Expert: Brian G. Philbin - 3/10/2009

Question
Hi Brian,
I have two questions for you.
#1 - I recently got the 3 Frank Miller Batman graphic novels. I'm not sure which order they were released. Do you know?

#2 - i Haven been reading batman, punisher and vigilante, all of which i really enjoy.
Can you suggest any similar comics in those styles/genres?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi, Cory - thanks for your question!

As far as graphic novels are concerned, I'm presuming that you're referring to the trade-paperback versions of the series of comics (we call the monthly books "Floppies" and abbreviate Trade Paper Back - the collected edition, which is published sometime thereafter - as TPB).

Since you don't name the stories, and as Frank Miller has done more than 3 Batman works, I'll stick with the most likely candidates.  

In 1986, Frank Miller first wrote and drew Batman in an "Elseworlds" future version of the character entitled "The Dark Knight Returns".  He followed up the achievement the following year with "Batman: Year One", which is drawn by Dave Mazzucchelli.

In 2001, he published a sequel to his original work, entitled "The Dark Knight Strikes Again", again, taking up the writing and art chores.

Hopefully, I've addressed the correct works to which you refer.

Seeing as you seem to enjoy the "grim & gritty" aspect of these comcis characters, I would highly recommend you seek out the original "Anti-Hero", as far as Super Heroes are concerned.  That would be Wolverine.  Wolverine was fully fleshed out by John Byrne during his years on the X-Men and was the progenitor for this type of comic book character.  

In recent years, Wolverine has become more popular and, therefore, a bit more homogenized and understood (as opposed to his original "cranky-misunderstood-and-I'll-kill-you-if-you-look-at-me-the-wrong-way-bub" attitude).  I would also highly recommend you take a look at The Authority.  This is a book that kind of takes the Justice League in a very askew manner - as in: if they were morally ambiguous, what would they really do?

Hopefully, this will provide some fodder for your reading pile.

Hope that's helpful - please feel free to ask any follow up questions you might have!

Pax, harmonia,

Brian G. Philbin
www.metropolisplus.com/comics.htm