Top 10 Batman Crossovers Ever

Batman can only team up with fellow DC heroes like Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash so many times before it starts to feel a bit repetitive. Sometimes, we crave a story that breaks the mold and crosses the boundaries between different pop culture universes. This has led to some truly iconic and bizarre comic book crossovers over the years.

From expected pairings like Batman/Spider-Man and Batman/The Shadow to more unconventional ones like Batman/Elmer Fudd, these are the best (and some of the weirdest) Batman crossovers of all time. We're focusing solely on stories where Batman is the central figure, not those centered around the Justice League, such as Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong.

The Top 10 Best Batman Crossovers of All Time

11 Images10. Spider-Man and Batman

As arguably the two most iconic superheroes in the world, it was inevitable that Batman and Spider-Man would eventually cross paths. Surprisingly, Marvel and DC didn't bring them together until 1995, but the wait was well worth it. Spider-Man and Batman delves into the similarities between the two heroes and their tragic backstories, while smartly pitting them against the menacing duo of the Joker and Carnage.

The strength of Spider-Man and Batman lies in its creative team, featuring J.M. DeMatteis, the writer of Kraven's Last Hunt, and Mark Bagley, a prolific artist from Amazing Spider-Man. The result is a book that feels like a natural extension of the '90s Spider-Man comics, without the convoluted Clone Saga.

Buy DC vs. Marvel Omnibus on Amazon.

9. Spawn/Batman

As two dark vigilantes with billowing capes and massive fanbases, Spawn and Batman are a natural fit for a crossover. There have been three crossovers between these franchises, but the original stands out due to its impressive creative team. Spawn/Batman features Frank Miller, the writer of The Dark Knight Returns, and Todd McFarlane, the creator of Spawn. This collaboration results in a thrilling and appropriately dark team-up adventure.

Buy Batman/Spawn: The Classic Collection on Amazon.

8. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Since their 2011 reboot at IDW, the Ninja Turtles have starred in numerous crossovers. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stands out as one of the best, thanks to the dynamic pairing of Batman veteran James Tynion IV and artist Freddie E. Williams II.

This crossover offers an entertaining blend of two worlds, capitalizing on the clash of personalities between the Batman family and the Turtles. It also explores the intriguing question of whether Batman could defeat Shredder in a one-on-one fight. Tynion and Williams infuse the story with emotional depth, forging a meaningful bond between the Dark Knight and the Heroes in a Half Shell.

The success of the original crossover led to two direct sequels and a separate crossover based on the animated versions of the characters. It even inspired a 2019 animated movie, which is also highly recommended.

Buy Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1 (2025 Edition) on Amazon.

In many ways, the original Golden Age Batman is quite different from his later incarnations. This version of Batman shines in the unique and entertaining crossover series First Wave. Written by Brian Azzarello of 100 Bullets fame and drawn by Rags Morales of Identity Crisis, First Wave brings together a variety of iconic pulp heroes into one universe. Here, the Caped Crusader, uncharacteristically armed with guns, interacts with characters like Doc Savage, The Spirit, and Rima the Jungle Girl. The series is a lot of fun, and we wish the so-called Pulpverse had become a permanent part of DC's multiverse.

Buy First Wave on Amazon.

6. Batman/The Shadow: The Murder Geniuses

Without The Shadow, there would be no Batman. It's only fitting that these two dark avengers of the night are paired together, and Batman/The Shadow does an excellent job of it. The story begins with Batman investigating a murder in Gotham City, only to find that the prime suspect is Lamont Cranston, a man believed to have died 50 years earlier. This sets the stage for an exciting team-up.

The creative team behind Batman/The Shadow—writers Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando, and artist Riley Rossmo—elevates the series. Unfortunately, the full team did not return for the follow-up, The Shadow/Batman, but the sequel remains an enjoyable read.

Buy Batman/The Shadow: The Murder Geniuses on Amazon.

5. Batman Versus Predator

Even as the movie series struggled, the Predator franchise thrived in comics during the '90s, including three crossovers with Batman. The first, Batman Versus Predator, remains the standout, featuring a compelling story by Dave Gibbons of Watchmen fame and art by Andy and Adam Kubert before their X-Men days.

Batman Versus Predator has a simple yet effective premise: a Yautja is wreaking havoc in Gotham, and Batman must track its bloody trail. The creators create a gripping atmosphere, far surpassing the execution of the idea in Predator 2.

Buy Batman vs. Predator on Amazon.

4. Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgment on Gotham

Both Batman and Judge Dredd are deeply committed to upholding the law and maintaining order in their dystopian cities. One might expect them to get along well, but the first Batman/Judge Dredd crossover reveals otherwise. When Judge Death breaches dimensions and allies with Scarecrow, these two heroes must set aside their differences for the greater good, despite their stark contrasts.

DC and 2000 AD collaborated on three Batman/Judge Dredd crossovers in the '90s, but the original is the best. The involvement of Dredd co-creator John Wagner and the surreal, brutal artwork of Simon Bisley make it a visually stunning Batman crossover.

Buy The Batman/Judge Dredd Collection on Amazon.

3. Batman/Grendel

Grendel may not be the most well-known character to cross paths with Batman, but the pairing makes inherent sense. Matt Wagner's Grendel saga explores themes of violence and vengeance, which are central to Batman's world. Wagner's previous work with Batman makes this crossover a perfect blend of two great tastes.

Both the original 1993 crossover and its 1996 sequel are worth reading. The first pits Batman against the original Grendel, Hunter Rose, in both the streets and Gotham's high society. The sequel focuses on Rose's futuristic successor, Grendel-Prime. Both stories are compelling enough to make readers wish Grendel were a permanent part of Batman's rogues gallery.

Buy Batman/Grendel: Devil's Riddle on Amazon.

2. Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth

Warren Ellis and the late John Cassaday created one of DC's greatest comics with the sci-fi epic Planetary. This series spawned crossovers with The Authority and the Justice League, but the Batman crossover stands out as the best, featuring the entire creative team from the main series.

In Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth, Elijah Snow and his team arrive in a Batman-less Gotham City to track a mysterious killer. The story breaches the barriers between worlds, leading to encounters with various versions of the Caped Crusader. This crossover celebrates all eras of Batman's history, from the Golden Age to the Silver Age and the brooding avenger of The Dark Knight Returns. It's essentially an extended installment of the main series with a generous dose of Batman, making it one of the best Batman crossovers ever.

Buy Batman/Planetary: The Deluxe Edition on Amazon.

1. Batman/Elmer Fudd Special

Surprisingly, the best Batman crossover is also the most bizarre. Batman/Elmer Fudd Special is part of a series of mash-ups combining DC heroes with Looney Tunes characters, and it's by far the best. This comic, which scored a perfect 10 in our IGN review, takes a seemingly absurd premise and turns it into something extraordinary.

Batman/Elmer Fudd treats the pairing with complete seriousness, leading to both hilarious and poignant moments. In this story, Elmer Fudd is portrayed as a tragic killer akin to Marv from Sin City, complete with his iconic speech impediment but filled with fury and pathos.

Writer Tom King and artist Lee Weeks extract profound emotion and depth from this sad yet humorous crossover. Their collaboration on DC's 2016 Batman series is well-known, but adding Elmer Fudd elevates their work to new heights.

Buy Batman by Tom King and Lee Weeks on Amazon.

What's your favorite Batman crossover? Vote in our poll and let us know in the comments below.