Starting to read comics...
 

I really want to get into comics and I was curious if there are any really good places to start. I don't know a lot about the genre so any advice would be appreciated!

It might help to know your interests in general, and what it is you want to get out of comics.

Are you into serials? Superheroes? Graphic novels? Manga? What do you mean by "comics"?

What have you read so far? What have you like? Disliked? What are you wondering about that you may have heard of?

It kind of depends on what you're looking for. Different tastes lean toward different genres of comic, and different titles and characters.

I can tell you, from my perspective, I am a person who never had much taste in non-superhero comics, no matter how critically acclaimed they might be. So if that's something you think you'd be into, you should take advice from someone else. Ditto with manga. Never had more than zero interest in those, so if they catch your eye, ask someone else.

Now, in terms of what I do like, I have always been a Marvel person, rather than a DC person. Don't get me wrong, I've followed Batman on and off pretty regularly, and every now and then I'll get a taste for Green Lantern or Flash or Superman, but for the most part, DC tends to leave me wanting more. I tend to think of them as the Chinese food of comics: fun while you're reading them, and then half an hour later, you want more comics. But Marvel can really kick some ass.

I fell in love with X-Men from the beginning. I loved the ebb and flow of the team. I loved the idea of superheroes who were outcasts and rejected by regular society. I loved that the characters were strong, memorable characters who did what they did because it was a way to make their otherwise miserable lives meaningful. X-Men has consistently been well-written, complex, and exciting. I know I find it a great comic because I can read an issue, and be left thinking about it, re-examining in my mind the nuances that are social and philosophical commentary.

I've always loved Spider-Man, for similar reasons. I love that Peter Parker is a regular joe, with regular problems, on top of which he's got the worries of a superhero. I love that he makes mistakes, and wrestles with huge guilt, and is terrified for the people he loves, and yet he loves being Spider-Man, and has immense fun doing it, and he never loses his sense of humor.

I have enjoyed the Avengers in their various phases, but probably never more than in their current incarnation. Great team, great stories, great artwork. Just intensely excellent comics all around.

I've never been a die-hard Fantastic Four fan, but I like them a lot, and have read them on and off for years. Same with Wolverine: I love the character, but independent from X-Men I only really read him on and off. Ditto for Doctor Strange, and Iron Man, and Daredevil: great characters, I love running into them, and I enjoy reading their titles. But for whatever reasons-- often just financial-- I've never been one of their regulars. Nonetheless, they are terrific, and any one of them or all of them are worth following.

Well, I guess what I'm looking for is more of a character series--one where the characters get developed, where you want to know what's going to happen to them. I know that sounds generic but I guess it counts me out from the flat out action types.

Currently I've picked up "Fables" and am trying that. I also picked up "The Watchmen", "V for Vendetta" and have a friend telling me to try "The Walking Dead."

I love a good plot, but who doesn't?

I'm not sure if anything I've said helps. I'm just looking for good places to start. It seems like there are so many types out there (pulp, DC, graphic novels, manga) that I'm trying to find good starting points to see what really works for me.

Does this help narrow it down a bit?

I'm gonna suggest the "Girls" mini series. 24 issues, great little thriller story.

Preacher & Hitman were personal favorites of mine. Series are done, but you can find the collected books. WE3 was amazing too, 3issue mini..

MPower- What exactly is WE3? Is that the full name? What are they about?

Sorry everyone, you gotta spell it out for me-- the noob sheen is strong with this one.

Yeah, I don't know anything about comics but my buddy says that Preacher is gnarly.

I second the walking dead. An amazing series with all the character development you'd ever want.

I was like you: wanting to get into comics but I didn't have the patience to buy 30 of them just to get 1 story. So I got a few graphic novels instead:

The Watchmen

Kingdom Come

Batman: Arkam Asylum

These are the few i've checked out and enjoyed.

My local library has a lot of comics: alan moore, neil gaiman, frank miller, garth ennis, marjane satrapi, brian k. vaughan, craig thompson, david b., etc. You might try looking there. I was able to read several different series without paying a dime.

Yes, the local library is amazing for comics, graphic novels, and manga. The one problem I've had is getting popular titles. I had to wait 3 months for Watchmen after putting it on my hold list.

I'm watching this thread with interest, as I really enjoy graphic novels and manga, and wouldn't mind reading other stuff. My only problem is that I've gotten so used to reading manga that I now read comics backwards. :(

If I wanted to start reading X-Men stuff, where would I start?

Yup. Thats the full name. Its like 'The Incredible Journey', but with robot suits....

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