Friday means many things to many people. For some, Friday is the night for wings. For others, it’s yet another avocado salad. And yet for more of you still, you’re just gonna get wasted, food being a secondary priority.
At iFanboy, Friday means it’s letter column time.
You write. We answer. Very simple.
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As a Marvel zombie trying to ease into DC, I need some help. Plus, the coming reboot looks like a good place to jump on. My favorite DC character is Batman, but I can’t really afford all of his titles. I heard Detective Comics was a little more mature, a little more crime than super hero, is this true? If so, I would like to pick up the title, but I do also like the superhero aspect of Batman. That being said, which title, traditionally, produces the biggest and most “important” Batman stories? Ex: Batman, Batman and Robin…
David
Okay, David, I’m here to help, but in the helping there might be some harsh truths to be uncovered, and know that, in the end, it’s all for the greater good, yes?
Let us begin at the beginning. Yes, the DC reboot is a good place to jump on. In fact, that is specifically what it is for. Yet, as such we don’t know anything about how the books will be. Will they be good? Will they be interesting? They certainly hope so, but since we have titles, cover images, and creative teams, we can only guess. For you, I say you should go to THIS MASSIVE LIST and pick out some characters that seem interesting to you. Also, I know you know Batman and like Batman (and we’ll get to that in a moment), but if there was ever a time to branch out into something you didn’t know, and try something else that sounds interesting, this is the time! Maybe you never even considered a Western, but what if it turns out that All-Star Western is like your favorite thing ever, and you never knew? Just keep your eyes on the site over the coming months, and see if there’s something you’re interested in. It’s a perfect chance to find something new.
You also mentioned the most “important” stories, which is a warning sign for me. As far as I’m concerned, an important story is one that you really like. In the greater sense, none of them are important. I always recommend that people focus on stories that they like, not that matter to overall continuity. Sometimes those two things overlap, but not usually. In a lot of cases, a great story will come from out of nowhere, and be so good that it sets the tone for the future, becoming “important”. But just reading Fear Itself because you think you should seems like a waste to me. If you’re enjoying it, then go for it, but otherwise, think about what you like, as in what kinds of stories, and which creators, and which characters are your favorites.
Regarding Batman, the cool thing about right now is that each of the Bat books is kind of its own thing. If you want the kind of story in Detective Comics, you get that, while over in Batman, it’s something different. The not cool thing is that these books seem to only have a couple months to go before being rejiggered. Scott Snyder, who is currently writing Detective Comics, will move to Batman, with Greg Capullo replacing his current artist collaborators, Jock and Francesco Francavilla. Will it change? Definitely. Will it still be good? Probably. The thing is, we can’t know right now. But, there’s no reason to not go back and try to find the issues they’ve done so far.
So yes, it’s a great time to start. But you’re going to have to do some experimenting with the rest of us to find what you want. Have fun.
Josh Flanagan
“As far as I’m concerned, an important story is one that you really like.”
This is true. Comics are personal, first and foremost.
Well said!!! If an “important story” is being developed in a book I don’t think is of good quality, I don’t buy it. I catch up with the plot points on wikipedia and continue with the “important stories” for me. Down with plot loyalty!
I’m excited about All-Star Westerns. I’m gonna try every new DC book I find even remotely interesting.
PS – If you’re into into heroic dudes without superheros you might give Green Arrow a try. Similar background, different MO. In the batverse specifically I’ve found Dick’s Nightwing to be a really interesting and approchable character. Of course it depends on the writer, but you seem to see more of his behind the scenes figuring things out sort of content which is often times left out from Batman’s character in favor of making him the omniscient, omnipresent character he is today (thought that may change with the reboot.)
I have for 25 years(oh my good lord) since 1986 bought Batman and Detective comics. Right after I started buying Batman, one of what is considered the best Batman stories ever, Year One, started in #404. It only ran for a few issues but its still a story that I enjoy reading to this day. I have it in a hardcover edition. I have suffered through some bad stories and some great stories in both books. Thats the best thing to me about comics, you may suffer through some baaaad stories but then get Hush, A Death in the Family, Knightfall and RIP. Those are great stories and some that were interlaced through both books, so my suggestion is to buy both Batman and Detective and dabble in the other Bat books. If you like Jason Todd then pick up books that have him in it, like Batman and Robin currently. If you find you like the “crime” style then may I suggest Year One, The Long Halloween and Hush. Its all about finding what you like and finding those stories.
25 years, man I feel old.
DAVID. buy Batman #1.
I never follow characters or stories, only creators. If my favorite writer is on a book, I know it will be good, and that character will feel important to me, regardless of their position in the scheme of things. If the coolest character out there is being written by someone whose style doesn’t appeal to me, then no amount of cosmic significance to their storyline will convince me to buy that series.
@bansidhewail — i can’t agree with that absolute. Some creators that i love work on characters i have no interest in and lets be honest, they can’t always hit homeruns. I tend to follow characters and seek out good stories within those characters. Works well for me even if i skip around.
I’d say just have fun with your comics. all the other stuff is nerdy B.S. =)
“Important” stories are intimidating for newer readers, and with good reason. Big crossovers and whatnot tend to dominate other titles. If you want to avoid a big, “important” story, it still might take over your favorite mid-tier book. Following an “important” story isn’t a bad thing. It saves a lot of headaches.
I think this DC reboot is a great opportunity to pick up books you never would have before. I know besides picking up Flash and Batman & Robin, which I buy every month already, I am also going to jump onto Hawk and Dove. Don’t know anything about the characters, really, except for the absolute basics. But that is enough for me to give it a go. This is the perfect time to take a chance on something new. Who knows, you might love something an surprise yourself.
I’m looking more and more forward to this reboot. I just really got deeper into DC a little over a year ago, an can’t wait to use this opportunity to introduce myself to some of m lesser known characters. Plus, Paul Cornell writing Wildstorm characters? So there.
P.S. Sometimes the “nerdy B.S.” IS what makes it fun. Sometimes.
I only ever buy trades now (generally from Amazon) and I buy based on if the art and story are of top quality and that quite simply means people I think are in my top 5 or 10. Its personal choice. I also tend to buy things I think are somewhat definitive or have an enclosed story (and if not Ill buy the trades around it that I think are essential to understanding it) so that I can lend them to people and get them into comics. I think comic buying is two fold, early on its just what you like and later you end up buying what you like and what you think will help get friends to love them. Either way it is ultimately always about people’s tastes.
Great explanation Josh…. the holy trinity of iFanboy have been preaching this for a long time now and they have helped me enjoy my comics much more using this philosophy. If you are enjoying a book than it matters, that is simple and true.