Comic Book Fans, Your Help Is Needed!

[Daniel]

Hello, comic book fans. Are you well? Good.

OK, I know nothing about comic books. In fact, the only things I do know are picked up from well-known pop culture, this forum or watching copious amounts of The Big Bang Theory. However, recently, I have had an urge to read a comic book or graphic novel. And seen as the world of this is so vast and varied (I mean, what the fuck is a multiverse?), I need some help in getting into it.

So what do you suggest? Bear in mind that I am not exaggerating. I know a minuscule amount on this topic.

 

[JGlass]

Do you have a favorite super hero based on the movies or cartoons or anything like that? I'm an X-Men fan myself and I could suggest quite a few things for you on that front, but that's just me.

One thing I think everyone can enjoy is the Civil War comic books. It features all of Marvel's key players and pits them at war against each other.

Also, if you're looking for something with a more classic feel, checking out Secret Wars might be worth your while. Basically, a very powerful being (kind of like a god, but not a god) is fascinated by Earth's superhero and super villain culture, so he teleports all of Earth's mightiest heroes and evilest villains to a planet where he forces them to do battle with each other. Basically, he's the ultimate fanboy and he's living out his fantasy. Make sure you get Secret WarS (note the S) and not Secret War, as they are two very different things. Secret Wars is from the 80s and is regarded as one of the greatest comic book events of all time, whereas Secret War is from the 2000s and is regarded as kind of dull, though I know Doc really likes it.

 

[Mr. Truth]

It's really up to who you want to read about. I'm a DC guy personally. Mainly read Batman and Superman. If you want to read Batman, you have to read Year One, The Dark Knight Returns, The Long Halloween, The Killing Joke to name a few.

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

Are you ready? Good:

1: Batman: Year One. It goes back to the very start of the Batman legend and goes inside the minds of Batman/Bruce Wayne & James Gordon as they arrive in a Gotham that is twisted by hate and evil. Both go on their own quests to rid Gotham of these and their paths begin to intertwine.

2: Spider-Man: Coming Home. The start of a new era on Spider-Man see's a separated Mary-Jane & Peter simply not talking to one-another while Peter attempts to re-build his life but ends up hitting a brick wall (and phenomenal foe), Morlun. This story arc goes back to classic style Spidey story telling, but adds extra things.

3: The Ultimates. Marvel decided to launch a new version of various classic characters for the 21st century, this is the Avenger's revamp. The first two are excellent with #2 being thought of as superior by most, but I personally prefer 1, which deals with the resurrection of Captain America into the modern world and just how messed up being a super hero is.

 

[The Doctor]

Secret War is from the 2000s and is regarded as kind of dull, though I know Doc really likes it.

It's the art, mostly. Just gorgeous.

Also, check out the Ultimate Marvel series'. I happen to love them, especially The Ultimates and Ultimate Spider-Man.

 

[Mr. Truth]

If you want to read Marvel, Joss Whedon's run on Xmen was fantastic.

 

[Daniel]

Do you have a favorite super hero based on the movies or cartoons or anything like that?

This may sound strange but I have only seen Batman Forever (watched all the time when I was about 7) and Batman Begins (when I was 12, and I didn't even understand it). Nothing else.

I'm intrigued by the Civil War comic books and Ultimate Marvel (in particular The Ultimates). Any Civil War stuff in particular?

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

The Punisher stuff is what I'd recommend, BUT you should read the actual series first.

 

[UltimateHitman]

What about the Infinity Gauntlet? I thought that was pretty decent.

Also, the Crisis on Infinite Earths could be a good one to check out. Blackest Night from Green Lantern seemed good. I didn't get to read the whole thing but that's one of the very few recent ones I've gotten to check out.

Killing Joke, as mentioned above, is also a very good read.

God, I'm sure I'm forgetting all kinds of great stories of old, but it's been quite a while since I've read comics, or even talked about them for that matter.

 

[The Dewbliners]

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with anything from either the Marvel or Dark Horse universes. As, I believe it was Truth, pointed out, Joss Whedon's run with X-Men was fan-fucking-tastic.

At the same time, you could always give a shot to the what I call the "the Unfuckwithable" books in the DC universe. Superman, Batman, Green Lantern.

Just, for the love of all things held as right and holy, DO NOT pick up the new "Future Force" series out of Marvel. It may not be that bad, I don't know yet, but just off of principle.

 

[Scotty]

My nerdness makes me enjoy the Batman/Superman World's Finest pretty well.

 

[The Doctor]

Scotty, get the fuck off the computer and go to Taco Bell.

 

[Daniel]

There's so much stuff. It's actually unbelievable and quite confusing. It's like when I became interested in wrestling and started learning about it but x100.

I find myself drawn to Captain America for some reason. The Ultimates seem to be winning me over.

 

[One Punch Doug Crashin]

Marvel Civil War is actually quite good and the entire series is easy to get a hold of torrent wise.

 

[Scotty]

Scotty, get the fuck off the computer and go to Taco Bell.

I am. Just love me some comic books.

 

[Daniel]

V For Vendetta sounds appealing, as does Watchmen. I think I'm going to go with The Ultimates: Volume 1, though.

 

[Shadowmancer]

Dark Knight Returns

Superman Red Son

Killing Joke.

Punisher Max: Barracuda

Actually all of Garth Ennis's Run of Punisher Max if you can get your hands on it.

 

[LigerBomb]

Art Spiegelman's Maus
Brian K. Vaughan's Y: The Last Man
The Luna Brothers' The Sword (or Girls)
Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Grant Morrison's We3[/FONT]
Chaykin/Tischman's American Century
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Ennis/Dillon's [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Preacher[/FONT]

For the Capes:
Brian M Bendis' Powers
J. Michael Straczynski's Rising Stars

For the Cute:
Jeff Smith's Bone (stupid rat creatures)

For the Cute w/ Boobs!:
Frank Cho's Liberty Meadows

For the LULz:
Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim series

 

[justinsayne]

It really is hard trying to pick a jumping off point in comics today, but I'd say Civil War is a good one, especially if you just start off with the main seires first, it's a great story adn kinda works as a sampler for all the major Marvel charecters, I would highly suggest it, especially if you are drawn to Capt. America

Alos you really can't go wrong with any of the Batman books, and if you want to just try out new series, then I would suggest hitting up you local comic shop and picking up the .1 issues Marvel puts out, the main reason for them is to get new readers more familier with the charecters and to launch off new story arcs

Also both Marvel adn DC are launching huge cossover events within each of their respected Universes, Marvel is doing and arc called "Fear Itself" whihc looks interesting, adn DC is doing one called "Flashpoint" which I know nothing about

You should also keep an eye on my new thread series where I spotlight big "events" with in the Marvel and DC Universes

 

[The Doctor]

Oh yeah, the Scott Pilgrim series. Of course.