Big Marvel fan. I have no clue about DC, Batman, Superman and everything else in the DC universe. Any recommendations? 

For modern continuity, ignoring Silver Age and Golden Age, what I consider essential Batman stories:
 

1. Batman: Year One (Must get, great story about Bruce's first time donning the Cowl in modern continuity as well as showing the beginning of the friendship/partnership between Batman and James Gordon.)
2. Batman: Long Halloween/ Dark Victory (Really shows the detective side of Bruce and I added the follow up, though not as good merely for the fact that it introduces Dick as Robin in modern continuity.)
3. Batman: The Man Who Laughs (Probably takes place after Batman And The Mad Monk which is not far after Year One. Basically, in modern continuity, it is Batman's first encounter with the Joker.)
   
4. Batman: The Killing Joke (Shows a lot of history between Batman and Joker in one book. A lot of people consider this to be the definitive Joker origin story and it has a very very important incident that leaves one ally of Batman, well not the same.)
5. Batman: Death In The Family (Good story that adds one of the most important deaths and events in the Batman mythos as well as Bruce's life. It sets the tone of future Batman stories as well as Batman being much darker due to the death and really explores his character well.)
6. Batman: A Lonely Place Of Dying (Kind of expensive and out of print but it is one of the greatest Batman stories in my opinion. We see how the mental and physical repercussions the tragic incident in Death Of the Family affects Batman and draws connections between Batman and Bruce. Very important in the Batman timeline due to the new character that helps Batman cope with the recent death.)
7. Batman: Knightfall (My absolute most favorite Batman story of all time, bar none. It shows Batman fighting unstoppable odds and eventually an incident that leaves Batman broken. We see Batman rebuilt as a character and the journey Bruce takes as well as showing him working to reclaim the Cowl. It's a must read for anyone who really wants to know why Bruce/Batman is one of the greatest characters in comics.)
8. Batman: Cataclysm/ No Man's Land (Terrific read and some stuff happen here that stay permanent in the Batman timeline. Basically digs deep into the citizens of Gotham as well as rebuilding the city from the floor up.)
   
9. Batman: Hush (Good Batman story with nearly all of Batman's villains along with the introduction of a new villain. It explores the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. Amazing art by Jim Lee and it has most of Batman's supporting cast, as well as Superman. I know some people who disliked it, but overall it's a good story.)
10. Batman: Heart Of Hush (Really digs deep into the relationship between Batman and Catwoman and builds on Hush's character. I think anything Hush was missing, this filled in completely.)
    
11. Batman: Face The Face (It's a good story and really important too. It's the One Year Later story for Batman which shows his relationship with Robin, what happened to Gotham since his departure, re-introduces Two-Face as a villain, and pretty much shows what happened after Infinite Crisis.)
12. Grant Morrison's Run On Batman (He's doing a fantastic job on Batman but what I urge you to not do, is read any of his comics alone without the others. For example: Don't just read Batman And Son alone because you won't appreciate it. Once you read it with Morrison's other stories, you'll see a lot of elements and plot points being built.)

Sweet! I can't wait to get on it. I wanna read as much as I can

" For modern continuity, ignoring Silver Age and Golden Age, what I consider essential Batman stories:
 

1. Batman: Year One (Must get, great story about Bruce's first time donning the Cowl in modern continuity as well as showing the beginning of the friendship/partnership between Batman and James Gordon.)
2. Batman: Long Halloween/ Dark Victory (Really shows the detective side of Bruce and I added the follow up, though not as good merely for the fact that it introduces Dick as Robin in modern continuity.)
3. Batman: The Man Who Laughs (Probably takes place after Batman And The Mad Monk which is not far after Year One. Basically, in modern continuity, it is Batman's first encounter with the Joker.)
   
4. Batman: The Killing Joke (Shows a lot of history between Batman and Joker in one book. A lot of people consider this to be the definitive Joker origin story and it has a very very important incident that leaves one ally of Batman, well not the same.)
5. Batman: Death In The Family (Good story that adds one of the most important deaths and events in the Batman mythos as well as Bruce's life. It sets the tone of future Batman stories as well as Batman being much darker due to the death and really explores his character well.)
6. Batman: A Lonely Place Of Dying (Kind of expensive and out of print but it is one of the greatest Batman stories in my opinion. We see how the mental and physical repercussions the tragic incident in Death Of the Family affects Batman and draws connections between Batman and Bruce. Very important in the Batman timeline due to the new character that helps Batman cope with the recent death.)
7. Batman: Knightfall (My absolute most favorite Batman story of all time, bar none. It shows Batman fighting unstoppable odds and eventually an incident that leaves Batman broken. We see Batman rebuilt as a character and the journey Bruce takes as well as showing him working to reclaim the Cowl. It's a must read for anyone who really wants to know why Bruce/Batman is one of the greatest characters in comics.)
8. Batman: Cataclysm/ No Man's Land (Terrific read and some stuff happen here that stay permanent in the Batman timeline. Basically digs deep into the citizens of Gotham as well as rebuilding the city from the floor up.)
   
9. Batman: Hush (Good Batman story with nearly all of Batman's villains along with the introduction of a new villain. It explores the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. Amazing art by Jim Lee and it has most of Batman's supporting cast, as well as Superman. I know some people who disliked it, but overall it's a good story.)
10. Batman: Heart Of Hush (Really digs deep into the relationship between Batman and Catwoman and builds on Hush's character. I think anything Hush was missing, this filled in completely.)
    
11. Batman: Face The Face (It's a good story and really important too. It's the One Year Later story for Batman which shows his relationship with Robin, what happened to Gotham since his departure, re-introduces Two-Face as a villain, and pretty much shows what happened after Infinite Crisis.)
12. Grant Morrison's Run On Batman (He's doing a fantastic job on Batman but what I urge you to not do, is read any of his comics alone without the others. For example: Don't just read Batman And Son alone because you won't appreciate it. Once you read it with Morrison's other stories, you'll see a lot of elements and plot points being built.)

"

"hose are the most essential in my opinion, not necessarily the best stories, but they are all fantastic. "

" @Crom-Cruach: What's your favorite story? "

" @Sexy Merc said:

" @Crom-Cruach: What's your favorite story? "

Oooooh really hard to say. I liked all of those on your list. But my favorites are probably Long Halloween and No Man's land for some reason I can't put my finger on. "

" For modern continuity, ignoring Silver Age and Golden Age, what I consider essential Batman stories:
 

1. Batman: Year One (Must get, great story about Bruce's first time donning the Cowl in modern continuity as well as showing the beginning of the friendship/partnership between Batman and James Gordon.)
2. Batman: Long Halloween/ Dark Victory (Really shows the detective side of Bruce and I added the follow up, though not as good merely for the fact that it introduces Dick as Robin in modern continuity.)
3. Batman: The Man Who Laughs (Probably takes place after Batman And The Mad Monk which is not far after Year One. Basically, in modern continuity, it is Batman's first encounter with the Joker.)
   
4. Batman: The Killing Joke (Shows a lot of history between Batman and Joker in one book. A lot of people consider this to be the definitive Joker origin story and it has a very very important incident that leaves one ally of Batman, well not the same.)
5. Batman: Death In The Family (Good story that adds one of the most important deaths and events in the Batman mythos as well as Bruce's life. It sets the tone of future Batman stories as well as Batman being much darker due to the death and really explores his character well.)
6. Batman: A Lonely Place Of Dying (Kind of expensive and out of print but it is one of the greatest Batman stories in my opinion. We see how the mental and physical repercussions the tragic incident in Death Of the Family affects Batman and draws connections between Batman and Bruce. Very important in the Batman timeline due to the new character that helps Batman cope with the recent death.)
7. Batman: Knightfall (My absolute most favorite Batman story of all time, bar none. It shows Batman fighting unstoppable odds and eventually an incident that leaves Batman broken. We see Batman rebuilt as a character and the journey Bruce takes as well as showing him working to reclaim the Cowl. It's a must read for anyone who really wants to know why Bruce/Batman is one of the greatest characters in comics.)
8. Batman: Cataclysm/ No Man's Land (Terrific read and some stuff happen here that stay permanent in the Batman timeline. Basically digs deep into the citizens of Gotham as well as rebuilding the city from the floor up.)
   
9. Batman: Hush (Good Batman story with nearly all of Batman's villains along with the introduction of a new villain. It explores the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. Amazing art by Jim Lee and it has most of Batman's supporting cast, as well as Superman. I know some people who disliked it, but overall it's a good story.)
10. Batman: Heart Of Hush (Really digs deep into the relationship between Batman and Catwoman and builds on Hush's character. I think anything Hush was missing, this filled in completely.)
    
11. Batman: Face The Face (It's a good story and really important too. It's the One Year Later story for Batman which shows his relationship with Robin, what happened to Gotham since his departure, re-introduces Two-Face as a villain, and pretty much shows what happened after Infinite Crisis.)
12. Grant Morrison's Run On Batman (He's doing a fantastic job on Batman but what I urge you to not do, is read any of his comics alone without the others. For example: Don't just read Batman And Son alone because you won't appreciate it. Once you read it with Morrison's other stories, you'll see a lot of elements and plot points being built.)

"

"Nice, maybe it's just me, but sometimes I find people underrate No Man's Land. Knightfall is my personal favorite. "

" @Crom-Cruach: Spoiler warn that last part before OP sees.  : p  I agree though. "

" @Sexy Merc said:

" @Crom-Cruach: Spoiler warn that last part before OP sees.  : p  I agree though. "

I don't know how to put a spoiler warning :( "

I will have to save that list; I am trying to get into DC nowadays and want to start off with Batman.

Awesome!

I like Hush, The Long Halloween,  Batman: Death and the City,  Batman: The Black Glove

"I like Hush, The Long Halloween,  Batman: Death and the City,  Batman: The Black Glove "

" Big Marvel fan. I have no clue about DC, Batman, Superman and everything else in the DC universe. Any recommendations?  "

Would have to say that the op should grab a lot more comics to get the full picture of the mythos..

Okay, not sure what classes as spoiler but I'll assume all of what I will say might be: -

I would also recommed for the OP to grab the War Crimes saga and some of the stories that lead up to it. Plus, there is another player that plays a small part named Orpheus. You may miss out on him if you ignore certain story arcs.

@Sexy Merc: Excellent list dude, But you forgot The Dark Knight Returns. I think it you only put the continuity relevant stuff ;) Other than that, I could add Batman & the Monster Men between 1 and 2 just to perfectly introduce Doctor Strange, main villain of Arkham City and the Court of Owls arc of Snyder on Batman (somehow Newcomer friendly).

@Jake Fury: I would say yes. It's a pretty integral part of Grant's run even though he didn't write it. It was written by half of the creative team on Batman R.I.P (Tony S. Daniel) so it definitely plays off of it (obviously.) Hope you aren't forgetting Batman Incorporated! It's his epic ongoing conclusion that leads directly into the New 52 Batman Inc. run which is at issue #4.

OT: I agree with everything @Sexy Merc said. My favorite story is a tie between Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin, Hush, and Batman Incorporated.

its best to read them all in chronological order!

Getting into DC in general, I would say start with the 'Crisis saga. Flashpoint and Blackest Night are also really great and are very well drawn and will lead you into the New 52 nicely.

Any of the original JLA line-up is good also, it's good to get into a team because then you have easy off-shoots from that, the JLA is how I got into Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter.

I know it's not what you've asked for but a lot of stuff coming from Image comics is amazing, I'd recommend Madman, The Walking Dead, Invincible and Chew.

@theblanktj: If you want to read as much as you can : http://www.comicvine.com/profile/batshrine/blog/batman-tpb-complete-chronology/79247/

Anarchy: Gotham Gondola

"Batman: Year One" (Frank Miller) is best, because it explores the developing criminality in Gotham City as Bruce Wayne hones his crime-fighting skills and meets Selina Kyle (Catwoman). The televisions series "Gotham" (Fox TV) also provides nice background storytelling about a young detective Jim Gordon dealing with the rise of Gotham City's super-villains such as Penguin and Riddler.

Batman (DC Comics) is essentially about criminal insanity, and the fact that the Dark Knight tackles a plethora of maniacal terrorists and super-villains such as Ra's a Ghul, Mad Hatter, and Poison Ivy reveals why Gotham City is a modern pulp fiction symbol of anarchism crime storytelling.

Learning about why Bruce Wayne wants to become the masked urban vigilante named Batman and how multiple villains characterize Gotham City's aura should enhance your detective-fiction experience with the reading/viewing of these comic book stories.

Almost Got 'Im (Batman: The Animated Series)