Getting started on DC

[Hellfan]

Is JLA a good why to go if you want to "get to know" the DCU and its characters?

I love Batman and Supes - But I want to branch out. I’ve always been a Marvel kid – but I feel the DC is a better way to go if I still want the Superhero fix and still get something that appeals to my age.

[Mia]

I really can't tell you because I mostly collect the Bat books. Not the DCU as a whole. Personally I'm not too keen on the JLA (and the way that Batman is portrayed) however I will be picking up the JLA as soon as Brad Metlzer takes over writing chores.

[shaxper]

The JLA series just ended, so that wouldn't be the way to go unless you're planning on reading back issues.

DC just started their "one year later" business, where all of DC's major titles have skipped ahead one year and are starting with mostly uncluttered continuities that are accessible to newcomers. I suggest picking up whichever of those titles look interesting to you. Anything that isn't explained in those issues will be explained in the near future.

[Adem]

Pick up DC:The New Frontier Vol.1 and 2 to get to see some of DC's heroes in a fun Silver Age story(that wasn't written in the Silver Age). If you want to get started on the JLA pick up Morrison's JLA. The first trade is called JLA:New World Order.

[Violently Apathetic]

Eh, I recently started picking up DC too, but I have yet to notice anything that would suggest it's more or less suitable to an older age group than Marvel. It really varies by title, not by company in my experience.

Justice League America is as good as place to start as any (ignoring the fact it's over now...), but when it comes to understanding the current climate in the books you may want to consider picking up Identity Crisis, which despite its major faults has many of the characters in it and basically acts as a bridge into Crisis and all the crap that’s happening right now.

Personally, I started collecting with JLI, but yeah...

[MicroZone]

try: Justice League of America #0 in July and The Flash #1 and Wonder Woman #1 in June.

In the meantime: Green Lantern #9 and #10 and Aquaman #40. Those are DC's core heroes.

Outside the modern DCU: try Jonah Hex #3

[shaxper]

In the meantime: Green Lantern #9 and #10 and Aquaman #40. Those are DC's core heroes.



Green Lantern #9 was the only issue in the series that I didn't like. The rest of the series is fantastic, and I'd suggest starting from #1. I'm not personally digging Aquaman and wouldn't call it a core title at this point. Instead, I'd recommend Green Arrow for strong characterization, great supporting cast, and a bold new direction.

Also, Wonder Woman #219-225 were phenominal. I'd definitely grab those up.

Batman has been fantastic for the past few years too. I started at #643 and have thoroughly enjoyed each issue since.

[Meta 05]

I see DC as more of an adults comic company for a few reasons. Its also one reason I am droping alot of Marvel I like its post OYL dark direction.I am getting tired of being thrown in an catagorized as an X zombie just because i used to only read marvel.


I don't know DC is alittle bit more adult in some ways.I don't see Marvel starting titles for its ICON chars with them whoring around in bed with some tramp they picked up.

EX GREEN LANTERN, NIGHTWING

Its characters our a bit more violent enmasse.The good ones our more politically an morally driven to

[Violently Apathetic]

I see DC as more of an adults comic company for a few reasons. Its also one reason I am droping alot of Marvel I like its post OYL dark direction.I am getting tired of being thrown in an catagorized as an X zombie just because i used to only read marvel.


I don't know DC is alittle bit more adult in some ways.I don't see Marvel starting titles for its ICON chars with them whoring around in bed with some tramp they picked up.

EX GREEN LANTERN, NIGHTWING

Its characters our a bit more violent enmasse.The good ones our more politically an morally driven to

Darkness, violence and sex does not equate to maturity to me, personally, I think it means appealing to the lowest common denominator and it comes across as pretty juvenile. I'm not trying to sound like a snob or anything, I like me some violence once and a while to, but 'OMG, DICK IS ACTING LIKE A MAN WHORE!' doesn't scream 'mature content' in the good way. It screams ‘We’re out of ideas. Have some pillow talk!’ Marvel generally does attempt to keep more questionable subject matter out of their main titles and saves the majority of the weirdness for their MAX and Ultimate lines and frankly I think that's a smart decision on their part. You can tell a mature and intelligent story without it being drenched in sex and violence, in fact I often find those elements detrimental to telling a good story.

All my opinion though, and I have a tendency to not know what the hell I'm talking about, I just like to see my type on the screen.

[Meta 05]

I agree I don't think its mature by intelegent adult story standerds just its content.I would much prefer a teenager read Marvel then DC.

Which brings me to the point.

People would rather there kids read about someone sleeping around who is str8 then have there kids read about an honest well written monogamous gay couple

EX Todd in manhunter, and Billy an teddy in young avengers.

I don't care if the relationship being portrayed is str8 or gay but i wouldn't want my kids if i had them reading a book where an icon hero there looking up to is giving them the message its alright to sleep around.

[Alex A Sanchez]

yeah, I'm taking my statement back. Mod, please delete.

[Desaad]

Is JLA a good why to go if you want to "get to know" the DCU and its characters?

I love Batman and Supes - But I want to branch out. I’ve always been a Marvel kid – but I feel the DC is a better way to go if I still want the Superhero fix and still get something that appeals to my age.

Hey there!

In terms of Justice League, I think there are two ways of going for that. I do think that its a strong way to get introduced to some DCU characters, but I think the title has been pretty weak for a long time, culminating in its ultimate recent end.

Were I you, I'd either wait for the new series to start (In July, with issue 0) which promises to be blockbuster with Meltzer and Benes helming it..OR..If you're looking to pick up back issues, collect the Morrison run on "JLA" (Virtually all collected in TPB these days, starting with New World Order and ending with WWIII).

As has been stated, virtually EVERY title in the DCU just got a jumping on point, so depending on your tastes give 'em a shot!

If you like cosmic action/adventure be sure to pick up Green Lantern, GLC (When it comes out this summer), and Legion of Superheroes!




Astro

[Woodwose]

To get to know more about the DCU I'd recommend that you start at the JSA - One Year Later point. I'm a fan of the JSA mostly beacuse it tends to be well written and drawn, but also becuase you get exposed to so many different characters. There are many relatively obscure characters that I wouldn't know of if it weren't for JSA. IMO this is the best team book out there (sorry JLA fans).

I'd also suggest Green Lantern. You can jump on at #10 (on stands now!) or try and pick up the rest of the series, which shouldn't be that hard since there are only 10 issues as of this month.

[jimmyboy]

Darkness, violence and sex does not equate to maturity to me, personally, I think it means appealing to the lowest common denominator and it comes across as pretty juvenile. I'm not trying to sound like a snob or anything, I like me some violence once and a while to, but 'OMG, DICK IS ACTING LIKE A MAN WHORE!' doesn't scream 'mature content' in the good way. It screams ‘We’re out of ideas. Have some pillow talk!’ Marvel generally does attempt to keep more questionable subject matter out of their main titles and saves the majority of the weirdness for their MAX and Ultimate lines and frankly I think that's a smart decision on their part. You can tell a mature and intelligent story without it being drenched in sex and violence, in fact I often find those elements detrimental to telling a good story.

All my opinion though, and I have a tendency to not know what the hell I'm talking about, I just like to see my type on the screen.
Don't shoot yourself down like you did with that last sentence, my friend. I totally agree with you and you said it very well. :)

[shyguy]

Pick up All-Star Superman #1-3. Fantastic writing, phenomenal art, and you don't have to know anything about Superman or any DC comics at all in order to get into it.

You might want to try All-Star Batman as well. You'll either love it or hate it. I'm in the latter catagory, but lots of people are digging it.

It really depends on what characters you're interested in. If you want to read Superman and Batman, now is a good time to start; they're both down to 2 main titles each and they each have a long storyline running through both titles. When those are over, some really great creative teams are taking over.

If you're interested in Wonder Woman, I'd start with the new #1 in July (and I'd recommend that you stay far away from Greg Rucka's run). With Green Lantern, you can find any issue of the current series easily. If you want to read Flash, pick up some of the trades written by Geoff Johns (I think his entire run is collected).

[soda]

Batman has been fantastic for the past few years too. I started at #643 and have thoroughly enjoyed each issue since.

Agree with you that WW and GL have been fantastic, but this line hit me hard...

No, it hasn't been. To me, Batman, the last two years, has been utter crap. "War games" was the worst crossover in modern comic book history. Hush was the last Batman comic, in the core titles, that I enjoyed. I've liked the periphery bat-titles (Superman / Batman, Birds of Prey, etc.), but the core bat titles, with the likes of Winnick and Liebermann, two of the worst writers in the industry, writing them?

OYL has been great, with one stroke of the pen, DC fixed all the bat-crap. James Robinson's books have been alright, but they're only the appetizers, to me, the main bone, the thing that DC really has me excited about is Grant Morrison and Kubert on Batman, and Paul Dini and Rags Morales on 'tec, that's a great lineup that I think will be worth every penny, and I can't tell you how happy I am to have Paul Dini writing Batman full-time again, the man is a legend.

[shaxper]

To me, Batman, the last two years, has been utter crap. "War games" was the worst crossover in modern comic book history. Hush was the last Batman comic, in the core titles, that I enjoyed. I've liked the periphery bat-titles (Superman / Batman, Birds of Prey, etc.), but the core bat titles, with the likes of Winnick and Liebermann, two of the worst writers in the industry, writing them?

OYL has been great, with one stroke of the pen, DC fixed all the bat-crap. James Robinson's books have been alright, but they're only the appetizers, to me, the main bone, the thing that DC really has me excited about is Grant Morrison and Kubert on Batman, and Paul Dini and Rags Morales on 'tec, that's a great lineup that I think will be worth every penny, and I can't tell you how happy I am to have Paul Dini writing Batman full-time again, the man is a legend.


To be completely honest, I only started reading with War Crimes (#643), but I loved what I've read, and I started reading again because avid fans told me how much they'd enjoyed the Bat titles prior to that point. I like how much Gotham has changed, and how that has affected both Batman and his supporting cast. And, of course, the arrival of Jason Todd has created a fascinating measuring stick for Batman's development over the past fifteen years.