10 Essential Batman Stories For New Readers
1. Detective Comics #27
Where do you go after the greatest story ever told of Batman's early years? Well, you go for the earliest Batman story ever told.
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the Dark Knight's first ever appearance was in the pages of Detective Comics (which would later give the burgeoning DC Comics their name), and a surprising amount of the character's distinguishing features and elements were established which still exist 75 years later. The Bruce Wayne/Batman secret identity is not only there, but very similar to how the two are differentiated today. As Wayne he plays the part of billionaire playboy, oblivious to the goings on in Gotham, whilst as Batman he is fuelled by the murders of his parents to tackle the growing organised crime in the city.
There's Commissioner Gordon, the Bat cave, the costume and utility belt. The Case of the Chemical Syndicate also establishes Batman first and foremost as a detective, as he is called in to solve a crime that has the city's police force puzzled.
There are some notable differences from his later characterisation, however, especially when he lets the villain of the piece die, in line with the pulp heroes that inspired his creation. Still, Detective Comics #27 does such a good job of introducing the character of Batman, and everything that makes him great, that it's still yet to be bettered.