The Comics That Inspired Matt Reeves' The Batman

With Matt Reeves The Batman set for a 2021 release and the first footage doing the rounds online in the tantalising but far-too-brief teaser, anticipation is mounting. Expect Warner Brothers to drip feed us more of the same, as fans count down the days until we see if Robert Pattinson and Reeves have given the Dark Knight the movie he needs and we deserve.

Reeves has gone on record a number of occasions to state the comics that are the main inspiration behind Batman's sixth big screen iteration in modern times.

With classics like The Long Halloween and Batman: Ego right at the top of the pile on Reeves bedside table, it's clear that he's taking inspiration from the most iconic and revered texts from recent years. Fans can expect a more character driven, noir-esque, sleuth-like take on the World's Greatest Detective with Pattinson behind the mask and Paul Dano serving up the riddles.

While all previous movies have had detective qualities of their own, WB never really gotten to grips with the idea of Batman as an investigator of complex criminal enigmas. Here are the comics that have inspired Matt Reeves Batman movie, let's hope he has been paying attention to these classic editions featuring The World's Greatest Detective.

While there has been no specific mention of The War Of Jokes And Riddles by Matt Reeves in connection to The Batman, we do know that The Riddler, played by Paul Dano, is possibly the main villain of the piece and this storyline features a Batman in his second year, something that has been confirmed at the DC FanDome event this year.

The story focuses on a war that breaks out in Gotham between the Joker and The Riddler and is told in flashback form by Bruce Wayne to Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, another major character to feature in Reeves' movie in 2021.

The Riddler presents the Joker with a solution to their problem - neither of them can laugh anymore and with their names, that must present a serious problem. The Riddler proses a team up, to which the Joker agrees - right before he shoots The Riddler in the stomach and leaves with a bomb. The Riddler survives, and this leads to a war in Gotham, with many dying as a result.

The story also delves into Batman's personal feelings and guilt over the crime escalation in Gotham and how he is in responsible for so much of it, framed by the ever increasing trust he places in Catwoman.