It’s getting mature up in here with this week’s “So You Want To Read Comics”.  This is our weekly series where we take a look at a single topic or genre, then give you two comic book recommendations, perfect for new readers, based on that topic or genre.  This week we’re looking at DC Comics’ Black Label imprint.

Imprints have a long history in comic book history, typically when a company wants to create a lineup of titles that are designed to exist on their own and not mix with the mainstream list of publications.  In 2019, DC Comics discontinued their long-running, critically-acclaimed imprint Vertigo, which was responsible for some of the highest regarded graphic novels in history.  Not necessarily as a replacement, but in the space left by Vertigo’s discontinuation DC introduced Black Label.  This imprint was touted as being filled with standalone, mature, miniseries’ featuring some of the most famous and not-so-famous characters in the DC library of characters.  The first miniseries was Batman: Damned, since then there have been 42 titles released under the imprint.  Being that these are designed to be stand-alone stories, they offer a unique opportunity for readers who are new to comics.

Here are two Black Label titles that are perfect for new readers.

Batman: The Imposter

Writer: Mattson Tomlin
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Publisher:  DC Comics

This series kicks off with a badly injured Batman being discovered by Dr. Leslie Thompkins, who agrees to not turn him in if he agrees to have therapy sessions with her.  Meanwhile an imposter Batman has taken to the streets with far more brutal methods than the original Caped Crusader.  There’s a lot going on with this series, especially in the categories of the psychology of Bruce Wayne’s actions.  Also, this series addresses a somewhat recent criticism of the character of Batman, which is that he’s ultimately useless as a crime fighter and would be far more effective in his stated goals as a progressive investor version of Bruce Wayne. It’s a fairly grounded take on the character of Batman that falls in line with the film versions of the character from the last two decades, in particular the Christopher Nolan films and the Matt Reeves version.  Also, while some of the characters in this series do come from the long history of Batman comics, it’s in name only and the versions here are specific to this story, so it’s a very accessible book.

Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons

Writer: Kelly Sue Deconnick
Artist: Phil Jimenez
Publisher: DC Comics

Every handful of years or so, a comic comes along that will simply blow you away.  It might be the writing, it might be the art, it might be both, but if you’re just getting into comics, expect this to happen eventually.  This one is an example of a comic that did just that for me.  First and foremost, Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons is a visual powerhouse with some of the most colorful, intricate, detailed, and unique art that has been put to page. Each page does legitimately feel like a piece of art that could belong on a wall to be viewed by as many people as possible.  But, it’s no slouch when it comes to the story department.  This series tells the story of how a group of goddesses had come together to create a race of Amazons.  It features a decidedly feminine-focused approach to Greek Mythology, particularly the rage, pain, and tiredness that the goddesses feel when reflecting on not only their own treatment, but that of human women for all of history and of those yet to come.  Really, the only reason to not read this series is the possibility that any comics you read afterward will have a high bar to compete with.

What are some of your favorite titles from Black Label?  What did you think of these recommendations?  Let us know in the comments section below.

---

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.