Here are The Best Batman Graphic Novel's Starting with Number 10.
10. A Death in the Family
By Jim Starlin:
A Death in the Family made it on this list for two reasons - the first being, this was the first Batman story where the readers determined a character’s outcome with a rather crass dial-in your verdict a la American Idol. In this case, the character in question is Jason Todd, the second Robin, who had a reputation for being a brat amongst the hardcore Batman fans. The events in A Death in a Family effect Batman significantly and it becomes a running conflict for the hero in the graphic novels that follow. Essentially, this is the turning point in Batman’s relationship with the Joker, where Batman will no longer hesitate to kill his arch enemy versus repeatedly giving him the beating of his life and dumping him into Arkham. Also gave us The Red Hood
9. The Man Who Laugh's
By Ed Brubaker:
The Man Who Laughs tells the story of Batman’s first encounter with the Joker before he was even referred to as the Joker and while admittedly this doesn’t really compare with Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke, it’s definitely a must read, especially if you’re a big fan of the perpetually grinning monster. Gruesome artwork depicting all the cardinal components we relate to the Clown Prince are presented in this; his weapon of choice - the toxic gas which kills, mutilates and adds an eerie smile to his victims the opening pages are really quite scary, the notion that he never really has a concrete plan but rather has an uncanny ability to thrive in chaos, his inclination to convey his maniacal threats to Gotham via TV broadcasts, his utter disregard for human life and more than anything else the thorough ecstasy he feels when he finds himself head to head with Batman.
8. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight
By Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola:
Taking place in Victorian-era Gotham City, Gaslight imagines that Bruce Wayne has just returned from England, having studied abroad to prepare for his role as dark avenger. No sooner does the Batman appear than a rash of grisly slayings hit Gotham City. The murders are identical to those of England's own Jack the Ripper. The most likely suspect? Bruce Wayne, a man who's travels fit the timeline for the Ripper slayings in England and one who cannot account for his whereabouts at night. Quite simply, no other Elseworlds tale has managed such a brilliant concept nor executed it so perfectly.
7. Batman: Blind Justice
By Sam Hamm:
Blind Justice is as much a Bruce Wayne story as it is a Batman tale. Sam Hamm, who also wrote the 1989 Batman feature film, puts Bruce on the hot seat. Following a scandal at WayneTech, Bruce finds himself indicted on charges of treason. Bruce is nailed for his worldly travels and association with the criminal element. Commissioner Gordon, however, offers a way to clear his name by testifying that Bruce Wayne is a certain caped crusader! The shocks don't stop there. Blind Justice examines the dynamic relationship between Wayne and his counterpart, Batman. It also tells one hell of a story that sees Bruce in a wheelchair and pits him against his former mentor, the great Henri Ducard.
7. JLA: Tower of Babel
By Mark Waid:
It turns out that Batman has been keeping secret files on every member of the JLA. Not only does he know their weaknesses, but he has plans to take each of them down if necessary -- and painfully at that. As the JLA is systematically destroyed, one member at a time, it becomes clear that those files have been stolen. This compelling story examines the depths of Batman's paranoia, but also shows admiration for his forethought. Even the JLA, embittered by this betrayal, recognize that perhaps someone should have a contingency plan in case the League becomes mind-controlled or are otherwise in need of incapacitation.
6. Batman: Tales of the Demon
By Dennis Oneal:
Tales of the Demon shows the first decade of Ra's in DC comics, from his first meeting with Batman to the introduction of the Lazarus Pit and the marriage of Talia Al Ghul to The Batman. Ra's and Batman act almost like family. It's just that Papa Al Ghul wants to end all life on Earth and Batman doesn't, because WayneTech needs investors. Oh, and 'cause he's a good guy.
5. Batman & Dracula: Red Rain
By Doug Moench and Kelley Jones:
This Elseworlds tale, perhaps the finest written to date, besets a gothic Gotham with the greatest vampire, Dracula. The daring Dracula, no longer concerned with keeping his vampiric nature a secret, has a bold plan to overtake Gotham one bite at a time. The only thing that can stop the centuries-old villain is the Batman. However, Batman would be no match against Dracula's power, unless of course he himself became a vampire.
4. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
By Frank Miller:
The Dark Knight Returns, a futuristic imagining of a Batman without hope. Having been retired for ten years following the death of Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne finds himself compelled to don the mantle of the bat once more. This in turn revives the insane criminals who'd been almost comatose for the past decade.
3. Batman: The Killing Joke
By Alan Moore:
The origin of the Joker has long been a mystery. That is until Alan Moore exposed a "possible" origin for the Clown Prince of Crime. For the first time we are shown the Joker as a sympathetic character, of a good man driven to insanity by a pair of unfortunate accidents. In fact, the Joker attempts to earn sympathy from the Batman of all people through a heinous act. Attempting to drive Commissioner Gordon insane, the Joker shoots and paralyzes his daughter then sets him on a carnival ride from hell. The Joker hopes to prove that given the proper set of tragedies any reasonable man can be driven insane. Why the Joker suddenly desires understanding is unclear, but it's hard to find fault with the plan. The only problem is, it doesn't work.
2. Batman: Year One
By Frank Miller..
Batman: Year One defined the Batman for a new generation. This parallel story follows Jim Gordon as he arrives in Gotham from Chicago and Bruce Wayne as he returns from many years of training abroad. Both find that Gotham is a dying city overwhelmed by corruption from top to bottom. Through Gordon's eyes we see Gotham as it appears to the man on the street. Through Bruce Wayne we see the city from a distance as one might look to solving a complex puzzle. Both men want to save the city, but each follows a different path. It's Year One that shows how these two paths came to meet and an indelible partnership formed.
Now Here is Number 1B
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
By: Grant Morrison
In Arkham Asylum as he puts Batman inside the famed looney bin. What's it like looking at the inmates of Arkham? It's like looking in a mirror. This topsy-turvy graphic novel parallel's Batman's race through the Asylum with Amadeus Arkham's descent into madness in the 1920s. If you haven't read This You outta be ashamed of yourself!!
The Fan's Have Spoken! Honorable Mention..
The Long Halloween
By Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
This is the follow up to Batman: Year One. Set very early in Batman’s career, The Long Halloween explores the relationship between the Dark Knight and Harvey Dent, Gotham’s District Attorney who goes on to become Batman’s dreaded enemy Two Face in the same story.