Since his creation in 1939, Batman has been one of the most iconic fictional characters in all of pop culture. The story of how an orphaned Bruce Wayne trained his body to perfection and honed the vast skills of his mind in order to avenge the murder of his parents has transcended comic books and is now a classic example of American folklore.

Superman may be DC Comics’ corporate mascot, but Batman is the company’s true money-maker. But while most people will recognize the character from various TV shows, movies, and video games, it's in his comic book roots where Batman is at his best. Whether he’s part of a small-scale crime drama or a sophisticated superhero epic that changes the way we look at comics themselves, Batman always seems to be at the forefront of the evolution of the industry.

Throughout this entire year, DC is celebrating Batman's 75th anniversary by bringing fans new comics, animated movies, and video games based on the world of the Caped Crusader. While there is a lot to look forward to in the character's future, we're going to take a step back into the past by counting down the 25 Best Batman Comics of All Time. If you're trying to become the ultimate Dark Knight fan, these are required reading.

Written by Jason Serafino (@serafinoj1)

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