Comics / Graphic Novels

[Bullfrog]

So, I'm thinking of getting into comics. Not seriously or anything, but I'm starting to appreciate the art and would like to start somewhere. I know it's almost an impossible question to answer, but............where do I start?

I've heard about the DC new 52, so that might make it easier for me. If I do start collecting, I'd probably like to stick to one title/story, or some smaller ones (like 10 issue storys or something). The major DC and Marvel worlds are very confusing to me and seem overwhelming.

I kind of like gritty or sexy stuff, but a good story is important. Would a smaller title from Dark House or similar be a good start? Matters not an ounce to me whether something is a household name or popular or not. I'm just looking for something good.

 

[Kin]

I can't claim to be an expert or anything but I think the primary question is whether or not you want to read about Super-Heroes or something else(Crime, Zombies, whatever). That at least narrows it down from a pretty broad medium to something specific.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm a little biased, because I want to support my friend as much as possible, as he's self-published a couple graphic novels. He's a fantastic artist, and the books are good, so, I'd strongly suggest checking them out. You can get them from his website, ahcomics.com.

 

[Bullfrog]

I can't claim to be an expert or anything but I think the primary question is whether or not you want to read about Super-Heroes or something else(Crime, Zombies, whatever). That at least narrows it down from a pretty broad medium to something specific.

That makes perfect sense.

I like superheroes, but prefer adults over kids or teenagers (say, the recent Batman movies more so than Spider-man.) I like complexity and I like flawed characters. Definitely not into zombies or vampires (for the most part.)

I'm also a big fan of martial arts and the "lone warrior" type of stories. Would rather read about swords and fists than magic. Also a fan of real human stories (that is, though I like superheroes, the characters certainly don't have to be them).

Game of Thrones is a genre that I like, where the supernatural is kept to a minimum; it's gritty, sexy at times, and has some battles.

I'd like to avoid overly misogynistic stories.

 

[Stickytape]

I totally know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed by the thought of jumping right into some of the big franchises and titles.  The histories of major characters are so insanely convoluted that I wouldn't even know where to begin.

I don't read that many comics these days, but when I get into Marvel or DC stuff (mostly Marvel, but I ought to make a switch) I like to get into the new, sort of fringe titles: stories with new characters that at least start out on the outskirts of the main titles, and gradually work themselves in.

Runaways is getting a little old now, but it was quite popular and I enjoyed it's original run.

Young Avengers and Avengers Academy are sort of along the same lines.  New characters, but tied into the old ones.  You sorta wind up learning a little about what's going on through osmosis.

Also, it's good to have something like the Marvel Database or even just Wikipedia around to look up stuff you don't understand.  It's like having a phrase book handy when traveling in a foreign country.

 

[#1PilarFan]

Yeah, it's hard to say what you're looking for but my personal favourites are:

1) Kingdom Come - Mark Waid/Alex Ross
The plot, the art, everything is glorious. Little heavy handed with the religious references but I don't think it ruins anything.
2) Dark Knight Returns - Frank Miller
An old Batman returning to duty after retirement. Classic Batman graphic novel.
3) Batman Year One - Frank Miller
A young Batman and Gordon battling crime in Gotham.
4) Watchmen - Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons
I tend to think Alan Moore's a wee bit overrated, but Watchmen is a classic. Essential reading.

Honourable mentions:

V for Vendetta - Quite different from the movie. It's pretty depressing, but it's good.
The Killing Joke - Never much liked Joker and this has the Joker's backstory which the artist said he would have left out (I tend to agree) but otherwise it's real good.
Days of Future Past - X-men can be hit or miss but this story's pretty darn good.

There's a ton more, but those are a good place to start. All the stories are pretty much self-contained, so you don't need to be familiar with anything else to enjoy them.

If you find you enjoy Kingdom Come, Mark Waid also has a (relatively) new series out called Irredeemable/Incorruptible, following the story of a superhero turned villain and a villain turned superhero respectively that I quite like.

 

[bustaheims]

Oh, I also suggest Deadpool, just because he's awesome/hilarious.

 

[Bullfrog]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to stop by the local comic store soon and check out some of your suggestions.

busta, I took a look AH Comics and those look like my type. I'll check them out for sure.



Though I'm an atheist, I actually really enjoy reading anything about religion, whether historical or in fiction.

 

[Bill_Berg]

I've been collecting The Walking Dead in trade paperback since it started. The show that's on now is good, but the comic is stellar.

 

[bustaheims]

busta, I took a look AH Comics and those look like my type. I'll check them out for sure.

Cool. There's a sequel to Titan coming . . . eventually. The writer on it has been distracted, but, he has started on it. It's a self-contained story, so, no worries about being left with a cliffhanger. Hobson's Gate is going to be a 3 part story. Part 2 is coming soonish (I think - I know the plan is to have the entire 3 part series completed by summer 2014). I have them both and I really enjoyed them. Based on the types of things you say you enjoy, I think they'll both be right up your alley.

 

[Stickytape]

Also, a quick suggestion:  If you're into the artwork, do be sure to make a list of artists whose work you enjoy as you're reading along.  Most comic titles will change artists fairly frequently, some as often as cycling between a few artists every 3 or 4 issues.

Skottie Young, John Cassaday, and Adrian Alphona are among my favourites; Jo Chen does my favourite cover art.  (Quick shout-out to Becky Cloonan, <3, though she does indy stuff.)  I've met Adrian Alphona, he's a peach.  (Cloonan, too.)

Same deal tends to go for writing: you'll develop a list of favourite writers pretty quickly, and you'll know which writers you'll want to stay away from. lol

4) Watchmen - Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons
I tend to think Alan Moore's a wee bit overrated, but Watchmen is a classic. Essential reading.

It's maybe best appreciated after you're already into comics, but it really is great.  Read it before seeing the movie, or even the trailer.

EDIT:  I keep wanting to recommend Astonishing X-Men but the backstory really is kind of a mess.  I remember when I lent it to a friend of mine, I practically had to read over her shoulder to explain things.  If you've seen the movies, though, it might be doable.

 

[hockeyfan1]

I buy some comics from Comixology (through the iTunes store).  Some old classics such as the limited edition "The Avengers" tv show, "Bionic Man" & "Bionic Woman" (more modern day/language/content/etc), Space:1999 Classics Remastered, Green Hornet, and a few others. 

Did not like "The Dark Knight'" series.  Too depressing.  "X-Men", "Fantastic Four" very good.

Bought an "Alpha Flight" graphic novel (the re-issue) at Indigo.  Also have a Space:1999 graphic novel (the re-issue) bought online at FabGear.

A family member once had the old "Superman" comics (''50s/early '60s) that would have been worth something today.  Trouble is that someone threw them out in the trash unbeknownst to them of their value (my grandmother)!  :  Oh well, what was done was done.

I used to enjoy buying silly child comics in my very younger days when they were just barely $1.00 each.  That was then.