Throughout 2024, there were several releases on the Batman universe, with some doing better than others. As one of the most iconic superheroes ever created, Batman's ubiquity in pop culture is unparalleled. Many actors have played Batman throughout the character's history, with new names added to that list throughout 2024. The year saw entries into the Batman universe across multiple mediums, with books, podcasts, films, and TV shows all released within a period of time. 12 months.
The timeline of Batman stories goes back decades, with countless iterations of the Caped Crusader adapted for the page, screen, and virtually every other narrative medium imaginable. However, not all Batman stories are of equal quality, with some entries in the universe being valued much more than others. This is only the case with 2024 releases, as the year featured both critical failures and overwhelming successes. With that in mind, here are all the Batman universe releases in 2024, ranked from worst to best.
5
Joker: Folie A Deux
Release date: October 4, 2024
Many 2019 characters Clown returned for its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deuxwith the film continuing the story of Arthur Fleck as he explores his new identity as the iconic Batman villain. Todd Phillips' first film won several awards, and anticipation for the sequel was high before its release. Unfortunately, Folie à Deux ended up being the worst release in the Batman universe in 2024, disappointing audiences and critics and generating disappointing box office numbers.
The story and ending of Joker: Folie à Deux It left a lot to be desired, with numerous issues highlighted in unexpectedly scathing reviews. The sequel lacked much of the depth and charm of its predecessorand it proved to be a much less thought-provoking film than many expected. In what was almost certainly the most surprising development in the Batman universe in 2024, Folie à Deux It was by far the worst release of the year set in the character's world.
4
Batman: Resurrection
Release date: October 15, 2024
2024 also saw the launch of Batman: Resurrection by John Jackson Miller, a novel set in the world of Tim Burton's Batman films. The novel directly follows the events of 1989 Batmanbridging the gap between Burton's two films. By doing this, Batman: Resurrection offers additional context for both stories, fleshing out the world of the still-popular film franchise and capitalizing on the nostalgia of the hero's early days in modern cinema.
Batman: Resurrection is an original story and a great read for fans of Burton's films. Exploring the aftermath of the Joker's death, both in terms of Gotham City and Batman's own psyche, the novel also establishes other figures within the universe, building on the foundations of Burton's cinematic world. Maybe the only reason Batman: Resurrection It doesn't rank higher among 2024 releases is that it wasn't as well marketed as other Batman storiesalthough it is a brilliant addition to the Batman universe.
3
Unburied Batman: Fallen City
Release date: November 26, 2024
The release of the second season of the audio drama podcast series Unburied Batmansubtitled Fallen Cityalso came during 2024. After the first season and its Riddler-focused spin-off series garnered generally positive reactions, anticipation for Unburied Batman: Fallen City it was loud. It ended up not disappointing, continuing the series' exciting and somewhat unorthodox approach to the Dark Knight's story, making perfect use of its unique format.
Unburied Batman: Fallen City follows Batman as he works alongside Harvey Dent on a project called “The brave and the bold”. It features the Court of Owls and Dent's transformation into the villainous Two-Face, while also employing a more atmospheric, less action-centric approach to the world of the Caped Crusader. The audio format certainly stands out as an innovative approach, and its singular place in the broader Batman universe helps define Fallen City separate even from the other exceptional releases of 2024.
2
Batman: Caped Crusader
Release date: August 1, 2024
Before its release, Batman: Caped Crusader seemed to be one of 2024's riskiest entries into the Batman universe. An animated series with a mature take on the character's mythos, it might have seemed possible that Capado Crusader I couldn't find a wider appreciation. Critics praised the show, however, noting the deep psychological examination of its characters and the serialized narrative as particularly impressive.
Combining a period setting with a morally complex take on the titular hero, Batman: Caped Crusader it's deceptively deep. Featuring Hamish Linklater as the eponymous vigilante, the show also boasted a host of vocal talent, complementing its clean visual style to cement it as a polished and well-realized entry into the Batman universe. Although the scale of its overwhelmingly positive reviews was somewhat unexpected Batman: Caped Crusader is undeniably one of the best Batman releases of 2024.
1
The penguin
Release date: September 19, 2024
Bringing back some of 2022's best unexplored characters Batmanthe cast of The penguinled by Colin Farrell, instantly gave it an air of quality. The series, following Oz Cobb's rise to the pinnacle of Gotham's criminal underworld, follows the events of Batmanand puts the spotlight on its titular villain. The HBO series emphasized the crime drama elements of its story rather than the comic book superhero stories, marking it as a perfect complement to Matt Reeves' 2022 film.
Critical reviews of the show were extremely positive, with The penguin sitting at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Virtually every element of the show was praised, including the performances of its cast, its storytelling, and the depth of its characters. As such, The penguin stands out as the best Batman 2024 launch by a considerable margin.
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