OT - Attn MGoNerds - Batman Comics Suggestions

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July 25th, 2012 at 11:09 AM
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bacon1431
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OT - Attn MGoNerds - Batman Comics Suggestions

I have already outed myself as a total geek and fanboy multiple times on this board, so what's the harm in this?

I'm on a Batman kick right now, which happens every once in a while and especially around the release of a movie or video game. I'm not a huge comic guy, as I don't like many superheroes beyond Batman and X-Men (Superman completely blows, as does Spiderman IMO), but I've been reading a few recently and am looking for further reading regarding the Dark Knight. Here's what I've read so far (and no, not all these are within the last few weeks. I don't quite have that much time on my hands).

The Dark Knight Returns (obligatory)

Year One

The Killing Joke (obligatory)

Batman & Son

Batman Reborn

The Return of Bruce Wayne

The Long Halloween

Year 100

A Death in the Family

Arkham Asylum

Hush

Batman & Robin Must Die

 

Thanks in advance. Also, feel free to list your favorites.

 

 

EDIT - poster SamIam would like to know which one he should start with to lose his Batman comic virginity. Thought this would also be an interesting discussion.

For a' that, an' a' that, 
Our toils obscure an' a' that, 
The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 
The man's the gowd for a' that. 
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July 25th, 2012 at 11:25 AM | Joker by Brian Azzarello and (Score:1)
Seth
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Joker by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Lee Bermejo.

(Blogger alias: "Misopogon") This team is under construction. We thank you for your patience.

July 25th, 2012 at 11:26 AM | Whatever Happened to the DK? (Score:1)
gte896u
Joined: 11/06/2008
MGoPoints: 250

i beleive thats the title anyways...by Neil Gaiman

July 25th, 2012 at 6:12 PM | actually (Score:1)
gte896u
Joined: 11/06/2008
MGoPoints: 250

its "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?"

July 25th, 2012 at 11:31 AM | You already have hit most of (Score:3 Normal)
MichiganExile
Joined: 01/12/2009
MGoPoints: 1109

You already have hit most of the essentials. You need to read Son of the Demon since it is so important to the whole Talia/Bruce relationship.

I would also suggest Dark Victory, and Gothic.

July 25th, 2012 at 11:37 AM | I was going to say two, but you named them... (Score:1)
Half Blood Dutc...
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The Killing Joke and The Long Halloween are the best comics I've personally ever read!

July 25th, 2012 at 11:43 AM | The original Dark Knight.. (Score:1 Normal)
Never
Joined: 11/07/2009
MGoPoints: 187

...and Frank Miller's last in the series, Dark Knight Strikes Again.

Saw your eh Superman comment but I would also suggest Mark Waid's Tower of Babel TPB. More JLA but Batman is certainly the focus.

July 25th, 2012 at 12:30 PM | I actually find Superman (Score:2)
GoBlueInNYC
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I actually find Superman really boring, too. (He has every power and his character always struck me a super lame and square.) But I recently stumbled across my old copy of Kingdom Come. That was a really good Superman-centric story. Plus, you get all those cool Alex Ross painted illustrations.

I am this close to going all Dark Blue in here.

July 25th, 2012 at 3:22 PM | The Dark Knight Returns has (Score:1)
bacon1431
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The Dark Knight Returns has really shaped how I view Superman. And admittedly, I haven't delved into to much of Superman's story, but he just always seemed like a prick to me. Virtually unstoppable, too idealistic, and not conflicted about much. Where's the fun in that?

For a' that, an' a' that, 
Our toils obscure an' a' that, 
The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 
The man's the gowd for a' that. 
July 25th, 2012 at 3:31 PM | Action Comics 775 (Score:2 Normal)
Drill
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 672

Read Action Comics Issue 775: What's so Funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way? for a really good Superman story that shows you some of his internal conflict.

I also really liked Red Son, an alternate universe situation where Superman lands in the USSR instead of the USA.

All Star Superman and For the Man Who Has Everything are also both excellent.

July 25th, 2012 at 5:23 PM | All-Star Superman (Score:1)
Bleedin9Blue
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I'd strongly suggest reading All-Star Superman.  If you think of Miller's Dark Knight Returns as the potential end for Batman, then All-Star Superman would be the equivalent for Superman.

Alan Moore mentioned in his "Twilight of the Superheroes" proposal (the greatest comic to never be made) that he thought superheroes could never rise to the level of legends like Robin Hood because superheroes have no end but simply continue to exist forever.  I think of the Dark Knight Rises and All-Star Superman as the potential final chapter for two legends.  Each touches on the most important aspects of the characters and gives them what could be their greatest challenge while also having them face their most important villains.  And each ends in a way that feels completely appropriate for the character.

I'm a fairly big Superman fan, but the other 2 guys that I do my comics podcast* with aren't as big of fans but they both love All-Star Superman.

Edit: Also, for those that already know Superman, I think that Superman Red Son is great but it's much better if you're already fairly familiar with the characters.

*If anyone is interested, search for "Character Sphinx" on iTunes or go here.  We go through the entire history of one character at a time.  So far, we've read everything that Captain Atom has been in and are into the 1990s of Aquaman (we just finished recording podcast 6/8 on Aquaman last night and I'm wiped out from it).

July 25th, 2012 at 11:43 AM | Crash (Score:2)
Schembo
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Anybody around during the comic book/baseball card crash of the early 90's?  I've got a couple boxes of comics that I thought were going to be worth a fortune one day...all that hard earned allowance money down the drain.  Damn you Death of Superman!!

July 25th, 2012 at 12:25 PM | Yep. (Score:2 Normal)
Never
Joined: 11/07/2009
MGoPoints: 187

Back when Geppi's, I think, was the big comic book store here in the DMV. Still personally have thousands...as far as those you think might be worth something (and if they're in excellent condition), consider getting them graded.

When Spiderman 3 (believe it was 3 - the movie) was hitting the screen, I got my Amazing #300 graded (black costume; also in Secret Wars #8). Graded out as a 9.8. On a hunch auctioned it on Ebay.

Sold for $638.

July 25th, 2012 at 12:35 PM | The Death and Return of Superman (Score:4 Normal)
GoBlueInNYC
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If you've got the time, this video is totally worth watching. (NFSW language, so maybe wait until you're home to watch it. And don't worry, it's definitely not NSFH)

I am this close to going all Dark Blue in here.

July 25th, 2012 at 5:35 PM | Enjoyable (Score:1)
Bleedin9Blue
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I liked that a fair bit, well done.

July 25th, 2012 at 12:49 PM | I don't think any of (Score:2)
Schembo
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I don't think any of mine aged very well.  Probably the best I got is Wolverine #1, which is probably worth about $50-$75 right now.

July 25th, 2012 at 1:26 PM | I'll embrace my nerd, I have (Score:2 Normal)
WMUgoblue
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I'll embrace my nerd, I have mint copy of Uncanny X-men #266 which is the first appearance of Gambit, along with #282 which is Bishops first appearance. I've seen it suggested multiple times but if you're going to read anything Batman you have to read The Long Halloween and No Man's Land, those are easily my 2 favorites.

Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.

July 25th, 2012 at 2:05 PM | So you're telling me I can't (Score:4 Funny)
Thrillhouse
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So you're telling me I can't retire on my 90-91 Skybox Olden Polynice card?

July 25th, 2012 at 4:18 PM | boxes and boxes, (Score:2 Normal)
Abe Froman
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boxes and boxes, brother.

called a sports card shop the other day while doing some spring cleaning; wanted to see what a 3" x 3" x 3" box of baseball and basketball cards might be worth circa '85-91.  his advice was basically that i toss them, or recycle them were i feeling environmentally concious...

the sports can and will go.  i'll hold on to a few of the comics though.

July 25th, 2012 at 4:42 PM | I remember being at a card (Score:2)
Schembo
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I remember being at a card show back then and a pack of Upper Deck baseball cards were selling for $20 a piece with a sign that said "May contain Jerome Walton rookie card".  When stuff like that started happening then people started backing out of the hobbie.

July 25th, 2012 at 11:47 AM | Where to start (Score:2)
SamIam
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I would like to start reading them also.  Suggestions for best one to start with.

July 25th, 2012 at 11:55 AM | For Sam, the list above is a (Score:3 Insightful)
smwilliams
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For Sam, the list above is a good start. Every "must-read" is on there. But, if you pick up a Batman comic for the first time, my order would go...

1.Year One

2.The Dark Knight Returns

3.The Long Halloween/Dark Victory (back-to-back)

4.The Killing Joke

5.A Death in the Family

For the OP, here's my personal suggestions...

- a second for Son of the Demon and Dark Victory

- Grant Morrison's Batman run which starts around issue #650, transfers over to Batman & Robin (starting with #1), and is now in its Batman, Inc. stage. (You have some of the stuff in your list already)

- Knightfall (THE, yes in all caps, Bane story)

- No Man's Land (Nolan cribbed from Knightfall and this story)

- The Man Who Laughs

- A Lonely Place of Dying

 

July 25th, 2012 at 12:01 PM | I agree with this, but would (Score:3 Normal)
CWoodson
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I agree with this, but would like to emphasize just how great No Man's Land is.  It's not the quality of writing you get in Year One, Long Halloween, or Dark Knight Returns, but it's a great story and extremely fun if you have decent familiarity with the Batman universe.

A more complete No Man's Land just came out on Amazon - I've only flipped through volume 1, but it looks like it's the way to go.

IGotARashMan

July 25th, 2012 at 1:09 PM | Thanks! (Score:2)
SamIam
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I have been thinking about starting to read them but hadn't taken the time to figure out where to start.  Much appreciated.

July 25th, 2012 at 11:23 PM |   For Sam, the list above (Score:2)
MGoBender
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For Sam, the list above is a good start. Every "must-read" is on there. But, if you pick up a Batman comic for the first time, my order would go...

 

Thanks for a nice list and order.  As someone who's never (!) read a comic book I'm intrigued.  I grew up in the '90s on the Sat. morning Batman cartoons and would love to delve into some literature now that I actually read for enjoyment.

Another newbie question: What would be the best way to get ahold of the comics?  Just pull up Amazon?  Do I need to go to a comic store?  Is there an electronic, cheap way to read them?

CoE Class of 2007

July 26th, 2012 at 4:21 PM | I don't know about "cheap" (Score:1)
M-Wolverine
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But there's an App for that-

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dc-comics/id378080432?mt=8

Interestingly though the Dark Knight Returns hasn't hit their own App yet, and is only on the parent one (last I checked)

http://www.comixology.com/

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

July 25th, 2012 at 11:57 AM | Don't know about comics (Score:1)
Shoelaces_Pfft
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But Bane is a bad mutherf**ker!!

July 25th, 2012 at 12:00 PM | ENOUGH! (Score:3 Normal)
Six Zero
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This is not the sort of place to be talking about comic books, comic strips, and sequential art!!! Is it??!!

(PS This is supposed to be a joke because it came from me)

July 25th, 2012 at 12:09 PM | I have a question for Comic (Score:3 Normal)
The Shredder
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I have a question for Comic Book junkies. I wanted to read the whole Knightfall series(only got to read a few), I see there is a Knightfall Vol 1 & 2 that was released with 3 coming in Sept. I read some reviews and some have said that parts or missing.. A.Why would DC leave out issues? and B.Should I really go out and try to find all the issues to get the full story? Is what I will miss in the new Vols that important? Thanks for any advice on what route to go.
http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Knightf.../dp/1401233791

http://midnightmaize.blogspot.com/

Latest MM Post(3-22-13) DENARD ROBINSON SIGNED MY SONIC!

July 25th, 2012 at 12:55 PM | Don't worry about what's missing (Score:3 Normal)
morepete
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Both story arcs spanned 4-5 titles at any one time, and as a regular reader at the time, many of the issues were totally redundant in content. It's much better in collected form than it was as single issues -- don't look for the rest. Also: It's not that good in the first place.

Moeller v. Excalibur Restaurant -- Fight!

July 25th, 2012 at 1:37 PM | oh man your last sentence (Score:2)
The Shredder
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oh man your last sentence bums me out..

http://midnightmaize.blogspot.com/

Latest MM Post(3-22-13) DENARD ROBINSON SIGNED MY SONIC!

July 25th, 2012 at 1:42 PM | Bums me out too. Bane is a (Score:1)
bacon1431
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Bums me out too. Bane is a tough character to pin down though. The 90s Batman&Robin movie really just embarrassed themselves with how they portrayed him (really, the whole movie was embarrassing). Thought it was a brave choice by Nolan and I think he succeeded. I liked him as a villain in The Animated Series as well.

For a' that, an' a' that, 
Our toils obscure an' a' that, 
The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 
The man's the gowd for a' that. 
July 25th, 2012 at 2:05 PM | The story starts out fine (Score:2)
M-Wolverine
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But after Bruce "falls" it meanders and the ending is a disappointment. But the concept is ok.

But Bane had a rough go of it as a character after that. Much like after Hush DC seems to like to built up villains only to tear them down after.

A lot of the O'Neil-Adams old stuff is good, and introduces Ra's Al Ghul and all.  And Englehart-Rogers stuff later is good too. One has to read the Laughing Fish.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

July 26th, 2012 at 2:00 AM | The Animated Series is (Score:4 Normal)
The Shredder
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The Animated Series is amazing. I own all the seasons on DVD. It was pretty $$$ but worth it.

http://midnightmaize.blogspot.com/

Latest MM Post(3-22-13) DENARD ROBINSON SIGNED MY SONIC!

July 26th, 2012 at 10:14 AM | One of the shows from my (Score:1)
bacon1431
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MGoPoints: 3277

One of the shows from my childhood that is still entertaining today. A few years ago, I watched them again for the first time since I was a kid and I was amazed at how thought provoking some of the episodes were. And Mark Hamill as The Joker is awesome.

My library has them, so I haven't purchased them. But probably will one day.

For a' that, an' a' that, 
Our toils obscure an' a' that, 
The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 
The man's the gowd for a' that. 
July 25th, 2012 at 12:26 PM | The Black Mirror (Score:1)
SlymCyke
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MGoPoints: 300

I actually just finished "The Black Mirror" by Scott Snyder, and it was really, really good.  It's set during the time that Dick Grayson took over as Batman in Gotham during Burce's absence.  It features Commissioner Gordon quite heavily and deals with the return of his son.  A really good read with some great art.

-Rob-

"The true test of leadership, ... always comes when things go poorly" - Lloyd Carr

July 25th, 2012 at 1:04 PM | I actually got tons of Batman (Score:1)
Dilla Nevada
Joined: 01/02/2011
MGoPoints: 15

I actually got tons of Batman e-comics on my PC, my current one I'm reading at the moment is No Man's Land (since it's so crititcal to understand it while playing the Batman "Arkham City" game).....

 

Knightfall is a must (to understand Bane)

Hush is one the most severly underrated Batman titles, it's super great. 

 

The Court of the Owls storyline wasn't half bad either......and any storyline involving Ra'Al Ghul  is bound to be ingrossing....

 

 

*P.S.* Shredder -- check your email, I sent you a email about help finding Knightfall comics

July 25th, 2012 at 1:08 PM | Michigan Football and Batman! (Score:1)
Vote_Crisler_1937
Joined: 11/08/2011
MGoPoints: 640

This place is awesome!!! Throw in the Tigers and Kate Upton and you have pretty well covered my favorite things! Thank you for starting this thread. OP, any of the books you named available in a digital format?

July 25th, 2012 at 1:17 PM | Which digital format you (Score:1)
Dilla Nevada
Joined: 01/02/2011
MGoPoints: 15

Which digital format you looking for? most E-Comics are in .cbz or .cbr format.

July 25th, 2012 at 1:57 PM | double post (Score:1)
Amaizeinblue
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Edit: Sorry double post

July 25th, 2012 at 1:41 PM | I didn't see anyone post (Score:1)
Amaizeinblue
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I didn't see anyone post these so I'll go ahead and say I'm also a huge comic nerd. A few underrated Bat books are Gotham By Gaslight, Vengeance of Bane I and II. Personally I loved the GBG book, the art is very unique and without ruining it for you it's a great read that doesn't get enough credit in my opinion.

July 25th, 2012 at 1:59 PM | Since most of the classic straight Batman series have been named (Score:2)
M-Wolverine
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I'll name a couple of other stories that are very Batman-centric JLA: New World Order and JLA: Tower of Babel. 

Plus while Kingdom Come is first a Superman story, it's really about the big 3.  (And if you like Alex Ross one of his oversized editions was Batman: War on Crime).

Here's 25 top Batman stories-

http://comics.ign.com/articles/624/624619p1.html

And Dave Gibbons and Steve Rude did a World's Finest mini that was classic in like 1990, but it's largely forgotten.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

July 25th, 2012 at 2:12 PM | Tower of Babel was nuts , (Score:1)
Dilla Nevada
Joined: 01/02/2011
MGoPoints: 15

Tower of Babel was nuts , because that was first time most of us found out that Batman has a playbook ...he as a plan/play for every superhero AND supervillian he might fight ...Supes included.....

 

Also read Identity Crisis....it deals with the fallout.......................

July 25th, 2012 at 2:58 PM | One more Batman query... (Score:1)
Never
Joined: 11/07/2009
MGoPoints: 187

For those familiar with Grant Morrison, is he not responsible for Batman's distinction of being the king of prep (for the unitiated, if Batman has time to prepare for combat with up to/including cosmics, it's pretty much lights out)? If you have indulged your inner comic nerd, you've debated character battles...and if you've debated character battles, you're familiar with the prep time qualifier.

I know we saw this in the Prometheus Unbound story arc where Prometheus just waltzed through most of the JLA. But of course Batman was prepared for the second battle, and crippled him.

Also, Waid really fleshed out the idea in Towe of Babel. I know it influenced Priest's reboot of Black Panther, who is also now nasty with prep time (designed protocols to combat Galactus, which...well...yeah).

July 25th, 2012 at 8:16 PM | I think he modernized it. (Score:2)
M-Wolverine
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But it was always there to some extent. Heck, issue 4 of Dark Knight Returns is basically that Batman. I think it stems from having a gadget for every situation, evolving when he returned to his more realistic roots to how he survives in a world of super humans.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

July 25th, 2012 at 3:25 PM | Emperor Joker (Score:1)
Drill
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 672

I've heard good things about Emperor Joker, although I've never read it myself.

July 25th, 2012 at 8:17 PM | It's a Superman story. (Score:2)
M-Wolverine
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It's pretty good but the ending absolutely sucks.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

July 25th, 2012 at 4:15 PM | i agree with other about Year (Score:1)
Abe Froman
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MGoPoints: 1170

i agree with others about Year One and The Dark Knight Returns.

 

But how about some love for The Sword of Azrael?  Quesada's pencils are stunning, it's a nice written little story, and only four issues (now collected in a graphic novel).  One of my fav's...

 

July 25th, 2012 at 4:42 PM | I have NEVER read a comic book before (Score:1)
BlueNation
Joined: 02/21/2012
MGoPoints: 284

but if I were to only read one, which one should I read? Doesn't just have to be Batman.

July 25th, 2012 at 4:53 PM | Well.....Watchmen is about as (Score:2 Normal)
bacon1431
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Well.....Watchmen is about as good as anything I've ever read - comic, novel, biography, anything. It's a cliche answer, but there's a reason for that. It's awesome.

For a' that, an' a' that, 
Our toils obscure an' a' that, 
The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 
The man's the gowd for a' that. 
July 25th, 2012 at 5:16 PM | This, exactly this, the (Score:1)
WMUgoblue
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MGoPoints: 3070

This, exactly this, the watchmen is a great story with even greater visuals. The movie is a decent adaptation but the ending is profoundly different in the novel, an absolute must if you want to get into the graphic novel/comic book niche. Alan Moore is just tremendous.

Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.

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