View Full Version : DC - Where can I start? Which titles?
marcushill73
01-26-2007, 03:55 PM
I am a self-confessed Marvel Zombie. I have been reading Marvel for almost twenty years (is it that long.....?) I have had various experiences with Marvel to reading no titles at some stages to picking up a plethora of titles post Civil War (looking forward to what Loeb contributes.
I have tentatively explored DC (excluding Wildstorm), but only on limited occasions, such as when Jim Lee contributed to Batman and then Superman, Plastic Man is another title I enjoyed, Walter Simonson's run on Orion. When I have read DC titles, it has typically been because of creative teams rather than titles.
Loeb and McGuinness had a long run on Superman / Batman which I never considered purchasing, but now that they will be working on Ultimates Book 3 (or is it 4), I will jump at it! Go figure.
So I am putting myself out there as to what DC books currently available would be good to pick up. Being the New Year and all, what recommendations would people make, and why. I saw DC is soliciting 52 Book 1 in April, so this might be a good starting point. If there were 4 - 5 mainstream titles you could recommend, let me know. Remember, you're dealing with a Marvel Zombie here.....
Cheers, Marcus
CammyKnoxville
01-26-2007, 05:58 PM
1.) Green Lantern
2.) JSA
3.) JLA
4.) Batman
5.) Superman
But those are just my recommendations.
Luthor
01-26-2007, 06:01 PM
Green Arrow is a really fun book and it's pretty easy to jump on to.
52 rocks.
Paul Dini's Detective is good.
For some reason I'm drawing blanks after that...
CammyKnoxville
01-26-2007, 06:37 PM
The Brave & The Bold is starting up soon, and I know for a fact it'll be a fun book to hop-on to.
Derek
01-26-2007, 07:35 PM
52 rocks.
While 52 does indeed rock, I am not sure I would recommend it to a total DC newcomer. It focuses on minor DC characters and requires some knowledge of DC continuity, particularly of the last 3 or 4 years. I love the book but I think it will be a challenge for a new reader. Plus the art ranges from great (when Phil Jimenez pencils) to average to awful.
I would second Detective Comics, and probably add Morrison's Batman. Also Johns and Donner's Action Comics has been really fun so far. JSA is fantastic so far, although it's only been 2 issues (but that means it will be easy to pick up from the beginning!). Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Teen Titans would all be decent choices too - it just depends on what characters you are interested in. I am really liking JLA, but some people hate it (2/3 of ifanboy). But if you want one book with all the biggies in it, that's your best option.
I also would second Brave and the Bold sight unseen. It's Mark Waid and George Perez, and should feature a lot of the big DC heroes. I am really looking forward to it.
Stay away from The Flash.
I read 52 in the beginning but with no real hardcore dc knowledge I found it difficult
JAFlanagan
01-26-2007, 08:08 PM
I am going to endorse Derek's suggestions.
kwok_talk
01-26-2007, 08:27 PM
Not really an ongoing thing, but I picked up Identity Crisis w/zero DC knowledge and found that to be good.
davegraham
01-26-2007, 08:28 PM
I am something of a Marvel Zombie and I am a little psyched to check out Marc Guggenheim's run on the Flash, which starts next month. He wrote the Wolverine Civil War issues. Not a bad place for any Marvel fan to jump onto a DC comic.
ConorKilpatrick
01-26-2007, 08:43 PM
I am something of a Marvel Zombie and I am a little psyched to check out Marc Guggenheim's run on the Flash, which starts next month. He wrote the Wolverine Civil War issues. Not a bad place for any Marvel fan to jump onto a DC comic.
I agree with Dave. Issues 1-8 of the new Flash book should be avoided like the plague, but I am betting that #9 will be a great jumping on point. Hell, I'll be jumping (back) on with that one.
Jimski
01-27-2007, 12:29 AM
To 52, I issue a great big "oy!" I am not a big DC reader, but I gave it a go because it sounded interesting and yeesh I'd pay extra to have someone explain what the hell was going on.
As a fellow DC neophyte, I too recommend Batman and Detective; just about every issue of Detective is a good jumping on point. Except that one. You remember that one, with that guy.
And actually, I think I enjoyed Identity Crisis because I don't know DC. I'd read things and think, "Boy, if I actually knew who the eff that was, that would probably be super-upsetting."
As a fellow DC neophyte, I too recommend Batman and Detective; just about every issue of Detective is a good jumping on point. Except that one. You remember that one, with that guy.
You must be talking about #824 and Mr Phosphorus
roguepirate
02-23-2007, 04:26 PM
I just recently jumped on to DC Comics, I just started picking up Detective comics, so far i like what i'm reading.
JGG0610
02-23-2007, 04:56 PM
JSA is probably a better jumping on point that JLA and Teen Titans as both of those books have such deep inter-personal relationships going on that it might be difficult to start with. While this same is true of JSA as well, Johns has made the book very accesible to those of us who were recently Marvel Zombies. Green Lantern is also another good choice as is Detective.
iSteve
02-23-2007, 05:24 PM
JSA is probably a better jumping on point that JLA and Teen Titans as both of those books have such deep inter-personal relationships going on that it might be difficult to start with. While this same is true of JSA as well, Johns has made the book very accesible to those of us who were recently Marvel Zombies. Green Lantern is also another good choice as is Detective.
Detective is a perfect jumping on title. One and done (mostly).
Mikegraham6
02-24-2007, 12:08 AM
To 52, I issue a great big "oy!" I am not a big DC reader, but I gave it a go because it sounded interesting and yeesh I'd pay extra to have someone explain what the hell was going on.
As a fellow DC neophyte, I too recommend Batman and Detective; just about every issue of Detective is a good jumping on point. Except that one. You remember that one, with that guy.
And actually, I think I enjoyed Identity Crisis because I don't know DC. I'd read things and think, "Boy, if I actually knew who the eff that was, that would probably be super-upsetting."
i dont think 52 would be good for someone new to DC either, its too steeped in dc continuity, plus it really needs to be read in a weekly format to enjoy it properly.
identity crisis on the other hand is great place to start. it felt like (to me at least) more of a marvel style story in the dc universe. more realistic and hard hitting rather than based in fantasy, in fact i think that was one of the major complaints i heard from dc readers. it was too dark and took a lighthearted era (geffin's JLA) and put a gloomy and sinister spin on it.
K-Dizzle
02-24-2007, 12:57 AM
I have also been trying to get into DC for the last few years, I am a Marvel guy myself, and . find it hard to understand the DC U. Batman and Detective are the only DC books I can recomend because they are easy to read and Batman sticks to his own little group of Villans. Batman is also a loner through and through. The BIG 3 should Be Marvel, DC, and an all Batman line of comics. Im not saying to Discard DC, but I feel that Marvel's continuity has been in the public eye more than DC and the major stories are refrenced in pop culture more than DC. I spent a few days straight trying to read all the Dc related continuity articles posted on wikipedia, because they are really in depth and try to help Marvel fans and DC fans alike try to understand the complicated history of the DC U. I have read EVERY ISSUE of 52 thus far, and I am more confused than when I started.
start with Infinite Crisis - if you don't immediately get that, you won't like DC
I'm totally kidding, that's a horrible idea
Green Arrow
paper
02-24-2007, 01:51 AM
Can you jump onto Green Arrow just anywhere? I wanted to try the trades, but do I have to go all the way back to Smith's stuff?
you can more or less jump on anywhere if you use wikipedia, but the whole run is sooo good
Mikegraham6
02-24-2007, 01:54 AM
i loved green arrow and have been reading it since smiths run. i think he's a great character. unfortunately i feel its been off track OYL. putting ollie as the mayor was great idea that went NOWHERE! the last few issues have been brutal and i dropped it with the newest one.
but i will be keeping an eye on it and hopefully it will improve in the future, Ollie's the man!
even Kevin Smith's run was excellent
i loved green arrow and have been reading it since smiths run. i think he's a great character. unfortunately i feel its been off track OYL. putting ollie as the mayor was great idea that went NOWHERE! the last few issues have been brutal and i dropped it with the newest one.
but i will be keeping an eye on it and hopefully it will improve in the future, Ollie's the man!
I'm just to OYL now.
Mikegraham6
02-24-2007, 01:56 AM
I'm just to OYL now.
i recommend reading it up until the fight with deathstroke, after that, dont bother
acomicbookgirl
02-24-2007, 02:13 AM
start with Infinite Crisis - if you don't immediately get that, you won't like DC
I'm totally kidding, that's a horrible idea
Green Arrow
What's wrong with Infinite Crisis? :confused:
Green Arrow
JSA
JLA
Get 52 when the trade comes out.
Wonder Woman
Birds of Prey
Batman
I would say Teen Titans but Johns is leaving. :(
CammyKnoxville
02-24-2007, 03:27 AM
Blue Beetle isn't that many issues in, and it's a fun book.
What's wrong with Infinite Crisis? :confused:
It would be a horrific place to start right?
paper
02-24-2007, 01:48 PM
Starting with Crisis would be like starting to watch Family Matters on that episode where the alternate dimension Waldo Faldo kidnaps Carl, and Steve is forced to team up with his alternate identity Stefan to save reality. And the little sister who disappeared in the early seasons returns from the Phantom Zone, older and merciless.
Entertaining but dense.
Green Arrow is next on my list after I get caught up with Daredevil.
acomicbookgirl
02-24-2007, 02:59 PM
It would be a horrific place to start right?
Correct.. :( But he has to read it sometime.. Grant it, not the first thing to read but that means he can't exactly read 52 either. Then, there's Crisis on Infinite Earths.. But I guess it can wait til he really likes DC. :o
Starting with Crisis would be like starting to watch Family Matters on that episode where the alternate dimension Waldo Faldo kidnaps Carl, and Steve is forced to team up with his alternate identity Stefan to save reality. And the little sister who disappeared in the early seasons returns from the Phantom Zone, older and merciless.
That one was almost as good as the episode of Punky Brewster where they got lost in the cave of fear and they needed to remember love to get out.
it was all like blacklight green screen