Batman: Black & White Compendium

Twenty-five years of the top talents in comics putting their spin on the Dark Knight in beautiful black-and-white is collected in this comprehensive, must-have compendium edition!

In 1996, DC debuted Batman: Black & White, an anthology series featuring comic book legends—including Joe Kubert, Walter Simonson, Bruce Timm, Dennis O’Neil, and Bill Sienkiewicz—presenting their unique takes on Batman in black-and-white short stories. The series captivated the comics world, winning two Eisner Awards and returning for multiple revivals.

DC gives fans a chance to experience all of Batman: Black & White—including the 1996 original, the 2013 and 2021 follow-up series, and stories from Batman: Gotham Knights—in one star-studded collection, featuring timeless stories accessible to any Batman fan.

This collection spans generations of revered writers and artists, including Neal Adams, Sean Murphy, Rafael Grampá, Dwayne McDuffie, James Tynion IV, Bilquis Evely, Tom King, John Byrne, Mariko Tamaki, Jim Lee, and many more.

This volume collects Batman: Black & White (1996) #1-4; stories from Batman: Gotham Knights #1-49; Batman Black and White (2013) #1-6; and Batman Black & White (2021) #1-6.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs