Batman: Haunted Gotham #1

Released in 2000 as a prestige format one-shot, Batman: Haunted Gotham emerged from the tail end of DC Comics' popular Elseworlds imprint. The story was crafted by writer Doug Moench and illustrated by the artist Kelley Jones, a duo celebrated for their collaborative work on the Batman title throughout the 1990s. The narrative serves as a gothic reimagining of the Caped Crusader, blending superhero tropes with Victorian-era occult horror to create an atmosphere distinct from the standard contemporary continuity.

Kelley Jones is widely recognized for his signature style, which features long, dramatic ears on the Batman cowl and exaggerated, shadow-heavy anatomy that leans into the macabre. In Haunted Gotham, he utilized this aesthetic to lean fully into the supernatural themes of the script, pitting Batman against mystical threats in an unsettling, supernatural version of the city. Upon its release, the issue was generally viewed by fans of the era as a quintessential example of the Moench-Jones partnership, successfully highlighting their shared penchant for dark, atmospheric storytelling.