BATMAN

Batman: Year One
Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, 144 pages

Year One is a groundbreaking reinterpretation of the origin of Batman—who he is, and how he came to be. Sometimes careless and naive, this Dark Knight is far from the flawless crime fighter he is today.  In his first year on the job, Batman feels his way around a Gotham City far darker and more sinister. His solemn vow to extinguish the town’s criminal element is only half the battle; along with Lieutenant James Gordon, the Dark Knight must also fight a police force more corrupt than the scum in the streets of Gotham City.

Batman The Long Halloween
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, 408 pages

In a mystery taking place during Batman's early days of crime fighting, Batman: The Long Halloween is one of the greatest Dark Knight stories ever told. Christmas. St. Patrick's Day. Easter. As the calendar's days stack up, so do the bodies littered in the streets of Gotham City. A murderer is loose, killing only on holidays. The only man that can stop this fiend? The Dark Knight. Working with District Attorney Harvey Dent and Lieutenant James Gordon, Batman races against the calendar as he tries to discover who The Holiday Killer is before he claims his next victim.

Catwoman: When in Rome
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, 168 pages

For the third part of their trilogy, Loeb and Sale focused on Batman’s most compelling sometimes-enemy, sometimes-ally in the six-part Catwoman: When in Rome.Catwoman: When in Rome takes place within the events of Dark Victory, detailing Selina Kyle’s mysterious trip to Italy, her dealings with the deadly Falcone crime family, and her attempt to uncover information about her long-lost parents. As Selina’s Roman Holiday unfolds over the span of a week, she encounters the Riddler, Scarecrow, and even Wonder Woman’s nemesis, the Cheetah!

THE LONG HALLOWEEN

BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN

After reading at least Batman Year One and Batman: The Long Halloween, students will develop a thesis that answers the question: Is Batman a hero or vigilante? In a 1,000+ word essay, students will support their thesis with evidence from these two stories, and potentially the prequel and three sequels. This essay will be in MLA format, and must include a works cited page with at least three sources. Critical thinking skills will be put to the test, as students must include a counter-argument and rebuttal in their essay.

Students are encouraged to watch Batman films in order to better understand the Caped Crusader. Here are some recommendations: 

OPTIONAL BATMAN ARTWORK

Students are also encouraged to create an art piece to accompany their essay. Examples and art supplies will be available in class.

The Long Halloween Prequel: Haunted Knight
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, 200 pages

One Halloween during Batman's early years, the Scarecrow is on the prowl in Gotham City, forcing the Dark Knight into a furiously frightful game of cat and mouse. In another, all Hallows Eve has come ’round again...and the Dark Knight of Gotham City has a midnight appointment with terror when he faces the twisted genius of the Mad Hatter! And in yet another, Bruce Wayne’s tortured sleep is violated by four specters: the spirit of his murdered father, the Ghost of Halloween Past, the Ghost of Halloween Present and a mysterious Ghost of Halloween Future. But what do they want of the Dark Knight?

The Long Halloween Sequel: Dark Victory
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, 416 pages

Set in early days of the Dark Knight's career, Batman must stop the elusive cop killer "Hangman" before the murderer strikes again. A children's game pinned to each of the victims is the only clue to the Hangman's identity. A rogues gallery of villains are prime suspects—Two Face, the Joker, the Riddler, Catwoman. Even the police force, led by newly appointed Commissioner Jim Gordon, cannot be trusted. In order to solve this crime, Batman must look to a most unexepcted place: An orphaned boy who will change his life forever. They will be known as Batman and Robin, and this is their story.

REQUIRED Reading: Batman Year One and Batman: The Long Halloween. The other available volumes are OPTIONAL. They include a prequel called Haunted Knights and three sequels. Note: Dark Victory and When in Rome run concurrently, and The Last Halloween comes... last. BELOW ARE SCANS OF THE ORIGINAL 13-PART SERIES BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN from Mr. Tubach's personal collection.

TIMELINE AND DETECTIVE BOARD

PREREQUISITE

YOU MUST READ BATMAN: YEAR ONE BEFORE YOU START THE LONG HALLOWEEN SERIES

Batman: The Last halloween
Jeph Loeb and Various Artists, 336 pages

Jeph Loeb teams with 10 of the greatest artists in comics for a brand-new mystery, paying tribute to the amazing artistic legacy of the late Tim Sale, who passed away while working on this series. As the story begins, Gotham City learns to fear Halloween once more as a terrible event threatens to destroy Jim Gordon's life and puts Batman and Robin's teamwork to the test more than ever before. In a city of liars, masked vigilantes, and criminals... can anyone be trusted? Look for clues as you read this final installment of this legendary saga. 

Batman: The Long Halloween is a complex murder mystery involving organized crime and costumed criminals. There are parallel stories and a multitude of enigmatic and colorful characters. Each student will work with a partner to take notes in two different ways. First, they will create a timeline of events. This can be on paper or digital. Second, they will create a detective board, which includes characters and their relationships. See the generic examples below to get a sense of the expectation. 

THE DARK KNIGHT ESSAY