I know, I know Batman overload.
But i wanted to get some good discussion on Everyones favorite Batman comics
I am a big fan of the really dark stuff like Gotham By Gaslight
The Killing Joke
Arkham Asylum: Living Hell
Death in the Family
The Long Halloween
The Cult
Haunted Gotham
What do you guys think?
I love everyone of those comics you mentioned there Bill, also dont forget Batman Year One which is pretty damn cool. Obviously Frank Miller’s Batman has influenced your taste in the caped crusader as much as mine, once Batman became a psychological dark mess the character became very interesting, he’s always been one of my favs from the get go, a character that appeals to everyone’s revenge impulse and what exactly would you do if you were in Bruce Wayne’s shoes?
I think this is why the character endures…..the character is a modern myth that even people who don’t really care for the comic format can really get into…...
BTW…you are the only other person I know who likes Gotham by Gaslight, that shit was all that, great story, great art…...
I’m a lover of the dark material as well, particularly The Dark Knight Returns and The Killing Joke, but my own personal favorite Batman comic is mostly because of nostalgia. It was the late 70s Batman vs The Incredible Hulk DC/Marvel crossover, with incredible art by José Luis García-López. It may have been the first superhero comic I ever owned, and the way my brain perceives Batman and The Incredible Hulk was completely shaped by that book.
And I know we all shit on it now, but HUSH still has some strong moments, and the artwork is killer.
BTW…you are the only other person I know who likes Gotham by Gaslight, that shit was all that, great story, great art…...
Really? I know Mr. F13 loves Gotham by Gaslight. He even got me a copy as a present and I love it too. Aside from the awesome story (that i wish could have been developed just a little more ) I loved the setting. But then I’m the type that will watch some pretty horrible period movies just to marvel at the costume design…
Ive been meaning to get “JLA; Age of Wonder”. Any one here read it and know if its worth buyin’?
Back to batman, My favorites probably The Dark Knight Returns. Shame though how I strongly dislike Frank Miller’s artwork…
Oh! And in terms of best Batman story.. that first arc in Grant Morrison’s JLA series may encompass Batman’s most badass moments. The frame with the note pinned to the martian saying “I know your secret” might be my favorite batman moment ever.
Those BATMAN: BLACK AND WHITE comics are pretty great, too.
And one more.. Those early Justice League International comics have a lot of great Batman moments, but the best has to be when Batman knocks Guy Gardner out with a single punch.
I really like the Batman stuff that almost feels like noir. i have never gotten into any of the JLA stuff, im not really down with the crossbreading with a lot a chacters.
I’ll be boring and pick the obvious ones:
Batman: Year One
The Long Halloween
Hush
The Dark Knight Returns
Dark Victory
The Killing Joke
Superman: Red Son (not a Batman story, but a great use of the character)
BTW…you are the only other person I know who likes Gotham by Gaslight, that shit was all that, great story, great art…...
Really? I know Mr. F13 loves Gotham by Gaslight. He even got me a copy as a present and I love it too. Aside from the awesome story (that i wish could have been developed just a little more ) I loved the setting. But then I’m the type that will watch some pretty horrible period movies just to marvel at the costume design…
Ive been meaning to get “JLA; Age of Wonder”. Any one here read it and know if its worth buyin’?
Back to batman, My favorites probably The Dark Knight Returns. Shame though how I strongly dislike Frank Miller’s artwork…
Awesome that F13 and yourself dig the Gaslight, I knew he dug some cool stuff including The Goon, so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised about the Gaslight love…....I have also been meaning to pick up that JLA book and have never got around to it…..if ya get it before me I would love to know if it is any good….....lates…..
Arkham Asylum is the only truly great one I’ve read thus far, but I’m planning on buying The Killing Joke and Long Halloween today. Any others I should pick up?
Awesome that F13 and yourself dig the Gaslight, I knew he dug some cool stuff including The Goon, so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised about the Gaslight love…....I have also been meaning to pick up that JLA book and have never got around to it…..if ya get it before me I would love to know if it is any good….....lates…..
Ohh! Can I interject that although F13 introduced me to Gotham by Gaslight I introduced him to The Goon. Hmm isnt there a comic forum section on here? Maybe I should go invade that.
Not to get off topic, but The Goon is fantastic and I hope Fincher doesn’t let it sit on his dusty old shelf of forgotten projects (Torso, Rendezvous with Ramna, Black Hole, etc.) for too long before doing something special with it.
I had read somwhere that Fincher had wanted to make an animated film of The Goon, I’m torn, I think it would be interesting if he made the film as Fincher is one hell of a visually capable director….guess time will tell…...although animated would still be interesting….......
Gotham by Gaslight is the Jack the Ripper tale, yea? If so, I have that. Loved it. I always liked the Elseworlds stuff because they had too many regular comics to keep up with. Dark Knight Returns and Dark Knight Strikes Again were both excellent. Dark Victory was, as well. I haven’t read a ton Bats stuff, though, because again, they flood the market with far too much of it. Same reason I stayed away from Spider Man, Superman and eventually stopped caring about the X-men.
What was the Batman graphic where he starts to suspect he is a vampire? Actually, I may just be thinking of Gotham by Gaslight. Was there something in there where Bruce thought he was killing the women and not remembering anything the next day? It’s been forever since I’ve read all this stuff.
