Batman

Launched in 1985 by Kiran Comics, this two-issue series redefines Batman's early years through a stark, noir-inflected lens, focusing on the psychological weight of his mission rather than the usual rogues' gallery. Written and illustrated by a core creative team, the story strips the Dark Knight down to his most elemental—a driven vigilante navigating a gritty Gotham. Though brief, its tightly focused narrative and moody artwork left an outsized influence on how the character's origin and motivations would be portrayed in the decades to follow.