How to Get Into Comic Books (13:40) | Patrick Willems
Consider your intent/commitment. Think about your favorite shows, movies, books, etc. Do you seek quality storytelling or encyclopedic superhero knowledge? Plan to collect? Do you have the time/money to read 50 or 500 comics per character?
Don’t try to read everything at once. There’s too much. Forget about catching up, continuity, universes, etc. for now. Think of it like solving a jigsaw puzzle one small piece at a time until you finally start to see the big picture. Older comics can be an acquired taste for modern audiences, so they aren’t always ideal starting points. Creative teams change often, characters get re-worked, and origins are re-told.
Pick an interesting character/team and seek their most popular/acclaimed stories. Focus on self-contained/complete stories. You will encounter unexplained references/characters/events—just keep reading or Wiki. Don
Introduction to Comics
How to Get Into Comic Books (13:40) | Patrick Willems
Consider your intent/commitment. Think about your favorite shows, movies, books, etc. Do you seek quality storytelling or encyclopedic superhero knowledge? Plan to collect? Do you have the time/money to read 50 or 500 comics per character?
Don’t try to read everything at once. There’s too much. Forget about catching up, continuity, universes, etc. for now. Think of it like solving a jigsaw puzzle one small piece at a time until you finally start to see the big picture. Older comics can be an acquired taste for modern audiences, so they aren’t always ideal starting points. Creative teams change often, characters get re-worked, and origins are re-told.
Pick an interesting character/team and seek their most popular/acclaimed stories. Focus on self-contained/complete stories. You will encounter unexplained references/characters/events—just keep reading or Wiki. Don
Batman Essentials
Modern DC characters/teams:
DC also publishes varied-genre, creator-owned comics for “mature readers” under separate imprints (e.g. Vertigo):
Alternatively, you can skip to the recent Rebirth re-launch by reading the DC Universe: Rebirth event and then any Rebirth series #1. Check out the /r/DCcomics sidebar for more info.
Modern DC events/crossovers:
Batman
Looks like you're a Grant Morrison fan. Be forewarned: The Invisibles will be the weirdest story on that shelf.
Here are some recommendations based on your collection:
Grant Morrison
Modern Marvel characters/teams:
Modern DC characters/teams:
Superman
Batman
Non-DC/Marvel superhero (imprints OK)
Batman
Green Lantern
Recommendations
Criteria:
NOTE: Ratings = IRL reading group averages, subjective, rounded, in flux, and require 2+ opinions. " - " = unrated.
Batman Essentials
Also, if you like Gotham, then check out the comic that I wanted the TV show to be:
Essential Batman
Batman Incorporated is the finale to Morrison's run.
Batman Essentials