The DCU's Batman Movie Should Take Inspiration From These 8 Comics

Published Nov 12, 2026, 1:08 PM EST Eddie Possehl is a dynamic and driven writer/director with a passion for the written word and all things film, television, comics, and games. His passion for storytelling led him to establish his own production company in hopes of achieving his dreams. His dedication to his craft has attracted renowned talent like Yuri Lowenthal to collaborate with him on his projects. As he grows and improves, Eddie is a shining example of a self-starter. With the recent news of the loss of James Gunn and Peter Safran over at DC Studios, the DCU is in a huge state of change. Because of this it's safe to say that while The Brave and the Bold is nigh on its way, things may very well be different—may not even be considered The Brave and the Bold anymore, at this point. While they featured a comic book that featured Damian Wayne upon initial announcement, the project is most likely completely new now. With this in mind, one can't be entirely sure what The Brave and the Bold is being based on at this point. So, it'll be fun to ideate what comic books the DCU should take inspiration from for the Dark Knight's first solo debut in the smash-hit cinematic universe. If one thing is true, though, the DCU needs to take a different direction than the likes of The Batman has (extremely grounded) and go a bit more superhero-esque than Batman typically has been in the past (except maybe the Snyderverse). 8 Batman: Reptilian (2021) Image via DC Comics A more recent book that would be a fun story for the DCU's Batman to follow is none other than 2021's Batman: Reptilian (2021). This six-issue limited series follows the Caped Crusader as he chases down a mysterious monster as it begins terribly murdering people all across Gotham City—specifically high-ranking members of the criminal underworld. As stated, this iteration of the hero should be just a tad more out-of-this-world—existing in a world that the likes of Superman, Supergirl, and Clayface kind of requires that—and having Bats face down a monster would help bring that feeling forth. Batman: Reptilian (2021) introduces a fun, monster-led story that also keeps the detective side of the character intact, keeping the secret behind the monster a mystery for a good chunk of the story. 7 Batman: The Black Mirror (2011) Image via DC Comics Another recent title in the Batman comic book mythos that would be an awesome addition to Batman's film catalog, is Batman: The Black Mirror (2011). If this version of the character is going to really set itself apart and feel unique, they need to really have fun with developing and redefining the Batman lore. The 2024 book, Batman: The Black Mirror (2011) does this extremely well. One of Batman's most popular supporting characters is the iconic Gotham City Police Department Commissioner, James Gordon. In Batman: The Black Mirror (2011), Batman—who's actually Dick Grayson in the comic, but could easily just be made Bruce Wayne in the movie—the Brave Bat and Gordon investigate an underground black market auction that just so happens to include Gordon's deranged son, James Gordon Jr. Taking a Batman cast member like Gordon and redefining their lore and backstory like this would really set DCU's Gotham City apart from the rest in the best way possible. 6 Batman and Robin (2009) Image via DC Comics When James Gunn first announced The Brave and the Bold, he used none other than the Batman and Robin (2009) comic book to tease what was to come. While he did say that things have changed a lot with the movie since then, there's a chance some inspiration from this 2009 hit is still being taken and that is most certainly something to stay excited about. One of the most prominent aspects of this comic to note is the inclusion of Batman's biological son, Damian Wayne, as Robin. This newest member of the Bat-Family is one of the largest, most popular additions to the Bat-Family in decades. The Bat-Family is one of the best parts of Batman comics and with them not getting much spotlight in live-action Batman cinema, this might be a great story to pick from. 5 Batman: Birth of the Demon (1993) Image via DC Comics Not every comic story is an ongoing, multi-issue plot. The likes of Batman: Birth of the Demon (1993) is an example of an excellent one-shot story that could be a great one to take inspiration from for The Brave and the Bold. A popular Batman villain—still not known by most general audiences—is Ra' al Ghul, and Batman: Birth of the Demon (1993) explores his deep backstory. Ra's would be a great villain to include in the DCU, given his grounded nature, but mystic roots in things like his legendary Lazarus Pit. But, if they're going to include him, they need to make sure he's written well, and one way to do that is to take inspiration from this 1993 title. Batman: Birth of the Demon fully delves into the backstory and origins of Ra's al Ghul, and writer Dennis O'Neil does an incredible job bringing him to life and making him a character that audiences can really find something to chew on. 4 Batman: A Death in the Family (1988) Image via DC Comics This line of comic issues is one of the most impactful stories in Batman's entire comic book mythology. It contains one of the most important and powerful deaths in comic book history: the murder of Batman's second Robin, Jason Todd. This is one of the more brutal deaths to happen to such a young character, and it would go on to redefine the character of Bruce Wayne for quite some time after—almost in the same way the death of Gwen Stacy redefined Spider-Man. The wildest part of it all is that fans actually voted for the Robin to die. So, all around, this story has made a profound impact all across the board. Seeing this happen on screen would be horrific in all the best ways. Get the audiences invested in Jason Todd, only to take him from them. Making them truly feel the death and horrors behind Batman: A Death in the Family (1988) will do wonders for the day they ever choose to adapt the "Under the Red Hood" plot line. 3 Batman Incorporated (2011) Image via DC Comics One thing that people want to see from the next iteration of Batman is more of an inclusion of the Bat-Family. People love this group of heroes, and in recent cinema, they have not gotten the kind of attention that they so rightfully deserve. If the DCU wants to get real extreme with that inclusion, though, the 2011 story of Batman Incorporated (2011) is a great one to look at. This story follows Bruce Wayne as he establishes the titular Batman Incorporated, which has the goal of establishing heroes and vigilantes across the planet, swearing them to vows and training them to be their best selves. Dick Grayson has a huge role in this story, as well. The Bat-Family is so extremely important to the character of Batman, so the DCU really should dedicate time to including them in whatever comes next. 2 Batman and the Monster Men (2006) Image via DC Comics As stated, the DCU is going to need to really differentiate itself from the likes of The Batman and The Dark Knight franchise, and the best way to do that is to get even just a tad more supernatural or mystical than the others. A great title to take from to do something like this is the amazing Batman and the Monster Men (2006). Taking place after the iconic Batman: Year One (1987), this story is about as perfect of an example as one can get when it comes to transitioning Batman from super gritty stories into a more out-of-this-world feeling. Batman and the Monster Men (2006) takes the grounded and abrasive Gotham City everyone knows and loves, and it shoves in some monstrosities that are, well, not as grounded as the likes of mobsters like Carmine Falcone. This is done through the classic villain, Hugo Strange, who has made horrific monsters—a type of foe that, at this point, Batman has never gone up against. This really throws Batman out of his league, and what better way to introduce this kind of world to the audience than for said audience and Batman to be thrown in headfirst together. 1 Absolute Batman (2025) Image via DC/Nick Dragotta The one . . . the only . . . Absolute Batman (2025) has quickly become one of the most popular, impactful, and successful modern comic books. The way that this hero is completely redefined for a whole new universe is borderline perfect and changes things just enough to be unique, but still excellently captures the heart of the character through and through. While the DCU should keep the characterization of the Caped Crusader himself truer to the mainline books, there's something to be said about how the Absolute Universe adapts its supporting cast—villains especially. The way this book reimagines the villains of the classic mythology behind the character is perfect. So, if the DCU wants to take some risks moving forward to make their universe different but still DC at its core, taking some inspiration from Absolute Batman (2025) is the perfect route to go.