#223,566 in Books
Use arrows to jump to the previous/next product
Reddit mentions of Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham (Rebirth)
Sentiment score: -2
Reddit mentions: 15
We found 15 Reddit mentions of Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham (Rebirth). Here are the top ones.
or
DC Comics
Specs:
| Color | Black |
| Height | 10.18 Inches |
| Length | 6.66 Inches |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Release date | January 2017 |
| Weight | 0.74075320032 Pounds |
| Width | 0.27 Inches |
> It’s so confusing, why shouldn’t I just be able to follow his story from beginning to present?
> (I’m using Batman as an example but really I’d like help understanding how to follow comics in general as they’re all laid out this way, with overlapping arcs and timelines and such)
This isn't entirely how comics work. In general, it's not the only way other mediums work either. The REQUIREMENT that everything follows a strict, traditional/conventional 3-act structure (beginning, middle, end) is self-imposed and not necessary for good story-telling. The "beginning" of comics happened decades ago and the "end" is nowhere in sight; comics are perpetually stuck in the "middle".
You're already used to non-traditional narrative structure; it's used very often in other mediums. Why does Star Wars get a pass but not superhero comics? Did you see how Darth Vader "became" Darth Vader before he was introduced for the first time? Do you refuse to watch/read/play anything that will potentially have a prequel and ruin your "sense" of chronology? Did Memento or even Pulp Fiction melt your mind? When you go watch Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, there aren't going to be in-depth introductions for every character.
It's OK to embrace your preferences. Most people like following stories from beginning to end. Now that there is 70+ years of comic history to explore, third parties have attempted ordering it all in some subjective, complicated chronology. It's not really possible, though. How do you handle flashbacks, especially when they're embedded in another story? Do you have to change the chronology to per-panel precision? What about simultaneous story releases? Alternate universes/timelines that are fully/partially "canon" and/or merged/retconned later? Varieties of characterization by multiple writers/artists?
Most of what made these superheroes "cool" in the first place was very topical. What powers do they have? What does their costume look like? Their backstories and character growth/development were fleshed out over the coming decades, more specifically in the "modern" age of comics when the demographic started transitioning to include adults.
There's no "perfect" or "definitive" sequence of events that Batman's story occurred in. That severely limits creators from writing new stories for the character without requiring hard continuity reboots. If you start solidifying that Batman grew up in X, met character Y, fought character Z, in a strict order that can't be changed, then you can't write stories that occur in between those moments. If you plan out Batman's entire chronology to fit a realistic calendar where Bane broke his back on Wednesday and the Court of Owls revealed themselves on Friday, then you (1) will find it won't make sense (because that's not how comics are made) and (2) are stripping all of the "magic" of comics away. Keep in mind: 70+ year old shared universes are an unprecedented achievement of storytelling. No other medium has accomplished something of this scale for this long. You should expect to think of something unique like that a little differently than you might be used to.
I think it's easier to get into comics when you drop the "need" to read EVERYTHING, IN ORDER. You should just read self-contained stories and treat them like separate stories. Think of it like a jigsaw picture puzzle that you're solving one piece at a time. You won't see the big picture (continuity) until you manually piece random pieces of it together over time. You even start to develop your own "methodology" (head-canon, community discussion, etc.) of putting those pieces together (reading comics) in a way that makes sense to you personally. Comics should feel more like self-discovery/exploration than procedure/work.
This is (roughly) how I got into Batman and what I suggest to new readers:
I also got into comics with Batman Rebirth, afterwards I found this list here on reddit and all of them are just great, few of them are even extraordinary and without any of them we wouldn't have the Batman we have right now.
If I had to pick some highlights, it were The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, No Man's Land, Black Mirror and Hush, especially Hush was fantastic.
Still love Batman Rebirth though.
Yep, it's called a trade paperback. Here you go.
> If I get a comic how do I know which comic to read next
As a new reader, the easiest way to get into comics would be by reading trade paperbacks (trades, or TPB for short). They collect usually 5 or 6 issues from a series, and will say "volume 1, volume 2, etc" on the book. DC did a relaunch of all their books a couple years ago called "DC Rebirth", so pick any character you want to read and look up volume 1 from there. I'll link a couple examples for you; The Flash, Green Arrow, Batman. Also check out the sidebar for other recommendations
It's not too late at all and Rebirth is the perfect way to start. What I would recommend is:
Keep in mind, the first two steps aren't neccesary at all, if you grab any kind of single issue that starts a new storyarc, noted in the cover top banner (for example, Nightwing 21 is called Blockbuster Part One), you won't feel lost, though I recommended you those two catch-ups so that you get a broader sense of the characters.
The rule of thumb is, comics aren't that difficult, just start reading
>So I think what I'm reading is I should pick up Batman Incorporated trades, since that is kind of a big "ending" of a lot of Batman's storyline,
How much of Grant Morrison's run have you read? Batman Incorporated follows up on a lot of plot threads from R.I.P. and Batman and Robin.
>then check out the Tom King Batman? Is it just called Batman?
The first trade is titled "I Am Gotham". If you want to read up on the rest of the Batfamily, I'd also recommend Nightwing by Tim Seeley and Super Sons by Peter Tomasi. Detective Comics by James Tynion features a team of lesser known Batfamily characters, and has a lot of fans, too.
If you don't mind backlog reading, I also recommend these titles from the New 52:
From the ones I looked at, it looks they'll be seven issues per volume too.
If you want to just read Batman, buy a trade paperback, starting at Volume 1 like this:
amazon
This collects issues 1-7 from the New 52 comic, all in one convenient package! I'm just a casual DC fan (im more of a Marvel guy), and what's nice about Batman is it can definitely be enjoyed without much knowledge of the DC Universe, like of such things as Pre-crisis thingabobs or Post- Convergence doohickeys.
Or if you would prefer to start with rebirth try this:
amazon
Both the New 52 and Rebirth Batman have been great. Have fun!
You can pick up the trades for either of them and catch up that way.
You can also start from issue 1 on either title. Comixology.com conveniently has all of the issues available digitally
Or you can just jump in to the current story arcs. Superman #26 is coming out this week and is a standalone story by a different creative team, so you may want to wait until the next issue comes out, which will be a new story arc. For Batman, issue #25 was the start of a new arc, "The War of Jokes and Riddles" and issue #26 is coming out this week so it would be easy to read both back to back
Hopefully this is helps!
Since it seems like you're mostly interested in DC characters I'd recommend checking out the current Rebirth Series. Now I'm only familiar with Batman and Flash, so I can't speak to the quality of the other series but I've enjoyed both of them so far.
Here's some links to the first volume of the Rebirth Series of all the characters (plus the Flash) you mentioned:
Aquaman
Batman
Green Arrow
Flash
Superman
As for the best place to buy comics I recommend Amazon and Barnes & Noble as they are generally pretty cheap and run good sales fairly often (especially Barnes & Noble).
Now for some of my personal recommendations:
Batman New 52 Vol. 1 Court of Owls, it's Batman at his best investigating an old Gotham conspiracy.
Hawkeye Vol. 1 My Life as a Weapon, it's about what Hawkeye does when he's not an Avenger. It has some really amazing art.
Hope this was helpful! Feel free to message me with any questions you might have!
For Flash:
Barry Allen started his carrier in the comics in 1959 until 1985 and then he was absent on until 2009. His modern-age series called The Flash: Rebirth when he returned. After that 2 trades came (In comics, a trade paperback (often shortened to trade) is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme.) called The Flash Vol. 1: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues and The Flash Vol. 2: The Road to Flashpoint.
After these, a HUGE event came that changed everything called Flashpont that "reset" the continuity and started the New 52 age and it's first story-line called The Flash, Vol. 1: Move Forward . This series (New52) lasted till Spring 2016 and collected 9 trades (the show you watched is based on this era). In early 2016 DC Rebirth came (only name change, everything is continued from New52) but a huge exception: a long missing character came back to the grand scene who was missing for so long. Rebirth's first trade is The Flash Vol. 1: Lightning Strikes Twice
So if you are interested in Barry (overall) start with The Flash: Rebirth and move onward to Flashpont, but you can just start with The Flash, Vol. 1: Move Forward or DC Rebirth and The Flash Vol. 1: Lightning Strikes Twice, then read everything up to today. (there was a Flash event called Flash War which ended a few months ago)
(there is an omnibus on sale at the moment (a collection of multiple trades) called The Flash By Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato Omnibus that collects the first 4 trades of the New 52 era.
For Superman:
His New 52 story wasn't that great (if you ask 10 people, almost 9 of them will tell you that you should skip that era), but there are 3 "essential" TPBs in that period of time:
Superman: The Men of Tomorrow by Geoff Johns
Lois Lane and Clark
Superman: The Final Days of Superman
After these, you can start with Superman Vol. 1: Son Of Superman and move forward with the volumes until a strange storyline called Superman:Reborn that ends the Final Days of Superman story. Rebirth's final TPB called Superman Vol. 7: Bizarroverse (not out yet), which is followed by a fresh new start called The Man of Steel that kicks out Superman #1 (remember, we started from New 52, yet Superman: Reborn came along)
(but if you want a full reading, you can easily start with Superman Vol. 1: What Price Tomorrow? New 52 TPB.)
About Action Comics: compared to Superman solo series, Action Comics is more about Metropolis and things happening NOT JUST with Superman, but with his friends and family etc. The first 3 volumes of New 52 were fantastic, written by Grant Morrison (starting with [Action Comics Vol. 1: Superman and the Men of Steel] (https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Action-Comics-Vol-Steel/dp/1401235476/ ) but overall the whole New 52 was a decent run.
After New 52, Rebirth's first volume's called Action Comics Vol. 1: Path Of Doom
For Aquaman:
I highly recommend starting with New 52 and move forward to Rebirth and more, as it is a great adventure seeing Aquaman in action during that period of time, lots of fun and interesting stories.
New 52 first volume/TPB called Aquaman Vol. 1: The Trench
Rebirth first volume called Aquaman Vol. 1: The Drowning
Also have to mention that the new movie coming out soon is LOOSLY (not entirely, but still) based on the story-line called Aquaman Vol. 3: Throne of Atlantis (new52)
For Batman:
There is a new kind of book format coming out just now called "Essential Edition" which is basically pack of 2 (or more) volumes/TPBs in 1 book.
Batman's story starts WAY before New 52 (his and Green Lantern's history wasn't "deleted", so everything happened in the past, is still here with us), so it is advisable to start at least Year One, then jump into New 52 via Batman: The Court of Owls Saga (DC Essential Edition) , which is followed by a great arc called Batman Vol. 3: Death of the Family and others as well. It is highly recommend to read through the whole New 52 series, as it is a MASTERPIECE!
Rebirth starts with Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham
Just like Action Comics is connected to Superman, here Detective Comics connected with Batman. Detective Comics is about the Bat-family operating in Gotham City, solving mysteries etc.
New 52 first TPB Detective Comics Vol. 1: Faces of Death
Rebirth first TPB Detective Comics Vol. 1: Rise of the Batmen
For Green Lantern:
Just like Batman, Green Lantern's story wasn't deleted prior New 52, everything that happened BEFORE, is still here with is (even today). Yet you don't have to start at the very beginning, there is a really respectable writer called Geoff Johns (mentioned earlier) who started to write Green Lantern back in 2005 (long time ago) and his work laid down the basics of the mythos around the Lantern Corps, the different rings, lot of intergalactic battles etc.
His first work was Green Lantern: Rebirth, followed by many over the years. I mentioned the Omnibus format back at The Flash, for Green Lantern it is highly recommended to get through his story (as it is a HUGE connected story from the Green Lantern Rebirth) via those books
Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 1
Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 2
Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 3
After these, the overall story continues in the Green Lantern: Rise of the Third Army and Green Lantern: The Wrath of the First Lantern TPBs.
Just like Action Comics and Detective Comics, there is a companion series for the "main" Green Lantern books, called Green Lantern Corps. Before New 52, the old TPBs weren't reprinted, so it is hard to collect that era (starts with Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: To Be a Lantern ) but the New 52 books are much more widely available. The first one is Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: Fearsome.
After New 52, the "main" Green Lantern book becomes Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: Sinestro's Law and the Green Lantern Corps to Green Lanterns Vol. 1: Rage Planet.
Wow it is a huge list and lot of stuff. I missed a few things, but even if you start reading these, you won't be disappointed for a while. (and when you're not sure how/where to next, just ask me or anyone here on Reddit). For the buying process: there are a few options: local comic shop (LCS), amazon, ebay, https://www.speedyhen.com/ (if you are UK based), http://bookdepository.com/, https://www.instocktrades.com/ for starters.
Hope this helps!
About 2.5 years ago DC launched their "Rebirth" branding which serves as a jumping-on point for new readers. I would suggest starting with Volume 1 of Rebirth for both of those series. Here are links to their Amazon pages.
Detective Comics Vol. 1
Batman Vol. 1
>Trades are usually $15 to 20, right?
Typically they start around there (Batman is listed as $16.99) but they drop in price. My local store actually offers 20% off all trades the week they come out.
Do not start at the dawn of time. Most of those stories don't really hold up. The best way is just to dive in IMO. You'll catch on as you go. Find a character or author you like and start reading the more recent collected editions. I find DC way more accessable than Marvel mostly because DC is better with self contained stories.
If you want to be current, start with the recent "Rebirth" series' from DC. https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Vol-Am-Gotham-Rebirth/dp/1401267777
Otherwise I recommend just diving into the classics. For the Bat you have The Long Halloween, Dark Knight Returns, Court of Owls, Year One a bunch more.
I don't read much Marvel. But the same strategy should apply. Jump in at the most recent #1 or find out the true classics and go from there.
>As the new 52 has given way to the rebirth, are the story lines in 52 still worth going through?
Yes, definitely. While the New 52 as a whole wasn't very well-received by a lot of fans because of it "starting over" and removing the old continuity, it is a great jumping on point for new readers: so I think it's a good idea to start there.
I don't read Batman, but as far as I know, New 52 Batman was the one series that was consistently well-received by fans, so I think you will enjoy New 52 Batman.
As for The Flash, he has a great New 52 run over the course of 4 volumes: "Move Forward," "Rogues Revolution," "Gorilla Warfare," and "Reverse." These four books serve as a great introduction to the character and his adventures, and I'm told Volume 5 is okay to read too - however, don't continue it after Volume 5, because it drops off in quality there. These stories focus on Barry Allen in a manner that's a bit reminiscent of the TV show, so if you enjoy the show you should enjoy these.
> if they end up unfinished somehow or really underwhelming, I'll just jump to rebirth.
Rebirth is an excellent jumping-on point, just like the New 52. It's of course still ongoing at the moment, so if you want to read it right now, you read it through single issues! If you want to catch up with the stories that are happening right now, these are the issues that are out.
THE FLASH:
BATMAN:
A new issue comes out every 2 weeks for Flash and for Batman. It's been awesome so far!
If you want to follow Wally West instead of Barry, you can follow Titans, which comes out every month:
If you can't/don't want to go through the hassle of buying single issues of comics, wait it out until January! Then you can just get a trade paperback that will have all the comics you need to read the whole story all at once. You can preorder the paperbacks at Amazon: Flash, Batman, Titans.