Who do you think had the best run for batman (writer) ?

[WontonGirl]

Bob Kane.

He created the character, he set the example and everybody else followed

[WontonGirl]

Nobody has mentioned Len Wein (1979-1980) yet?

Yes the Len Wein/Doug Moench era was good!

[WontonGirl]

Also, we can't leave Frank Miller off of this list and out of this conversation. Even though he hasn't had a "run", his impact on Batman, what he did for the character and how that impacted the rest of the Comics world is iconic.

Shoot, same with Jeph Loeb and Alan Brennert as well.

Shout out to @BatmanJones for the reminder about Alan!

[BatmanJones]

Bob Kane.

He created the character, he set the example and everybody else followed

Since learning recent history about the character I think it's only fair to always say Bill Finger if you're going to say Bob Kane. Bob Kane's character was in a red union suit with a domino mask and blonde hair. He did have bat-wings and he was called Bat-Man but Bill Finger did the rest.

I started to give a much lengthier discourse on the importance of Finger in creating Batman but I only learned it recently myself from an essential Hulu doc called "Batman and Bill," which is all about the fight to get Bill Finger recognition for how much of Batman and the Batman mythos he created while Kane, in quite an ugly fashion, took credit for it all.

HIGHLY recommended viewing for any Batman lover and I know that you're one of the great ones, WontonGirl.

Here's a link to the RT page which has links to trailers and the Hulu movie:

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_and_bill_2017

[BatmanJones]

Also, we can't leave Frank Miller off of this list and out of this conversation. Even though he hasn't had a "run", his impact on Batman, what he did for the character and how that impacted the rest of the Comics world is iconic.

Shoot, same with Jeph Loeb and Alan Brennert as well.

Shout out to @BatmanJones for the reminder about Alan!

Great names, all of the ones you've mentioned! You are a Super-Batfan.

[Coal Tiger]

Bob Kane.

He created the character, he set the example and everybody else followed

lol no he didn’t.

[son of booyah]

Personally Morrison, that was a hell of a run. After that Milligan and Starlin. And if Gotham Central counts, that too.

[WontonGirl]

Yes I know about the Kane - Finger situation. But I will watch the documentary to see how much of the beginning run he wrote, because that is what I was talking about

[WontonGirl]

And I'm throwing Devin Grayson's name in there as well! All these Males listed, I'm going to list her just because, LOL!

[Carabas]

Bob Kane.

He created the character, he set the example and everybody else followed

You misspelled Bill Finger.

[Barbatos666]

Bill Finger
Grant Morrison
Frank Miller
Dennis O'Neal
Steve Englehart

Honorable mentions to
Scott Snyder
Alan Grant
Jeph Loeb
Chuck Dixon
Peter Tomasi

Outside of comics to Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Burton and Nolan.

[The I.A.D.C.]

I’m a child of the Bronze Age, so Len Wein gets my vote. I highly recommend picking up the hardback collection DC printed of his run. Gerry Conway’s run from the early ‘80s is pretty solid too. He did a sequel to the classic Steve Englehart “Detective” run that I enjoyed. DC just started reprinting his stuff. Volume 1 came out this year and according to Amazon a Volume 2 will be out in August of 2018.

[The Whovian]

Morrison, not even close.

[BatmanJones]

Yes I know about the Kane - Finger situation. But I will watch the documentary to see how much of the beginning run he wrote, because that is what I was talking about

The doc will prove to you in no uncertain terms that Kane stole all credit and had very little to do with creating Batman. As other posters have said Batman's true creator was Bill Finger. I'm sure you'll be persuaded by the documentary which is so clear about this fact. Kane hardly did anything to create Batman.

Finger did the mask, the costume, the origin, Robin, Joker, Catwoman and on and on and on.

And Kane let DC believe he'd done all that and had an exclusive contract with them about Batman that left Finger out entirely. DC didn't even know who Finger was. Just wait until you see what Kane actually created, which was a guy in a red union suit with blonde hair and a black domino mask a la Robin. Finger did every single other thing.

It's probably the greatest tragedy in creator rights stories there is. The doc doesn't just show you how much Finger did; it shows you how much Kane DIDN'T do while accepting credit for the character his supposed friend created in every single way.

[BatmanJones]

Bill Finger
Grant Morrison
Frank Miller
Dennis O'Neal
Steve Englehart

Honorable mentions to
Scott Snyder
Alan Grant
Jeph Loeb
Chuck Dixon
Peter Tomasi

Outside of comics to Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Burton and Nolan.

This is an excellent list. It leaves off my favorite ever in Tom King but that's okay. I know not everyone likes his writing.

I would add Doug Moench to your list. I think he was one of the most underrated Batman writers ever and I loved when he teamed with Don Newton (a very underrated Batman artist).

But I wouldn't remove anyone from your list. Each of them has had an enormous impact on Batman and always to the better.