(Part 2) Best products from r/batman

So, a bit of an odd request, but I'll try my best to answer. Could I hear though, why is pre-2000 so important?

Anyway, so I'm not sure if you know, but there are different eras of continuity within DC comics. Now, most of the really old stuff no one will really recommend, this makes up what is often known as the gold, silver and bronze ages. I'm not sure if these are the eras you are interested in, but not many modern readers do go back to this era. There are Golden Age Batman collections that some readers really do enjoy, and some of the very later Bronze Age stuff some readers do still recommend for bringing maturity back to the character. This includes Englehart's Strange Apparitions, the Tale of the Demon and Birth of the Demon collections, or else collected works of particular creators, such as the Neal Adams collection. But again, many modern readers are not reading these stories.

In the late 80's, there was an event called Crisis on Infinite Earths, which I'm not recommending, though you may see fans refer to the stretch of comics written between the late 80's and 2011 as the "Post-Crisis Era". This Era has many beloved stories that many fans will recommend, and is easy enough to jump into. This is where the most popular Batman stories come from, but for your sake, with the cut off of the year 2000, this would truncate this era. This video by A Batcaverna lists a timeline of the most essential stories, with a few branch off points here and there. Though, the video is not in English, so sorry if you can't follow along. I had used it to make this infographic, which I'm just now realising I should have probably also put separate subtitles on. For the purpose of your cut off, I guess that would mean stopping after the No Man's Land event, as I'm pretty sure that's the last 90's saga, and I feel New Gotham and Hush and everything after was of the 2000's. So there are still some really great stories to pick from, though.

So, there are some really obvious great picks you have mentioned, like The Dark Knight Returns, The Killing Joke, Long Halloween and Dark Victory. Another clear choice is Year One. You have mentioned Zero Year, but that is far more modern than anything else listed here. DC rebooted in 2011 to create the New 52 universe, which is an easily expressible era, with some really great Batman stories, but Zero Year is the origin of the New 52 Batman. It does take some beats from previous stories, like Year One and The Killing Joke, but is still excellent in its own right. I believe it was published in the early 2010's though.

Anyway, I hope this information is helpful to you. Let me know if you have any more questions!

Batman has been published non-stop since 1939, so yes, it is still being published, and there is a lot of it. As to reading most, you have tens of thousands of comics to read (if not more) so it is unlikely that you will be able to read all of the Batman comics. That reading list on the side is comprised of above average graphic novels (which are generally a "run" of comics that tell a self contained story, where as if you buy a single comic on its own it likely will not make sense because it will likely be in the middle of a story arc). So I recommend buying graphic novels because they are a self contained story, meaning that you don't need other comics to understand the plot. All of the ones on the side there are really great, but there are so many other great graphic novels, for instance, you mentioned that you liked the game Arkham Asylum, which was loosely based on the graphic novel of the same name. If you really want to try to read all the Batman stories in order I recommend The Batman Chronicles which is a republication of every Batman comic in order of publication, but you should really read some other graphic novels first because The Batman Chronicles starts with the 1939 comics, and the Batman mythos have changed a lot since then, also, because there are so many comics The Batman Chronicles are expensive, so far 10 volumes have been released and they have only gotten to 1943, so it will be many volumes before they reach some of the best Batman stories. I hope I helped and feel free to ask me any questions you may have. Also, I recommend the graphic novels Year One, The Dark Knight Returns, The Killing Joke, Hush, and The Long Halloween.

No Man's Land - was originally collected into 5 trades but is being recollected into 4 much larger (including more issues) higher quality trades. Volume 1 was released in December, volume 2 comes out in april, 3 in august and 4 in this coming December. I read the original 5 volumes and it was a good story.

Heart of Hush - Hush Returns kinda sucked, Heart of Hush was a lot better.

Make sure you get the most recent release of Death in the Family as it includes A Lonely Place of Dying (Tim Drake's introduction as the 3rd Robin) which was not included in the many older versions.

JLA: Tower of Babel is a great Batman centric Justice League story. It is the inspiration for the recent Justice League: Doom animated movie but the source material has enough differences to be worth reading.

I just read through Morrison's whole run, and the issue you're looking for is actually in a one-shot called "Batman: The Return". This issue is collected in Vol. 3 of Morrison's B&R run, "Batman & Robin Must Die! I gotta say, if you want to read Batman Inc., you really should read the rest of Morrison's run first, or you really won't get his full Batman run. I highly recommend getting the optional collection called Batman: The Black Casebook as well, it collects a lot of the silver age stories that Morrison was inspired by. Final Crisis isn't necessary and won't really enhance the run, but it does have a pretty big moment of it. Feel free to PM me for more details about his run! Also, as a bonus, here's a picture of his whole run that I took for the /r/comicbooks swag bag Friday a while back!

There's this "Further Adventures of..." series from the late 80s, early 90s. https://www.amazon.com/Further-Adventures-Batman-All-New-Crusader/dp/0553282700

I've only read the Batman one in the link, but loved it. Granted, it's a collection of shorter stories, not a single 200+ page story, but great text-only Batman content.

Batman and the Monster Men and its sequel, Batmand and the Mad Monk. These are both really, really good and don't have a lot of the more 'tragic' elements of Batman. Plus there's a solid love interest in there as well that actually serves the plot

I have been interested in this sort of stuff for ages and was surprised to find out there's actually a decent amount of discussion around this topic.

First there's a documentary-esque psychological discussion/analysis regarding the Dark Knight movies - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHTeJ--Ux18&t=3s)

As well as that there's a very good podcast from Dr. Andrea Letamendi and Brian Ward, that psychoanalyses the episodes of B:TAS one by one - http://www.underthemaskonline.com/the-arkham-sessions/
Dr Letamendi has also done some conventions and panels discussing Batman, as well as a few articles. IMHO I'd look into her work the most, she's done a lot of work regarding Batman in the past.

There are a few articles and such scattered around the internet, you could probably find a few more just googling - (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-heroes-and-villains/201211/are-batmans-enemies-insane-sounder-minds-part-1, https://calebcoy.blog/2016/03/21/the-symbolic-psychology-of-batman-villains/, https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/batman-villains-psychoanalyzed_n_901913) As well as that there's a few books, for example - (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Batman-Psychology-Stormy-Knight-Culture/dp/1118167651/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524682121&sr=8-1&keywords=batman+psychology)

Finally there's been a few Comic-Con and other convention panels that have had both forensic psychologists and comic book writers (such as the Unlocking Arkham panel at Comic-Con last year with current Batman writer Tom King) though they may be hard to find, as I doubt they were filmed.

Try The Cult (a personal favorite), Shaman (a pre-Year One origin story), Dark Moon Rising (Batman's first encounters with the paranormal; Monster Men and Mad Monk together), and the Black and White TPBs (a collection of stand-alone one shot stories by the best of the best artists and writers in the industry). The Long Halloween is required reading.

The first volume is here. You can just follow them from there! The first and third volumes are the best, with the first being absolutely fantastic.

That's what I was just looking to check! Hooray for ctrl+f. Did you know they released Birth of the Demon, which includes Son of the Demon and some others for a reasonable price? I can't wait to purchase it myself, SotD was great http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Birth-Mike-W-Barr/dp/1401233813/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1VBVFEDJCB937&coliid=I3KFB0GQEPR213

First off Cool cat. Nice collection. Its a great starting batch.

Next, id day all that was mentioned.

I'd like to add

The court of owls which I didn't see there. Volume one and two are
Here
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008J2GAKU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418977102&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

And here
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BLVSRFC/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1418977102&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Post death of the family which you have (great book), is batman zero year. Volume one of that
Here
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1401249337/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Volume two hardcover only. Pb comes out In may.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1401248853/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Hush is often regarded as one of the best Batman trades out there, so you're off to a good start.

Here's a rough list of other books you might enjoy, all widly embraced by fans of Batman while staying with a darker tone similar to Hush.

• Batman: Year One
  
• Batman: The Long Halloween
  
• Batman: Dark Victory
  
• Batman: The Killing Joke
  
• Batman: Haunted Knight
  
• Batman: A Death in the Family
  
• Arkham Asylum
  
• JLA: Tower of Babel
  
  I''d also suggest reading Identity Crisis. Batman isn't the only character of the story, and while he doesn't make many appearances when he does he certainly makes an impact. Lastly, Gotham Central is also a great read, but it focuses on the GCPD MCU rather than on Batman himself, and how they deal with supervillains and working in a city with a masked vigilante.
  
  Hope this helps.

Well Vol. 3 is already available.

Vol. 4 will be out in about six weeks.

Volume 4 is going to be fairly short, only collecting issues 0, 21-24, and annual 2. Then it will be several months before Vol. 5 is out.

Personally, I trade wait. I like being able to devour a story in an afternoon, rather than be left wanting more each month. But that's just my preference. Honestly, you could probably find issues 18+ on eBay fairly cheap. Or check your local comic store if you have one. Most are decent about having some back issues.

It's personal preference if you want to hunt back issues for the Zero Year arc, or wait six weeks to get half the story then several months for the second half. I'd recommend hunting the back issues if you're going to start collecting the monthly releases at issue 30. That way you'll be caught up on the story when issue 30 comes out next month, as opposed to waiting for the volumes to be released. Otherwise, you'd have no way of knowing what happened between the end of Vol. 3 (issue 17) and issue 30 until you collected Vol. 4 & 5.

good choices!

May I also recommend Arkham Asylum, Long Halloween and Killing Joke for some more quality Bat-reading!

Good pick-ups. Enjoy your read through. Also, Batman Vol 4: Zero Year- Secret City is available in hardcover already, with paperback dropping in just under a week, if you want to keep it rolling.

Looks like Amazon has a copy for $13.99 at the moment. Better grab it! https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Mad-Monk-Matt-Wagner/dp/1401212816/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465581561&sr=8-1&keywords=batman+mad+monk

Being a big fan of the Joker myself... couple of recommendations on that front...

The Killing Joke

Considered by many to be one of the best Joker stories around... A pretty twisted story, very dark subject matter. The Joker's idea/plan is to prove that it only takes one really bad day to drive someone insane. This was also used as a theme of the Joker in Nolan's The Dark Knight

The Joker

A noir-esque take on the Batman mythos... Worth the read if you're looking for something a bit different...

Batman: A Death in the Family

Another somewhat darker story... this one is the [spoiler](Death of Jason Todd/Robin) and the Joker plays a very central role in it all

Also, there's a comic "companion" to the Arkham games...

Issue 1

Issue 2

Issue 3

Issue 4

I really dig the cover art for issue 3... be sure to check that one out

Hope this helps a little

You can find Sword of Azrael on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Sword-Azrael-Prelude-Knightfall/dp/156389100X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376855000&sr=8-1&keywords=batman+sword+of+azrael

I bought it and read through it recently and honestly found it to be pretty boring though.

There's a whole book about this: https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Psychology-Dark-Stormy-Knight/dp/1118167651

It's a good read, if you're interested in this topic.

Great read. Also check out Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight.

http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Long-Halloween-Jeph-Loeb/dp/1401232590/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346692875&sr=1-1&keywords=the+long+halloween

I think the one you have is the correct cover actually. Mine must be a later edition with bonus art or something...?

As far as I know, and I hope I'm right because that's how I'm buying them, the graphic novels (Court of Owls, City of Owls, Death of the Family, and Zero-Year - Secret City) are mostly complete. There are three issues that come between Death of the Family and Zero Year - Secret City that are not included in either. To be honest, I don't know how much they contribute to any story arc because I have had some trouble finding them online. I'm waiting until I can get back home from college to try to find them in store. Amazon tells you which issues are included in each graphic novel in the description of the product.

Court of Owls

The City of Owls

Death of the Family

Zero Year - Secret City

Additionally, click here for the complete list of the issues published in the New 52 Batman so you know what is not included in the graphic novels. I hope this helps!

Edit: After looking at some other threads in this sub I found this site. You can buy a digital copy of each issue individually in case they are not included in the graphic novel volumes.

My favorite :: Hush - Amazon Link

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee are the main creative influences on the story and art style in the DCUO MMO, and they also happened to do a really awesome Batman story called "Hush" that came out a couple years ago. That might be as good a place as any to start.

http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Hush-Jeph-Loeb/dp/1401223176

I'd link you to amazon.ca, but it seems to be sold out there, heh.

I had this years ago:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Further-Adventures-Batman-Martin-Greenberg/dp/0553282700/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382202728&sr=8-1&keywords=the+further+adventures+of+batman

Really good if i remember correctly.

read the sword of azrael, nice art and background story for jean paul. Dick Grayson is taking care of his own city by then as nightwing, so bruce decided not to bother him.

try also reading Venom and Prodigal. Venom is slightly connected to Bane origin, and in Prodigal, DG gets the mantle

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/156389100X

You could start at the New 52, which is the reboot that happened in 2011. The reboot is a good starting point because there's not much necessary background information needed. Volume 1 and Volume 2 are out, and Volume 3 will be out in less than two weeks. After this, you could wait for Volume 4 to come out in May or start buying the individual issues that come out.

It looks like it'll be released into 2 volumes, hardback and paperback.

Batman Vol. 4 is #21-24, #0 and Batman Annual #2


Batman Vol. 5 is #25-31. Comes out in Oct. 2014

About Batman as in the history of, or about Batman in other ways?

I've found both The Dark Knight of the Soul and A Dark and Stormy Knight to be both accessible and interesting. The former is a philosophical take, the latter a psychological one.

Nope. I remember reading all of these and all of a sudden Bruce is ok without the explanation. I was so frustrated! That’s why I had to get the 3 Omnibus versions

Edit: This is the versions I’m talking about

If you're looking for the original appearance of Zur En Arrh, check out the Black Casebook TPB collection put out somewhat recently. It collects all the Golden age Batman comics Morrison refers to in his RIP run.

Have you read any of the New 52 stuff? Scott Snyder does some early days stuff in the main book and some guest writers contributed one-shot episodes chronicling Bruce's various travels/trainings (edit: before he returned to Gotham and became Batman).

EDIT: Most, if not all, of that background stuff occurs in the "Zero Year" arc which can be purchased as volumes 4 and 5 of the new series. Here is the Amazon link to volume 4.

Amazon links. it's generally 2 separate books

http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Monster-Men-Matt-Wagner/dp/1401210910/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401212816/

If you're interested in beginnings and endings, this copy of Death in the Family comes with A Lonely Place of Dying; Tim Drake's origin story.

Two birds with one stone, eh?

This is vol.1 of the series, go from there

Batman: Year One |1987| #404-407 | Miller

Batman: the Long Halloween |1996-1997| #1-13 | Loeb

Batman: Dark Victory |1999-2000| #0-13 | Loeb

Batman: Hush |2002-2003| #609-619 | Loeb

Batman |2011-2016| #1-52 | Snyder

http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Battle-Cowl-Tony-Daniel/dp/1401224172 ?

Just buy the entire Hush story. It's significantly cheaper than looking for 1 specific issues from it (since those go out of print)

http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Hush-Jeph-Loeb/dp/1401223176/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382619571&sr=8-2&keywords=hush

I saw the price at Amazon. It's around $20.

Start with Batman and Robin volume 1 #1

And I suppose you mean these? Do you know of any sites where I could get the entire series in bulk for cheaper?

It's 13 collected comics but typically purchased as a book

https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Long-Halloween-Jeph-Loeb/dp/1401232590

Theese ones: Part 1 & Part 2

Is this it? In its entirety?

https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Sword-Azrael-Prelude-Knightfall/dp/156389100X

Birth of the Demon is a collection of three stories that center around him. Leads into Damien's conception.

Death and the Maidens isn't necessarily about him, but adds to his backstory.

JLA: Tower of Babel features him.

The Ressurection of Ra's Al Ghul, as you can imagine features him prominently.

There's also Tales of the Demon. I'm not sure what all happens in this specific book because I haven't read it.

EDIT: haven't read

Also: http://www.amazon.ca/Batman-Robin-Vol-Reborn/dp/1401229875/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368504502&sr=8-1&keywords=batman+and+robin

Dick and Damien together are dynamite.

Good choice.
I'd also recommend (in no particular order):

• [Year One] (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Year-One-Frank-Miller/dp/1401207529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405986279&sr=8-1&keywords=batman+year+one)
  
• Joker
  
• Arkham Asylum
  
• The Dark Knight Returns
  
• The Killing Joke
  
• Knightfall
  
• The Long Halloween
  
• No Man's Land
  
  Aaand...that's it...those are all the Batman comics I've read. *sob*

If you want the lead up to his death too, you need the whole Morrison run.

http://comicsastonish.com/2012/01/04/a-readers-guide-to-grant-morrisons-batman/

If you want some amazon links:

Batman: Batman and Son

Batman R.I.P.

Batman: Time and the Batman

[Final Crisis] (http://www.amazon.com/Final-Crisis-New-Grant-Morrison/dp/140124517X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422589571&sr=8-1&keywords=final+crisis) Somewhat optional

Battle for the Cowl Also optional

Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn

Batman & Robin, Vol. 2: Batman vs. Robin

Batman & Robin, Vol. 3: Batman & Robin Must Die

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne

Batman Incorporated

Batman Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star (The New 52)

Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Gotham's Most Wanted (The New 52)

Jean Paul Valley (aka Azrael aka AzBats) - last third of Knightfall Vol 1 and all of Knightfall Vol 2

Dick Grayson - First appearance as Batman was the "Prodigal" storyline, which is currently out of print but will be included in Knightfall Vol 3 when it is released in September. More Recently, Dick takes over as Batman in Morrison's Batman and Robin run (Vol 1 of 3 linked) and then again in Synder's Black Mirror story