What batman comics are vital to the story?

So, i wanted to start reading batman comics, but i really am in it to learn more about the characters. So i wanted to know which comics are ABSOLUTELY vital to the story line.What batman comics are vital to the story?
The simplest answer to your question is none. I am a collector from way back, and I can honestly say that the single most important piece of Batman history is the one everybody already knows: his origin. How he met his first villains, formed an alliance with Gordon, and trained for his career as Batman are all afterthoughts, for the most part. Batman is one of those characters who never really changes a lot. Unlike Spiderman, Daredevil, and pretty much all Marvel heroes, DC's most important heroes seem more like archetypes than actual people. Spidey, DD and others, on the other hand, have histories that explain how they got to where they are now.



This is the reason that DC retcons/reboots so often, to give an opportunity to reaquaint readers with their heroes, and maybe reinvent them a little. In fact, such a reboot is taking place right now. All their titles have just reset to number 1. To start reading Batman for the first time, I suggest you get all Batman titles, plus Nightwing (formerly the original Robin) and maybe Batwing (a new character, an African Batman), Batgirl, and Red Hood And The Outlaws (Red Hood was formerly the second Robin). Catwoman and Batwoman too, if you can. The art on Batwoman is exceptional.



If that's too much, just pick up the Batman titles at first. Of course, you don't really have to make any decisiion right away. You can wait until the trade paperback for each title collects the first six or so issues in one volume, so you really have another six or so months to figure out what to get. You can decide for yourself if any past stories are vital reading as you go along, but the time to dive in is now, if ever.



For more info on any DC title, go to http://www.dccomics.com .What batman comics are vital to the story?
Well, since the new 52 thing DC is doing, you can start collecting now. Their basically a reboot, same characters and almost same storyline. But with Batman being the Wolverine of the DCU it can be hard. I mean there's like 7 Bat-related comics a week now.



I would say with recent releases, Batman, Batman Dark Knight, Detective Comics, and JLA maybe Batman and Robin.