New York is known as the city that never sleeps, but in the world of Marvel Comics, that’s somehow even more true, with everything from cackling goblins with pumpkin bombs to criminal Kingpins on the loose. For Matt Murdock, it’s a lot to handle, even if he’s not the only hero operating in the five boroughs. Coming off issue #5 of Stephanie Phillips‘ Daredevil Vol. 9, he’s managed to stop the serial killer Omen who targeted his best friend, Foggy Nelson, and is now focusing back in on his work as an adjunct law professor. As much as he needs a break to focus on non-vigilante life, he’s not afforded that luxury with the city’s criminal factions ready for all-out war.

Issue #6, released today, begins a new storyline for the Man Without Fear called “Of Moles and Owls,” which will see just about all the biggest street-level Marvel villains come out of the woodwork to take over New York, or destroy each other and the city while trying. That includes Owlman, Tombstone, Hammerhead, Silvermane, the Tracksuit Mafia, and more, all of whom are looking for whatever edge they can get on each other. Daredevil is caught in the crossfire and threatens to break under the weight of so much criminal activity. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, he’s about to get a bit of much-needed backup from someone who knows him all too well.

Spoilers ahead for Daredevil Vol. 9 #6

Elektra Is Back to Bail Her Fellow Daredevil Out of a Jam

Towards the end of the issue, after confronting Owlman for his little hostage stunt to attract the Devil’s attention, Matt learns from the criminal about an exchange going on that night with the police and a mole close to the Kingpin. The mole has agreed to give up a book that Wilson Fisk has used to record endless details about the criminal underworld, the future of his empire, and even the identities of masked vigilantes like Murdock. Before he can act on the information from Owlman to prevent an all-out war in the streets, or even decide whether to trust him, Matt gets caught up in a battle against an upgraded Silvermane and a swarm of cops and lackeys under Hammerhead’s employ. As he’s being swallowed up by a crowd of crooks ready to beat him to a pulp, it’s revealed that his fellow Daredevil, Elektra Natchios, has been listening in on panicked radio chatter after hijacking a police vehicle.

Elektra has thus far been absent from Phillips’ Daredevil run, last putting differences aside to fight alongside Matt against Fisk at the end of Volume 8. On the one hand, her return gives the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen some much-needed help with another capable vigilante on the prowl. He’s also not in any position to refuse her given his current predicament. However, their tumultuous relationship means his old friend and foe may just as easily upend his life as save it. Given the devilish smile on her face, it’s clear that she’s eager to see Matt again and intrigued by all the forces at play in New York. She also arrives at a fitting time, given Daredevil: Born Again will soon bring the character back to television in Season 3 as played by Élodie Yung.

Daredevil Vol. 9 #6 is now available for purchase. See how it ends in the gallery above and stay tuned here at Collider for more Marvel Comics coverage every week.

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Release Date

March 4, 2025

Network

Disney+

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Showrunner

Dario Scardapane

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Directors

Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, David Boyd, Jeffrey Nachmanoff

Writers

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Jesse Wigutow, Jill Blankenship, Thomas Wong, David Feige, Grainne Godfree

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A vice president at Bank of America died on Monday, August 31, after a random, unprovoked stabbing in New York City’s Times Square. Erin Piacenti, 32, died after allegedly being stabbed by Pamela Cisneros. 

RELATED: 15-Year-Old Reportedly Charged With Murder After Stabbing 78-Year-Old Man While Dressed In Clown Costume (VIDEO)

Bank Of America Vice President Erin Piacenti Dies In Times Square Stabbing

Piacenti was fatally stabbed near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue at approximately 4:26 p.m., according to WABC. An unidentified man was also stabbed by a woman later identified as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens.

The stabbing was reportedly random and unprovoked, and Cisneros also threatened several people with knives. Cisneros allegedly took two knives out of a red Target bag and threatened people before she stabbed the man in the abdomen in front of his wife. Afterward, she stabbed Piacenti in the abdomen as well, within 20 seconds of the first assault.

Piacenti was the Vice President of Business Selection and Conflicts at the Bank of America in Times Square, according to The New York Post. Bank of America issued a statement following the tragic news.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” reads the statement. “She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones.”

Disturbing Footage Captures Cisneros Before She’s Fatally Shot By NYPD

Officers from the New York Police Department reportedly arrived on the scene and allegedly ordered Cisneros to drop the knives multiple times, but she refused.

Disturbing footage captured Cisneros threatening the officers with a knife before they shot her at approximately 4:27 p.m., according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, per NBC New York. 

Tisch said at a press conference on Monday that Cisneros stated that she would kill the officers.

“During the encounter,” claimed Tisch. “She told the officers, ‘I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.’ She repeated, ‘I will kill you.’”

New York Mayor Also Speaks At Press Conference

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke at a press conference on Monday and said that the Bank of America executive and assailant both died at Bellevue Hospital, per CBS News.

In addition, Mamdani said that the 68-year-old man was in stable condition.

Cisneros reportedly had documented mental health issues dating back to 2018. She was allegedly acting erratically and screaming at a building in Manhattan. In addition, she reportedly tried to jump in front of a subway in Queens the following year. NYPD officers used a Taser on Cisneros before fatally shooting her.

RELATED: South Carolina Woman Reportedly Orders Lyft And Stabs Driver 11 Times In His Head & Body Before Stealing His Car (VIDEO)

Julia Stiles has fans convinced she really could be heading to “Dancing with the Stars“ after finally making her TikTok debut. The actress’ arrival on the platform quickly fueled existing casting rumors, with fans already imagining what she could bring to the ballroom.

The response also highlighted an enduring affection for Stiles and the roles that made her a defining star of the late ’90s and early 2000s.

Julia Stiles has officially joined TikTok, and the timing is giving fans another reason to wonder whether a ballroom debut could be next. “Hi, I’m Julia Stiles, and I finally decided to join TikTok,” the actress said in her first video before beginning to introduce herself through some of her best-known work.

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Stiles certainly has plenty to choose from. She became a breakout star as Kat Stratford opposite Heath Ledger in 1999’s “10 Things I Hate About You,” earning an MTV Movie Award for the performance.

Two years later, she showed off her moves in “Save the Last Dance,” playing aspiring ballerina Sara Johnson. Stiles performed most of her own dancing in the movie, which earned her MTV Movie Awards for Best Female Performance and Best Kiss.

She later became a familiar face in the “Bourne” franchise and appeared in the 2019 hit “Hustlers.”

Fans Are Convinced Stiles Is Joining ‘DWTS’

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Fans wasted little time connecting Stiles’ new social media presence to the swirling “Dancing with the Stars” rumors.

Under a Reddit post sharing her TikTok debut, one commenter declared, “Oh she really is doing DWTS isn’t she,” while another wrote, “So the DWTS [rumors] ARE true.” Someone else was already looking ahead, saying, “I’m so excited to see Julia on Dancing with the Stars!”

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Others immediately began imagining how Stiles’ movie history could make its way onto the ballroom floor. One fan insisted, “She has to do this dance at some point during the show. HAS TO,” while another predicted producers would have her recreate one of her memorable routines.

The reaction wasn’t limited to speculation about “DWTS.” Fans celebrated seeing Stiles back in the spotlight, praised her career, and flooded the thread with references to her past roles.

Julia Stiles’ ‘DWTS’ Rumors Have Been Building For Weeks

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Stiles’ potential casting in “Dancing with the Stars” was first reported on August 20, with the actress rumored to be among the celebrities competing on Season 35. Another clue arrived this week when Stiles was photographed checking into a New York City hotel on September 1.

Several professional dancers from the show had reportedly been seen at the same hotel ahead of the cast reveal. The full lineup is scheduled to be announced on “Good Morning America” on September 2.

Stiles has also made no secret of her affection for the competition. In a 2025 interview with PEOPLE, she called “DWTS” her “Monday Night Football” and admitted that conversations about participating had already happened.

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Why Stiles Hadn’t Joined ‘DWTS’ Before

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In the interview, Stiles explained that living in New York City made it difficult to join the competition.  “We’ve talked about me doing it, but I live in New York City, so it would be hard,” she said. The actress even floated a possible solution, joking, “Maybe they could do an East Coast version.”

“Dancing with the Stars” is traditionally based in Los Angeles, where contestants spend weeks rehearsing with their professional partners before performing live.

Stiles’ home base isn’t her only commitment. At the time of the interview, she was living in New York with her husband, Preston Cook, and their three young sons. She was also promoting “Wish You Were Here,” which marked her feature directorial debut.

‘Save The Last Dance’ Could Set A High ‘DWTS’ Bar For Julia Stiles

If Stiles does enter the ballroom, her famous dance-movie past could prove to be a double-edged sword. “Save the Last Dance” gives her something most potential contestants don’t have: viewers already associate her with dancing.

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But that doesn’t necessarily mean she would arrive with ballroom-ready skills. While making the 2001 film, Stiles admitted she had to prove herself as a dancer because she didn’t want producers relying heavily on doubles. She handled the hip-hop herself but required a double for pointe work and acknowledged having to work particularly hard on the ballet scenes.

That distinction could matter on “DWTS.” Stiles may benefit from being comfortable learning choreography and performing it for an audience, but her movie experience could also set an unusually high bar before she takes a single competitive step.

Fans expecting Sara Johnson 25 years later might therefore become one of her toughest audiences. The nostalgia would give Stiles an immediate storyline, but it could leave her with less room to surprise viewers.

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A single awkward moment at a wedding was enough to reignite one of Hollywood’s most persistent talking points. 

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber found themselves under the microscope yet again after video from Finneas O’Connell and Claudia Sulewski’s Montecito wedding appeared to capture a tense interaction between the couple. 

However, while online speculation quickly spiraled, those close to the pair insist the footage reveals less about a marriage in trouble and more about the intense dynamic that has defined their relationship from the beginning.

The latest wave of scrutiny began when footage surfaced from O’Connell and Sulewski’s lavish California wedding. 

In the clip, Hailey appeared animated while speaking with Justin Bieber before seemingly walking away, prompting immediate discussion online about whether the pair were experiencing another rough patch.

The timing only added fuel to the speculation. The moment arrived just weeks before the couple’s eighth wedding anniversary and followed a year filled with rumors about Justin’s health, public behavior, and the state of their marriage. 

Yet insiders pushed back on the narrative that the exchange signaled deeper issues. “Hailey bickers with Justin all the time, so a wedding spat, if any, was probably just a minor flare-up,” a source told the Daily Mail. 

According to the insider, the couple remains deeply committed to one another and are still planning for the future together. Another source echoed that sentiment, describing the interaction as a reflection of their passionate personalities rather than evidence of marital trouble.

For the couple’s friends, the footage showed something familiar: two people who argue openly yet remain intensely connected. 

The source added that they are “crazy in love and committed to each other, make no mistake,” despite the public fascination with every perceived disagreement.

Justin’s Emotional Nature Said To Shape Marriage Dynamic

While the wedding footage generated headlines, insiders suggested the interaction offered a glimpse into a relationship dynamic that has existed for years. 

One source claimed that disagreements between the couple often stem from Justin Bieber’s sensitive personality.

“Justin and Hailey often get in fights because Justin is fragile and she knows how to push his buttons,” the insider said. 

Even so, those close to them insist arguments rarely linger for long. “The makeup happens before any sort of breakup, because they are definitely addicted to each other,” the source added.

Friends say Hailey entered the marriage fully aware of the challenges that could come with loving someone who experienced extraordinary fame at a young age. 

According to one insider, Justin still struggles with “immaturity, impulsiveness and difficulty communicating,” traits they believe are linked to growing up under relentless public scrutiny.

Justin Bieber And Hailey Continue Battling Public Narratives

The wedding conversation is only the latest chapter in a year dominated by public speculation surrounding the Biebers. 

Questions intensified after Justin’s controversial Instagram tribute celebrating Hailey’s first Vogue cover, in which he recalled telling her during a past argument that she would “never” achieve the milestone.

The post sparked backlash and was later edited, but it became one of several incidents that fueled online concern. 

Around the same period, social media users dissected the singer’s posts, public appearances, and resurfaced footage connected to Sean “Diddy” Combs, leading to further scrutiny of the singer.

Through it all, Hailey has spoken candidly about the toll of constant rumors. In a 2025 interview with Vogue Italia, she described the endless claims about her marriage as a “mindf***,” explaining, “I cannot even begin to explain it. It’s a crazy life to live.”

She also addressed the frustration of trying to correct misinformation, saying, “I’ve been in a position where I’ve tried to tell my side of a story or correct a narrative or tell the truth of a lie and then they go, ‘Well, she’s lying.’ Imagine how trapping that feels.”

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Justin’s Summer Photo Dump Offered Different Look At Family Life

If the wedding footage that sparked speculation showed one side of Justin Bieber and Hailey’s relationship, the weeks leading up to it painted a very different picture. 

Earlier in August, the “Baby” singer shared a collection of summer memories on Instagram that largely focused on family time with Hailey and their son, Jack Blues. 

Among the most talked-about images was a selfie taken at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. In the photo, Justin and Hailey shared a kiss while sitting in the stands, with Hailey’s upgraded oval-cut engagement ring also visible. 

The post included several other snapshots from their summer, including Justin cuddling Jack, relaxing by a lake, and enjoying quieter moments away from the spotlight. 

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The photos were followed by additional glimpses of family life shared by Hailey, including images of Jack learning baseball and spending time outdoors. 

Justin Bieber And Hailey Mark Son Jack’s Second Birthday

The family-centered summer continued just days later when Justin and Hailey celebrated a major milestone: son Jack Blues’s second birthday on August 22. 

The couple, who have largely shielded Jack from public view since his birth in 2024, marked the occasion with a series of sweet but carefully curated tributes. 

According to PEOPLE, Hailey first shared a photo of Jack’s birthday breakfast on Instagram Stories. The centerpiece was a pair of mouse-shaped pancakes topped with whipped cream and pink birthday candles. 

She paired the image with Justin’s song “Everything Hallelujah” and simply wrote “2” alongside a heart emoji. 

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She later followed up with additional birthday tributes, including rare family photos and pictures of Jack, while continuing the couple’s long-standing practice of keeping his face hidden from public view. One caption described him as “our sweet baby” as she celebrated the milestone.

Below Deck stars have made headlines for their time on the show — but they have also shocked viewers with their legal troubles behind the scenes.

After wrapping up his time on Below Deck Adventure early, Kyle Dickard got in trouble with the law. In November 2022, Dickard was arrested after he ran onto a soccer field during a game and allegedly tried to bribe authorities to let him go.

According to court documents, the reality star was taken into custody after he ran from the stands into the stadium. Dickard was apprehended by security, but he resisted and was ultimately tackled to the ground. He attempted to run back onto the field before being arrested.

The arrest report stated that Dickard’s behavior “caused the crowd to become unruly” and “incited several others to run onto the field” during the event. The Bravo personality, for his part, didn’t appear worried about his legal woes.

“How it started vs. How it ended 😅 I would of scored if I had a belt on…js,” Dickard wrote via Instagram about the incident shortly after his release. The social media post included footage of him getting ready to run onto the field and a copy of his mugshot.

Dickard is not the only Below Deck alum who got arrested after appearing in the franchise. In 2016, Kate Chastain was charged with battery by strangulation domestic violence after getting into a fight with her girlfriend.

Chastain allegedly bit Rocío “Ro” Hernandez on the forearm, inner bicep and leg after returning to their shared home from a bar. According to body cam footage obtained by Florida Today, the chief stew accused Hernandez of being the one who instigated an argument.

“It’s been a horrible week. It’s been broken glass, fighting, screaming,” she explained to the authorities. “Because I’m on television [I didn’t report it to the police], and I don’t really need a news report coming out that I have a lesbian domestic violence.”

After news of her arrest broke, Chastain took to social media to address the legal trouble, tweeting, “Thank you for your support during this difficult & humiliating time. The truth will come out & I look forward to regaining peace in my life.”

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The charges against the Below Deck star were later dropped. For Chastain, the experience caused her to reconsider her approach to dating.

“I’m a little more cautious about who I date because people can appear one way and then be totally different,” she said during an interview in 2018. “Fortunately, that’s all gone away.”

Scroll down to see which other Below Deck alums have faced legal woes over the years:

Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star will be replaced after it was vandalized following her death.

“When we arrived, a custodian was cleaning and told us a woman kicked candles around, then with the shards of one, scratched the star,” a social media user stated in a Tuesday, September 1, Instagram video that depicted dark markings and scratches over the star. “Then a man came and stole the flowers that were there.”

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has confirmed it will replace the star, sharing via the Hollywood Historic Trust’s Instagram on Tuesday that work had begun. “The Hollywood Historic Trust and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce are proud to honor the legacy of Dolly Parton with a replacement of her star,” a caption with a photo of the site, which showed safety tape encircling the star, read. “The new star will be available for viewing this Friday.”

According to reporting by TMZ on Tuesday, Ana Martinez, a representative for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said the replacement had been scheduled prior to the vandalism after “cracks” had begun to appear in the star.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Loved Ones Visit Cemetery With Flowers 3 Days After Her Death

Dolly Parton’s loved ones gathered at her burial site in Nashville three days after the singer’s death. Parton’s closest relatives, including her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, were spotted arriving at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville on Friday, August 28, as seen in photos obtained by Page Six. Seaver reportedly coordinated […]

The outlet also reported that a fan had informed the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce about the scratches and stolen flowers on the evening of Monday, August 31.

Us confirmed on Tuesday, August 25, that Parton had died following a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. Three days later, family members were spotted arriving at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum for Dolly’s funeral. (Parton was buried beside her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025.)

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The country music icon’s great-niece, Lainey Mae Parton, confirmed via social media that an intimate memorial service was staged on Friday, August 28. “This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Lainey wrote via Instagram the following day. “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.”

Dolly’s sister, Freida Parton, also honored her sister via social media on Saturday. “Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,” Freida, 69, wrote via Facebook at the time. “I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma. She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark. She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18. She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one).”

The post continued, “Like all sisters, we definitely had our share of arguments and disagreements throughout the years, but even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her.”

When it comes to deciding where to start, comic books aren’t always the most intuitive. There are plenty of great stories out there, but finding them (especially older issues not always readily available) is a bit of a challenge. Still, for some heroes it’s a bit easier than others, and if you’re looking to get into Batman comics for the very first time, there are a handful of books you ought to consider.

The Dark Knight has been around for the better part of a century, so there’s no shortage of material to choose from. Still, just as is the case with so many live-action and animated adaptations out there, finding the iteration of the Caped Crusader that best suits you can be a challenge. So, for those not as intimately familiar with Batman’s comic book history, here are the books we suggest picking up first.

Detective Comics #27 (1939)

Image via DC Comics

The original tale by creators Bill Finger and Bob Kane, Detective Comics #27 introduced Batman to the masses with “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate.” Detective Comics didn’t start out as a primarily Batman (or even superhero) book. Rather, Batman (styled as “Bat-Man” here) was just the headliner of this particular issue, but the bat-brand stuck. As The Dark Knight investigates the death of a chemical manufacturer, he finds himself on to an organized crime operation that only he can stop.

Detective Comics #27 is arguably one of the most important single issues in comic book history. Not only did it issue the first appearance of the Caped Crusader, but it (like Action Comics #1 before it) changed the direction of the entire industry. Batman was a hit for the company, and it wasn’t long before the character became one of the biggest sellers in the medium.

Year One (1987)

Image via DC Comics

While Batman’s origin would first be told in Detective Comics #33, several months after the character’s initial appearance, the most popular iteration of it would come from the duo of Frank Miller and Dave Mazzucchelli in the four-part tale Batman: Year One. First released in Batman #404-407, Year One has become the definitive rendition of Batman’s early days in the cape and cowl. Told through the lens of Lt. Jim Gordon (not yet commissioner), we see The Dark Knight slowly devour the organized crime ring in Gotham City, much to the chagrin of some corrupt GCPD officers.

Year One would later be turned into one of the best (albeit animated) Batman movies out there, and served as the basis for plenty of other adaptations over the years. Miller’s gritty style perfectly embodied the character, and crafted an air of mistique around his shadowy figure. Years later, DC would revamp Batman’s origin with the extended tale Batman: Zero Year, and though it’s good on its own merits, Year One is undoubtedly one of the greatest graphic novels ever made.

Detective Comics #38 (1940)

Image via DC Comics

It wasn’t long into Batman’s comic book run that Bill Finger and Bob Kane decided that the Caped Crusader was a bit darker than they had intended. So, in Detective Comics #38, Robin was first introduced to the world. The Boy Wonder became Batman’s official sidekick, and this version — Dick Grayson, the original and best version of Robin — stuck by The Dark Knight’s side into the 1980s. Without this issue, Batman may not have become the cultural icon he became.

“Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder” isn’t just an important origin story for Robin that shoehorns in a sidekick, it became the template for all comic book sidekicks in the future. Robin was a gamechanger not just for Batman but for comics as a whole, and the character was an instant hit with younger audiences who imagined themselves fighting crime alongside their favorite masked hero.

Batman #1 (1940)

Image via DC Comics

Another Bill Finger and Bob Kane special, the very first issue of Batman was a momentous occasion, not just because it was the Dynamic Duo’s first solo book, but because it introduced some of their most notable supporting cast members into the DC Universe. Batman #1 chronicles not only the first appearance of the Joker, but also Catwoman (going by “the Cat”). Not only that, but it once more retells the origin of “how Batman came to be” to get newcomers up to speed with this inaugural issue.

Batman #1 pits Batman and Robin against Joker, Catwoman, and the returning foil Dr. Hugo Strange (who appeared first back in Detective Comics), solidifying the look, feel, and tone of Batman moving forward. Old comics may not be your thing, but this issue is a masterwork, full of some of the most important stories in Batman lore, even all these years later. It may not hold a candle to some live-action Batman movies, but it’s the foundation on which many of them stand.

The Man Who Laughs (2005)

Image via DC Comics

If you’re looking for something a bit more modern, writer Ed Brubaker and artist Doug Mahnke retold the Joker’s first tussle with The Dark Knight in a modern context (and sans Robin) with Batman: The Man Who Laughs. Taking the same basic plot from Batman #1, Brubaker re-imagines it in a clever way that throws Batman into the murderous arms of the Clown Prince of Crime. While maybe not the most memorable Joker story, this recounting of their first battle is top-notch.

The Man Who Laughs does what only the best Batman writers can do by pulling from Batman’s storied past and reworking it into the present. This standalone book only scratches the surface of the rivalry between these two DC Comics icons. Sure, there may be plenty of Batman villains more interesting than the Joker, but this story reminds you just how much of a thorn he has always been in The Dark Knight’s side.

The Long Halloween (1996)

Image via DC Comics

With Batman: The Long Halloween, writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale crafted something that they likely had no idea would so frequently influence Batman media. In this tale, Batman works alongside Jim Gordon and D.A. Harvey Dent as they continue to bring down Gotham’s organized crime outfit, all while new costumed maniacs begin roaming the street. So, when the Holiday Killer begins making waves across Gotham, the Caped Crusader goes on a manhunt to uncover the one responsible before it’s too late.

Not only is this detective story what partially inspired The Dark Knight (easily among Batman’s greatest live-action outings), but it was later adapted into animation in a feature that Letterboxd considers one of the most impressive DC animated movies. It’s well-adored by casual and die-hard fans alike, and is often a go-to for newcomers. If you loved The Long Halloween, the story continues with Haunted Knight and Dark Victory, the latter of which also brings Robin into the fold.

The Killing Joke (1988)

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No list of essential Batman books, for beginners or otherwise, would be complete without The Killing Joke. Alan Moore and artist Brian Bolland crafted this deranged and complicated tale as a deconstruction of Batman and the Joker’s symbiotic relationship. Though intended to take place outside of continuity (with an open-ended conclusion that implies Batman may have even killed the Joker), The Killing Joke proved so influential that it became part of the mainstream DCU. It’s also the Joker at his most demented and depraved.

The Killing Joke would later be adapted into a pretty sub-par animated movie (one way too disturbing for kids), so it’s best to stick with the graphic novel here. That’s another thing: This is a particularly bleak Batman story, one that (like Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns) would come to change the way the character was interpreted going forward. While most of the Batman books on this list could still be enjoyed by younger audiences (with parental discretion, of course), this is one for mature readers only.

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth (1989)

Image via DC Comics

One of the best Batman graphic novels ever made, writer Grant Morrison and artist Dave McKean broke new creative ground with Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. In many respects, this is the closest that Batman comics have ever come to a straight-up horror movie. There is some truly haunting content in these pages that give the Caped Crusader (and the reader) further insight into the Joker, Two-Face, and even Arkham itself.

Despite the title, this one is not at all related to the video game Batman: Arkham Asylum or any of its sequels. Rather, this standalone comic book is a psychological thriller that puts the reader into the mind of those who stick around for a long term in the titular institution. Another mature read, this one is best enjoyed by those who can really unpack the material Morrison delivers here.

Batman & Robin: Year One (2024)

Image via DC Comics

For those who loved those early adventures of the Dynamic Duo explored in the previously mentioned Bat-books, then Batman & Robin: Year One by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee may be the comic series for you. This run is exactly what it sounds like, a caped adventure that follows Batman and Robin through their initial year as crime-fighting partners, exploring the dynamic between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson with genuine care. All 12 issues exist in a single collected edition, so this should be pretty easy to track down.

For those who want more of Batman and Robin’s early years, Waid and Samnee reunited for Batman & Robin: Year One — Dynamic Duos earlier this year, continuing the saga in a new limited series. Why all the emphasis on Batman and Robin, you might ask? Simply because Batman is grounded and challenged by Robin in ways he couldn’t be with anyone else at his side. No matter which of your favorite Robins stands with the Caped Crusader, the Boy Wonder has more than earned his place in the Batmobile.

Mad Love and Other Stories (2011)

Image via DC Comics

Okay, maybe calling this an “essential” Batman comic is a bit of a stretch, but considering that Batman: The Animated Series made possibly the greatest contributions to the Batman mythos outside the comics themselves, these stories by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm deserve high praise. “Mad Love” is the most famous, of course, which is a Harley Quinn-centric tale that explores her problematic relationship with the Joker and proves Batman’s resourcefulness in real time.

Other tales in this collection include “Jolly Ol’ St. Nicholas” (which, like “Mad Love,” was later adapted for The New Batman Adventures), the Ra’s al Ghul tale “Demons,” the noir-style Two-Face tale “Two of a Kind,” and the entirety of Batman Adventures Annual #1. For those who adore Batman: The Animated Series and just love simple one-and-done Batman adventures, Mad Love and Other Stories is a collected edition you simply must add to your reading list.

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The Batman

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Release Date

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March 4, 2022

Runtime

176 minutes

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Director

Matt Reeves

Writers

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Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, Bob Kane, Bill Finger

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An era of excess and exuberance, the 1980s is fondly remembered for its unrestrained sense of style, its appetite for daring new horizons, and the many ways in which it saw technological advancements transform the world. Unsurprisingly, the movies of the ‘80s hold some very similar qualities, with the cinema of the decade today being renowned for its pioneering, genre-blending bravado, its unreserved sense of action awe, and its innovative use of filmmaking tools like practical special effects and early CGI.

It was also a decade of fun-loving cinema. Many movies were designed to be epic experiences that excite and enthrall, and while not every picture from the era has aged gracefully, many of the best have endured as beloved classics that people still return to 40 years later for a dose of gleeful escapism and enchanting joy. From some of the decade’s most defining action masterpieces to sci-fi adventure gems that are the pinnacle of movie magic, these eight ‘80s flicks stand as some of the most fun pictures the medium has ever seen.

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‘Evil Dead 2’ (1987)

Image via Rosebud Releasing Corporation

Wedged between the frenetic indie chills of The Evil Dead and the comedic fervor of Army of Darkness, Evil Dead 2 thrives as a faultless marriage of humor and horror that stands as one of the greatest mid-trilogy movies of all time as it soars off the back of Sam Raimi’s inspired, kinetic direction and Bruce Campbell’s iconic performance. He stars as Ash Williams, a university student who takes his girlfriend to a remote cabin for a getaway only to find himself plunged into a waking nightmare when he plays an audio tape that summons the spirits of the dead.

While there are plenty of frights and thrills on offer, Evil Dead 2 handles them with a sense of infectious fun that makes every jolting jump scare feel like an eruption of chaotic excitement. This approach is beautifully complimented by the film’s eccentric mixture of cartoonish gore and slapstick comedy, which works in tandem with its fast-paced storytelling and Campbell’s committed performance to create a spectacle of bloodshed and bravado that makes for one of the most maniacally magnificent movies ever made.

7

‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ (1989)

Image via Orion Pictures

There’s an old adage that states, “if it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid.” This applies to few comedy movies quite as well as it does the irreverent 1989 cult classic, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Powered by the winning chemistry between stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, it follows the two titular high school heavy metal heroes as they receive help from a time traveler to pass their history assignment by journeying to pivotal historical moments to return with key figures who will aid them in their presentation.

Charming, goofy, and smart enough to never outstay its welcome, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure blends the absurdity of its premise with a cheerful tale of friendship and teenage ambition that has the ability to endear itself to everyone. Bereft of cynicism and mean-spirited judgment, it delivers 90 minutes of chaotic time-travel lunacy that is never anything but a triumphant treat of escapist glee and shambolic hilarity, no matter how many times it is rewatched and enjoyed anew.

6

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Steven Spielberg is undoubtedly one of the defining filmmakers of the ‘80s, a pioneer of blockbuster brilliance who spent the decade churning out some of the most agelessly exciting movies ever made. Raiders of the Lost Ark is among his greatest triumphs in the realm of sheer cinematic fun, with the rollicking action-adventure classic blending fast-paced thrills with old-fashioned serial charm as it follows archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in his globe-trotting quest to locate the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can acquire it and use its power for evil.

Contrary to much of the machismo of the decade, Raiders of the Lost Ark thrives at realizing Indy as a deeply relatable hero who relies on luck and his wits to accomplish his mission without dying. Further enhanced by its ravishing action set pieces, Spielberg’s absorbing directorial style, John Williams’ iconic score, and the relentless tempo of the story, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a fiery, fun-filled masterclass in action blockbuster cinema at its most engaging that is every bit as enjoyable today as it was when released 45 years ago.

5

‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures

Meshing together the joys of 20th century cartoon chaos with a clever reinvention of old-school film noir, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an icon of ‘80s cinema that excels even today as one of the most delightfully unhinged and creative movies mainstream comedy has ever seen. Set in a world where animated critters and humans co-exist, it follows a private detective in 1940s L.A. who struggles to overcome his prejudice against “toons” when he becomes the last hope of movie star Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer), who has been framed for the murder of a Hollywood studio exec.

Bob Hoskins’ ability to give a convincing performance and conjure a sense of chemistry while acting against thin air is a feat to behold, as is the sheer creative might of the innovative blending of animation and live-action. It would be easy to remember Who Framed Roger Rabbit for its groundbreaking ambition, and while that is a significant part of the film’s legacy, the 1988 classic is rightfully heralded by many today primarily for its magnetic madcap humor, crafty toying with film noir tropes, and its air of pervasive playfulness that has seen it endure as one of the most energetic and fun films of all time.

4

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Throughout cinematic history, there has been no better decade for action than the 1980s. Die Hard stands tall among the very best movies the genre has ever seen as it combines its era’s penchant for all-out explosive excess with razor-sharp screenwriting, relentless high-stakes thrills, and one of the greatest movie heroes of all time. It follows John McClane (Bruce Willis), a NYPD cop visiting his family in L.A. for the holidays when his estranged wife’s office Christmas party is taken hostage by a crew of European terrorists. McClane enters a deadly battle of wits against Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) to save the hostages before time runs out.

More than just a masterpiece of action cinema, Die Hard actively recalibrated the style of the genre by implementing the contained suspense of its confined setting and reinventing machismo heroism with an air of vulnerability and human flaws. Coupled with its frenetic pacing, ensemble of unforgettable characters, and its underlying festive fun, Die Hard is the pinnacle of action movie awe that, even almost 40 years on, remains the gold standard of blockbuster cinema.

3

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

Image via Universal Pictures

Back to the Future has been receiving high praise from critics and fans alike for 41 years now, and somehow all the acclaim isn’t enough to truly recognize its brilliance. Bolstered by a masterful screenplay, a litany of unforgettable characters, and genre-blending perfection, every second of the sci-fi adventure delivers ecstatic excitement as it follows 17-year-old Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) who, after traveling 30 years back in time and interrupting a pivotal moment in his parents’ relationship, must save his own existence by saving their first date all while trying to figure out a way to return to 1985.

Its adventurous spirit is never anything short of triumphant, while its comedy fun, sci-fi spectacle, and romantic charm are all deftly entwined to make for one of the most addictive and absorbing viewing experiences in cinematic history. From the one-liners to the heroic triumphs, the quirky joyousness, and even to Alex Silvestri’s enthusing score, every element of Back to the Future works in tandem to deliver what is one of the most engrossing and innocently fun movies ever made.

2

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Studios

A playful spin on fantasy storytelling that pokes fun at the genre’s tropes while finding new ways to perfect them, The Princess Bride is the ultimate post-modern fairy tale. A rollicking adventure accentuated by inflections of enrapturing hilarity and a touching heart of romantic earnestness, the ‘80s cult classic is the epitome of cinematic fun. Operating with a beautiful story-within-a-story premise, it largely transpires in the magical realm of Florin as a farmer-turned-swashbuckler journeys to rescue his love from a forced marriage to a cruel prince with help from a friendly giant and a vengeful Spaniard.

A beautiful concoction of Rob Reiner’s astute direction and William Goldman’s infectious writing, The Princess Bride brims with enrapturing fun and intoxicating adventure. Every single character is brought to the screen with popping personality and precision, while sequences like the duel atop the Cliffs of Insanity and Inigo Montoya’s (Mandy Patinkin) fateful clash with the man who murdered his father make some of the most entertaining and emotionally gratifying action sequences of all time. Absorbing, charming, and relentlessly enthusiastic, The Princess Bride embodies cinematic fun at its most vibrant and universally accessible.

1

‘Airplane!’ (1980)

Image via Paramount Pictures

When done well, spoof comedy makes for one of the most enjoyable forms of cinematic entertainment. No movie in the subgenre has proven this quite like Airplane!, with the 1980 comedy classic delivering multiple laughs every minute as it lampoons the disaster movies of the 1970s with acidic wit, hilarious wordplay, and a healthy appetite for unbridled comic absurdity. It transpires aboard a commercial flight as a vicious bout of food poisoning runs through the passengers and crew, leaving a traumatized ex-fighter pilot to land the plane safely while Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen) sees to the sick.

Complimented by its strait-laced delivery, Airplane! revels in the juxtaposition of high-stakes tension—a point accentuated by Elmer Bernstein’s score—and sheer lunacy, giving it a certain unpredictability that allows every gag, even the background ones viewers won’t see until a second watch, to land with uproarious results. Its success and lasting cultural impact have inspired parody comedy movies over the past 46 years, but none have come close to matching the hysterical brilliance and sheer fun lunacy that Airplane! delivers with every single second of its 88-minute runtime.

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Airplane!

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Release Date

July 2, 1980

Runtime

88 minutes

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Director

Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

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Writers

Arthur Hailey, Hall Bartlett, John C. Champion, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

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