I'm pretty new to reading comics so i'm not really sure how the annuals work. Are they stand alone stories that take place apart from the ongoing plot? how do i know what issues come before and after the annual issue, for example the detective comics annual?

@Marco_Kidd: Yeah, that's correct. Usually I'll pick up an annual if I want to see if the book as a whole is worth reading.

Edit: As for chronologically it's usually when they come out but not necessarily. A lot of times Annuals are not a continuation of the plot but a side story. It's usually not a problem.

@EisforExtinction: yeah i'm kind of confused about the chronology because the detective comics annual seems to be more of a side story, whereas the teen titans annual is a part of the culling crossover with legion lost and superboy.

The link in this post will help you

http://www.comicvine.com/dc-comics/57-10/i-has-a-date/92-704684/#1

it really depends. some annuals are part of the story.Others are a side story. My advice is pick up whichever interest u. Annuals are also a good place to jump in for you to sample books you are interested in but arent currently on ur pull list

Just depends cause the flash and green lantern annual is part of the stories

i bet your thinking, wth did they make comics so hard to follow and read, i feel the exact same way

I think they should just put a timeline out once a year

@The_jackolantern: @geoff2005: @sethysquare: @Durakken: @Marco_Kidd: @EisforExtinction:

http://collectededitions.blogspot.com/2009/09/dc-trade-paperback-timeline-tpb.html

:At close to the bottem of the page you will find a timeline for the New 52

I subscribed to "The Flash" does that mean I get the annual?

And how do they decide which series get annuals? It can't be based on popularity. Both Aquaman and Justice League have not received annuals and they're already coming out with Batman Annual #2 and stuff.