It's been 4 of 5 years at least since I last read them, so I need some recommendations. I'm open to any suggestions, as my taste varied from JLA to Preacher to Spawn back in the day.
The only definate for me so far is Astonishing X-Men, as I'd like so see what Joss Whedon can do with the characters. Other than that, I have no clue what's hot and what's not these days. Are the Ultimate series any good? I picked up Ultimate Spidey tpb vol. 1 on a whim once, but can't remember too much about it.

I can't spend a huge amount of money on getting back into it, so I would prefer some recommendations of series that I can catch up on fairly easily via TPBs.
Thanks in advance.

I suggest you take it slow. Get your feet wet by listening to the recommendations that are sure to come here. Try a few different things, then once you find the style you like, find those books that are similar.

My highest recommendation goes to SLEEPER. The first 6 issues are in trade, and the second 6 issues are collected in June. Season two of the series starts in June too. It's about a super powered man who goes undercover but finds out that the only man who knows he's a good guy goes into a coma.

THE LOSERS is one of the best thrillers I've ever read. It's better than most movies as far as action/drama/tension goes. First arc was recently collected.

GOTHAM CENTRAL is amazing if you like police procedurals.

The best super hero book right now is BIRDS OF PREY.

The new CONAN book is amazing if you like the character. He's never been better if you ask me.

Y: THE LAST MAN is great fun about the last man on earth. Oh, and he has a monkey.

As for Marvel's Ultimate line, it's okay. I'm enjoying ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN and ULTIMATE FF. But the stories aren't groundbreaking, just updated works really. Still fun. To be honest, almost all super hero books are sub-par these days. A lot of them feel padded. They're fun, sure, but most don't have the development necessary to get a really intense read.

DEAD @ 17 is a fun book about a cute dead girl who kills zombies. THE GOON is one hell of a fun book about an ugly guy who kills zombies.


All of the books I've mentioned have trades for the earlier issues, and most of the runs aren't into high numbered issues so it could be easy to track down back issues if you're into them.

Also note that my comments don't do justice to any of the books. Do some research on these and enjoy. You won't regret it.

Thanks for the response. Some of those sound pretty good.

I completely agree with Mr. Powell(except on the Conan stuff, I'm a big fan of the Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith run).

Would also like to add...

The Walking Dead - Groundbreaking Zombie book. This would be a perfect movie. Just came out with a TPB(issues 1-6) for $9.99 and is only on issue #7. You can catch up for cheap!!!

Check out the comics in may thread, for recommendations, and 2 increadible deals on Ult Spiderman HC vol 1-3 for 40$ and the entire series of Bone for 28$.

I'll throw in a recommendation for Rex Mundai, and Abazazad. 2 great non superhero books.

If yer an ol' Marvel fan, (like I said elsewhere) I'd pick up Exiles, what I think to be the best current Marvel book.

Also, I'd try Strasczinsky's Amazing Spider-Man.

I thought the new Astonishing was a little 'eh' but I did like the new Excalibur. Hard to tell at this point, though, but I did hear they're bringing back a reaaaaaaaaaaaaally old X-Character, which Wizard thinks is Mimic. Me? Morph???

Secret War is not what I thought it to be.

Avengers 500 is probably a sure bet, but who knows.

I would say the TPB of the Ultimate line (any) is a good read, as well. I liked the whole "Magneto is Xorn" thing, although that's about all I liked from Morrison's run. Well, that and the return of the Phoenix, of course!!!

Tales of the TMNT has struck my fancy as of late, too. But, I'm an old fan.

I would say, pick up whatever you feel like, and just read, my boy.

Read.

OK, here's my tentative to-read list so far, based on this thread and others:
Astonishing X-Men (haven't read much good about it yet, but I'm a big enough Whedon fan to try it for a couple of issues)
Invincible
Walking Dead
Y: The Last Man

Maybe some others, too, if the "fever" strikes me again like it once did.

Thanks for the recommendations!

add Rex Mundi to the list you won't regret it.

Well, you've got Whedon, BKV, and 2 Kirkman comics. That's pretty good, but you need some Bendis. He's probably the most prolific writer in comics right now and most of his stuff is great. Between Secret War and his upcoming Avengers run, he's writing some of the biggest events in the mainstream Marvel universe. He started the Ultimate universe with Ultimate Spider-man and has gone on to write every major character in that universe. His only non-Marvel book, Powers, just got it's own division under Marvel so that they could distribute it. I was disappointed with Ultimate Six and his UXM run, but they both just wrapped up. I'd recommend just about anything else from him.