DC Comics is home to some of the greatest heroes and villains in print, ranging from Batman and Superman to Joker and Brainiac. During the 1980s, the comic book industry underwent something of a revolution, thanks to the work of a new generation of creators and turning points for key characters. The decade was an era rife with experimentation, character deconstruction, fresh ideas and massive events, all of which made it one of the most memorable periods in comics history.

The 1980s produced too many brilliant comic book stories to count, though some stand out ahead of the rest for their lasting impact, well-written stories and stunning art. From character reinventions to tragic deaths, the impact of the '80s cannot be overstated, and some of these stories are required reading even today. For people who want to understand modern DC or enjoy some classic escapist stories, this decade is a great place to start -- and these stories prove it.

10 "Batman: A Death In the Family" (1988)

Jim Starlin, Jim Aparo and Mike Mignola

"Batman: A Death in the Family" begins when Joker captures Jason Todd, later beating him almost to death and leaving him to perish in an explosion. Upon finding his ward dead, Batman swears justice for his adoptive son, and pursues the Joker to the United Nations. With the aid of Superman, the hero attempts to bring down the Clown Prince of Crime once and for all -- leaving readers to question whether he'd finally break his no-kill rule to avenge Jason.

"A Death In the Family" is something of a controversial comic, especially due to the fact readers themselves voted for the death of Robin. However, as a tale of revenge, an exploration of Batman's code and the limits of his friendship with Superman, the story is essential reading.

9 Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)

Alan Moore and Brian Bolland

Batman: The Killing Joke explores the origins of the Joker, from a failing comedian to a patsy for gangsters, becoming the villain after falling into a vat of chemicals. In the present day, he targets Batman for his most extreme attack yet, shooting Barbara Gordon and psychologically torturing her father, hoping to break his rival's code.

The Killing Joke is certainly an acquired taste in the world of comics, with even Alan Moore having distanced himself from the story due to its effects on the industry. However, as a standalone, dark Elseworlds-style story, it offers readers a great psychological thriller involving arguably the greatest rivalry in comic book history.

8 Justice League International (1987)

JM DeMatteis, Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire

In the aftermath of Crisis On Infinite Earths, the Justice League roster was significantly altered, as Batman led a new line-up that included Guy Gardner, Mister Miracle, Shazam and Big Barda. From the outset, the clash of personalities and new friendships defined this era of the Justice League, leading to an iconic run that sees the team foil terrorist plots and be betrayed by one of their own.

Although it may not be as synonymous with the grit and depth that other '80s comics delivered to readers, the Justice League International era remains one of DC's greatest team books. With a combination of comedy, slice of life, great action and the elevation of more obscure superheroes, the title is rightly ed by many as one of the best things to come out of the decade.

7 "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" (1986)

Alan Moore, Ed Hannigan, Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson

As DC began winding down the Bronze Age in preparation for Crisis On Infinite Earths, Alan Moore was hired to put his spin on Clark Kent before John Byrne would later reinvent the character. Told in Superman #423 and Action Comics #583, the story explores the final days of the Man of Steel, as his villains escalate their violence, culminating in a siege of the Fortress of Solitude. With Mr Mxyzptlk revealed as the mastermind behind the attack, the story sees the death of key Superman allies in an epic last stand.

Moore's brief run on Superman, affectionately dubbed "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?," gives some semblance of a happy ending to DC's first hero, even if it is left intentionally ambiguous. The story walks the line between Moore's typically downbeat, serious writing and a more optimistic take on the superhero genre, giving Silver Age Clark Kent a touching send-off.

6 "Batman: Year One" (1987)

Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli

After redefining Daredevil for Marvel Comics, Frank Miller made the move to DC, where he brought the same gritty treatment to Batman. In "Year One," he explores both the origin story of the Caped Crusader and his first year as a vigilante, focusing on both Bruce Wayne's war on crime and Jim Gordon's early years in the GD.

"Batman: Year One" manages to convey the importance of the Dark Knight without relying on his classic rogues' gallery, instead focusing on Gotham's organized crime problem. The four-issue story lays the foundations of the modern Batman mythos, focusing on how corrupt the city was when the character started his career -- and reminding readers of how far he's come.​​​​​​​

5 The New Teen Titans (1980)

Marv Wolfman and George Perez

Heralded by many as the greatest teen-based comic of all time, Marv Wolfman and George Perez's New Teen Titans explores Dick Grayson's life after Batman. Alongside heroes like Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy and Starfire, the former Gothamite hero leads the Titans in his new identity as Nightwing. Together, they cross paths with the mercenary Deathstroke, leading to one of their most epic adventures in the story "The Judas Contract," which sees the Titans in all-out war with the villain.

The series does an excellent job of balancing out its characters, giving each one their moment in the limelight. Ranging from the exploration of Raven's power and her connection to Trigon to the origin of Cyborg, the series earned its reputation as one of the greatest team comics of all time -- and Perez's art immortalized its best tales.

4 The Question (1987)

Dennis O'Neil and Denys Cowan

Between the early 1970s and 1990s, Dennis O'Neil earned a reputation as one of the most prolific writers at DC Comics, thanks to his time on series like Batman and Green Lantern. While those two series stand out as his best-known titles, some of his best work comes from his tenure on The Question, alongside artist Denys Cowan. The series follows a post-Crisis Question as he tackles crime and corruption in Hub City, one of the most brutal towns in the DCU.

O'Neil's The Question series welcomed the Charlton Comics vigilante into the world of DC, sending Vic Sage on a journey through the heart of the city's social and moral decay. In addition to his own solo series, the hero also crossed paths with Blue Beetle in his own series, giving readers an action-packed crossover that gave them a nod to Watchmen.

3 Watchmen (1986)

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' seminal limited series Watchmen brings readers a great piece of alternate history in a world where Richard Nixon won a third presidential term and the world teeters on the edge of nuclear war. Following the murder of the Comedian, an ex-superhero from the now-disbanded team known as the Minutemen, the masked vigilante Rorschach investigates. As the conspiracy-minded protagonist delves deeper into the case, he begins to realize something far greater is at work.

Watchmen doubles up as both a compelling murder mystery and an interesting deconstruction of the superhero genre, with Moore exploring various superhero archetypes in his writing. From the god-level cynic Doctor Manhattan to the brutality and trauma of Rorschach, the series delivers readers the writer's view of what superheroes would be like if they really existed.​​​​​​​

2 The Saga of the Swamp Thing (1984)

Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, John Totleben and Rick Veitch

After Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson concluded their run on Swamp Thing, Alan Moore ed the series. From the outset, the British author devoted his run to the reinvention of the character, retconning him as the Avatar of the Green -- and making it clear that Alec Holland was gone for good. From there, the series delves into the supernatural roots of the character and other elemental forces at work.

The Saga of the Swamp Thing offers readers a blend of Gothic horror, tragedy and dark fantasy, climaxing in the formation of the Justice League Dark to face the forces of darkness. Some of the greatest supernatural characters in DC originate here in Moore's run, which delivered some great, emotional moments for the character -- and introduced the fan-favorite occult detective John Constantine.

1 The Dark Knight Returns (1986)

Frank Miller, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley

When it comes to explaining '80s comics, few stories come close to perfectly embodying what the decade represents as The Dark Knight Returns. Set in the future, the story explores Gotham City in the midst of an escalating crime wave as a gang dubbed the Mutants terrorizes residents. Seeing how bad things have gotten, an older Bruce Wayne comes out of retirement as Batman, donning the cape and cowl to challenge the Mutant leader. Accompanied by Carrie Kelly, who declares herself the new Robin, the Dark Knight confronts his worst villains -- and his best friend.

The Dark Knight Returns concluded Frank Miller's reinvention of Batman, turning in a brilliant miniseries that explores Gotham's need for the Caped Crusader. The series delivered readers what is still considered to be the definitive take on the character, one that gave fans the grudge match of the century between the Dark Knight and Superman in one of the greatest fights in DC Comics history.