DC Comics has listed 30 Essential Graphic Novels on their website. But based on the list and the explanation that these are the “best-selling titles that you must read,” this sounds more like a popularity contest mixed in with some quality measurements. I certainly agree with about 60% of this list. Watchmen. Dark Knight. Y the Last Man. Fables. V for Vendetta. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Sure, those are all super solid picks, as well as some of the straight superhero fare like Identity Crisis and JLA.

But how on Earth (or any one of countless Earths…) can they seriously justify saying any of the following books are part of the 30 MUST-READ books for comic fans old and new alike:

• Superman/Batman: Public Enemies – I know this was a huge seller, but the storyline was so godawful it was beyond laughable.

• Batman: Arkham Asylum – Oh, it’s by Grant Morrison, so it has to be on the list. Bull. It’s a gorgeous book to be sure. Beautiful Dave McKean painted art. But come on, the convulted storyline was average at best.

• Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again – Uh, the original series is one of the greatest comic stories of all time. This sequel was one of the worst sequels of all-time. Miller’s art deteriorated into a caricature of itself. And that story? What the hell was it all about? I can quote you pages of dialogue from the original series and point out 97 different amazingly awesome moments. This sequel? I can’t even remember one single thing that happened.

• Hellblazer: Original Sins – I loved this Hellblazer series. But I didn’t realize how boring and mundane Jamie Delano’s run was until Garth Ennis came onboard. Granted, this isn’t a horrible pick for the list, since it really introduces Constantine as a character and sets up the series, but going with Ennis’ “Dangerous Habits” graphic novel would be a far better choice. It’s also easily accessible and a really well done tale.

There are a couple other books on here I haven’t had a chance to read, but I may pick up just based on their recommendation (and then I’ll curse the list out even more). I’m thinking about Superman: Birthright and Green Lantern: Rebirth in particular.

Their list includes:

10. Catwoman
9. Ming the Merciless
8. Black Manta
7. Poison Ivy
6. Dark Phoenix
5. Riddler
4. Galactus
3. Green Goblin
2. Harley Quinn
1. Doctor Doom

I’ll have to create a list of my own one of these days. Doom is a great pick as #1 though. But just off the top of my head, in no particular order, here are a few others that weren’t on the original list:

• Loki
• Doc Ock
• Bullseye
• Two-Face (Well, if you’re only counting his suit as his costume, maybe not a good pick)
• Red Skull (Same comment as above)
• Taskmaster (either super garish, or damn cool looking)
• Venom
• Reverse Flash
• Scorpion
• Kang
• Magneto
• Darkseid (not really a costume I guess but more his whole look)
• Thanos
• Baron Zemo II (Shown at right)
• Bane (I hated the character but he does look pretty cool)
• White Queen (She’s been a villain so she counts! And if not, then I change my answer to Black Queen)
• Constrictor (Not a fabulous costume and fairly simple, but there’s something about it)

Okay, so who else am I missing?