Where Should I Start With Non-Batman Heroes?

General Discussion Comic Books
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Now, if you’re willing to be a little bit braver, I’ll make a handful of other suggestions.

I. Golden Age Sampler

These are some older comics, so you can expect them to be more akin to comic strips.

  1. Superman #1 by Jerry Siegel
  • A reprint of the first few adventures of Superman.
  1. Action Comics #22-23 by Jerry Siegel
  • Superman meets his archnemesis, Luthor.
  1. All-Star Comics #8 & Sensation Comics #1 by William Marston
  • Wonder Woman’s first two appearances, recounting her origin.
  1. Wonder Woman #1-3 by William Marston
  • Diana meets some of her most iconic foes.
  1. Superman #76 by Edmond Hamilton
  • Superman and Batman learn each other’s true identities.

II. Silver Age Sampler

After the introduction of the Comics Code Authority, the heroes had to tone down the violence. Instead, they had some rather strange and wacky adventures.

  1. Wonder Woman #98 & 105 by Robert Kanigher
  • Wonder Woman’s revamped Silver Age origin.
  1. Action Comics #252 by Otto Binder
  • Superman first meets his cousin, Supergirl.
  1. Wonder Woman #124 by Robert Kanigher
  • Diana’s adventures with her younger selves begin.
  1. Action Comics #317 by Otto Binder
  • Red Kryptonite threatens to expose Superman’s secret identity.
  1. Action Comics #340 by Jim Shooter
  • The Man of Steel meets the deadly Parasite.

III. Bronze Age Sampler

Marvel Comics had begun to target an older teen audience with their books, and as the 1960s came to a close, DC started to play catch-up with a batch of new writers and artists.

  1. Wonder Woman #178-181 by Dennis O’Neil
  • Diana and her world receive a drastic, controversial overhaul.
  1. Superman #233-242 by Dennis O’Neil
  • Clark’s world undergoes its own changes as all Kryptonite is neutralized.
  1. Wonder Woman #212-222 by Len Wein & Martin Pasko
  • After regaining her powers, Diana must prove her worth to rejoin the JLA.
  1. Wonder Woman #288-290 by Roy Thomas
  • Diana must overcome Silver Swan and Doctor Psycho.
  1. Superman Annual #11 by Alan Moore
  • Batman, Wonder Woman, and Jason Todd find Superman trapped in a dream state.
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