Comic Book Recommendations
 

Recently I have been getting back into reading comics after a long time off(I used to read a lot as a kid in the early to mid 90's). Now after I have seen Sin City, Batman Begins, and watching series such as Justice League, Teen Titans, and Spiderman(90's), I really want to start reading some good comic books.


I read all of the sin city graphic novels and really loved them. I am probably gonna pick up Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One as they are both written by Frank Miller.


I figured I'd ask the forum if they have any reccomendations for me for comics, and where I should start on them. I am interested in reading some superhero comics such as batman as previously stated, but also possibly spiderman, flash, and possibly some lesser known ones you guys reccomend. I have no idea though what would be a good place to start reading the comics, as there are years and years of them. I know many super hero back stories from t.v shows and movies, but would also like to read them, but don't want to read 50 years worth of material. I'm open to any and all suggestions on classic and new comic books. Thanks for your time.

Check out the Monthly comic threads laying around here. We're on July right now but you can go back to June and check out what everyone's reading.

I'm just recently back too. :up:


July:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428934

Just do a search, there are tons of comic book threads with us talking about what is good.

A great place to start though, since you like the Titans & Unlimited cartoon is to get the first to Teen Titans trade paperbacks from the new series. Really great superhero stuff.

You can get the TPB for all the below

Invincible = Its a superhero book about a boy with super powers. Its different in you see a lot of teen problems in the book. Its a strange book.

The Maxx = ITs strange but good. Well there is this purple guy called maxx and he protects this girl. He might be giant rabbit. ummmm its strange but good.

The Walking Dead = The world is overrun with zombies. A group is holed up in a prison. people turn on each other, zombies kill people, its great if you like zombies. Same guy that does Invincible does this but this isn't wacky unless you think zombies are wacky.

Cerebus = Its story about a space pig that starts off wacky...ok its all wacky but really deep also. The TPB are called phonebooks because they are as big as phonebooks.

If you're a Miller fan, like myself, you may also want to get Daredevil: Visionaries Frank Miller Vols 2 & 3 (Vol 1 is ok, but 2 & 3 are fantastic). There's also 300, written & drawn by Miller, which is terrific.

In addition to picking up the teen titans trades, I recommend the following series, all fairly new:

Runaways (Marvel) - they just published issue five of volume 2 with a Trade of all 18 issues of volume 1 coming in August. This is a fun book with a lot of mystery built into it by one of the best writers in the industry today: Brian K. Vaughn

also having just published issue 5: Young Avengers (Marvel). This is essentially just a good superhero story that builds extraordinarily well off of Avengers history, but it's not just for old timers. New writer Allan Heinberg (a TV writer for the OC) makes sure to explain what's need to know knowledge for each issue while continuing the principle plot.

and my current, favorite series:

Legion of Superheroes (DC). Written by Mark Waid, this latest reboot (they've just published issue #7) does not require ANY previous knowledge of Legion events and has a great, great developing story running through each issue. Essentially Mark has taken a very dark story and is slowly building it through each issue of Legion while mainting a little bit of the lighthearted tone of the Legion. The characters are a bit more human than in some previous reboots of legion with some infighting going on. Basically this is my favorite book on the market for its characters, developing story, and the comedy bits.

If you were a fan in the 90's, you've probably already read Watchmen, but if not, get it.

Planetary still impresses me, even if it seems to take forever for a new issue to come out. The same with Astro City.

JSA has a rich history behind it, but I think it's still enjoyable on it's own.
Lot's of trades out on that one.

This is actually a great time to get back into comic books, if only because it seems like almost everything of any significance that's come out the past couple of years has been collected and is still pretty readily available in Graphic Novels. You mention the Flash, and you can get the last few years (which are excellent, BTW) in collected volumes, which you couldn't have 10 years ago without digging through backissue bins or getting just parts of the run.

All great books, (I do think Cerebus is very overrated), but did you read the guy's OP. These are not the types of books I would recommend someone just getting back into comics, especially based on the stuff he says he likes.

If you are just getting back into comics, find yourself a discount bin that has some recent books and just try a few titles out. There used to be a place around here that had books from 3-4 months ago for 3/$2 so thats a good way to get a taste for what you dig.

You are indeed correct. Those are not very good for what he is looking for. So invincible would be my only suggestion.

if you want to read Spider-Man and don't mind doing so via your computer screen I would highly recommend the following collection

40 Years Of The Amazing Spider-Man CD-rom
an Amazing set for $40

a similar set collecting 44 Years Of The Fantastic Four was just released on dvd-rom

find both here Talesofwonder.com

If you are looking for something to hold and read I would suggest either 'Masterworks' for the best hardcover color presentation of classic stories or 'Essentials' for a good value high page count of b&w reprints

Joss Whedon's Fray and Astonishing X-Men are both excellent and probably very good for someone just getting back into comics.

I'd also recommend works of Alan Moore such as The Watchmen or League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as his stuff tends to be more like novels than comics, in a sense.

wow, that Spider Man rom sounds very, very cool.

Check out the following, nothing over the top, just great reads, especially for someone who wants to get back into comics:

Top 10 -- Alan Moore
Series ended at #12 due to some artist problems (he had some stuff going on in his personal life I think)

Planetary -- Warren Ellis
Ellis does a great job, and yes, the issues take forever to come out

Astro City -- Busiek
Simply amazing, super-heroes and their lives

I also second the recommendation for Frank Miller's 300. I've read almost all his stuff and I put this mini series up there with Sin City (his Hard Boiled and Elektra: Assassin and Elektra Returns leaves something to be desired though).

Oh yeah! Almost forgot!
Kingdom Come -- Mark Waid
If you like great art and a great story, go for this. Especially if you're a DC lover (story centers around Superman, Batman, and WW mainly, seen through the eyes of somebody else).

Solo (DC Comics) bi-monthly book. The focus is on the artist doing the book. Tim Sale 1, Richard Corben 2, Paul Pope 3, Howard Chakin 4, Darwyn Cooke 5.
Batman: Mad Love-Written by Paul Dini (wrote some of the Batman cartoons, now writes for Lost Tv show), Bruce Timm (creative force behind Superman, Batman, JL cartoons)
Batman Year One
The Batman Adventures Holiday Special #1 all stories and art by people who worked on the cartoons.
Batman Black and White Vol1, Vol2
DC New Frontier

Thanks for all your suggestions!

So far I ordered Batman: Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year one, and the Watchmen. Also found the first 2 trade paperbacks of amazing spiderman so have enough to fill me up for a bit. Will definetly take all your other suggestions in mind soon enough as I should get through some of the comics fairly quick due to it being summer and all. Thanks again.