Well, after another Christmas, I have gotten my usual $100 gift card to my local comic book shop, and after some standard Heroclix purchases, I'm going to be grabbing some graphic novels. While I am a pretty big fan of DC, I'm a die hard Marvel guy. If it's out, chances are I have it or have read it. I'm really looking to "perplex" up my DC collection(Get it? Perplex?! Cause we're on a heroclix site and perplex is a...you know what? F### it, I don't have to impress you)

Anyways, I have I guess what you'd consider your "staple" DC books, like Kingdom Come, every Crisis book out there, Blackest Night, Brightest Day, 52, etc, etc. Also have lot of the big name storylines from various heroes(Batman: Hush, The Long Halloween, Year One; Superman:The Death Of...,Earth One, New Krypton, Birthright), plus most of Grant Morrison's 1990's run on JLA and pretty much just about everything Vertigo.

I guess what I'm trying to say it I'm looking for some good sleeper hits. Years ago I came across Superman: Red Son and it became my favorite Superman book of all time, even though it's not what a comic fan would call a groundbreaking book. Huge fan of alternate timelines/realities and that book really hit the spot.

With over 2,500 comics and about 300 graphic novels, I fear that sometimes I've hit a wall and can't find anything that will really "wow" me anymore. Right now I'm thinking of grabbing either Batman:Knightfall(have some of it in single issues, but not all and haven't read them in years), No Man's Land, Flashpoint, the new 52 Flash vol. 1 or the Flash: Rouges (really enjoyed the Final Crisis Rouges book)

What are some of your suggestions? I'm really looking forward to hearing everyones input and thank you in advance for any and all help.

Well if you like Alternate Reality stories of DC the Batman Vampire series was pretty good (especially the first in the series)
Also JSA Liberty Files was a great read...I think they have made 1-2 sequels
Plus the New Frontier is pretty good

JLA: The Nail is pretty great.

You've probably already read DC: The New Frontier. If you haven't, that really ought to be at the top of your list.

One that probably won't get mentioned often is Blue Beetle. The first Jaime Reyes series was written for a time by John Rogers, who left comics to work on the Leverage TV series (at least that's what Wikipedia told me). The finale of Rogers' run on the book was epic fun and is practically the dictionary definition of the word underrated. He left after issue #25. It turns out that issues 20-26 are featured in Blue Beetle vol. 4, entitled End Game. Even if you can't get the entire run, get that volume. It is superhero comics perfection.

Those are the first ones that come to mind.

The Nail is defintely a great read, as is Tower of Babel (which the recent animated movie Doom is taken from).

I can't say enough good things about Batman: Court of Owls. A friend recommended this to me and I came away with it quite impressed.

Nu52 Suicide Squad is interesting as well. I quite enjoyed it, and they took Harley to an ever further level of nutty.

There's probably more, but I just finished shoveling, so the brain's slightly mushed.

Check out Earth 2. The series is only 7 issues in, and set in an alternate Earth so there is no need to know 50 years worth of history. The story is good, the art better, and it is a breath of fresh air.

All-Star Superman is a solid read. So is the current Morrison run on Action Comics.

DCNu52 Aquaman by Geoff Johns has been consistently good as well.

I loved the Booster Gold Series. I still have hope that he'll fix the current time line. There was also a single trade called Empire that I enjoyed quite a bit.

So glad that the first reply mentioned The Liberty Files. Those stories are so dang good.

Oh, and there was a series called Starman that might interest you. It's not alternate reality, but it is definitely off the beaten path in the DCU of the 90s. It's been collected in Omnibus and I believe those are being turned into TPBs, so cheaper still.

Agreed.

As far as modern day DCU elements in another time, I'd recommend Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga. As for a story to dissuade you on confusing your Legions, there's also Legion of Three Worlds, which also spans multiple timelines and versions of the team.

I really liked 'Catwoman: When in Rome'. One of the few good Catwoman stories out there (the new series doesn't really do it for me).

The most recent run of JSA by Geoff Johns, especially the first couple issues, was also really nice.

It was the very first title that came into my mind after reading the original post as well. You don't have to be a JSA die-hard to enjoy it, but if you are, hoo - the wonderful little Easter eggs are delightful.

And since holidoomsday has stated that he's a Vertigo fan (as well as supporting my own recommendation of Gotham Central in another thread), I'm going to throw out a recommendation for another somewhat off-the-wall street level book - Hitman. This book is *finally* available in TPB format, and it definitely meets the definition of "sleeper." It's a book that's an irreverent twist on the grittiness of the '90s, and it also features two of the best danged Superman stories of the past couple decades.

Oh, I hope you're right. Starman was just terrific. I missed my chance to buy the original trades and the omnibus editions are a little too rich for my budget. But if the rerelease them in paper, oooh. But yeah I'll second jackstar's recommendation.

Also if you haven't read Fables, that's a great series. Not part of regular DC continuity at all, if that's something you're concerned with, but really, really good stuff.

Paperback Vol 2 is on Amazon, I believe Vol 1 can be gotten elsewhere (couldn't find it on Amazon), but I'm sure your local shop can order it for you!

Wonder Woman is straight up the best book DC has running right now. You should be a bro and check it out.

Sweet zombie Jesus, I didn't know that this thread was gonna take off like whoa. You guys are the absolute greatest people on earth. This earth, not any alternate earths, because those people could be made of candy, poop stacks of cash, and have a currency system of Diet Dr Pepper. I'd look like a horses' ### comparing them to you, wouldn't I? Think, McFly, Think.

Alright, I'm going to try to answer this as best I can, please forgive if I forget your endorsement.

Vampire Batman: Can not for the life of me remember if I have the single issues, will have to check my stock. Love a good multiverse story.
JSA Liberty Files: Grabbed it, sitting in subscription box(Started running out of money on gift card, paid tomorrow)
All Star Superman: Already have it, Love it.
DC: The New Frontier: See above.
Blue Beetle: Shop had 1,2 and 4. Can not do it. I'm OCD like that, has to be in order. They said they're ordering in 3, so if that's the case, i'm on it. Really enjoy him in Infinite Crisis.
JLA: The Nail : Have been looking for this book for months, almost a year. Out of print. Found it on Amazon, refuse to give them business. Will check eBay again.
New 52 - Aquaman: I'm a petty little ##### about hardcovers, but at least I can admit it. I will get a HC if the book is good. Like bananas good. Is this bananas good?
New 52 - Earth 2 - Got the first 3 single issues in my box now. If i can avoid the GN, I'd like to.
Batman: Court of Owls: Single issues, love it.
JLA: Towel of Babel: I thought i had it? Checked my shelves at home, can't find it. Was this the one the villains teamed up and was all "Check yourself before you wreck yourself?" I really want to say I had it, but the more I think about it, I can't remember.
Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga: Grabbed it, placed into subscription box. Looked pretty decent.
Starman: Shop didn't have it, also recommened it. \
Hitman: Really? Is this the one with the Dog Wielder? I'm both scared and interested on this concept, didn't have vol.1, waiting on that as well.
Wonder Woman: Grabbed it already. The art was too good to pass up.

I did keep some cash on that card. It's either GSX FF, Birds of Prey FF or one of those awesome examples you all have given me. You're the best...around. Like that Karate Kid song.