Help in finding dark characters similar to batman and spawn.

Hi guys,

I am new to the comic world and interested in dark and intense stuff. I have started with the batman story arcs like year one, long Halloween, arkham asylum, arkham city, Hush, etc and first six volumes of spawn origins.

Now I want to read and explore more stories involving similar dark characters and story lines. Could anyone of you help by suggesting the same ?

with regards,

VivekP

Watchmen is a pretty dark graphic novel, and a must-read for anybody getting into comics. It's not really dark in the sense of Spawn, it's more dark and intense in theme and the atmosphere.

Daredevil isn't quite as dark as Batman or Spawn, but a lot of his stories can be pretty dark and brooding, similar to Bats. If you want a taste of this, I'd suggest reading Guardian Devil. If you like it, go back and read Daredevil's origin in Man Without Fear and Yellow, then you can go back to the darker stuff (which is mostly Daredevil vol 2. Vol 1 has a lot of great stuff, but it's not nearly as dark in that sense, so I think you'd enjoy vol 2 more.)

I haven't personally gotten around to reading Moon Knight yet, though I want to, but a lot of people say he's very similar to Batman, so you might wanna check that out.

Also I'll mention Hellboy, which is pretty light itself in overall mood and feeling, but the stories pretty much revolve around dark and interesting horror-themed or inspired things, such as vampires, demons, haunted places, monsters, etc.

I'll back Zomboid and say Daredevil. Start with Man Without Fear.

Daredevil

Moon Knight

ShadowHawk

@VivekP:

• Watchmen
• Wanted
• A lot of Wildstorm books were really dark and mature, though the imprint has now been merged with general DC Comics world and as such it has been toned down.

Dark story line is walking dead. But characters aren't like batman and spawn.

Also, the Spiderman arch - Kraven's Last Hunt.

I never got into them, but Sandman and Preacher might be up your alley. As spiderbat87 recs both are Vertigo.

I like Moon Knight CANCELLED :(

Daredevil

Punisher

Preacher and Walking Dead can be pretty grim.

Punisher MAX gets pretty damn dark during the Ennis run. Haven't really read much of Aaron's work on it, though.

Also, a good team book, the new STORMWATCH

or the old AUTHORITY

Yeah, Sandman, Preacher and Punisher MAX are all good suggestions that I've read.

Uncanny X-Force, Punisher, Huant, Venom, The Authority, and Winter Soldier (comes out Feb 1, 2012)

Anything by Garth Ennis (mainly Punisher MAX)

Moon Knight

Daredevil (mainly Frank Millar's run)

Moon Knight, in particular the series that started in '06.

Silent Hill

Eddy Current

I wouldn't recommend the current Moon Knight ongoing written by Bendis, but the '06 run is perfect. I would highly recommend that as essential reading to any mature comic fan.

The Sandman, written by Neil Gaiman. While although it is far more intellectually stimulating and complex than most Spawn and Batman storylines, if you are willing to delve into a fantastical world of dark, mature themes with rich mythology, you would be rewarded accordingly.

The Lucifer series by Mike Carey is my third recommendation. It's hard to explain without giving too much away or establishing expectations that may be impossible to reach, but you should seriously check it out.

A spectacular blend of neo-noir themes and dark, brooding mysticism would be Hellblazer. Start with the Dangerous Habits arc.

@Illuminatus said:

I wouldn't recommend the current Moon Knight ongoing written by Bendis, but the '06 run is perfect. I would highly recommend that as essential reading to any mature comic fan.

The Sandman, written by Neil Gaiman. While although it is far more intellectually stimulating and complex than most Spawn and Batman storylines, if you are willing to delve into a fantastical world of dark, mature themes with rich mythology, you would be rewarded accordingly.

I like Daredevil Noir. Noir is a Marvel universe where all the heroes are more realistic and darker. You should check it out.

Hi guys,

Thanks to everyone for their valuable inputs. It really helped me a lot. The world of comics is pretty vast and i really needed some suggestions to get me sorted.

PS: I will keep u posted on my experiences.

Thanks a ton,

VivekP

If you're still looking for dark characters, Check out Punisher, Darkness, Pitt, The Crow, or Razor they are pretty dark.

Punisher is a great one. Watchmen is also fantastic. One my favorites.

Justice League Dark from the DC new 52 and I agree with all those who suggest Watchmen.

Daredevil: Start with Man with out fear, then read born again, then you could pick up guardian devil (you should have read born again before you read this). After this I would go back to Frank Millers ol 1-3 (you can also start here). Bendis and Ed Brubakers run is also dark. The Daredevil Yellow is also fine, however not as a beginner book read born again and guardian devil before you read this.

Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters by Mike Grell is also Dark put not extremely dark.

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore is also Dark but more like Watchmen in atmosphere.

What have you pick up since this topic was started?