Good comics for newbies

[Gabanuka]

Well, for years now I've been completely in love with comic book both Marvel and DC. My uncle owns a huge library of comic so I had a ample supply. So anyway, in conversation with my friends a few days ago the name Oswald Cobblerpot came up. (I'm guessing you guys know who he is) when the name was said all I got where blank stares. So it turns out none of my friends have read any comic books what so ever. So I need your help.

Long story short: My friends have never read any old comics and I was wondering if you guys could suggest some for me to suggest to them.

Also, for those of you who might not know, Oswald Cobblepot

Spoiler

 

[Fenring]

Have them read Watchmen, it's a good starter comic.

 

[rabbitambulance]

Have them read Watchmen, it's a good starter comic.

Erm. No. No it is not. It's a great comic, but it's incredibly dense and relies on a huge library of tropes. Thus, I have to disagree with you. It's like giving someone who's looking to get into weightlifting a tractor to lift.

EDIT: As for actual recommendations: Blue Beetle [http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Beetle-Book-1-Shellshocked/dp/1401209653/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281696278&sr=8-1] was a great book. Also newbie friendly as it doesn't rely on much in the way of backstory.
She-Hulk [http://www.amazon.com/She-Hulk-Vol-Single-Green-Female/dp/0785114432/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281696512&sr=1-1] (Vol.1 and Vol.2) is one of the most fun books I have ever read, but some of it is a wee bit meta, so it might not be quite as newbie friendly as you want.
And if any of your friends like gonzo journalism in any way (think Hunter S. Thompson), get them Transmetropolitan.

 

[Fenring]

Have them read Watchmen, it's a good starter comic.

Erm. No. No it is not. It's a great comic, but it's incredibly dense and relies on a huge library of tropes. Thus, I have to disagree with you. It's like giving someone who's looking to get into weightlifting a tractor to lift.

SIR. It was the first comic I read. I'm assuming that these people, like I did then, at least know about comics, even if they haven't read them. And the dense thing really depends on the person. I like dense things.

 

[1blackone]

If they are into manga and anime, then i'd get them interested in a Comic that 1. they'd know all the characters and 2. coincides with a current anime story trend.


The answer in that case ~iiiiiis (drum roll) Marvel Zombies!

It has virtually every hero and villian they would know just from breathing on Earth and its has the trendy "in" theme:zombies AND sometimes it gets "Real" and characters start getting real emotions and dying and whatnot.

All these things SHOULD create a reader who is not only entertained. But, more importantly, invested in the characters' progression and will read*COdownloadUGH*other issues.

Sooo yea, Marvel Zombies: its the new Vanilla!

 

[Plinglebob]

Are you looking to get them into just reading comics as a medium or specifically trying to get them into Superheroes?

If its the first, I'd recommend Fables. The premise sounds absurd, but its a well told comic with characters they would already know if they were told fairy stories.

If its the second, I'd recommend Batman: Year One (sets up Batman), Batman: The Long Halloween (pretty much every Batman villian appears at some point) and Ultimate Spiderman.

 

[rabbitambulance]

Oooooh, I second that! Marvel Zombies is a really good rec!

 

[Loon]

Spiderman was the first comic i read

 

[Gabanuka]

I'm trying to get them into comics in general, though Superhero would be nice so I can have someone to talk to about it. They can handly dense and complex things, but I dont think Watchmen is a good starting point really.

 

[SonicWaffle]

Have them read Watchmen, it's a good starter comic.

Erm. No. No it is not. It's a great comic, but it's incredibly dense and relies on a huge library of tropes. Thus, I have to disagree with you. It's like giving someone who's looking to get into weightlifting a tractor to lift.

SIR. It was the first comic I read. I'm assuming that these people, like I did then, at least know about comics, even if they haven't read them. And the dense thing really depends on the person. I like dense things.

I'm with the other guy - while it is a fantastic book, it's more of a deconstruction of the genre than a straight-up superhero tale. For a first time reader, I'd suggest something simpler, but not childish. How about Stormwatch? My personal favourite is Hellblazer, but it gets a little dark and isn't easily accessible to new readers. There's a lot of lore.

 

[WolfThomas]

For somone who is begining, for Marvel, Ultimates 1 and 2 is pretty good, a concise and fresh take (at the time) on old super heroes, completely in it's own continuity so it's not reliant on any previous history. Runaways is a good choice, it's fun and exciting, doesn't need much backstory. Also Nextwave is just so kickass it deserves mentioning.

As for DC, probably Year One and the Dark Knight Returns, both fantastic. Also an odd choice, but I think Superman: Red Son is actually a good start for beginners, it's standalone and shows that Superman is more complex than the people who criticise him give him credit.

As for others, Transmetropolitan is a good choice, so is Preacher and Y- The Last Man

Spoiler: Also general advice I give to everyone

Find authors you like, they're usually consistent in quality.

I'd recommend Warren Ellis (Next Wave: Agents of Hate, The Authority, Transmetropolitian, Ultimates Galatus Trilogy), Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher), Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), Mark Millar (Kickass, Wanted, Ultimates 1 and 2, The Authority) Neil Gaimon (Sandman, Marvel 1602) and Brian K. Vaughn (Y - The Last Man, Runaways).