6 Batman comic fundamentals

A common question among some new players is "what are the batman comics?"- There are a LOT- more than 75 years of ideas, creativity, and work that has gone into the dark knight, to distill it quickly is....well, actually, when I think about it.......

Year One- This is not the first batman comic, not by a long shot, but this graphic novel defines the modern vision and concept of batman- setting the groundwork for the nolan films, video games, and much of the feel of the modern comic era of Batman comics, Year One has become the CLASSIC origin story for the price of Gotham. From the death of his parents, to his training, to his slow adaptation of the mantle of the bat, this retelling is built on a strong foundation of plausibility, making Batman far more REAL than he had been before- and that grounded nature has really been an excellent representation.


I RECOMMEND THIS AS THE VERY BEST WAY TO START READING BATMAN COMICS, and
  THE Fundamental Batman comic

Hush

Hush is a lovely blend of a many of Batman's popular and well known rogues, as well as a few interesting, new faces. Built upon a basically strong but clever plot, Hush is a very FUN read. Unexpected turns mixed with familiar references in good quantity make this a valuable guide to getting a quick idea of many of the rogues all in one book.

Long Halloween
Where Year One is the rediscovery of the core of Bruce Wayne, and his alter egos, Long halloween is the development of the villains form simple street thugs and gangsters to the "supervillains" of spandex, gimmicks, and distinctive features that define the foes of the batman, including Two-Face, Scarecrow, The Joker, Mad Hatter, Poison Ivy, The Riddler, Introducing the lesser known CALENDAR MAN. Following the same universe and continuity of Year One, Long Halloween is a natural enough continuation of the plot. It is a great way to slake the need for more to read when Year One is not enough!

Knightfall

 "A Chiropractor diploma does not make you a doctor BANE!"

While the name on the paperback is Batman, the "star" of this comic is BANE, one of Batman's most mortal, and misunderstood foes. Brilliant and deadly, Bane makes his debut, and soundly bests the Bat, using cunning, restraint and patience almost unseen before this. Admittedly, the plot does have some unusual features (Azreal's history, Bruces' "remarkable" recovery, the "homefield advantage") but overall, this remains a solid fundamental of comics

The Killing Joke

If you thought the Joker was just a goofy clown that sometimes robbed banks- you better sit down for this one. Probably the darkest on this list by at least a batclaw, this is a dark dip into the mind of the clown prince of crime. Like with Year one, Nolan based one of his films strongly on this one (The dark knight), but less on plot, but more on conceptual and feel designs.


The Killing joke is SECOND of my all time favorites. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.



"That other one" -

Kingdom Come? The Dark Knight Returns? A serious house on serious earth? No Man's Land? The Dark Knight Strikes Again? This slot I leave for a constantly shifting and palate of favorites. When I read them I will sometimes think they are Fundamental, but over time my moods and tastes change, and none of them seem to stick as well as the other five. I maintain that this is a very important slot however, as there always will be space for "that other one" based on preferences,  relevance, interest, or even mood.

What do you think, do you agree with this list?