The DC Universe (DCU) is entering a bold new era under James Gunn, and Batman fans have much to be excited about. Gunn has teased a fresh take on the Caped Crusader – one that introduces Bruce Wayne’s murderous young son Damian and finally embraces the wider Bat-Family. To imagine what this interpretation might look like, it’s worth exploring some of the greatest Batman comic story runs that align with Gunn’s vision. From gritty classics to modern epics, the following five storylines have the tone, themes, and characters that could heavily inspire DCU’s upcoming Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Each of these runs – a mix of beloved classics and fan-favorite modern tales – offers insight into how Gunn might weave Batman’s mythology into the broader DCU. Let’s dive into the comics and see how they could influence the Dark Knight’s future on screen.
1. Batman: Year One – The Foundations of a Legend
Frank Miller’s “Batman: Year One” is widely regarded as one of the best Batman stories ever told. This 1987 classic redefined Batman’s origin in a gritty, realistic noir style, focusing as much on a young Jim Gordon’s war against Gotham’s corruption as on Bruce Wayne’s first nights in the cape and cowl. The tone is grounded and character-driven – a perfect template for a DCU Batman who has history and depth. In Year One, we see Bruce make brutal mistakes and forge his moral code amid a crime-infested Gotham, while Lieutenant Gordon grapples with police corruption. Such elements could greatly influence James Gunn’s approach. Gunn might not retell Bruce’s origin directly, but the Year One vibe – a gritty crime drama with noir atmosphere – could permeate his Batman’s world. We know Matt Reeves’ The Batman drew from Year One’s realism, and Gunn could likewise use its influence to ensure the DCU’s Batman feels grounded yet hard-boiled, inhabiting a Gotham that’s nearly a character itself. Moreover, Year One’s focus on Batman’s alliance with an honest Gordon and the idea of Batman as an urban legend at first can inform how the DCU’s veteran Batman is portrayed (even if he’s further along in his career). By embracing Year One’s ethos – corrupt cops, mob bosses, and a hero learning to balance vengeance with compassion – Gunn can root the fantastical DC universe in a believable world. It’s the foundation on which later, more fantastical stories can stand.
2. Batman: The Long Halloween – A Detective Noir Epic
If Year One is Batman’s beginning, “Batman: The Long Halloween” is the perfect Year Two. This 13-issue limited series (1996-97) by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale finds Batman in his early crime-fighting days, working with Captain Jim Gordon and D.A. Harvey Dent to hunt a serial killer known as “Holiday.” Each chapter brings a new month and holiday-themed murder in Gotham’s entrenched mafia circles. The Long Halloween is a fan-favorite for its atmospheric murder mystery and gradual transformation of Gotham from mobsters to “freak” villains (it famously chronicles Harvey Dent’s tragic fall into Two-Face). James Gunn has listed The Long Halloween among his favorite Batman tales, so its influence on the DCU is likely. What could Gunn draw from it? First, the detective aspect – Batman is above all “the World’s Greatest Detective,” and this story showcases his investigative chops in a noir setting. In a cinematic universe that has often leaned on action, Gunn might use Long Halloween to infuse a true mystery element, giving audiences a detective thriller within the superhero framework. Second, Long Halloween expertly juggles a large cast of villains (Joker, Catwoman, Riddler, and more make appearances) in a cohesive narrative. This kind of ensemble storytelling is something Gunn excels at, and we could see DCU’s Batman dealing with multiple rogues in one story, much as Holiday’s killings pull in Gotham’s entire rogue’s gallery. Finally, the way The Long Halloween builds the Bat-mythos – showing a city transitioning from organized crime to costumed criminality – could parallel Gunn’s DCU Gotham. It sets the stage for why characters like the Joker or Scarecrow exist, which adds texture to the world. By capturing the essence of this tale – its slow-burn suspense, holiday-themed chapters, and iconic twists – Gunn can deliver a Batman film that’s not just a superhero action flick, but a stylish whodunit that keeps us guessing.
3. Grant Morrison’s Batman Run – Birth of the Bat-Family
James Gunn’s The Brave and the Bold is confirmed to be inspired by Grant Morrison’s Batman comics, particularly the introduction of Bruce Wayne’s son Damian Wayne. This modern run (2006-2013) – which spans “Batman & Son,” “The Black Glove,” “Batman R.I.P.,” “Batman and Robin,” and beyond – fundamentally changed the status quo by bringing Damian Wayne into Batman’s life. Morrison’s saga is a wild ride that celebrates the entire Bat-mythos: it gives us Ninja Man-Bats, the villainous Dr. Hurt and his Black Glove cabal, Batman’s apparent “death” and legacy, and the creation of Batman Incorporated. At its heart, though, is a very personal story of a father and son. Damian Wayne is a brutally raised assassin when he first appears, forcing Batman to balance crime-fighting with newfound parenthood. Gunn has called Damian his “favorite Robin” and highlighted the father-son dynamic as the core of the DCU’s Batman story. We can expect Gunn to lean into the compelling tension Morrison created: Damian’s struggle between his mother Talia al Ghul’s lethal upbringing and his father Bruce’s strict moral code. The DCU Batman will already be an older, established hero; introducing a 10-year-old son suddenly gives him a fresh character arc (and a touch of dark humor, given Damian’s sass and violence). Morrison’s run also expands the Bat-Family in big ways – Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, and others play key roles – and Gunn’s DCU is explicitly looking to feature the extended Bat-Family on screen. We might see influences from stories like “Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn,” where Dick Grayson becomes Batman and partners with Damian, or the international Batmen of Batman Incorporated, underscoring that Batman isn’t a loner anymore. Morrison’s Batman run is known for its bold, imaginative twists (from Joker’s fake personas to time-traveling Batman) – Gunn, with his love for the bizarre (Guardians, The Suicide Squad), might well incorporate some of that zany, high-concept storytelling. But even if he tones down the comic-book craziness, Morrison’s influence ensures the DCU’s Batman saga will be family-centric and epic in scope, not just focused on Bruce but on the legacy he’s building.
4. Batman: Hush – Allies, Enemies, and Dark Secrets
If Gunn wants a Batman story that showcases the wider DC universe and the full Batman cast, “Hush” is a prime candidate. This 12-part saga (2002-2003) by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee is a thrilling tour through Batman’s world. In Hush, a mysterious bandage-faced mastermind manipulates Batman’s greatest enemies – from Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn to Scarecrow, Clayface, even Superman (via mind control) – all to torment Bruce Wayne. The story is famous for its shocking twists (including a long-lost friend turned villain) and for deepening the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. How does this align with James Gunn’s DCU vision? Firstly, Hush is essentially a Bat-Family reunion and rogue’s gallery showcase in one. It features Dick Grayson’s Nightwing, Barbara Gordon, Tim Drake, and more, proving that a story can juggle many heroes on Batman’s side. Gunn’s films often balance ensemble casts effectively, so a Hush-style narrative – which organically involves multiple sidekicks and allies – could be appealing. We know Gunn isn’t shying away from including Robin and others; Hush would give him a roadmap to do so while keeping the plot coherent and exciting. Secondly, the presence of Superman in Hush (when Poison Ivy compels the Man of Steel to fight Batman) is a memorable crossover that shows Batman’s place in the wider DC world. In a connected DCU, we might see Batman interact with other heroes, and Gunn could nod to Hush by letting worlds collide briefly (imagine a DCU film where Batman seeks Metropolis’s help or faces a Justice League friend under villainous influence). Most importantly, Hushbrings an emotional core: the mystery antagonist turns out to be entwined with Bruce’s past, forcing Batman to confront personal trust issues and old wounds. Gunn, who often stresses character emotion amid spectacle, could use a storyline like Hush to explore Bruce’s psyche and relationships – especially his bond with Catwoman or his struggle to trust others. Visually and tonally, the storyline offers a mix of blockbuster action (every villain gets a set-piece), detective work, and heartfelt moments (the unmasking of the villain is a gut-punch for Bruce). Adapting Hush directly might be down the line, but its elements – a vast ensemble of rogues, Bat-Family teamwork, and a personal betrayal – are perfectly in step with what we expect from Gunn’s interconnected DC storytelling.
5. The Court of Owls – A New Nightmare in Gotham
One of the most acclaimed modern Batman runs is Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s “Court of Owls” (2011-2012), and it’s exactly the kind of fresh storyline that could energize the DCU. The Court of Owls is a secret society that has clandestinely ruled Gotham City for centuries, employing undead assassin “Talons” to do their bidding. In this arc, Batman discovers to his horror that an “urban legend” is real – the Owls have infiltrated every level of Gotham’s infrastructure, and they’re directly targeting Bruce Wayne. The story is a psychological and physical trial for Batman: he’s trapped in a labyrinth, drugged, and nearly broken by the Court’s machinations. Introducing the Court of Owls in the DCU would give Gunn a potent new villain (one untouched by previous Batman films) and lean into the gothic horror vibe that he often enjoys. Imagine a Batman movie with the suspenseful, spooky tone of a thriller – secret rituals in candlelit courts, owl-masked conspirators reciting eerie nursery rhymes about Bruce’s fate. Gunn’s chapter one is literally titled “Gods & Monsters,” and the Court of Owls could certainly fit the “monsters” category in a Batman context. This storyline also ties deeply into Gotham’s history and Bruce’s family legacy, themes that would enrich the DCU. Gunn could use the Court to explore the Wayne family’s past and make Gotham feel like a character with secrets of its own. We might even see parallels to modern issues – the Court is essentially an Illuminati of Gotham’s corrupt elites, something that could resonate allegorically. Another reason Court of Owls aligns with Gunn’s vision is how it expands the Bat-Family’s involvement. In the comics, Dick Grayson/Nightwing and others play roles in fighting the Court (the saga continues into the “Night of the Owls” crossover). Since Gunn is keen on including the Bat-Family, an adaptation could naturally incorporate Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, etc., all helping Bruce against a legion of Talon super-assassins. Finally, the Court’s existence in the shadows adds a mythic quality to Batman’s world – the kind of larger-than-life lore that can make the DCU feel deep and rich. Gunn could film some truly chilling sequences (picture Batman navigating a dark maze, haunted by ghostly owls). In short, The Court of Owls would bring suspense, world-building, and a formidable challenge to our hero – aligning perfectly with a new universe that promises to test its heroes in unexpected ways.
James Gunn’s DCU is poised to give us a Batman we’ve never seen on film before, one who operates in a larger world of heroes while mentoring a dangerous young Robin. The five story arcs above – Year One, The Long Halloween, Grant Morrison’s Batman (Batman & Son), Hush, and The Court of Owls – each offer a piece of the puzzle for how to do that successfully. From Year One’s gritty realism to Long Halloween’s noir detective work, from Morrison’s family-centric epics to Hush’s all-encompassing drama and the Court’s modern horror flair, Gunn has a treasure trove of inspiration to draw from. These comics show Batman as a master strategist, a detective, a father, and a legend all at once. By weaving elements from these classic and modern runs, the DCU’s Batman stories can honor what came before while forging something bold and new. Gunn has always balanced heart, humor, and spectacle in his films – and Batman’s mythology, as these stories prove, has all of that in spades. Whether it’s the heartfelt father-son growth of Bruce and Damian, the cerebral chess match with a mastermind like Hush, or the chilling rhyme of the Court (“Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time…”), the possibilities are endless. One thing’s certain: if the spirit of these five comics lives in the DCU, Batman’s future on screen will be bright (and a little terrifying) indeed – just the way we like it. Gotham’s dark nights are about to get a lot more interesting, and as fans, we can’t wait to see this new tapestry unfold, panel by panel, on the silver screen.
