How Does One Get Into DC?

[Wasgo]

Over the past couple of years I've tried a couple of times to get into DC comics and it hasn't worked out.

I tried reading Batman R.I.P. after hearing all of the critical acclaim, and found the plot wasn't remotely intended for new readers.

More recently, I picked up the JMS runs of Super Man and Wonder Woman. With Super Man, the shift in writers and tone really limited my enjoyment of the series, and not much was happening anyway. For Wonder Woman, I feel like I'm still waiting for a reveal, without even knowing what I don't currently know. Without knowing the other versions of the character, it feels like I'm reading about random Amazonians dying, and some mythological villains without any motivation that I'm aware of. In both cases I can't tell if I just don't know enough about the characters to appreciate the series, or if the writing just hasn't been clear enough for me.

So I'm asking, as someone who only knows the pop culture version of DC characters (toys, movies, posters), where should one start if one wants to pick up DC?

[Ben D]

Batman Year One
Superman: Secret Origin
Wonder Woman is currently under reconstruction
JLA-Deluxe Editions 1-4 by Grant Morrison
Green Lantern: Rebirth, Recharge and Sinestro Corps War

[Ben D]

oh and welcome to the boards Wasgo

[El Sombrero]

Batman Year One
Superman: Secret Origin
Wonder Woman is currently under reconstruction
JLA-Deluxe Editions 1-4 by Grant Morrison
Green Lantern: Rebirth, Recharge and Sinestro Corps War

Yep I agree with these. Personally I would get All-Star Superman (the comic book, not the recent animated movie) instead of Secret Origin, and Green Lantern Secret Origin instead of Rebirth (just so you get a literal origin story), but these are good calls.

Unless you really want to be following current storylines, you are better off reading collected editions of classic stories instead of the current runs.

DC: The New Frontier is wonderful and will introduce you to a lot of DC characters.

Be sure to try at least one story from Grant Morrison, and one story from Geoff Johns. Those guys are basically in control of the DCU, so if you like either of them, that opens you up to a lot of possibilities.

[Ari Gold]

Ha. Amazing. Sorry about your RIP experience.

I'd recommend starting with Batman & Son, then Black Glove, then RIP.
At that point you will likely want to read more Grant Morrison, and I would recommend any of the following All-Star Superman, Animal Man, Arkham Asylum, JLA, Seven Soldiers.

When I got into DC a few years back I mostly just tried to find new things that I didn't have to have a lot of previous experience with, I'd suggest current examples such as Superboy, THUNDER Agents and Detective Comics (which isn't a new series but only 3 issues in to Scott Snyder's current run).

In recent years Green Lantern has received a lot of positive reviews, but at this point it would be a significant investment in trades.

Personally I dropped WW when JMS left but if you're stil riding it out I'd recommend sticking around until it all gets wrapped up.
And for Superman I'd suggest switching over to Action Comics, I believe they have a new arc starting soon and I'm a big fan of Paul Cornell.

If you're looking for some stuff that you can get in trade as opposed to current monthly titles I'd recommend JLA (Morrison's run) and Gotham Central.

[Tenacious_AA]

Here is a wonderful link for Batman

Outside of Batman...Right now...most of everything is revolving around the Brightest Day storyline.

A really good trade to get started with that just came out is Justice League:Generation Lost {here is my review}

The writer, Winick, gives a background to all the characters he is using, so you don't feel lost.

Superman...is kinda trying to get past JMS...it has had some pretty dull... stories.

Brightest Day Vol 1 and Vol 2 is out.
Green Lantern: Brightest Day is out.
Here is my reading list for Brightest day Link
BUT ...the problem is... Brightest day stuff is on issue 20 and it will be wrapping up in a couple of months with issue 24.

The next big mega event is FLASHPOINT.
Which just started with The Flash #9.
The first TPB for the new Flash series is out too.

I would suggested the Justice League Generation Lost TPB and picking up Flash #9 to get started in the next event.

For BATMAN(Bruce Wayne):
Batman Inc issue 1 and 2
Batman: Dark Knight #1

For Batman (Dick Grayson):
Detective #874...it came out today with a new arc and is good.
Batman and Robin #20

Batgirl #19 starting a new arc (Stephanie)
Red Robin #20...already out (Tim Drake)


As far as back ground stories of the characters... just ask or Wiki

Are you planing to do Trade Paper Backs only... or monthly issues?

[sendingsignal]

And batgirl year one. Sandman and Swamp Thing are good DC based stories that go off into their own thing.

[Flash Gordon]

Superman: Birthright for a 21st century origin of Big Blue. Superman and the Legion if you want a really good story. It's really the only GREAT one I've read in a while. Kurt Busiek did some cool stuff in Camelot Falls though.

For Wonder Woman, Hiketa or anything by Greg Rucka and Gail Simone.

Batman: Year One is a decent place to start for old Brucey.

BEST ADVICE: Skip the "events" and just read some good stories about the characters you like.

[DC Fan Xman]

I would start with Batman: Year One, Green Lantern: Rebirth, and Batman and Son.

[Wasgo]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I'll start with Batman Year One and Green Lantern Rebirth and go from there. I had kind of wanted to read some of the current monthlies, but I'm starting to gather that's not the recommended approach for DC at first.

Would it be fair to say for DC's iconic characters, it's better to focus on individual stories than continuity?

[maniacthw]

Buy her a few drinks and flirt... Real smooth like.

[clownprince01]

Would it be fair to say for DC's iconic characters, it's better to focus on individual stories than continuity?

I don't know about other characters, but this is especially true for Superman. I'm hard pressed to find any in-continuity stories for the character that rank anywhere near the best of them. So for a beginner, can't go wrong with Birthright. If DC has any sense, this would be the definitive origin for Superman. Unfortunately, we've had about 3 different origins in a matter of only a few years.

For Batman, go with Year One and The Killing Joke.

If you want to get into continuity, I still suggest reading a bunch of standalone stories and graphic novels first, just to get an understanding of the DCU. Then go from there.

[Tenacious_AA]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I'll start with Batman Year One and Green Lantern Rebirth and go from there. I had kind of wanted to read some of the current monthlies, but I'm starting to gather that's not the recommended approach for DC at first.

Would it be fair to say for DC's iconic characters, it's better to focus on individual stories than continuity?

Current monthlies are fine.
There is no reason you can't pick them up, just that you might be a little lost at first because of the new characters, but you can always ask and Wikipedia has most of the background.

It also came to me... a monthly that you could get into... Superman/Batman.
The latest one issue 81. It has Both Bruce and Clark in it...
It came out last week...
You might have to wiki Shadowpack (magical hero group), who are also in it, but the story has started out great and even I don't know that much about Shadowpack.

If you are looking for just Bruce Wayne... he is kinda just back from being lost in time.

You can start with Batman Inc 1 and 2(Bruce outside of Gotham)
Batman Dark Knight 1 (Bruce in Gotham)

The problem with Bruce is that he is currently in the clutches of a creative teams that are slow producing. Dark Knight and Batman Inc 2 came out back in December and the next issue isn't "promised" till March.


Other stuff that has Bruce Cameo's is the JL:Generation Lost, that's why I suggested it, and the most recent Power Girl 21...which was awesome.

AND if you want current event Flash #9 for FLASHPOINT

[Ebon]

By 'get into DC', are you trying to get on as a writer, artist, or both. Your 'entry trajectory' will vary wildly depending on your talent.
If you're an artist, do you have a website showcasing your work, even if only a DeviantArt page. If not, why? If you're primarily a writer, well, good luck. There's a lot of writers out there.

Also, don't go in thinking you'll be doing anything with Batman at the start. Unless you're a freakin' amazing artist that can also follow script direction impecably, you'll pay your dues on lesser books for years before you get an assignment on one of the big boys.

If you know only the pop culture versions of the DC universe, you have a huge long row to hoe in trying to get work from them because you're seeing versions of the characters that in many ways have no real connection to the comics versions of those characters, especially if you're talking movies.

Like you mention, these are characters with decades of history behind them and you should be at least aware of that history. Many modern writers and artists aren't aware of that continuity either, which is another rant, but the old hands in many of the hiring positions ARE. Basically, it's always best to be as aware of history as possible. That way if you're a writer and propose 'I know what! Let's kill off Robin!', you'll know why you get smirks instead of applause. (On a related note, remember that you'll also be working with corporate Intellectual Property, and as so you're under some pretty significant limits as to what you can do with them)

Some of the Showcase volumes might be available at your local library - these are collections of the old Silver Age stories and should be somewhat more accessible than some of the continuity-heavy modern stuff. They'll give you a clearer vision of the characters involved and some of the history.

Wikipedia is also a great place to go for condensed comics history. Most articles on major characters break down the entire history of that character, alternate versions, media versions, etc. Check out Batman and Robin for example.

Without knowing much more at this point, I'd say you're trying to break into comics right at the top and that rarely works out well. Try creating a series by yourself, promote it, get it out there, do a web-comic, etc.

[Wasgo]

By 'get into DC', are you trying to get on as a writer, artist, or both. Your 'entry trajectory' will vary wildly depending on your talent.

Neither. As a fan. I'm trying to get into DC as a fan, and found that picking up monthlies with high profile stories has left me frustrated and confused, hence why I was posting here.