2. Batman: The Long Halloween
Written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale, this series (now collected into an attractive trade) detailed Batman's battle with the Falcone crime family. While "The Dark Knight" is not as close to this source material as "Begins" is to Year 1, there are a number of characters who wound up making the transition from the page to screen. In addition, there are several scenes that wound up being lifted almost word-for-word and shot-for-shot in The Dark Knight. The book gives the reader wonderful insight into the character of Harvey Dent, and will truly enrich any return viewing of the blockbuster second film in the franchise.