A Beginners Guide to the DC Universe. (Pre-New 52)

Recently I have been playing DC Universe Online. It was inevitable that I would, from the instant the game was announced, the anticipation of it's release drove me to often just look at the same videos over and over again. Even the cinematic was saved to my phone so I could show others who had not yet seen it.
This is why I was surprised to learn that so many of the people who play have never read the comics, and those who have were not into them. Often I have been asked to explain some of the back story, or even entire histories. Such as why can Robin and Nightwing be there together.

This post is for the people who want to get into the comics after playing the game. Who want to learn some of the history, or want to simply get a little more out of the game. There are a few things I should explain first though.

Some comics, wether they be limited series or graphic novels, are not part of the continuity, no matter how hard they try. A great many hard core fans out there have mapped the continuity of the DC Universe very carefully. Which is impressive, considering how many retcons there have been. I myself am a little bit more casual. Don't get me wrong I have read so many it could make your eyes bleed, just I believe a person can pick and choose the continuity they want. If readers are aloud to ignore a bad comic, they should be aloud to ignore a good one to if they don't like where it ends up with the character. Which means in my opinion you do not need to know the entire history of the DC Universe, you can pick and mix from the comics yourselves to get your own favorite universe. Everything else would be an 'elseworld' or another Earth in the Multiverse. Which in itself can be complicated to explain. Regardless there a few comics out there I feel are really worth reading for beginners just looking to get more out of the DC Universe;

1. All-Star Superman

All-Star Superman Vol 2 Cover

All Star Superman one of only two DC All Star series that ever took off, and the only one not to spawn an internet meme through it's stupidity. The All Star series was meant to be a way for comic novices to start out with out worrying about continuity. In the cases of All Star Batman, having Frank Miller (whos sanity has really ran away now) write it, clearly with disregard for everything Batman stands for, meant that it failed. Even comic novices knew it was wrong. Grant Morrison however, (sanity mostly intact) was chosen to write All Star Superman. This limited series (available in two volumes or an absolute edition) covers the life of Superman, letting us see the true him, the sacrifices he makes and that he isn't all brawn and no brain. The story also manages to include different types of kryptonite, the evolution of Superman, different villains, the death of Jonathan Kent, even Bizzaro world. If you don't feel for Superman by the end of All-Star Superman, comics probably aren't for you, but trust me, you will feel for him, and then you'll read it all over again.

2. Crisis on Infinite Earth, Infinite Crisis and Final Crisis


Possibly three of the largest events ever in the DC Universe, essentially a continuity fix tool. The first two crises were essentially a way of explaining continuity errors and setting which was the real DC history. Of course you have to do this every so often in comics because inevitably a weekly, monthly series with multiple writers becomes complicated. DC decided that all of their comics were history however, how could they not be? So the multiverse was born. Major events happen through out these three story lines. There is Identity Crisis and the two Countdown series, which are build ups to them, though most people, myself included think they are trash. The three main series are well worth the read however. Grant Morrision (again) wrote Final Crisis, so you know after reading All Star Superman you are in for a treat.

3. Arkham Asylum; A Serious House on Serious Earth

This comic I am recommending because it is so different. The writing is perfect, (Morrison again) featuring the darker side of Batman, without ruining him like Miller does. We also get some creepier interpretations of characters, such as the Joker, Mad Hatter and Two Face. The major selling point of Arkham Asylum however is the art by Dave McKean, amazingly well done and totally unlike anything ever seen in comics before. This is worth the read even if you are not into comics!

4. The Long Halloween


One more, as by this point you have quite a bit of reading to be catching up on! The first entry in the list that is not Grant Morrison, Long Halloween is written by Jeph Loeb, another brilliant writer. Long Halloween takes Batman back to his roots as it is a detective story. Rather than Batman making a brave leap in logic or the villain announcing his plan or who they even are, our hero has to follow a series of non-riddle clues to discover who the murder is. This comic covers a wide range of characters and situations and is brilliant for old and new readers a like. Once you have read it you'll want more, and may even consider Dark Victory but that's another story.

So thats quite a lot of reading you have to do. Who knows maybe it is a good introduction to the DC Universe, maybe it isn't. Hopefully it will be a good enough start that it sends you on the long road of a happy relationship with the DC Universe.