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The hype for Matt Reeves’ sequel to The Batman is already beginning to build. It has been heavily rumored Clayface will make an appearance, as well as several other villains. Fans are taking to the comics that started it all in order to figure out which classic story will make it to the big screen. Batman comics have been filled with some of the greatest stories to ever grace the pages of comics. Many of them have already influenced projects outside the comics, but so many have remained untouched. Today, we will be looking at some great Batman stories that could have potential in the upcoming sequel.
10. Gotham Central
In addition to a theatrical sequel to The Batman, Matt Reeves is developing several shows for HBO Max. These shows will share a universe with the movies, and one of them was to follow GCPD police officers. The show is rumored to have been reworked into a show about Arkham, but this hasn’t been fully confirmed. Regardless, Matt could use the new movie to lead into a GCPS show, and Gotham Central is a good place to find inspiration. The comic hardly features Batman, and instead focuses on a group of police officers. This comic could be adapted as a side plot in the film, and introduce characters that could be the center of the series.
9. Contagion
With recent events surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic, this story could be seen as in bad taste. However, with some care and tweaking, it could work. Contagion sees Batman fighting to discover the cause of a deadly virus plaguing Gotham. the virus is capable of brutally killing people within days of contracting it. With Gotham in the state, it was at the end of the previous film, Contagion could work. The city will already be struggling to get back on its feet, and a new virus could make Batman fight even harder to save the city. Contagion is one of the more underrated Batman comics, so it would be good to see it done justice.
8. No Man’s Land
Thanks to The Riddler, Gotham City has been flooded. This is far from the first time Gotham has been isolated from the outside world, with one of the best-known being No Man’s Land. The story was loosely adapted in The Dark Knight Rises, but this could be a chance to see it done real justice. A cataclysmic earthquake nearly levels Gotham. It isolates the city, making it near impossible for anybody to leave or help to arrive. In the chaos, criminals are fighting in the streets for control of the damaged city. While not damaged by an earthquake, Gotham, took a serious hit in the previous film. It could be entertaining to see certain aspects of this story appear on the big screen.
7. Broken City
With the streets of Gotham flooded, fans feel this is a great time for Killer Croc to appear in The Batman 2. Broken City sees the Caped Crusader hunting Croc after believing he is responsible for a grisly murder. The story also sees Batman come across a crime scene involving two parents being murdered, leaving their son an orphan. This causes Batman to relieve his own troubled past while hunting down Croc. This story would make for a good adaptation not just for Croc, but because it deals with Bruce confronting his own demons, something he only just begun to do in the last film. The story also sees Joker watching Batman from the shadows, something he could be doing in Arkham in the movies.
6. Bruce Wayne: Fugitive
The ending of the last movie shows Bruce Wayne beginning to understand he needs to be something other than a symbol of vengeance. This means he will have to be publically be Bruce Wayne far more, and this could make him a target. Bruce Wayne: Fugitive does just that. The story sees Bruce framed for murder, and the true culprit could know his secret. While this story heavily features the Bat Family, the core elements of the story could be adapted. Bruce dealing with his own issues while Batman fights whoever the villain is could be an entertaining watch. Not many Batman comics see Bruce Wayne having separate problems from that of Batman, but this is one of the best examples.
5. The Last Arkham
The first movie introduced Arkham and made it clear there are already several criminals there who have it out for the Dark Knight. This could be a smooth transition for The Last Arkham to be adapted. This story introduced Victor Zsaz, a brutal serial killer that would fit in perfectly with the gritty world Matt Reeves has created. The Last Arkham sees Batman and Gordan hatch a plot to get Batman committed to Arkham to investigate a case. Things backfire when those running the asylum believe Batman belongs there, leading to them performing the same tactics on him as the other criminals. This could lead to Byuve facing his own demons in the new movie, something fans would love to see. Batman also must face his greatest enemies on their own turf, including Joker.
4. The Court of Owls
A story arc that has been rumored to make it to the big screen since the announcement of The Batman is The Court of Owls. This now legendary story sees an elite group running Gotham from the shadows. They decide it is time to cleanse Gotham by essentially destroying it. This, of course, leads to them landing in Batman’s crosshairs. Batman must dig deep into the secret history of Gotham, proving to him how little he truly knows about the city he has sworn to protect. The last movie hinted at the secrets hidden in Gotham, which could be leading up to the introduction of the Court. This is quickly becoming one of the highest-regarded Batman comics and would make for an excellent movie.
3. Hush
Yet another one of the Batman comics that would make for a great film is Hush. As mentioned before, Bruce is on the path to rediscovering himself in the Matt Reeves movies. This could lead to him encountering old friends as he did in Hush. This story sees a new serial killer who seemingly has ties to Bruce Wayne. It is clear the Matt Reeves movies will lean heavily into Batman’s detective skills, and this is a great case for him to solve. In addition to this, both Riddler and Joker are heavily involved in the plot of Hush, and they are both present in the Matt Reeves universe. While the entire story may not be adapted, certain elements would make for interesting plot devices.
2. Son of the Demon
It is high time Ra’s Al Ghul is done justice on the big screen. While he did appear in the Dark Knight Trilogy, he wasn’t exactly comic-accurate. Fans would love to see The Demon’s Head truly adapted on the big screen, and this 1987 story is a great place to find inspiration. The film sees Batman and Ra’s team up to hunt down a killer. The story also heavily focuses on the romance between Bruce and Talia. This story could be loosely adapted and give both Ra’s and Talia some proper justice. The story also sees Talia become pregnant. This wasn’t properly referenced again until 2006 when Damien Wayne was introduced. While it is too early for Damien to appear in Matt Reeves’ universe, this story could help plant the seeds for him to later appear.
1. Dark Victory
One of the major inspirations for The Batman was one of the best Batman comics, The Long Halloween. It only makes sense for that comic’s sequel to be the basis for the second movie. Dark Victory is a direct sequel to The Long Halloween and is set several months after that comic. The story sees Batman further hone his detective skills when a new killer begins to pick up where Holliday left off. The last movie saw many people inspired by the actions of The Riddler, so it is safe to assume some copycats could appear. Most importantly, Dark Victory retells the origins of Dick Grayson and his transformation into Robin. Fans are hoping to see Robin once again appear in a movie, and this is the most logical comic to adapt his story from.