You have taken your first steps into the DC Universe, met the Trinity, read a few origin stories, and had fun adventures across Gotham, Metropolis, the Seven Seas, and outer space. But that’s only the beginning. With nearly nine decades of comics behind it, the DC Universe is full of tales still waiting to be discovered, characters to meet, and major events to experience.
You’re now a bit more familiar with this rich world, and chances are, you already have a few favorite heroes or villains you want to know more about. We encourage you to check if we have a dedicated reading guide for them (and if we don’t, shoot us a word!) to read more of his or her adventures. You have, after all, now dipped your toes into this vast ocean of stories, and now it’s time to dive deeper.
This guide is here to help you expand your reading, with more classic stories and celebrated runs, encounter more DC characters, and even step outside of continuity for original and timeless tales on some of the more iconic members of the DC Universe.
Expand Your Heroic Arsenal With More Classic Stories
You are now familiar with many aspects of DC Comics and have started exploring many corners of this universe filled with classic stories. We continue on this road with more tales that helped shape the versions of the characters we are familiar with today…
- Batman: The Long Halloween, by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale – A perfect follow-up to Batman: Year One, this is also, after Miller’s comic, the most defining Batman story ever written. Its influence extends beyond comics, impacting Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy as well as The Batman (2022), shaping the modern interpretation of the Dark Knight in popular culture. It’s a classic that delivers a good detective story, elevated by Tim Sale’s distinctive art.
- Superman Kryptonite, by Darwyn Cooke and Tim Sale – A classic Superman tale deconstructing Superman’s greatest weakness and vulnerability, this story set in the Man of Steel’s earliest days also serves as Superman’s first encounter with “the rock that will rock his world forever!” (as DC puts it!)
- JLA: Tower of Babel, by Mark Waid and Howard Porter – It’s now a well-known fact that Batman, the ultimate strategist, has contingency plans for everything, even against his allies. And it all started here, in Mark Waid and Howard Porter’s classic JLA story where Batman’s contingency plans to neutralize every member of the Justice League are stolen and turned against them.
- Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, by Mike Grell – This defining Green Arrow story relocates Oliver Queen from Star City to Seattle, into a more gritty and realistic setting. DC’s famous archer is dealing with a group of drug runners, starting his transformation into a street-level crusader for justice. You can follow up on this story with Grell’s classic run on the character.
- Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave & the Bold, by Mark Waid, Tom Peyer and Barry Kitson – One of the most enduring aspects of superhero comics is the portrayal of strong friendships, and the relationship between Barry Allen and Hal Jordan is one of the best. Mark Waid captures their dynamic perfectly in this fan favorite story, offering also for the occasion a standout portrayal of Barry.
- Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil, by Jeff Smith – Known for Bone, Jeff Smith revisited Shazam’s origin story in a fun and cartoonish story for all-ages, telling the story of young orphan Billy Batson who transforms into the World’s Mightiest Mortal whenever he says the magic word “Shazam!”. Billy must stop mad scientist Dr. Sivana and his Monster Society of Evil from taking over the world.
Reading Some More Monumental Runs
While stand-alone stories are great, there’s nothing like a long run to fully explore and understand a character. Some runs are longer than others, but all have played a role in shaping and transforming the DC Universe, leaving a lasting impact on the characters we know today. As we expand our horizons, let’s take a closer look at both older and modern classic runs that have made an indelible mark.
- Green Lantern & Green Arrow, by Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams – During the 1970s, the Emerald Archer and the greatest space lawman who ever lived teamed up to tackle problems right here on Earth. The creative team addressed issues like pollution, racism, and drug addiction, topics largely absent from mainstream comics at the time, and thus creating a groundbreaking and influential run.
- New Teen Titans, by Marv Wolfman et George Pérez – Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Cyborg, Changeling, Raven, and Starfire… They were the superstars of the 1980s, headlining DC Comics best selling title of the time! These young heroes, each with great powers and strong personalities, learned their way in the world through the strength of their friendship and the adventures they shared. The team starred in several major stories, including the seminal The Judas Contract and Who Is Donna Troy?
- Wonder Woman, by George Pérez – In a post-Crisis world, the Amazon Princess was reimagined by George Pérez, who propelled DC’s greatest heroine to unprecedented heights. With breathtaking action, rich explorations of Greek mythology, and heartfelt relationships, Pérez redefined Diana Prince for decades to come.
- The Flash, by Geoff Johns – While Mark Waid’s celebrated run on The Flash is famous for rebuilding Wally West, Geoff Johns shifted the focus to the Rogues, making them major villains once again and redefining characters like Captain Cold. It’s a great reminder that Batman isn’t the only DC hero with a fantastic Rogues Gallery — and how crucial a strong set of villains can be to a great superhero story.
- Grant Morrison’s Batman Saga – Grant Morrison’s 7-year-long run on Batman is one of the most celebrated, influential and divisive takes on the Caped Crusader. It introduced Damian Wayne, revisited many elements of the Batman’s mythos, and embraced both the fun and the weird sides of the character’s history. From your detective story à la Agatha Christie to a James Bond tale-style escapades, and rich family drama, this saga has it all!
Discovering More of DC’s Hidden Gems and Cult Favorites
Between two big runs, why not explore some uncharted territories alongside lesser-known characters, uncovering amazing and celebrated stories that showcase the wide diversity of DC Comics?
- Starman, by James Robinson and Tony Harris—Now a cult classic comic, James Robinson’s celebrated run on Starman reimagines a Golden Age legacy character through rich world-building. It incorporates past Starmen from DC history and transforms the Shade into a morally complex and compelling figure who becomes Jack’s unlikely ally.
- Hitman, by Garth Ennis and John McCrea – Considered one of DC’s most underrated series of the late ’90s, Hitman has became a cult favorite praised for its mix of over-the-top violence, absurd humor, and emotional storytelling. It’s Garth Ennis at his best, perfectly matched with John McCrea’s sharp, expressive art.
- Zatanna: The Mistress of Magic, by Paul Dini and Stephane Roux – For a long time, Zatanna could be perceived as a mysterious figure in the DC Universe, popping up in other series to help and showcase her magical talents, but always, in a way, in the shadow. That changed with Paul Dini’s run, which finally put DC’s Maid of Magic in the spotlight where she belongs, in her first ongoing series filled with mystery, adventure, and charm.
- Plastic Man: Rubber Band Man, by Kyle Baker – Created by Jack Cole, Plastic Man never became a major superhero, but stood out early on with his quirky style and slapstick humor. Kyle Baker’s run made a splash with a Looney Toons-style take on the character, filled with slapstick, parody, and sharp comedy.
- Booster Gold, by Geoff Johns – Michael Jon Carter, the time-traveling opportunist hero for hire, is as annoying as he is lovable. After his notable role in 52, the gold-seeking hero headlined his own series, with Geoff Johns continuing to develop him into a more complex and relatable character.
- Animal Man, by Grant Morrison – Grant Morrison is well-known for his talent to revitalize and redefine any type of character. He did such a thing at the end of the 1980s with Animal Man, turning the character from a second-rate hero into a complex, metafictional exploration of identity, heroism, and the nature of comics.
Beyond the Main Continuity
At this stage, you’ve become familiar with the DC Universe, explored many corners, encountered a wide range of characters, and gone on countless adventures. But the world of DC Comics extends beyond the main continuity, where many iconic tales are set. Now, armed with some knowledge, it’s time to explore some of the most important reimaginings that DC has published.
- The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller – Comics took a darker turn in the 1980s following the release of Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. Frank Miller’s gritty take on an older Batman redefined the character, helped restore him to a central place in pop culture, and kicked off a trend of more grounded superhero stories.
- Kingdom Come, by Mark Waid & Alex Ross – Ten years after The Dark Knight Returns, Mark Waid wrote a rebuttal to the grim and gritty comics of the ’90s with Kingdom Come. Set in an alternate future, the new heroes have become as violent and dangerous as the villains they fight. When the old guard comes out of retirement to make one last stand for truth and justice, it sets the stage for a conflict that will define what heroism truly is.
- Superman: Red Son, by Mark Millar and Dave Johnson – Plenty of “what if” stories imagine how our heroes might have turned out in different circumstances, but Red Son stands out as one of the most iconic. One of Millar’s best works, it asks what if Superman had landed in the Soviet Union instead of Kansas, and grown up to become a symbol of Soviet power?
- JSA: The Golden Age, by James Robinson & Paul Smith – A reimagination of the original Justice Society of America from the Golden Age of Comics, bringing these classic characters into the 1950s and facing the advent of McCarthyism.
