Book recommendations?

[Ayleim]

Hiya,
(I'm not sure I'm posting this in the right place, but...)

I'm new to the Batman mythos, following it largely because of the animated series, and sometimes reading the discussions about current issues. Unfortunately, I don't enjoy actually reading comics/graphic novels. Strangely, I find that the drawn pictures detract from the story and make them more difficult to read. Yes, I still like the animated series. Weird, I know. :)

I recently picked up "No Man's Land", really liked it, and wonder if anyone has any suggestions about what else I might like? And how true to the comics story-line was the book, really?

Thanks!

-Ayleim

[The Green Hornet]

I think you will find KINGDOM COME to be wonderful

Elliot Maggin has a novelization out that is VERY good i think

and the book-on-tape of KC is GREAT too!

[Alexandra Wayne]

No Man's Land is an awesome book. I read it this summer, right before college. I, too, am not a big fan of comic books. I just enjoy the feel of an actual, thick novel, and I like to sketch my own vision of what is occuring. However, I do really enjoy the animated series; I see your point of view on this whole issue :) I think No Man's Land is pretty true to the comics, because I'm fairly sure Rucka had to consult with the authors of the original, and they probably went over his work several times to achieve authenticity. Sure, he probably modified the format or added or subtracted details, but I bet you'd find the basic plot identical.
Okay, so book recommendations...
The first Batman mythos book I read was Knightfall. In my opinion, it's fantastic. It's based on the comic books, and it involves a deeper look into Bruce's psyche. And lots of criminal activity...plus you get to see inside their minds. Dennis O'Neill wrote it, and he's an editor DC, so I'm thinking it's also pretty true to the comic book storyline.
Other suggestions...
Well, I read a slightly odd novel about Batman saving mistreated children in a foreign nation, but it was only so-so. I don't remember the title. If you're into nonfiction, go for Batman: Animated and read all about the series. They've got some great storyboards, and there's a pretty funny list of things censors cut from episodes. Oh, and Batman: The complete History is quite interesting, as well. It includes a few comic books as well as a lot of great photos and really fascinating information about Batman.
And if you're interested in easing into comic books, try Batman: Black and White. It's in book form....and they have guest artists and writers. One is done by Bruce Timm of BTAS fame, and it reads like an episode. It's included in Batman: The Complete History.
Okay, so there you go...hope you find that helpful!
Alex

[jimi5150]

There are three different short-story collections you still might be able to find at a good book store or on Ebay.

"Tales of the Batman", "Adventures of...", and "Legends of...".

And, yes! By all means read "Nightfall"!

[Ayleim]

Thanks for the suggetsions guys.
Not sure about "Kingdom Come" - it involves other characters, so I'm a little more hesitant. Never really taken to the rest of the JL.
"Knightfall" looks good - I actually had a peek at the comic(s), and I think that the story line sans pictures might be exactly what I'm looking for. Will probably get this one sight unseen. Hopefully, I can FIND one! Seems to be out of print. :(
As for the short stories collections, I'll see if I can find them to look through first. Because of the different styles of the authors, I'll have to see how much of each book I like before buying.

[The Guard]

Check your library for KNIGHTFALL by Denny O'Neil. Also see if you can find THE DEATH AND RETURN OF SUPERMAN novelization. I think it was better than the comics.

[Green Lantern]

Originally posted by The Guard
THE DEATH AND RETURN OF SUPERMAN novelization. I think it was better than the comics. Definitely have to disagree here. They completely omitted the HUGE role that Green Lantern played in this story.

However, they do give great background to newcomers of Superman. Ultimately, I recommend reading both the comics AND the novel.

BATMAN: Shaman is also a story I really enjoyed. If you're lucky, you can find it in TPB, although you're more likely to find it in the back issue bins. It ran through BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT 1-5.

Another great Batman story is BRUCE WAYNE: MURDERER? which will be collected in TPB this June. (June 12 I believe)

And if you're looking for Superman, there are three excellent TPB's out: NO LIMITS, ENDGAME, and TILL DEATH DO US PART.

[Alexandra Wayne]

Can someone define TPB?
Ah, those story collections are really good....I mean, some are better than others, but there's always a few interesting twists on the Batman theme. They're written by various famous writers....I was thoroughly creeped out by the story about "Junior."
I would really like to read the Bruce Wayne: Murderer? story. Green Lantern seemed to imply that they are putting them together in a book. Is there any possibility of the idea turning into a novel?
Thanks!
Alex

[The Green Hornet]

TPB= Trade Paper Back

its when they collect a run of issues (1-10 say) and put them all into one paperback edition

[Green Lantern]

Originally posted by Alexandra Wayne
I would really like to read the Bruce Wayne: Murderer? story. Green Lantern seemed to imply that they are putting them together in a book. Is there any possibility of the idea turning into a novel?Yes, a "TPB" (or "trade paperback" as Green Hornet pointed out, which is a collection of issues in a softcover book,) IS indeed due June 12, collecting the relevant parts of the BRUCE WAYNE: MURDERER? story from the various Bat-books from which the arc originally ran. As far as novelization goes, it's really much too early to be thinking about such a thing. If there is, in fact, a novel in the works, I haven't heard anything about it.

But I do personally vouch for the upcoming TPB. I have read 90% of the issues that will be included. (And will be reading more once I get home from college and make some money to catch up in my comics.)

Comics Continuum (http://www.***************.com/) announced on Wednesday (http://www.***************.com/stories/0204/17/index.htm) that the issues collected in this TPB are Batman: The Ten Cent Adventure, Detective Comics #766-767, Batgirl #24, Batman: Gotham Knights #25-26, and Batman #599-600. Plus, relevant portions of Nightwing #65-66, Birds of Prey #39-40 and Robin #98-99.

Also check out the sequel arc, BRUCE WAYNE: FUGITIVE which immediately follows the events in MURDERER? No announcement has yet been made on the production of a TPB collecting the sequel, although it would seem inevitable.

[Joker85]

No Man's Land and Knightfall are both excellent. Also, there is a new one out called The Stone King, by Alan Grant. I just started it, but it is pretty good so far.

[The Guard]

Definitely have to disagree here. They completely omitted the HUGE role that Green Lantern played in this story.

SPOILER...









Yes, but the part with the Eradicator atoning was much cooler. He sends HALF his energy into Superman to repower him, and half of it blows the Cyborg apart. Also, the way he killed Mongul was...

[Barb Gordon]

Good to hear you've read No Man's Land...and liked it! And yesm I think it stayed pretty close to the comic storyline. I'm an avid book reader, and have loads of favs, but NML is one of my all time favorites, I just couldn't put it down once I started reading it, which was earlier in this school year. I have yet to read Knightfall, but obviously it's one I should read. The SciFi section of the nearest bookstore should probably carry one or two Batman novels, there are the library would be good places to get one.

Barb^-^

[Ayleim]

Okie - so that's "Knightfall" by Dennis O'Neill, "The Stone King" by Alan Grant, and the short story collections.

For all the others - all the trade paperbacks you're talking about - these are compilations of the comics themselves right? (Not comics->prose.) Just checking...

Just wish that my hubby wouldn't find my fascination with NML *so* amusing. <grumble>

-Ayleim

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

Originally posted by The Green Hornet
I think you will find KINGDOM COME to be wonderful

Elliot Maggin has a novelization out that is VERY good i think

and the book-on-tape of KC is GREAT too!

Yes...Kingdom Come was the best book...EVER!!

[GrayGhost]

Read Knightfall.

I also really enjoyed the book "Batman: Dual to the Death". It was based on the animated series and was written by Geary Gravel. It is about 200 pages, not hard reading, is probably a high school read.

[adoptedBatpuppy]

Originally posted by GrayGhost
Read Knightfall.

I also really enjoyed the book "Batman: Dual to the Death". It was based on the animated series and was written by Geary Gravel. It is about 200 pages, not hard reading, is probably a high school read.


Any other Batman books. How about Superman?

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

Superman Peace On Earth.