Reading Guides

The Sidetracked Comics Reading Guides will help you start on your comic book journey.

From different comic formats and publishers through to the complex histories of many long-running comic book series, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to jump in.

These articles cover a wide range of topics, from finding the right comic book for you through to recommendations for popular characters. This is how you start reading comics – everyone welcome!

Who is Robin? Batman’s Sidekick Explained

13/06/202328/02/2023 by Joe B

Welcome to the ultimate reader’s guide to Robin, the iconic sidekick of Batman.

As Batman’s squire, Robin has been an integral part of the DC Comics universe since his debut in 1940. Over the years several individuals have taken up the mantle, each bringing their unique strengths and personality to the role. This article will take you through the main characters to have donned the Robin mantle, from Dick Grayson to Damian Wayne, outlining their contributions to the Batman mythos.

From classic Boy Wonders to intriguing alternative takes, this guide will give you a great starting point to understanding the diverse legacy of comics’ greatest sidekick…

How To Read Comics: A Guide For New Readers

26/01/202301/01/2023 by Joe B

From superhero books to newspaper strips to manga, reading comics is a fun and rewarding hobby that people of all ages can enjoy. Yet given how long comic book icons such as Spider-Man and Batman have been around, it can be intimidating to try and dive into a series if you don’t know where to … Read more

Start Here: The Best Batman Comics For New Readers

01/01/202328/02/2022 by Joe B

Best Batman Comics For New Readers | Sidetracked Comics

With The Batman bringing the Dark Knight back to the big screen, now is a great time to discover the comic book stories behind the legendary caped crusader. But given that the character has been around for nearly 85 years, has been worked on by numerous creative teams, and has gone through a number of … Read more

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear Explained

09/01/202209/01/2022 by Joe B

What Makes Daredevil: The Man Without Fear So Good?

First introduced by Stan Lee and Bill Everett in 1964, Matt Murdock – AKA Daredevil, “the man without fear” – started out as your run-of-the-mill 1960s smart alec hero. Despite being a blind lawyer (a typically simple yet brilliant Stan Lee concept – justice is blind, y’see?), Daredevil lacked a reason for being. As the … Read more

Baron Zemo’s Thunderbolts Explained

02/06/202321/03/2021 by Joe B

By late 1997, Marvel Comics needed some new superheroes. The Avengers and Fantastic Four had all seemingly died in battle during the Onslaught event, a company-wide crossover that had spiralled out of the X-Men comics. Of course, this being comics, no-one ever really dies – but Heroes Reborn is definitely an article for another day. … Read more