Topic: Comics Recommendations

[gbuell]

Anyone got good comic recommendations for me? I'm not very interested in superheroes (unless they're fairly cerebral and self-contained stories, like Watchmen.) I've read and enjoyed Y: The Last Man, and I am currently reading Morning Glories and Saga, but beyond that I have pretty much no experience with comics. I'd like to get into some more fairly new comics that won't require a massive time and money investment to catch up on. Any ideas?

[nickmitch]

DC just rebooted their whole universe, so you can jump in to just about any storyline without knowing anything. Superman, Action comics and Supergirl are all 100% new cannon. Teen Titans and Superboy are good too, if you don't mind googling Tim Drake for a minute. I've heard good things about Animal Man, but haven't read it myself.

[Halbred]

I started reading several New 52 books: Batman, Animal Man, Catwoman, and Wonder Woman. I've given up those last two. Seems like the creative team changed every other book. However, Batman and Animal Man are both top-notch. I'd never heard of Animal Man before Karl and Jonny talked it up very highly, and I'm glad I dove in because it's great.

Although they've been stretching the next plot point out for like three issues now. We get it, you have to find Swamp Thing. Just do it already.

I read the Danger Girl: Revolver miniseries (IDW) and it was great--only four issues. Good art, fun Danger Girl action. The only other series I'm reading religiously is IDW's new TMNT reboot. It's wonderful. The first several issues are now out in trade, as are the micro-series books. If you have any love for the Turtles, these are well worth your time.

Digitally speaking, I've started buying the "Ame-Comi Girls" DC eComics. A new issue comes out every Monday. They're fun books with alternate takes on classic characters. Only $1 each, and the art is consistently good.

[gbuell]

I think if I get into any superhero comics at all it will probably just be Batman, at least for now. I'll look into the new ones.

[ShyGuy]

There are hundreds of Batman trade paperbacks and graphic novels. It's a good place to start.

Hellboy can be enjoyed as stand alone stories.

[gbuell]

There are hundreds of Batman trade paperbacks and graphic novels.

That's my problem with superhero comics in general. If I start them, the completionist in me won't be satisfied until I've read everything I could possibly read, and then I'd probably spiral off into other characters in the same universe, etc. etc. etc. I fear it would consume me. So I'm very hesitant to even start.

[Ceric]

I really enjoy Hellboy.  I would definitely Recommend it and you can buy a lot of books which is what I do.

I want to get into the DC Reboot but I have yet to grab one because of the cost associate with it.  Part of the reason I tend to go for the bound editions.

[ShyGuy]

Two I strongly recommend are Darwyn Cooke's adaptation of the first two Richard Stark Parker novels. Fantastic art and the story are some of the best hard boiled novels ever written. You know, the Mel Gibson movie, Payback? it was based on these novels. There's also Selina's Big Score, which is a Catwoman homage to the Parker novels by Cooke.

Darwyn Cooke is fantastic in general. I think a good way to narrow down your purchasing and not go crazy with collector-itis is to choose certain writers and/or artists. I recommend:

Chuck Dixon
Darwyn Cooke
Matt Wagner
Mike Mignola

[ShyGuy]

Also, try Bone. It's a limited series with a contained story.

[gbuell]

Cool beans, I'll keep those in mind. I started the New 52 Batman today, it won't take me long to catch up on that stuff at all.

[Morari]

Hm... keeping away from superheroes...

• Army of Darkness
• Sandman
• The Crow
• Heavy Metal

[Ceric]

Also, try Bone. It's a limited series with a contained story.

Can't you buy all of Bones in that 6" thick paperback?

[Sundoulos]

Also, try Bone. It's a limited series with a contained story.

Can't you buy all of Bones in that 6" thick paperback?

You can.  They've got one-volume editions in both black and white and, more recently, color.  The color version is about $105 (on Amazon) while the original black and white is a little over $20.    If you want the colored editions, they're also still available as nine individual paperback and/or hardback volumes.  The color paperback editions could be the way to go if you want to save money.  I started out with the B&W One volume back in 2005 before the colored editions were available.  I liked it enough to get both.

I absolutely love Bone; I think it's a unique, classic comic.  you can see influences from everything from Carl Bark's Ducktales, Walt Kelly's Pogo,  to even a little LOTR.  I'd like to describe it more, but it's probably best to go into it spoiler-free if possible.  If you have kids, it's a plus as well, because they'll enjoy it as well.

They do have new installments Bone: Quest for the Spark.  I believe that those are illustrated novels and not graphic novels like the original Bone.  I haven't read them, so I can't speak to how entertaining they may/may not be.

[Caterkiller]

I couldn't recommend One Piece enough. It's a long series and the story is only about half over but it is an extremely good read.

-The art style seems odd at first but it compliments the style of story very well and there really is nothing else like it.

-It's hard to tell where the story is going in the beginning, but there is a major over arching plot that encompasses everything.

-The plot get's fairly complex keeping you guessing and theorizing.

-The world is ever growing and connected full of all kinds of strange cultures and people.

-You are rewarded for paying attention and being a long reader.

-Character development is subtle like in real life. There is never any quick and drastic personality changes that happen over the course of one major event.

-You will cry.

[Caliban]

Caterkiller, I think gbuell was asking in regards to american comics.

[gbuell]

I'm not going to say I'm limiting myself to American comics, but I have absolutely no interest in anime/manga.

I got into the new Batman series, and issue #9 ties in to a bunch of the other Batman spinoff series. That's the kind of things that's going to make me crazy - now I feel like I have to get all those other issues to have the completely story. Argh.

[SixthAngel]

I'm not going to say I'm limiting myself to American comics, but I have absolutely no interest in anime/manga.

I got into the new Batman series, and issue #9 ties in to a bunch of the other Batman spinoff series. That's the kind of things that's going to make me crazy - now I feel like I have to get all those other issues to have the completely story. Argh.

Drop Batman and don't look back, it isn't what you are looking for at all.  I like comics but don't like superheroes much as well.  It drives me crazy when you say that and everybody recommends you superhero books anyway.

Since you liked Y: the Last Man I would suggest checking out some other Vertigo books.  I would recommend 100 Bullets and Transmetropolitan.  They are both self-contained stories and are finished.

Other comics to check out are Chew and Fell.  Fell is only a single collection so its the easiest to get.

[ShyGuy]

Drop the current Batman single issues, they are inferior. BUT get many of the great collected, self contained Batman trade paperbacks are a great choice. Batman is big enough to straddle many genres. Mystery, Noir, Thriller, Horror, Alternative History, Fantasy. I would contend that you could put Batman in any genre and make it work.