Reddit reviews Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn (Batman & Robin (Paperback))
We found 35 Reddit comments about Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn (Batman & Robin (Paperback)). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
DC Comics
> It’s so confusing, why shouldn’t I just be able to follow his story from beginning to present?
> (I’m using Batman as an example but really I’d like help understanding how to follow comics in general as they’re all laid out this way, with overlapping arcs and timelines and such)
This isn't entirely how comics work. In general, it's not the only way other mediums work either. The REQUIREMENT that everything follows a strict, traditional/conventional 3-act structure (beginning, middle, end) is self-imposed and not necessary for good story-telling. The "beginning" of comics happened decades ago and the "end" is nowhere in sight; comics are perpetually stuck in the "middle".
You're already used to non-traditional narrative structure; it's used very often in other mediums. Why does Star Wars get a pass but not superhero comics? Did you see how Darth Vader "became" Darth Vader before he was introduced for the first time? Do you refuse to watch/read/play anything that will potentially have a prequel and ruin your "sense" of chronology? Did Memento or even Pulp Fiction melt your mind? When you go watch Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, there aren't going to be in-depth introductions for every character.
It's OK to embrace your preferences. Most people like following stories from beginning to end. Now that there is 70+ years of comic history to explore, third parties have attempted ordering it all in some subjective, complicated chronology. It's not really possible, though. How do you handle flashbacks, especially when they're embedded in another story? Do you have to change the chronology to per-panel precision? What about simultaneous story releases? Alternate universes/timelines that are fully/partially "canon" and/or merged/retconned later? Varieties of characterization by multiple writers/artists?
Most of what made these superheroes "cool" in the first place was very topical. What powers do they have? What does their costume look like? Their backstories and character growth/development were fleshed out over the coming decades, more specifically in the "modern" age of comics when the demographic started transitioning to include adults.
There's no "perfect" or "definitive" sequence of events that Batman's story occurred in. That severely limits creators from writing new stories for the character without requiring hard continuity reboots. If you start solidifying that Batman grew up in X, met character Y, fought character Z, in a strict order that can't be changed, then you can't write stories that occur in between those moments. If you plan out Batman's entire chronology to fit a realistic calendar where Bane broke his back on Wednesday and the Court of Owls revealed themselves on Friday, then you (1) will find it won't make sense (because that's not how comics are made) and (2) are stripping all of the "magic" of comics away. Keep in mind: 70+ year old shared universes are an unprecedented achievement of storytelling. No other medium has accomplished something of this scale for this long. You should expect to think of something unique like that a little differently than you might be used to.
I think it's easier to get into comics when you drop the "need" to read EVERYTHING, IN ORDER. You should just read self-contained stories and treat them like separate stories. Think of it like a jigsaw picture puzzle that you're solving one piece at a time. You won't see the big picture (continuity) until you manually piece random pieces of it together over time. You even start to develop your own "methodology" (head-canon, community discussion, etc.) of putting those pieces together (reading comics) in a way that makes sense to you personally. Comics should feel more like self-discovery/exploration than procedure/work.
This is (roughly) how I got into Batman and what I suggest to new readers:
I also got into comics with Batman Rebirth, afterwards I found this list here on reddit and all of them are just great, few of them are even extraordinary and without any of them we wouldn't have the Batman we have right now.
If I had to pick some highlights, it were The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, No Man's Land, Black Mirror and Hush, especially Hush was fantastic.
Still love Batman Rebirth though.
He got hit by Darkseid's Omega Beams, which everyone thought killed him. It turns out they sent him back through time. He spent a few issues of a limited series working his way back to present day (honestly, I don't really remember the mechanics of that -- it wasn't a great mini), until he made it back to the present and became Batman again, founding Batman, Inc.
My take is that DC told Morrison to write the story he wanted for Final Crisis, but then made the editorial call that there was no fucking way they were killing Batman permanently, so the aforementioned rigamarole was Morrison's best attempt at a solution.
The Batman & Robin series with Dick and Damian is awesome. Once Bruce comes back, the series loses steam and things get convoluted.
While it seems daunting, it's actually not that hard to read.
You'll want to find these trade collections (I've included Amazon links):
Right, basically some of these rely on pre New-52 continuity until stated otherwise. All volumes referred to below will be New 52 unless otherwise stated. That being said...
11-7 years ago: The Zero Year storyline by Scott Snyder currently running throughout the Batman title had a series of backups detailing Bruce's training (in current continuity). This is covered in Batman Vol 4.
Also see Batman and Robin Vol 1 which I believe covers Bruce's Ninja training, though only in flashbacks.
6 Years Ago: You're in luck for this one. The current, in continuity take on Batman's first year is being told in the current Batman title. It's a 12 part story called Zero Year, dealing with Bruce crafting the persona, meeting the Red Hood, Riddler etc. It's in progress at the moment and well worth a look. The volume referred to above is the first part, and the entire storyline has great art by Greg Capullo.
6 Years Ago: Batman's first encounter with the Justice League is found, naturally enough in Justice League Vol 1.
However, Superman and Batman's first encounter was detailed in, again naturally enough, Batman/Superman Vol 1
Dick Grayson's time as Robin can be found in the zero issue of Nightwing.
4 Years Ago: Batgirl's zero issue.
3 Years ago: I'm actually kind of week on this one in current continuity. Jason's death and return are here.
2 Years Ago: Read Tim Drake's new, bad origin in Teen Titans #0 or the most recent issue of Secret Origin, I think it was #3. They both tell roughly the same story. That story is bad.
1 year ago: Going to have to go out of continuity, as I'm nearly sure the founding of Batman Inc. is only covered in the pre New-52, as part of Grant Morissons Bat saga. The first volume is here, but you really need to look up everything else that preceded it, see below. This also goes for dead Batman being replaced by Dick Grayson, which is recounted in Batman and Robin, first series, Vol 1.
The origin of Damien, however, is handily recounted in Batman and Robin #0. This is in New 52 continuity.
Now: Woo! Nearly there. Breathe. So the Court of Owls story basically starts in Batman #1 pretty much, and can be found here.
Batgirl's return to superheroics can be found here, in Batgirl Vol 1. Barbara is still only just reacclimating to life as Batgirl as the series begins.
Joker removes his face in, maybe one panel or so in Detective Comics #1.. Spoiler, issue's shit. Get Snyder Batman instead.
Joker returns, sans face in Batman Vol 3, Death of The Family.. That link contains only the main story told in Batman, but it tied into several Bat-Titles as well. The HC contains these, though the quality varies a bit, IMO.
Tim forms the Teen Titans in Teen Titans Vol 1.
Again, not sure, but I think the Anti-Fear stuff was in Dark Knight.
Happy Reading!
NANANANANANANANA BAT-EDIT: I am by no means a Batman authority, I read nearly all of these, but feel free to correct or append if you are more knowledgeable. Bonus sassy batman
Here's Batman and Robin volume 1
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1401229875/ref=pd_aw_fbt_14_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1Z7ED1CAMQB482VA3C9S
I personally love all of Chuck Dixon's run, but I recommend reading A Knight in Blüdhaven and Nightwing: Year One. I also heavily recommend The Black Mirror and Grant Morrison's run on Batman and Robin because who doesn't love Dickbats?
If you want an almost self contained but newer story?
Batman Eternal. It's 52 issues but collected into 2 books for your ease (I got it in the issues, it was a literal year, an issue a week. It's a thick pile). Eternal is in New52 canon but isn't as tied down as the numbered volumes, not to mention it CONSISTENTLY has the Bat family like you're wanting. It even re-expanded it with characters who had previously been taken out with the new 52 reboot.
Reading it in the collected volumes, it'll go for 12 or so pages on Batman, jump to Batgirl and Redhood, jump to Tim Drake and the randoms he ends up accidentally recruiting, back to Batman, and repeat, with the occasional and very enjoyable Alfred issue (in one he very specifically threatens to shoot an intruder between specific vertebrae, and one was an Alfred/Bane teamup. Just beautiful.)
Sadly two of the family won't be in it due to not technically "being alive" at the time (they got better), Nightwing and Damien Wayne, who is the current Robin and the son of Batman (from date rape, don't ask, just avoid assassin ladies).
While these two rock, because they're specificly what's missing, its perfect. Because if you want them, they have their own Batman and Robin run from when BRUCE was dead, and Dick retired Nightwing and became the Batman, because there always has to be a Batman, both for WB, and for Gotham. And it was great development for them both, with Dick struggling to live up to whatever ungodly level Bruce lives at, and Damien missing his dad and still fighting the urge to just kill the thugs like his mom taught him to.
TLDR: I suggest the collections for Batman Eternal, buy at your own speed, they are a little pricey, but completely worth it.
Then, you want Batman and Robin Vol 1: Batman Reborn. There's books where Dick is Batman with Damien his Robin before, but this start is convenient.
https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Eternal-Vol-New-52/dp/1401251730
https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Robin-Vol-Reborn/dp/1401229875
If you love all of that, are still willing to spend money, and just want more Batfamily, just start at the New 52 Vol 1 of Batman, Vol 1 of Batman and Robin, Vol 1 Nightwing, the two Batman Incorporated volumes when the happen, and Vol 1 Red Hood and the outlaws if you want Red Hood and some less serious and less connected stories. And just go until Scott Snyder isn't writing the Batman volumes anymore, and then form your own definitely well formed by then opinion on if to continue.
TLDR2.0: It's a good time to jump in, because a great run just ended. If nothing else, use the Amazon links.
And have a Merry Christmas!
I have previously made a post describing the different editions of Knightfall, and how best to collect that series, and about both of these runs of interest, I hope you don't mind me repeating that information. There are recent omnibuses and trade paper backs of both series', depending on what you prefer, and I will detail what is the most up to date versions in collecting these series.
For Knightfall:
Omnibus: 1, 2, 3
Trade paper back: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
The 3 omnibuses contain the same material as the 9 trades. As for what to read before Knightfall, people often recommend the Legends of the Dark Knight story arc Venom for introducing the chemical substance Bane uses but otherwise has little bearing on the story (it's probably cheaper to buy digital copies of the trade/individual issues, as I believe the trade is out of print), or Sword of Azrael for introducing Jean Paul Valley, as he has a lot gong on in the background with him. (Note, there are two versions, the 1993 version which is often out of print, though tells just the Sword of Azrael introduction, or the modern 2016 version, which contains both the introductory arc to be read before Knightfall, though also containing a post-Knightfall arc for JPV). In terms of what you need before hand, I read the 2012 editions, and I felt lost without Sword of Azrael and Prelude to Knightfall. It does showcase a lot of odd characters here and there, I feel like if you have a somewhat familiarity of Batman's villains (i.e. Arkham or BTAS experience) then you would be fine.
Knightfall happens early enough in the post-crisis continuity, which helps for the purpose of being a new reader. Morrison's run, on the other hand, happens at the end of the post-crisis continuity. I'm not saying reading all of post-crisis is necessary, I mean I hadn't before starting, but it does draw a bit from post-crisis knowledge (things like Hush, Under The Red Hood, etc.), though crazily enough, Morrison made everything canon. Not in a way that not reading everything is prohibitive, more so in a way that embraces even the Gold/Silver/Bronze age Batman stories. The pre-crisis stories Morrison drew influence from are collected in The Black Casebook, but really, I never found it necessary to read, it is just interesting from a history perspective. The rest of Morrison's run is fairly easy enough to follow. This infographic describes the order for reading in trade paper back format, though if I recall correctly, they have recently started putting Morrison's run in omnibus format.
Trade Paper backs: Batman and Son (New edition comes with The Black Glove arc, too), (optional Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul), Batman RIP, then, it gets a little messy, as you might consider reading the DC wide event Final Crisis, which isn't Batman specific, but has huge ramifications for Batman going forward, but admittedly, without broad DC knowledge, can be confusing, anyway, following that is (optionally Battle for the Cowl and Whatever happened to the Caped Crusader?, which are not written by Morrison, but BftC is plot relevant to Batman going forward, and Gaiman's WHttCC? is a short and extremely well made reflection on Batman) then Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn, Batman and Robin: Batman Vs Robin, Time and the Batman, The Return of Bruce Wayne, Batman and Robin: Batman and Robin Must Die!. This is followed by the post-crisis Batman: Incorporated, but DC rebooted mid-Morrison run, so that it is finally completed with the New 52 Batman Incorporated volume 1: Demon Star and Batman Incorporated volume 2: Gotham's Most Wanted.
All of this (at least the Morrison parts, not any of the optional sections) are collected in omnibus editions: 1 containig Batman and Son, The Black Glove and RIP, there is a Final Crisis Omnibus, which I have heard is more complete, and there is 2 containing Time and the Batman, the first 3 Batman and Robin volumes, as well as The Return of Bruce Wayne. Lastly, there is the Batman Incorporated Absolute Edition finishing the all the Batman Incorporated stuff.
So Morison's may seem a little messier or harder to start, I wouldn't necessarily say it is harder, if you follow the list I have provided. I would recommend attempting it after a little more experience with comic Batman however, but it's hard to really say how much experience is needed. Some start with it, and have a great time. Another thing to consider is that with so much comics, especially omnibuses and absolute editions, it does get very expensive. I would recommend tackling it in bite sized chunks, like maybe just the first arc of Knightfall, or initially the pre-Final crisis Morrison stories, making sure you like either enough to commit to buying and reading more. I hope this has actually been helpful and informative, and hasn't made any of this seem too hard to follow!
You should read Grant Morrison's Batman run. It ran from 2006 - 2013 and everything is collected in trade.
You'll need:
Batman and Son
Batman RIP
Batman and Robin Volume 1
Batman and Robin Volume 2
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne
Batman and Robin Volume 3
Batman Incorporated Volume 1
Batman Incorporated Volume 1 (New 52)
Batman Incorporated Volume 2 (New 52)
Start with Batman and Robin volume 1 #1
His run on Batman begins at Batman & Robin vol1 (though a case could be made for Battle for the Cowl) and continues through Batman & Robin Vol.4 and The Black Mirror.
As far as "where to start?" - that's a difficult question. If you really want to start at the beginning you can look at the Wolfman/Perez run on New Teen Titans, where Robin makes his transition into Nightwing. Or, you could start looking at Nightwing miniseries from 1995 that lead to the ongoing series in 1996. Here is a listing of all the Nightwing TPBs from that period.
Personally, I think a good jumping on point for anyone that wants to start with the character from before the New 52 would be Nightwing: Love and War. From there you can go into The Lost Year, Freefall, The Great Leap and then his Batman run before jumping into the relaunch.
I recommend Chuck Dixon's run on Nightwing, starting with the reprinted Nightwing Vol. 1: Bludhaven. The second volume will be reprinted in June.
 
Also being reprinted is the Wolfman and Perez run of New Teen Titans, starting with New Teen Titans Vol. 1.
 
For a modernized origin story, there's Loeb and Sale's Batman: Dark Victory.
 
For his early years as Robin, there's Dixon and Beatty's Batgirl/Robin Year One. Dixon and Beatty also wrote Nightwing Year One, which is currently out-of-print, but may be reprinted.
 
After Chuck Dixon's run, you'll want to skip ahead and read Peter Tomasi's Freefall and The Great Leap story arcs. Most of the stuff in-between Tomasi and Dixon is... best left forgotten. The Nightwing/Huntress mini-series was decent, but I'd advise you to avoid her run on Nightwing itself.
 
For Dick as Batman, the main essentials are Scott Snyder's Batman: The Black Mirror, and Grant Morrison's run on Batman and Robin, starting with Batman and Robin Vol. 1: Batman Reborn. I also recommend Scott Snyder's Batman: Gates of Gotham, as well as Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen's Batman: Streets of Gotham, starting with Batman: Streets of Gotham, Vol. 1: Hush Money.
 
For New 52, the Nightwing series by Kyle Higgins is generally good, and starts with Nightwing Vol. 1: Traps and Trapezes. The ongoing Grayson series by Tim Seeley and Tom King, however, is outstanding.
Him becoming Batman was part of Grant Morrison's Batman run which I highly recommend.
He officially became Batman in [Batman: Battle for the Cowl.] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401224172/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_GlI1xbEFDK140)
As for recs, [Morrison's Batman and Robin] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401229875/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_0mI1xbHDBHE62) (again best read as part of Morrison's run) and [Scott Snyder's Batman: The Black Mirror] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401232078/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_coI1xbDRRD46J) are the best stories featuring him as Batman.
It's really more than one arc to get the whole story. It starts with Batman & Son, then The Black Glove, then Batman RIP and Final Crisis. The aftermath is The Return of Bruce Wayne and The first volumes of Batman & Robin and now Batman Inc..
Well, bought more comics tonight. And in case you're wondering, I bought first 3 volumes of Batman & Robin, this Flash book, and Green Arrow.
In the New 52: Wonder Woman, The Flash, Batman and Robin, Batwoman, Dial H, Swamp Thing, Animal Man and Demon Knights.
I highly recommend you catch up on Grant Morrison's Batman run that started back in 2005.
Batman, Inc continues in the New52 with a new #1. It just started, so the collection won't be out for a while.
http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Robin-Vol-Reborn/dp/1401229875
As stated below there are more check em out!
Well, based on what you like you should be into...
And I suppose you mean these? Do you know of any sites where I could get the entire series in bulk for cheaper?
I own part 1 and 2 of the Batman & Robin Reborn story... and then I have Batman: Venom... and then a bunch of comics.. so I haven't read a whole story arc :P
Batman : Reborn
https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Robin-Vol-Reborn/dp/1401229875
Also: http://www.amazon.ca/Batman-Robin-Vol-Reborn/dp/1401229875/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368504502&sr=8-1&keywords=batman+and+robin
Dick and Damien together are dynamite.
The first volume is here. You can just follow them from there! The first and third volumes are the best, with the first being absolutely fantastic.
Grant Morrison's first JLA arc is probably the best batman book you'll ever read
http://www.amazon.com/JLA-Vol-1-Grant-Morrison/dp/1401218431
Batman Year 100 by Paul Pope is also pretty awesome
http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Year-Hundred-Paul-Pope/dp/1401211925/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343427857&sr=1-1&keywords=batman+year+100
you also can't go wrong with Morrison/Quitely's Batman and Robin
http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Robin-Vol-Reborn/dp/1401229875/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343427921&sr=1-1&keywords=batman+and+robin+quitely
I would go "Batman and Son", then "Final Crisis", then "Battle for the Cowl", and then onto "Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn" and the rest of Grant Morrison's run.
would you reccomend http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Robin-Vol-Reborn/dp/1401229875/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342381286&sr=8-1&keywords=batman+and+robin and that whole series? Is your excerpt from the time new 52?
Jean Paul Valley (aka Azrael aka AzBats) - last third of Knightfall Vol 1 and all of Knightfall Vol 2
Dick Grayson - First appearance as Batman was the "Prodigal" storyline, which is currently out of print but will be included in Knightfall Vol 3 when it is released in September. More Recently, Dick takes over as Batman in Morrison's Batman and Robin run (Vol 1 of 3 linked) and then again in Synder's Black Mirror story
Yes you are right the last issue of Hush came out in September 2003 and the first issue of Under the Red Hood came out in February 2005. Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn
Depends on where you'd like to start. I'd recommend here, in which Dick Grayson is Batman and Damien is Robin. If you'd prefer to start with Bruce as Batman though, I'd Recommend Batman Inc., starting here. It ties with Batman and Robin a bit.
This is vol.1 of the series, go from there
I left out that I also have this TPB to add to the trade
The blackest night trade would probably be ok to start with. I don't know if its ideal, as Im not really a GL fan. As for Batman, try Batman Cacophony. Also there's the Batman and Robin Grant Morrison Run.
If you want the lead up to his death too, you need the whole Morrison run.
http://comicsastonish.com/2012/01/04/a-readers-guide-to-grant-morrisons-batman/
If you want some amazon links:
Batman: Batman and Son
Batman R.I.P.
Batman: Time and the Batman
[Final Crisis] (http://www.amazon.com/Final-Crisis-New-Grant-Morrison/dp/140124517X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422589571&sr=8-1&keywords=final+crisis) Somewhat optional
Battle for the Cowl Also optional
Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
Batman & Robin, Vol. 2: Batman vs. Robin
Batman & Robin, Vol. 3: Batman & Robin Must Die
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne
Batman Incorporated
Batman Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star (The New 52)
Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Gotham's Most Wanted (The New 52)