One of the darkest is 'The Killing Joke'. It delves deep into the relationship between Batman and the Joker. The Joker's attempt to prove that one bad day can drive anyone insane is both disturbing and thought - provoking.
Sure. 'Dark Victory' is a great but dark one. It continues the story from 'The Long Halloween' and explores more of Gotham's underworld and Batman's battle against it. There are some really intense and dark moments in this one.
The Joker is a prominent villain in many of the darkest Batman graphic novels. For example, in 'The Killing Joke', he is the central antagonist, with his maniacal plans and his complex relationship with Batman. His actions are often very dark and disturbing.
Definitely check out 'Batman: Year One'. It shows a darker side of Gotham City as Batman is just starting out. It's gritty and real, depicting his early struggles. And 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns' is also a classic. It shows an older, more jaded Batman coming out of retirement in a world that has become even more corrupt and violent.
One of the darkest graphic novels is 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. It delves into complex moral and ethical issues in a dark, dystopian world. The characters are morally ambiguous, and the story explores themes like power, corruption, and the human condition in a very gritty way.
Some of the top Batman graphic novels include 'The Dark Knight Returns' by Frank Miller. It's a classic that redefined Batman in a darker, more gritty way for a new era. Another great one is 'Batman: Year One' which tells the origin story in a really engaging and detailed manner.
I also highly recommend 'Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth'. It's a very different take on Batman, set mainly within the walls of Arkham Asylum. The story is complex and the art is quite disturbing in a good way, delving deep into the psyches of Batman and his rogues' gallery.
Junji Ito's works, like 'Uzumaki', are extremely dark graphic novels. His stories are filled with psychological horror, often centered around the most ordinary things turning into sources of extreme terror. In 'Uzumaki', the simple concept of spirals becomes a terrifying and all - consuming obsession that leads to all kinds of disturbing events.