Help Please??????

[I'm right you're wrong !!!!!!!]

I have moslty only read marvel books but want to make the transition to dc mostly for the reason of batman. Since I was a little kid batman and spiderman were my favorite super heros. I already read spiderman and know all about his history, and want to start reading some of the batman titles so I have a few questions. My first question is what is the best title out there? What are some good web sites and books to read up on him and his villans an allies history? And any more information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

I'd say "Batman" is the best book right now. Next issue wraps up the current story. I'd suggest seeing if a local comic shop has the last three issues so you can pick them up and get the full story. It's more of a traditional, "Batman beats up the bad guys" kind of tale.

Detective Comics, right now, is in the middle of a 12-part story called "City of Crime." It's very gritty, very dark, and very violent. It explores the detective side of Batman much more than the book mentioned above. I'm really enjoying this story arc, but I'd suggest it only if you like darker stuff. And if you're more into fights against Batman's rogues gallery, then "Batman" is a better title.

"Gotham Knights" focuses on the bad guys. Especially Hush(a new baddie who popped up a couple years ago. The details on him can be found in the two "Hush" trade paperbacks, I definately think they're worth picking up). The book deals a lot with the personal motivations of the villains, as well as their relationships with each other. Personally, I think it's a pretty good read. The current story, "Human Nature"...is two issues in, and it focuses on Poison Ivy.

"Legends of the Dark Knight"...unlike the other three...this one has it's stories jumping around in all parts of Batman's history. It' not usually in current continuity, most issues take place in the past. I haven't checked it out yet, so no opinion. It's the only book out of the four core titles that's just about to start a new story arc, though, so it might be easier to get into than the others.

Personally, I enjoy Batman the most, but the Ivy tale in Gotham Knights is looking good so far. Both GK and Detective Comics are worth it, too, IMO.

There's also the spinoffs...Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, Gotham Central...etc...out of those, I'd suggest Birds of Prey. It stars Gotham girls The Huntress, Black Canary, and Oracle(the former Batgirl, Barbara Gordon). The writing is great and the characters are fun.

[AlanScott606]

If you like crime stories then give Gotham Central a chance. You can pic up the first trade and see if it would be anything you are interested in.

[I'm Right Your Wrong!]

I'd say "Batman" is the best book right now. Next issue wraps up the current story. I'd suggest seeing if a local comic shop has the last three issues so you can pick them up and get the full story. It's more of a traditional, "Batman beats up the bad guys" kind of tale.

Detective Comics, right now, is in the middle of a 12-part story called "City of Crime." It's very gritty, very dark, and very violent. It explores the detective side of Batman much more than the book mentioned above. I'm really enjoying this story arc, but I'd suggest it only if you like darker stuff. And if you're more into fights against Batman's rogues gallery, then "Batman" is a better title.



I'm definitely going to check out "City of Crime".

[Astonishing X-Fan]

It starts in issue 801, if that helps. currently 4 issues into the arc, last one was 804.

[I'm Right Your Wrong!]

It starts in issue 801, if that helps. currently 4 issues into the arc, last one was 804.

Thanks man i'll see if I can get them soon. Are there any TPB's I should look into?

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Most people will suggest Year One as far as trades go. I guess it depends if you're more interested in recent trades or older, "classic" ones. For more recent stuff, I really think "Hush" is worth checking out. It was marketed as a mystery, and to tell the truth, it's not that great of a mystey. But what it is is a great piece of writing, a great look at Batman's character...and most of all, just plain FUN. Almost EVERY supporting character and rogues gallery member gets their time to shine. And the Jim Lee art is GREAT. And it's not bogged down by continuity either...everything you need to know is told right in the narrative, so it never makes you feel like you're missing out on a piece of the story because you didn't read older issues. The two trades were the first Batman books I bought when I got back into comics and they really just gave me a good, satisfied feeling that inspired me to check deeper into the Bat-books.

No Man's Land, the mega-crossover from a few years back, seems very well-liked on this board. I've only read the first trade, but so far I'm really liking it. There's a thread on the front page with more on that one.

Check out the "Required Batman Reading List" sticky thread at the top of this page to get a nice list of all the trades that are considered the best of the best.

[AlanScott606]

Check out Batman Year One and The Killing Joke. Both are great reads. Here are a few more trades you may want to check out

Batman Hush Vol 1 and Vol 2

Batman No Mans Land Vol's 1,2,3,4,5

Batman Year Two

Batman A Lonely Place of Dying

Kingdom Come, It's not Batman solo story but he does play a prominent role. And it's one of the best stories you will ever read.

JLA Tower of Bable, Again, not a Batman solo story but it will show why a prepared Batman is to truely be feared.

[Forsaken_One]

If we're listing elseworlds like Kingdom Come you can't go wrong with Dark Knight Returns. You may want to steer away from it's sequel, the Dark Knight Strikes Back. I personally liked it but a lot of people didn't.

[I'm Right Your Wrong!]

Most people will suggest Year One as far as trades go. I guess it depends if you're more interested in recent trades or older, "classic" ones. For more recent stuff, I really think "Hush" is worth checking out. It was marketed as a mystery, and to tell the truth, it's not that great of a mystey. But what it is is a great piece of writing, a great look at Batman's character...and most of all, just plain FUN. Almost EVERY supporting character and rogues gallery member gets their time to shine. And the Jim Lee art is GREAT. And it's not bogged down by continuity either...everything you need to know is told right in the narrative, so it never makes you feel like you're missing out on a piece of the story because you didn't read older issues. The two trades were the first Batman books I bought when I got back into comics and they really just gave me a good, satisfied feeling that inspired me to check deeper into the Bat-books.




Hey thanks man, I picked up HUSH Vol. 1 and it was great. (At that moment I didnt have enough money for Vol. 2). But as soon as I got it I couldn't stop reading it, the art was great the writing was great and so far the storyline was good. I can't wait to pick up the second trade!

[The Shadow]

Hey thanks man, I picked up HUSH Vol. 1 and it was great.
There are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better Batman stories out there. AlanScott606 rhymed off a few (and included Hush)... but for other reading check out this link:
http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=35000

[cletus510]

There are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better Batman stories out there. AlanScott606 rhymed off a few (and included Hush)... but for other reading check out this link:
http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=35000

I think those extra 10 or 11 A's were uncalled for. :)
Seriously, I don't know why so many people badmouth Hush. While I agree that there is a number of better books out there, I think Hush did what it set out to do tremendously well--a huge over-the-top story featuring tons of villains, supporting characters, a mysterious new villain, unresolved threads, etc. It did a couple of other things well. First, we saw WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY (;)) more of Bruce Wayne (and a sane, caring one at that!) than we've seen in all the other recent story arcs combined. Plus... (spoiler alert!)

I am hoping that Bruce's boyhood friend (Dr. Whatshisname) ends up becoming a friend and confidant of Bruce. It broke my heart that Bruce's only friend from his childhood would turn out to be a bad guy.

Anyways, my recommendation to the original poster is this. Just start with the main bat-books (Batman, Gotham Knights, Detective) and don't worry too much about the "back-story." Then as you go along, you can pick up a TPB here and there (see the required reading list or the posters above for recommendations). Most of the great TPBs don't affect continuity too much. You know the basic story already: boy's parents killed, boy becomes obsessed, boy trains to fight criminals, boy dresses as bat and hangs out in a cave. Any other details you can pick up here or on websites (I suggest www.thebatsquad.net or www.batmanytb.com). You can also go to dccomics.com to find out about the various characters (look in the Secret Files section).

Of course, when you do grab some TPBs, Year One is a must. It gives the gospel account of the origin of Batman. Killing Joke is pretty much assumed continuity-approved, one of the greatest stories, and THEEEE most stunning comic book art ever. Other ones I'd recommend that others usually don't make a point to single out are Red Rain (a fun "Elseworlds" story featuring Kelly Jones' loverly art), "Blades" by Robinson and Sale (Legends of the Dark Knight 32-34), and the John Wagner/Alan Grant/Norm Breyfogle run in Detective around 1988/1989.

[stealthwise]

Plus, I am hoping that Bruce's boyhood friend (Dr. Whatshisname) ends up becoming a friend and confidant of Bruce. It broke my heart that Bruce's only friend from his childhood would turn out to be a bad guy.


Er... you sort of just spoiled the whole thing for him.

But yeah, that was the worst part of that cluster**** arc in total. Introduce a new character "from the past" out of nowhere and then use him as the actual "master villain". Extremely weak.

[ouiyahtsiouiyah]

before you read Hush 2 id advise of reading "Death in the Family" TPB and "Buece Wayne: Murderer" and "Bruce Wayne: Fugitive" 1and 2

[The Shadow]

the Dark Knight Strikes Back. I personally liked it but a lot of people didn't.
I liked it as well.

I think a lot of people had higher expectations than were realistic and the lateness of #3 sure didn't help.

[cletus510]

Er... you sort of just spoiled the whole thing for him.


YIKES! I didn't read his post carefully enough--that he read only volume 1. I went back and edited my message. Hope he hadn't read it yet.

[Dennis K]

I'm also thinking about adding a Bat title to my pull list, but I'm afraid I can only add just one. After reading this thread I'm more confused than ever about which one to plunk my money down on.

[Forsaken_One]

I'm also thinking about adding a Bat title to my pull list, but I'm afraid I can only add just one. After reading this thread I'm more confused than ever about which one to plunk my money down on.
I'd reccomend you try Batgirl since it's a recent team, a good starting point (about two comics back from this month's), a good writer, and a very good artist. But some people want Batman when they say they're going to add a Batman title, and he doesn't really show up in her title.

But then I haven't really read this thread. :p

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Boston Brand, I'll simplify it for you:

If you like more traditional superhero stuff, get Batman

If you like gritty, crime drama, street-level detective stuff, get Detective Comics

If you like the rogues gallery and want stories that give them the spotlight, get Gotham Knights

Legends of the Dark Knight is a bit more random, telling all kinds of stories from all over Batman continuity.