Help Me I'm New To Comics

Servo · February 2008

Alright, because I'm sick of sporadic "New to comics what should I read" threads that have the same 10 books over and over and over, we're going to create a master thread of crap we as a forum would recommend to a newcomer. Feel free to suggest categories or books and I'll probably sporadically try to update the op, maybe. I didn't put some obvious things on here, so feel free to suggest stuff like Watchmen and whathaveyou as well.

If You Like-

Science Fiction

Check Out-

Nova

Annihilation

World War Hulk

Sinestro Corps War

The Life And Death of Captain Marvel

Fear Agent

Planetes

Ghost In The Shell

100%

Action

The Losers

Immortal Iron Fist

Blade of the Immortal

Showcase Presents: Sgt. Rock

The Ultimates Vol. 1 & 2

Punisher MAX

Jonah Hex

Street Angel

The Couriers

Horror

Hellboy

The Walking Dead

Lucifer

Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse

Johnny the Homicidal Maniac

BPRD

Hellblazer

Swamp Thing

From Hell

Shade the Changing Man

Crime/Espionage

Criminal

Checkmate

Queen & Country

Sleeper

Scalped

100 Bullets

Fire

Gotham Central

Fantasy

Promethea

Sandman

Thor (Walter Simonsen Visionaries collections in particular)

Fables

Comedy/Slice-of-Life

Scott Pilgrim

Plastic Man

Blue Monday

Hopeless Savages

Lowlife

Same Difference

There are many other terrific superhero comics (i.e. Starman, various runs on X-men, Daredevil, Captain America, etc.) as well. But the best part about comics really is the amount of truly great stuff that doesn't really fit easily into any given genre. Stuff like Top 10, The Invisibles, Preacher, Jack of Fables, Sock Monkey, Love Fights, and about twenty billion other terrific titles. So if you're new to comics, if you're looking for some recommendations, you've come to the right place. We're here to help you out, and this is the thread for it.

Nogs wrote: »

Fantasy
Sandman Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, also available in Absolute Editions. There is only 1 as of now.
Bone
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Vol. 1and 2, which is available in a very hard to find Absolute Edition
There is also The Black Dossier
Arrowsmith: So Smart in their Fine Uniforms
Fables Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 1001 Nights of Snowfall.

Horror
Hellboy Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
From Hell

Comedy
The Goon Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Formerly Known As the Justice League
I Can't Believe it's Not Justice League!
Kyle Baker's Plastic Man Volumes 1, 2

Drama
Jack of Fables Volumes 1, 2
The Walking Dead Volumes 1, 2 and 3.
DMZ Volumes 1, 2, , and 3.
Pride of Baghdad
V for Vendetta
Powers Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Grant Morrison's Animal Man Volumes 1, 2, 3.
Transmetropolitan Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 0
Preacher Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
Y: The Last Man Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Watchmen, which is available in Absolute Edition

Superheroes
Grant Morrison's Animal Man Volumes 1, 2, 3.
Planetary Volumes 1, 2, 3
Brit Volumes 1, 2
Mark Waid's Fantastic Four Volumes 1, 2, 3
DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore
Batman: Year 100
Batman: Year One.
Superman: Red Son
The Dark Knight Returns, which is available in Absolute Edition paired with it's sequel.
which is available in Absolute Edition.
Superman: Birthright
Kingdom Come, which is available in Absolute Edition.
Marvels
Ultimate Spider-Man Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 , 18
Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt
Crisis on Infinite Earths, which is available in Absolute Edition.
Grant Morrison's New X-Men, which is available in an Omnibus Edition.
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1, 2, 3.
Immortal Iron Fist, which has yet to be released in trade.
Bendis' Daredevil, which is available in a series of Hardcovers.
The Eternals
Runaways Volumes 1, 2, 3
Captain America Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 also available in Omnibus
Invincible available in 3 very nice Hardcover collections, Volumes 1, 2, 3

Sci-Fi
We3
Five Fists of Science
Planetary Volumes 1, 2, 3
Annihilation Volumes 1, 2, 3
100%

Balefuego · February 2008

This is a noble effort Servo

but I fear it is futile

Servo · February 2008

no, because i'm going to start locking redundant threads. this is now recommendation central, goddammit.

Me Too! · February 2008

Thread lacks Invincible, USM, and Punisher MAX.

Wildcat · February 2008

Will we also put a 'greatest X stories' section into this, where X is a specific character?

DouglasDanger · February 2008

This is a wonderful idea.

Servo · February 2008

Wildcat wrote: »

Will we also put a 'greatest X stories' section into this, where X is a specific character?

yeah, that's a good idea

MKR · February 2008

Although this thread is a good idea, it lacks something useful: A brief description of each comic!

It's minor, but it would save research time.

smokmnky · February 2008

Lack of a Recommendation for Runaways is disturbing

Runaways Vol. 1
Description:
The series features a group of teenagers who try to make up for the evil done by their super villain parents by becoming superheroes.

Also maybe it should be broken down by publisher first?

Vann Diras · February 2008

I agree that Ultimate Spider-Man, Runaways and Invincible deserve to be on that list. A lot.

Servo · February 2008

MKR wrote: »

Although this thread is a good idea, it lacks something useful: A brief description of each comic!

It's minor, but it would save research time.

hey tell you what, slugger, that can be your new job

MKR · February 2008

Servo wrote: »

MKR wrote: »

Although this thread is a good idea, it lacks something useful: A brief description of each comic!

It's minor, but it would save research time.

hey tell you what, slugger, that can be your new job

If I knew anything about the comics, I would.

If I C&P a description from somewhere, I won't know how accurate it is.

Nogs · February 2008

Servo, it might be nice to find the old SE++ comic thread that had a bunch of book suggestions posted with amazon links.

Nogs · February 2008

Fantasy
Sandman Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, also available in Absolute Editions. There is only 1 as of now.
Bone
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Vol. 1and 2, which is available in a very hard to find Absolute Edition
There is also The Black Dossier
Arrowsmith: So Smart in their Fine Uniforms
Fables Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 1001 Nights of Snowfall.

Horror
Hellboy Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
From Hell

Comedy
The Goon Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Formerly Known As the Justice League
I Can't Believe it's Not Justice League!
Kyle Baker's Plastic Man Volumes 1, 2

Drama
Jack of Fables Volumes 1, 2
The Walking Dead Volumes 1, 2 and 3.
DMZ Volumes 1, 2, , and 3.
Pride of Baghdad
V for Vendetta
Powers Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Grant Morrison's Animal Man Volumes 1, 2, 3.
Transmetropolitan Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 0
Preacher Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
Y: The Last Man Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Watchmen, which is available in Absolute Edition

Superheroes
Grant Morrison's Animal Man Volumes 1, 2, 3.
Planetary Volumes 1, 2, 3
Brit Volumes 1, 2
Mark Waid's Fantastic Four Volumes 1, 2, 3
DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore
Batman: Year 100
Batman: Year One.
Superman: Red Son
The Dark Knight Returns, which is available in Absolute Edition paired with it's sequel.
which is available in Absolute Edition.
Superman: Birthright
Kingdom Come, which is available in Absolute Edition.
Marvels
Ultimate Spider-Man Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 , 18
Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt
Crisis on Infinite Earths, which is available in Absolute Edition.
Grant Morrison's New X-Men, which is available in an Omnibus Edition.
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1, 2, 3.
Immortal Iron Fist, which has yet to be released in trade.
Bendis' Daredevil, which is available in a series of Hardcovers.
The Eternals
Runaways Volumes 1, 2, 3
Captain America Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 also available in Omnibus
Invincible available in 3 very nice Hardcover collections, Volumes 1, 2, 3

Sci-Fi
We3
Five Fists of Science
Planetary Volumes 1, 2, 3
Annihilation Volumes 1, 2, 3
100%

Servo · February 2008

ooh, arrowsmith. that's one i've been meaning to pick up for a while now.

Nogs · February 2008

this is seriously gonna take me days

smokmnky · February 2008

Nogs wrote: »

this is seriously gonna take me days

Maybe someone with mod powers can quote and paste it for us? I'd be willing to help clean it up before posting it.

Zeromus · February 2008

That would be hoss.

Bob The Monkey · February 2008

guys guys guys guys guys

what batman is worth reading, and are there any current in-continuity batman titles worth picking up?

Zeromus · February 2008

Batman, Detective Comics, and Nightwing are all worth picking up when they're out, and they're all in-continuity. I also really like Batman and the Outsiders, and Robin is pretty decent.

As for what Batman is worth reading...

Dark Knight Returns
Year One
Long Halloween
Dark Victory
Haunted Knight
Arkham Asylum
The Killing Joke
The Man Who Laughs
Gothic
The Cult
Son of the Demon
Hush (some people rag on it; I think it's a great story for new readers, as it deals with pretty much every single significant Batman character)
Gotham Central

... These should be a decent start, I think.

Servo · February 2008

Bob The Monkey wrote: »

guys guys guys guys guys

what batman is worth reading, and are there any current in-continuity batman titles worth picking up?

the current grant morrison run is good, but i've only been picking up sporadic issues, which is not the way to best grasp what's happening, I'm finding. it's all sort of turning into one big story, so if you want to grab those, I would probably advise getting all the back issues

KVW · February 2008

Nogs wrote: »

this is seriously gonna take me days

I can post about a 100 amazon links for random 'greatest comics evar' if you want. I went through a bunch for a potential blog post I never got around to doing. Would probably save you time or at least weed out a lot of the more popular or obvious choices. Also lists the creative teams for each book with the title for easy reference.

I'm not sure if the OP is the format the thread is supposed to be in, but it's not the way I would have went about it. Most want Super Hero comics or Indy or Manga. There are few people that come in looking for recommendations and want one of everything.

So having Sandman and Thor side by side doesn't cut it, no matter how awesome Walt Simonson's run was or how insanely great Sandman is. One reader coming for super heros would like Thor and one looking for more adult oriented or a book where the main character doesn't wear his underwear on the outside would like Sandman. Well, everyone would probably like both if they did read, but starting out, most want Spider-Man or the stereotypical comic book and then branch out later.

I'd propose maybe a Super Hero section, which is then broken down into Marvel, DC and Indy (Image, Darkhorse, etc) with maybe a couple sub-headings for each, like each major hero and then other random books.

For example:

Spoiler:

I'm not saying it has to be this way, but I think most would be more interested in everything from Marvel or everything from DC or Super Heroes in general compared to Fantasy and having to pick between Thor and Sandmand or the Books of Magic or what have you. Same for Action or Drama or Comedy. For the Mature readers or Manga sections, you could possibly break them down into comedy, drama and so on since they have such a broad selection of genres compared to most superheroes which consist of funny heroes, gritty heroes and happy go lucky heroes (broad generalizations of course, but they're still just super hero books for the most part).

Servo · February 2008

I highly disagree that "most" who are totally new to comics just want superheros. Most people who are new to comics want to find out that it's not all just superheroes. Besides, it's my OP, so I made it the way I want. Feel free to post your own list, as you have done.

and at any rate, i also doubt that people who are new to comics care enough to distinguish between a fantasy comic produced by marvel or a fantasy comic produced by dark horse, if they're just looking for a cool fantasy comic.

DouglasDanger · February 2008

I really think people are probably looking for something in a genre they are already interested in. They are searching for a way to experience that genre in a new medium.

KVW · February 2008

I didn't mean most are looking for superheroes, I meant most are looking for a specific section, typically either the stereotypical super hero comics everyone associates with the medium or the alternatives.

A recent recommend me comics post had a the OP saying he liked Sandman and was looking for more comics like that. If he looked at all the fantasy books, I don't think Thor or Wonder Woman or Dr Fate books would appeal to him if they were listed under the same heading. He'd probably like Fables or Lucifer in contrast, for example.

All I was trying to point out was that Fantasy Super Heroes (this applies to most Super Heroes titles, but not all) are typically drastically different from Vertigo-style Fanasty books.

Rereading my first post, it comes off like I'm saying "Shit sux, do it my way", but I was just trying to get across the problem I saw with lumping the super hero books with other genres. I probably still didn't make it as clear as I hoped, so I'll just drop it. Either way works fine and it's just good to see one of these recommendation threads finally stickied.

So, do you want us to categorize our recommendations like yours? Just list a pile of books? Descriptions? Amazon links like Nogs was doing?

Nogs · February 2008

i'll eventually get around to updating everything. but as it is im just doing a small chunk here and there. basically I have to change HTML code into Forum Code. That means I have 13 pages of changing all '<' into '[' and replacing the anchor shortcut 'a href' with 'url'. it is pretty tedious, but eventually it should all get in that post.

Servo · February 2008

KVW wrote: »

So, do you want us to categorize our recommendations like yours? Just list a pile of books? Descriptions? Amazon links like Nogs was doing?

really anything you want. i just want this to be where people can come for everyone's recommendations for new readers, whatever they might want. if it's a little disorganized, well, that's life.

Hayasa · February 2008

X-Men: First Class is one I'm finding extremely useful, as every issue they cover some other Marvel universe staple, so its a really good primer on whats going on in the up-to-date stuff. Now I get the Man-Thing reference from She-Hulk, for example.

Its also pretty good in its own right, and often has a Mini Marvels in the back. Score!

werehippy · February 2008

Alright, under the general category of superhero/action

Invincible
Specifically Invincible: The Ultimate Collection Vol 1, 2, and 3 which are the oversized hardcovers collecting several TPB at a time in a larger book on nicer paper for a better price.

Caveat: Do NOT look at the wiki or read online reviews before trying this book, because the first major arc (Vol 1) has one of the finest stories in any medium and by its very nature is spoiled in everything written about the book after it's run.

What it is: Quite possibly one of the finest unadulterated superhero stories written. Imagine your Dad is Superman, and now you're coming into your own powers. It's best described as Spider-man without any of the angsty about having powers, and then it takes a hard right turn into awesome town.

Speaking of which:

Ultimate Spider-man
I won't link to all the possible collections, because it comes in every variety under the sun, but I will recommend the hardcovers, which collect two TPB apiece, or even better if you can find it at a local Barnes and Noble, the Ultimate collection which collects the first 33 or so issues and is basically the first 3 hardcovers plus a ton of bonus material (this was a limited run and can be hard to impossible to find, but always worth checking for).

What it is: A reboot of Spider-man set in modern times, done right. The art is excellent, and Bendis really knocked the writing out of the park. It starts out absolutely perfect, runs extremely well, hits a somewhat off beat patch in the middle where it hits a "let's see who we can do new throw away version of" for a stretch, and then becomes amazing again up until now. Arguably the best Spider-man run in its entirety.

And last, but not least for now,

Runaways
Specifically, the hardcovers (because the TPB are digest versions and while dirt cheap don't do the book justice at all) Runaways, Vol 1, 2, and 3.

What it is: A group of kids who find out their parents are super villains who control the West Coast and devote themselves to making things right, when they aren't just struggling to stay alive. Set in Marvel continuity but largely uninvolved, to the point where it really could have been set in any universe, this book is excellent.

Me Too! · February 2008

The Runaways trades are fine if you buy them two at a time.
Speaking of, I need to pick up the next one at the shop this week.
Either that, or the Irredeemable Ant-Man digests.

Wildcat · February 2008

Nogs wrote: »

i'll eventually get around to updating everything. but as it is im just doing a small chunk here and there. basically I have to change HTML code into Forum Code. That means I have 13 pages of changing all '<' into '

Would a cut and paste to a word processor then liberal use of the Find & Replace command be feasible?

Nogs · February 2008

Wildcat wrote: »

Nogs wrote: »

i'll eventually get around to updating everything. but as it is im just doing a small chunk here and there. basically I have to change HTML code into Forum Code. That means I have 13 pages of changing all '<' into '

Would a cut and paste to a word processor then liberal use of the Find & Replace command be feasible?

I tried that, but i couldn't get it to work right. but then again i might also be doing it wrong.

Nogs · February 2008

Nogs wrote: »

Wildcat wrote: »

Nogs wrote: »

i'll eventually get around to updating everything. but as it is im just doing a small chunk here and there. basically I have to change HTML code into Forum Code. That means I have 13 pages of changing all '<' into '

Would a cut and paste to a word processor then liberal use of the Find & Replace command be feasible?

I tried that, but i couldn't get it to work right. but then again i might also be doing it wrong.

turns out i WAS doing it wrong. thanks man, you just saved me a lot of time.

Wildcat · February 2008

Glad to help!

Mark Andrew Smith · February 2008

I think that the most smartest and brilliant thing you could make here. Instead of a guide by what books people read is a guide by what kind of person the person is for what you'd recommend to them in comics. Otherwise it becomes a neverending laundry list. So for a particular kind of person what book could be the one to penetrate their interests in comics and get them reading them. So for instance band girl. What book would you pick for them? Or your nephew by his traits? What book would interest him? I think that's more of a fun thread and if it was done enough by type could be posted on the internet as a sort of comic book evangalism to get new people reading books but also to answer the question of "I want to get so and so into comics, how should I do it?".

The new to Comics FAQ is interesting too, but I'm inspired at all the potential there is and just had this idea.

Toxic Toys · February 2008

I'm going to throw out The Walking Dead, Ultimate Spider-man, and Y The Last Man.

All those books have good writing. I like the art so far in the, execpt for USM - I don't like Immonen's style and miss Bagley.

The Geebs That Is A Pony · February 2008

Immonen is maybe one of two people who could step in after Bagley and be a good fit for the book. I think Mark Brooks would also have been a good choice (and he's done both annuals, I'm pretty sure), but I don't know how fast he is.

But yeah, sometimes an art style isn't going to sit well with someone, and that's just a matter of taste. Someone just starting out won't have to make that distinction for a while though, if he starts at the beginning of Ultimate Spidey.

Toxic Toys · February 2008

The Geebs That Is A Mod wrote: »

Immonen is maybe one of two people who could step in after Bagley and be a good fit for the book. I think Mark Brooks would also have been a good choice (and he's done both annuals, I'm pretty sure), but I don't know how fast he is.

But yeah, sometimes an art style isn't going to sit well with someone, and that's just a matter of taste. Someone just starting out won't have to make that distinction for a while though, if he starts at the beginning of Ultimate Spidey.

I so would prefered Brooks. I just like a more realistic art style. Not that there is any thing wrong with Immonen's work. He is doing a good job.

It's just a matter of taste.

Keith · February 2008

I love Immonen's art but I think it'd be better for USM if it was more "solid" looking

Something Witty · February 2008

Allright then, I was just about to make a reccomendation thread when I noticed this. Good thing I bothered to check.

Anyway I have recently come into a sizeable load of birfdee cash and I have decided to do one of two things with it:

-Buy an engraved cane and monocle so I can look fancy.

-Blow it all on books and comics

After much deliberation I have decided on option two, mainly because I don't have enough money for a top hat and without the top hat the cane and monocle will have gone to waste.

I already know what books I want and I'm looking for some good stand alone graphic novels. Nothing about well established heroes (such as Spider Man or Iron Man, etc) just stand alone stories.

So far I'm thinking about getting Wanted, The Watchmen, and that Frank Miller Batman comic...the Dark Knight Returns was it? And yes I know Batman is a well established hero but that doesn't matter...he's freaking Batman!

I'm new to comics and I'd like something interesting to read. Also is there I a site that has preview scans or excerpts from graphc novels? Barnes & Noble doesn't let me do that and I don't want to end up purchasing something with art that I don't like.

Munch · February 2008

Might I suggest adding links to Newsarama's free comic scans, scans_daily, and Dark Horse Presents? All pretty invaluable resources for getting me into books I never would have read otherwise.

Penny Arcade

Help Me I'm New To Comics

Posts