Batman noob, where to begin?

[loading5]

Ok so I know nothing about comics, but after playing the amazing Arkham Asylum game and watching the recent Batman films, reading Batman comics is something I really want to get into.

The thing is where do I start? Their are so many Batman series', should I start reading the Batman series or are their better ones to read?

Ideally I would like to start a subscription of some kind so where would you recommend to go? I live in the UK.

Thanks for reading this and any help and advice would be great

[Jorriss]

So you can start in two places. A little bit of supplementary wikipedia and posting here and then dive straight into the new series, or start from the beginning with Year One and move on. Or both simultaneously. Which do you prefer?

[loading5]

So you can start in two places. A little bit of supplementary wikipedia and posting here and then dive straight into the new series, or start from the beginning with Year One and move on. Or both simultaneously. Which do you prefer?

Im not really sure, I want to start somewhere that has continuity and then move on from their.

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

Pick up Year One. Then Hush, as it gives you a perception more or less of Batman's universe. And after that, pick up Morrison's run.

[loading5]

Pick up Year One. Then Hush, as it gives you a perception more or less of Batman's universe. And after that, pick up Morrison's run.

Ok cool thanks, any recomended places to get these?

[Jorriss]

Ok cool thanks, any recomended places to get these?

Those are big name trades, they'll be at Borders, a comic shop, barnes n noble, etc.

For Morrison's run I'd start with Batman & Robin, streets of Gotham and Batman 687+. Morrison did Batman RIP but it's pretty poor imo so I wouldn't recommend it, though many would. For the first part, go to a comic shop. For RIP, if you want it, Borders again.

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

Ok cool thanks, any recomended places to get these?

Borders or Amazon.com. R.I.P. was amazing, possibly one of the best comic stories I've ever read. You either love it or hate it, depending on your love for mysteries.

[Jorriss]

You either love it or hate it, depending on your love for mysteries.

That's a bit unfair to those of who dislike it...

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

That's a bit unfair to those of who dislike it...

I don't think so. A lot of people didn't like the fact that you had to do a bit of detective work for the story. I loved that though, because after all Batman is a detective.


R.I.P. is a cult work. Those that like it will love it, and those that don't seemingly hate it.


But let's not high-jack this fellow's thread, alright?

[Jorriss]

I don't think so. A lot of people didn't like the fact that you had to do a bit of detective work for the story. I loved that though, because after all Batman is a detective.

I suppose but from my perspective, its because it's not very high quality detective work.

But let's not high-jack this fellow's thread, alright?

Another 'where to start thread'? May as well highjack it lol =P

[loading5]

Thanks alot people, I will check them all out, thanks again : )

[WorstThingUS]

I'd recommend the following in order:

Batman: Year One
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: Dark Victory
Catwoman: When In Rome
Robin: Year One
Batgirl: Year One

And this can easily get expensive, so I recommend Amazon, eBay or signing up for a Border's card so you can go online and print out their regularly offered 20-30% off coupons.

[gundarN]

Thanks alot people, I will check them all out, thanks again : )

In the UK, like what I am, you would probably be best checking the comic shops that sell via Ebay to get your books.
Then check out various shops via google.co.uk for anyone that does a mail order subscription service. Although I do travel 50 miles a month to my "local" comic shops.

And I agree with everyone who says that you'd be best trying to get the Morrison books if you want to start with good stories in continuity.

[Judge-Dredd]

Most of the necessary batman titles have already been said so I want spend long repeating posts.
Batman year one: The perfect origin story
Batman The long halloween: Introduces you to the majority of villains
Batman the dark knight returns: epic, beautiful, exciting, awesome

I live in ireland and the only comic book store here i'm aware of is in the city centre and takes about and hour to get in on the train and is pretty expensive.
so i buy my comics online, at the SciFiGenre.com, it's reliable and has lots of back issues, and you can subscribe, only problem is, it's quite expensive with postage and packing so I'm limited to only 4 titles.

Batman and robin is essential series to start getting, fun and well written by grant morrison, you should probably get the batman title aswell, although it's been getting some criticism lately, I still find entertaining and gives you the general low down on what's going on in the batman universe. There are other titles if you want, but don't feel two pressurized to get them, they're not quite essential, but that doesn't mean they're not good, if you want them and can afford them, get them by all means.

I understand how you feel, I'm pretty new to comics too and it can be a bit startling to see the amount of titles and trades, just don't worry about trying to keep track of every event and just go with the flow.

[loading5]

Most of the necessary batman titles have already been said so I want spend long repeating posts.
Batman year one: The perfect origin story
Batman The long halloween: Introduces you to the majority of villains
Batman the dark knight returns: epic, beautiful, exciting, awesome

I live in ireland and the only comic book store here i'm aware of is in the city centre and takes about and hour to get in on the train and is pretty expensive.
so i buy my comics online, at the SciFiGenre.com, it's reliable and has lots of back issues, and you can subscribe, only problem is, it's quite expensive with postage and packing so I'm limited to only 4 titles.

Batman and robin is essential series to start getting, fun and well written by grant morrison, you should probably get the batman title aswell, although it's been getting some criticism lately, I still find entertaining and gives you the general low down on what's going on in the batman universe. There are other titles if you want, but don't feel two pressurized to get them, they're not quite essential, but that doesn't mean they're not good, if you want them and can afford them, get them by all means.

I understand how you feel, I'm pretty new to comics too and it can be a bit startling to see the amount of titles and trades, just don't worry about trying to keep track of every event and just go with the flow.

Wow thanks alot everyone the response has been great, I have put orders in for these to get me started:

Batman: Year One
Batman: The Man Who Laughs
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: Dark Victory
and The Killing Joke.

Thanks again people, really helpful, I cant wait to get reading.