Batman Comics FAQ: Best for New Readers, Current Titles, Top Trades & Recent Events

[nepenthes]

**Thread is now closed; please an find up-to-date version here **














Hi. This is a thread for all questions, advice or opinions on Batman trade collections or monthly series'. If you've never read a Batman comic in your life; or if maybe you've read a few and are wondering where to go next; if you're interested in picking up the monthly comics or just looking for general recommendations, begin here. And with that...



The best Batman comics for new readers...




^ this is them!

Pretty much every fan here was introduced to the character through movies and TV; then one day we picked up a comic book and fell into a deeper, richer, crazier Gotham City with a history stretching back to 1939. Interested? I think you are. But what the hell am I supposed to read first?

Fortunately there is a standard answer to this question - ask around and you'll see the same handful of comics invariably referred to as the classics, the bedrock of the lore, best primers on the continuity or simply just essential reading when it comes to Batman on the page. The appeal of these particular stories to new readers is one thing we can pretty much all agree on.

Year One The classic origin of Batman and industry-wide landmark event by Frank Miller (Sin City, 300). The stylistic basis for the Batman Begins film (1986)
The Dark Knight Returns Frank Millers' dark, dense and revolutionary epic featuring an older Bruce Wayne in a nightmare future setting, redefined the Batman concept and the comic book medium in general. Highly influential to both The Dark Knight Rises and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (1986)
The Killing Joke The iconic Joker story from Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta). Highly influential to The Dark Knight film (note that recent editions feature very different colours - for originals look for a cover as pictured above and not the 2008 Deluxe Edition with the white type) (1988)
Hush A hugely popular and best-selling "summer blockbuster" style book featuring a wide variety of villains, Batfamily and recaps of classic lore; an excellent introduction to the wider modern Batman universe; big, dumb and fun (2003)
Batman & Son: New Edition First chapter of the recent and groundbreaking epic from Grant Morrison (New X-Men, All Star Superman), introducing the fourth Robin Damian Wayne along with Batman Incorporated, SPYRAL and many other concepts to the current lore (note that previous editions are titled The Black Glove: Deluxe Edition - it's the exact same book) (2006)
Zero Year: Secret City First in a two-part saga reimagining the origin of Batman and his early development in a modern day setting. Bold, innovative and contemporary, the latest arc from the current fan favorite and best selling creative team (2013)

Do I need to read them in order?
Not at all; each of the above is a self contained story that does not ANY require earlier reading. While they do take place at various stages in Batman's fictional timeline, the chronology is at best a loose framework for interpreting and ordering separate stories, and not an actual reading order requirement. Generally speaking, it's best not to worry about reading order at all.

Singles & Trades
There are two basic formats for reading comics. Singles are the thin 24 page "floppies" published once a month in print or online - many fans prefer reading this format simply because it's more exciting following a story in real time, anticipating the next events and waiting for a new issue.
Trades are a catch-all term for a variety of "thicker" formats, short for trade paperback and often confused with a Graphic Novel. A trade collects a sequence of single issues; for instance Batman 404-407, originally published in 1986 is now available in trade as Batman: Year One. A graphic novel is a self contained original story that was never released in singles, for example The Killing Joke was first published in 1988 as 46 page standalone "one-shot". Trades are perfect for discovering past story lines and classic lore, or for getting up to speed with current events.

[nepenthes]

Gotham: the reading list...

A number of books are excellent background reading to the upcoming TV show:





Year One the origin of Batman is told through the eyes of Jim Gordon after he arrives to Gotham City with little idea of the hopelessness that awaits him (1986)
Zero Year: Secret City the modern expansion of Year One delves further into Gordons earliest days on the GCPD, Bruce's adolescence and the evolution of a strange new breed of costumed crime, including first appearances of the Joker, Riddler and Poison Ivy (2013)
Gotham Central follows the dangerous life and work of GCPD cops in a city where madmen and vigilantes run amok. A much-loved and award winning series acclaimed for superb characterization, dramatic realism and tight plotting, featuring Mr. Freeze, Two-Face, Joker, Renee Montoya and Harvey Bullock all within the first two volumes (2003)
Joker a truly disturbing look into the horrifying depths of Gothams underworld from the point-of-view of a naively ambitious Joker henchman; also featuring the Penguin, Riddler, Two-Face and Killer Croc (2008)
The Black Mirror a modern masterpiece bringing the Gordon family to the fore in hard-edged crime mysteries exploring the dark and twisted reflections of Gotham City; a worthy successor to Year One and The Killing Joke (2011)

[nepenthes]

The current monthly comics...


Beginning again with new #1's
September 2011 saw DC Comics embark on a historic relaunch of its entire line-up; dubbed the THE NEW 52 this initiative streamlined over 70 years of continuity to help make the DC Universe more accessible to new and old readers alike.

Does this mean all the old Batman stories are thrown out?
Not exactly, in fact the Batman corner has been pretty much left intact. All the broad outlines are still there, barring a few changes in the background stories of characters like Barbara Gordon and Stephanie Brown. Overall you can assume that unless an event from the past is explicitly contradicted, it all it still happened.

How many titles do I have to read to follow the story? Do the titles crossover?
Read only what you want; each series in the line-up is telling its own story and doing its own thing. They may occasionally namedrop or even guest star characters from other titles, but that's only because they're all inhabiting a shared universe - part of the fun of comix!

Download here
Another hugely significant development is the recent shift to digital comics. You no longer need to travel to your nearest bookshop or comic shop to check out an issue - simultaneous release in digital and print means it's now almost too easy to follow all of these stories whenever you feel like it just by heading over to Comixology on any Android or Apple iOS device (buy on the website, read in the app). Take a minute to set up a billing account and you'll have the whole line at your fingertips in an easy-to-use and visually immersive format wherever you go. By far the easiest way to keep up to date.

January, February, March Which series' are most popular? See voting on monthly Batman Solicits as a rough guide


Issue previews can be found in links to Comixology under cover images in the "See What's Inside"

Batman the traditional flagship title tells action/horror stories in a style reminiscent of the Arkham Asylum video games. Best selling, fan favorite and easily accessible to new readers, the latest 11-part arc ZERO YEAR reimagines Batman's origin as a "Mad Max" styled legend in a ruined and overgrown Gotham City, now available in trade Vol.4: Zero Year, Secret City (Batman 21-24) and Vol.5: Zero Year, Dark City (25-33). Featuring the Red Hood Gang and the origin of the Joker, the development of Batman's skills and early alliances and the debut of an arch nemesis in the Riddler, Zero Year is acclaimed for respectfully building on the classic Year One along with elements of the 1939 original Batman #1, the 90's Animated Series and the Nolan films to create a truly contemporary origin in a bold and exciting new style. You won't need any previous stories to begin here.

The next major 6-issue arc ENDGAME begins OCTOBER Batman 35 featuring Batman VS the JLA and the return of the Joker in his meanest and most terrifying incarnation yet. The arc has been widely praised as the crowning moment from the Snyder/Capullo team, and requires no prior reading of the earlier story arcs.
Previous trades in the Snyder/Capullo run are Vol.1: The Court of Owls collecting Batman 1-7, Vol.2: City of Owls 8-12, Vol.3: Death of the Family 13-17
W: Scott Snyder A: Greg Capullo


Grayson a new era begins for one of the most iconic and veteran crimefighters of the DCU in JULY Grayson 1. Child of the circus, original Boy Wonder, leader of heroes as Nightwing and one-time heir to the Dark Knight legacy, Dick Grayson must now abandon his former life after the recent capture, torture, public unmasking and apparent murder of his Nightwing identity. With the Bat Family now believing Dick Grayson dead and buried, Bruce has tasked him to secretly infiltrate the ultra-shadowy superspy organisation SPYRAL, who operate in global circles of supercrime, terror and espionage and whose ultimate motives are unknown. A prelude to the new series appeared in MAY Nightwing 30, introducing SPYRAL agent Helena Bertinelli as a re-imagined version of the vigilante once known as the Huntress. Co-scripted by former CIA employee, Grayson promises to establish a new mythology and A-league status for the second leading man of Batman comics.
Batman Reborn Graysons debut as Batman / Batman Incorporated Vol.1 introduction of SPYRAL
W: Tim Seeley, Tom King A: Mikel Janin

Batman and Robin originally focused on a unique and evolving father-and-son relationship starring Damian Wayne, child of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul. However after Robin was brutally executed in the pages of Batman Incorporated, Bruce lashed out in rage and despair in the arc Vol.4: Requiem (B&R 18-24), featuring various Bat Family allies reflecting on the life and legacy of Damian Wayne. Next came the Robin Rises saga as Bruce teamed up with Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Frankenstein and Lex Luthor to chase down Damians corpse in the possession of Ra's Al Ghul, and then travel to the planet Apokolips with Batgirl, Red Hood and Red Robin to resurrect Damian by outwitting the Fourth World God of Evil Darkseid. These events will be collected in Vol.6: The Hunt For Robin JUNE (collecting B&R 29-37, Robin Rises: Alpha, Omega). Current arc begins JANUARY Batman & Robin #38 as the reunited Dynamic Duo come to grips with the surprise of Damian new found superpowers.
Batman & Son: New Edition collects the first appearance of Damian Wayne
W: Peter Tomasi A: Patrick Gleason

Detective Comics delves into grimey street crime and detective noir with a new creative team and direction beginning APRIL Detective 30. Highly acclaimed for its lush and innovative visual style, the new run ICARUS co-stars Detective Harvey Bullock as he races Batman in shutting down supply of a horrific new street drug. Featuring biker gangs, giant squid, sumo henchmen and slave cartels, Detective also explores the more personal inner psyches of Wayne and Bullock. A new arc featuring the revamped villain Anarky begins DECEMBER Detective 37.
Previously Batman faced down the underworld usurper Emperor Penguin (Tec 13-18) and cop-killer industrialist The Wrath (19-24). Ignore all earlier New 52 Volumes; they are terrible.
W: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato A: Francis Manapul

[nepenthes]

Batman Eternal a sprawling epic in weekly format provides the backdrop to the broader Bat Family universe throughout the year. Chaotic, crowded, and intricately plotted, Eternal is a collaborative effort masterminded by "showrunner" Scott Snyder and executed by rotating creative teams on small arcs broken out by character and subplot. The central thread involves Jim Gordon framed and imprisoned for setting off a deadly train accident, while old-school mobster Carmine Falcone returns to resume a vengeful gang war with Gotham's new generation of costumed criminals. From here the series branches out into; Batgirl, Red Hood and Batwoman hunting evidence in South America to help prove Gordon innocent; Red Robin, Harper Rowe and Vicki Vale investigating a technovirus weapon unleashed within the gang war; Batwing and Detective Jim Corrigan encountering supernatural forces in an overrun Arkham Asylum; Catwoman, Penguin, Killer Croc and Bane maneuvering in the chaotic fallout of the underworld; and through it all the reemergence of fan-favorite teenage wrecker Stephanie Brown aka Spoiler in her long awaited New 52 debut.

Other key events springing from Eternal are driving major shake-ups across the line, including: the introduction of Alfred's long lost daughter and now Batfamily Operative Julia Pennyworth, the obliteration of Arkham Asylum, the rise of Selina Kyle as Gotham's reigning Queen of Crime, and the Government seizure of Wayne Corp, Wayne Manor and all Batman Incorporated assets, effectively bankrupting Bruce Wayne and disarming Batman of all resources.

Catch up from the very beginning in Batman Eternal Vol.1, followed by Eternal Vol.2 in JULY and the third and final collection likely late 2015.
W: Scott Snyder (lead), John Layman, James Tynion, Kyle Higgins, Tim Seeley, Ray Fawkes A: Fabok, Dustin Nguyen, Scott Eaton, Andy Clarke, Trevor McCarthy, Ian Bertram

[nepenthes]

Issue Previews can be found in links to Comixology under cover images in See What's Inside

Batgirl one of most controversial moves of the New 52 relaunch saw Barbara Gordon regain the use of her legs and abandon her iconic role as the hacker and ghost-in-the-machine "Oracle". Crippled by the Joker and confined to a wheelchair in the classic 1988 graphic novel The Killing Joke, Barbara became beloved by many readers when she found new purpose as an invaluable intel resource to the heroes of the DCU. While some fans see the new series as a regressive move that diminishes her character and the diversity of the DCU, others argue she is in fact the most iconic incarnation of Batgirl and welcome her restoration as long overdue. Previously the series explored Barbara's shaky return to the costumed life and confrontations with her serial killer brother James Gordon Jr; the run was moderate success but also criticized by many for being overly grim, dreary and generic in style. A new and highly anticipated direction begins OCTOBER Batgirl 35 as Barbara embraces a new hipster lifestyle in a trendy bohemian suburb of the city, promising a more optimistic, contemporary and innovative tone and style.
W: Cameron Stewart, Brendan Fletcher A: Babs Tarr

Catwoman a new direction begins OCTOBER Catwoman 35 as Selina hangs up the cat-suit and instead takes absolute control of the underworld as Gotham's latest ruling Kingpin. Spinning out of events of Batman Eternal, Selinas fair and compassionate nature is challenged more than ever before by the ruthless and pragmatic demands of managing Gotham's crime families, restoring a ruined city and fending off usurpers to her throne.
Batman Eternal Vol.1 available DECEMBER. Ignore all previous New 52 Catwoman volumes - they are very bad
W: Genevieve Valentine: A: Garry Browne

Arkham Manor a new series sees the old Arkham Asylum reopened within the grounds of the stately Wayne Manor. Featuring a new cast of staff and inmates, the tally-marked serial killer Zsasz and benefactor philanthropist Bruce Wayne in OCTOBER Arkham Manor 1.
W: Gerry Duggan A: Shawn Crystal



Gotham Academy a new cast of teenage students unravel spooky mysteries in a prestigious and potentially haunted boarding school; Harry Potter meets Gotham City in a new ongoing OCTOBER Gotham Academy 1.
W: Gerry Duggan A: Shawn Crystal

Gotham By Midnight a team of night-shift GCPD Detectives led by Jim Corrigan investigate horrific supernatural crimes. Fortunately Corrigan is also host to the cosmic Spirit of Vengenace, The Spectre! Spinning-off from the Corrigan/Batwing plotline of Batman Eternal in NOVEMBER Gotham By Midnight 1.
W: Ray Fawkes A: Ben Templesmith
Batman Eternal Vol.1 available DECEMBER

Harley Quinn the crazy capers of the Clown Princess of Crime get truly of out hand beginning DECEMBER Harley Quinn 1, in a zany and demented style reminiscent of adult cartoons on helium and crack. As Harley attempts a somewhat more "normal" life in a Coney Island apartment block with new friends and neighbours including a stuffed beaver, a loyal death metal midget and soviet cyborg senior citizen...all while juggling a day job as a psychiatrist and nights as a roller girl...it becomes clear that someone is watching and wants her dead! As the highest selling Batfamily book outside of the Bruce Wayne titles this series is easy to jump on at any issue. Including appearances by Poison Ivy and the stuffed beaver.
Harley Quinn Vol.1: Hot in the City collecting 0-8. Harley also appears in Suicide Squad Vol.4: Discipline and Punish alongside by James Gordon Jr and Deadshot by breakout writer Ales Kot.
W: Amanda Connor & Justin Palmiotti A: Chad Hardin



Red Hood and the Outlaws are three very damaged individuals: Jason Todd was the second Robin until murdered by the Joker and returned to life as a crazed and homicidal vigilante; Roy Harper was sidekick to Green Arrow until rejected due to his heroin habit and re-emerging as a nomadic trucker hat wearing soldier-of-fortune; while Starfire is an alien princess once taken prisoner and sex slave in an intergalactic war. New arc begins OCTOBER Red Hood 35 when Roy discovers he's the only member of the team not abusing drugs.
Under the Red Hood the death and return of Jason Todd / Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol.1: Redemption collects RHatO 1-6
W: Scott Lobdell Tynion A: Rafa Sandoval

Batwoman punk rocker, society girl, lesbian and West Point cadet, Kate Kane is one of the most intriguing new characters of recent years. Combining street crime with black ops, romance and the supernatural, an acclaimed four year saga beginning in the trade Batwoman: Elegy saw Kate reunite with her villainous long-lost twin Alice; team up with Wonder Woman to battle Medusa and a horde of mythical urban monsters; evade the schemes of supernatural government agency D.E.O.; encounter Killer Croc and Bane and become engaged to Gotham Police Captain Maggie Sawyer. New arc begins OCTOBER Batwoman 35 introducing a new supporting cast in The Unknown; featuring Etrigan the Demon, Clayface, Ragman and Red Alice.
Batwoman: Elegy the debut and origin of Kate Kane
W: Marc Andreyko A: Jeremy Haun

Batman/Superman worlds collide in rich and often turbulent relationship unfolding throughout the ages and across dimensions. New arc begins AUGUST Batman/Superman 13 as Batman and Lois Lane team-up to find a mysteriously missing Man of Steel while Catwoman unknowingly nurses the amnesiac Clark Kent. The series is noted for nuanced and illuminating characterization, and highly evocative painted art from acclaimed artist Jae Lee.
Batman/Superman Vol.1: Cross World collects B/S 1-4 in MAY
W: Greg Pak A: Jae Lee

[nepenthes]

The Grant Morrison Batman Saga



Catching up to Batman Incorporated and the death of Damian Wayne, The Rise of Robin and Grayson, 2006 to 2014...

The recently concluded series Batman Incorporated portrayed the final stages of a brutal war between Bruce Wayne's Batman Inc and Talia Al Ghul's global supercrime organisation Leviathan - events which were actually the culmination of an eight year epic beginning in the pages of the Batman title waaay back in 2006, with ongoing ramifications across the Batman universe today. To start at the *very* beginning you'll need to pick up Batman & Son: New Edition and go from there...

Batman & Son: New Edition / Batman R.I.P. / Batman Reborn / Batman VS Robin / Time & the Batman / The Return of Bruce Wayne / Batman Must Die! / Batman Incorporated Vol.1 / Demon Star / Gotham's Most Wanted / Expanded list here


Why you should bother

This storyline is kind of a big deal. In a densely woven multipart saga Batman and his world is rocked, twisted, broken down and built anew, to spectacular results.

Massive in scope, impact and ambition, the Morrison run is widely regarded as arguably the most definitive, imaginative, and refreshing Batman stories of modern times. Highly controversial throughout its publication, some may disagree of course, but all will no doubt tell you it's nevertheless a hugely important and groundbreaking entry.

As the driving force of Batman universe for eight years, major events originating from this run include the introduction of Damian Wayne; the death and return of Bruce Wayne; Dick Grayson acting as the new Batman; the rise of the global initiative Batman Incorporated and the reveal of the shadowy super-spy agency Spyral - all now key concepts in the new series' Grayson and Robin Rises.

One of the most acclaimed achievements of the run was in celebrating and unifying the various conflicted portrayals of Batman across various media - from TV, games and film and in the many contrasting eras of comics publication. The run features stories in the style of the weird and wacky 1960's to the globetrotting James Bond-inspired thrillers of the 70's, the grim 'n gritty street noir of the 80's, blockbuster action crossovers of the 90's and everything in between.

The run is also widely credited for reversing the legacy of Frank Millers relentlessly bleak 1986 The Dark Knight Returns, a milestone publishing event which had the unintended effect of plunging Batman comics into a style of broody, angst driven "bat-jerk" storytelling that by mid the 2000's had long become weary and stale. The Morrison run immediately aimed to restore fun, humanity and a glorious sense of the absurd back into Batman while retaining the best of all the eras that came before.

The whole thing is currently collected in ten trades.

See also
IGN's 25 Best Comic Runs of the Decade
Building a Better Batmobile: Grant Morrison’s Batman vs. Frank Miller’s Dark Knight
How Grant Morrison’s 7-Year Batman Epic is Becoming the Ultimate Definition of Batman
IGN's Top 12 Moments from Morrison's Batman
Did Grant Morrison Fix Batman? @ Robot 6
Batman since Frank Miller
The Stories that Informed Batman R.I.P.





Batman & Son: New Edition (also printed as The Black Glove: Deluxe Edition) /// Batman R.I.P.
Batman Reborn /// Batman VS Robin
Time and the Batman /// The Return of Bruce Wayne /// Batman Must Die
Batman Incorporated Vol.1 /// Demon Star /// Gotham's Most Wanted



And once you've read the whole damn thing...Grant Morrison Batman Run: Expanded Reading (comics...it never ends!)

[nepenthes]

The Top 75 Favorite Batman trades
As voted by members of the CBR Batman forum, 2010-14, full list here





If you're looking for general suggestions then check out this ranking of our Top 75 Batman Trades based on a poll of 108 member votes. Each poster submitted their twenty favourite stories with points assigned from 20-to-1. Already read the first ten? Great, then have a look at the NEXT FORTY in the list maybe

Please bear in mind this ranking cannot account for different types of readers or sensibilities - it's simply a tally of recommendations given from a broad spectrum of fans intended as a basic guide. I can think of a number of great stories which are nowhere to be found on this list, and a few of the entries towards the top I’d personally disagree with. Once you've read a few of these you can form your own opinion, agree, disagree and talk about them on the board.

See also
CBR's 75 Greatest Batman Stories
CBR's 75 Greatest Batman Writers and Artists
Complex's 25 Best Batman Stories
MTV Geek 10 Best Batman Graphic Novels


Huge thanks to everyone who's helped out!:
PyroSikTh, booyah, CarolinaBatmanFanGuy, HARLEYSBOOBS, Vil_Dee, Tupiaz, Haytil, jump, penguintruth, teej, MRP, Trey, DarkBeast, SpideyZero, steve1271, The RiddleFactory, maxpower000444, RCN, Discokill, JasonTodd428, Batman Begins 2005, Mr. Mastermind, Kingcrimsonprog, jgianntoni, Batman Fan 31593, Trey, MartinNL, Jeff Brady, Equinox, Vonnegut, cpattersoniv, CocktailXYZ, Redinwala, Captain Rabbit, Byron Lomax, Shadaloo, Clayton, The Titanic, GreenThings, Dynamite Nick, Infrared, DaveHackett, Rowsdower, Arkham Frog, ajinkris, speed14, shadowman79, UKComicFan, Horsehead, dancj, spin1390, MykeHavoc, El Sombrero, ngroove, dubbauw, weeks, Dave Hackett, mcrounds, Barresi, flapjaxx, Firebringer39, Sheperd492, batman23, Senor Javi, Popfenton, Nlindsay, Javert24601, inferno, InfraRed, Vonnegut, david_icke, Enjoypolydor, Beans, Byron Lomax, dancj, Easyway, Lando5, Hair, Ninja Man-Bats, MisterSix, Cactus Sam, Lorendiac, Mathew Aos, Benicio, Judge-Dredd, MillerFan, BuddhaGautam, Crazy Quilt, darkseidpwns, Mr Derp, ffritts, csis,

[nepenthes]

Complete list of Batman trades: release order
batmantrades.com all trades in reading order, up to 2006
Batman comics at Wikipedia an excellent general reference on story arcs, character bio's, publishing history
Please suggest any other helpful links you know!

Do I need to read everything in order?
Not at all, although some people like to. The fact is that there is no concrete reading order - the continuity shifts, overhauls and contradicts itself all the time. Refer to the links as a rough guide if you want, but don't feel that order is in any way necessary. Alot of the fun is in putting together the various stories and eras as you go - just read whatever seems interesting to you and make your own way from there.


Major stories 2006 to current...

2006 to 2008 - One Year Later era
Batman: Detective - Paul Dini (Detective Comics)
(Batman and Son) - Grant Morrison (Batman)
The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul - Morrison, Dini, Nicieza, Milligan (Detective Comics, Batman, Nightwing, Robin)
(Baman: The Black Glove) - Grant Morrison (Batman)
Batman & Son: New Edition - Grant Morrison (Batman) includes The Black Glove, collecting two previously separate editions in one volume
Batman: The Heart of Hush - Paul Dini (Detective Comics)
Batwoman Vol.1: Elegy - Greg Rucka (Detective Comics)
Batman R.I.P. - Grant Morrison (Batman)
(Final Crisis) - Grant Morrison not actually a Batman story but if you want to read it, it belongs here. These events are also recapped in trade Time and the Batman
Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? - Neil Gaiman (Detective Comics, Batman, Secret Origins, Black & White)
Battle for the Cowl - Tony Daniel, Fabien Nicieza / Various (BoTC 1-3, Gotham Gazette 1-2 / BotC one-shots)
Azrael: Death's Dark Knight - Fabian Nicieza (Azrael: DDK1-3, Tec & Batman Annuals 2009)

2009 to 2011 - Batman Reborn era
Batman & Robin Vol.1: Batman Reborn - Grant Morrison
Streets of Gotham Vol.1: Hush Money - Paul Dini
Batman: Life After Death - Tony Daniel
Batman: Arkham Reborn - David Hine (BotC one-shot, AA:Reborn 1-3, Detective Comics)
Batgirl (2nd series) Vol.1: Batgirl Rising - Bryan Q. Miller
Batman & Robin Vol.2: Batman VS Robin - Grant Morrison
Batman: Time and The Batman - Grant Morrison (Batman 700-702)
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne - Grant Morrison
Batman & Robin Vol.3: Batman Must Die - Grant Morrison (B&R 13-16, Batman: The Return)
Batman Incorporated Vol.1 - Grant Morrison (Batman Incorporated 1-8, Leviathan Strikes one-shot)
Batman: The Black Mirror - Scott Snyder (Detective Comics 871-876)
Batman: Gates of Gotham - Scott Snyder, Kyle Higgins (GoG 1-5)

[nepenthes]

.
2012 to 2014 - The New 52
Batman Vol.1: The Court of Owls - Scott Snyder (Batman 1-5)
Batman & Robin (New 52) Vol.1: Born to Kill - Peter Tomasi (B&R 1-7)
Red Hood and the Outlaws Vol.1: REDemption - Scott Lobdell (RHatO 1-7)
Batman Vol. 2: City of Owls - Scott Snyder, James Tynion (Batman 8-12, Annual 1) non-essential Batfamily tie-ins are collected in Batman: Night of the Owls
Batman Incorporated (New 52) Vol.1: Demon Star - Grant Morrison (Batman Incorporated 0-6)
Batman Vol.3: Death of the Family - Scott Snyder (Batman 13-17) non-essential Batfamily tie-ins are collected in Joker: Death of the Family
Detective Comics Vol.3: Emperor Penguin - John Layman (Tec 13-18)
Batman Incorporated (New 52) Vol.2: Gothams Most Wanted - Grant Morrison (Inc 7-13, Inc Special 1)
Batman/Superman Vol.1: Cross World - Greg Pak (B/S 1-4) MAY
Batman Vol.4: Zero Year - Secret City - Scott Snyder (Batman 0, 21-24, Annual 2)
Suicide Squad Vol.4: Discipline and Punish - Ales Kot (SS 20-23, Harley Quin 1, Deadshot 1)
Batman & Robin (New 52) Vol. 4: Requiem for Damian - Peter Tomasi (B&R 18-23)
Detective Comics Vol.4: The Wrath - John Layman (Tec 19-22, Annual 2)
Forever Evil: Arkham War - Peter Tomasi (Arkham War 1-6)
Batman Vol.5: Zero Year - Dark City - Scott Snyder (Batman 25-32)
Harley Quinn Vol.1: Hot in the City - Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti (HQ 1-6)
Batman & Robin Vol.5: The Big Burn - Peter Tomasi (Two-Face 1, Batman & Two-Face 24-28)
Detective Comics Vol.5: Gothtopia - John Layman (Tec 25-29)

2014 to 2015 - Batman Eternal Era
Batman Eternal Vol.1 - Snyder, Seeley, Fawkes, Tynion, Layman, Higgins (Eternal 1-20)
Batman Vol.6: Graveyard Shift - Scott Snyder (Batman 0, 18-20, 28, 34, Annual 2) MAY
Detective Comics Vol.6: Icarus - Manapul, Buccellato (Tec 30-34, Annual 3) MAY
Batman/Superman Vol.3: Second Chance - Pak, Lee (BS 10-14, Futures End 1) MAY
Batgirl Vol.1: Burnside - Stewart, Fletcher, Tarr (BG 34-39) JUNE
Batman & Robin Vol.6: The Hunt for Robin - Tomasi, Gleason (B&R 29-34, Robin Rises: Alpha, Omega) JUNE
Grayson Vol.1: Agents of Spryral - Seeley, Janin (GR 1-4, Annual, Secret Origins) JULY
Gotham Academy Vol.1 - Cloonan, Fletcher, Kerschel (GA 1-6) JULY
Batman Eternal Vol.2 - Snyder, Seeley, Fawkes, Tynion, Layman, Higgins (Eternal 21-40) JULY
Arkham Manor - Dugan, Crystal (AM 1-6) JULY
Catwoman Vol.6: Family Business - Valentine, Brown (CW 35-40) AUGUST
Gotham By Midnight Vol.1: Midnight Shift - Fawkes, Templesmith (GBM 1-6) AUGUST
Joker: Endgame - Various (Academy, Batgirl, B&R Endgame tie-ins, back-ups Batman Annual 3) SEPTEMBER
Batman Vol. 7: Endgame - Snyder & Capullo (Batman 34-40) OCTOBER
Batman and Robin Vol. 7: Robin Rises Tomasi, Gleason (35-40, Alpha, Annual 3, Secret Origins 4) NOVEMBER
Batman Eternal Vol. 3 - Snyder, Seeley, Fawkes, Tynion, Higgins (Eternal 35-52) DECEMBER
Grayson Vol.2 - Cloonan, Fletcher, Kerschel (5-9, Futures End) JANUARY
Detective Comics Vol.7: Anarky - Manapul, Buccellato (Tec 30-40) JANUARY

[nepenthes]

Recent and Notable Miscellaneous - collections, new editions, alternate continuity

Batman by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones Vol.1 - collects classic early 90's run for the first time (Batman 515-525, 527-532, 535-536)
Batman: Black & White Vol.4 - Various (B&W 1-6 2013)
Batman Adventures Vol.1 and Vol.2 - Kelly Pucket and Ty Templeton - reprinting the rare DCAU collections
Tales of the Batman: Len Wein reprinting the classic late 70's run plus the definitive Silver Age origin The Untold Legend of the Batman
Absolute Batman Incorporated - both Inc volumes in oversize format, featuring new and corrected pages from series artist Chris Burnham
Nightwing Vol.1: Bludhaven, Vol.2: Rough Justice - reprinting the Chuck Dixon 90's run plus the Denny O'Neil Nightwing mini for the first time
The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga Vol.1 - Jiro Kuwata - reprinting the complete 1960s' Japanese manga in original form
Dark Knight, Dark City - Peter Milligan - the Riddler arc that influenced Morrison's Doctor Hurt; the classic early 90's Detective run FEBRUARY
Robin, The Boy Wonder: A Celebration of 75 Years - various APRIL
Batman Arkham: Riddler - Gardner Fox, Sheldon Moldoff - classic Riddler stories APRIL
Batman Earth One Vol.2 - Geoff Johns, Gary Frank - alternate continuity origin featuring the Riddler and Killer Croc MAY
Batman: Second Chances (The New Adventures) - Max Allan Collins - late 80's run inc first app Jason Todd & debut as Robin (Post Crisis) JULY
Batman: Harley Quinn - Paul Dini - unknown HQ collection JULY
Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle Vol.1 - the great white whale of uncollected Batman, finally in trade! 520 pages JULY
Suicide Squad Vol.1 - John Ostrander - the original and the greatest Squad run feat Deadshot, Poison Ivy, basis for the film SEPTEMBER
Batman Arkham: Two-Face classic Harvey Dent stories - OCTOBER
Batman v Superman - a film companion, unknown contents NOVEMBER
The Doom That Came To Gotham - the classic Cthulhu mythos Elseworlds from Mike Mignola (Hellboy) DECEMBER
Shaman - Denny O'Neil - the rare Year One and pre-Batman era LotDK milestone arc, reprinted JANUARY
Robin Vol.1: Reborn - Chuck Dixon - intro Tim Drake, Hero Reborn reprinted JANUARY


Please leave any thoughts, questions or recommendations here! (along with any suggestions to improve this thread )

[Vakanai]

I'm looking to buy The Man Who Falls story. Is the old Secret Origins paperback my best bet for getting it?

[nepenthes]

I'm looking to buy The Man Who Falls story. Is the old Secret Origins paperback my best bet for getting it?

It might be easier to find in Secrets of the Batcave tpb from a few years ago along with a bunch of silver age reprints. TMWF was also included in one of the Batman Begins Adaption editions, but not all of them, so you could accidentally order one without it.

[Vakanai]

It might be easier to find in Secrets of the Batcave tpb from a few years ago, along with a bunch of silver age reprints. TMWF was also included in one of the Batman Begins Adaption editions, but not all of them, so you could accidentally order one without it.

Secrets of the Batcave looks good, is affordable, and was printed recent enough I shouldn't have to worry about condition. Thank you!

[Sigis]

Hi everyone.

I have a few questions. I'm not American, and I was always into comics, but some things are just too hard to understand when you're not living in a comic-friendly culture

1. First, If I'm going to read BATMAN 00-34, will I be able to experience all the arcs, and their main events? (I just don't have time to read Batgirl, Nightwing, and etc.)

2. What is Annual #1 and #2? Do I need to read it, and how they are connected to Batman's continuity?

3. Continuity. I've read, that since reboot, only some of the main old stories are in continuity, and Batman (as other superheroes) 'first' appearance was 5 years ago before BATMAN #00. So, this means, that when we're introduced to batman in issue #1, he's been saving Gotham for the only past 5 years? And how other stories, and arcs, like Killing Joke, are related to current continuity?

4. Future Ends. It is titled #1, so is it a new title, or just a miniseries, that is a continuation after Batman #34?

5. The whole continuity: It's basically just a simple story - it goes forward from the #00, until forever, with some arcs, like zero year, that tells a prequel stories?

6. Other titles. How do other Batman titles do tie-in with each other? Do they happen at the same time, or, for example, 'Detective comics' happens between 'Batman'..?

[nepenthes]

Hi everyone.

I have a few questions. I'm not American, and I was always into comics, but some things are just too hard to understand when you're not living in a comic-friendly culture

1. First, If I'm going to read BATMAN 00-34, will I be able to experience all the arcs, and their main events? (I just don't have time to read Batgirl, Nightwing, and etc.)
2. What is Annual #1 and #2? Do I need to read it, and how they are connected to Batman's continuity?
3. Continuity. I've read, that since reboot, only some of the main old stories are in continuity, and Batman (as other superheroes) 'first' appearance was 5 years ago before BATMAN #00. So, this means, that when we're introduced to batman in issue #1, he's been saving Gotham for the only past 5 years? And how other stories, and arcs, like Killing Joke, are related to current continuity?
4. Future Ends. It is titled #1, so is it a new title, or just a miniseries, that is a continuation after Batman #34?
5. The whole continuity: It's basically just a simple story - it goes forward from the #00, until forever, with some arcs, like zero year, that tells a prequel stories?
6. Other titles. How do other Batman titles do tie-in with each other? Do they happen at the same time, or, for example, 'Detective comics' happens between 'Batman'..?

Great questions.



1. Batman 1-33 will cover the three main arcs so far; Vol.1: The Court of Owls+ Vol.2: City of Owls (1-12); Vol.3: Death of the Family (13-17); and Vol.4: Zero Year - Secret City+Vol.5: Dark City, (20-27, 29-34). There are Bat-Family tie-ins collected in Night of the Owls, Joker: Death of the Family and DC: The Zero Year however these are entirely optional and generally regarded as not that great - buy them only if you absolutely love the main event arcs. Missing from the above are #18-#21, a standalone Clayface/Harper Row arc; #28 a standalone Batman Eternal prelude; and #34 an Arkham Manor #1 prelude - all will be collected in the next Vol.6 trade.

2. Batman Annual #1 is a new Mr Freeze origin, Annual #2 an Arkham Asylum story with a throwaway villain; both forgettable and very skippable.

4. Batman: Futures End #1 is a self-contained one-shot with normal numbering to continue October. DC pull a stunt every September that interrupts their entire line with special issues as part of a broader event; 2012 saw Zero Month retelling origins for each character i.e. for Damian in Batman & Robin #0; 2013 was Villains Month with the titles becoming Batman & Robin: Killer Croc and so on. 2014 jumps forward to a disaster future.

3. The Five Year Timeline was introduced with relaunch in 2011 and supposed to help lock down a timeframe, however all it's done is confuse readers and frustrate writers. The more you try to force strict continuity... the more it won't make sense. Continuity is best as broad and adaptable framework that can add a layer of context to make a story more interesting, however the second it makes anything confusing or problematic you can just as easily ignore it or think around it. You have to be able to make your own calls and interpret each story on their individual merits, the Five Year Timeline being a perfect example; rarely adds anything useful so is pointless to think about and will probably be abandoned in a few years anyway.

5. Most titles are set in the same "present day" even though an issue or arc may occasionally jump forward or backward. Overtime the most popular stories will be elevated to "classics" and remain more easily available in trade; forming the library of most-commonly-known Batman lore and the types you'll often see included in various best-of or timeline lists online. Again these lists are imaginary and open to interpretation.

6. It's rare for titles to truly crossover these days and when they do they'll be clearly marked and collected together in trade. The current era can be roughly seen as the "Batman Eternal Era": Damian has recently died, a gang war is raging, Dick Grayson has vanished and Selina Kyle is taking over the underworld. Batman's trying to recover Damian's body off-planet in the Batman & Robin title while coordinating the Bat-Family in Gotham over in Eternal; he's obviously not in two places at once but rather the stories are supposed to be happening within ambiguous days or weeks of each other. Events will be referenced across multiple titles but not in a way that should be confusing.