Best Batman Comics for New Readers, Current Titles, Top Trades and Recent Events

[nepenthes]

Hey, where would Long Shadows Go on your List?

Right after Batman Reborn, there's a few things in there that place it very early in Dicks time as Batman

[darkb1ue]

I'm planning on picking up http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-nove...-1-new-edition (Knightfall Vol1. New Edition) when it's out next week.

But while looking at some comments on the collection, some people seem to be pointing out some missing issues? Are those missing issues important ones, or will I be ok picking up this edition, or should I look for the old one?

[OldschoolAL]

Right after Batman Reborn, there's a few things in there that place it very early in Dicks time as Batman

Awesome, Thanks. That's a great place to start now.
Kudos on a good Thread, this is my new go to place for info based on the fact that none of my mates know anything about Batman!

[coconutphone]

How's "War Games"?

My buddy asked me if I wanted to read it. He's got the 3 trades from the library.

[Captain Jim]

How's "War Games"?

My buddy asked me if I wanted to read it. He's got the 3 trades from the library.

There was a thread about it not long ago; you may want to look for it.

It tends to be the target of a lot of fan-hate, some justified and some not IMO. In a nutshell, Stephanie Brown and Leslie Thompkins are written completely out of character and Stephanie is sadistically tortured. I make no defense for these things. But I found the actual storyline quite engaging. Your mileage may vary.

[vampiric_cannibal]

How's "War Games"?

My buddy asked me if I wanted to read it. He's got the 3 trades from the library.

If you can read it for free, sure. Don't pay for it.

[nepenthes]

I've updated the first page to include Owls in May and also the Top 50 a little - with the new Demon Trilogy out Birth of the Demon and Son of the Demon have been combined into one entry and moved up with their scores added. This also opens a new spot at the very bottom for...Batman VS Predator!

I'm planning on picking up http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-nove...-1-new-edition (Knightfall Vol1. New Edition) when it's out next week.

But while looking at some comments on the collection, some people seem to be pointing out some missing issues? Are those missing issues important ones, or will I be ok picking up this edition, or should I look for the old one?

Those missing issues were noticed by posters here when the solicit was first released, and it's probably just a typo. DC publishes wrong solicit information once in a while and those are key issues, would make no sense at all to skip them. We'll know for certain next week but I'd say the new edition will be fine

[coconutphone]

If you can read it for free, sure. Don't pay for it.

Cool thanks. Got curius becuase of what I saw of the aftermath in Gotham Central. I read about the Stephanie/Leslie stuff. Not looking forward to that.

[vampiric_cannibal]

Cool thanks. Got curius becuase of what I saw of the aftermath in Gotham Central. I read about the Stephanie/Leslie stuff. Not looking forward to that.

The Stephanie stuff is kinda disgusting and depressing, but it still the best plotline of the event. The basis of War Games was to kill her off and word is that is only because DC was killing all of Chuck Dixon's characters.

[darkb1ue]

Those missing issues were noticed by posters here when the solicit was first released, and it's probably just a typo. DC publishes wrong solicit information once in a while and those are key issues, would make no sense at all to skip them. We'll know for certain next week but I'd say the new edition will be fine

What are those missing issues? So I know what to look for when I am in the store this Wednesday?

[nepenthes]

they're apparently Detective 661-666 but whether they're actually missing is still not certain. If your shop wraps the trade I'd definetly be asking to open and have a look inside.

[darkb1ue]

they're apparently Detective 661-666 but whether they're actually missing is still not certain. If your shop wraps the trade I'd definetly be asking to open and have a look inside.

Thanks, will make sure to look for those issues to be included in the trade as well.

Update: Picked up the collection today, and it does contain Detective Comics #659-666

[Sallou]

My friend got into Batman about a year and a half ago, so doesn't just want the 'essentials' list. He asked me if I could compile a chunky list of the essentials, plus others for people who have already read Year One etc al, some of the supposed lesser books, all in chronological order. I've been re-reading the entire saga, and so made a decent/chunky sized list with all the main books, and others I personally think he should read. So this list is for people properly trying to get into the batman universe (I also included Year Ones for Nightwing, Robin and Batgirl for that reason) and not just read the 'Big Ones'. Some one-shots, or ones that don't fit in continuity, may still be included in a rough space were I'd recommend.

I decided to post it here in case it's incorrect and you guys can help me out, and because it might help others looking on this thread.


Legend:
CAPITALS and/or bold = Main Book that you really, definitely should read.
Not in Capitals = Not essential, but if you are really serious about getting into Batman not just casually, I'd still read.
Not in Capitals, but in italics: Ditto above, but probably a little bit more important (or at least more Known) than those with neither capitals or italics.
s p a c e d o u t l e t t e r s = DC 'Event' (Isn't just Batman, but should still be read; read either 1. just Batman and other characters you like/are trying to follow, or 2. the whole thing if you want. A better understanding will be gained from no. 2)
----- = Start of Morrisons run/area (Not all books after this point are by Morrison, or part of his run, but still tie into his story, or at least the Batman mythos)
Navy Blue = The main books from Morrisons main run (from 06-now)

YEAR ONE
Shaman
& The Mad Monk
Prey
THE MAN WHO LAUGHS
Four of a Kind
Gothic
Venom
Going Sane
THE LONG HALLOWEEN
DARK VICTORY
CHRONICLES: THE GAUNTLET
ROBIN: YEAR ONE
BATGIRL: YEAR ONE
TALES OF THE DEMON
Strange Apparitions
Tales of the Batman Vol 1 (Gene Colins)
NIGHTWING: YEAR ONE
SONE OF THE DEMON
Ten Nights of the Beast
THE KILLING JOKE
The Cult
Arkham Asylum: Serious House on Serious Earth
A DEATH IN THE FAMILY
Blind Justice
The Many Deaths of Batman
A LONELY PLACE OF DYING
ROBIN: HERO REBORN
BIRTH OF THE DEMON
Last Arkham
Sword of Azrael
KNIGHTFALL (1-3)
PRODIGAL
CATACLYSM
NO MANS LAND
JLS: Tower of Babel
Evolution
New Gotham (1-2)
Officer Down
False Foes
Bruce Wayne: Murderer?
Bruce Wayne: Fugitive (1-3)
HUSH
Death & The Maidens
Superman/Batman Vol 1 (Public Enemies)
Broken City Batman
Hush Returns
WAR DRUMS
WAR GAMES (1-3)
i d e n t i t y c r i s i s
City of Crime
Under The Hood Vol 1
War Games
O M A C p r o j e c t
Under the Hood Vol 2
i n f i n i t e c r i s i s
Face to Face
Detective
Dark Knight Dark Sky
Black Casebook
----- BATMAN & SON
Death & the City
Ressurection of Ra's Al Ghul
Private Casebook
THE BLACK GLOVE
Gotham Underground
Heart of Hush
R.I.P.
f i n a l c r i s i s
Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader
Battle for the Cowl
Battle for the Cowl: Comapanion
BATMAN & ROBIN Vol 1 (Batman Reborn)
Long Shadows
BATMAN ROBIN Vol 2 (Batman V Robin)
Life After Death
Arkham Reborn
TIME & THE BATMAN
RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE
BATMAN & ROBIN Vol 3 (Batman Must Die)
BATMAN INC. Vol 1

Still Being (or to be) Published: BATMAN INC Vol 2 / Leviathan)


Is this a fairly accurate list to give to someone? Any help or pointers, extra books to include? Thanks! :)

[Fonecrusher]

Anybody recommend the Batman vs Bane tpb? Saw it on sale at a bookstore near work.

[GBtmSF]

great thread! so much good info, suggestions