9. Batman: Year Three (Batman 436-9)
Many people know about Batman: Year One, but less people know about Batman: Year Three. After the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin, Batman starts to go a little off the deep end. Dick Grayson, the first Robin, now Nightwing, after drifting apart from Bruce, comes to comfort his mentor. Meanwhile, the guy who murdered Dick Grayson's parents is up for parole, and Alfred, behind the scenes, struggles to keep him off the streets in order to prevent bringing more grief to either Dick Grayson or Bruce Wayne. This story is somber, melancholy, but shows the Bat Family as a real family. There are divisions, they have issues, but, in the end, they're always there for each other. Year Three really dives into Dick Grayson's character, exposing him as a multi-faceted, complex character. We see him grieve, grow frustrated, show concern, experience deep loathing, and, in the end, redemption. However, most important of all, it shows that Batman can be hurt. He isn't some indestructible symbol. He's a human being. When Batman is broken, you know things got serious. ...plus, this would mean that Death in the Family would happen...