This is a really useful guide for anyone trying to decide how to get into comics/graphic novels, or what to buy/read next. It provides a synopsis, review quotes and images from 25 of the most "essential" novels from DC to date, as well as a suggested reading order for Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Suicide Squad, Flash, Robin and more.

Some of the most important graphic novels, according to this guide, include Watchmen, Batman: The Killing Joke, The Sandman, V for Vendetta, Gotham Academy and Flashpoint. Of course, there are 19 more novels listed, too.

The guide includes stand alone novels, and Vertigo novels. There is a section dedicated to comics inspiring and inspired by TV shows or films, such as iZombie (a personal favourite that I'm dying to read). As well as a backlist for every DC and Vertigo graphic novel, the guide includes a selection of different collectables available.

Everything listed in this book has an RRP included, and the ISBN (and lots of other details) to make it easy for anyone to find and buy. The authors and artists are all credited, too.

The layout of the suggested reading order pages could've been a bit clearer, I feel, but I think this guide served its purpose pretty well. 3.5 stars.

If you wanted to start reading DC graphic novels and didn't know where to start this is the perfect guide to refer to! Everything you need to know is here, including the order in which you should read them.

Essentially a list of comics you should read.
TBR pile increased. Mission accomplished.

This is a very helpful guide to see what DC Comics has in store for 2017.

《For years, DC has been synonymous with the greatest graphic novels ever created. Now you can start with the basics—DC's top-notch, must-read, absolute cream of the crop—all listed in this DC ESSENTIAL GRAPHIC NOVELS 2017 catalog.》

DC Essential Graphic Novels 2017 proves to be a very helpful guide to people new to DC's Universe.

The first point goes to the great cover, I love it!!

To me, the main focus is the list of 25 Essential Graphic Novels, but throughout the whole guide, the different synopsis of each comic series and the comments from the media help to get you instantly interested in them.
You can also find a list of the DC comics' reading order and a section dedicated to upcoming movies and TV shows, along with comics recommendations.

I have noted down a list of comics I would like to read (Batman: The Killing Joke is on top of it since I already own it but I haven't read it yet. Anyway, if you're wondering, some of them are: Watchmen, Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 1, Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Die Laughing, iZombie, Vol. 1: Dead to the World and Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile) — so I think the guide excellently fulfilled its purpose!!

A great book for dieter hard comics book fans. Very informative and full of interesting facts.

These small looks at the titles make me excited for what DC has to offer!

Very enjoyable and fast pace. I loved the graphics.

A big thanks to D.C. Comics and Netgalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I grew up around comics. My mother started my brother's collection when he was about eight years old. He's now 42. His collections have won world class awards. I thought I'd get an education. This seemed like a good place to start.

A perfect guide to the reinvented works of D.C. It has details on the entire heroic oeuvre from Superman to The Preacher. Illustrations include character development through the years. Villains are included.

When I decide to purchase this will be a perfect manual to follow. Synopses are provided of each series so I know what sounds interesting to me.

Great job D.C. compiling your annual catalog! I'm sure you'll garner much curiosity.

This is perfect for those who want to start reading comic books or are only new to reading them. It gives an overview of what rebirth is along with listing all of the comics. It goes through the individual heros/heroines/organisations, gives history on them and the different comics they are involved in. It also goes through reading orders and top graphic novels to buy.

only talks about the comic books, it's a resume of all of them

This is a very valuable tool for readers' advisory, especially for DC characters I don't follow. Thanks so much for putting this together!

DC Essential Graphic Novels 2017 is definitely a very helpful guide to people new to DC comics. People like me who are just familiar with the world of DC find this catalog a pleasant companion in the quest of finding that satisfying origin story. I use the word satisfying since our favorite heroes had been "killed" and "revived" countless of times by different writers and brought to life with their own renditions by different artists.

A good guide to the DC Universe. I do wish it has sample stories in it though. I requested this on the train and I was disappointed that it was just the origin stories. The graphics are pretty good though.

First off, great cover of Wonder Woman reading a comic while easily winning a tug-of-war against a bunch of guys, including Superman and Batman.
After an intro with the Flash stopping a comic book store robbery, there’s 25 Essential Graphic Novels; quite a bit of Batman, but I like that Gaiman’s Sandman was included. Each major character gets a page, but not much info. Even Suicide Squad shows up, no doubt because of the recent movie. There’s a section on Page to Screen, starting with Wonder Woman, also as expected considering that movie will be out soon. TV shows like Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, and a couple of my faves—iZombie and Lucifer—are here as well.
Wow, MAD magazine! And a section on collectibles. There’s also a large section at the end, over 30 pages, that lists a recommended reading order, plus a selected backlist, but if you’re that much into comics it’s stuff you should already know.
As a catalog it does its job. As a guide for those entering the comic book world, it’s good too. Just don’t expect it to be an actual BOOK.

Basically a list of the comics that DC has that you should buy for a good collection. While the reviews of some of the graphic novels was OK, the thrust here is just a list. I would have wished they gave a taste of a page or two of some of the books.

I love how in depth the author went to explain stories that are vital into getting into the D.C. Universe. It was very easy to read the different synopsis of each comic series. Also adding in what others have said about each one was also helpful in getting someone interested in these wonderful characters. Just the idea of a book that helps you locate what to read in order to jump into this world is amazing to itself.

This catalog is perfect if you're new to the DC and/or Vertigo comics. It's just as perfect if you're not so new.

What I liked the most was the part where you get a chronological reading order. If you wish to know more about Superman & co, and you're unsure where to start, the catalog will help you.

There are also a few iconic comics presented, along with comments from the media. I was pleasantly surprised to see some that I've already read. Also, I marked as to read some that sounded really good (I am especially impressed with Vertigo. I'm not sure I read anything and I'm considering V for Vendetta or Preacher, Volume 1: Gone to Texas as a starting point). I like the darker, edgier feel to Vertigo.

You'll also find a section dedicated to upcoming movies and TV shows, again, with comics recommendations.

Bottom line is I highly recommend the catalog.

I read most of these graphic novels.It is a really good selection of titles.

This felt like it wasn't very fresh. The same stuff I keep seeing everywhere, especially the essentials.