Anyone Read Batman?

I'm thinking about starting to read batman comics, but I have no idea where to start. Suggestions anyone? I just picked up the Killing Joke, is that a good place to start?

Nope.

I like to look for new series coming out and start reading with those. You'll find some really good stuff if you look outside the average dc/marvel universe.

What you are looking for will greatly determine where you should start reading.

The older comics were mainstream action hero types, the later ones become darker with some in the 90's being downright depressing to read.

Frankly I would start with the ones that begin in the late 60's or early 70's... trying to get earlier one could get pricey.... the ones in the late 80's and 90's are more of the experimental version where they were trying to reinvent Batman to drum up business (like the superman gets killed type stories).

You could also just skip the comics/graphic novels altogether and go to a novel... a lot depends on what you are looking for and any suggestion by a fan of Batman will just tell you more about the fan than it will help you because odds aren't good that your preferences are different from the person giving you advice.

You might find more direction if you ask youself why batman comics? Based off the answer, you could be better pointed in that direction?

I have no idea....

The Killing Joke
Year One
The Dark Night Returns
Arkham Asylum