What am I suppose to read?

[caparsons]

First, I want to say thank you to Stephen, Matthew and Rodrigo for getting me started in comics.  Second my wife wants to say thanks a lot (read this sarcastically) to Stephen, Matthew and Rodrigo for getting me started in comics. 

Up to this point in my life I have not read comics, but I have been listening to Major Spoilers for several months now and I have decided to take the plunge with the new 52.  I know there are several "events" in the universe, if thats the right word, and I am unsure what I need to read.  I have heard of Blackest Night, Flashpoint, and Infinite Crisis.  Are any of those necessary to understand what is going on in the new 52?  If so, what order should I read the various events in?  From what I understand, the events are covered in different series in different numbers.  If they are not necessary, are any of them worth reading anyway?

I'm sorry if this has been covered in different topics, but I couldn't relay find an answer.  I would be grateful for any help yall can provide.

Chris

[Gaumer]

You may have trouble if you read GL, and you'd have to go a bit further back than Blackest Night to get everything you would need to know. Flash maybe too...


If it were me, and I really wanted to take a plunge, I would say just go for it. Read what looks good; read something that's been reviewed well; read something that the guy at your shop suggests.

If it sucks, read something else; if its good, well, yeah.

There's so much backstory and we're still not sure what's being cherry picked for everything. If you read a book, GL for example, and they touch on something or something touches you and you want to know more, just ask We're all pretty quick with our opinion on what to read


Personally, I liked Action Comics. Everyone knows enough about Superman to enjoy this book.

Detective was cool. Batman. Plain and simple.


The New 52 is supposed to be a ground floor so everyone can get on. Its a great time to get into comics!

[Alisha Mynx]

You may have trouble if you read GL, and you'd have to go a bit further back than Blackest Night to get everything you would need to know.

But you can get the "Cliff's Notes" by looking through some of the fan-made DC (or GL specifically) wikis.  It's not quite the same, but as I'm a big GL fan but don't have regular access to a comic shop, it's been a good way to keep up if I have to go long stretches without picking up the actual books.  Sometimes they gloss over some points that might seem kinda important in the books themselves, though, so it's not a perfect substitute, just a readily available one. 

[caparsons]

Thank you both.  I have been eyeing Justice League, GL, Flash, Resurrection Man and Green Arrow.  Looking ahead, possibly Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Hawkman.  I am unsure about any of the Batman's or Supermans.

Which brings up another question (sorry, Im full of them) but are all the different Batman comics (Batman, Batman and Robin, Detective Comics) all interconnected?  Will what happens in one happen in all, or are they a different 'universe"?

Thank you all for your patience and help!

[Gaumer]

NP

We like questions. Especially these, that are all opinion and conjecture for the most part at this point. Gives us crap to throw at each other

AFAIK, all the Batman books, are happening in the same universe. Batman, Detective and Batman & Robin are all the same guy (Bruce Wayne).

We don't know how much bleed-over the three "main" bat books will have with each other, or with the rest of the bat family of books at this point in the relaunch. But I'm sure its only a matter of time.

And that goes with all the family titles (Supes; GL). We just don't know yet.

Justice League was good. Its looks like it will tie the universe together pretty nicely if the 1st issue is any clue to the long term plan of the book.

But I read who I like, who I know. I know supes and bats. But I'm more of a Marvel guy

[CatHalo]

I'm new to this board too, so bear with me
I've read a few of The New 52, and like what I've read thus far. The Justice Leage books are fun. Resurection Man was too (I remember the original #1) And the DCU Presents Deadman was cool, very Quantum Leap.
As to trades to read, i just finished Blackest Night, and while it was good, there is a lot of back story for new readers. I also just finished, and really loved Flash: Rebirth, which surprised me, as I've always considered myself a Wally West man.
But my main recommendation... Read Locke & Key! Just finished Vol 3. Genius. Pure genius.

[Gaumer]

For the record, Locke & Key is an IDW Publishing book.

I haven't read L&C but I have heard nothing but fantastic things about it.

If I'm suggesting an IDW book its G.I. Joe. I can't a war comic fix of any kind anywhere else. Although Men of War in the new 52 may earn a chance.

[CatHalo]

For the record, Locke & Key is an IDW Publishing book.

I know it's IDW. I tried to edit it after posting, but was unable. I'm an awkward newbie

I also wanted to say:
All in all, just jump into The New 52. If you don't care for it, jump out. What's the worst that can happen?

[Gaumer]

For the record, Locke & Key is an IDW Publishing book.

I know it's IDW. I tried to edit it after posting, but was unable. I'm an awkward newbie

I also wanted to say:
All in all, just jump into The New 52. If you don't care for it, jump out. What's the worst that can happen?

Oh, its all good. I just wanted the OP to know that Locke and Key is not DC but is an awesome book, nonetheless. Don't feel awkward. We do that so much in real life. You can be yourself here. Ask anyone, I love Wolverine and scream it to the skies and defend him at the drop of a hat. Me and only me


And I totally agree with your comment on the New 52. Read a preview. Look at preview pages online. And go with the risk. Thumb through a book and find something that jumps. If you've ever liked comic books now is a good time to enjoy them.

[Forresst]

Hey I think I will slide into this thread and ask some questions too!

So, today I had a little adventure and came home with 2 comic books: Batwoman #1 and Catwoman #1.  The comic book guy told me it was all he had left int he store and I was alright with that because... well, why not?

For Catwoman, oh man I like that one it's a great character and I will have to go back to the store and ask the comic book guy to save me a copy of the next one.  Is that what a pull list is?

But Batwoman is a little weird.  I am confused.  Who is her sidekick lady and why is she so mad at her?  Thanks to a lovely expository collage page, I do understand why she hates her dad, but what story is that thing referencing, and why is it that in the #1 issue I feel like I have to go find some other book to explain what the heck is going on? 

[Gaumer]

Yes, that is what a pull list is. You may want to ask your comic book guy about them. There are usually different rules that go along with a pull list as some stores.

[CrowTRobot]

To throw in some suggestions:

Animal Man: I knew nothing of A-Man, even what his powers were, but the art, story, and vibe are heavy enough to where I AM picking up the third issue. It's weird, strange, and amazing. Not for everyone, of course, but worth a pick up to see if you're in.

Demon Knights: Simply put, it's a very fun fantasy series. Vandal Savage uses a small dragon as a mace to kill another dragon. That is all. Very nice art, fun characters, an intriguing story so far, and the end of the issue made me go, "I want more" which is always a good sign. Also it has the benefit of being a non-superhero story so it is a nice break from the other titles.