A lot of people know I love to take shots at Batman. In fact, I borderline hate the character these days – and this quite frequently leads to fights with friends and fellow comic fans as I try to explain why I think he’s one of the worst characters in comics. But that’s another conversation for another day, innit?
Today, I want to point something out: we, as comic fans, LOVE to complain when a character has a ton of books in that characters name. One Marvel character in specific earns a lot of ire amongst the fan community for having too many books with not enough content. But I’ve poked enough at Marvel, and now I want to move to DC – with Batman. Keep in mind: DC just had to let a ton of people go as they closed Wildstorm and Zuda for good, thus putting a lot of titles out to pasture (assumedly). You know how many Batman books there will be in December alone? 14 books with the characters NAME in it, and 18 Bat-family titles – not to mention appearances in other comics like Brightest Day and Justice League of America, as well as a cameo in Superman, and an extended family that puts all other DC groups to shame. It’s amazing that such a grumpy character can have so many relations! There are so many Batman titles that DC announces Batman titles seperately from their other solicits. Oof. Talk about too many! What’s a Batfan to do?
So. Think Deadpool has too many comics, kids? Let’s take a look at what you can expect from the Dark Knight in this week’s Too Many Comics!
Batman
Ah. First on the list! The one book that doesn’t have any additional titles to it! Adjectiveless Batman is assumedly where one would go for the “main” story of the Dark Knight, but as luck finds it, Batman hasn’t been the characters main title for the past year. It was for quite a long time, but in the advent of Grant Morrison, that story changed. Since then, Batman has just been filler story. We’ve had Judd Winick bring about Two-Face in a Batcostume and Tony Daniel resolving his Black Mask story before Grant Morrison came back for three issues. But until Morrison’s Bat-story moves to Batman Inc., this has become an ancilary title for Batman to fight his more outrageous supervillains.
Should We Get It?: If you’re a real Batman fan, you probably already are. With Bruce Wayne’s return, he will once again be taking over the title under the pen of Tony Daniel on both art and writing duties. One thing is for certain – Tony Daniel is a great artist. His writing? I’m not so hot on. But if you want the continued adventure of Dick Grayson as Batman alone, then this book will be essential for you. Otherwise, I’d say pass, because I’m sure this will just feel like a sidekick as the other Batbooks push forward in this story.
Batman and Robin
Grant Morrison’s baby is the only Batbook that I read. Spinning out of Batman RIP and Battle for the Cowl, we get Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne as Batman and Robin in a set of nice, quick and fun arcs of three issues a pop. The book has been nothing short of amazing for it’s entire duration, and I’ve loved just about every arc and artist that has come to the book. Of course, that all changes as Patrick Gleason and Peter Tomasi take over, but they’re a team I believe you can trust.
Should We Get It?: I would say so, at least for now. As long as Morrison is on the title, this is THE Batman book to buy because he is the one telling THE Batman story. There’s no two ways about it. But Morrison has two issues left with this title before Tomasi and Gleason change the format, so as soon as he leaves I’d take this book out of the essential list. Does that mean you shouldn’t buy it? No. Like I said earlier, Gleason and Tomasi are a team to trust (see: Green Lantern Corps). I would bet dollars to donuts that their run will be highly entertaining, if not the same style as Grant Morrison (but then again, who is?).
Continued belowBatman Inc
In November, Bruce Wayne returns and opens up a Bat-franchise, spanning the globe for recruits into his Bat-fold. Apparently his kinda-death experience has opened his eyes to the way he does things, and Wayne wants to expand his work outside of just Gotham. Expect lots of team ups and weird characters in exotic locales as Morrison and Yannick Paquette travel the globe in the next saga of Morrison’s Batman story.
Should We Get It?: Here is where I’ll shock people that know me – right now, I’m not calling this book essential. Weird, right? Based on pedigree alone, you think I’d be Lady Gaga over the book, and to a certain degree I am. I adore Morrison’s writing, and I’ll be 100% reading this book. But as far as the essential Batman story goes? I’m just not feeling it yet. Right now, it seems like a team-up book that’ll have a longer overarcing story with a big pay off at the end, like all of Morrison’s work. But if you want the solo Batman story to follow, this might not be it.
Detective Comics
Detective Comics was for a long time my favorite Batman title. Batman has had two ongoings for so long now between this and adjectiveless Batman that people sometimes forget the point of both titles, but Detective Comics was always the place for more grounded mysteries for the character. Supernatural things occur, yes, but the main “point” was for Batman to actually be a detective – hence these stories being better if you get the right writer. We’ve had Paul Dini, Greg Rucka and JH Williams III so far, and Scott Snyder and Jock seem like quite a formidable team. Of course, I also don’t know which Batman stars in this title, so that could change things, though I assume it’s Wayne.
Should We Get It?: Again, this is up to you. If you’re a Batman fan, I think you pretty much have to follow either Batman or Detective Comics at any given time, because those are the “classic” Batman books. I always recommend following Detective Comics over Batman, and Snyder and Jock are a good example of why – but it’s not essential.
Batman: The Dark Knight
The last of the new ongoings, Batman: The Dark Knight is David Finch’s first real book over at DC. He’s been doing covers aplenty, and guest spots now and then, but now he’s getting a chance to not only really art it up, but he’ll also be writing. This will also be Bruce Wayne Batman’s second ongoing, but I can’t really tell you what’s going to happen in it other than the Penguin and Ettrigan make appearances, and Bruce Wayne tries to solve some kind of murder mystery.
Should We Get It?: I’m going to say the same thing I said about adjectiveless Batman here – I love and respect the artist’s artwork, but I don’t see myself getting into the story here too much. I also can’t imagine this will be the “essential” Batman title, considering it’s one of four that stars Bruce Wayne. But hey, if you’re a HUGE fan of Batman, it might be worth at least a trial issue, although it’s pricey.
“Side” Batman Books
Batman: The Road Home
Throughout October, a Batman “event” will be taking place. Essentially a series of one-shots will come out starring everyone in Bruce Wayne’s life that matters, from Catwoman to Ra’s Al Ghul to even the Outsiders. All of them will have mixed reactions to Bruce Wayne’s return, though I’m going to throw a guess out there and assume all of them are generally pretty positive. Of course, throughout each of the one-shots, DC has teased that a mysterious new villain will arise and cause some trouble, and that could have residual effects throughout the other stories.
Should We Get It?: When I say “could have residual effects”, in my head I’m really saying it probably won’t. I am reminded of another company who had a series of one-shots all under a singular banner that resembled an “event” as a certain villain stretched his hands around that universe and forced heroes to react. You know how much of an effect that had on other books? Pretty much none. In fact, I can only think of one book that had any real lasting changes to any of the characters, as every other book just sort of “fit” into the timeline. I get the impression that this will happen with the Road Home story as well, especially because a) Morrison is bringing back Batman, and clearly Morrison is playing by no one’s rules but his own and b) Morrison isn’t writing any of the stories except for a one shot that doesn’t even share the same title (Bruce Wayne: The Return). So no, it’s not essential – but it’s a one-shot, so if you really want one, grab it.
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne
Have you wondered how exactly Bruce Wayne is coming back from the dead? Well, this is the book. Having started during the last Batman and Robin book, this title has featured a different era per issue as Batman spirals throughout time as a result of Darkseid’s Omega Sanction attack. How will he survive it? How will he stop it? We’re unsure, but there are two issues left – one of which supposedly involves Batman investigating the mystery of his parent’s murder. However, what we do know is that his return spells trouble for the present, and nothing good is going to come of it, which is why Green Lantern, Booster Gold, Superman, and Rip Hunter are all trying to stop him from returning.
Should We Get It?: Yes, you probably should. Do you want to know how Bruce Wayne got back to the present to continue being Batman? Well, then you should probably get it. Do you read Batman and Robin by Morrison? Yes? Well, then you should probably get this. I mean, as far as Bruce Wayne is concerned, this is the essential story at the moment – nothing else matters. Everyone else thinks Wayne is dead! And without reading this, you’re going to be missing out on a huge chunk of Morrison’s overarcing Bat-story… so yes, you should get this.
I should note as well that Time Masters: Vanishing Point ties in to this book, telling the story from the point of view of the time travelers and essentially acting as a spin-off of Jurgens run on Booster Gold, allowing him to further elaborate on the relationship between Hunter and Booster. However, that title is VERY non-essential.
Batman: Orphans
Fresh off a 75 issue run of editing Superman/Batman, Eddie Berganza goes on to write this two issue mini in the universe of Batman. Supposedly, “Robin turns up dead”… but Tim Drake is fine, and confused. The story basically acts as a prelude to an upcoming Red Robin story, and for whatever reason they have decided to take it out of the title in order to have it exist in it’s own way (assumedly to meet some sort of deadline). Of course, the title is resonant considering that both Bruce, Dick, and Tim are all orphans, so perhaps that will come into play.
Should We Get It?: Unless you read Red Robin, I wouldn’t say so. As far as I can tell, the whole point of this book is to be a prelude to that story, making it probably awkward outside of it’s own context. It’s pretty much the definition of non-essential.
Batman: Odyssey
Denny O’Neil is one of the most important people to handle Batman, as far as I’m concerned. He had a tremendous run as artist of the book in which he redesigned the costume and pushed Batman through a lot of important stories as the editor. Now he’s back to write and draw his own Batman story in which he puts Bruce Wayne through the gauntlet in a “crack of continuity” story relating to when he used to be the man in charge of the Bat.
Should We Get It?: I’d say no. I read the first issue of the story as I was really intrigued, but I found O’Neil’s writing to be fairly dated and the art to be off putting. This is just a miniseries too, priced at the not-so-friendly tag of $3.99 an issue. As a book that’s incredibly non-essential, I’d recommend passing over.
Batman: Streets of Gotham
In the wake of Battle for the Cowl, two new titles launched under the pen of Paul Dini. One of the books was Streets of Gotham, which has since never found it’s footing. The book, for all intents and purposes, should have been amazing. We had Dustin Nguyen on art under Dini’s scripts, but the book managed to simply meander about fo a prolonged period of time, simply telling little stories in Gotham City. There hasn’t been any focus at all. However, the House of Hush storyline just began, which is a sequel to Heart of Hush from Detective Comics, which was the best RIP tie-in.
Should We Get It?: I get it simply because I think Hush and Dini are great. As I said, Heart of Hush was my favorite RIP tie-in, and having a sequel to it finally is something I won’t be missing. But – and I stress this – this book is HEAVILY non-essential. Yes, it’s getting good now, but it was seriously meandering for a very long time – at least the first year and then some. None of this book has mattered anywhere else except for what’s happened to Hush, so unless you’re Hush’s #1 fan you can skip it.
Batman Confidential
Batman Confidential is to Batman as Astonishing X-Men was to the Uncanny X-Men, except they matter less. Confidential is essentially just a place for someone to come in and tell a Batman that for all intents and purposes doesn’t matter. Confidential has never had any residual effects anywhere but itself, and I’ve honestly never read an issue.
Should We Get It?: The thing about Confidential is – you buy this if you really like an artist or a writer. It’s got a $2.99 pricepoint, so it doesn’t hurt you too bad to grab it, but it is incredibly non-essential. It’s almost at 50 issues though, so clearly someone is buying it!
Superman/Batman
Superman/Batman is one of the longer running titles featuring Batman, and it has actually kind of mattered. Superman/Batman is neither a main title for Superman or Batman, but the title has had importance in the past – specifically, when Loeb wrote it. In it’s 75+ issues, it’s been an interesting collection of varied team-up stories, and actually has some rather unforgettable tales mixed in with a lot of forgettable one. It’s 75th issue was also pretty fantastic, if only for the Azzarello/Bermejo Joker/Lex story – fantastic! At it’s current point though, it’s kind of devolved. I mean, there was an Our Worlds At War tie-in recently… and Our Worlds At War is from 2001 and was barely relevant then. It’s essentially the same as Confidential now – writers or artists come in to tell a story, and outside of those stories the title doesn’t matter.
Should We Get It?: Same rules as Confidential here. Superman/Batman admittedly has more writers and artists I enjoy, with it’s recent Annual being totally worth the buy and Joe Kelly on the list of upcoming writers for the book. But this really is a non-essential title for main story of Batman nowadays.
All-Star Batman
Remember this title? By Frank Miller? The God-Damned Batman? It was announced at Comic-Con that the story would come back as a mini series (and under a new title that I can’t remember). Perhaps one of the most polarizing Batman stories ever, this is one of those books that fans love to hate and hate to love, because it’s so freaking ridiculous you’re essentially reading a derange Batman comedy from the mind of a writer who used to be important.
Should We Get It?: I honestly can’t tell you. All-Star Batman is a bad comic, but we buy it and read it and laugh in the same way we still buy Mark Millar’s solo books like Nemesis and Kick-Ass. Reading this book requires that you don’t take Miller too seroously, because otherwise, if you’re actually a Batman fan, you’re going to be very upset. Miller turned the supporting ladies into whores and foul-mouthed vagabonds and essentially made fans of his work have to sheepishly shrug their shoulders and say “Yeah, well, Dark Knight Returns was good…” So is it essential? No. Not at all, and compared to the other All-Star title, it’s definitely not worth buying. …but it’s Frank Miller, it’s Jim Lee, and we all know that you’re probably going to buy it just because.
Kevin Smith’s Batman
For all intents and purposes, Kevin Smith’s Batman is better left unsaid – but I kind of have to. Starting with Cacophony and moving to The Widening Gyre, Kevin Smith has one more Batman story planned (at least). And as a fan who loved Dogma as a kid and owns copies of scripts to Chasing Amy and Clerks to learn from, I apologize on behalf of fans everywhere for this. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s probably for the best. Smith started Widening Gyre by getting Batman high and finished by having Batman admit to peeing himself during one of the most important moments of Year One by Miller before turning the majority of the last issue into an abusive sex joke. It was …. well, it happened.
Should We Get It?: No. You know, I ripped on Frank Miller a bit with the last one, but at least his is funny enjoyable. Kevin Smith has definitely passed his prime, and his Batman story is better left ignored. Which is sad, because it’s not like Kevin Smith can’t write a good comic. He just apparently can’t write a comic that doesn’t involve bad sex and drug related jokes for a character who is supposed to be solving mysteries.
Also, Aquaman riding a narwahl. That happened.
Batman Beyond
Batman Beyond, in a manner of speaking, was DC’s way of finally giving the fans what they want. They’re not an organization that usually gives in to any fan demands whatsoever, but there are blue moons now and then. Picking up after the show/movie left off, we’re once again given the adventures of Terry McGinness and future and extra grumpy Bruce Wayne as a new Hush arrives on the scene and begins killing all of Batman’s old villains. It’s been a remarkably good mini so far, and the reaction to it was so positive that DC has ended up giving the book it’s own ongoing following the finale of the mini. If a book performs that well (i.e. panders to nostalgia just enough yet still manages to be fresh and exciting), you figure that they’re probably on to something.
Should We Get It?: Only if you’re a Beyond fan. The show is, for all intents and purposes, a new “season” of the show in the same way that Buffy picks up where that show ended. It didn’t need to be continued, but now that it is I can’t complain. This also isn’t a future that’s set in stone in anyway, so you’re basically reading an alternate reality story – but even then, it’s still a great alternate reality. While I thought the ending of the last issue was rather confusing, that hasn’t stopped me from getting every issue so far.
Extended Batfamily Titles
Gotham City Sirens
As I mentioned earlier with Streets of Gotham, Gotham City Sirens spun out of a one-shot within Battle for the Cowl to follow the adventures of Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman. It’s been a mix of entertaining and incredibly dull. It’s had shifting artists and writers for a while now, and often time just sort of feels like a place for writers and artists to play with sexy characters rather than tell stories, and just like Entourage every story has ended with the characters reminded why they’re friends and hugging it out.
Should We Get It?: You know, for a book starring deadly female dynamos, you’d think this title would be more fun… but for everything I’ve read, this book is pretty dull. The initial arc by Dini was fun, but not enough to really warrant me following it beyond that point, and from what I know of the current goings on, that hasn’t changed. It’s essentially like Confidential and Superman/Batman – if you like the writer or the artist, get it. Each arc is disconnected enough. Otherwise, chalk this book as non-essential.
Azrael
Another title that’s spun out of Battle for the Cowl, the title follows the new Azrael as he … well, I don’t really know. I tried to read it, and never could get into it. To be honest, I’m not even really sure why Azrael has an ongoing title. He was an important character from the Batman mythos from when Bane broke the Bat’s back, but since then I’m not really sure what’s going on. But if I can’t tell you what’s happening in a book, and the book hasn’t spun out to matter in any of the other Bat-worlds, you know what that means?
Should We Get It?: No. Non-essential. Unless you’re a fan of the team on the book or the character, I have literally heard no one say a thing about this book, either positive or negative. If no one is talking about a book, that’s usually not a very good thing.
I’m also pretty sure he’s going to die soon… but I could be wrong.
Batgirl
Hey, look at that! Another book that spun out of Battle for the Cowl! After Robin ended and became Red Robin, Stephanie Brown was left without a home… so she became Batgirl! And this is probably the single most underrated Bat-title now, to be honest. Bryan Miller came in and has told a story that has been rathe ruplifting for the underdog in all of us, putting Batgirl up there with Supergirl for the “hidden gem in an overrated family” award. It hasn’t been all great, but for the most part most fans have had a positive reaction and attachment to this book, with Brown’s character definitely being redeemed for the shitstorm that she was put through as Robin and then Spoiler.
Should We Get It?: It’s not essential… but I’d recommend it. I find the title to be really charming, and Dustin Nguyen is stepping in the book as artist soon, so that only spells good things. It’s definitely the most underrated book of the Bat-family by far.
Batwoman
Greg Rucka and JH Williams III took the world by storm with their run on Detective Comics. Featuring fantastic storytelling and even more fantastic artwork, the title gave them a GLAAD award and legions of new fans discovering the character. Of course, that run was cut short due to unknown reasons and Greg Rucka leaving DC. Williams III has since taken up the reigns on the character to give her her own title featuring his art and writing for at least the first arc before stepping just to art details. While Rucka will be missed, just the fact that Batwoman is getting her own title due to incredibly strong fan reactions is pretty great.
Should We Get It?: 100% non-essential for Batman, 100% essential for fans of good books. Williams certainly proved his art to the masses with this book (and assumedly upping the sales of books like Promethea and Seven Soldiers while doing so!), and we’ve all been itching for the continued story of Batwoman and her wayward sister Alice. I definitely recommend getting this.
Birds of Prey
You know, people kept telling me that Gail Simone was a fantastic writer and I needed to read Secret Six. So instead of reading Secret Six, I bought the first arc of Birds of Prey. Birds comes in the wake of Blackest Night as part of the Brightest Day initiative, written by Gail Simone and featuring the resurrected Hawk and Dove joining the team. Beyond that, it doesn’t have so much to do with Brightest Day as it does bringing back Simone’s work on Birds of Prey from 2007. It’s also very loosely tied in to Batman’s world, through Oracle more than anyone else. In fact, it’s been teased in an upcoming issue that once Wayne returns, he will be making an appearance in this book, so there’s that. Until then, though, you’ve got some Batvillains, Batladies, and ass-kickery.
Should We Get It?: I wouldn’t say so. I didn’t care much for the first arc and dropped the book, and it’s connection to Batman isn’t very strong. If you’re going in it for a broader look into Batman’s world and the going-ons of Gotham City, you can pass it.
Outsiders
I don’t even know how this is connected to Batman anymore, but DC still lists it as such. Yes, Batman went and joined up with the Outsiders that one time. Yes, the book relaunched as Batman and the Outsiders. Then Batman died, the book reformed a new team, and now DiDio is at the helm and the book never comes out on time. The Outsiders to have a Road Home tie-in one-shot, but what does this book have to do with the Bat? I have no clue.
Should We Get It?: Let’s just go with no. I haven’t heard anyone talking about the book, positively or negatively, and if you’re a Batfan, I highly doubt you need this to understand anything about anything anymore.
Red Robin
When Robin and Battle for the Cowl, Tim Drake took up the mantle of Red Robin from Jason Todd after it had been stolen in the final Robin arc by General. He immediately went on to prove that Bruce Wayne was in fact alive as he teamed up with Ra’s Al Ghul, and currently he has moved back to Gotham and created – for all intents and purposes – a hit list of villains that he wants to take care of and put back into jail.
Should We Get It?: It’s not Batman essential, but it wavers up and down in terms of quality. The Yost run was really quite good, and Nicieza’s return to the character picks up a lot of threads from his previous run. This isn’t a book you need to understand Batman, but it’s still generally good. Not as high on the list for me as Batgirl or Batwoman, btu definitely better than Gotham City Sirens and some of the other Bat-related titles.
Knight and Squire
Grant Morrison reinvented the characters when he worked on Batman and the JLA, and they became quite popular with the fans. DC doesn’t have a proper UK hero set like Marvel does, so having these two characters really improves that aspect of the DC line, and now Paul Cornell – DC’s new and fantastic british writer – is giving them their own mini (although it should be an ongoing).
Should We Get It?: Well, these are Grant Morrison characters being written by Paul Cornell – I should say so!! It is obviously NOT essential for Batman fans, but I can’t imagine why you WOULDN’T want this. Anyone who read Wisdom or Captain Britain knows that Cornell’s sense of wit is perfect (and quite British), so all signs point to this book being great. To me, it’s a no-brainer definite buy.
Secret Six
Six villains united during the events of Infinite Crisis to oppose everyone else’s conformist villainous strike against the heroes. As time progressed, the six formed a bond and ended up going through quite a few adventures. Currently though, they’re split up and somewhat battling both against and with each other at the same time. Soon we’ll see Bane riding on a dinosaur, which is honestly enough for me.
Should We Get It?: Well, it’s very loosely tied to Batman. It’s kind of like Outsiders in that sense. These are characters who HAVE been associated by Batman that are affected by Batman’s actions, but it’s not a strictly Batman related book. Catman, Deadshot, and Bane are quite regularly tied to the bat, and Catman even had his own issue dedicated to the RIP saga (as well as having been seen smooching it up with Huntress), but if you’re reading this article as a Batman fan, you don’t need Secret Six in your pull. Everyone I know will tell you to get this book regardless though, so go as you will.
Continued belowRed Hood: The Lost Days
In “Under The Hood”, Judd Winick returned Jason Todd back to life as the new Red Hood and an antagonist. Since then, Todd has been both a villain, a hero, and an anti-hero throughout DC, being changed by other writers like Grant Morrison and Paul Dini. However, how Todd got from death back to life has always been somewhat of a mystery, only having been talked about and never really shown. Red Hood: The Lost Days shows you those days, and explains how poor Todd went from a dead guy beaten to death with a crowbar to one of the more complex members of Batman’s living family.
Should We Get It?: Judd Winick has honestly grown in my book of “writers to buy whenever he has a title.” Generation Lost is killing it, and Power Girl is delightful. So far, this book has been pretty good. DC clearly loves the Red Hood storyline, giving the original arc it’s own movie. This book was obviously created to help with pushing that, and has offered up an interesting insight into Winick’s original story. Is it Batman essential? Not really, but it’s Jason Todd essential. It makes the timeline of Todd’s rebirth a little… messy, but if you’re a fan of Winick’s fantastic turn around as a writer as of late, I’d grab it.
Zatanna.jpg)
Zatanna finally bursts onto the pages of her own book under the pen of one of her biggest fans: Paul Dini. Filled with magic, Zatanna finally has her own story to fill with her own rogue’s gallery as both a stage performer and a superhero. The book feels like a sequel to Dini’s use of her in Detective Comics as well as the Batman animated series from the ’90s in a lot of ways, although Bruce has yet to have any role in her life or the book despite their previous romantic involvement.
Should We Get It?: As I mentioned, when Dini wrote Detective Comics he gave Zatanna and Batman a romantic relationship that Bruce eventually turned down because he didn’t want to bring her into his world. Since Dini LOVES Zatanna and is writing this book as somewhat of a sequel to his previous run in Detective Comics, I can only imagine that it will be quite short before Batman shows up in the book now that he’s coming back to life. However, as far as Batman essential titles go, you don’t need to get this, and to be honest the book hasn’t really managed to take off yet.
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PHEW. So there you have it! This article took me a week to write because there are SO MANY TITLES to cover. Exhausting! I’ve also omitted from my list Justice League of America and Brightest Day, because I think you get the point. If you want to follow Batman in those titles, feel free too. They’re obviously not essential to his main story (except maybe the Brightest Day thing, considering Tomasi writes both B&R and BD).
Clearly though, if anyone has Too Many Comics, it’s Batman.
