Do you like American comics? I've got a question for you!

[Mint Invader]

From what Im told the Batman Graphic novels are the way to go. Im just to broke to get any at the moment.

[MacGuffin]

There are sort of "best of" compilations released in book format by DC but they are not cheap.
The problem with the regular comic series is that DC was always changing shit for marketing reasons, that's why it's so confusing now. There are some classic runs in there, but I doubt you will get satisfaction from reading the entire thing from year x to y.

I've read Batman Year One, which was pretty good, and The Killing Joke and that was badass too... but you've probably already read those.

[pulsoc]

I'm no expert, but I have found the Dark Knight Returns is all the Batman I ever needed.