How many of you actually read any of the mainstream Bat comics?

[Beyond Batman]

After reading a particular post mentioning mainstream comics are "BS, crap, and confusing" compared to the animated titles, how many of you posters here actually read any of the mainstream bat titles consistantly?

If you do continually read the mainstream titles and the animated titles, who here prefers the animated one's, and why?

I am a dedicated reader of the mainstream titles. I also enjoy reading the animated titles. For those of you putting down the mainstream titles, I sure hope you read them before judging them, because they offer a lot more than you may think.

My first Bat comic was an animated title, and I enjoyed it a lot, mainly because I was a huge BTAS fan. But as I read more and more of the animated titles, I found them to be too 1-dimensional storywise. I'm a bigger fan of reading than I am into art. So I moved into the mainstream comics. I found it was easier to catch on than I thought.

I agree, let's save the animated Bat titles, but not at the expense of putting down the mainstream comics that started it all.

[Clayface]

I completely agree with you, Beyond Batman.
I too read the mainstream comics, and love them.

I saw the post you're referring to that puts down the mainstream comics, and it seems like a very ignorant post. It aggrevated me to see that, but I just bit my lip instead of starting an argument about it.

I'd like to see the animated titles saved, but this putting down of the mainstream titles has got to go - its just silly.

[kid_flash]

I read the three main mainstream Bat-books ('Tec, Batman, Gotham Knights), and I absolutely adore them. They're some of the finest comics out there, and definitely tell some of the greatest Batman stories. I eagerly anticipate Bruce Wayne: Muderer? and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive.

As for the animated titles...I just can't get into them. I love the animated universe and Bruce Timm's style is one of the coolest ever, but I just can't get into the animated comics. If someone could recommend some of the best ones (specific issues, my budget doesn't allow for any more monthlies), I'll definitely pick them up.

Along those lines, if anyone wants a recommendation on some of the great Bat-books out there, I'd gladly hand over a list.

But also, not just the Bat-books, nearly every title DC puts out is great. I read 20 comics a month, and 15 of those are mainstream DC. It does take some time to understand them (there's a ton of continuity in there), but it is possible, and there are tons of websites out there that can tell you everything you need and want to know about any character.

[Clayface]

As far as the animated-style comics, the best of the runs was the first one - they had the best stories and felt the most like the actual show.

[Beyond Batman]

Kid_FLash, I too am excited to see what is in store for us with the Batman 10 Cent Adventure.

To you non-mainstream readers: if you guys want to dip your feet into the pool of mainstream Batman comics, pick up this book, it'll only cost you 10 cents!!! What a steal!

[Brian Cruz]

I currently get every Bat-title except Azrael (why won't they cancel that already?!). In fact, I get more than half of all the DC Universe comics. I think the main Bat-titles are the best they've been since I started collecting them in 1996. I almost always read those before I read the animated titles, though I don't think those are as awful as some others do.

BTW, does this thread belong here, or in the Batman, Superman and Beyond Board?

[Beyond Batman]

Well, this thread is a response to a particular thread that is on this board. "We can save the TAS comics!" I'm just sticking up for all the Bat readers out there who read more than just the animated titles.

[James Harvey]

I read the mainstream titles as well. I do admit sometimes they aren't really accessible. Some of the huge crossover stories can be tiresome. But for all the people who want to try them - I recommend jumping on the books in December during DC's jump ion event, where all the books will be accessible to new readers. Plus Batman: The 10 Cent Adventures is also a must. I can't wait to see how comic shops and DC takes advantage of this truly innovative issue.

[Samhaine]

Originally posted by Clayface
As far as the animated-style comics, the best of the runs was the first one - they had the best stories and felt the most like the actual show.

Even to the point where each issue was cut into three "acts", just like the show!

For me, the animated titles are some of the last things I read. They just don't have the power they used to.

But the mainstream titles, they're great. 'Tec and Batman are two of my favorite titles right now. I hope we get that GCPD book that was mentioned a month or two ago.

[Joker85]

THe mainstream are soo much more entertaining. Lately the animated titles have been like coloring books!! The stories are simplistic and predictable. But the mainstream are always unpredictable and enjoyable. I get on a regular basis:
Harley Quinn
Batman
Catwoman( used to get them, will start again in Nov. )
Robin
and occasionally I'll get Detective, Batgirl, and Gotham Knights.

[James Harvey]

I am really hoping the Gotham Police title comes to pass. I really think it would be a great series! Sure there wouldn't be alot of Batman, but I'm convinced Rucka and Brubaker could handle the title. I just hope it's not a $2.50US cover price.

[Joker85]

Hey, with Rucka and Brubaker together, they wouldn't need Batman to sell this title!! I would DEFINITELY get it!

[James Harvey]

I think they could really do this. I think it would be dieal for DC's crime book to be set in Gotham - the most crime packed place on the planet!

[MatchesMalone]

I also enjoy the mainstream Bat titles.

What do you guys think about some of the hardcover Batbooks that have come out over the past few years (The Chalice, Harvest Breed, etc.)? What do you guys think about the painted Batman stuff that comes out occasionally?

[ZorBrak]

I just like the animated plot better, Mainstream plots just always go every which way, there are some things in it which always bug me, i think it (mainstream) has an awesome plot too though, just always crazy stuff going on in mainstream comics, No man's land was good, but I still prefer animated, simple and less complexity =simple fun which is how i think comics should be

[joker]

i prefer the main strem comics and i love to read them and i do when ever i can. of course money or i should say lack there of is always problem.

[Calhoun07]

I agree that the lack of money is a serious issue. Especially with the escalating prices of comic books these days.

You know, I was really looking forward to Batmans 10¢ adventures comics, but I am sorely disappointed now as I learned that it's only part one of a story that will continue in ALL of the Batman related titles that month. Sorry, but I guess I am of the opinion that if you start a story in Detective Comics issue whatever, it should continue in NEXT MONTH's issue of Detective Comics. I get tired of all the criss crossing story lines. I would be more inclined to buy Batman and Detective Comics if the story lines were contained to those titles alone. I've been told the reason there are so many Bat titles is because there are different styles to appeal to different fans, but I see it as a device for DC to try to rake in more money.

[TerryMcGuiness]

In response to my so-called "ignorant" post, yes I have read alot of the current mainstream stuff. I'm aware of what is going on and I'm allowed to have my opinion about it. Just because I dont worship at the alter of Frank Miller, Greg Ruka, and Chuck Dixon doesn't make me ignorant.


Mainline is still mired in the NYPDBatman approach which is a step up but really barely better than the Grim n' gritty approach it and every other superhero book has been mired in since people forgot or chose not to remember that comics with human and intelligent stories *did* happen before 1986. Frank Miller and Alan Moore isn't the only way to do superheroes.

The mainstream reality is also a place where crap like Azrael, hyperkewlNinjasewnface Batgirl, crippled Barbra Gordon, dead Commisoner Gordon is allowed to go on. I'm sorry but I find most of this stuff very dour and boring at best and totally loathsome at worse. i

In addition to once again there just seems to be a lot of pissing on tradition for the sake of doing so and the shock value of it, which is main complaint with most mainline superhero comics and why I find the work of Bruce Timm and co. such a great alternative.

I'm not a purist, but I *am* a classicist. I just like a Batman comic to read like a *Batman* comic. No, that doesn't mean 60's show or Schumacher, or even Dick Sprang. One of the most often forgot notes in history was the simple fact that Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams had brought the character back to his dark mysterious root long before Miller and they were able to do it *without* making hima drooling psychotic.

I just feel that if DC insits in going on their so-called "realism" dircetion 9_9 then the least they could do is put some effort into the animated books as to providean alternative for those of us who actually *like* the superhero genre and all the fantasy that goes with it.

Yeah silly me. I guess I'm just sooooo unprogessive and non intellectual for likeing superheroes and costumes. For not beliving that the "realism" trend is the best things to happen to superhero comics ever.

[Joker85]

Dude, calm down! Geez!
Oh, and Commissioner Gordon isn't dead, he's retired!!

[joker]

wooo, anger.....grrrr....terry mad......terry smash!