I was recently re-reading my copy of Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne by Grant Morrison, a story that I really enjoyed, and got to wondering: If you could pick one Batman story that you think really defines the character of Batman, what would it be? I thought The Return of Bruce Wayne did a pretty good job at showing what Batman could be at his most core concept. As Superman puts it "Surviving is what he does." But he was also a fighter, a defender of the weak. Throughout this story, he doesn't remember anything or know the people around him but stops at nothing to help those being bullied or threatened.
 

@Bat_Mite51: hmm...that is a very tough question. what story defines Batman?

Off the top of my head I would say Cataclysm or Aftershock could be good answers (well, maybe not good, but its the first ones I think of which are adequate), because those connecting arcs show that Batman is connected to the city and to the people in that city. Its the city which makes him what he is. So, if the city is rough, then he gets rough.

And thats what I can think of right now. Maybe I'll think of something tommorow...

Return of Bruce Wayne no question.It's the ultimate love letter to Batman,nothing comes close IMO.

Nolans Films, hehehe....

Hard to say, i could say Grant Morrison does an amazing job, but for the the defenitive Batman is Chuck Jones Batman.

I wanna say No Man's Land. The fact that he stayed in Gotham just says it all. Also, when Bruce was explaining his defense on Gotham and then it showed highlights of him as Batman going along with his statements was a perfect touch.

I did enjoy No Man's Land, it was Batman trying to rebuild the city he loves in a way. But I don't know if I want to say that Batman is Gotham City or vice versa. It is a big part of who he is, but like I was saying about the Return of Bruce Wayne, even when he didn't know who he was or where he was(although it was Gotham in its early stages) he was fighting off crime even though he had no idea who they were. Its a deeper connection than just Gotham City but rather he is a fighter of all crime.

Devil's advocate,looks like he is the only one in Gotham that really knows what justice is :'D

Batman: R.I.P

....All-Star Batman & Robin....

definitive batman.....hmmmmm......NML

anything written by morrison...

can it be shows as well......if yes.......the definitive batman/bruce is the BTAS batman......he is THE batman.....

War games. I was extremely satisfied with it. And honorable mentions to The Long Halloween, Dark Victory and The Man Who Laughs.