I want to start reading Batman comics, but where to start?

I want to start reading batman comics, and I have done a little research on where to start, but being a first time comic reader (I know), I'm finding it hard to understand. From what I gather, It's a bunch of different writers writing their own batman story, in different 'series'. But then some of the comics seem to flow off another series. Could someone explain this? Cheers.I want to start reading Batman comics, but where to start?
Ok so I'll explain the different series first, and then tell you what you might want to read.



Major American comics typically don't end. Creative teams come and go. Those stories together make a combined continuity. With Batman there are I think 4 series going on right now: Batman, Detective Comics, The Dark Knight, and Batman and Robin. They don't take place at exactly the same time, because obviously Batman can't be in 4 places at once. My understanding is that they take place close to each other, like days or weeks. Sometimes there'll be a story that crosses all the books.



There's a major relaunch coming in September. DC will be releasing 52 new #1 issues, including all of the above mentioned Batman books. Now that won't mean every bit of Batman history will be erased. Some of it will remain, but it will definitely be an easy jump on point. Come, the relaunch I suspect the best Batman book will be Batman. If you can only get one, that's the one to go for. Scott Snyder will be writing it. He's writing Detective right now, and its easily the best superhero book on the shelves.



Until then you can keep yourself busy with these must read classics



- Batman Year One: Documents Jim Gordon's arrival in Gotham and Bruce Wayne becoming Batman. The focus is definitely more on Gordon, but still excellent.



- The Long Halloween: This takes place shortly after Year One. Crime mystery about a killer who's been killing mobsters on holidays



- The Man Who Laughs: Batman's first encounter with the Joker, my favorite Joker story



- The Killing Joke: Another Joker focused story. Widely considered the best.



- The Dark Knight Returns: This is an out of continuity story about a Batman who's been in retirement for years. Rising crime forces him back into the costume.I want to start reading Batman comics, but where to start?
Start from the very once you could lay your fingers on.. It is a fictional account being told by comiobiographers over decades.. So, start with whatever you could lay your fingers on. Lol