The Official DC Recommendations Thread

[Rocketman]

Help please!
I'm interested in buying at least 10 graphic novels to start.
What would you guys say are your top 10 personal favorites for Superman?

[Swordmaster]

My Superman collection is very minute, and DC's trade department sucks in general in regards to most, but I highly recommend Superman: Birthright.

[Ponyboy]

I can tell you the ones I have on my shelf (so I must love em!)

The Death of Superman
Superman: Braniac by Gary Frank
Superman: Last Son by Andy Kubert
Superman: For All Seasons by Tim Sale
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? by Alan Moore
Superman: Kryptonite by Tim Sale

and of course... Kingdom Come by Alex Ross (it really is a Superman story)

[Rocketman]

Thanks so far, guys!

So far, based on my own research, I've already been interested in buying:

Superman: Birthright
Superman for All Seasons

[Anubis]

Superman: Secret Identity
All-Star Superman


Those are the best two Superman stories ever, and a great barometer for whether or not you're a douche bag.

Honorable Mention, goes to Red Son.

[CConn]

Some may disagree with this, but I'd also recommend Superman: Camelot Falls Vol. 1-2, and Superman: Up, Up and Away.

[Anubis]

Yes on Camelot Falls.

That was an awesome story. I'd also throw in "For Tomorrow".

[CConn]

Eh on For Tomorrow.

As a new reader at the time, I alternated between bored and confused when reading it the first time around.

[Ipodman]

All Star Superman definitely...

[CConn]

Oh!

Superman: Red Son.

Oh, and no matter what anyone says, don't read Superman: Earth One. It's a total waste of time.

[Ipodman]

I like Superman Earth One! JMS!!!

[Anubis]

JMS sucks.

Originally Posted by CConn

Eh on For Tomorrow.

As a new reader at the time, I alternated between bored and confused when reading it the first time around.

As with most Jim Lee comics, it's best read all in one sitting. Reading it when it came out in single issues, I hated it. Splash page after splash page after splash page. The Story coulda been told in 6 issues really. Once I sat down and read them all together however, it turned out to be one of the better Superman stories I've read. Loved that scene where he punked those ancient Earth elementals or whatever they were.

[epc11223]

in my opinion these are my favorites in no particular order

superman earth one
superman birthright
superman brainiac (geoff johns, gary frank)
superman secret origins
superman for tomorrow
superman secret identity
superman godfall
death of superman
return of superman
camelot falls 1 and 2
superman up up and away
superman redemption
Son of Superman

son of superman and superman secret identity are considered "elseworld" tales but i enjoy them. i'm sure there are more but these are off the top of my head.

[TheCorpulent1]

1) Find a trade that contains "What's so Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?" by Joe Kelly and Doug Mahnke.
2) Buy said trade.
3) Read said trade (or, alternatively, just that story).
4) Rest easy knowing you now understand Superman better than most.

[CConn]

Originally Posted by Anubis

JMS sucks.



As with most Jim Lee comics, it's best read all in one sitting. Reading it when it came out in single issues, I hated it. Splash page after splash page after splash page. The Story coulda been told in 6 issues really. Once I sat down and read them all together however, it turned out to be one of the better Superman stories I've read. Loved that scene where he punked those ancient Earth elementals or whatever they were.

I think a reviewer on amazon said it best; the story's plot is pointless. The main point and draw to the story is about Superman himself, his faith, and his philosophy.

Which makes for a good story, definitely. But still not good for a new reader, I think.

[CConn]

Originally Posted by Ipodman

I like Superman Earth One! JMS!!!

If had never read another Superman book before, I'd like it too.

But you could read Man of Steel, Birthright, or Secret Origin and get the exact same story just told a hell of a lot better.

[litlgreendude]

any1 got any green arrow suggestions.
ive read year one, and most of the stuff by kevin smith. Im looking for more.

[Anubis]

You ever read Longbow Hunters?

[Max Gaines]

Originally Posted by Rocketman

Help please!
I'm interested in buying at least 10 graphic novels to start.
What would you guys say are your top 10 personal favorites for Superman?

Can't give you my top 10 personal faves, but can give you what I think are the most important.

The Superman Chronicles 1-9.
Superman in the Forties/Fifties/Sixties/Seventies/Eighties.
Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore.
Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Superman: The Man of Steel 1-6.
The Death of Superman/World Without a Superman/The Return of Superman.
Superman: Doomsday.
Superman for All Seasons.
Superman: Red Son.
Superman: Birthright.
Luthor (also called Lex Luthor: Man of Steel).
All-Star Superman.
Superman: Last Son.
Superman: Kryptonite.
Superman: Secret Origin.
Superman: Brainiac.
The New Krypton Saga. There are 16 books in the saga, and the recommended reading order varies.
Superman: Earth One.

Also make sure to read the relaunched Action Comics, Superman, and Justice League series.

[flickchick85]

Hey guys, so thanks to my random purchase of the ComiXology App last week, I'm suddenly much more into reading comics than I was two weeks ago, and I'm on a DC kick. I have no interest in getting into ongoing series, but rather complete stories/arcs. Stuff I've already read:

Superman: Birthright (loved it)
All-Star: Superman (liked it, though I felt maybe I needed to be more familiar with Superman's history to better appreciate it)
Catwoman: Relentless (loved it)
Batman: Year One (was disappointed after all the hype on this one, tbh. Between this and his movies, I'm starting to think I just don't like Frank Miller)
Batman: The Killing Joke (loved it)

I'm currently reading Kingdom Come and LOVING that one as well. Any recommendations on what DC must-read I should move onto next? I'm kind of interested in getting into Green Arrow and/or Wonder Woman, but I'm not sure what the "classic" GA or WW stories are.

[RoughNTumble]

Originally Posted by flickchick85

Hey guys, so thanks to my random purchase of the ComiXology App last week, I'm suddenly much more into reading comics than I was two weeks ago, and I'm on a DC kick. I have no interest in getting into ongoing series, but rather complete stories/arcs. Stuff I've already read:

Superman: Birthright (loved it)
All-Star: Superman (liked it, though I felt maybe I needed to be more familiar with Superman's history to better appreciate it)
Catwoman: Relentless (loved it)
Batman: Year One (was disappointed after all the hype on this one, tbh. Between this and his movies, I'm starting to think I just don't like Frank Miller)
Batman: The Killing Joke (loved it)

I'm currently reading Kingdom Come and LOVING that one as well. Any recommendations on what DC must-read I should move onto next? I'm kind of interested in getting into Green Arrow and/or Wonder Woman, but I'm not sure what the "classic" GA or WW stories are.

Batman The Black Mirror

and

Batman and Son
The Black Glove
Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul
Batman R.I.P.
Final Crisis
Batman and Robin 1, 2, 3
Return of Bruce Wayne
Time and The Batman
Batman Incorporated

(all one story)

[RoughNTumble]

also, the bear necessities:



And pics:






Batwoman Elegy is also worth checking out

[TheCorpulent1]

Bears have read all of those Batman comics? That's awesome.

[flickchick85]

Thanks for the recs, Rough!

Any non-Batman recs?

[Tron Bonne]

Well, I guess since you mentioned Wonder Woman I'll give you the run down on the usual suspects:

Perez's run is kind of the definitive run for most modern WW fans. It's not all collected, but a good portion is collected in four trades:

Gods & Mortals
Challenge of the Gods
Beauty and the Beasts
Destiny Calling

Overall, it's somewhat dated (definitely a product of the '80s), and some of the stuff he did with the character I'm iffy about in regards to how he rebooted the character, but it's definitely a worthwhile start for anyone getting interesting in the character.

The thing about Wonder Woman is that she's never really had a lot of consistency, and pretty much every team that takes over tries to redefine who she is and the world around her, and many people think that classic, defining story has eluded the character, but here's some recommendations I'd personally give.

Paradise Lost
Paradise Found
Down to Earth
Bitter Rivals
Eyes of Gorgon
Land of the Dead
Mission's End
Who is Wonder Woman?
The Circle
League of One (this is labeled a JL story, but it's centered on Wonder Woman)
The Hiketeia (This was written by Greg Rucka, but it's standalone from the rest of his run).

Oh, and if you can find it I would recommend the Golden Age Marston stories, too. But it's pretty weird stuff, and the writing is definitely a product of its time...but it's quite a blast if you're into that sort of thing.