In last week’s chronology, we looked at the first 12 comics that featured Bat-Man, meeting his fiancé Julie Madison, our first look at the Batarang and the debut of Dick Grayson, also known as the first Robin, the Boy Wonder. After a year in National Comics, better known now as DC Comics, Batman became so popular that he was given his own self-titled publication, premiering 75 years ago in the Spring of 1940. [Read more…] about History of the Batman Pt. 2: The Invention of the Infamous Rogues Gallery
Comic Book Herald Reading Orders
Click the following link if you're looking for the CBH Marvel Reading Order. Otherwise, enjoy a smattering of comic book reading orders below!
History of the Batman, pt. 1: Batman’s Literal Year One
Created in light of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s practically invincible character Superman, editor Vin Sullivan asked Bob Kane to come up with a character that would be as popular as the Man of Steel. Inspired by pulp fiction comics and Leonardo Da Vinci’s flying machine, Kane created the Bat-Man. Once ghostwriter Bill Finger put his influence into this new hero, Bat-Man changed into a dark masked vigilante, donning a grey and black cape and cowl with small swept ears. Different as night and day, the ordinary human with extraordinary mastery of science and martial arts debuted in Detective Comics #27 in May of 1939 (cover date). [Read more…] about History of the Batman, pt. 1: Batman’s Literal Year One
X-Men Chronology: Mike Carey’s run
When you look back at the history of the X-Men, certain writers stand out. These are writers who settled down into the book, who produced definitive works that shaped and transformed the X-Men mythos, and who developed much of the continuity fans love. Top of the list is the legendary Chris Claremont, who – between 1975 and 1991 – penned no less than 186 consecutive issues. But in second place is Mike Carey, who took over the helm of ‘X-Men’ in 2006, and left in 2011, having penned a 73-issue series. [Read more…] about X-Men Chronology: Mike Carey’s run
Messiah CompleX Overview
2005’s ‘House of M’ had transformed the X-Men’s world, decimating the mutant race. But by 2006, the Marvel writers started working towards a grand crossover that would move the X-books into a new phase – an arc that was finally unveiled in the 2007 event ‘Messiah CompleX’. [Read more…] about Messiah CompleX Overview
The Complete X-Men Reading Order Guide: Chris Claremont Era
Chris Claremont turned a failing comic about mutants into one of the most successful comic book franchises of all time. Though he was criticized for being too wordy or having wooden dialogue, Claremont helped create a more literary medium and with bringing comics into the modern era. Claremont wrote X-Men comics for 16 years! Those 16 years form one of the greatest epics ever created. All modern X-men comics use Claremont’s run as a foundation. The good news is a lot of these comics hold up pretty well. In this guide I’ll try to differentiate the *required reading* from the *just for fun*. [Read more…] about The Complete X-Men Reading Order Guide: Chris Claremont Era