Batman: Lovers and Madmen

In this 2008 DC one-shot, writer Michael Green and artist Denys Cowan explore the early, formative days of Batman's war on crime, focusing on his first encounter with the Joker. Rather than a simple origin tale, the story presents a psychological thriller that examines the dark symmetry between Gotham's protector and its most chaotic villain. It’s a sharp, character-driven piece that deepens the mythology of their legendary rivalry.