Intro to comics for a 14-year-old
 

Hey, another "introduce me to comics" thread! But this one's a bit different.

I have a quick request: I'm going to be seeing my nephew tomorrow, and I need to get him a birthday gift. He just turned 14.

He's normally into video games, and has been known to read a book or two, though the latter he seems to have lost a bit of interest. He's pretty smart for his age, though he's a bit underdeveloped in terms of maturity. He has always had a strong sense of humour that impresses me for his age.

When he visited me last summer, he was completely flabbergasted if not a bit overwhelmed by the Silver Snail, a famous comic and gaming shop in downtown Toronto. He really liked the figurines and the idea of comics, but of course it's easy to like everything in there, as one can always dream.

I'm sure he's into all the superhero movies and things, and I know there is a world of comics out there, but what would be some of the prime "gateway" comics out there for someone like him? I'm sure we could always just get him a Batman or Spiderman omnibus or something, but I thought I'd throw this out there to your comic buffs. Maybe superhero isn't the best place to start at his age. I dunno.

What's going to blow away a kid like him? Gimme what you got.

If you want traditional superhero without being overwhelming, Ultimate Marvel is an excellent place to start. Ultimate Spider-Man kicks off the whole thing, which presents the essence of the Marvel Universe without 50 years of back story. If he digs Spidey, then he can also start reading X-Men and the Ultimates (Ultimate Universe's Avengers), so there's plenty for him to explore.

Alternatively, something like Watchmen or Sandman might be a way to go, if you think he'd be more into the graphic novel format.

Buy him a subscription to Shonen Jump, produced and distributed in America by Viz Media, Canadia.

It's not American comics, to be sure, but most of what's in print in the issues, I'd think, is what the average teenager already sees plenty of on the TV, like anime, and in video games.

Or, you can quickly peruse the graphic novels section of your local book emporium and see what's readily available, which can also pique his interests.

Sorry, I ran out of time. I thought I had more time.

We went down this afternoon. I looked at the Ultimate series, but I couldn't find volume one of either Spiderman or X-Men, so I opted for something else. (I'm not even sure if the first volume was even necessary to enjoy the others, but whatever, there's always next time.)

I picked up X-Men and Spider-Man. It's nice hardcover with glossy pages, and it was on sale for $15. It includes X-Men/Spider-Man #1–4, plus X-Men #35 (1967).

I figured it would be interesting enough to have the two together in a storyline. I'll gauge his reactions to it after he reads it to see if it's something he's into for future options.

ehh, im late.

i dont have much to say. i just remember when i was 14-15ish my friend Casper really enjoyed the spiderman "Carnage" comic books as well as the scarlet spider series.

not much input for a late man, but its my two cents.