Whether or not you're a fan of DC Universe Online, the game clearly goes out of its way to make nods to comics that spawned the franchise. That naturally has to lead to a question -- what books has the team been reading? After all, it makes a lot of difference if the team is reading The Killing Joke when it comes to designing the Joker. Fortunately for all of us who know more about DC than may be entirely necessary, ComicsAlliance has unveiled the reading list for the game's development team, replete with all of the recommended books for getting a feel for the universe.
The resultant list has a number of expected entries (The Killing Joke is indeed among them) and a few unexpected ones, covering both recent events in the continuity and studies of individual character behaviors. It also contains a few surprising omissions and a couple of questionable inclusions, even with the caveats of the comics not being in continuity (Watchmen is an excellent book, but not really in the game's milieu). Still, even if you can find fault with some of the choices, it's certainly a good primer for what to expect from DC Universe Online's in-game continuity.
Reader Comments (18)
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 1:09PM SocksForYou said
I still have never found anything better than The Dark Knight Returns.
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 2:32PM SocksForYou said
@Chiren I'll give that one a shot. I also loved Miller's Ronin when I was a kid, and I finally read Batman: Year One a while back.
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Posted: Jan 19th 2011 1:11PM Faction 3 said
Gotta say, Im loving every minute of this game. The Cutscenes are excellent, the combat is paced perfectly to fit the setting, I love it.
With the exception on a few bugs (Powers not damaging targets, lag once in awhile, CHAT SYSTEM) and whiners on the forums and in-game bitching about character creation limitatation...the usual bullshit...I could'nt ask for a better game!
With the exception on a few bugs (Powers not damaging targets, lag once in awhile, CHAT SYSTEM) and whiners on the forums and in-game bitching about character creation limitatation...the usual bullshit...I could'nt ask for a better game!
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 1:56PM mechanicalturk said
Nice list! I've always been partial to Marvel, but I am enjoying DCUO so much that it makes me want to immerse myself in the DCU lore. If only I had time to play the game and read through the list :(
BTW ... Looks like the commenters on ComicsAlliance made suggestions for additional reading material that is missing.
BTW ... Looks like the commenters on ComicsAlliance made suggestions for additional reading material that is missing.
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 2:00PM remeran said
Looking forward to playing this game. Just ordered the collectors edition for same day delivery. =D
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 2:09PM ApathyCurve said
U>20y * (DC+Mrv) = FAIL
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 3:04PM JonBuck said
I just love working for Batman. Recently started on the Amusement Mile arc. Having Batman and the Joker voiced by Conroy and Hamil just makes the game for me.
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 9:34PM Drunken Irish Sniper said
@JonBuck. I'm actually worried about what they are going to do with the Joker in future patches since Mark Hamil is retiring the Jokers voice after Arkham Asylum 2.
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They really should have got all of the Justice League cast for the voices, everyone except Batman, Joker, and Superman just sound wrong to me.
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They really should have got all of the Justice League cast for the voices, everyone except Batman, Joker, and Superman just sound wrong to me.
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 3:33PM Heraclea said
Mildly startled that they included "Amazons Attack" in their Wonder Woman lore but none of the George Perez trades.
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 7:15PM TheGreatMachine said
The devs reading list should include the current exchange rates.
Not only are they slugging Australians over 25% more subscriptions they expect us to pay 60% more for station cash. This is insulting and I implore Australians getting the game today to not register as an Australian in your account if you do not want to be gouged by these greedy bastards.
Not only are they slugging Australians over 25% more subscriptions they expect us to pay 60% more for station cash. This is insulting and I implore Australians getting the game today to not register as an Australian in your account if you do not want to be gouged by these greedy bastards.
Posted: Jan 19th 2011 9:01PM Furdinand said
I love that "Planet Heist" is number two on the list.
If I were to include a couple more series/books it would be the recent Brave & the Bold, Manhunter, Secret Six, and Starman (Jack Knight). Not only are they mini tours of the more obscure DC characters, but have a lot of great examples of superhero genre storytelling.
Based on the costume styles and world full of heroes storyline, I'm surprised Kingdom Come isn't on the list. Although maybe Kingdom Come's influence is so pervasive in a lot of the more recent books on the list, that reading the original isn't necessary as much as it is just enjoyable.
If they ever dip more into the LSH, they should read The Great Darkness Saga.
If I were to include a couple more series/books it would be the recent Brave & the Bold, Manhunter, Secret Six, and Starman (Jack Knight). Not only are they mini tours of the more obscure DC characters, but have a lot of great examples of superhero genre storytelling.
Based on the costume styles and world full of heroes storyline, I'm surprised Kingdom Come isn't on the list. Although maybe Kingdom Come's influence is so pervasive in a lot of the more recent books on the list, that reading the original isn't necessary as much as it is just enjoyable.
If they ever dip more into the LSH, they should read The Great Darkness Saga.
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 2:47AM Amusednow said
Don't see Ambush Bug nor Son of Ambush Bug on the list so not bothering with this game even though it's right up my alley. And since players can't be ring bearers yet I'm holding off.









