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There’s no denying that character-driven stories are most often the best stories. Sometimes, though, the location of a story is a character in itself. Enter Arkham Asylum, where Gotham City’s most dangerous and psychotic criminals often end up… and just as often escape from! It’s as fascinating a place as it is terrifying, and it’s been the focus of some of the most memorable Batman stories ever told. We’ve put together a list of five such stories, beginning with Grant Morrison and Dave McKean’s legendary Arkham Asylum.
You might be reading one or more of the Batman books right now, in which Joker and Penguin feature prominently. Both of them, as you likely know, are once and future residents at Arkham and feature prominently in some of these stories!
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BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM TP Written by Grant Morrison In celebration of the 16th anniversary of the critically acclaimed Batman story that helped launch the U.S. careers of Grant Morrison and Dave McKean, DC Comics is proud to present a softcover edition of the ARKHAM ASYLUM ANNIVERSARY EDITION, reprinting the now-classic confrontation between the Dark Knight and his archnemeses the Joker, Two-Face, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, and more in the black heart of Gotham City’s house for the criminally insane. This graphic novel is well known for its psychological intensity and probing portraits of Batman and the Joker, as well as groundbreaking art that influenced scores of artists by introducing a new school of storytelling and technique to comics. This special edition also includes Morrison’s complete original script annotated by both himself and editor Karen Berger, many of his original thumbnail breakdowns, step-by-step samples of how the story and art came together and much more! |
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BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY TP Written by Paul Dini Tying in with the release of the BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY video game, this special edition collects the entirety of the BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY miniseries including all five digital-first chapters! Combined, this collection bridges the gap between the original smash hit BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM video game and its highly anticipated sequel. Find out the real motivation behind Mayor Sharp’s plans for the new criminal gulag and how Hugo Strange is pulling the strings behind the scenes. The short digital stories reveal more about how characters other than Batman react to the rise of the new city-within-a-city. |
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BATMAN: ARKHAM REBORN TP Written by David Hine Following Black Mask’s destruction of Arkham Asylum, Dr. Jeremiah Arkham has rebuilt the Asylum following the design of his mad Uncle Amadeus. But will the new Arkham be a haven for the criminally insane – or a house of torture? Collecting BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL – ARKHAM ASYLUM #1, ARKHAM REBORN #1-3 and DETECTIVE COMICS #864-865. |
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ARKHAM ASYLUM MADNESS TP Written and illustrated by Sam Kieth It is the most feared house in all of Gotham City. It contains the worst that the city has to offer. It is the place the Dark Knight’s most dangerous and psychotic foes call home. Writer/artist Sam Kieth, creator of THE MAXX, invites you to spend 24 hours in Arkham Asylum, the most unsettling house in the DC Universe, in this original Batman graphic novel. |
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ARKHAM ASYLUM LIVING HELL TP Written by Dan Slott Collecting the edgy 6-issue miniseries, ARKHAM ASYLUM: LIVING HELL examines the dark underbelly of Gotham’s notorious "House of Madness!" Warren White, one of Gotham’s most successful financiers, thought he could beat his jail rap by pleading insanity. Now he’s finding out why you don’t cop an insanity plea in Gotham! Expect appearances by Batman, The Joker, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, and the rest of Arkham’s regulars – plus the debut of several new Rogues! |
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ARKHAM ASYLUM UNHINGED HC Written by Derek Fridolfs & Various Collects BATMAN: ARKHAM UNHINGED #1-5! Inspired by the best-selling videogame Batman: Arkham City, these tales feature the evil of Hugo Strange, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Mr. Freeze, The Penguin, Hammer and Sickle and more! |
