There have been big moves in the comic book movie world with the surprising news that James Gunn and Peter Safran will be heading the DC universe for Warner Bros. Already, Gunn has made hints at bringing classic and more obscure DC comic book properties to the big and small screens.
Certainly, the new bosses have a long history of epic and impactful stories to choose from. Every fan has their own personal choice for the best DC Comics of all time and Redditors have voiced their opinions. Their selections offer a reminder of the amazing tales of superheroes and the worlds they live in that DC has told over the years.
The Dark Knight Returns
Frank Miller brought his unique and dark style to the DC character who best suited it in The Dark Knight Returns. The story is set in the future of Gotham in which an older Batman comes out of his long retirement when he sees his city falling into chaos.
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There are a lot of classic stories with Batman at the center but Redditor raptors1616 admits The Dark Knight Returns “I believe is the best one so far.” For many fans, it tops the list because of how it explores the good and bad of Batman. He inspires hope and evil in others, he is determined and stubborn, but he is ultimately the hero Gotham needs.
All-Star Superman
Superman has always been a figure of hope and heroism in the DC universe and All-Star Superman is one of the best examples of this. The series reveals that Superman is dying and follows the hero as he makes peace with the world he will be leaving behind while also continuing to do good.
Redditor remag117 sees the story as “proof you don’t have to make the character dark and gritty to tell an amazing story.” Henry Cavill nails Superman as a character in many ways but the DCU version has lacked the kind of warmth that exists in stories like this which can Superman all the more impressive.
Batman: No Man’s Land
Though he has no superpowers, Batman has always been seen as one of the most capable heroes in the DC universe. Batman: No Man’s Land solidifies that there is no situation too extreme for the Caped Crusader as the story follows an earthquake devastating Gotham and Batman attempting to keep order in the chaotic aftermath.
Redditor ConvosWithMyself calls the comic “my all-time favorite story.” It certainly offers a lot to readers to earn such a beloved reputation. Along with putting Batman in a position that highlights his extraordinary heroics, it is a thrill to see him in a Mad Max-like scenario, facing some of his most famous enemies.
Aquaman (Geoff Johns Run)
Geoff Johns is a prolific and important figure in the world of DC and he took on one of its most legendary characters in his Aquaman run. The series follows Aquaman returning to Atlantis after a threat emerges from the Trench.
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Redditor serif_x promises that Johns’ take on Aquaman will “definitely change your opinion on the character.” Over the years, Aquaman has earned a bit of a reputation as a silly character, so it takes a talented writer and an exciting story to help fans see a new side of the classic hero.
Green Lantern: Rebirth
Geoff Johns stepped in to take on another classic yet underutilized DC character. Green Lantern: Rebirth is a reimagining and reintroduction of the Golden age version of Green Lantern, Hal Jordan and he faces his greatest fears in the form of the villain Parallax.
It seems that Johns is particularly skilled at improving the underappreciated heroes as Redditor sweetfoal suggests that Green Lantern “does not get enough love.” However, they see this as the best Green Lantern storyline that honors the history of the character and brings him into the modern DC universe.
Gotham Central
There has been a fascinating history of Gotham City in the comics but the city gets a new viewpoint in Gotham Central. Instead of focusing on Batman, the comic is about the officers working in the Gotham Police Department.
Redditor trixie_one suggests there is “a very solid case that this is one of the best run of comics ever to be set in that city.” It might be a bold statement given the endless iconic Batman comics. But with Batman absent from the story, these police characters reframe the Caped Crusader and his impact on the city.
Astro City
For some fans, it is the DC comics that don’t get discussed as much that are among the best. Astro City is set in a world where superheroes have been a part of society for decades. The anthology collection tells slice-of-life stories set within this world and surrounding the larger-than-life figures.
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Redditor kazmosis expresses their love of Astro City while insisting it is “SO god***ed underrated.” A superhero story without DC’s major players could easily fall through the cracks, but fans seem to appreciate a different take on this kind of tale.
Saga Of The Swamp Thing
It can be thrilling when a new writer comes along to breathe life into a struggling character and make something unexpected. Such is the case with Alan Moore’s Saga of the Swamp Thing which deconstructs the titular monster character in some exciting and amazing ways.
In terms of the best DC comics, Redditor Scorpion13992k concludes that Saga of the Swamp Thing “is still the best you can find.” With all that Moore accomplishes, from the rebirth of the character to the fun genre elements to the real-world commentary, it is not one that will be easily topped in the eyes of many fans.
Kingdom Come
While DC is much more than the iconic members of the Justice League, the legacy of these characters is undeniable. Kingdom Come puts that legacy to excellent use in this story set in the future the classic heroes must return when the new generation of superheroes lose their moral compasses and become closer to villains.
Redditor GoodGuyGoodGuy not only praised it as the best DC comics but insists the story is “self contained so you don’t need to read anything beforehand to understand everything.” It can be hard to just jump into the long history of the DC universe, but this story simply builds off of the mythology that surrounds these amazing characters.
Watchmen
DC comics offer a look into worlds where superheroes exist. Watchmen imagines the real world if such figures were part of American history. The ambitious story from Alan Moore takes place in an alternate reality focusing on the conspiracy that emerges following the death of a former costumed vigilante.
One Redditor admits that after all these years, the comics still “blows me away.” It is a reaction that many fans have as Moore pulls off a staggering accomplishment of satirizing the superhero world, exploring real-world issues, and telling a truly entertaining and engrossing story.
