Do you read comic books?

[DementedSheep]

I follow a number of web comics like Gunnerkrigg Court, Toilet Gene, Off White, Denizens! Attention!, Drowtales (though I don?t like how it?s been going lately), Spindrift (only just started but the art is beautiful), Fey Winds, Dr. McNinja and Zombie Hunters.

As for printed comics I read them if see something that looks interesting but the problem is there are so many, a lot of comics are very hard to get into since they been running so long and there aren?t very many places selling them where I live. Most of the stuff I have read has been Deadpool or X men and some Avengers here and there. I read Bone when I was younger (if that even counts).

The only series I?m actually following right now is Journey into Mystery (since the fear itself arc) which so far has been fantastic and seems easy enough to follow even though I haven?t read that much of Thor. The only arc I didn?t really get into was Exiled but that wasn?t bad. The Loki craze going around at the moment is a bit annoying but it introduced me to that so it?s not all bad.

 

[DeimosMasque]

Fair enough. I suppose I never really got into a particular comic series, so I never got to the point where I could notice such arcing plots.
However, and I forgot to put this in my post, I do have more of a thing about a lot of superheroes having relatively little brain matter.
For example, Batman doesn't carry a gun, correct? Well, if he did and killed the Joker in 'self-defence' then he would potentially save hundreds of lives which would otherwise be lost. Someone who doesn't do that is kinda a dick.
And I remember one scene somewhere, may or may not be canon, where Superman crushes coal into diamonds. If he can do that, why not go a step further and create uranium from a few other elements? He could solve the energy crisis, yet doesn't.

That's part of the drama and morality of the stories. Batman doesn't kill, he doesn't kill be cause he was created by the death of his parents. To him, what he strives for every day is a place were people don't get killed.

Yes, killing the Joker is quick and expedient. The storyline called Hush even had him considering to just snap the Joker's neck and be done with it. But the moral dilemma, the morality of Batman's story is that when he kills Joker, he becomes no better than Joker and thus no longer has the moral high-ground to do what he does. Commissioner Gordon even tries to stop him, even after the Joker tried to kill him, crippled his daughter (Batgirl/Oracle) and DID kill his wife. It's then Batman truly realizes he's not above morality, even if the Joker ignores it.

Superman probably could solve all our problems for us in a week. But that doesn't do anything for humanity as a whole. In the story No Man's Land. Gotham is destroyed and declared a No Man's Land by the Federal Government, if you stay there... you're not in the US, expect no help. Superman shows up to help Batman. Fixes a power plant with the help of it's former head engineer and defeats Mr. Freeze. When he goes back to the engineer he's collecting tribute in exchange for giving people electricity. He realizes its something we have to fix, not have fixed for us.

Goes back to the idea of superhero stories as morality places and tragedies. Yeah a lot of it could be solved by killing villains, solving our problems for us and just lording over us as the best people on the planet. But they don't because they represent the best of us, even the alien Superman (who was raised by human parents.) They are the ones who remind us that we can be better than the crap we perpetuate. That's what makes them admirable heroes.

 

[DeimosMasque]

SNIP!

The only series I?m actually following right now is Journey into Mystery (since the fear itself arc) which as far as been fantastic and easy enough to follow even though I haven?t read that much of Thor. The only story I didn?t really get into was Exiled but that wasn?t bad. The Loki craze going around at the moment is a bit annoying but it introduced me to that so it?s not all bad.

I like Journey into Mystery. My wife adores it. I wasn't a fan of eXiled but I got what it was trying to do. I just felt it was a little too long. Kid Loki is a great character and very interesting. My favorite Journey into Mystery however has been the Devil's Confession during Fear Itself.

 

[DeimosMasque]

Yeah, I think I read one of those follow-ups once... If I remember correctly, I was decidedly unimpressed. XD

Eh, never been a big Kirby fan. I can respect the impact he has had, but his art has always bugged me. I mean, all the characters just look so damn ugly, like apes masquerading as humans! It is way too distracting...

I judge art by the time it was done in. Like I can -understand- what Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld were going for in the 90s with the X-Men and X-Force designs.

With Kirby, back then he was giving a brief outline of a script, and drew it. He drew it in three days. It can understand why it was a bit ugly. It was also an evolving medium, just out of the Golden Age of muscle bound men and he was trying to draw things more real, on a limited time scale.

 

[TIMESWORDSMAN]

I only read the Mega Man comics published by Archie, and in truth there are a whole lot of them sitting on my desk, unread.

 

[Vausch]

Green Lantern, Green Lantern: New Guardians, Justice League, Detective Comics, Deadpool, trying to get into Spiderman.

If manga counts, One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, and Hunter X Hunter. Not really enjoying the middle two as of late.

Are you picking up Spider-Man where he is right now? Or did you start a few months back?

I'm really just trying to find a good story arc I like. Recent comics, months old comics, even going through trades of old ones. Honestly little things keep turning me away from Spiderman and a lot of other comics, like artists that can't be consistent between issues and the rotating teams making the styles go from the kind I like (Perez, Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez, those sort of guys) to a realistic painted style to a cartoony stylised version. I wouldn't mind it so much if they were being consistent for at least the story arc but it's changing between issues!

But yeah, I've been picking up story arcs in trade paperbacks and current issues.

 

[Dfskelleton]

Nah. I tried reading Watchmen, but to be fair, it was boring. I liked the themes, characters, and setting, but it kind of dragged on at times.
Oh wait, it's a Graphic Novel. Apparently, there's a difference, although I can hardly discern one.

Although, Dave Gibbons did also help make one of my favorite games of all time (Beneath a Steel Sky)

EDIT: I do read Cyanide and Hapiness.

 

[Pegghead]

There's just nowhere to buy comics around here. I like to read Penny Arcade though, there's that.

 

[Baron von Blitztank]

I've recently taken a liking to comic books, mostly thanks to watching all of the Marvel Live-Action movies, the Christopher Nolan Batman movies and playing the ever-loving shit out of Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3 and the Batman: Arkham games. Unfortunately I can't read comic books. Not for the lack of trying but because I live in the country, in the UK and 2 hours away from the nearest city (none of which has a good place for buying comic books).
I'm pretty much screwed if I want to read any.

 

[octafish]

Green Lantern, Green Lantern: New Guardians, Justice League, Detective Comics, Deadpool, trying to get into Spiderman.

If manga counts, One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, and Hunter X Hunter. Not really enjoying the middle two as of late.

Are you picking up Spider-Man where he is right now? Or did you start a few months back?

I'm really just trying to find a good story arc I like. Recent comics, months old comics, even going through trades of old ones. Honestly little things keep turning me away from Spiderman and a lot of other comics, like artists that can't be consistent between issues and the rotating teams making the styles go from the kind I like (Perez, Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez, those sort of guys) to a realistic painted style to a cartoony stylised version. I wouldn't mind it so much if they were being consistent for at least the story arc but it's changing between issues!

But yeah, I've been picking up story arcs in trade paperbacks and current issues.

Kraven's Last Hunt. The best Marvel and Spiderman have to offer.

 

[Fredvdp]

I mainly read novels now, but these are the comics from my childhood:

Urbanus (Belgian comic book by Willy Linthout & Urbanus)
Tintin (Belgian comic book by Hergé)
Lucky Luke (Comic book by Belgian artist Morris and different writers, including French writer Goscinny)
Astérix (French comic book by Uderzo & Goscinny)

I've read more series, but these are the ones of which I have read the majority.

 

[Agent_Dark]

I still read DC, there's still some good in there. Gail Simone's Batgirl (even though Oracle never happened) and the Aquaman and Animal Man stories have been awesome, I wasn't even fans of those characters before.

Simone's current run on Batgirl is a poor match up against the previous Batgirl title (when Brian Q Miller was writing Stephanie Brown as the titular character) and Simone's own Secret Six title. Both those were cancelled to make way for the New52. While I'm probably overall undecided on the New52 reboot, there are still some very good reads in there:

Demon Knights - It's like an old school DnD adventure set in the medieval times. Bonus points for including Etrigan, Madame Xanadu and Vandal Savage. Plus some interesting connections to the wider DCU have popped up if you're reading other titles.

Justice League Dark - A 'magic orientated' counterpart team to the proper Justice League. Zatanna and John Constantine are two of my favourite characters, and the other team members in Deadman, Madame Xanadu and now Black Orchid are a great lineup. John Constantine in the proper DCU is an awesome take imo.

I, Vampire - This is NOT Twilight. This is vampires done right in the very best way possible. Andrew Ryan is centuries old Vampire who is fighting against his own kind to stop them from unleashing their fury on the world. The problem? He's in love with their leader Mary, Queen of the Blood. Romance, in one form or another, is a fundamental part of any classic Vampire story and I, Vampire has an awesome take on it. The artwork catches a very surreal take and perfectly complements the writing.

Batwoman - J.H. Williams is the best artist in the industry period. His artwork on Batwoman is phenomenal, and Kate Kane as Batwoman is one of the best new characters of the last 5 years. Batman by Scott Snyder seems to the popular choice as the best Bat-book, but imo Batwoman is just as good or even better.

Other very good books are Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Wonder Woman, Batman and Aquaman.

 

[Agent_Dark]

I've recently taken a liking to comic books, mostly thanks to watching all of the Marvel Live-Action movies, the Christopher Nolan Batman movies and playing the ever-loving shit out of Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3 and the Batman: Arkham games. Unfortunately I can't read comic books. Not for the lack of trying but because I live in the country, in the UK and 2 hours away from the nearest city (none of which has a good place for buying comic books).
I'm pretty much screwed if I want to read any.

http://www.comixology.com/

DC Comics in particular have really stepped up their digital comics publishing. Their 'New52' comics are put up day and date the printed copies hit the stands, and there's a respectable back-catalogue of older issues up there too. Digital comics are a pretty good way to go, especially if you have an Android tablet or ipad.

 

[King of Asgaard]

Comics, no.
Graphic novels, hell yes. Most of which by Alan Moore.

Eh, there really isn't much difference anymore. Even the "Graphic Novels" written by Alan Moore all started as periodic comic books. The distinction is mostly one of elitism like people who say "Nolan's Batman movies are films, the Marvel movies are just movies."

I've never heard of Watchmen or V for Vendetta being periodic.
Just to clarify, when I say graphic novel, I'm referring to a standalone story, like Watchmen, and not something like Spider-man which has been going through many stories and changes for years.

Watchmen was released in 13 monthly issues in 1986 by DC Comics. V for Vendetta was released in 10 monthly issues by DC comics in 1989. I actually have the 12th issue of Watchmen somewhere, my parents bought it for me when I was 8 years old not knowing comics had adult subject matters in them.

I want to be clear I wasn't trying to be insulting. I consider every comic book to be a graphic novel, I don't like making the distinction... especially in this modern era where one-issue stories are near dead and everything is written for the 5-6 issue trade paper back.

I am interested to know if you think titles like Hulk: Gray, Old Man Logan, Spider-Man: Blue or DC Comic Elseworld titles are graphic novels by your definition as they are not written with any sort of continuing story in mind.

Thanks for the info!
And I also want to make it clear that I was not doubting what you said, I just never knew.
As for your question, to my shame, I've not heard of those you mentioned, so I'll make an example of The Killing Joke and Joker. Both are set in the Batman mythos, and both are important to the mythos, but they are graphic novels because their stories were begun and finished in one book. They are tight stories which do not require previous knowledge of Batman to appreciate them, though it helps.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

I doooo!

I am reading Y: The last man at the mo, and it is awesome!

I am also quite into The Darkness and Witchblade... and have all 4 Compendiums. I have also just started the Spawn and Punisher origin stories...

I have also ordered a couple of collaberation novels, including the Witchblade/Tomb Raider and the Aliens Vs Predator Vs Darkness and Witchblade... Can't wait for those to arrive!

Also, in my ready to read section, I have the Death of Captain America novels and the Marvel Noir series, as well as some of the Darker Batman stuff like Killing Joke.

I have also read Marvel 1602 and the Marvel Civil War (Normal, Avengers and X-Men versions) and have some stand alone punisher stuff like Marvel Universe vs the Punisher. Also 3 of the Thor novels and the Walking Dead.

The final 2 series I have all of are the Sin City and the Scott Pilgrim books... Love them!

 

[Agent_Dark]

I have read articles criticizing the sexist depictions of women in the new 52 comics, but hopefully not ALL female characters are treated this way.

There were some unfortunate depictions in some of the new52 comics, however there are also some very well written ones. Check out Batwoman, Wonder Woman or Birds of Prey if you want an all female focus, and books like Justice League Dark or Demon Knights for good team books with solidly written characters (male and female).

Some people has issues with the way Catwoman, Voodoo and Red Hood and the Outlaws depicted female characters, and there was some merit (along with some overblown exaggerations) to that outrage. But at the very least DC should be commended for committing to its female characters and publishing a decent number of books with female leads. Marvel has a long way to catch up there.

 

[Cowabungaa]

I do. I mostly stick to alternative comics like Sandman, Hellblazer or stories like Batman: Arkham Asylum.

I usually stay away from the regular superhero stuff with the exception of Deadpool, because that's just funny, one of the Iron Man series and the odd stand-alone story like Superman: Red Son.

These days I read more manga though.

 

[CaptainMarvelous]

I've got a pull-list the size of my arm, but just capping the good ones I'm currently on

DC

Animal-Man
Swamp Thing
Earth-2 (Also, 'oooh Green Lanterns gay in issue 2, let's have 80% of the book be about Jay Garrick being the best Flash ever')
Batwing
Batman
Demon Knights
Green Lantern (though god knows why)
Flash
Aquaman
Firestorm (need more firestorm)
Teen Titans
Justice League (mostly for Shazam!)
Justice League Dark
Batman and Robin
Superman
Action Comics

Marvel

Amazing Spiderman
Ultimate Spiderman (Which is AWESOME)
Daredevil
Hulk
Punisher

Also, Hellblazer, Saga (though, bluh?) and the Boys (occasionally, it isn't THAT awesome, it's fun and all but "What's so funny about Truth, Justice and the American Way" or whatever it was with the Elite did throw a sour over it).

Comics, no.
Graphic novels, hell yes. Most of which by Alan Moore.

Eh, there really isn't much difference anymore. Even the "Graphic Novels" written by Alan Moore all started as periodic comic books. The distinction is mostly one of elitism like people who say "Nolan's Batman movies are films, the Marvel movies are just movies."

I've never heard of Watchmen or V for Vendetta being periodic.
Just to clarify, when I say graphic novel, I'm referring to a standalone story, like Watchmen, and not something like Spider-man which has been going through many stories and changes for years.

Watchmen was released in 13 monthly issues in 1986 by DC Comics. V for Vendetta was released in 10 monthly issues by DC comics in 1989. I actually have the 12th issue of Watchmen somewhere, my parents bought it for me when I was 8 years old not knowing comics had adult subject matters in them.

I want to be clear I wasn't trying to be insulting. I consider every comic book to be a graphic novel, I don't like making the distinction... especially in this modern era where one-issue stories are near dead and everything is written for the 5-6 issue trade paper back.

I am interested to know if you think titles like Hulk: Gray, Old Man Logan, Spider-Man: Blue or DC Comic Elseworld titles are graphic novels by your definition as they are not written with any sort of continuing story in mind.

Just throwing this out here, if you haven't yet, read Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing. Its 6 trades now but every issue Alan Moore just randomly has a throwaway idea that beats the crap out of nearly everything in AvX.