Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now?

TheBigDave · 04-25-12, 10:56 PM

I haven't read monthly comics in 20+ years. And I was thinking about trying to pick up a few current series. I'm open to anything. But there's so many titles out there it's a little overwhelming.

Is there anything that's really hot right now? What series do you recommend?

Thanks.

kgrogers1979 · 04-25-12, 11:29 PM

Scott Snyder is very hot on Batman right now. Batman and Flash are my two favorite books currently. Nightwing and Batman & Robin are also pretty good, but the rest of the Batbooks are pretty mediocre.

Grant Morrison is typically a good writer, and I liked him on Batman, but his current Action Comics isn't as good in my opinion. The main Superman title started out poorly, but it improved greatly last month when a new writer came on board.

Geoff Johns has been writing Green Lantern since 2004. Its been consistently good with only a few rough bumps here and there. He is also currently writing Justice League which isn't nearly as good.

I haven't read the main Marvel books since the 90s, but the Ultimate universe has been pretty good lately. It was pretty rough a few years ago during the whole Ultimatum event, but it has improved drastically lately. It also helps that Brian Michael Bendis has been the writer of Ultimate Spider-Man ever since it began in 2000. He has been writing Spider-Man longer than Stan Lee did...

Some people don't like Bendis' style of dialogue. I didn't either originally, but it grows on you. Just be warned though that the Ultimate universe is very different from the main universe, especially post-Ultimatum.

TheBigDave · 04-26-12, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgrogers1979

Scott Snyder is very hot on Batman right now. Batman and Flash are my two favorite books currently. Nightwing and Batman & Robin are also pretty good, but the rest of the Batbooks are pretty mediocre.

Are those (Batman, Flash, Nightwing, Batman & Robin) the New 52 versions you're talking about?

Are there any other good New 52 series? That would probably be a good place to start. I can easily go back to the first issue and get caught up.

Quote:

I haven't read the main Marvel books since the 90s, but the Ultimate universe has been pretty good lately. It was pretty rough a few years ago during the whole Ultimatum event, but it has improved drastically lately. It also helps that Brian Michael Bendis has been the writer of Ultimate Spider-Man ever since it began in 2000. He has been writing Spider-Man longer than Stan Lee did...

So Marvel's Ultimate books are in a different universe than the regular series?

I loved Marvel back in the 80s. I was thinking about getting back into the X-Men. But there's so many X-Men series, I have no idea where to start.

Strapped4Cash · 04-26-12, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigDave

Are there any other good New 52 series? That would probably be a good place to start. I can easily go back to the first issue and get caught up.

I like All-Star Western, but only if you think you might enjoy western stories starring Jonah Hex.

JasonF · 04-26-12, 12:29 AM

Daredevil
Animal Man
Amazing Spider-Man
Saga

As for the X-Men, both Uncanny X-Force and Wolverine & the X-Men are supposed to be very good these days, and while I haven't read either, the writers (Rick Remender and Jason Aaron) both do very good work.

kgrogers1979 · 04-26-12, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigDave

Are those (Batman, Flash, Nightwing, Batman & Robin) the New 52 versions you're talking about?

Yes

Also since you haven't read comics in 20 years, Batman & Robin may be slightly confusing since the current Robin is Damian Wayne, who is the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul. Damian was introduced back in 2006 at the beginning of Grant Morrison's run.

Quote:

Are there any other good New 52 series? That would probably be a good place to start. I can easily go back to the first issue and get caught up.

I have heard good things about Animal Man and Swamp Thing, but I haven't personally read them so I can't judge them for myself.

Quote:

So Marvel's Ultimate books are in a different universe than the regular series?

Yes, they are completely different universes with different characters. Many of the characters are just "ultimatized" or modernized but some are completely different from the main universe. For instance, Peter Parker is dead in the Ultimate universe and Spider-Man is a kid named Miles Morales.

There is supposed to be crossover called Spider-Men coming out sometime this summer where Miles will meet the main universe Peter Parker. Its the first time the Ultimate and main universes have crossed over.

Quote:

I loved Marvel back in the 80s. I was thinking about getting back into the X-Men. But there's so many X-Men series, I have no idea where to start.

Yeah, classic Chris Claremont X-Men was awesome. Then it all went to shit in the 90s and became way too convoluted. The main universe has been shitting all over Spider-Man the last couple of decades as well. Maximum Carnage, The Clone Saga, The Other, Sins Past, One More Day were all just very very very bad Spider-Man stories. Sins Past and One More Day especially are not only the two worst Spider-Man stories, but also the two worst comic book stories of all time period. Its basically the reason I don't even bother with main Marvel anymore.

Supermallet · 04-26-12, 01:45 AM

I love Swamp Thing but I feel like the New 52 issues have been rather anemic, honestly. I haven't read the last issue or two so maybe it's picked up but I wouldn't recommend it to someone who hasn't read comics in many decades.

Animal Man, on the other hand, is excellent. My favorite of the new 52 titles.

I also think Batgirl has been doing some interesting stuff.

As for non-DC/Marvel stuff, The Walking Dead is a gazillion times better than the TV show and very much worth reading from the start. I also love Ex Machina a whole lot, although that series is done now, it's still worth getting into.

davidh777 · 04-26-12, 02:48 AM

Check the New 52 thread--some people have been reading a lot of the titles regularly and are recommending their favorites. I haven't read them but am planning to get some of the trades, and Animal Man is on my list based on that thread.

I'd echo Supermallet and say The Walking Dead. The good thing about current but long-running series such as that and Invincible is that you can pick up the first trade (at the library if possible) and get a good idea if you want to pursue it.

ytrez · 04-26-12, 06:38 AM

The Goon!

fujishig · 04-26-12, 11:47 AM

I know you want to get into monthly collecting, but I still think it's better to start off with a good collection (like Geoff John's earlier Green Lantern, Bendis's New Avengers, Morrison's early Batman run, or Brubaker's early Captain America, Hickman's Walking Dead or Invincible collections, etc.) that will give you a good idea of what has happened in the last few years and give you an idea of whether or not you'll like the current runs. The new 52 has gotten to the point where the first trades and hardcovers are coming out and that might be a good start. If you just want to read good comics, there are tons of things we can recommend in collections; even stuff you enjoyed as a kid, since Claremont/Lee X-men is back in print as an omnibus.

IMHO, even with the new 52, it's hard to jump into monthly collecting unless you're a comic fan that has either been following along for a while or who is resilient to being confused by the sheer number of characters and plotlines. X-men just rebooted last year, but is almost impenetrable now with Avengers vs. X-men going on. Of course, I've pretty much entirely given up on the monthly comic book, so I'm a bit biased.

Of course, when I was a kid I would just jump into the middle of storylines and I didn't care, so if you're just a comic fan, you can pretty much pick up anything and then build up your knowledge.

From Image, Saga is only on issue 2, that's been getting rave reviews and a few recommendations in here. I've heard the new Prophet run is also good.

madcougar · 04-26-12, 03:16 PM

I would pick up the first collection of Batman from the New 52 and then wait for the inevitable Night of Owls trade to follow. I have enjoyed All Star Western, Aquaman and Swamp Thing way more than I ever thought, too.

Quake1028 · 04-26-12, 03:43 PM

Saga
Animal Man
Swamp Thing
Aquaman
Wolverine & The X-Men
Amazing Spider-Man
Invincible
Peter Panzerfaust
The Strange Talent of Luther Strode
Batman
The Manhattan Projects
American Vampire
Daredevil
Thief of Thieves

fumanstan · 04-26-12, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigDave

I loved Marvel back in the 80s. I was thinking about getting back into the X-Men. But there's so many X-Men series, I have no idea where to start.

Pick up some of the major trade paperbacks from when you left off, they should be able to cover it.

I really love XTinction Agenda, XCutioner's Song, and Fatal Attractions in the 90's, and the Messiah Complex/Messiah War/Second Coming arc from the last 5 years.

fujishig · 04-26-12, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumanstan

Pick up some of the major trade paperbacks from when you left off, they should be able to cover it.

I really love XTinction Agenda, XCutioner's Song, and Fatal Attractions in the 90's, and the Messiah Complex/Messiah War/Second Coming arc from the last 5 years.

Well, depending on your tastes and age, you may find, reading the older stuff, that it wasn't quite as good as you remember... or nostalgia could bring you right back.

I agree with the Messiah Complex/Messiah War/Second Coming recommendation; that really was a callback to old-school 80's and 90's X-men to me. Also, X-force and X-factor have been consistently good while the main X-books change direction every few years.

TheBigDave · 04-27-12, 07:10 AM

Ended up grabbing the New 52 Batman. I'm 5 issues in, and it's really good. I'll probably pickup a few issues from a couple other New 52 series and see what I like. I'll definitely grab some Animal Man since I've seen so many recommendations.

I'm surprised to see people recommend Swamp Thing. I never took that book seriously. Is it really that good?

madcougar · 04-27-12, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigDave

Ended up grabbing the New 52 Batman. I'm 5 issues in, and it's really good. I'll probably pickup a few issues from a couple other New 52 series and see what I like. I'll definitely grab some Animal Man since I've seen so many recommendations.

I'm surprised to see people recommend Swamp Thing. I never took that book seriously. Is it really that good?

I'm enjoying Swamp Thing quite a bit. I tried Animal Man but it was just too... dark? for me. Not that Swamp thing is a ray of sunshine I guess...

Seven words for you on the Batman front: Get the hell out of my house!

Supermallet · 04-27-12, 11:08 AM

Swamp Thing has generally been a good book, but when Alan Moore was writing it, it was one of the best books. Again, I'm not too impressed with the New 52 Swamp Thing run so far.

xmiyux · 04-29-12, 09:17 PM

I absolutely love the Animal Man series running now.

bluetoast · 04-29-12, 10:19 PM

Saga - it's great to have Vaughan back in action, teamed up with a great artist
The Walking Dead - been reading this for years, and it's still really good.
Fables - I haven't read it since issue 90 something, but I really like it. However the constant crossovers and extra series, books meant I lost track, so I'll have to catch up at a later time.

Ex Machina was a disappointment for me, and I have all the singles of that. I loved it for years, but it really hit the deep end near the last year or so.

lattethunder · 04-29-12, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ytrez

The Goon!

Yep. And Scalped, Uncanny X-Force, Hellboy, and Criminal.

davidh777 · 04-30-12, 03:14 AM

Animal Man TPB was in my Gold Box picks for $7.79--ordered!

Supermallet · 04-30-12, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluetoast

Ex Machina was a disappointment for me, and I have all the singles of that. I loved it for years, but it really hit the deep end near the last year or so.

Shit. I haven't gotten to the end yet. I felt the same way about Y: The Last Man. Great for about 3/4ths of the way through, then the last quarter was full of bad decisions by the creative team.

JayDerek · 04-30-12, 10:42 AM

Hellboy
B.P.R.D.

Preterite · 05-02-12, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supermallet

Shit. I haven't gotten to the end yet. I felt the same way about Y: The Last Man. Great for about 3/4ths of the way through, then the last quarter was full of bad decisions by the creative team.

I actually enjoyed Y all the way through, but the last issue of Ex Machina was rage-inducing. (Very mild spoiler)

Spoiler:

bluetoast · 05-02-12, 04:21 PM

Yeah Y was weird as shit reading month to month, especially with all the delays in the last few years, so you end up forgetting the details of some events. However, I later read the whole series in one sitting (yeah it took a couple hours) and it made way more sense that way, and worked pretty well.

Ex Machina....that just broke down, in that there's no way to come back from what was done, although I might re-visit it down the line.

04-25-12, 10:56 PM	#1
TheBigDave DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USA Posts: 5,480	Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? I haven't read monthly comics in 20+ years. And I was thinking about trying to pick up a few current series. I'm open to anything. But there's so many titles out there it's a little overwhelming. Is there anything that's really hot right now? What series do you recommend? Thanks. __________________ Speedy thing goes in. Speedy thing comes out.

04-25-12, 11:29 PM	#2
kgrogers1979 DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,650	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Scott Snyder is very hot on Batman right now. Batman and Flash are my two favorite books currently. Nightwing and Batman & Robin are also pretty good, but the rest of the Batbooks are pretty mediocre. Grant Morrison is typically a good writer, and I liked him on Batman, but his current Action Comics isn't as good in my opinion. The main Superman title started out poorly, but it improved greatly last month when a new writer came on board. Geoff Johns has been writing Green Lantern since 2004. Its been consistently good with only a few rough bumps here and there. He is also currently writing Justice League which isn't nearly as good. I haven't read the main Marvel books since the 90s, but the Ultimate universe has been pretty good lately. It was pretty rough a few years ago during the whole Ultimatum event, but it has improved drastically lately. It also helps that Brian Michael Bendis has been the writer of Ultimate Spider-Man ever since it began in 2000. He has been writing Spider-Man longer than Stan Lee did... Some people don't like Bendis' style of dialogue. I didn't either originally, but it grows on you. Just be warned though that the Ultimate universe is very different from the main universe, especially post-Ultimatum.

04-26-12, 12:29 AM	#5
JasonF DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The greater Chicagoland area Posts: 31,906	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Daredevil Animal Man Amazing Spider-Man Saga As for the X-Men, both Uncanny X-Force and Wolverine & the X-Men are supposed to be very good these days, and while I haven't read either, the writers (Rick Remender and Jason Aaron) both do very good work. __________________ These are my DVDs 360 GamerTag: William T Bunny PSN ID: William_T_Bunny "JasonF can do no wrong!" -- Rockmjd23

04-26-12, 01:45 AM	#7
Supermallet Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Termite Terrace Posts: 38,644	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? I love Swamp Thing but I feel like the New 52 issues have been rather anemic, honestly. I haven't read the last issue or two so maybe it's picked up but I wouldn't recommend it to someone who hasn't read comics in many decades. Animal Man, on the other hand, is excellent. My favorite of the new 52 titles. I also think Batgirl has been doing some interesting stuff. As for non-DC/Marvel stuff, The Walking Dead is a gazillion times better than the TV show and very much worth reading from the start. I also love Ex Machina a whole lot, although that series is done now, it's still worth getting into. __________________ "if you truly want to discuss Sodom with me, send me a PM" - dvdjunkie32 Watch me squawk on Twitter: @Supermallet Check out my Bond commentaries

04-26-12, 02:48 AM	#8
davidh777 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 15,941	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Check the New 52 thread--some people have been reading a lot of the titles regularly and are recommending their favorites. I haven't read them but am planning to get some of the trades, and Animal Man is on my list based on that thread. I'd echo Supermallet and say The Walking Dead. The good thing about current but long-running series such as that and Invincible is that you can pick up the first trade (at the library if possible) and get a good idea if you want to pursue it. __________________ Challenges: Drive-In 2013 \| Action 2013 \| Academy Award 2013 \| TV on DVD* 2013 \| Holiday 2012 \| Comedy 2012 \| Horror 2012 \| Criterion 2012 / 2011 \| Animation 2012 / 2011 / 2010 \| Sci-Fi 2012 / 2011 / 2010 \| Historical 2012 / 2011 / 2010 \| Make-Your-Own 2012 (Buffy/Avengers) / 2011 (Chuck) \| Leap Day 2012

04-26-12, 06:38 AM	#9
ytrez DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,708	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? The Goon!

04-26-12, 11:47 AM	#10
fujishig DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 13,694	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? I know you want to get into monthly collecting, but I still think it's better to start off with a good collection (like Geoff John's earlier Green Lantern, Bendis's New Avengers, Morrison's early Batman run, or Brubaker's early Captain America, Hickman's Walking Dead or Invincible collections, etc.) that will give you a good idea of what has happened in the last few years and give you an idea of whether or not you'll like the current runs. The new 52 has gotten to the point where the first trades and hardcovers are coming out and that might be a good start. If you just want to read good comics, there are tons of things we can recommend in collections; even stuff you enjoyed as a kid, since Claremont/Lee X-men is back in print as an omnibus. IMHO, even with the new 52, it's hard to jump into monthly collecting unless you're a comic fan that has either been following along for a while or who is resilient to being confused by the sheer number of characters and plotlines. X-men just rebooted last year, but is almost impenetrable now with Avengers vs. X-men going on. Of course, I've pretty much entirely given up on the monthly comic book, so I'm a bit biased. Of course, when I was a kid I would just jump into the middle of storylines and I didn't care, so if you're just a comic fan, you can pretty much pick up anything and then build up your knowledge. From Image, Saga is only on issue 2, that's been getting rave reviews and a few recommendations in here. I've heard the new Prophet run is also good.

04-26-12, 03:16 PM	#11
madcougar DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,295	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? I would pick up the first collection of Batman from the New 52 and then wait for the inevitable Night of Owls trade to follow. I have enjoyed All Star Western, Aquaman and Swamp Thing way more than I ever thought, too. __________________ "Never underestimate stupid." Madcougar, 2002 X-Box Live Gamer Tag: Madcougar92

04-26-12, 03:43 PM	#12
Quake1028 DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hurricanes Season Ticket Holder Posts: 25,936	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Saga Animal Man Swamp Thing Aquaman Wolverine & The X-Men Amazing Spider-Man Invincible Peter Panzerfaust The Strange Talent of Luther Strode Batman The Manhattan Projects American Vampire Daredevil Thief of Thieves __________________ RIP Mary 1968-2005 Last.FM "Just take her to some nature shit and propose. She'll be so happy she'll mouth-bang you out in the woods." - Moopher

04-27-12, 07:10 AM	#15
TheBigDave DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USA Posts: 5,480	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Ended up grabbing the New 52 Batman. I'm 5 issues in, and it's really good. I'll probably pickup a few issues from a couple other New 52 series and see what I like. I'll definitely grab some Animal Man since I've seen so many recommendations. I'm surprised to see people recommend Swamp Thing. I never took that book seriously. Is it really that good? __________________ Speedy thing goes in. Speedy thing comes out.

04-27-12, 11:08 AM	#17
Supermallet Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Termite Terrace Posts: 38,644	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Swamp Thing has generally been a good book, but when Alan Moore was writing it, it was one of the best books. Again, I'm not too impressed with the New 52 Swamp Thing run so far. __________________ "if you truly want to discuss Sodom with me, send me a PM" - dvdjunkie32 Watch me squawk on Twitter: @Supermallet Check out my Bond commentaries

04-29-12, 09:17 PM	#18
xmiyux DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: May 2000 Location: WV Posts: 9,234	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? I absolutely love the Animal Man series running now. __________________ I'm nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I've begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I'm reminiscing this right now. I can't go to the bar because I've already looked back on it in my memory... and I didn't have a good time. Live gamertag: xmiyux

04-29-12, 10:19 PM	#19
bluetoast DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,019	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Saga - it's great to have Vaughan back in action, teamed up with a great artist The Walking Dead - been reading this for years, and it's still really good. Fables - I haven't read it since issue 90 something, but I really like it. However the constant crossovers and extra series, books meant I lost track, so I'll have to catch up at a later time. Ex Machina was a disappointment for me, and I have all the singles of that. I loved it for years, but it really hit the deep end near the last year or so. __________________ Uh oh...

04-30-12, 03:14 AM	#21
davidh777 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 15,941	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Animal Man TPB was in my Gold Box picks for $7.79--ordered! __________________ Challenges: Drive-In 2013 \| Action 2013 \| Academy Award 2013 \| TV on DVD* 2013 \| Holiday 2012 \| Comedy 2012 \| Horror 2012 \| Criterion 2012 / 2011 \| Animation 2012 / 2011 / 2010 \| Sci-Fi 2012 / 2011 / 2010 \| Historical 2012 / 2011 / 2010 \| Make-Your-Own 2012 (Buffy/Avengers) / 2011 (Chuck) \| Leap Day 2012

04-30-12, 10:42 AM	#23
JayDerek DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,737	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Hellboy B.P.R.D. __________________ ~Jason XBox Live: Jayderek18 My Criterion Collection

05-02-12, 04:21 PM	#25
bluetoast DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,019	Re: Which Series Should I Be Reading Right Now? Yeah Y was weird as shit reading month to month, especially with all the delays in the last few years, so you end up forgetting the details of some events. However, I later read the whole series in one sitting (yeah it took a couple hours) and it made way more sense that way, and worked pretty well. Ex Machina....that just broke down, in that there's no way to come back from what was done, although I might re-visit it down the line. __________________ Uh oh...