Batman Comics - Where To Start Reading Batman Comic Books! - Comic Book Herald

06/04/2019 Batman Comics: Where To Start Reading Batman Comic Books!
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Where To Start Reading

Batman Comics – 10 Great
Entry Points
SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 BY DAVE 3 COMMENTS
Opening the door to a world of comics is often the hardest part, and Batman’s no exception. The
are oodles and caboodles of Batman comics out there (studies have shown), and enjoying the
exploits of the Caped Crusader is never as simple as picking up an issue and reading.
Batman has an incredible history of DC Comics publication dating back to 1939, but don’t worry,
you certainly don’t need to read over 75 years worth of Batman’s history to understand the Dark
Knight.
And while you always could dive into Comic Book Herald’s complete Batman reading order, man
new Bat-fans will be looking for a more immediate entry point.
https://www.comicbookherald.com/where-to-start-reading-batman-comics-10-great-entry-points/ 1/18
06/04/2019 Batman Comics: Where To Start Reading Batman Comic Books! | Comic Book Herald
Below you’ll find my favorite beginner Batman comics, introducing you to the wonderful world of
Gotham with comics that meet three criteria:
1. You don’t need an encyclopedia to understand the backstory

2. The comics are easily accessible
3. Batman hits things until JUSTICE
WHERE TO START WITH BATMAN COMICS!

Remember, if you want it all, you can always carry on to check out the complete reading order an
chronology!
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earn a qualifying affiliate commission.
Comic Book Herald’s reading orders and guides are also made possible by reader
support on Patreon, and generous reader donations.
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Support CBH on Patreon for exclusive rewards, or Donate here! Thank you for reading!
Plus, plenty more Batman family reading orders for Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin and more in the DC
characters guide.
FRANK MILLER ON BATMAN
Batman: Year One
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
At the end of the day, any “Best Of” Batman conversation makes its way back to Frank Miller’s
iconic take on the character in the mid to late 80’s.
Frank Miller is the all-time great comic book writer and artist of such titles as Daredevil, Sin City
, and 300, and redefined the grim and gritty Batman for a generation of comics readers.
LOEB & SALE’S LONG HALLOWEEN
Batman: The Long Halloween + Dark Victory
The mid 90’s found Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale teaming up to tell a tale of Batman’s earliest years,
when Harvey Dent was still a well-intentioned Gotham Distract Attorney, and Robin was but a
gleam in the Bat-Family’s eye.
In a lot of ways The Long Halloween is one of the earliest “Villain of the Week” examples in DC
Comics, with Loeb and Sale trotting out the vast majority of Bruce Wayne’s villains every issue.
GOTHAM IS A NO MAN’S LAND
Batman: Cataclysm + Batman: No Man’s Land
The events of Cataclysm and the following No Man’s Land effectively mark the transition from
Batman in the 90’s to the modern version of the character we’d see throughout the 2000’s.
In fact, No Man’s Land is where I begin my essential modern DC stories fast track. There are of
course references to 90’s Batman continuity, including the likes of Knightfall, but keep calm and
carry on and you’ll be up to speed with the Batman universe of the new millennium.
GOTHAM CENTRAL
Gotham Central
The Bat-adjacent comic book run by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka, and Michael Lark isn’t just one of
my favorite Batman stories, it’s one of my favorite comics of all time.
Gotham Central hones in on the Gotham City Police Department, developing unique characters
within the plagued city’s police force. Continuity-wise, Gotham Central is right in the wake of No
Man’s Land, although a cursory knowledge of the Batman universe will be enough context to dive
right in.
OK FINE RUN IT BACK TO THE 40’S
Started from the bottom, now we here
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1
As I mentioned, you don’t have to jump back to the 40’s to start reading Batman comics, but if yo
have an eye for history, it’s a lot of fun. The earliest Batman stories from the likes of Bill Finger,
Sheldon Moldoff, and, yes, Bob Kane are fascinating early components of the superhero medium
More than anything it’s eye-opening to see Bruce Wayne’s rapid growth as a costume crime
fighter, and to see how many villains – like the Joker – are well-established right from the jump.
JUMP AHEAD TO THE NEW 52
Batman (New 52) by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo
While the New 52 certainly takes its critical lumps, starting with Snyder and Capullo’s brilliant run
on Batman is the best place for a new reader to get caught up with current Batman comics.
A worthy read simply for the pleasure of it, New 52 Batman also sets the stage for DC Rebirth
events like Dark Knights: Metal, and is required Batman reading as a result.
DC REBIRTH BATMAN
Batman: I Am Gotham by Tom King for DC Rebirth
Detective Comics Vol. 1: The Rise Of The Batmen
All-Star Batman Vol. 1
DC Rebirth is designed to create easy entry points for new readers, and the Batman titles are no
exception. These titles are far from brand new starting points, and still very much reference long-
time Batman continuity – especially the New 52 – but most new readers will be able to start here
successfully.
Rebirth also delivers a number of interesting perspectives on the Dark Knight, with an
ongoing Batman series by Tom King and Mikel Janin, a team-up book in Detective Comics writte
by James Tynion IV, and a standalone prestige title by Scott Snyder and various artists.
DC METAL
DC Metal
Metal is one of the first DC Rebirth events, and one of the few times the DC Universe launched a
event primarily centered on Batman (despite his omnipresent popularity it’s usually Superman tha
carries the Universe-wide events).
Metal is also the most fun I’ve had with a comic book event since Marvel’s 2015 Secret Wars, an
is well worth a read.
HUSH
Not my favorite Batman story, but a great entry point. Hush finds creators Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee
taking Batman through a “villain of the week” mystery that cuts to the core of Bruce Wayne’s
identity.
A very easy Batman graphic novel to jump into for new readers.
ARKHAM ASYLUM
Arkham Knight batsuit
Batman: Arkham Asylum
The comic that inspired the all-time great video game series is an easy, standalone graphic nove
disconnected from most continuity.
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About Dave
Dave is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Comic Book Herald, and also the
Boss of assigning himself fancy titles. He's a long-time comic book fan, and
can be seen most evenings in Batman pajama pants. Contact Dave @comicbookherald
on Twitter or via email at dave@comicbookherald.com.
COMMENTS
Kyle says
September 28, 2017 at 8:05 am
Honestly I feel like the animated series is the best gateway drug into Gotham. Also, I feel
like these days with metal the way it is, new 52 is the way to go. Start at court of owls.
Snyder just makes Bruce Wayne interesting, and a good character in a good story.
Killing Joke and Identity Crisis are my favorite Batman stories (although the latter is more
jl).
I seem to like all of Grant Morrison’s Batman stuff. Even though I have mixed feelings
about Final Crisis, the Batman stuff included in the trade is awesome. I recently saw an
article about how important it was to read everything Morrison did (mainly animal man,
jla, earth 2, seven soldiers etc) to totally understand it and appreciate it. Don’t get me
wrong I love weird Lynchy stuff. I think I’m just missing too many pieces for final crisis to
work but……. I do think I like it????? I like the New Gods stuff in it, sorta.
Reply
Mormegil says
September 26, 2017 at 7:46 am
A friend of mine has a bit of interest in jumping into the batman universe, I’ve never read
anything Batman. I figured Neal Adams would be the best place.
Reply
dog says
September 23, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Is this article still in progress? Seems to tail off halfway through.
Reply
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06/04/2019 Batman Comics: Where To Start Reading Batman Comic Books!

| Comic Book Herald

Home About Support CBH My Marvelous Year Join!

 Search this website

MARVEL READING ORDERS REVIEWS BEGINNER GUIDES

MARVEL UNLIMITED DAVE’S CORNER DC READING ORDERS

Where To Start Reading

1. You don’t need an encyclopedia to understand the backstory

WHERE TO START WITH BATMAN COMICS!

Support For Comic Book Herald:

FRANK MILLER ON BATMAN

Batman: Year One

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

LOEB & SALE’S LONG HALLOWEEN

Batman: The Long Halloween + Dark Victory

GOTHAM IS A NO MAN’S LAND

Batman: Cataclysm + Batman: No Man’s Land

OK FINE RUN IT BACK TO THE 40’S

Started from the bottom, now we here

Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1

JUMP AHEAD TO THE NEW 52

Batman (New 52) by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

Batman: I Am Gotham by Tom King for DC Rebirth

Detective Comics Vol. 1: The Rise Of The Batmen

All-Star Batman Vol. 1

Arkham Knight batsuit

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Like & Share!

Where to Start Doomsday Clock Batman Reading Batman Knightfall

Harley Quinn The Best DCGrant Morrison Heroes In Crisis

Heroically Support Comic Book Herald!

Is this article still in progress? Seems to tail off halfway through.

THE COMIC BOOK HERALD PODCAST!

Who created Marvel's Thanos?

You have 0 points

Earn 1000 more points to receive a

PLEASE FOLLOW & LIKE CBH :)

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PREVIOUSLY ON… #64: Reviewing the Road to

Marvel Year Five: 1966 Pt. 2 April 1, 2019

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Godzilla’s Comic Smash Hits March 27, 2019

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