Newcomer to the DCU

[SaotomeMtl]

Hey folks,

I've been getting back into comics recently, and Identity Crisis #1 was one of the first comics I picked up. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the series, and had no idea this was becoming such a big event for DC (I've been out of the comic loop for quite a while). Here's my question, basically. I'm planning on picking up the four spin-off series' from Identity Crisis, as I have already picked up Countdown to Infinite Crisis and enjoyed that as well. I'm just wondering if I will have many problems understand the character interactions given I have little to no background in the DC universe. For example, Identity Crisis presented the story in such a way that introduced all the heroes and villains very well. However, reading these boards utterly confuses me, as posters talk about characters and events that may or may not influence this upcoming Infinite Crisis. Is there anything else beside these four spin-off titles I should be reading, or will I get a good idea of what's going on as long as I stick to them?

Also, I picked up the first few issues of Seven Soldiers - another impulse buy. I have (shock) never heard of any of these characters before; not even Zatanna, who apparently is spoken of quite a bit around here. In any case, just hoping these are also pretty self-contained.

In the end, I greatly enjoyed Identity Crisis and Countdown to Infinite Crisis, and the 30-issue Seven Soldiers phenomena also looks like it will have me hooked; I'm just making sure I'm not getting myself into one of those complicated cross-title traps with either of these "events". I.E. I don't want to have to pick up every title in the DCU universe to get an understand of what's going on.

Thanks in advance, and I'm loving this new DCU so far,

~ Andres C.

[Paul Newell]

DC have a website with a sort of "timeline" heading up to Infinite Crisis here (http://www.dccomics.com/features/countdown/).

Unfortunately they apear to only tout what's out each week and don't archive the earlier stuff.

EDIT: Just put a thread on the top of the board archiving the previous "Crisis Counselling" columns. :)

[Paul Newell]

And to answer your question you should be fine just sticking to the mini's though there may be one or two things to check out, if you feel like it, such as the Adam Strange mini-series that leads into Rann/Thanagar War.

This thread (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=51574) has some suggestions as well. :)

[SaotomeMtl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

If you like Identity Crisis I suggest picking up JLA 115#-119# where Batman finally knows about his mindwipe. I also suggest getting Flash 214#-217# which had the Top featured.


This arc had Barry Allen giving Wally a secret letter that Oliver Queen had kept. Its a great read so go and get It as well. It ties Into IC.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

While almost every DC book this spring/summer will have tie-ins to IC/Countdown, you don't really have to worry too much I don't think. I mean, you have these boards after all, and plenty of fans to ask questions if you don't get something or don't know who someone is.

I'd say the essentials are Identity Crisis, Countdown, the four minis, and, of course, in the fall, Infinite Crisis. Everything else is just to build on these primary books.

Though I hear the four-part Superman/Wonder Woman crossover in a few months tie heavily into OMAC(one of the four minis).

[SonnyC79]

Yes, the timeline link Paul posted is awesome and should be a big help to you. I was in the same boat as you a while back. I think theres a lot of people that take some time away as life gets in the way of our comics from time to time.

Great link