Well I am a Marvel reader, but wish I could appreciate some of DC's works. I did have a huge collection of old DC issues ranging from Green Lantern to Legion. After reading all these comics, I can only say that the characters I only found myself interested in were the Flash and Batman. From my Legion comics I found Lobo to be very interesting, but I found he became overused in the DC universe. Back on topic, I was wondering what the best Batman and Flash trades are to pick up, as I am very interested in these guys and don't want to lose interest in them by reading bad trades. Also I'm intrigued by the JSA and greatly appreciate any other recommendations of more obscure titles from DC.

Well, for Batman, it's hard to go wrong with Batman: Year One, and The Dark Knight Returns (Not the Dark Knight Strikes again though, oh no).

As somebody who really dosent read DC I did heavily enjoy seven soldiers. It was a huge arc spanning 7 titles and a couple of one shots introducing a bunch of new superheroes (except zatanna, and some are re-workings of characters) into the DC universe, banded together to stop a nightmarishly powerful supernatural threat. It's got a nice mix of two fisted super heroics with adult weirdness and some Watchmen themes about what it takes to be a superhero.

I also have a hard time shutting up about American Virgin and Exterminators, but those are vertigo titiles and extremely un-super, as in one follows the very ordinary tales of a kid who promotes virginity (think of him as the anti-Preacher) while the other is filled with weird and gross tales from the vermin extermination industry. Totally "Naked Lunch" style (the movie).

Batman: The Long Halloween is pretty good, a bit on the darker side, but really interesting.  Also, basically anything written by Bob Kane in the Golden Age.  I'd say you should really check out the Batman: The Dark Knight Archives.  They include the first apperance of the Joker, the original telling of Batman and the Monster Men, and a lot of other classic tales.  Those stories are really great considering the time they come from.

Quote from: konbiz on March 15, 2007, 11:53:28 AM
Well I am a Marvel reader, but wish I could appreciate some of DC's works. I did have a huge collection of old DC issues ranging from Green Lantern to Legion. After reading all these comics, I can only say that the characters I only found myself interested in were the Flash and Batman. From my Legion comics I found Lobo to be very interesting, but I found he became overused in the DC universe. Back on topic, I was wondering what the best Batman and Flash trades are to pick up, as I am very interested in these guys and don't want to lose interest in them by reading bad trades. Also I'm intrigued by the JSA and greatly appreciate any other recommendations of more obscure titles from DC.

List a few comics you've really enjoyed (regardless of company).  That might help people recommend a few more titles for you.

I was just thinking the same thing, here is a list of what I like off the top of my head. Astonishing X-men, Young Avengers, Ultimates, Millar's run on Wolverine (Enemy of the State arc), Invincible, Brubraker's Daredevil, Bendis' Daredevil. There are more, but I thought that little list would help you guys out a little bit.

If you're a fan of Ed Brubaker's work I'd suggest you give Checkmate a try.  You can think of it as DC's version of S.H.E.I.L.D.  It's written by Greg Rucka who used to work with Brubaker on another DC title called Gotham Central.  If you like Brubaker you might like Rucka too.  If you don't mind tracking down a few trades I'd recommend Gotham Central, too.  It's technically a Bat title but it focuses on Gotham City's police department. 

If you're interested in JSA, I'd definitely suggest picking that up.  It's a great series.  If you have any interest in Green Lantern I'd recommend you pick that up, too.  Especially with the Sinestro Corps storyline coming up.  Birds of Prey (Oracle, former Batgirl, maintains a network of female operatives to take out various villains) and Manhunter (former LA prosecutor, now private attorney by day, vigilante and Department of Extranormal Operations operative by day) are also very good. 

Hope that helps.  :)

Well, I'd suggest...damn you Agent!

I second all the stuff that he said.  :wacko:

Let me ad Kirby's fourth world work, I'm reading through his 'New Gods' TPB right now, and it's AWESOME.  They're releasing the whole collection in color (hurrah!) for the first time pretty soon, so keep an eye out for those.

Apparently the entire Geoff Johns and Mark Waid Flash series are collected in tpbs and worth getting.

As far as Batman, go for Year One, The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, The Dark Knight Returns, The Last Arkham, Arkham Asylum, and The Killing Joke. Also, the Denny O'Neill/Neal Adams collection (batman in the 80s?) is great too.

You also can't go wrong with Geoff Johns JSA.

My other picks would be Starman (the best DC series ever), Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing, Grant Morrison's Animal Man and Doom Patrol (which are Vertigo, but within the DC universe), Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters by Mike Grell, any Green Arrow tpbs by Kevin Smith or Brad Meltzer, Catwoman and Gotham Central by Ed Brubaker, Darwyn Cooke's New Frontier, Geoff John's Hawkman, Marv Wolfman's Teen Titans.

Quote from: Jakew on March 18, 2007, 02:06:53 PMAlso, the Denny O'Neill/Neal Adams collection (batman in the 80s?) is great too.

Uh, that was early '70s, actually.

Flash -Terminal Velocity-very good TPB mark waid writer, it has alot of speedsters and alot of good story