Make this snowflake excited for the next issue again!
August 12, 2013 2:16 PM Subscribe
Help me get back into comic books after years away.
In the late 80's, when I was a kid, I was super into Spider-Man. I'd constantly call the comic store near me to see when the next issue was coming out.
Recently, I've been into music and sports fandom and it's getting me back in touch with that excitement I had as a kid. I'm satiated as far as music and sports are concerned, so I'm looking to branch out and really get into a comic book. I just went into a comic store a few hours ago and was totally overwhelmed and didn't want to ask the guy behind the counter for fear of feeling pressured to buy something.
I want to read a comic that is intelligent, and has an intense fandom that the writers and artists who make the comic respond to. It'd be great if the fanship had a sarcastic sense of humor and wasn't totally brainwashed, too.
As an adult, I've liked Fun Home, Eightball, Persepolis, some Joe Matt, Palestine, Blue Pills, Ghost Ship, Hutch Owen, Doofus and True Swamp, Tales From The Crypt (and lesser known EC titles).
As you might be able to tell, I went through a snobbish period where I didn't want to read anything involving superheros. Last year, I read The Watchmen, and this changed everything.
I'm looking to read something clever, mature (I'm in my 30's). I can't stand latent racism, sexism or homophobia in what I read (...ok ok EC is a product of its times!!!).
I remember reading some 'Gang War' era Amazing Spider-Man as a kid. I love reading mafia stuff, and if something like this were happening again, it may interest me.
Ah, since I mentioned Amazing Spiderman, another caveat: I'd prefer something that has a bit of respect for fans. That whole thing in the 80's/90's with Spectacular Spider-Man, Sensational Spider-Man, Spider-Man, etc. was a real screw. Having to buy so much product every month will not be affordable for me.
Final request: I'd like to be in a position where I'm jonesing for the next issue, but while I catch up with whatever I choose to pursue, I'd like to be able to access anthologized collections of old issues at the library as opposed to paying cash for them. I live near a great library system.
Thanks again!
In the late 80's, when I was a kid, I was super into Spider-Man. I'd constantly call the comic store near me to see when the next issue was coming out.
Recently, I've been into music and sports fandom and it's getting me back in touch with that excitement I had as a kid. I'm satiated as far as music and sports are concerned, so I'm looking to branch out and really get into a comic book. I just went into a comic store a few hours ago and was totally overwhelmed and didn't want to ask the guy behind the counter for fear of feeling pressured to buy something.
I want to read a comic that is intelligent, and has an intense fandom that the writers and artists who make the comic respond to. It'd be great if the fanship had a sarcastic sense of humor and wasn't totally brainwashed, too.
As an adult, I've liked Fun Home, Eightball, Persepolis, some Joe Matt, Palestine, Blue Pills, Ghost Ship, Hutch Owen, Doofus and True Swamp, Tales From The Crypt (and lesser known EC titles).
As you might be able to tell, I went through a snobbish period where I didn't want to read anything involving superheros. Last year, I read The Watchmen, and this changed everything.
I'm looking to read something clever, mature (I'm in my 30's). I can't stand latent racism, sexism or homophobia in what I read (...ok ok EC is a product of its times!!!).
I remember reading some 'Gang War' era Amazing Spider-Man as a kid. I love reading mafia stuff, and if something like this were happening again, it may interest me.
Ah, since I mentioned Amazing Spiderman, another caveat: I'd prefer something that has a bit of respect for fans. That whole thing in the 80's/90's with Spectacular Spider-Man, Sensational Spider-Man, Spider-Man, etc. was a real screw. Having to buy so much product every month will not be affordable for me.
Final request: I'd like to be in a position where I'm jonesing for the next issue, but while I catch up with whatever I choose to pursue, I'd like to be able to access anthologized collections of old issues at the library as opposed to paying cash for them. I live near a great library system.
Thanks again!
Best answer: Read Saga. It's amazing. Recent FPP.
posted by town of cats at 2:29 PM on August 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by town of cats at 2:29 PM on August 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Current Hawkeye's pretty fun, though I haven't read enough issues yet to recommend unreservedly. The first trade of that's out, so should be library-able.
posted by asperity at 2:39 PM on August 12, 2013
posted by asperity at 2:39 PM on August 12, 2013
Sounds to me like you would enjoy Atomic Robo! With crystals!
(That second link contains the TVTropes warning sticker.)
posted by blurker at 2:45 PM on August 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
(That second link contains the TVTropes warning sticker.)
posted by blurker at 2:45 PM on August 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Yes, Hawkguyeye!
Yessss, Saga!
Not superhero, but OMG, Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark is eight kinds of awesome.
Anything by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. The Sleeper and Incognito series are superhero-related. The Criminal books are noir. Their latest series, Fatale, is noir plus occult/horror.
The Powers series (Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming) was a cop procedural set innaworld with superheroes.
If'n you like cops 'n' superheroes, maybe also try the Gotham Central books (by Brubaker/Rucka/Lark). It's Homicide: Life on the Street + Batman.
And here's an older comment of mine with more suggestions for the regular-people-innaworld-with-super-powered-beings-type comics.
posted by mon-ma-tron at 3:29 PM on August 12, 2013
Yessss, Saga!
Not superhero, but OMG, Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark is eight kinds of awesome.
Anything by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. The Sleeper and Incognito series are superhero-related. The Criminal books are noir. Their latest series, Fatale, is noir plus occult/horror.
The Powers series (Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming) was a cop procedural set innaworld with superheroes.
If'n you like cops 'n' superheroes, maybe also try the Gotham Central books (by Brubaker/Rucka/Lark). It's Homicide: Life on the Street + Batman.
And here's an older comment of mine with more suggestions for the regular-people-innaworld-with-super-powered-beings-type comics.
posted by mon-ma-tron at 3:29 PM on August 12, 2013
Best answer: Atomic Robo wisecracks and punches things a lot... That seems to be within the "like spiderman" parameters.
I'm going to recommend Saga, because hey, it's the comic of the moment, everyone should be reading it.
If you like the smart superhero story aspect of Watchmen you might want to check out Astro City. It just started a new series at Vertigo but there's several volumes worth out there already.
If you want smart superhero stories written by Alan Moore check out Top 10 and Tom Strong.
Stuff that Marvel is running at the moment that you might be interested in: Hawkeye, the Mark Waid Daredevil and Young Avengers. Those all have a trade or two out there you should be able to pick up. The upcoming Mighty Avengers may also be of interest. The two fantastic four titles they have running may also be worth your time.
Better than all of those? The Keiron Gillen run on Journey into Mystery. If you like Spidey I can see you digging Young Loki.
2000AD is of course all great.
For weird SF outside of that the Brandon Graham reboot of Prophet.
For horror Fatale - seems fittingly ECish.
For a bunch of ECish stories by 2000ad writers including one by me Tharg's Creepy Chronicles.
Hellboy! How am I forgetting Hellboy? Also the spinoff BPRD.
Also, I dunno, Sandman and stuff.
posted by Artw at 3:49 PM on August 12, 2013
I'm going to recommend Saga, because hey, it's the comic of the moment, everyone should be reading it.
If you like the smart superhero story aspect of Watchmen you might want to check out Astro City. It just started a new series at Vertigo but there's several volumes worth out there already.
If you want smart superhero stories written by Alan Moore check out Top 10 and Tom Strong.
Stuff that Marvel is running at the moment that you might be interested in: Hawkeye, the Mark Waid Daredevil and Young Avengers. Those all have a trade or two out there you should be able to pick up. The upcoming Mighty Avengers may also be of interest. The two fantastic four titles they have running may also be worth your time.
Better than all of those? The Keiron Gillen run on Journey into Mystery. If you like Spidey I can see you digging Young Loki.
2000AD is of course all great.
For weird SF outside of that the Brandon Graham reboot of Prophet.
For horror Fatale - seems fittingly ECish.
For a bunch of ECish stories by 2000ad writers including one by me Tharg's Creepy Chronicles.
Hellboy! How am I forgetting Hellboy? Also the spinoff BPRD.
Also, I dunno, Sandman and stuff.
posted by Artw at 3:49 PM on August 12, 2013
Best answer: I second Astro City; Kurt Busiek has developed a solid fan community and still runs letters in the comic.
I also like James Robinson and Tony Harris' Starman; it really resonated with me as a young adult; the series is complete, but the collections are available. Jack Knight was a reluctant hero who struggled with a family legacy while operating an antique shop.
Paul Chadwick's Concrete is a mature, thoughtful superhero work with very few ties to the standard superhero storyline. A political speechwriter has his brain shifted into an alien rock body, then uses his abilities to explore the world.
posted by JDC8 at 11:26 AM on August 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
I also like James Robinson and Tony Harris' Starman; it really resonated with me as a young adult; the series is complete, but the collections are available. Jack Knight was a reluctant hero who struggled with a family legacy while operating an antique shop.
Paul Chadwick's Concrete is a mature, thoughtful superhero work with very few ties to the standard superhero storyline. A political speechwriter has his brain shifted into an alien rock body, then uses his abilities to explore the world.
posted by JDC8 at 11:26 AM on August 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Since this post, I've read every issue of Saga. Great stuff! Thanks so much for turning me on to it! Yesterday, I checked out a Concrete TP from the library. I'd read an issue once as a kid and totally not gotten it to the point where I didn't even know I didn't get it. I couldn't quite figure out the appeal of Hawkeye after checking out My Life as a Weapon. I still have to check some of this stuff out. Thanks again!
posted by Hennimore at 12:01 AM on September 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Hennimore at 12:01 AM on September 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by griphus at 2:26 PM on August 12, 2013