[quote name='4thHorseman']At the moment, you don't need any of the other Batbooks to understand the story. I think starting this month or next month the storyline starts branching out into the other Gotham books based on how Batman #7 ends.
As for my recommendations:
Wonder Woman - I could never get into the Wonder Woman character, but Azzarrello has done an amazing job with her. Best Wonder Woman I've ever read and Cliff Chiangs' art is wonderful. Just wish the books weren't so quick to read.
Action Comics - Depends on your take on Grant Morrison. I think he's been doing a good job, but I really wish the backup story wasn't there to make the book a dollar cheaper. I hear the recent issue is sort of "meh", but I haven't read it yet. But I enjoy the art, I love Morrison's take on Superman, and it's been pretty action packed. Definately prefer this over the Superman book although Giffen/Jurgens wasn't a bad issue.
Voodoo - They switched writers recently, and I've heard bad things with the recent turn of events. Might explain why the original writer left. But I would recommend picking up the Ron Marz issues. I really enjoyed them although her one issue profession as a stripper left some people cold, and the art is absolutely gorgeous.
JLA - Ehhhh....I love the art, but the story was very meh. I'm curious what they are going to do, but not sure why they put Darkseid out there front and center in the first arc. Issue 7 was definately filler, but apparently the next arc or so is supposed to tie in to the mysterious Pandora character from the end of Flashpoint that made appearances throughout the first issues. Issue 7 had a backup story with her in it along with the Phantom Stranger that intrigued me.
Flash - Haven't read it, but seems to be one of the books I've heard some of the most goodwill towards. Love Manapauls art, and didn't think he would be a good writer. Apparently I was wrong as I can't name a single bad thing I've heard from it.[/QUOTE]
[quote name='whoknows']I don't think Nightwing intersects with the Batman story, but it's still very good from what I've read so far.[/QUOTE]
[quote name='DestroVega']I'd HIGHLY recommend Animal Man, Swamp Thing and I, Vampire. All outstanding.
I gave up on Detective Comics. The regular Batman book just blows it out the water.[/QUOTE]
Thanks guys. I'm going to check out all of these when I can - probably Animal Man first since I've heard so many good things...