Where to Start Reading Batman: A Complete Guide for New Readers
Batman has more than eighty years of comics behind him, which makes “where do I start?” a very reasonable question. The trick is not to read everything in order. The better path is to pick a strong doorway into the version of Gotham you want.
Best first read: Batman: Year One
Year One is the cleanest modern origin for Batman and Jim Gordon. It is short, grounded, and gives you the emotional grammar of Gotham: corruption, fear, symbols, and the hard work of becoming something more than one angry man in a mask.
If you want mystery: The Long Halloween
The Long Halloween is a murder mystery wrapped around Gotham’s transition from mob city to supervillain city. It is one of the best introductions to Harvey Dent, Catwoman, Gordon, and Batman as a detective.
If you want modern blockbuster Batman: Hush
Hush is a tour through Batman’s world. It brings in allies, villains, romance, action, and a big central mystery. It is not the quietest Batman story, but it is an accessible sampler platter.
Year One → The Long Halloween → Dark Victory → Hush → The Court of Owls.
Do not worry about continuity too much
Batman continuity can be messy, but most great Batman stories explain what you need. Start with the stories that sound exciting, then branch into characters and eras you like. Gotham rewards curiosity more than homework.