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Batman is one of the most adapted comic book characters of all time. Whether in live-action or animation, many of the classic Batman comics have made the transition from page to screen in some way. Some have been adopted fully, like The Long Halloween, while others, such as The Killing Joke, had story elements borrowed to some extent. Of all the Batman stories that have received comic adaptations, there are even more that haven’t been. Today, we take a look at ten of the Caped Crusader’s comics that need to be adapted for the screen.
10. Knightfall
This legendary epic is one of the most iconic stories to ever come from the Batman comics. Knightfall introduced the world to Bane and shows what happens when the Bat is truly broken. Some of the bigger moments have made their way to the screen in some way, such as in The Dark Knight Rises. However, the story as a whole has never been adapted. As much as fans may want this, it would be a large undertaking. Knightfall is a massive story and would take several entries to do justice. Perhaps the best way to do this is by having a miniseries with several episodes. Regardless of how it is done, fans would enjoy seeing this epic story be fully adapted.
9. White Knight
Batman and his grey sense of right and wrong have been examined many times before, but never in such a way as in White Knight. In the story, The Joker gets medicated and regains his sanity. The former Clown Prince of Crime wants to redeem himself for his crimes and does so by exposing the true criminal of Gotham, Batman. There have been several successful animated Batman comic adaptations, and this one could be one of the best. Several sequels were made, and each one would make a fantastic movie. Seeing Batman have to face his own crimes and seeing Joker as a normal person is something that hasn’t been seen outside of the comics yet.
8. Contagion
One of the more underrated Batman comics is one that would make for a great adaptation. Batman: Contagion sees a deadly virus make its way to Gotham City. Batman rushes to find the origin of the virus and to make a cure. Everyone is on edge as Gotham is put under quarantine. The race against the clock is made even more intense after Robin is infected. This story has all the elements of a great Batman story and would make for a thrilling adaptation. Not a ton of people may know of this story, and bringing it to the screen would be a great way to introduce it to the masses.
7. Dark Victory
One of the most legendary Batman stories received a two-part animated movie last year. Batman: The Long Halloween did the classic tale justice in a huge way. The comic received a sequel that follows Batman several months after the events of Long Halloween. Dark Victory sees Batman having to deal with the guilt of what happened to Harvey Dent when a new mysterious killer makes themselves known. The story is also a Robin origin story, showing Dick Grayson first joining up with Bruce. As successful as the first comic adaptation was, adapting Dark Victory seems like a no-brainer. The Batman also heavily took from Long Halloween, so that sequel could also be a loose adaptation of Dark Victory.
6. No Man’s Land
Like Knightfall, No Man’s Land was also been loosely adapted in The Dark Knight Rises. In it, an Earthquake rocks Gotham City and causes it to be shut out from the rest of the world. In the chaos, the criminals of the city begin to take over and rule the streets. Everyone from common thugs to super-criminals fights for power over the city. It is up to Batman and those brave enough to stand up to them to save Gotham. Gotham being isolated while criminals take over has been loosely adapted before, most recently in The Batman. Fans of the comic would love to the story recover a full adaptation in some way.
5. Last Knight On Earth
This classic Scott Snyder story begins with Bruce Wayne’s awakening in Arkham Asylum. He is younger than he should be, and he has never been Batman. He sets out to discover what happens and finds the world a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Along with the disembodied talking head of The Joker, Batman sets off to find out what happened and how to get back where he belongs. This story is one of the more recent Batman comics, but it is already praised as a classic. The story features many familiar faces from throughout the DC Universe and would make for an entertaining animated movie.
4. Three Jokers
The Joker and Batman’s relationship has been shown many, many times in various comic adaptations. However, Three Jokers takes the classic rivalry and flips it on the head. The Joker has a hand in ruining the lives of several Batfamily members, and they all want revenge. The family soon realizes that the man that has been terrorizing them all these years wasn’t a single person. Batman and his team must race to figure out what Joker’s newest plan is before it is too late. This story has been compared to Killing Joke as one of the best Joker tales, and it deserves to be seen on screen.
3. Endgame
Again, the rivalry between Batman and the Joker is the stuff of legends. However, their fight in Batman: Endgame changed everything. The Joker is not smiling this time, and his only goal is to torture the Dark Knight to his core and then maybe kill him. This is the deadliest the Joker has ever been, and he isn’t playing around. Endgame is the culmination of several story arcs, but it is still a mostly stand-alone tale that can be adapted with some tweaking.
2. Face The Face
While Joker is frequently shown as Batman’s greatest villain, Two-Face is certainly up there. When Batman must leave Gotham, he leaves the city in the recently cured hands of Two-Face. When Batman returns, however, he discovers that Dent isn’t going to give control over that easily. The relationship between Two-Face and Batman is one of heartache and guilt, and this story personifies that. Of all the comic adaptations that could be made, this is one that will work well in either animation or live-action.
1. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth
Batman and the horror genre go hand in hand. Perhaps the best example of this is in Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth. Under the leadership of The Joker, the inmates have taken over Arkham Asylum. They promise to kill every innocent person in the hospital unless Batman joins them. He does as he is asked and must endure psychological torment at the hands of Arkham Asylum. This story is a pure horror tale and unlike anything, Batman has ever faced on the screen. Adapting the insane visuals and chilling story into a trippy animated feature should be a no-brainer.