An introduction.

[dcace1983]

Hope this is ok to post. I am going with my normal "forum behaivor." If not I surely hope a mod will zap it quickly.

Anywho...

I am DC (no pun intended, they really are my initials) and I am new to CBR and comics in general. *ducks*

I just wanted to say thanks to all those who contribute to this forum. A big thanks to "I think" Nepenthes for his/her work on the "Where to begin?" thread. I guess I took the road most traveled and went with "Year One." Amazon says it's already shipped and I am super excited.

A little back story. Born in 83 and my first real Batman experience was Tim Burton's. I was hooked from then on. I remember picking up a few comics here and there when I was a youngin and after reading them I would sit around for hours drawing my own and even plans on how to one day become Batman himself. For whatever reason (maybe the horrible movies after Batman Returns) I lost interest in the whole thing. Well my desire for Batman was rekindled with BB and TDK. However the ignition those movies pales in comparison to what playing Batman Arkham Asylum did. I have no idea why but all of the sudden I can't get enough Batman. I have been scouring sources all day and so far CBR is far and away what appears to be the most informative and looks like a place I would like to settle down and chat with other Batman fans.

With all that being said glad to be here and thanks again.

-DC

[nepenthes]

yeah the Arkham asylum game has been great for drawing in new interest. I've thought for a while now that DC should pubish a miniseries similair in style and content to AA, something to transition gamers into the comic books. Eidos did a great job restyling the classic mythos and characters for a new audience, very similar to what BTAS did for Batman in the 90's. I really should get around to playing the thing!

Any questions about the characters or stories go ahead and ask, there's alot of interesting perspectives here. Amazon is great for finding information on trades but you can also get alot of cheap trades on ebay.

and thanks, I'm glad the thread was helpful to you :cool:

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

Welcome to the Bat-boards, hope you have a great time here. Just make sure you read the rules and keep an open mind. :smile:


And like Nepenthes said any questions you have we'll answer.

[steelio2006]

Welcome to the boards. Arkham Asylum is a very sweet game. Has a pretty awesome story to it as well. And the character designs are just amazing. Sorry getting off track here. But yeah, welcome to the boards.

[Captain Jim]

Welcome to CBR. :smile:

[Zach J.]

Welcome, dcace 1983!

...I'm not anyone important, but it's good to have you.

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

Welcome, dcace 1983!

...I'm not anyone important, but it's good to have you.

I wouldn't say that, you post on these boards quite often.

[dcace1983]

Thanks for the welcomes. :smile:

So it's killing me. I ordered Year One yesterday and Amazon is saying delivery expected between March 1st - 16th... :eek:

I chose USPS but perhaps it's coming from a galaxy far far away or something, I don't know.

Well to tide me over I went to the local comic book store and just randomly picked out 2:

http://www.dcuguide.com/Bm/Tec_800.php

I really enjoyed this one. Showed a Gotham I had never really seen. But at the same time really threw some curve balls at me...Him and Catwoman almost kissing, and then Batman putting his mask back on and then she slugged him. So clearly there is a more involved past between the two that I am missing. (I am a noob to comics, but my first idea is that brief romance they shared on the rooftop is not related to what was shown in Batman Returns...but I could be very wrong). Also my first time to see Mad Hatter.

The other one I got was around #632(I think)...I can't seem to find anything on dcuguide or the net, but it was titled "Into the Croc's Lair." Without any clue who the villains were on the inside I somehow managed to choose at complete random 2 comic books from different "series" (is that what they are called?) with the same villain (Mad Hatter) in them. Anyhow this one's colors really seemed to jump off the page. I don't know what it was but it was much easier on the eyes than the above comic.

Probably my first 2 of many questions...

When you say trades...is that just another way of saying "Amazon is a great place to find comic books?"

Also when buying from places like Amazon should I be going for new comics? Like there were versions of Year One that were new but were more expensive (albeit not much).

My thought process was, "well I am new to comics so before I jump in trying to find great condition comics I should make sure this is something I am really going to enjoy, and I opted for the cheap used copy of Year One to start my collection."

Thanks,
DC

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

Probably my first 2 of many questions...

When you say trades...is that just another way of saying "Amazon is a great place to find comic books?"

Also when buying from places like Amazon should I be going for new comics? Like there were versions of Year One that were new but were more expensive (albeit not much).

My thought process was, "well I am new to comics so before I jump in trying to find great condition comics I should make sure this is something I am really going to enjoy, and I opted for the cheap used copy of Year One to start my collection."

Thanks,
DC

Trade is short for Trade Paper back, the common form of collected comics. And I think buying trades new or used is entirely up to you, personally I'd rather have them new to have them in the best possible condition.

[Zach J.]

I also tend to spring for a new copy of any trade that I choose to pick up, but that's only because I once bought a used copy of Busiek's Conan, vol. 1 and someone had whited out certain...portions of the female anatomy. It really annoyed me that someone had defaced the book and then sold it as such.

[Enjoypolydor]

What most people call graphic novel is usually trade. A trade is issues of a comics put together in a collection, like Year One, RIP, or Watchmen. A graphic novel is the same thing without being released as issues prior to that. I didn't know this for a while when i got into comics. Just passing it along for you.

And after you read Year One pick up Monster Men + Mad Monk or Long Halloween + Dark Victory. Great places to continue your collection and great reads.

[nepenthes]

Thanks for the welcomes. :smile:

So it's killing me. I ordered Year One yesterday and Amazon is saying delivery expected between March 1st - 16th... :eek:

I chose USPS but perhaps it's coming from a galaxy far far away or something, I don't know.

Well to tide me over I went to the local comic book store and just randomly picked out 2:

http://www.dcuguide.com/Bm/Tec_800.php

I really enjoyed this one. Showed a Gotham I had never really seen. But at the same time really threw some curve balls at me...Him and Catwoman almost kissing, and then Batman putting his mask back on and then she slugged him. So clearly there is a more involved past between the two that I am missing. (I am a noob to comics, but my first idea is that brief romance they shared on the rooftop is not related to what was shown in Batman Returns...but I could be very wrong). Also my first time to see Mad Hatter.

The other one I got was around #632(I think)...I can't seem to find anything on dcuguide or the net, but it was titled "Into the Croc's Lair." Without any clue who the villains were on the inside I somehow managed to choose at complete random 2 comic books from different "series" (is that what they are called?) with the same villain (Mad Hatter) in them. Anyhow this one's colors really seemed to jump off the page. I don't know what it was but it was much easier on the eyes than the above comic.

Probably my first 2 of many questions...

When you say trades...is that just another way of saying "Amazon is a great place to find comic books?"

Also when buying from places like Amazon should I be going for new comics? Like there were versions of Year One that were new but were more expensive (albeit not much).

My thought process was, "well I am new to comics so before I jump in trying to find great condition comics I should make sure this is something I am really going to enjoy, and I opted for the cheap used copy of Year One to start my collection."

Thanks,
DC

The latest edition of the Year One trade (has a red and black cover) includes extra stuff in the back like sketches, colour mock-ups and an essay by the artist. Otherwise it generally makes no difference whether you buy used or new, apart from the cover and maybe the condition of book. Up to you really

[dcace1983]

Just thought I would post an update...warning in advance...I will be discussing plot points in "Year One" and "The Long Halloween."
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So I got Year One in on last Friday. I was just tickled to death to get it in. I probably read the entire thing in 45 minutes maybe less. This was my first comic I have read in probably 20 years.

I was just enthralled by the story. I read it again in one sitting on Sunday night.

I always see people commenting on the writers and the artwork. I will just say that I was really drawn in by the artwork by Mazzucchelli. For me it had a very old feel to it and it really brought the "grittiness" of Gotham to life. I think Frank Miller did a great job of telling the story. At the end of each chapter (or comic book) I was just itching to get to the next part of the story.

Question: Why was Selina so interested in just "getting involved it seemed?" I don't mean this negatively but she just really wanted to poke her nose in stuff. Curiosity of a cat? Also why the sudden transformation to her alter ego?

Didn't really discuss plot point there but meh.

Now on to what I feel is the very best read I have had in a very long time, be it book, comic, what have you.

The Long Halloween. Oh...My...Gosh.

This story was amazing. I have to be up in less than 4 hours. I told myself ok we'll just do a couple of chapters and then hit the sack. Yeah I read the entire thing in one sitting. It's really late so I won't go into the details. You've all read it. It's amazing IMHO. I love both comics but to me TLH was done on such a more grand scale. Just wow.

Anyhow my questions for TLH:

How many people figured out who it was before the Gilda revealed it? I'll be honest I am a green sluth. I had no clue. I kept thinking it was the nerdy guy working for Dent.

Catwoman is full on. I have to know more about her and how she came to be. See questions from Year One.

OMG...More work from Loeb/Sale. Suggestions?

I'll think of more when I can hold my eyes open. But this will be a good read once the work day slows down tomorrow.

Nighters.

-DC

[nepenthes]

ha ha glad you enjoyed them.

There is of course a sequel to Long Halloween, Dark Victory, by Loeb and Sale pubished about 5 years after Long Halloween. Then in 2003 Jeff Loebs 12 part story Hush was released, which is a similar style epic with art by industry legend Jim Lee. Hush was hugely popular and responsible for bringing many nreaders back to Batman.. Like TLH it uses a "mystery" structure to tour Batmans world and mythology with a top level artist drawing the villain parade. It's a very different art style, a more traditional superhero comic book style, by the guy who does it best.

I say "mystery" because imo Loebs books are not proper mysteries at all, they're full of plot holes, you're not given proper clues and they endings are weak. But it doesn't matter...they're fun and their purpose is entirely secondary to the character arcs. The core of Long Halloween story is the relationship between Dent, Gordon and Batman; the Holiday Killer is just the engine that moves events along. Hush has a similar mystery (the identity of Hush!) that is used to examine the way Batman relates to the world (in particular his relationship with Catwoman).

There's also Catwoman When in Rome and Batman Haunted Knight by Loeb and Sale, but imo they're not nearly as good as TLH and DV (and I'm not a huge fan of TLH or DV too begin with). When in Rome is set in Catwomans middler career, it doesnt go into her origins too much, and Haunted Knight is a collection of three single issue stories featuring Scarecrow, Mad Hatter and a ghost.

Another amazing Batman trade imo is Ego & Other Stories which also inclues easily the best Catwoman story I've ever read, Selinas Big Score. She's hardly in costume for this, but it doesn't get much better

[dcace1983]

I am very excited to get to DV. I am ordering 2-3 at a time and just going right down the list. I am anal that way.

Which leads me to another question. So I finished TLH last night as I mentioned earlier. When I get to my office this morning the mail has already been delivered. TDKR is sitting in a box. So I open it up and read through a few pages.

Talks of Robin, Jim is 70, Batman retired. Now I have already looked through some of the Killing Joke, and Hush which could most definitely take place sometime after YO, TLH. But I am just curious how TDKR falls 3rd on the list? I know that list isn't set it stone, but I am curious why so many CBR forums folks voted it to where it is. I "assume" it is one of those things where read it first and you'll understand type deals?

And thanks for the suggestions on the other reads. I plan to probably start picking those up after I get done with Arkham Asylum. Just to kind of break things up.

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

I am very excited to get to DV. I am ordering 2-3 at a time and just going right down the list. I am anal that way.

Which leads me to another question. So I finished TLH last night as I mentioned earlier. When I get to my office this morning the mail has already been delivered. TDKR is sitting in a box. So I open it up and read through a few pages.

Talks of Robin, Jim is 70, Batman retired. Now I have already looked through some of the Killing Joke, and Hush which could most definitely take place sometime after YO, TLH. But I am just curious how TDKR falls 3rd on the list? I know that list isn't set it stone, but I am curious why so many CBR forums folks voted it to where it is. I "assume" it is one of those things where read it first and you'll understand type deals?

And thanks for the suggestions on the other reads. I plan to probably start picking those up after I get done with Arkham Asylum. Just to kind of break things up.

The list isn't really made to follow continuity, if that's what you mean. They were voted most easy to get into for beginners. DKR doesn't actually have to be the future, it's just one possible future.

[dcace1983]

The list isn't really made to follow continuity, if that's what you mean. They were voted most easy to get into for beginners. DKR doesn't actually have to be the future, it's just one possible future.

Wow I really don't know why I thought that list was in an order for continuity. I mean it's pretty clear that the list is a "Want to jump into Batman? Here is a list of the best places to start." I can only surmise I was thinking ok Year One is the starting place, TLH appears to be a sequel in some respects, and I guess that is just where my train of thought went, and stayed.

Hrm I guess between Wiki and the internet I can probably make a "somewhat" list of continuity for the comics I should purchase from here on out. I understand there are many stories being told. But I like to see how people come to be, their origins, etc.

I am fairly certain after reading the first few pages of TDKR, all of Year One and all of TLH that I am pretty glued to comics now and really want to dive in head first.

So now I am gonna be on a quest to really discover origins of all these great characters.

[Sn4tcH]

Okay, here's a quick "what should you read" in continuity order. This sums up kind of the pre-Robin era.

Batman: Year One (You've got this one out of the way)
Batman: Shaman (Out of print I think, not necessary, but a good follow up to Year One)
Batman: Venom (Also out of print, but a good read if you ever decide to pick up the Knightfall trades)
Batman And The Monster Men (A good re-telling of a classic Batman story)
Batman And The Mad Monk (The sequel to Monster Men, and another great re-telling)
The Man Who Laughs (A re-telling of Batmans first encounter with the Joker)
Four Of A Kind (The Origins of The Riddler, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, and Man-Bat)
Long Halloween (You've got this one out of the way)
Dark Victory (Sequel to Long Halloween)
Robin: Year One (A good book, and follow-up to Dark Victory)

I think most fans will also agree, all of these books are good reading.

Edit: Also, see if you can find the Two-Face/Scarecrow: Year One trade. The Scarecrow story is awful, but the Two-Face one is a treat if you enjoyed Long Halloween.

[nepenthes]

^ This is a good list of "early years" books. The Man Who Laughs are Monster Men are particularily well liked by fans.


I am very excited to get to DV. I am ordering 2-3 at a time and just going right down the list. I am anal that way.

Which leads me to another question. So I finished TLH last night as I mentioned earlier. When I get to my office this morning the mail has already been delivered. TDKR is sitting in a box. So I open it up and read through a few pages.

Talks of Robin, Jim is 70, Batman retired. Now I have already looked through some of the Killing Joke, and Hush which could most definitely take place sometime after YO, TLH. But I am just curious how TDKR falls 3rd on the list? I know that list isn't set it stone, but I am curious why so many CBR forums folks voted it to where it is. I "assume" it is one of those things where read it first and you'll understand type deals?

And thanks for the suggestions on the other reads. I plan to probably start picking those up after I get done with Arkham Asylum. Just to kind of break things up.

In the second post of the sticky thread there is a link to a complete (almost complete) list of trades arranged in reading order (skip down to A New Beginning). I wouldn't suggest going through each and every one though, there's a huge difference in quality among them. Batman as one of comics most popular characters has incredibly vast amount of material published about him - there's bound to be your share of dodgy stuff in there. I can only guess at what you'll make of Arkham Asylum! The list is compiled from dozens of peoples suggestions, but I personally wouldn't recommend AA to most people starting out. Most people. Same for Strange Apparitions, Tales of the Demon. After you've covered the top five it's really best to just go where your interest takes you, characters, creators, storylines whatever.

Just so you know, there are no comics leading up to DKR that set-up the events within. It's third in the poll because it's an outstanding piece of work, not just in Batman or superhero comics, but comics in general. It was hugely influential to Batman and to the entire industry.