A series for the beginners

[Mambo]

Hi. I've just read my first ever graphic novel - The Killing Joke. I would like to carry on looking into the Bat-verse, but I would prefer to read something where Batman is more of a superhero than a detective. I believe The Dark Knight returns is the best option - is he a superhero in that?

I've had a look at the TPB list, and it helped me choose the first one. However, I'd prefer to have something that I can pick-up from the beginning, and collect for the next few months.

Any ideals?

[Arvandor]

Hush is probably Batman's most 'superhero' style story.

No Man's Land is also recommended.

[Gilda Dent]

Batman: Year One would be good for getting a handle on the basics.

The Dark Knight Returns is also good as a self-contained story requiring only a basic knowledge of Batman.

I agree with the previous poster that No Man's Land would be a good place to go to get into the current Batverse. Start with Contagion, which happens just a little before the No Man's Land series. It isn't necessary, but it is pretty close in time. You can skip it, though, without missing much.

For No Man's Land, easily the best of the big Batman crossovers of the past few years, make sure you get Cataclysm and read it first. It sets up the events of the five No Man's Land Books.

Others that would be helpful for getting into the current Bat mythos would be Officer Down and Bruce Wayne: Murderer/Fugitive, and Hush for the most recent big event.

You might also consider A Lonely Place of Dying, which introduces the current Robin.

[Mambo]

Cool - I think I'll start with Hush! It seems like the best bet - I'll read the others after that. Thanks for answering such a bland topic :) but the newbies still need to know these things!

So then, are there only two volumes for HUSH? Or is it still on-going? Please explain lol

[Murrocko]

Nope, Hush finished a year ago, I think.

[Mambo]

Cool, so only two volumes to read =)

[Arvandor]

Cool, so only two volumes to read =)

Yes. But No Man's Land is 5. :cool:

[Nick Kal]

I'd suggest you read Batman: Year One by Frank Miller, The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Dark Victory by Jeph Loeb.

[Elevation]

ummm this may be a retarded questio but who is this oracle I hear about??

[Nick Kal]

ummm this may be a retarded questio but who is this oracle I hear about??

Oracle is Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl. Read The Killing Joke to see what happens to her and leads her to become Oracle and leave the title of Batgirl behind.

[Elevation]

oh ok thanks that sounds pretty sweet!

[Sean Whitmore]

The first volume of "Knightfall" is a great example of Batman just beating up super criminals instead of solving intricate crimes. All of the inmates from Arkham Asylum are released, and the first 10 or so parts of the story is just Batman catching them one by one.

And without giving anything away, you can safely skip the second volume. :) Not that it's bad, just not what you asked for.


SEAN

[Headhunter]

I recommend this everywhere, but Kingdom Come is absolutely awesome.

Superman and Wonder Woman are the featured heroes, but Batman plays a pivotal role in how the story ends.

[Guts/Batman]

I haven't gotten Kingdom Come yet. Been meaning too though.

Didn't read Cataclysm before I got NML. NML kicked ass. My favorite lines:
Batman:"We've got a problem."
Gordon: "Well, Merry Christmas to you too."
Batman: "We've lost the Joker."

I think I'm gonna get that gigantic Crisis on Infinite Earth hb they have coming out.

I think I'm pretty through with Batman trades at the moment.

Well, besides War Games #3. (I didn't get War Drums or War Games #1 tpb though I am thinking about it)

I would agree with the comment on book #2 of Knightfall storyline.

Hush was entertaining. And with that Red Hood arc recently, it creates more questions than ever.