Summary
- Batman covers like Return of the Joker and Vengeance creatively showcase iconic characters and designs.
- Aesthetic choices in games like Arkham City and Arkham Knight deliver unique, artistic visuals.
- Memorable Batman games like Arkham Asylum and The Enemy Within set the tone with dark, striking cover art.
Since the 1980s, more than forty playable Batman games have released across a staggering number of systems. While this obviously means that there have been plenty of Gotham City adventures that players have been able to swoop into, all with their own stories, characters, and gameplay mechanics, there have also been a ton of incredible and iconic video game covers to accompany the games. Batman is no stranger to amazing artwork and illustrations, considering his DC comic roots, and thankfully, this has translated to the video game universe on more than a few occasions.
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As with any IP that features such a plethora of games, not every cover art is going to remain in people's minds for the long-term, but if they are striking enough with their creativity and design, they can end up becoming iconic. Needless to say, there's been quite a few Batman covers that have left a lasting impression, so it's time to stack them up to see which portrait of the Caped Crusader is the best of them all.
8 Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker
Seeing A Concerned Batman With The Joker Grinning From Behind Makes For A Striking Visual
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
- Released
- October 30, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Boy Color, PlayStation (Original)
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
It's not often that Batman is made to look in a vulnerable position, but for this haunting cover, it truly does make it seem like the Joker has taken over all of Gotham while Batman stands helpless. What makes this cover so striking is the mixture of vibrant colors, from the joker's green face paint to his bright red lips, all the way to Batman's pitch-black Beyond outfit.
It all comes together to create an eye-catching medley of colors that still manages to retain the dark, gothic aesthetic that the Batman franchise has become synonymous with. This cover is still from the tie-in animated movie, so it can't be classed as more unique as some of the others, but it doesn't prevent it from still being a real feast for the eyes regardless.
7 Batman: Vengeance
Vengeance Shows Batman's Darker And More Stoic Design While Providing A Sneak-Peek At The 3D Character Models
Batman: Vengeance
- Released
- October 15, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T // Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
The Batman: Vengeance cover presents a dark and moody iteration of the caped hero as he looks straight at the screen in front of a red background. This already makes for a pretty intriguing image, especially with how glossy the Bulky Batsuit is, but what elevates it is the numerous heroes peering in from behind.
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The background gives fans a sneak peek at the 3D character models for multiple of the villains, including Harley Quinn, the Joker, and even Mr. Freeze. Just from a glance, players will understand the intense tone of the game, alongside the antagonists who they'll be tasked with taking down throughout the adventure. This results in a cover that manages to be effective without going over the top.
6 Batman: Arkham City
A Stylistic Use Of Coloring Makes For An Artsy Batman Cover
Batman: Arkham City
- Released
- October 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
Rocksteady decided to go for a more simplistic design with the cover of Arkham City compared to its predecessor, implementing a moody noire-inspired black and white look to create a dreamlike tone and atmosphere. In terms of creativity, this is one of the best covers of any Batman game. The unorthodox vibe makes for an incredibly unique design, which is amplified by the small drops of blood that provide the only bit of color in the image.
While Rocksteady went dark and gritty for the cover of the first game, the stylistic angle they took with the sequel has made it one of the most recognizable in the entire series. Though it doesn't have too many extra details or additions that take it to the next level, it's still stunning from a visual standpoint.
5 Batman: Arkham Asylum
Players' First Introduction To The New Aesthetic And Design For The Arkham Series
Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Released
- August 25, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
Before players were able to dive into the Arkham series, which would go on to become the most beloved set of Batman games ever released, their first insight into the eerie setting of the game was through the epic front cover. Front and center is Batman's brand-new suit, which really stands out from the dreary background thanks to the bright gray and black combo.
Speaking of the background, this is a truly haunting image of Gotham, with rain covering the crime-ridden city while the moon beams down from the background, providing its only source of light. It's frankly an epic illustration of the Caped Crusader standing above his city, and it's become a memorable piece of iconography that even non-Batman fans can recognize.
4 Batman: The Enemy Within
A Menacing Design With A Stunning Cel-Shaded Art Style
Batman: The Enemy Within
- Released
- August 8, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Genre(s)
- Point-and-click, Adventure
Though TellTale's sequel to the immensely popular point-and-click Batman adventure game went under the radar for many people, the cover definitely shouldn't go underappreciated. This cover showcases the more menacing side of Batman, as he perches over a gargoyle with a deadly serious look on his face, staring directly into the camera. Rather than trying to jam the Joker on the cover too, his eerie presence is felt thanks to the bright red lipstick covering the statue's mouth, which is a very nice, albeit disturbing, added touch.
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The Enemy Within's cover immediately sets the dark and grim tone of the sequel with its foggy lighting and horror-inspired imagery, and there's no doubt that it's effective. A lot of credit also needs to be given to the futuristic suit, which is packed full of small details in order to make it as stylish as possible from a visual standpoint.
3 Batman: Return Of The Joker
A Creepy Illustration Of The Joker, Very Reminiscent Of The Killing Joke
Batman: Return of the Joker
- Released
- December 20, 1991
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Platformer
This is a rare occasion where Batman doesn't actually make an appearance on the front cover and is instead replaced by his infamous arch-villain: the Joker. However, as would be expected with the villainous clown, this isn't any ordinary portrait, as the Joker adds his own sinister sense of charm to the image by peeking around a corner with his signature grin being splashed across his face.
The bat symbols in Joker's eyes make for a very eerie sight, as if Joker is watching the Caped Crusader from afar and biding his time to strike. The amount of creativity on display here showcases a level of designer freedom that is rare to come by these days, and it's still just as eye-catching as it was back in 1991.
2 Batman: Arkham Knight
Arkham Knight Showcases A Fully Powered Caped Crusader Roaming The Streets In Style
Batman: Arkham Knight
- Released
- June 23, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action
Rocksteady sure knew how to end off the Arkham series in style. Considering the Batmobile is such a prominent aspect of Arkham Knight's gameplay, it only makes sense that it would make an appearance, but the duality of Batman soaring above it, paired with the light shining from the back, creates a jaw-dropping image that looks like it should be hung up in a museum.
Since Batman can usually be seen brooding over a gargoyle or watching over Gotham, it's not often a cover will show him in action, but this cover proves that the hero still has what it takes to pull off a flashy pose when it counts. Despite how much is going on, the cover never feels overwhelming or too jarring to look at, and it quickly became a fan favorite after it was first shown to the world.
1 Batman Begins
Batman Begins Provides One Of The Most Epic Images Of The Comic Icon In Recent Memory
Batman Begins
- Released
- June 14, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Stealth
The Batman Begins movie featuring Christian Bale already contains plenty of epic shots of the Caped Crusader, and the tie-in game is no exception. With a beaming light shining down behind him and bats fluttering all around him, Batman stands with his cape blowing in the wind for this striking cover, making for a badass visual of Gotham's protector.
Every aspect of the design works to portray Batman as some kind of holy figure while also feeding the darker side of the character with the muted colors paired with the hero's signature scowl. This is an effortlessly cool cover. It's also a real stand out because of how detailed it is while still digging deep into the core Batman aesthetic. It's the kind of stylish cover that would be perfect for a good bedroom wall poster, which, as many know, is only reserved for the best of the best.
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