While looking for something else at the library today, I stumbled upon a Batman novel by Andrew Vachss. Anyone read this? Are there more like this?

I love the character/myth/universe of Batman, but am completely unschooled, if that's the word I'm looking for -- I know Batman pretty much from just living in the world, the campy Adam West series, the movies, and the newer Batman animated series, but I've never read the comics or graphic novels. Lately I've been tempted to get into them, maybe because I am very eagerly anticipating the new movie with Christian Bale and what I've read about the Year One story, but I'm little overwhelmed by how much stuff is out there and where to begin. The idea of a novel fascinated me, but I didn't pick it up because I have too much else to read right now. Any thoughts? Is Plei a big Bat fan, or am I confusing things?

Is Plei a big Bat fan, or am I confusing things?

Does the Pope have legs?

Plei, by proxy, would have you read the Batman: Year One graphic novel. It's not very long, and Batman Begins is supposed to take its tonal cue from it rather than the previous movies. She would also recommend the novelization of No Man's Land if you don't want to read all five volumes of the graphic novel.

And any Batfan will also recommend The Dark Knight Returns.

Thank you, P-C, aka Plei-by-proxy. So the novelizations aren't awful, then? I've never read Anddrew Vachss, but I know he's fairly popular, and it was just interesting to see someone outside the comic universe taking a crack at a very beloved characters.

But...No Man's Land. Will look it up ASAP.

When do I get more stories to read, by the way?

So the novelizations aren't awful, then?

She's only read No Man's Land. I've never heard of the Vachss one.

But...No Man's Land. Will look it up ASAP.

And, I just edited. You have to read The Dark Knight Returns.

When do I get more stories to read, by the way?

Uh, um, you want more? I'm running out of ones that are worth passing around. I'll send you one if you promise to go all critical on it so I can start revising it.

I'll send you one if you promise to go all critical on it so I can start revising it.

I will gladly give you constructive criticism.

No Man's Land (and Dark Knight Returns came up on Amazon as graphic novels. The Vachss thing is actually pure novel -- all text, no illustrations. Struck me as very odd, but intriguing. I may go back for it soon just to see what it's like.

I do want to read Batman: Year One before the movie comes up. Googling Batman this morning, by the way, I found a website for Batman Begins, with nothing on it but a few early photos. Such a tease!

You can get NML 1-5 as graphic novels, but the shortform I rec is the Greg Rucka (and accomplished novelist in his own right, and former classmate of our own JZ), NML, which you can get in regular paperback.

For posterity, my current introset recommendations

• Batman: Year One (Frank Miller)
• Robin: Year One (Chuck Dixon)
• Batgirl: Year One (Scott Beatty, Chuck Dixon)

This gives you a basis for the core three.

After that, recs get tailored to what you're getting into the 'verse for.

The No Man's Land novel rec is for those who want to get kind of up to speed with where things are at in the Batfam, but don't have the time or money to spend on the massive list of trades that one would suggest for that.

DKR is good, but I actually rarely re-read it, and while it's on the default list of "You Must Have This Book" for many people, I think it's not aging as well as many others.

Thanks for the recs! I definitely feel the beginnings of a new fascination coming on. (And I hope it's okay I called you Plei...)

Isn't the Vachss novel the one about child abuse?

Connie, yeah, that's what it said. And something in the bio said that Vachss writes primarily about that topic, and his law practice focuses on children and families only.

Thanks for the recs! I definitely feel the beginnings of a new fascination coming on. (And I hope it's okay I called you Plei...)

Yep! It's perfectly fine to call me Plei.