Man, guys. I don't even know what just happened. I was browsing over Batman graphic novels on Amazon and suddenly I've bought the Dark Knight Returns. This comic thing is going to become a serious addiction very quickly, isn't it?
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ZampanovYou May Not Go HomeUntil Tonight Has Been MagicalRegistered Userregular
Man, guys. I don't even know what just happened. I was browsing over Batman graphic novels on Amazon and suddenly I've bought the Dark Knight Returns. This comic thing is going to become a serious addiction very quickly, isn't it?
Hey folks, I usually lurk around here, but finally have a worthwhile question. So, I'm relatively new to comics, but have gotten my start primarily through trades, typically those that have been more highly recommended, etc. For example, I've read V for Vendetta, Watchmen, and The Dark Knight Returns. I'm working my way through The Sandman as well as Y: The Last Man. I also like X-Men and have been working through Morrison's run on New X-Men, with Whedon's run on Astonishing X-Men on-deck. I've also been starting at the beginning of Ultimate X-Men and The Walking Dead.
Here is the problem: I'm a bit overwhelmed in terms of where to jump into a current series. I picked up a copy of No Hero #0 this summer and was intrigued enough to pick up #1 just yesterday. I'm considering setting up a pull list at my store to keep up with it, but the catch is I need a minimum of three subscriptions. So, long story short: what are some easy books to jump into with little to no background reading required?
I realize it may help slightly to get a broader view of my tastes, but I'm open to exploring new things and just want some suggestions I can investigate on my own.
So I just finished the first Sandman trade. It was pretty sweet, but I'm not sure I share in the best comic ever sentiment that everyone else seems to have. Is it one of those things where the first trade is alright, with the rest being fuck-awesome, or is it just not for me?
I'm trying to decide if I should take a chance on getting into a series I might not love, when I could spend my money on shit I know I'll love like the Cpt America Omnibus or damn near anything by Alan Moore.
So I just finished the first Sandman trade. It was pretty sweet, but I'm not sure I share in the best comic ever sentiment that everyone else seems to have. Is it one of those things where the first trade is alright, with the rest being fuck-awesome, or is it just not for me?
I'm trying to decide if I should take a chance on getting into a series I might not love, when I could spend my money on shit I know I'll love like the Cpt America Omnibus or damn near anything by Alan Moore.
Well, I'll offer this as someone who has not read the entire series, but is closer to being in your position. I have read the first two trades. While I did enjoy the second, and found there was more to reflect upon after finishing, I enjoyed the first trade more. Take that as you will, I suppose.
I like to consider myself a comic geek, but basically have actually read fuck-all in the big scheme of things, other than a lot of standalone stories and elseworlds type stuff. I haven't been anything remotely close to current on comics since a friend loaned me like 90 sequential X-titles (Age of Apocalypse and whatnot) in the late 90's and told me to catch the hell up. So i've decided to educate myself by basically going balls-out on a TPB collection.
One thing that's interested me lately has been the Marvel Essentials...especially found at a place like half price books or something they seem like an awesome deal for the moneys (esp. half-off the cheaper first printing prices!).
What i want to know is, are these basically the best way to come fully up to date on the Marvel characters that interest me? I don't mind the color extraction as much as i thought i would, and just tore through the first volumes of Spider-Man and Silver Surfer in a few days, so i figure i'll just keep going. But at what point will the essentials stop, or at least stop being the best plan? I see Spider-Man is up to like vol. 9. Where will be the cutoff point, hypothetically, that i will no longer be able to read every single issue of a book in trade form, and have to start going to hacked-up story arc collections?
Also same thing for the DC Showcase books or whatever? I got the first Justice League one and i am pleased. Will DC be supporting these as well as Marvel seems to have?
they won't always be the best way to get fully current on a given title, but they're a great way to catch backstory and learn about the origins of characters you're interested in. the cut-off point you mention varies from title to title. stuff like avengers or x-men you can come fairly close to modern times, but with more obscure characters you'll find less of their newer appearances in them.
dc's showcase books are basically equal to marvel's essentials in virtually every way. dc has the benefit of having a much wider selection of genres and silver-age titles that they're pulling from, though. stuff like haunted tank and house of mystery and sgt. rock.
Excellent, thank you for your reply. I also have a follow-up question of sorts. Does basically everything get collected these days for popular characters? I'm looking to basically just get a grounding in everything and then pursue characters i like to the fullest possible extent that i can afford. Is it possible (or will it theoretically be possible soon, with more Showcase editions)to basically own like all of Batman, for example, in trade form? All i have so far is standalone stuff by Miller, Loeb/Sale...that kinda thing. But i would like to have all or at least a large chunk of the proper continuity that's maybe not so heavily influenced by a single creator. If that makes sense.
the sheer number of different titles starring a character like batman that have come out over the years pretty much guarantees that no one collection or even series of collections could contain them all. i would say that's okay, though, since again given the sheer number of titles that have come out over the years starring batman, a large chunk of them are gonna be pretty middle-of-the-road to bad.
that's not to say that you can't get quite a substantial amount of batman materia by different creatorsl in trade, because certainly you can. it just requires jumping back and forth between different collections.
with characters that have had more limited focuses in their comics it might be more feasible though. it's probably possible to own the entire significant run of the metal men across, say, three essentials collections
so, basically, the answer to your question is that popular characters will have a great deal of trade material available, but it probably won't be in a uniform collection.
although marvel has started doing omnibus editions that collect huge chunks of single creator eras on modern comics as well, like the morrison new x-men omnibuses and the daredevil omnibus.
I like essentials about the time you get to the end of the silver age and it gets less wacky
Is there like a Showcase Batman that's around this time yet or no
Mid to late 80s? No Showcases covering that for Batman, but plenty of trades for stories from that time.
I think he means the stories around 70's when O' Neil and Adams started doing their thing, in which case no the showcases haven't gotten that far yet but the next volume should get well into 1970 or 71, I forget.
Also there's Batman by Neal Adams which has everything Batman that he pencilled in 3 deluxe hardcovers. Be warned though, they are all re-colored and have little "fixes" as Adams puts it (re-arranging word bubbles, pencilling in missing details, etc).
Is there a great comic book blog or something like that? A definitive source for all things comic-y and cool?
Somewhere I can browse and get lost in?
I'm brand new and want to collect a few of the newer comic books but only the well received ones (as much as that makes me a tool). At least until I get the hang of this brand new world of art and horrible stories (I keed).
EDIT: To be more precise, something with sample art from each of the series/books/artists/etc? I enjoy good art more than a good story.. but not if that means a shitty story.
The Invincible Super Blog is something I enjoy quite a bit, and the author does weekly reviews of his comics pulls with notable pages displayed. Not to mention he's a pretty funny guy.
Is there a great comic book blog or something like that? A definitive source for all things comic-y and cool?
Somewhere I can browse and get lost in?
I'm brand new and want to collect a few of the newer comic books but only the well received ones (as much as that makes me a tool). At least until I get the hang of this brand new world of art and horrible stories (I keed).
EDIT: To be more precise, something with sample art from each of the series/books/artists/etc? I enjoy good art more than a good story.. but not if that means a shitty story.
This is pretty obvious, I guess, but Newsarama has tons of good stuff on it
Awesome links guys. This has kept me pretty interested just looking at all the stuff.
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TavIrish Minister for DefenceRegistered Userregular
edited October 2008
So, I'm looking at graphic novels that I could get my brother for Christmas. I'd like to get him a sci-fi novel, preferably one where I can get the entire story in one book (Like the way all 12 issues are in one book). I was from looking at the list, I was thinking Ghost in the Shell, but I know that he's already seen the anime. Is there anything good that has kinda the same setting? I'd also rather get him something that's a stand-alone story rather then an arc... again, like Watchmen as apposed to something like Batman.
Uh, sorry if this post wasn't phrased very well :P
Transmetropolitan is set in a pretty neat future where moral decay has had centuries to set in and the sole voice of reason and justice is a total asshole.
Iron Man: Hypervelocity isn't set in the future, but it's a fun self-contained miniseries centered on Iron Man and featuring rogue AI's and all sorts of awesome sci-fi weaponry.
We3 is about housepets on the run and in search of home. It's sci-fi because the pets were put in mechanized suits of armor as part of a government project.
So, I'm looking at graphic novels that I could get my brother for Christmas. I'd like to get him a sci-fi novel, preferably one where I can get the entire story in one book (Like the way all 12 issues are in one book). I was from looking at the list, I was thinking Ghost in the Shell, but I know that he's already seen the anime. Is there anything good that has kinda the same setting? I'd also rather get him something that's a stand-alone story rather then an arc... again, like Watchmen as apposed to something like Batman.
Uh, sorry if this post wasn't phrased very well :P
the anime and the manga of ghost in the shell are pretty different, actually. if he liked the anime, you should definitely think about getting him the manga. it's a big story all in one trade and i like it more than the movie.
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TavIrish Minister for DefenceRegistered Userregular
edited October 2008
That two line description of We3 is enough for me to consider it above all else. Thanks for the suggestions duders
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Sars_BoyRest, You Are The Lightning.Registered Userregular
So, I'm looking at graphic novels that I could get my brother for Christmas. I'd like to get him a sci-fi novel, preferably one where I can get the entire story in one book (Like the way all 12 issues are in one book). I was from looking at the list, I was thinking Ghost in the Shell, but I know that he's already seen the anime. Is there anything good that has kinda the same setting? I'd also rather get him something that's a stand-alone story rather then an arc... again, like Watchmen as apposed to something like Batman.
Uh, sorry if this post wasn't phrased very well :P
the anime and the manga of ghost in the shell are pretty different, actually. if he liked the anime, you should definitely think about getting him the manga. it's a big story all in one trade and i like it more than the movie.
So, I'm looking at graphic novels that I could get my brother for Christmas. I'd like to get him a sci-fi novel, preferably one where I can get the entire story in one book (Like the way all 12 issues are in one book). I was from looking at the list, I was thinking Ghost in the Shell, but I know that he's already seen the anime. Is there anything good that has kinda the same setting? I'd also rather get him something that's a stand-alone story rather then an arc... again, like Watchmen as apposed to something like Batman.
Uh, sorry if this post wasn't phrased very well :P
If he liked the Ghost in the Shell anime, you could get him the Appleseed manga ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appleseed_(manga) ), which was written by the same guy who wrote GitS and is kinda similar. You can't get the whole thing in one book, but each volume is more-or-less selfcontained.
Or, as Servo mentioned, the GitS manga itself, as the manga, anime and movies are all incredibly different.
TavIrish Minister for DefenceRegistered Userregular
edited October 2008
Thanks for the help guys. I was able to order the We3 paperback for €10, which I think is an incredibly good deal considering most paperbacks are over twice that when bought in shops here.
So, I realized recently that I haven't really read much Spider-Man despite liking the character well enough. I've read Kraven's Last Hunt, which is probably one of my favorite comic stories ever, but other than that, I have a lot of weird ground covered: the "Death of the Stacys" hardcover, "The Other" (barf), the first volume of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, the first oversized hardcover of Ultimate Spidey, the Civil War arc and the "back in black" story that immediately followed in Amazing, but that's about it.
I'm looking for recommendations of some good stories that are available in trade format, and I'd prefer to avoid any Ultimate Spider-Man suggestions (I know it's supposed to be fantastic and it has very linear releases so there really isn't any confusion here). Any "classic" stories I should be aware of? I also wouldn't mind suggestions that aren't necessarily Spider-Man books but stories in which the character plays a significant part (Civil War would be a decent example of this, I guess).
I liked Paul Jenkin's Peter Parker: Spider-Man series.
also, I'm not sure if it was part of that series or not, but I recall a miniseries or something where the issues focused on other characters, like
Rhino choosing to have a smart-ray applied to him so that he would appeal to a girl that he liked, and he became so smart that he was no longer interested in the girl, and could not find happiness and chose to have the effects of the ray reversed.
I don't remember what that was, but it was awesome.
I
also, I'm not sure if it was part of that series or not, but I recall a miniseries or something where the issues focussed on other characters, like
Rhino choosing to have a smart-ray applied to him so that he would appeal to a girl that he liked, and he became so smart that he was no longer interested in the girl, and could not find happiness and chose to have the effects of the ray reversed.
I don't remember what that was, but it was awesome.
that story was from "tangled web of spider-man", an anthology-type series that ran for a couple of years. it had a rotating team of creators and usually focused on some side character, like an awesome one where the kingpin ends up killing one of his own men.
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Yes.
PSN/XBL: Zampanov -- Steam: Zampanov
Here is the problem: I'm a bit overwhelmed in terms of where to jump into a current series. I picked up a copy of No Hero #0 this summer and was intrigued enough to pick up #1 just yesterday. I'm considering setting up a pull list at my store to keep up with it, but the catch is I need a minimum of three subscriptions. So, long story short: what are some easy books to jump into with little to no background reading required?
I realize it may help slightly to get a broader view of my tastes, but I'm open to exploring new things and just want some suggestions I can investigate on my own.
I'm trying to decide if I should take a chance on getting into a series I might not love, when I could spend my money on shit I know I'll love like the Cpt America Omnibus or damn near anything by Alan Moore.
Well, I'll offer this as someone who has not read the entire series, but is closer to being in your position. I have read the first two trades. While I did enjoy the second, and found there was more to reflect upon after finishing, I enjoyed the first trade more. Take that as you will, I suppose.
One thing that's interested me lately has been the Marvel Essentials...especially found at a place like half price books or something they seem like an awesome deal for the moneys (esp. half-off the cheaper first printing prices!).
What i want to know is, are these basically the best way to come fully up to date on the Marvel characters that interest me? I don't mind the color extraction as much as i thought i would, and just tore through the first volumes of Spider-Man and Silver Surfer in a few days, so i figure i'll just keep going. But at what point will the essentials stop, or at least stop being the best plan? I see Spider-Man is up to like vol. 9. Where will be the cutoff point, hypothetically, that i will no longer be able to read every single issue of a book in trade form, and have to start going to hacked-up story arc collections?
Also same thing for the DC Showcase books or whatever? I got the first Justice League one and i am pleased. Will DC be supporting these as well as Marvel seems to have?
dc's showcase books are basically equal to marvel's essentials in virtually every way. dc has the benefit of having a much wider selection of genres and silver-age titles that they're pulling from, though. stuff like haunted tank and house of mystery and sgt. rock.
that's not to say that you can't get quite a substantial amount of batman materia by different creatorsl in trade, because certainly you can. it just requires jumping back and forth between different collections.
with characters that have had more limited focuses in their comics it might be more feasible though. it's probably possible to own the entire significant run of the metal men across, say, three essentials collections
so, basically, the answer to your question is that popular characters will have a great deal of trade material available, but it probably won't be in a uniform collection.
although marvel has started doing omnibus editions that collect huge chunks of single creator eras on modern comics as well, like the morrison new x-men omnibuses and the daredevil omnibus.
Is there like a Showcase Batman that's around this time yet or no
I think he means the stories around 70's when O' Neil and Adams started doing their thing, in which case no the showcases haven't gotten that far yet but the next volume should get well into 1970 or 71, I forget.
Somewhere I can browse and get lost in?
I'm brand new and want to collect a few of the newer comic books but only the well received ones (as much as that makes me a tool). At least until I get the hang of this brand new world of art and horrible stories (I keed).
EDIT: To be more precise, something with sample art from each of the series/books/artists/etc? I enjoy good art more than a good story.. but not if that means a shitty story.
This is pretty obvious, I guess, but Newsarama has tons of good stuff on it
Uh, sorry if this post wasn't phrased very well :P
Iron Man: Hypervelocity isn't set in the future, but it's a fun self-contained miniseries centered on Iron Man and featuring rogue AI's and all sorts of awesome sci-fi weaponry.
We3 is about housepets on the run and in search of home. It's sci-fi because the pets were put in mechanized suits of armor as part of a government project.
Google any of these for more details.
https://twitter.com/Hooraydiation
the anime and the manga of ghost in the shell are pretty different, actually. if he liked the anime, you should definitely think about getting him the manga. it's a big story all in one trade and i like it more than the movie.
If he liked the Ghost in the Shell anime, you could get him the Appleseed manga ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appleseed_(manga) ), which was written by the same guy who wrote GitS and is kinda similar. You can't get the whole thing in one book, but each volume is more-or-less selfcontained.
Or, as Servo mentioned, the GitS manga itself, as the manga, anime and movies are all incredibly different.
I'm looking for recommendations of some good stories that are available in trade format, and I'd prefer to avoid any Ultimate Spider-Man suggestions (I know it's supposed to be fantastic and it has very linear releases so there really isn't any confusion here). Any "classic" stories I should be aware of? I also wouldn't mind suggestions that aren't necessarily Spider-Man books but stories in which the character plays a significant part (Civil War would be a decent example of this, I guess).
Thanks!
Maybe!
Listen I said not to turn this into a USM discussion you bastard
In recent years sure
But 616 Peter is always my hero
also, I'm not sure if it was part of that series or not, but I recall a miniseries or something where the issues focused on other characters, like
that story was from "tangled web of spider-man", an anthology-type series that ran for a couple of years. it had a rotating team of creators and usually focused on some side character, like an awesome one where the kingpin ends up killing one of his own men.
"Spider-man, where are you coming from? Spider-man, nobody knows who you are!"
EDIT:
Damn these multicultural delinquents!