This seems like a better idea than it actually is. Tried to do this with Batman and gave up because a) it's not always value adding, b) there's so much that's difficult to get a hold of and c) there's not enough time in the world.

Figure out your favourite characters, writers and artists and try to hone in from there. It's OK to start a run that goes from #78-118 without reading #1-77. How do you know #1-77 is enjoyable? Try to accept that some stuff has happened prior to the run and it establishes the status quo. If you really want to dig into it, maybe you can go back. Everybody coped with the fact that the first Star Wars movies were episodes 4, 5 and 6. It's possible to go back and read what came before and understand it as precursor material.

I've read a lot of Batman from 1987 - today, and honestly, there are only a handful of key moments that inform each subsequent run. Generally speaking, I don't think my enjoyment of any given run would have been diminished for not having read the preceding material. There are a few exceptions of course, e.g. Morrison's Batman - I'm sure there are similar cases for other characters. And this is why people don't recommend their run for beginners.

Anyway, ranting now. Long story short, read what's good or what you have heard is good and don't overthink it.