1. Batman: Year One - There's no better place to start than Frank Miller's dark, realistic origin story. Though a very different plot than Chris Nolan's film, there are many stylistic consistencies. This was one of my Wednesday picks a while back so you can read more here.

2. Dark Knight Returns - Anyone that has picked up a comic in the last 20 years is at least somewhat familiar with this one. Another Frank Miller classic, the one that single handledly skinned Batman of the campy, Adam West exterior that most of the world was always picturing him in. It's a dark tale of the future and is usually considered the epitome of the Batman story. If you enjoyed seeing how Batman began, this is how he ends.

3. The Killing Joke - Alan Moore and Brian Bolland craft the perfect Joker story here, one that demonstrates what a dangerous and formidable foe he is. Though basically a stand alone story published back in the 80s, the Joker does something really despicable here that has had permanent repurcussions on the Batbooks to this day.

4. The Batman Chronicles - This is the true origin of Batman. The first in a series of softcover reprints of every Batman comic ever published, starting with Detective Comics No. 27, the character's first appearance.

5. The Long Halloween - Another story that takes place early in Batman's career. The character of Batman is rooted in the classic Detective genre and here he grapples with a daunting mystery. Beautifully illustrated in an old Hollywood, noir-ish style by Tim Sale.

A few honorable mentions:
Arkham Asylum
Gotham Central
Hush

Check out your local comic shop today. If you don't know where your local comic shop is, find it here: http://www.the-master-list.com