looking for some new books

[Von Zombie]

Im looking to pick up a few more titles, that would expand my knowledge of the DC universe and it's characters. Im pretty new to comics, and currently im only reading batman and superman/batman. Any suggestions would be great.

[4thHorseman]

Your best bet would to pick up Countdown. It has several characters in there you can get familiar with, including a backup with the History of the new DC Earth. Plus, after that mini in the back of the book, they'll do villain backstories of certain villains.

Other than that, books you should pick up:

Green Lantern (including the recent Sinestro Corp Special)
Action Comics (when it's out)
Superman
All Star Superman
Detective Comics (if you're only reading Batman)
All New Atom
Flash (it's just about to get restarted)

there's some

[Jack Zodiac]

What kinds of stories do you like, Zombie?

I honestly wouldn't recommend Countdown as an introductory book for a newer DC reader, but there are plenty of other books with fresh characters that'd be easy for you to get into. Gail Simone's All-New Atom has a couple of trade paperbacks out collecting the first year of the series with the brand-new character in the old Atom's costume. Giffen and Rogers' Blue Beetle is an easy book to get into, again with a brand new character taking the mantle of an old hero.

And if you're a Batman/Superman fan and already reading Morrison's Batman, I'd suggest Dini's Detective Comics, which are all very easy to jump into as almost every issue is self-contained. I'd also suggest picking up Johns' and Donner's Action Comics, which will begin a new arc I think next month with Superman visiting Bizarro World. A concept just recently explored by Grant Morrison in All-Star Superman, which I'd recommend to anybody.

Now those are books you're bound to enjoy based on the characters. If you want to get your feet wet with a bunch of established characters, grab some team books. Meltzer's Justice League of America isn't really my cup of tea, but the cast would interest you. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman with Black Canary (who also has a mini-series coming out right now you can check out if you like the character, and a new series starting in October), Red Arrow, Green Lantern (who has a couple of books you can check out if you like the character enough), and Hawkgirl (also has her own book, but I think that's ending soon). And in a couple months, Dwayne McDuffie, one of the head writers for the "Justice League Unlimited" cartoon, will be taking over the writing and introducing more characters in what I'm assuming will be a rotating cast similar to the show.

Other team books you could check out: Geoff Johns' Justice Society of America. Medium-sized cast of Golden Age and modern characters. The original Flash and Green Lantern are on the team, Wildcat and his son, Power Girl, Stargirl, Hourman and Liberty Belle, Damage, Mr. Terrific, Dr. Mid-Nite, and the new characters Cyclone and Citizen Steel. Also, a new writer's taking over the Teen Titans starting this month or next with some roster changes. It looks like the core team will remain the same: Robin, Wonder Girl, Kid Devil, Ravager, Miss Martian, with Cyborg from one of the older teams directing them. And it seems either Supergirl or Blue Beetle, or maybe both, will be joining the team as well. And then there's Shadowpact, which is probably the most self-contained team book DC's publishing, with a wildly C-list cast of Blue Devil, Ragman, Nightshade, Enchantress, Zauriel, Nightmaster, and Detective Chimp.

Also, starting in I think September, a new team book will be coming out: Infinity Inc., starring John Henry Irons, previously the Superman character Steel, and his niece Natasha, the new Steel. This book's spinning out of 52, and I think will have a mostly fresh cast of newer characters.

Anyway, like I said, let me know what kinds of stories and characters you like, and I'd be able to recommend some more books for ya'.

[Von Zombie]

Usually I enjoy "darker" characters, with a violent edge to them. I know Batman and Superman dont exactly fit that bill, but I was always a fan of the characters as a kid which is why I chose those books as starting point. After reading reviews of every issue of Countdown, its pretty much over my head, so I think I'll stay away. I'd pretty much be interested in anything that utilizes a wide cast of villains. I guess that ties in with liking the darker characters. Are there any books that are dedicated to a villains perspective? I watch the JLU cartoon every once in a while and enjoy that, so i'll be sure to check out Mcduffie's Justice League when that comes out. Thanks to both of you for the help, I appreciate it.

[Jack Zodiac]

You might wanna' check out The Outsiders then, especially in the coming months. Batman will be leading the team, and as always, the heroes will be skirting the edge of anti-hero as they enter darker territories than they would as the Justice League.

[Von Zombie]

The Outsiders seems like a great book and a perefect jumping on point with the next issue. Has it already been spoiled as to who Batman will ultimately select to be on the team? I saw some art that would suggest the makeup of the team, but I'm not sure if its just a teaser or not.

[The Shadow]

Action Comics (when it's out)
Superman
All Star Superman
Detective Comics (if you're only reading Batman)


I'd add Birds of Prey (it's fun and frivolous), Wonder Woman is restarting with a great writer (Gail Simone) and Wonder Woman is a pillar of the DCU, Justice Society of America (IMO the BEST team book on the market!) and I'm rather enjoying the Justice League of America as well.

[ninjapeps]

Are there any books that are dedicated to a villains perspective?

Villains United and Secret Six. they're both 6-issue minis but they focus almost exclusively on bad guys.

If you want something with comedy, I highly recommend Blue Beetle.