DC Comics first created the superhero, mixing elements of pulp adventure heroes, sci-fi, and detective stories into a new mythology for the modern United States. DC Comics has created some of the most iconic fictional characters of the 20th and 21st century. Superman and Batman are two of the most recognizable characters on the face of the planet, and DC has built a vast multiverse of characters and events to enthrall fans. DC can be rather fantastical, but that works for them. However, DC has also pushed the envelope of what superhero comics can be, bringing in creators who were able to bring superheroes to new levels.
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DC basically created the prestige comic, giving fans stories that aren’t just great comic books, but great fiction. There are many wonderful DC stories to choose from, and its multiverse of tales have everything that you could want from comics. These ten DC stories are the best of the best, and if you haven’t read them, go do so now (note: I left off The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen, but it goes without saying you should read those).
10) JSA: The Golden Age
The Justice Society of America is the greatest superteam, and there are over 80 years of stories to choose from. However, if there’s one that I think is everything great about the Justice Society and Golden Age DC superheroes, it’s JSA: The Golden Age #1-4, by James Robinson and Paul Smith (it was originally published without JSA in the title). This story takes place in the days after World War II, and sees the heroes of the United States try to find a new life. However, dark forces are conspiring to make the most evil person ever into the most powerful superhuman on the planet. This book digs into all of the Golden Age greats, and does a fantastic job of capturing the grandeur of these characters. This is a flawless comic, and it will make you want to know more about the characters of the Golden Age.
9) “Year One”
Batman is the most popular DC character, and there are so many amazing Batman stories. Every creators works on Batman, and many of them bring their A-game. However, I don’t think any of them are as great as “Year One”. “Year One” ran through Batman (Vol. 1)) #404-407, by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, and is an example of both men at the top of their game. This story retold the origin of Batman, as young Bruce Wayne came back to Gotham after his training to save the city. This is Batman noir, and it works brilliantly. We all know Batman’s origin, and this is the one that all of them in other media want to be.
8) “The Return of Barry Allen”
Wally West is now considered the best Flash, having taken over from Barry Allen after Barry’s death in Crisis on Infinite Earths. However, Wally had an uphill battle in the early years of his career. He was popular enough to keep a book, but he wasn’t as beloved as he should have been. All of that changed in “The Return of Barry Allen”, which ran through The Flash (Vol. 2) #75-79, by Mark Waid and Greg LaRocque. Barry Allen seemingly returns, surprising everyone. He begins to overshadow Wally, and then goes crazy, becoming a villain. Wally has to dig deep to figure out a way to beat the more powerful and experienced speedster, and the story’s twist is amazing. This is peak Flash, and it will make you realize why Wally is the best Flash if you didn’t think so before.
7) “The Sinestro Corps War”
Some people would argue that Green Lantern: Rebirth is the better story for fans who might not know much about Green Lantern, but for me, it’s all about the war. “The Sinestro Corps War” ran through Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1, Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #21-25, and Green Lantern Corps (Vol. 2) #14-19, by Geoff Johns, Pete Tomasi, Dave Gibbons, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, and Patrick Gleason (there are several Tales of the Sinestro Corps one-shots that you don’t need to read, but are pretty cool), and gave the Green Lantern Corps an enemy that was more than a match for it in the Sinestro Corps. The two corps’ clash in a sci-fi epic that shows off why the Green Lantern mythos are vastly underrated while bringing an all-new aspect to them. This story changed Green Lantern forever, and remains a great read.
6) Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a fantastic event book. The 12-issue series, by Marv Wolfman, George Perez, and Jerry Ordway, changed event comics forever. The DC Multiverse had to fight a battle for its very survival against the Anti-Monitor, a force that wants to devour creation. If you look up epic, one of the covers of Crisis should be next to it. This book takes readers across the length and breadth of DC history, and is justifiably beloved. It’s tag line was, “Worlds lived, worlds died, and nothing was ever the same,” and that’s the best thing to say about the book. It changed DC forever, and did it in the most entertaining way possible.
5) Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons
I wanted to include a Wonder Woman story on here, but I didn’t know which to include. I almost put on Wonder Woman: Hiketeia (which you should also read), but then decided on Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons #1-3, by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Phil Jimenez, Gene Ha, and Nicola Scott. This book tells the origins of the Amazons in the days of ancient Greece. While Wonder Woman doesn’t appear til the very end, this story does a fantastic job of giving you everything you could want from Wonder Woman story. It’s a captivating, feminist story with some of the best art you’ve ever seen. This story is everything you think it could be and then some.
4) “The Judas Contract”
The New Teen Titans were the most popular DC team of the 1980s, with Marv Wolfman and George Perez creating some amazing stories about the teen superteam. The best story of their run is easily “The Judas Contract”, running through Tales of the New Teen Titans #42-44 and Tales of the New Teen Titans Annual #3. This story sees Deathstroke activate his mole on the team, Terra, and finally try to kill the New Teen Titans. This story is a roller coaster ride. Wolfman and Perez are an amazing team, and this book delivers with every issue. Personally, I would recommend you buy the collected edition, which includes the first Brother Blood story as well and gives you some much needed background on everything. This is a sensational story, and if you haven’t read it yet, go do so now.
3) “New World Order”
There are some amazing Justice League stories out there, but if there’s one I think that every DC fan needs to read, it’s “New World Order”, from JLA (Vol. 1) #1-4, by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter. This story sees a team of proactive heroes called the Hyperclan show up, saving the world and making the Justice League look old-fashioned. However, the Hyperclan has a secret that could doom the world and only the Justice League can stop them. This story is full of compelling widescreen action that shows everything the Justice League is about. Great writing and killer art make this is a joy to behold every time you read it.
2. Absolute Martian Manhunter #1-6
DC’s Absolute line of books has been burning up the sales charts. All of the Absolute books are awesome, but the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest is Absolute Martian Manhunter #1-6, by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez. This story sees FBI agent John Jones bond with the Martian after being injured. The two of them end up working together against the White Martian, a force from the stars that wants to destroy humanity. This book takes comic storytelling to another level; it packs so emotion into its story, with some really amazing characters informing its subplots, and has some of the best visual storytelling ever. This story makes the argument for superhero comics as art, and it wins that argument multiple times over these six issues.
1. All-Star Superman
Superman is white hot right now, and there’s tons of amazing stories starring the Man of Steel that fans of James Gunn’s Superman can discover. However, the best of the modern Superman stories is easily All-Star Superman, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. When Lex Luthor is able to figure out a way to ensure Superman’s death, the hero goes about setting his affairs in order and leaving the world a better place than he found it, which leads him on the greatest adventure in Superman’s storied history. This story takes ideas from across Superman’s existence to give readers the perfect Superman story. Morrison and Quitely are a fantastic team, and they give readers a comic that I’ve always felt was the greatest superhero comic of all time.
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image courtesy of 20th Century Studios
