7 Comics That You Need To Read If You Are Trying to Get Into DC Comics

Comics books have existed as a medium since the first colored comic book came out in 1933. They became what we know them to be today when Action Comics #1 hit shelves in June of 1938 bringing Superman to young readers. From there, the comic book world exploded to what we know of it today.

Why Do You Even Need To Read These Stories?

Starting into comics in 2024 can be a daunting task. DC Comics has been around for 86 years, so there are a lot of stories to read. That can make it hard to tell what the best way to spend your time is. Do you need to read comics from the 60’s? Or can you just pick up an issue and start reading?

These 7 comics are what we think are necessary for your understanding of the DC Universe. These stories have had far reaching consequences and have left their mark on the overarching DC Universe.

1. Crisis on Infinite Earths

This story by Marv Wolfman and George Perez is the cornerstone for any DC readers understanding into the wider DC Universe. Released in April of 1985, the story set out to simplify the previous 47 years of DC Comics.

The story follows our favorite heroes as they battle against the terrible foe of the Anit-Monitor. The Anti-Monitor seeks to destroy the DC Universe as we know it. The Monitor seeks to prevent this by gathering heroes across the multiverse to combat the Anti-Monitor.  The consequences of their battle set into motion concepts that are still relevant in today’s comics.

2. Batman Year One

In the aftermath of Crisis on Infinite Earths, may characters were revitalized including the popular fan favorite, Batman. Accomplished writer Frank Miller took on the task of revitalizing Batman’s origin story. This origin story would become the origin story that everyone in the comics community refers to as the standard Batman origin story.

The story follows a Bruce Wayne fresh off the plane from his training, as he attempts to clean up Gotham City. The story also follows everyone’s mustached police commissioner, Jim Gordon, when he was only a Lieutenant police officer. Over the course of a year, the two protagonist learn how deep the corruption goes and learn to work together for the betterment of Gotham.

3. The New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract

Marv Wolfman and George Perez’s entire run on The New Teen Titans could be placed in this category of need to read comics. But one story in particular stands out as a story that saw a tremendous change in of readers favorite characters. In this story, Dick Grayson finally abandoned the Robin persona and became the costumed crime fighter, Disco-wing! I mean Nightwing sorry about that.

4. The Flash: The Return of Barry Allen

Mark Waid’s revolutionary run on the Flash is another one that could go in the entire series is required category. But the story, The Return of Barry Allen is so pivotal to the Flash mythos that we would be remiss if we left it out. Released in 1993, the writer had been plagued with requests to bring back Barry Allen since Wally West, the original Kid Flash, became the Flash.

(Sidenote: Make sure you read Crisis on Infinite Earths before this to get the full weight of the story.)

5. Superman #775: What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way

This Superman story, although only one issue, revitalizes and re-establishes Superman’s values as the hope of the DC Universe. Joe Kelly writes a story about a new hero team that ends criminal’s lives acting as judge, jury, and executioner. Superman has to battle not only against this new team but against the change of public opinion. If you have ever thought that Superman was lame and not worth your time, this is the story to change your mind.

6. Green Lantern Rebirth

For anyone that saw that one movie with bad CGI and featured Ryan Reynolds in a green suit, (We are talking about the failed Green Lantern movie if you don’t know). Green Lantern Rebirth is sure to rebirth your love for the character and open your eyes to new Green Lantern characters. Ultimately, Geoff Johns writes an instant classic in this story crafting the beginning of a mythos that would continue to amaze and be widely acclaimed as one of the best story arcs in DC Comics.

7. Flashpoint

Flashpoint also written by Geoff Johns, is the story to read if you want to understand how DC Comics got to the place that it is today. In this universe changing story, Barry Allen accidentally changes the timeline by saving his mother.

The consequences are catastrophic; Aquaman and Wonder Woman are at war, Thomas Wayne is Batman, and Superman never landed in Kansas. In an attempt to fix the mess, he caused, he stops himself from saving his mother.

This story brings about the New 52 of the DC Universe, a new jumping on point that ignores previous continuity. At least it tried to.

Is That All I Need?

At the end of the day, DC Comics is the company it is today because of the great stories told inside the pages of their comics. These seven stories that were shared are what we think are great for any reader to jump onto to help learn more about the DC Universe. The best part about comics though is that everyone has different favorites, which means everyone has different opinions and places to start. So get out there, read some comics, and develop your own opinions.