What's the best stuff in the wildstorm universe?

I've seen a considerable amount of people sing me its praises. The thing is I don't know what's considered must read. I mean I know wildcats and authority are supposedly good, but which runs? What're the hidden gems of it? Any help will be much appreciated.

@the_tree: I own both Sleeper and Planetary and loved them both, glad to see I am on a good start. Thanks for the suggestions.

@jonny_anonymous@billy_batson@buckshot

Ex Machina (not set in the Wildstorm universe but still).

Does this include America's Best Comics? Because if so, you can't go wrong with Promethea, Top 10, and Tom Strong.

• Joe Casey's Wildcats and The Intimates
• Adam Warren's Gen 13
• The Monarchy
• Astro City
• The Establishment
• Welcome to Tranquility
• Ocean
• Orbiter
• Desolation Jones
• Global Frequency
• Zero Girl
• Hawksmoor, by Costa and Fiona Staples
• Winter Men
• Battler Britton

BB

Tomorrow Stories and Greyshirt too.

BB

Planetary.

Ellis' Stormwatch/Authority & Planetary.

@jas0: @kairan1979: @jake_fury: @billy_batson: @smashbrawler: Thanks!

@dagmar_merrill:

Most of what I'd say has been mentioned but I might as well make a personal list since I was called out

Sleeper

Wildcats 3.0

Planetary

Warren Ellis's Stormwatch + The Authority (then continue as far as you feel you need to, but if you dip out, be sure to return for Brubaker's Revolution)

Secret History of Jack Hawksmoor

Global Frequency

Astro City

Ex Machina

Abnett & Lanning's Mr. Majestic run

Volume 2 of Wildcats is, in my mind, the same sort of thing as the later Authority stuff. It adds something to the world of the primary recommendation (Wildcats 3.0), in this case setting it up and beginning the process of redefining the title and the subject matter, but isn't essential. The post World's End stuff for The Authority and Wildcats are worth reading as well. Different than the other incarnations of those titles, and while not quite as great, a good exploration of the characters and whatnot. I think The Authority is a bit better than the Wildcats in World's End.

Authority and planetary

Hey, volume 2 was great. Cool black ops missions. Too bad Lobdell had a brief run in the beginning.

3.0 had a great first half or so with all the corporate stuff but the title wasn't selling well because of it and Casey had to make it more Wildcats-esque.

BB