11 Batman Stories to Read Before 'The Dark Knight'

[Rick Marshall]

Hey CBR crew, thought you might find this one interesting:

11 Batman Stories to Read Before Watching 'The Dark Knight' (http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/03/24/11-batman-stories-to-read-before-watching-the-dark-knight/)

Basically, we went through and listed the in-continuity (or, in some cases, "in-continuity unless proven otherwise") Batman stories and storylines that lead up to the period of Batman history unfolding in "The Dark Knight."

Did we miss anything? Let me know what you think.

Happy reading!

[Mr. Sam]

No "Killing Joke"? I thought that one was a dead cert. I thought that Ledger had even said that Joker was the one he based his on. No?

[Choppa]

I don't totally understand the criteria for these. Are they supposed to be books that fill in the gap between the two movies? Because that doesn't make any sense to me since the two are unrelated.

As far as I can tell, the only books that have an obvious influence on Begins were Year One and the others listed in the DVD credits.

And it looks like Long Halloween is going to play a part in TDK and the first two issues of Batman are what Joker is based on.

[Rick Marshall]

Basically, we were just looking to fill people in on the Batman "early years" that lead up the time period of the Batman mythos that "The Dark Knight" seems to be covering. Sure, there are lots of inconsistencies between the film and the comics, of course, but all of the comics we listed seem to contribute to the in-continuity comics elements that the early years of the character shown in the film are based upon. It was a fun exercise in looking at what's still considered in-continuity and whereabouts the films fit into that timeline.

Oh, and since The Killing Joke focuses on the origins (and further actions of) of The Joker, we felt like the cut-off point for the timeline was somewhere right before The Killing Joke. But, of course, it's all open to interpretation.

Interesting points, though, all of them -- and all very valid.

[DonC]

I thought all of Legends of the Dark Knight were out-of-continuity except the crossovers with the other Bat-titles.

[Captain Jim]

I don't think that's ever been definitely established.

[Mr.50]

I thought all of Legends of the Dark Knight were out-of-continuity except the crossovers with the other Bat-titles.


Well we know that the VENOM storyline from LOTDK is in continuity form certain quotes in Morrison's current run.

Mr.50

[rick]

I ike the list and do think that it works pretty well as a run up do DKR, and some great stories too.

[Kid Kyoto]

Basically, we went through and listed the in-continuity (or, in some cases, "in-continuity unless proven otherwise") Batman stories and storylines that lead up to the period of Batman history unfolding in "The Dark Knight."



Why limit to 'in continuity'?

[Kistler]

Well we know that the VENOM storyline from LOTDK is in continuity form certain quotes in Morrison's current run.

Mr.50

Oops. You are so right, I totally forgot to include that one.

My bad, folks.

[Kistler]

Why limit to 'in continuity'?

Because otherwise it was too hard to narrow it down to just under a dozen. Simple as that.

I do recommended anyone who's interested should go and read THE BATMAN CHRONICLES collections of the Golden Age stories.

[Kistler]

I don't totally understand the criteria for these. Are they supposed to be books that fill in the gap between the two movies? Because that doesn't make any sense to me since the two are unrelated.

As far as I can tell, the only books that have an obvious influence on Begins were Year One and the others listed in the DVD credits.

And it looks like Long Halloween is going to play a part in TDK and the first two issues of Batman are what Joker is based on.

It's not meant to fill in any gaps. The movies just now are focused on his early years and have mentioned that Robin won't appear. So I focused on the trades that focused on Batman's pre-Robin era. That's all.

[PamGrierOverdrive]

My 4 favorite Bat books, which I intend on reading again before I see the new film (just because I enjoy them so much) are Year One, Turning Points, The Killing Joke and The Dark Knight Returns. I would consider those 4 books to be essential reading for anybody wanting to know more about Batman, or someone just getting into comic books for the first time.

[Kistler]

My 4 favorite Bat books, which I intend on reading again before I see the new film (just because I enjoy them so much) are Year One, Turning Points, The Killing Joke and The Dark Knight Returns. I would consider those 4 books to be essential reading for anybody wanting to know more about Batman, or someone just getting into comic books for the first time.


In general, you are correct. But again, the article specifically stated it was a timeline of Batman's early solo years, not a collection of the Essential Batman stories.

[Choppa]

It's not meant to fill in any gaps. The movies just now are focused on his early years and have mentioned that Robin won't appear. So I focused on the trades that focused on Batman's pre-Robin era. That's all.

It sounds like he means stories that fill in the gap between the movies, that's why I said that. It doesn't make any sense since there is no connection.

[PamGrierOverdrive]

I know, but I just wanted to chime in with my two cents on my favorite Batman books, not really having anything to do with the list these folks compiled.

[Alan2099]

No "Killing Joke"? I thought that one was a dead cert. I thought that Ledger had even said that Joker was the one he based his on. No?

Killing Joke isn't bad, but it's a bit overrated. Frankly, if we're talking about a definitive Joker storyline, I'd choose Going Sane. It handles the character and his conflict with Batman in a much more mature way than Killing Joke does.