police and dogs he escapes and rides off into the city with Gordon giving that amazing speech
"Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now.So we'll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he's not the hero.He's a silent guardian, watchful protector.The Dark Knight."
That speech still gives me a chill and it gives us hope but also it gives us The Batman...... Plus an amazing ending to a movie.
1 - The Long Halloween
The entire book alone should make anyone fall in love with the character that is Batman as it is the perfect Batman story, crime story and comic book thriller, it tells the story of Batman, Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent trying to put a stop to the 'Holiday' killer it feastures many characters inculding a lot of Batmans rouge gallery.
The story was used by Nolan slightly for the Dark Knight and to this day remains one of the most popular Batman stories.
So What do you guys think and what would you add?