Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 17:50:16 GMT -5
One thing I found with DC is as much as the big characters are great, and Batman has almost endless great comics, its the side characters that make DC great.
My suggestion would be, maybe much to the disagreement with people, is Identity Crisis. It focuses primarily on the sidelined characters and makes you love them. It is my favourite DC story of all time.
The Chuck Dixon Robin run of the 90's is incredible and also introduces Stephanie Brown and tackles some really relateable topics there. The Martian Manhunter series by John Ostrander is also great. Unfortunately none of these have been collected but you can find the single issues CHEAP online. Also Mike Grell's Green Arrow from the 80's is FINALLY being collected so thats worth a look. By the way most of these do not need any prior knowledge.
Adam Strange is probably one of the most underrated characters in the DC Universe. There are the older stories which are great oldschool sci fi fun. But there were 2 mini-series, one called Man of Two Worlds and another called Planet Heist. Both great one and done stories, Man of Two Worlds is much more serious and quite a sad story but good nonetheless.
Ed Brubaker's Catwoman run is also amazing and introduces both new and old characters in a way where it feels completely fresh yet like its been around forever.
Also as a DC fan alot of people recommend runs to me that are huge. It can be so daunting to try to read something when you know there are 10 hardcovers worth to read. So most of these aren't so weighty and difficult to get through.
Justin Gray and Jimmy Pallmiotti's run on Jonah Hex and now the New 52 All Star Western is great. However I'd recommend Jonah Hex first as they only ever did one-and-done stories within the span of 1, 2, or maximum 3 issues. And you can literally start reading from the last issue to the middle if you like. Its all good. And just great western tales, nothing like the movie.
JLA - Tower of Babel is amazing and doesn't really require that you have read anything previous or have to read anything after. The trade may be hard to come by I think, but if you can get it there's a great 1 issue story called "Half A Mind To Save A World" and is basically the JLA finding out there is this microscopic civilization. Short but very moving. Great Superman moment at the end of that issue.
Also finally I suggest picking up the current New 52 run of Justice League of American. Its a bit wobbly at the start but as of this Forever Evil arc it has focused on Martian Manhunter and Stargirl. And within the span of maybe 4 issues it has made Stargirl one of my favourite DC characters of all time. They're still on shelves too so might be worth a look.
Finally one thing I see so much of in this forum and around comics is general is this "Superman is a boring character" comment. People are just not looking hard enough. Superman Exile is an amazing trade, it deals with Superman dealing with the consequences of him basically executing 3 evil Kryptonians who destroyed an entire planet. He goes on a "journey of self discovery" through space, meeting different beings and characters along the way. Its John Byrne so its always good. And really grounds the character. All Star Superman is also amazing. Birthright by Mark Waid was sidelined by Geoff Johns' Secret Origins but I personally think Birthright is the better of the 2 and has a much more affecting ending. Superman - Braniac by Geoff Johns is also amazing and easy to read without any prior knowledge. Also Superman/Batman - Supergirl, although the title is a mouthful it is really a great story. Do not go off the animated movie which is pretty rubbish. The book is great.
My suggestion would be, maybe much to the disagreement with people, is Identity Crisis. It focuses primarily on the sidelined characters and makes you love them. It is my favourite DC story of all time.
The Chuck Dixon Robin run of the 90's is incredible and also introduces Stephanie Brown and tackles some really relateable topics there. The Martian Manhunter series by John Ostrander is also great. Unfortunately none of these have been collected but you can find the single issues CHEAP online. Also Mike Grell's Green Arrow from the 80's is FINALLY being collected so thats worth a look. By the way most of these do not need any prior knowledge.
Adam Strange is probably one of the most underrated characters in the DC Universe. There are the older stories which are great oldschool sci fi fun. But there were 2 mini-series, one called Man of Two Worlds and another called Planet Heist. Both great one and done stories, Man of Two Worlds is much more serious and quite a sad story but good nonetheless.
Ed Brubaker's Catwoman run is also amazing and introduces both new and old characters in a way where it feels completely fresh yet like its been around forever.
Also as a DC fan alot of people recommend runs to me that are huge. It can be so daunting to try to read something when you know there are 10 hardcovers worth to read. So most of these aren't so weighty and difficult to get through.
Justin Gray and Jimmy Pallmiotti's run on Jonah Hex and now the New 52 All Star Western is great. However I'd recommend Jonah Hex first as they only ever did one-and-done stories within the span of 1, 2, or maximum 3 issues. And you can literally start reading from the last issue to the middle if you like. Its all good. And just great western tales, nothing like the movie.
JLA - Tower of Babel is amazing and doesn't really require that you have read anything previous or have to read anything after. The trade may be hard to come by I think, but if you can get it there's a great 1 issue story called "Half A Mind To Save A World" and is basically the JLA finding out there is this microscopic civilization. Short but very moving. Great Superman moment at the end of that issue.
Also finally I suggest picking up the current New 52 run of Justice League of American. Its a bit wobbly at the start but as of this Forever Evil arc it has focused on Martian Manhunter and Stargirl. And within the span of maybe 4 issues it has made Stargirl one of my favourite DC characters of all time. They're still on shelves too so might be worth a look.
Finally one thing I see so much of in this forum and around comics is general is this "Superman is a boring character" comment. People are just not looking hard enough. Superman Exile is an amazing trade, it deals with Superman dealing with the consequences of him basically executing 3 evil Kryptonians who destroyed an entire planet. He goes on a "journey of self discovery" through space, meeting different beings and characters along the way. Its John Byrne so its always good. And really grounds the character. All Star Superman is also amazing. Birthright by Mark Waid was sidelined by Geoff Johns' Secret Origins but I personally think Birthright is the better of the 2 and has a much more affecting ending. Superman - Braniac by Geoff Johns is also amazing and easy to read without any prior knowledge. Also Superman/Batman - Supergirl, although the title is a mouthful it is really a great story. Do not go off the animated movie which is pretty rubbish. The book is great.
