Make Me Into a DC Fanboy - Schooling in the DCU [Archive]

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rustyautoparts

05-19-2009, 12:33 AM

From my own recent experience with the MarvelU and DCU, I'm finding that I really connect with the characters/world from DC as opposed to Marvel. I'm loving Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, and Grant Morrison. That said, I would really like to have a better knowledge about the DCU beyond what Wikipedia has to offer. So, my question is, what trades could I read to give me a better idea of what has happened in the DCU so far. This includes origin stories, major events, and just all around DCU coolness.

As far as major works set in the DCU go, I already have Batman: Year One and The Killing Joke (I know those may/may not be in continuity, but they're close enough to me). I figure I should probably get CoIE, Identity Crisis, Infinite Crisis (I've already read Final Crisis and actually loved it), but I'm not sure where to go after that. My favorite characters so far have been Batman, Green Lantern, and The Flash.

So to sum everything up, please, somebody, remake me in Conor's image! Ok, that's a little over the top, but I think you know what I mean.

optimus187prime

05-19-2009, 12:38 AM

Green Lantern Rebirth, Sinestro Corps War, Secret Origin.

gabeja

05-19-2009, 03:41 AM

OK, go pick up any Niel Adams/Denny O'neil Batman you can get your hands on. My personal favorite Batman, and classic stuff. Obviously read DKR and also Long Halloween. Also, for sure read a death in the family. And pick up brubaker's Batman: The man who laughs. Definatly read all the crisis, Pick up Grant Morrison's JLA(!). Also pick up the NA/DO green lantern/green arrow. I think that DC is currently reprinting (albeit slowly...) Geoff John's flash trades, those are great. Also, read Sinestro Corps war.

Oh, and heres the part were Gabe goes rouge just a little bit. For Batman, pick up Batman Hush. The art is undiniably great, and while some object the the story, I love it. Also, it is a pitch perfect intro to almost all the characters in the Batman world. And it is awesome.

jumpingjupiter

05-19-2009, 08:18 AM

I prefer learning by osmosis.

comicbookchris

05-19-2009, 03:20 PM

Speaking from experience, 52 I think is a great intro into the DCU. It takes alot of secondary B-characters that are normally on the sidelines in the DC books and puts them front and center. The writing is excellent too, its like a hall of fame of modern comic writing (Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, and Keith Giffen). You really connect with all the characters, and its a very rewarding read.

jmstump

05-19-2009, 06:28 PM

I approve of this thread. All suggestions so far would have been what I would make. 52 is great as was earlier stated and is in 4 trades. The countdown to infinite crisis books were also great they lead into Infinite crisis, Villains United and OMAC were especially awesome.

If you like the Batfamily I always try to pawn off Batgirl Year One. Honestly one of my favorite books with gorgeous art and great writing. If you like Rucka you could check out some of his Superman stuff, I've heard good things but I personally haven't read any except the New Krypton which is excellent. Gotham Central for sure if you like Rucka. The book is amazing and Hardcovers are starting to come out for it.

Unfortunately my favorite Flash story is not collected in Trades so I won't mention it, on the other hand if you love Flash now is a good time with Rebirth you better be getting it because it's awesome.

gabeja

05-19-2009, 11:00 PM

optimus187prime

05-20-2009, 01:54 AM

I second Batgirl Year one

I third it and will add Robin Year One and Nightwing (Dixon).

rustyautoparts

05-20-2009, 03:43 AM

Thanks guys, looks like I have a lot of reading to do! I'm really looking forward to Blackest Night, so I'll probably pick up SCW first. Besides that, though, what's a good place to start? Should I read 52 first? Should I read the crises in order, and then do 52? Should I just jump around all helter skelter like?

I should add, DKR was the first Batman story I ever read (loved it!). I'm also loving Flash: Rebirth. I also loved Final Crisis, and I think I may enjoy it more with additional DC knowledge. Again, thanks for the choices, this will keep me busy!

gabeja

05-20-2009, 05:20 AM

I third it and will add Robin Year One and Nightwing (Dixon).

For some reason I didn't really like Nightwing year one. I don't think I could get past the fact that batman fired dick grayson.

megnolia

05-21-2009, 01:39 AM

Even though I didn't ask the question, I appreciate all the input! I picked up Batgirl Year One today based on this thread. Thanks, gang!

comicbookchris

05-21-2009, 02:47 AM

Thanks guys, looks like I have a lot of reading to do! I'm really looking forward to Blackest Night, so I'll probably pick up SCW first. Besides that, though, what's a good place to start? Should I read 52 first? Should I read the crises in order, and then do 52? Should I just jump around all helter skelter like?

Well 52 is a direct sequel to Infinity Crisis, as when it starts out its the week right after that Crisis. Infinity Crisis is good, though its a little muddled. That itself is a sequel to Crisis on Infinite Earths, which is pretty good.

true-believer

05-23-2009, 05:37 AM

Well, if I were teaching a class called "Intro to the DC Universe" here's what the required reading would be:

Introduction

Batman/Superman/Justice League: The Greatest Stories Ever Told- These books provide a great intro to the characters, stuff you can't get in Wikipedia and also contain at least a few sterling examples of some of the best writing in the Silver Age (so you don't have to wade through all the crap.)

Crisis on Infinite Earths- It's a bit of a cliche suggestion, but more important than being one of the earliest and biggest crossover events of all time, it serves as a sort of "last throes" of the Silver Age. Your reading of this will be enriched by Steve Englehart's runs on "Detective Comics" and "Green Lantern," but they're hardly necessary.

Modern Origins

Year One Continuity- JLA: Year One, Batman/Batgirl/Nightwing: Year One, and Man of Steel or Superman: Birthright (which I prefer) are best for your orientation in the Post-Crisis DC Universe. For some extra credit go ahead and check out a few arcs from the Classified and Confidential series (JLA and Batman/Superman respectively) as well as Loeb's "Long Halloween" and "Dark Victory." For Green Lantern you can try Emerald Dawn (for purely educational purposes) or if you'd like a quality Hal Jordan Origin check out Geoff John's "Secret Origin" currently in trade.

Must-Reads (In Continuity)

Batman- Start with "A Death in the Family" and follow it up with "A Lonely Place of Dying" (both in trades.) Despite being best known for the death and introduction of a Robin respectively, they're also great stories on their own merits. I'd be remiss if I didn't also suggest "Son of the Demon," "The Killing Joke," and "Hush," all important stories and great reads. Yes, they're to be read in that order. For extra credit also check out "Knightfall" and "War Games," decent stories, if not must-reads, and they feature oft-referenced events.

JLA- Justice League International is as good a staring place as any and is a great place to catch up on some of the lesser known DCU characters. It's well written and features a more humorous tone, if you're tired of all the "grim 'n' gritty" Post-Crisis stuff. It's followed by Justice League League Europe (and several other spinoffs) which you can read or take my word that they weren't that great and lead into a much better series: Grant Morrison's JLA. All of the Grant Morrison arcs are recommended but none more than New World Order, American Dreams, Tower of Babel, and the Obsidian Age. All in trade. If you still haven't quite had your fill of Justice League look for "Justice League Elite" and "Identity Crisis."

Misc- Other Great DC stories circa '85 - 2004 include: New Teen Titans (check out "The Judas Contract" and the first and second Trigon arcs they're some of the best stories ever written) and Green Lantern (Emerald Twilight is universally despised but important, "Circle of Fire" and "Hand of God" are probably the most important Kyle Rayner arcs, and "Rebirth" re-introduces Hal Jordan.)

Catch-Up

Now that you're versed in DC continuity, here are the essentials for getting caught up to 2009: Infinite Crisis, 52, and Final Crisis are the most essential "event" stories. "Countdown" and most tie-ins can generally be ignored. Also, make sure to check out Morrison's run on Batman which leads into Batman R.I.P. and Battle for the Cowl and Geoff Johns' run on Teen Titans as well as Action Comics, which leads into "World of New Krytpon" and "World Without Superman."

Elseworlds/Non-Continuity

Non-canonical must-reads include Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns" which went on to define Batman for pretty much the next two decades, Mark Waid and Alex Ross' "Kingdom Come," Superman: Red Son, JLA: The Nail, Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?, the New Frontier, and JSA: The Golden Age.

There you have it. You're all caught up on DCU history and it only took you one semester. A+

rustyautoparts

05-23-2009, 03:24 PM

Well, if I were teaching a class called "Intro to the DC Universe" here's what the required reading would be:

Wow, this is excellent. I have already copy/pasted it for reference. Thanks a ton!

bonemachine

05-23-2009, 11:01 PM

Can anybody recommend The Flash; Emergency Stop. It's the first (only?)f Mark Millar and Grant morrison's run. I'm a massive Millar fan and want to know if his dc work that isn't Red Son is any good?

paper

05-24-2009, 12:03 AM

Identity Crisis is all you really need. Then you can go wild and refer to wikipedia as needed. DC is the place to be.

gabeja

05-24-2009, 01:07 AM

Can anybody recommend The Flash; Emergency Stop. It's the first (only?)f Mark Millar and Grant morrison's run. I'm a massive Millar fan and want to know if his dc work that isn't Red Son is any good?

Yes I can. It's really really good. Just a simple great flash story, and theres another GM/MM flash trade out. And yes all his DC work (AUTHORITY PEOPLE!) is all really really good. I really wish they had let him write superman.

infinity_man

05-29-2009, 03:40 PM

There is actually a two book series called the History of the DC Universe. I am not sure if it still in print, but it was done by Wolfman & Perez. It is a great resourse for the origins of the DC Universe, it's most well known heroes, as well as key occurances in that universe. I highly recommend that anyone interested in DC check it out. It details the beginnings of OA, the Guardians, and the controllers, as well as their relationship for any of you into the Blackest Night storyline right now.

Since I am not sure it is still in print, I would be willing to email you a .cbr of it. Just private me your e-mail, if you cannot find it in print.

Since you like Johns & Morrison, definitely pick up 52 in trades, as well as Johns' runs on JSA & Flash.

infinity_man

05-29-2009, 03:45 PM

Even though I didn't ask the question, I appreciate all the input! I picked up Batgirl Year One today based on this thread. Thanks, gang!

Batgirl Year One was great for a few reasons and terrible for one.

It was great because of the art, story, and character development that made you really care for Barbara as a person.

It was terrible because it made me long for a Barbara Gordon Batgirl again. I do love her as Oracle though, and the new mini for Battle for the Cowl is great.

"I don't have any feeling in my legs.... but sometimes they hurt."

Phantom pain....something that has never been mentioned, but happens...Good stuff....