Ten Graphic Novels To Get Ready For Batman v Superman

When two of DC Comics biggest superheroes go head to head in a battle royale, find out who will be left standing as The Dark Knight takes on The Man of Steel in the Warner Bros. film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Setting up the building blocks for the larger DC Comics movie universe, comics fans will not want to miss this epic showdown.

Featuring Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, the onscreen duo will be joined by Gal Gadot portraying Wonder Woman in the character’s feature film debut. But how did these characters come together, and why are Superman and Batman locked in battle with each other? Find out everything you need to know about the rich backstory and deep history between Batman and Superman in these ten must-read DC Comics graphic novels.

You can find these stories and even more DC Comics graphic novels, comics, and toys at your local comic shop!

JLA, Volume 1

Legendary writers Grant Morrison and Mark Millar brought the Justice League of America to life in the 1990s with the classic stories collected in JLA, Volume 1 (JUN110276). See the World’s Greatest Superheroes team up to stop an alien menace and find out more about the dynamic behind this unusual collection of Earth’s champions.  

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Ben Affleck promises to be a darker Batman then we’ve seen on film before and the influences of Frank Miller’s ground-breaking Batman work, The Dark Knight Returns (NOV150279), are clear. Miller’s Batman is older and less forgiving in his old age, but as enemies rise out of the darkness he is forced to come out of retirement and take down the threats that face his beloved Gotham in a blaze of glory. In a finale that was ground-breaking when it premiered, he faces off against a god-like Superman in a battle that only one can survive. 

Batman: Hush

The noir feel that Zack Snyder brings to the DC Comics’ movie universe is reflected in one of comic’s most iconic modern stories, Batman: Hush (MAY090178). Responsible for introducing an all new villain into the Dark Knight’s world, Hush comes to life thanks to the superstar team of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee. A tale full of murder, mystery, and romance; this graphic novel helped to bring Batman back to his Dark Knight roots.

Wonder Woman, Volume 1: Blood

Wonder Woman is making her feature film debut in Batman v Superman, but how does this Amazonian warrior princess fit into the world of these two comic book titans? Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang update the classic character for DC's New 52 in Wonder Woman, Volume 1 (OCT120256), giving fans a new introduction to an oft neglected part of the DC Comics trinity. 

Batman/Superman, Volume 1: Crossworld

Batman and Superman have been friends, rivals, and everything in between; and now fans can learn how the two biggest heroes met for the very first time. Greg Pak and Jae Lee take the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight on a mysterious journey to an alternate world in Batman/Superman, Volume 1 (AUG140333). Bouncing between their encounters as children and their modern day adventures and featuring Lois Lane, Catwoman, and Wonder Woman, this collection gives a glimpse into the history between these two mighty heroes.

Injustice: Gods Among Us, Volume 1

Batman v. Superman isn’t the first time that these heroes have faced off against each other, and in the comic adaptation of the hit video game the whole DC Comics universe gets involved in the brawl. Injustice: Gods Among Us, Volume 1 (MAR140265) details the story of the hit fighting game about an alternate reality Superman gone rogue and the group of unlikely allies who team up to stop his reign of terror. 

Superman/Wonder Woman, Volume 1: Power Couple

Fans will have to wait and see if romance can bloom in the mist of battle, but in the pages of Superman/Wonder Woman, Volume 1 (DEC140383) one of the most powerful couples in comics is taking on their enemies together.  For two of the most powerful beings on earth love can be complicated and as The Man of Steel and the Amazonian Princess fight villains and each other, they will find that love can truly be a battlefield. 

Superman/Batman, Volume 1

It’s an all-star team up in Leph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’ fan favorite series, Superman/Batman, Volume 1 (JAN140354)! The titular heroes must unite against the threat of Lex Luthor and his hit squad tacked with bringing Superman to him, dead or alive. Featuring the arrival of Supergirl and a battle against the evil villain Darkseid, this collection has everything.

Justice League, Volume 1: Origin

Batman v. Superman is setting up the building blocks for the larger DC Comics movie universe, and it all leads up to the ultimate team up in the Justice League film. Get to know the heroes before they show up on the big screen in Justice League, Volume 1 (JAN120299) from two of comics biggest superstars Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. Batman has found a new threat he can’t face on his own, and so he unites Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg to become the World’s Greatest Heroes!

Luthor

Jesse Eisenberg joins the DC Comics movie universe in Batman v. Superman as one of comics biggest villains, and takes on the duo of heroes head-on. In Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo’s modern classic Luthor (AUG150269) fans can find out the other side of the story and see just how far Lex Luthor will go to take down the alien threat of Superman.