The Batman comics recommendation thread! - Part 1

[CConn]

The Dark Knight should try being good in a few months. Greg Hurwitz is coming on board, and he's a damn good writer.

 

[CConn]

Catwoman: When in Rome.

Thinking of picking this up is it a worthy read, if so can anyone tell me why? (I'm sure it's good, but I just wanted to get some reader input) Thanks!

Also, anyone know what comic this Batman picture is from? Is this a Jim Lee or.....?

It's from an alternate cover of Batman #3 by Ivan Reis?

 

[MrWayne]

Ding ding ding! We have a winner! THANK YOU!!!

 

[Cradlis]

Hi guys!

I'm kinda new to the Batman Comic Universe and I really, but really love the Joker. I would like to read the key books on him, those that can learn me all I must know about the Clown Prince of Crime.

I already have The Killing Joke. What do you guys propose me?

 

[shallbecomeabat]

As I said before, I haven't read the new 52 yet, so my assumption of Tec' maybe being good (going either way) was based on reviews that I've read. But the bloodbath line really sounds hideous.

@Cradlis
Killing Joke is a very good start. Also try and get those:

- "Arkham Asylum" by Morrison (very different comicbook, make sure you like the art style before buying)

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- "The man who laughs" by Brubaker (Joker meets Batman for the first time)

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- "Joker" by Azzarello (A graphic novel which is all about the Joker. Very dark, very mature, very good)

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- Batman and Son, The Black Glove and Batman RIP by Morrison (as I pointed out before, my favorite Batman run of all time! read the books in that order, because its a continuing story. At first, Joker doesn't factor that much into the story, but he changes his complete personality and plays heavily into the endgame of in RIP. In my eyes, Joker has never been creepier and more insane than here! If you liked that run, continue collecting Batman and Robin hardcovers "Reborn", "Batman versus Robin" and "Batman and Robin must die". The story gets continued here and Joker again plays a great part in the last hardcover!)

 

[Cradlis]

Thanks shallbecomeabat, your help is greatly appreciated. I'll look for these books

 

[shallbecomeabat]

Do that, and let me know what you think when you've read them.
I posted a Joker pic for every story to give you a quick impression of the art style. Hope that helps.

 

[Cradlis]

Yes it is! I'll keep you informed of my readings

 

[Yurka]

If you're looking to read just lots of Joker stories (not necessarily great) also check out Going Sane and Lovers and Madmen. They're both entertaining but not nearly as much as Killing Joke or "Joker".

 

[shallbecomeabat]

Juck. I have to agree and disagree there.

Those stories aren't necessarily great, agreed. Entertaining? I dunno.

I found Lovers and Madmen one of the worst comics about the Joker I have ever read and the art is hideous too. Wasn't my cup of tea, but if you are looking for another take on Jokers origin (a much weaker take than killing joke) it may suffice.

Going sane has a wonderful concept at its heart, but hasn't aged well. Its somewhat childish in execution and glosses over many storypoint that, in the hands of another writer and artist, could've been great.
I know a lotta people who liked this story, but I didn't even finished it. I mean, come on... Joker rides a Joker-boat? Hurm...

But then again, to each his own. There are a lot of people who can't stand Morrisons stuff, which I love, so theres that...

 

[Yurka]

Yeah I said they weren't great, but I'll read any Joker story and at least be somewhat entertained just based on the character. He's one of the few comic book characters in which I'll blind-buy a story just based on the fact that he's in it. Sounds like Cradlis is just looking for stories so I was throwing out ideas.

I didn't enjoy Morrison's recent work on Batman at all, the only Bat stories I've really enjoyed of his was Arkham Asylum and maybe Gothic. I think he's a great writer, I just think his most recent Batman work has been a let-down.

 

[shallbecomeabat]

Yeah, like I said, Morrison is kinda an acquired taste but I love him t:
And there wasn't anything wrong with your suggestions, since I also bought both books a while back, but I don't think they are essential Joker reading.

Would you care to explain what disappointed you in his Batman run? Since its my absolute favorite comicbook run ever and its generally very well received by most critics, I don't get the hate for it. Was it too "out there", or anything like that? I heard that a lot of people didn't like it because it wasn't straightforward.
I loved about his run that it had so many layers and subtexts, which is something I really enjoy! Everything has double meaning and hidden messages. For me, Morrison run was so much more than just a story. It was like a great Radiohead song, which every time you listen to it, shows you a completely new layer of meaning.

Did you enjoy Snyders stuff? The Black Mirror? I loved that for the same reasons, even if it was somewhat tamer.

 

[Yurka]

To keep it as simple as possible, I'd just say they're too busy and I suppose a little too out-there. Now, out-there can be great, and Morrison has been a master of constructing dense, thought-provoking, "busy" material for decades. (I adore All-Star Superman, Arkham Asylum and We3), but I just think the Batman universe is at it's best when it's believable/relatable. That doesn't mean it has to be 100% rooted in realism, but when the Batman of Zur-en-Arrh pops up, (I know he didn't create him) and Batman is thrust into time-travel due to Darkseid's omega beams, it just get's a little to unenjoyable for me. I've always loved Batman because he was human, and his stories for the most part were relatable, so when supernatural elements are so prevalent in his stories it's very disengaging. But, for the reasons I don't like his work on Batman, I loved his work on All-Star Superman.

And I thought The Black Mirror was one of the best Batman stories in recent memory. Great stuff

 

[CConn]

For me, I'd say Morrison's run tapdanced between good and mediocre at first, then got pretty bad with RIP, then became as awesome as it always should have been with Batman and Robin.

I think Batman Inc's execution could be better, but it's concepts are so good it overcomes any misfires.

 

[Yurka]

Yea I prefer Batman and Robin over the rest of his recent Bat-work, I think it's because he could finally wrap up so many stories he started and really bring it to a close.

 

[CConn]

It was the most cinematic and sane (ironically) of his run too.

It was also a really good juxtaposation of like classic 60s Batman, and like Tarantino-esque torture porn.

 

[shallbecomeabat]

Ironically for me Batman RIP is the best Batman book of all time, just because its like All Star Superman, a one of a kind story.
Nobody has ever told such a story with Batman and therefore, for me it was the most thrilling read I ever enjoyed. I had teh feeling you really never knew what lurked around the next corner.
I loved Black Mirror, but in my mind there was never any doubt about the outcome: Batman survives and stops most schemes of the villains. The same with nearly any other story.
But with RIP, I really wasn't sure. So much brave stuff was implicated, that really terrified me, like Hurts identity. Is he really that, or is he really this? I loved it because it was so out there and dense and busy. When I think about it, I really have to read it again this week t:

But I totally get what you're saying and get the criticism, I just can't support it. For me the quality dropped as soon as Morrison reined himself in a bit more, with Batman and Robin. It was still great, but not as mind-bending horrific as RIP.

Can't wait to finally check Batman Inc. out, when the first Hardcover finally gets released in april.

 

[Naked Shia]

Ironically for me Batman RIP is the best Batman book of all time, just because its like All Star Superman, a one of a kind story.
Nobody has ever told such a story with Batman and therefore, for me it was the most thrilling read I ever enjoyed. I had teh feeling you really never knew what lurked around the next corner.
I loved Black Mirror, but in my mind there was never any doubt about the outcome: Batman survives and stops most schemes of the villains. The same with nearly any other story.
But with RIP, I really wasn't sure. So much brave stuff was implicated, that really terrified me, like Hurts identity. Is he really that, or is he really this? I loved it because it was so out there and dense and busy. When I think about it, I really have to read it again this week t:

But I totally get what you're saying and get the criticism, I just can't support it. For me the quality dropped as soon as Morrison reined himself in a bit more, with Batman and Robin. It was still great, but not as mind-bending horrific as RIP.

Can't wait to finally check Batman Inc. out, when the first Hardcover finally gets released in april.

I agree about RIP. But I would say all Morrison's stuff on Batman is of the same kind. Even Batman and Robin. Like he said, the last arc is basically RIP as a farce. There was the same mood of menace with a lot of mystery. I can't wait to read Inc vol. 2. I'm quite sure the whole arc will be even more awesome when it's finished.

 

[Naked Shia]

About Black Mirror, I really liked it, but I think court of owl is better, and more intriguing.

 

[shallbecomeabat]

I agree about RIP. But I would say all Morrison's stuff on Batman is of the same kind. Even Batman and Robin. Like he said, the last arc is basically RIP as a farce. There was the same mood of menace with a lot of mystery. I can't wait to read Inc vol. 2. I'm quite sure the whole arc will be even more awesome when it's finished.

Ah, nice to finally see some RIP love. t:

 

[Naked Shia]

Ah, nice to finally see some RIP love. t:

The whole Morrison Run is some of my favorite batwork.

 

[MrWayne]

Comics and trade wise DC is going to see a spike in sales for all things Catwoman, Bane and possible storyline related materials, if they haven't already. I know Knightfall is already doing numbers again lol.

 

[Cradlis]

shallbecomeabat : I've bought Arkham Asylum, Joker and two others that I don't remember the names for now. I read Joker and I liked it. I loved the drawings and the story, showing a more serious Joker more serious than usual, but not less psychotic and evil

I began to read Arkham Asylum and the graphics are... well, disturbing a little bit. The Joker looks like a savage with a demonic face and the way his words are shown gives him, in my opinion, something supernatural. I like it too because it's very dark, but I prefer the Azarello's Joker for the moment.

 

[shallbecomeabat]

Cool. Glad you liked them so far.

Azzarellos version of Joker is really great, but don't expect every Joker story to be this way. His writing style and Lee Bermejos drawings are really something special. The same goes for the Arkham Asylum comic. Both are among my favorite books, but they kinda stand alone, you know? There is not much else to buy thats exactly like those.

If you want to check out more stuff from Azzarello and Bermejo you can buy Luther, which is essentially like the Joker book, just with Supermans arch nemesis, or you can get Batman/Deathblow, but I didn't really liked that. In both is no Joker to find.
The only other book Azzarello wrote that features the Joker is Broken City, which is also really cool, but Joker has only a cameo in it.

I am really exited to find out what you think about the other Morrison stuff I recommended. As you might have read, a lot of guys in the thread really didn't like the books, but a lot of other people I know really loved them. With Morrisons stuff its often either you love it totally or you downright hate it.

 

[Cradlis]

I just read Going Sane and Lovers and Madmen. I LOVE both of them. Going Sane showed how much the Joker can't exist without the Batman and probably the same thing for the Crusader. I liked how it was written too, great comic

My favorite however is Lovers and Madmen. What a terrific Joker they made! I'm amazed! Already insane, doesnt seem to feel any kind of pain, no mercy... I think I never saw a Joker all that evil. They did an excellent work for this Joker