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How do I penetrate the world of comics?
Drem
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
If there is already a topic on "hi im new to comics how do i start", you can skip reading this post and tell me. If not, keep in mind that my only knowledge of comic books is on Marvel and DC characters. I don't know much outside of those universes.
The only time I've read comics was a long time ago when my father came home one day with a big box filled with comics. It looked like one of those boxes we always got croissants in, cardboard bottom with a plastic wrapping over the top. My elder brother and I quickly divided them up into who got what books, though we of course read all of them. My brother got some Green Lantern comics, and the Green Lantern got this cool new green and black suit. We thought it was pretty awesome. I got some Batman ones, and it seemed like the end of a story arc. Batman beat this "fake" Batman who looked really cool. He had a metal suit and had claws and stuff. I think he might have been red. I remember the name "Knightfall," though I don't remember if it was the title of issue or one of the advertisements at the end for what I assumed were novels. I never read anything after that.
But for the past few months, I've been reading Wiki articles on various series, and I find the stories pretty interesting. I suppose it started with Infinit Crisis, and then I'd read up on who the people in there were, and then I looked up various series I remembered about. I find the evolution of characters and stories good, and I like how they tend to cross-over.
But I also seem a bit lost as to how it all works, though some of my impressions may be from mis-interpretations from my childhood. Some series have different artists that switch? Or are there multiple writers and artists for one series that alternate? Or am I completely off here, and I'm mistaking some spin-off/alternate series for the main one? Coupled with that is the fact that there is already a long established history with the series and characters, and I fear that if I were to try and start reading something now, I'd have no clue what is going on. (I read that this is what Infinite Crisis was for)
tl;dr So where should I start right now with comics? What is good (aside from Watchmen, which I've heard a lot about from my elder brother who heard a lot about it from his crazy Swedish writer friend)? It doesn't have to be Marvel or DC, though they are the ones I'm most interested in since they're the only ones I know. Should I wait a little bit for this Civil War thing to finish up?
The only time I've read comics was a long time ago when my father came home one day with a big box filled with comics. It looked like one of those boxes we always got croissants in, cardboard bottom with a plastic wrapping over the top. My elder brother and I quickly divided them up into who got what books, though we of course read all of them. My brother got some Green Lantern comics, and the Green Lantern got this cool new green and black suit. We thought it was pretty awesome. I got some Batman ones, and it seemed like the end of a story arc. Batman beat this "fake" Batman who looked really cool. He had a metal suit and had claws and stuff. I think he might have been red. I remember the name "Knightfall," though I don't remember if it was the title of issue or one of the advertisements at the end for what I assumed were novels. I never read anything after that.
But for the past few months, I've been reading Wiki articles on various series, and I find the stories pretty interesting. I suppose it started with Infinit Crisis, and then I'd read up on who the people in there were, and then I looked up various series I remembered about. I find the evolution of characters and stories good, and I like how they tend to cross-over.
But I also seem a bit lost as to how it all works, though some of my impressions may be from mis-interpretations from my childhood. Some series have different artists that switch? Or are there multiple writers and artists for one series that alternate? Or am I completely off here, and I'm mistaking some spin-off/alternate series for the main one? Coupled with that is the fact that there is already a long established history with the series and characters, and I fear that if I were to try and start reading something now, I'd have no clue what is going on. (I read that this is what Infinite Crisis was for)
tl;dr So where should I start right now with comics? What is good (aside from Watchmen, which I've heard a lot about from my elder brother who heard a lot about it from his crazy Swedish writer friend)? It doesn't have to be Marvel or DC, though they are the ones I'm most interested in since they're the only ones I know. Should I wait a little bit for this Civil War thing to finish up?
Drem on
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Comics such as the Walking Dead, Invincible, and Y the Last Man are alot easier to get into as they aren't connected to a larger continuity. The entire series is contained in a single ongoing.
3DS: 5241-1953-7031
here's what you do, guy
you pick up a couple of trades of fairly new series like Astonishing X-Men, or New Avengers, or Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. (I guess the DC equivalent would be something like Batman/Superman, and the new Justice League Of America series) They'll get you basically up to speed with what's going on in the current comics. If you have questions, you can generally look up certain comics in wiki, which is what you've been doing anyway.
After that, it's just up to you to decide what you like.
You beat me to it!
Basically, read stuff that people recommend you, then you'd develop a feel for what you dig on a general level.
Also: if Infinite Crisis grabbed you, then you should read 52.
My final piece of advice: a better way than following characters is to follow writers. I know now that pretty much anything by Morisson or Moore is worth me checking out, because I've really dug all their shit to date. I'm also turning on to Jeph Loeb thanks to his superman/batman stuff (and despite Hush).
Anally.
I just recently started reading comics ... not sure what the BEST way to
get into them is .. but the way I did was this:
Trolled these boards a bit, and looked up what people were talking about.
At first it was mostly Graphic Novels and Popular Trades ... Dark Knight
Returns, Watchmen, etc.
After a while I got into Astonishing X-Men, read through Age of
Apocalypse, a buncha Captain America stuff ...
Without Wikipedia though, I wouldn't know heads from tails as far as
what is going on. I guess if you don't want to get caught up with newer
issues through wikipedia, Ultimate series stuff might be for you.
(Ultimate is basically an alternate universe where they restarted all teh
comics, same general arcs but sped up and with twists)
I'm on the fence on whether or not I like em in general .. but you can get
like all the Ultimate X-Men through buying X3 which ain't a bad place to
start ... I think ?? I could be wrong somebody please correct me if I am.
(oh, and as you can tell I don't have very much experience with the DC
comics .. but the infinite crisis/52 thing seems like a solid idea and I
might try that)
Anyhow, here's what I would do.
1) Hit the local library and check out a bunch of stuff from their graphic novel section and read through it, paying attention to authors, artists, and characters that you like, and then using Google, wiki, or the TPB List to find information on things that the artists/writers worked on, or that the characters appeared in.
2) Visit your local comic retailers and find one that suits you. Keep in mind that comics always come out on Wednesday, unless there's a holiday earlier in the week, and most places will have their product out on the shelves by noon at the latest. Then, after having developed an idea of what characters/writers/artists you like from your library reading, browse the shelves and see what looks interesting. Also, if the comic shop workers are cool and knowledgeable, they'll be able to reccomend some stuff to you.
3) Make liberal use of comic fan sites like Newsarama and Comic Book Resources. They often have previews of upcoming books, reviews, exclusive news, and interviews with creators.
4) Keep an eye on threads here and see what people are discussing, what they like, and what they hate. Ask questions if you don't understand a plot point, a character's motivations, or whatever. Keep an eye out on what people are buying and reviewing in the weekly shipping list as well.
I stopped reading comics for something like five years after starting high school, and only recently started reading them again around a year and a half ago, so I can sympathize with you. But really, comics aren't half as confusing as some people might think. Yes, you might not understand some little obscure nod to past stories in a comic, but nowadays most are written to stand fairly well on their own, and not be too burdened with history.
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Just stay away from the forums.
PSN: OrneryRooster
Unless you want to see discussion about which X-character slept with which other X-character (supposedly Wolverine's banged them all).
If you're familiar with the characters and don't want to deal with the years of backstory, the Ultimate line is definitely the way to go (unless you happen to hate Spider-Man or X-Men). I stopped collecting for about 6 years while I was in High School/College and got back into collecting around when Ultimate Spider-Man was in its 20s or so, picked up the trades of what I missed and was in love. Then I just kinda branched out and got everything that Bendis was writing at the time (I think it was only just DareDevil). Probably good to go to the library and eat up all the trades they have available there, and then follow writers not characters.
I am not really sure how to break into the DC universe as that is something I have always WANTED to do, but have never had any success (I'd stick around for an arc or two, but it'd ultimately lose my interest). Any specifics on how to get into that universe because I love the characters through DCAU.
Maybe some trade suggestions that aren't Elseworld's trades besides Infinite Crisis that take place in normal DCU continuity. I like the characters, but for some reason they can't seem to grab me to want to read about them on a monthly basis. Maybe I am broken. :oops:
Batman TAS made sure I checked out Justice League, which segued into JLU, and then I just /had/ to know the back-stories to all these cool "new" characters my brain had been assaulted with.
The X-men cartoons also made me try and check out some X books, but it turns out they all suck balls.
Anally.
Teen Titans was my gateway to the DCU, honestly. And the last arc of Green Latern with Kyle Rainer. But TT, even when bad, is really good.
And really, because comics are ultimately episodic, all you need to know is the book's logline.
Most of the character origins are not very far removed from what you saw in the DCAU; there's little that's wildly inconsistent between the two.
I wish DC would publish a new Who's Who. As a kid, that was a great help for me, and it made me seek characters out that I'd not heard of before. A new Who's Who, and a new, more consistent, comprehensive OHOTMU would be really great for new readers.
It's very easy to get into any comic. Add all the handy tips the others have pointed out (wiki, pick a character you like,etc) and your good to go.
It got me into the Titans as a whole.
Before the show, I had no interest in who the fuck Changeling was, or what the deal with Raven is.
Now I'm wishing more characters had made cameos, like Donna Troy for example.
No. You don't get to do this. You by Ostranders run on it or I will a haunt you.
These are nice articles to help you out. Particularly the earliest ones, where they focus one one character like Daredevil or The Flash.
Wikipedia is great, too, though if you're getting into DC you might want to read up on Crisis on Infinite Earths especially.
And, of course, the old cartoons are the best.
Oh god, yes. I was just there reading over the Wonder Woman guide. Well written, humorous explainers. A real gem of a comic book resource on the web.
Ok.
Read Invincible.
Then walk outside, shake your fist at the sky and shout "KIRRRRRKMAAAAAAAAAAN!"
JordynNolz.com <- All my blogs (Shepard, Wasted, J'onn, DCAU) are here now!
I've heard a lot of Starman love around here. Am I a bad person for having not enjoyed it?
In my defense, I only ever had a chance to read the first trade. I guess it must have improved as it went on?