Batman: How can I catch up?

[miyamotofreak]

After watching Batman Begins (the best superhero movie ever) my interest in Batman rose. However I didn'tt really know that much besides watching TaS as a child. Then after watching 300 I felt a sudden urge to get into the comic book world (despite not liking the movie). I searched like a madman for the Watchmen (curiously the copies in each store was lost). So I went on Amazon to grab it. Along the way I noticed Watchmen was called the greatest graphic novel alongside DKR. So I ordered DKR with it. When I eventually got the books, I actually read DKR first (this story is really backwards huh?). I LOVED IT. Then I read Year One. Not as good as DKR but still awesome. Then Long Halloween. Good stuff. got to DK2. Didn't like the artwork compared to DKR but still liked it overall. Then I read Killing Joke. Fantastic. I watched both the Michael Keaton batman's and they weren't so good (the villain performances and the scenery is the notable part). Now I'm going through TaS again. What comic books should I read to get to the point of caught up in the current story arcs? do I need to read Justice League, Teen Titans, Infinite Crisis, Kingdom Come etc? I'm basically begging to know EVERTHING I need to read and fully understand it.

[jgg0610]

To understand the current run of Batman, the best place to start would be with the first issue done by Morrison which was #655 but you can easily skip the fill in issues which were 659-662. The fill ins were not good. If you're looking for other great current runs on Batman, try the Rucka run from a few years back. All of that should be available in trades.

[six-gun]

Start With:

Batman: Year One (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Year-One-Frank-Miller/dp/1401207529/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-4897831-8509200?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181478535&sr=8-1)

Batman: The Long Halloween (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Long-Halloween-Jeph-Loeb/dp/1563894696/ref=pd_sim_b_1/105-4897831-8509200?ie=UTF8&qid=1181478535&sr=8-1)

Continue:

DC Universe The Stories of Alan Moore (http://www.amazon.com/DC-Universe-Stories-Alan-Moore/dp/1401209270/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/105-4897831-8509200?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181478799&sr=8-2) (it collects Batman: The Killing Joke)

Batman: Turning Points (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Turning-Point-Ed-Brubaker/dp/140121360X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-4897831-8509200?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181478954&sr=1-1)

Batman: Face The Face (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Face-James-Robinson/dp/1401209106/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-4897831-8509200?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181479100&sr=1-1)

Batman: Batman and Son (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Son-Grant-Morrison/dp/1401212409/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-4897831-8509200?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181479065&sr=1-1)

Batman: Detective (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Detective-Paul-Dini/dp/1401212395/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/105-4897831-8509200?ie=UTF8&qid=1181478954&sr=1-1)

Now you're caught up with issues.

[paper]

How is the Batman and Son arc anyway?

I'd never heard of Turning Points before. Like the concept.

[fred]

I was underwhelmed by Batman & Son. I keep meaning to go back and read it again in one sitting.

[itsbecca]

There's been some good trades listed. If you're interested in series as well I'd also mention you can pop onto Detective Comics right now if you wanted and you should pick it up fine. On issue #831 Paul Dini started doing the writing, who worked on TAS as writer and editor/producer.

The latest issue, #833, just came out this last wednesday. It features Zatanna, who you may or may not be familiar with, but either way it doesn't matter, because it catches you up on her story and her ties to Batman in a really smooth way.

[fred]

Dini has actually been writing it since 819 or 820. He's missed a few issues here and there, but he has been the regular writer.

[itsbecca]

There you go.

I know some people on the board aren't fans of his run, but some are (myself included). I say it's best to pick it up and decide for yourself.

[paper]

There you go.

I know some people on the board aren't fans of his run, but some are (myself included). I say it's best to pick it up and decide for yourself.

I just think it's kinda lackluster. I was hoping for something a little more fun, like the animated series. I know there are more important things in comics than good writing, good art, and general entertainment value, but...yeah, I dunno. Whenever I've picked it up the staples are all really good. Pages never fall out. It's better than not having a comic at all i guess.

I'm just gonna go with "I don't get it." Everyone else seems to like it, but it always leaves me scratching my head.

[itsbecca]

I just think it's kinda lackluster. I was hoping for something a little more fun, like the animated series. I know there are more important things in comics than good writing, good art, and general entertainment value, but...yeah, I dunno. Whenever I've picked it up the staples are all really good. Pages never fall out. It's better than not having a comic at all i guess.

I'm just gonna go with "I don't get it." Everyone else seems to like it, but it always leaves me scratching my head.

We're all entitled to our own opinions, however wrong they may be.

Although, jokes aside, I'm not in love with the series. I enjoy the storytelling, but I hate the length. To wrap up these stories in one-shot skews the pacing into rushing to the resolution. That's my opinion at least. Even in the latest two parter I'm dreading the next one a little because I know this problems going to be there.

But while I'm not in love with it, I still like it.

[fred]

But while I'm not in love with it, I still like it.

ditto for me

[paper]

I just can't get behind it when there are so many better books out there. I'm trying to lighten my pull list to focus more on trades, and Detective is easily the weakest book on my list right now. For me, personally. Maybe it's the screenwriting training, but the exposition is piss poor.

So, all I'm saying is...to the original poster, miyamotofreak, I'd try Detective Comics in single issue before going after the trade. I'd argue that it's a different sort of Bat book than the other things you've been reading to this point.

[fred]

I've kind of teetered on it. There have been issues that I've loved and there have been issues that I've been fairly disappointed in(<cough>833</cough>).

The covers have been very good with one notable exception(829 I think - the one I usually refer to as Batman and the Boy Bukkake)

[six-gun]

I'm just gonna go with "I don't get it." Everyone else seems to like it, but it always leaves me scratching my head.

My vote? Get Morrison of Batman, put Rucka back on and give JLA back to Morrison, not ever happening, but I'd like that.

Let Dini keep Detective though, if not then give him Confidential.

[six-gun]

I'm doing the same to my pull Paper.

[paper]

I think Morrison is probably being wasted on Batman. Maybe Meltzer would do a decent Batman. I liked Identity Crisis, which is essentially a mystery story. So maybe he'd do better on a Bat book than on JLA.

[fred]

and think of all the Red Tornado Batman teamups that Meltzer could write

[six-gun]

I think Morrison is probably being wasted on Batman. Maybe Meltzer would do a decent Batman. I liked Identity Crisis, which is essentially a mystery story. So maybe he'd do better on a Bat book than on JLA.

I think Batman deserves a writer of his caliber, he's just not the right fit.

[miyamotofreak]

As for Batman in other mediums what do you guys recommend? I'm not going to bother watching Batman Forever and Batman & Robin (if the first two were SUPPOSED to be good I'd hate to see what those are like) and I'm not really interested in camp Batman either. But what about the new Batman TV show? Maybe some non graphic paperbacks? And I'm a little confused on the naming of TaS (apparently it's also the Adventures of Batman and Robin).

[itsbecca]

As for Batman in other mediums what do you guys recommend? I'm not going to bother watching Batman Forever and Batman & Robin (if the first two were SUPPOSED to be good I'd hate to see what those are like) and I'm not really interested in camp Batman either. But what about the new Batman TV show? Maybe some non graphic paperbacks? And I'm a little confused on the naming of TaS (apparently it's also the Adventures of Batman and Robin).

TAS is an abbreviation we lazy people use for The Animated Series, as in Batman: The Animated Series that came out in the early 90s. I loooved that show when it came out. I even watched the reruns faithfully.

There was also The New Batman Adventures and Batman Beyond after TaS. The former I didn't really watch, so I can't speak about it and the latter I personally did not like.

I'd love to hear if anyone has any Batman prose recommendations.

[conorkilpatrick]

I'd love to hear if anyone has any Batman prose recommendations.

The Further Adventures of Batman (http://www.amazon.com/Further-Adventures-Batman-Martin-Greenberg/dp/0553282700) - A fantastic book of Batman short stories by some noted authors (like Isaac Asimov). Some of them are really out there, but they are almost all really fun. There are also Volume 2 (http://www.amazon.com/Further-Adventures-Batman-Featuring-Penguin/dp/0553560123/ref=sr_1_1/002-6281148-2704026?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181572260&sr=1-1) and Volume 3 (http://www.amazon.com/Further-Adventures-Batman-Vol-Featuring/dp/0553560697/ref=sr_1_2/002-6281148-2704026?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181572260&sr=1-2), which I haven't read.

Batman: No Man's Land (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Mans-Land-Greg-Rucka/dp/0671774557/ref=pd_sim_b_4/002-6281148-2704026) - Greg Rucka's adaptation of the No Man's Land storyline. Raelly good.

[paper]

The Further Adventures of Batman (http://www.amazon.com/Further-Adventures-Batman-Martin-Greenberg/dp/0553282700) - A fantastic book of Batman short stories by some noted authors (like Isaac Asimov). Some of them are really out there, but they are almost all really fun. There are also Volume 2 (http://www.amazon.com/Further-Adventures-Batman-Featuring-Penguin/dp/0553560123/ref=sr_1_1/002-6281148-2704026?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181572260&sr=1-1) and Volume 3 (http://www.amazon.com/Further-Adventures-Batman-Vol-Featuring/dp/0553560697/ref=sr_1_2/002-6281148-2704026?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181572260&sr=1-2), which I haven't read.

Batman: No Man's Land (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Mans-Land-Greg-Rucka/dp/0671774557/ref=pd_sim_b_4/002-6281148-2704026) - Greg Rucka's adaptation of the No Man's Land storyline. Raelly good.

I have the first two collections. Cool stuff. I second the recommendation.

No Man's Land is on my list.

[kal]

IGN Comics recently did a list of the top 25 Batman trades out there. I'm not the biggest Batman fanboy, but a lot of the books on the list are solid. My personal faves outside of the obvious are Batman: Gotham By Gaslight, Batman: Nine Lives, and Batman: Black & White (the first story in the first trade is probably one of the most beautiful Batman stories I've read and totally nails the essence of the character to me).

Check it! (http://comics.ign.com/articles/624/624619p1.html)

[jaflanagan]

Read Identity Crisis. That had some of the most significant "Batman in the DCU" stuff recently. But the thing is, at 600+ or 800+ issues, sometimes you just gotta jump on and figure it out as you go along.

[miyamotofreak]

Thanks that IGN list REALLY helps. I just wish it didn't have so much spoilers.

[clayton]

Here is a quick chronological assessment that could be followed.

Batman: Year One
Batman and the Monster Men
Batman and the Mad Monk
Batman: the Man Who Laughs
Batman: the Long Halloween
Batman: Dark Victory

From there, you could pretty much go anywhere.

[esophagus]

I picked that up as well. It is one of the best values I have ever seen on shelves. I am currently on trade 2 of no man's land but ight dive back into the stories of alan moore again this weekend.How are you enjoying No Man's Land? It looks really appealing to me in trades, as it was such a huge, wide spanning story.

[jonathand-gordon]

How are you enjoying No Man's Land? It looks really appealing to me in trades, as it was such a huge, wide spanning story.

I read Caticlyzm first and loved it. No mans land is following that up pretty strong. I am trying to not read all through it at once. Partially cause it would kill my work schedule, also cause I know when I am done with the trades it'll be a while before I find soething as good to read.

[cam-]

Crazy all of a sudden it seems everyones loving the "No man's Land"

On this podcast, plus I think Around Comics mentioned it positively t'other day.

For the record Josh (I think it was you who said that in the podcast..:)) not all the tie ins for No man's land were good.

Lest we forget the Catwoman one. Love that Jim Balent art.

[cam-]

Read Identity Crisis. That had some of the most significant "Batman in the DCU" stuff recently. But the thing is, at 600+ or 800+ issues, sometimes you just gotta jump on and figure it out as you go along.

Word, in fact sometimes it's part of the fun. Like with JSA.

DOn't try it with 100 bullets. I read it in trade and still have a hard time.

[xyzzy]

First off, just forget about trying to figure out the entirety of Batman's history and current continuity. The way DC has been screwing around, it's unclear what did or did not happen and even if you did figure it out, it'll probably change in a year or two, anyway.

Really, what you should do is just read good Batman stories and enjoy them for what they are. Create your own sythesis of what you like. As far as which books those would be, there are a lready a lot of good recommendations in this thread. I'm partial to Year One, DKR and Black & White.

[sullivan85]

I generally prefer Batman stories out of continuity. There's certainly no shortage of them. And even in-continuity stories are never that hard to jump into.

Try the two Batman/Grendel crossovers. I think both are fantastic works by Matt Wagner. A collected hardcover of both is coming from Dark Horse in Dec.

[mikegraham6]

Batman: the Man Who Laughs


people always forget this Brubaker penned prestige book, but it's AMAZING!! It's probably my favorite bat story i've read since coming back to comics in 2002. It's definitely worth checking out

[rickweasel]

There's been some good trades listed. If you're interested in series as well I'd also mention you can pop onto Detective Comics right now if you wanted and you should pick it up fine. On issue #831 Paul Dini started doing the writing, who worked on TAS as writer and editor/producer.

The latest issue, #833, just came out this last wednesday. It features Zatanna, who you may or may not be familiar with, but either way it doesn't matter, because it catches you up on her story and her ties to Batman in a really smooth way.

the ending with zatanna and batman was awesome dont you think? Batman and zatanna work great as a team.

[rickweasel]

Read Identity Crisis. That had some of the most significant "Batman in the DCU" stuff recently. But the thing is, at 600+ or 800+ issues, sometimes you just gotta jump on and figure it out as you go along.

Identity crisis is what got me on to DC full time. it was awesome!

[melike]

..trades.
And lets no go with the traditional favourites - killing joke, DKR, etc as ive already read them.

I'm more interested in, say, the last 10 years or so of Batman trade wise. Any recommendations of the more recent material?

Im interested in Rucka and brubakers runs - were they on the books for a long time or was it any good and is there any trades of their work (i know theres some...)

Thanks guys..

[gungadin]

I'm going to beat everyone to it and say No Man's Land... And while I like that one (it's very good and very long... very very awesome) I'd also recommend Hush and Long Halloween... I liked them... I dunno if everyone here did, but meh... That's what I can give to you... :D

[iSteve]

I'm going to beat everyone to it and say No Man's Land... And while I like that one (it's very good and very long... very very awesome) I'd also recommend Hush and Long Halloween... I liked them... I dunno if everyone here did, but meh... That's what I can give to you... :D

Good recommends!

[gungadin]

You lurk and listen enough and you'll figure out what people will say...

Although I will say that I read those books right when I was getting into comics and they were all amazing and what kept me going back into the store to buy trades. I don't regret buying those ones at all (there are some I regret buying, Detective No. 27 was nothing short of awful) and I'm going to go back and read No Man's Land when I have time (not likely cuz I'm trying to catch up to Powers now...) But any Batman fan would do well with those, methinks...

[jonathand-gordon]

I'm going to beat everyone to it and say No Man's Land... And while I like that one (it's very good and very long... very very awesome) I'd also recommend Hush and Long Halloween... I liked them... I dunno if everyone here did, but meh... That's what I can give to you... :D

I agree , I was in here a few weeks back asking if the No Mans Land ended up being any good. I was assured it was so I am embarking on the long read that is Cataclysm/ no mans land. You have to pick up batman cataclysm and the no mans land. they go in order and ar thus far (I'm in no mans land 3) some of the best books I have read in comics. Rucka is a writer on the story by the way.

[melike]

I think thats what iw as getting at - so No Mans Land is rather good then? I get turned off with story arcs that cross through all the 'family' books (LOTDK, SotB) but I'll have to dive into it..what about other books like The Bruce Wayne:Murderer and Fugitive arcs? Any good? Officer Down? Evolution?

I have Long Halloween and Hush..

Thanks for the comments guys!

[luthor]

Everyone talks about Batman: Year One, but Years Two and Three are really good as well. Year Two has Batman taking on a returned hero from another age. The art is fantastic and the story was really good. Year Three deals more with Dick Grayson but is kind of a follow up to a Death in The Family(which, if you haven't, should be read).


I just finished up the whole Return of Jason Todd storyline and enjoyed that quite a bit. It has some amazing art and I found the storyline to be really suspenseful.

[jonathand-gordon]

I think thats what iw as getting at - so No Mans Land is rather good then? I get turned off with story arcs that cross through all the 'family' books (LOTDK, SotB) but I'll have to dive into it..what about other books like The Bruce Wayne:Murderer and Fugitive arcs? Any good? Officer Down? Evolution?

I have Long Halloween and Hush..

Thanks for the comments guys!

I too usually favor ogn,s but Cataclysm/no mans land is perfection

[esophagus]

How was Hush Returns or whatever it's called? The covers turned me off.

[trus]

So, I'm looking to get a few Batman graphic novels/comics, however I am completely new to comics and have absolutely no idea what writes write characters which ways, so, I'm looking for a Batman with a personalty similar to the one in the old JLA cartoon ("That is the single dumbest plan I have ever heard" :P) or something similar to "The Batman" Batman. Anyone have any suggestions?

[fantomfreq]

I've just been put in a situation where I've begun sampling comic books as well. Additionally, I too went straight for Batman as my first choice to read.

Personally, I'd very strongly recommend Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory. These two novels follow each other in sequence and have an extremely film noir/detective story feel to them. I'd also recommend the Batman: Hush story line, but I feel that Hush kind of assumes you know a few things about the characters. In that way, I felt like I missed a few things as a batman newbie.

Hope your search goes well. Please report back with any suggestions you might have for my reading as well.

[reemixx]

Everyone talks about Batman: Year One, but Years Two and Three are really good as well. Year Two has Batman taking on a returned hero from another age. The art is fantastic and the story was really good. Year Three deals more with Dick Grayson but is kind of a follow up to a Death in The Family(which, if you haven't, should be read).

I'm a complete noob when it comes to Batman comics, but I think when I pick up some trades I'm gonna go straight for these. It doesn't really matter to me that they're out of continuity. If they're good stories, I'm all for them.

Then I suppose it's Dark Knight Returns and The Long Halloween, with all the recommendations in this thread. Doesn't keep anyone's lists short, that's for sure.

[gineration]

Sorry if this is a little off the topic, but I didn't want to make a whole new thread. I'm wanting to add a Batman comic to my pull list. Which would you guys recommend?

Batman Confidential
Batman and the Outsiders
Nightwing
Robin

Those are just the few I remember seeing in the LCS.

[sn4tch]

Alright iFanboys, I've got a couple questions.

My friend is trying to get into Batman after someone gave him the JLA: Tower of Babel TPB. But he wants to get into it from the start, and he wants to read someone awesome Joker stories.

So, I gave him my Batman: Year One TPB, and told him I would find him some good reads, with the help of the knowledgeable denizens of the iFanboy forums. Obviously, Year One is the perfect place for him to start. I also have TPBs for:

The Man Who Laughs
Four of A Kind
The Long Halloween
Dark Victory
Tales of the Demon

I'm trying to get him to read a lot of "Batman fights villain for the first time" stories, and I think I have that covered pretty well with those books. The question is, do you guys know any good Year One or "first time" type stories to go with this?

Also for his Joker reading I gave him the following:

The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told
A Death In The Family
The Killing Joke
Going Sane
Emperor Joker
The Last Laugh
Hush (Not really a Joker story, but I love it when Batman beats the hell out of him)

Again, just looking for any good Joker stories.

And finally, my girlfriend is just getting into comics, and I've been out of the loop for a couple years. I pick up certain trade paperbacks when I hear they're good, but other wise I haven't bought issues of anything since Hush ended on Batman. So far she LOVES Fables, Runaways, and Suburban Glamor. She also read MAUS back in high school and enjoyed it too and loves the TV Show Heroes.

So as best as I can tell, she likes modern day tales with a fantasy twist, and stories of real people with super powers. And I guess I'm just looking for more things along those lines.

Anyways, for those who read all this and recommend some books to me, Thanks a lot.

- Mike (Sn4tcH)

[acomicbookgirl]

You might want to get your GF the Heroes HC.

[spock-tm]

In response to Sn4tch:

That's one lucky mate. It's not a Joker story, but the "Son of the Demon" trade is REALLY good, set in the early years of Batman's history, really good, it's basically the comic version of the movie actually, and THE precursor to the latest batman books (one of two actually), the second one being "Death and the Maiden" (I think is the name, it's hidden in my longbox somewhere :/ ) show the second one a while later.

Some other really good one off stories with the Joker in them would be (that are really really recent) would be:

Detective Comics #826 then #833 and #844, omg, amazing Paul Dini stuff, I mean, HOLY CRAP good, I mean some of the BEST Joker comics EVER!
Also, from the start of Morrison's run on Batman, #663, a bit of a read, but REALLY helps you understand Joker (set after #844 of detective I believe)

and Powers for you girlfriend, it's kinda The Shield or maybe X-Files meets the DC Universe (only not DC)..... basically it's about homicide detectives working the Super Powered killings/deaths/investigations in a creator imagined Image/Icon Universe.

OH and she might enjoy Young Avengers.... MAYBE... oh, Deus Ex Machina, about the worlds first superhero turned Mayor of New York, cool fantasy twists and real life stuff.... it's Green Arrow/ Adam Strange/ The Rocketeer meets The West Wing.

Phonogram, kinda a music/ magical/ england underground clubs culture sorta thing, kinda neat.

Scott Pilgrim. Amazing. Everyone loves it once they see it. Hard to explain. Just get it. Scott Pilgrim #01 - Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life and Scott Pilgrim #02 - Scott Pilgrim vs. The World then there are issues 3 and 4.... can't remember their names... I think issue 4 is Scott Pilgrim Gets it Together? AMAZING BOOKS!

The Escapist. Book about real life people who try and make a comic, really good, there is art from the pages they are making which looks INCREDIBLE and the story is just shockingly good by Brian K. Vaughn, and only like 6? issues

Welcome To Tranquility, about a town of..... superheroes living their lives, was like a place that retired heroes went to live after superheroing, then they raised families who most wound up with powers... then it's years later and there is a town and a neat story..... I think, it's by Gail Simone, awesome writer, Birds of Prey, The NEW Atom and the current Wonder Woman are all her fault.... they're so good


Hope that's enough help..... or not, either way ;)

[casually-drowned]

After reading this thread I went out and bought Dark Knight Returns.

[clayton]

One of my favorite Joker stories from this decade. A hidden gem really, considering it is not in a regular Bat-book. Absolutely terrifying when to think of the Washington Sniper incident.

Soft Targets
(Gotham Central #12-15)
Written by Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka. Art by Michael Lark/Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano.

"The cops of Gotham find themselves literally under fire from the Joker, as he begins sniping both police and civilians in his murderous campaign. Every second becomes valuable; as to further the damage, Joker has made a website featuring streaming webcam footage from his next positions."

That mugshot cover by Lark always cracks me up.

[conorkilpatrick]

After reading this thread I went out and bought Dark Knight Returns.

Excellent!

[sn4tch]

You might want to get your GF the Heroes HC.

I actually did get her this for Christmas, it escaped my mind.

In response to Sn4tch:

I saw both the Ras comics at my local store and almost picked them up. I personally have not read Tales of the Demon yet, I own a lot of TPBs that I just haven't touched yet. I tend to buy stuff I hear about on the podcast, and then take my sweet time reading it...

I will definitely try to pick up the Batman comics, and show my girlfriend your recommendations. I'm probably going to make a separate thread for this question.


Soft Targets
(Gotham Central #12-15)
Written by Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka. Art by Michael Lark/Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano.

Thats sounds extremely good to me. Right up my alley, my favorite Joker is the sinister, murderous, Killing Joke, Joker.

[conorkilpatrick]

Moving the girlfriend talk here (http://revision3.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15017).

[henrik]

Having just bought the Killing Joke - Deluxe edition (great re-coloring my Bolland) it got me thinking. I like Batman as a character but usually find that the greatest Batman stories come in one-shots, specials, elseworlds or miniseries. Killing Joke, Arkan Asylum, DKR, Night Cries and so on.

So please, recommend some great Batman stories please.

[labor_days]

Arkham Asylum or Killing Joke.

[euchre0]

I'm in the middle of Arkam Asylum right now and it is great. I don't usually go for that painting style, but it fits the tone perfectly.

[evilgreg]

I am thinking about picking this one up. Any good? To me, the art looks great, but how's the story?

[optimus187prime]

Its average in the story dept for me. The art is amazing if you are a fan of Jim Lee's. I would only recommend it if you have already read some of the more classic Batman stories or are a serious fan of the books creators.

[evilgreg]

cool thanks. I think maybe I'll check out the long Halloween instead, good idea?

I just read Dark Knight Returns and I'm new to the batman comic scene so any recomendations would be cool.

[optimus187prime]

cool thanks. I think maybe I'll check out the long Halloween instead, good idea?

I just read Dark Knight Returns and I'm new to the batman comic scene so any recomendations would be cool.

Here I will make a little list with a few of my fav's (in order of how my I enjoyed them), you pick which one you like. Remember the ifanboys have several ep's devoted to Batman books.

Batman: Year One
The Killing Joke
Batman: Arkham Asylum
The Long Halloween
Batman: Nine Lives
Batman: Dark Victory

[johnvferrigno]

A lot of people hate on Hush and I don't know why. I really liked it. My favorite Batman story ever is No Man's Land, but that might be a little bit too much of an investment if you're new to Batman.

[uroboros]

I liked the Long Halloween it's very similar to the new batman movie. And if your going to read that one you might as well pick up Batman: Dark Victory as well which is basically a continuation of what happens in The Long Halloween.

I enjoyed Hush, artwork was great, don't really remember the story much though cuz i read it so long ago. But I remember liking it.

You should also check out these others:

Batman: Year One
Arkham Asylum: A serious house on serious earth
The Killing joke

I also am enjoying Grant Morrison's run on the current Batman serialized comic. You might want to check those out too.

[evilgreg]

Sweet thanks for the recommendations guys. I'm gonna check out all of them (including Hush), and gonna go search for the iF Batman episode.

[cenquist]

The Long Halloween is a great Batman story I think, one of if not my favorite Batman story. Hush was a fun read with some good art but it isn't the best Bat story out there.

[evilgreg]

What did everyone think of The Dark Knight Returns? I just read it (my first graphic novel) and LOVED it. It was a really different vision of the Batman universe compared to what I am used to, especially with the ginormous Batmobile lol

[conorkilpatrick]

What did everyone think of The Dark Knight Returns? I just read it (my first graphic novel) and LOVED it. It was a really different vision of the Batman universe compared to what I am used to, especially with the ginormous Batmobile lol

The Dark Knight Returns is widely considered to be a classic and one of, if not the, best Batman story ever.

[optimus187prime]

A lot of people hate on Hush and I don't know why. I really liked it. My favorite Batman story ever is No Man's Land, but that might be a little bit too much of an investment if you're new to Batman.

I wasnt hatin' on Hush, I did like it. Just didnt think the story was the strong point. One of my favorite stories is Bruce Wayne Murderer/Fugitive, but like you said that is a big commitment for a new reader.

[horatio616]

The Dark Knight Returns is widely considered to be a classic and one of, if not the, best Batman story ever.

A lot of people say that they like Year One more than DKR, but for me DKR is the story from my youth that knocked me on my ass. A Batman book with foul language? Unfathomable in 1986. People have soured on Miller's schtick, but without DKR, we wouldn't have had all this great Batman stuff like the movies and the animated series.

[optimus187prime]

A lot of people say that they like Year One more than DKR........
Guess I am one of those people.

[kahunablair]

I read Dark Victory the other day. I think I actually enjoyed it a wee bit more then Long Halloween. Heresy I know.

For me, these two books are right up there with DKR.

What's everyone's thoughts on the Catwoman: When in Rome followup? Good, Bad, Eh?

[bgavino]

Put me in with the people who think Year One is better than Dark Knight. I think the writing is great,obviosuly since they are both written by Miller, in both but what separates year one for me is Mazzuchelli's (sp) art. It is so good one of the best Batman artists ever in my opinion. Long Halloween is good as well.

Another cool story that might be worth checking out is Batman Ego by Darwyn Cooke. I don't know if that was suggested or not yet but that is another cool Batman Story.

Also what about Batman Year Two? What are peoples thoughts on that? I read it and enjoyed it quite a bit. It wasn't mind blowing or any thing but I thought it was a pretty damn good Batman story.

Later Bryan

[evilgreg]

The thing I loved about DKR was Miller's completely different take on the Batman universe. Robin being a 13 year old girl? Seemed a little wierd to me at first, but that concept eventually grew on me. Batmobile portrayed as a giant tank-like vehicle? Completely different but completely awesome.

I'm ready to get back into traditional (younger) Batman now, so I think I am gonna end up checking out Killing Joke first, then Year 1.

[mmalone27]

I'm going to beat everyone to it and say No Man's Land... And while I like that one (it's very good and very long... very very awesome) I'd also recommend Hush and Long Halloween... I liked them... I dunno if everyone here did, but meh... That's what I can give to you... :D

The Long Halloween was the first major Batman trade I read after being away from comics for 16 years. For someone just getting back into the comics, everything is there within the book for you to get it. I loved it and had to dive right into Dark Victory. I know people have soured on Loeb, but I enjoyed the hell out of those books. Even if you hate the writing, you have to give it to Sale's art.

As foe Hush, good recommendation. You could easily read Hush (pt. 1 and 2) then jump onto Detective Comics issue 846 without feeling lost.