A Comic Book Reading Order Guide For Beginners & Fans
Update 1.3.23: Comic Book Herald is now updated with a simpler guide for starting with Marvel Comics in 2023. There’s still plenty of good info below about how to get into comics for brand new readers.
So you’re new to Marvel comics in 2016. Welcome. Whether you used to be a fan and dropped off for years (curse you, Clone Saga
Among the many conflicts left in the wake of Batman v Superman (critics vs audience, fans vs “true” fans, Zack Snyder vs the Kent family), the greatest battle is almost shockingly simple: light vs. dark.
I’ve described it as grim, dour, and self-serious to the point of parody, but the less wordy summary of Batman v Superman is “dark.” Those who would deem Batman v Superman a bad movie (I’m partially among them) simultaneously have turned their noses at dark comic book stories. Give us joy, they say, celebrating the camp of Supergirl x Flash. Gives us smiles, they say, retweeting gifs of Spider-Man underoos from the upcoming Civil War. Give us hope, they say, waving a copy of All Star Superman
What has frequently been lost in all the declarations of DC’s failure (or success depending on your point of view) is the recognition that there are many shades of dark, and not all of them are flawed.
Which brings us, finally, to the second season of Netflix Daredevil. Daredevil season two looks at the great war of light and dark and echolocates a third option:
Why not both?
In the wake of Batman v Superman’s dark night, how can you avoid comparing the stark contrast of CBS and the CW’s unprecedented cross network comic book TV crossover between Supergirl and Flash? While it’s easy to walk away from the absolutely delightful Supergirl x Flash and say THAT is how DC Comics should be done, I think it’s more true that there’s room for both approaches in the DC Universe. [Read more…] about DC v Flash v Supergirl v Batman v Superman
Need some DC Comics in your life following Batman v. Superman? Check out the Comic Book Herald reading orders below! [Read more…] about DC Trinity & Justice League Reading Orders Now Live!