Intro into to Comics and Graphic Novels
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A lot of it will depend on what they like, and what they like to read outside of comics. Are you looking to introduce them to Super Heroes to go along with newer movies? New concepts? Just another form of literature.
Here are some good intro's (steering clear of some of the more controversial stuff at first.)
1. Batman The Dark Knight Return - From back before Frank Miller went insane. Through pop culture they understand, the story is deep, but easy to pickup and follow.
2. Kingdom Come - Mark Waid and Alex Ross tell a masterful and deep tale of what comes after superheroes, and faith. Just amazing. And the best art you could ever use to introduce them to DC.
3. Watchmen - yeah yeah cliched, but still the best.
Now if they are into more thoughtful books. If they like actual literary structures or cinematic structures. Introduce them to Sandman. It's an amazing story about telling stories. But it isn't always the first step for someone currently watching Duck Dynasty. If they enjoy it follow it up with Preacher, then Lucifer.
For Disney fans and Once upon a time types get them to try Bill Willinghams Fables, so they can see what it is supposed to look like.
If they are real basic and just want something to follow up with the characters they just saw in the movies try these.
For Iron Man - Matt Fraction's 2008 Invincible Iron Man is the way to keep them comfortable but start bringing them into the deeper universe. From the first Trade Paperback "The 5 Nightmares" it perfectly balances the movie character with the comic and surpasses both. Good stuff.
For Captain America - Start with Ed Brubacker's marvelous run, beginning with the Winter Soldier trade paperbacks.
For Thor - Walt Simonson's classic 80's run. It's expensive in trade form but worth it.
For Guardians of the Galaxy - Start them with the two Anihilation Series. Particularly the full 3 volume Anihilation Conquest, that includes the Star Lord miniseries that forms the Guardians. From there pick up the regular Abnett and Lansing ongoing series until it ends.
For Spiderman - Just sit them in front of Brian Michael Bendis's Ultimate Spiderman and leave them there as they chew through all 20+ volumes.
I do not suggest using some of the more exotic stuff until you have them hooked a little bit into the genre. As an example the Walking Dead Comic can be a bit off putting to fans of the TV series when they first encounter it, just for how different it is, and how sort of plain it looks. Sometimes its better to let them read through something easy and less depressing to get a feel for the flow first.
Here are some good intro's (steering clear of some of the more controversial stuff at first.)
1. Batman The Dark Knight Return - From back before Frank Miller went insane. Through pop culture they understand, the story is deep, but easy to pickup and follow.
2. Kingdom Come - Mark Waid and Alex Ross tell a masterful and deep tale of what comes after superheroes, and faith. Just amazing. And the best art you could ever use to introduce them to DC.
3. Watchmen - yeah yeah cliched, but still the best.
Now if they are into more thoughtful books. If they like actual literary structures or cinematic structures. Introduce them to Sandman. It's an amazing story about telling stories. But it isn't always the first step for someone currently watching Duck Dynasty. If they enjoy it follow it up with Preacher, then Lucifer.
For Disney fans and Once upon a time types get them to try Bill Willinghams Fables, so they can see what it is supposed to look like.
If they are real basic and just want something to follow up with the characters they just saw in the movies try these.
For Iron Man - Matt Fraction's 2008 Invincible Iron Man is the way to keep them comfortable but start bringing them into the deeper universe. From the first Trade Paperback "The 5 Nightmares" it perfectly balances the movie character with the comic and surpasses both. Good stuff.
For Captain America - Start with Ed Brubacker's marvelous run, beginning with the Winter Soldier trade paperbacks.
For Thor - Walt Simonson's classic 80's run. It's expensive in trade form but worth it.
For Guardians of the Galaxy - Start them with the two Anihilation Series. Particularly the full 3 volume Anihilation Conquest, that includes the Star Lord miniseries that forms the Guardians. From there pick up the regular Abnett and Lansing ongoing series until it ends.
For Spiderman - Just sit them in front of Brian Michael Bendis's Ultimate Spiderman and leave them there as they chew through all 20+ volumes.
I do not suggest using some of the more exotic stuff until you have them hooked a little bit into the genre. As an example the Walking Dead Comic can be a bit off putting to fans of the TV series when they first encounter it, just for how different it is, and how sort of plain it looks. Sometimes its better to let them read through something easy and less depressing to get a feel for the flow first.
I'd agree with this. My recommendation would be Sandman, too, based on Whytewulf's interest in fantasy. Hellblazer can be great, too, but can also be a little more obvious (I've only read the first several volumes).Axolotl said:
For Superhero comics, I'd recommend starting with either Watchmen or The Long Halloween, which is my number 1 (above even The Dark Knight Returns).
Someone needs to mention Hellboy as well. I´m currently re-reading the series and man, is it awesome! The mood is quite different than in the movies but if you´re into some old-school lovecraftian horror mixed with mythology- and folklore-based fantasy, you should definitely check it out.
Also, to fill in the gap should you feel the need to try out French and Belgian comics, you can check out the classics like Tintin, Asterix or Spirou and Fantasio, they´re light-hearted, humorous adventure books for the whole family. If that feels to childish for you, there´s more serious stuff like Gil Jourdan (adventure/crime), Blake and Mortimer (old school sci-fi), graphic novels by Enki Bilal (sci-fi), Blackmoon Chronicles (very very high fantasy) or the whole Stryges saga (it´s a couple of series all taking place in the same modern-day fantasy universe).
I´m not completely sure they´re all available in English but since I´ve been picking the more famous ones, I figure at least some of them are...
Also, to fill in the gap should you feel the need to try out French and Belgian comics, you can check out the classics like Tintin, Asterix or Spirou and Fantasio, they´re light-hearted, humorous adventure books for the whole family. If that feels to childish for you, there´s more serious stuff like Gil Jourdan (adventure/crime), Blake and Mortimer (old school sci-fi), graphic novels by Enki Bilal (sci-fi), Blackmoon Chronicles (very very high fantasy) or the whole Stryges saga (it´s a couple of series all taking place in the same modern-day fantasy universe).
I´m not completely sure they´re all available in English but since I´ve been picking the more famous ones, I figure at least some of them are...
I started with DC's Crisis saga when it was ongoing, and that was a mistake. Fast forward to 2010-11 and I decide to try DC again, this time with the Sinestro Corps war, which led up to Blackest Night. Damn that was good stuff. And I haven't seen anything like that since. Well, with a single exception being *STOPPING MYSELF BEFORE SPOILERS AND FURTHER DIGRESSION* anyway, I suggest starting there, just cuz personal experience. War of the Yellow Lanterns, followed by the Rage of the Red Lanterns, Blue/Orange, then Blackest Night. Worth it.
But besides that, you can also do the original WATCHMEN comics for a one shot. Alan Moore's work will always be a shining example of doing comics right.
But besides that, you can also do the original WATCHMEN comics for a one shot. Alan Moore's work will always be a shining example of doing comics right.
If you've got even a passing interest in My Little Pony, I'd heartily suggest IDW's MLP books. They come in two flavors: The main series, and the Micro-series. Main series books are multi-part tales, and each micro book is it's own, self-contained story.
It's almost impossible to go wrong with these books, they're pretty much ALL great, especially the humor. But if you're looking for specific recommendations, I'd say either go with #9-10 of the main series, or #10 of the Micro-series.
Aside from that, I'll throw another vote on Scott Pilgrim.
It's almost impossible to go wrong with these books, they're pretty much ALL great, especially the humor. But if you're looking for specific recommendations, I'd say either go with #9-10 of the main series, or #10 of the Micro-series.
Aside from that, I'll throw another vote on Scott Pilgrim.
If you want comics that are the definition of why comics are awesome, I recommend the following:
Saga
The Sandman
Lucifer
Transmetropolitan
Hellblazer (the Delano run)
The Maxx
Xenozonic tales
Y: The Last Man
Saga
The Sandman
Lucifer
Transmetropolitan
Hellblazer (the Delano run)
The Maxx
Xenozonic tales
Y: The Last Man
If you're into high fantasy I'd recommend IDW's Dungeon and Dragons, fun and fairly short. (amazon [http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-1-Shadowplague-HC/dp/1600109225])Whytewulf said:
I don't read many indie comics, but I can give you some good rec's when it comes to mainstream superhero comics. My recommendations will require no prior knowledge, except the little you pick up from pop culture alone. Do you know who Superman, or Batman are? (Hint one's an alien from the planet Krypton who can fly and stuff, and the others an orphan from the worst city in America who wants to clean it up. Violently.)
Superman
Superman: Secret Identity - A "what if?" tale about one Clark Kent growing up in the real world. Constantly made fun as a child for his name, one day he develops powers almost exactly like Superman in the comics! A very well written and beautiful take on how a small town Kansas boy would react to having superpowers. Also one of the best written love stories in the medium
Kingdom Come - Another "what if?" story set in a future of the grim, edgy, anti-hero. The public got tired of Joker killing hundreds only to be put up in a comfy cell at Arkham so when one of the aforementioned anti-heroes puts him in the dirt, the public cheers. Superman and many of the Golden/Silver Age heroes decide that they no longer want to live in a world where brutal violence is praised, and leave Earth to its own devices. Of course everything goes to hell and we get one of the greatest comics ever.
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer Omnibus vol 1 - Easily the best Kirby has to offer, Silver Surfer was once the man Norrin Radd a man who dreamt of exploring the universe, but his society had long given up space travel; it brought back to many bad memories of his people's warlike past. Luckily for him the cosmic being Galactus comes by to feed on the life force of his planet and he gets to give one last I-told-ya-so to his people, if it weren't for his beautiful lover Shalla-Ba. He decides instead to confront the all-powerful Galactus and offers him a deal. He will search the galaxy for planets for the great creature to feed on and in return he will spare the planet of Zenn-La, Norrin Radd's home. Galactus shapes his body into a silvery form and gifts him a powerful surfboard that he can use to trawl the space lanes looking for planets to feed his masters never ending hunger.
Silver Surfer Requiem - I only recommend this if you really like the character after reading some his older comics, because this is the end. This is the story of the death of the Silver Surfer and it is one of the most beautifully illustrated and written tales ever. I cannot express how much I love this story.
Batman
Batman Year One - You guessed it, this is the story of Batman's first year as the dark knight. Well illustrated and competently written, this will introduce you to all the major themes of Batman and you can pick it up for pretty cheap. One of the best Batman stories IMO, this does not follow any of his more over the top villains, but instead chronicles his fight against the mob. This story is more about the corruption that runs from top to bottom in a large city like Gotham and one man's crusade to end it.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - Batman left the scene after Cold War America began to frown on costumed vigilantes. Years later Gotham is corrupt as ever, so Bruce Wayne once again dons the cowl to take back the night. Wonderfully violent story set to the backdrop of Reagan Era America that deals with many complex issues. Generally shafted as starting the trend Kingdom Come ends, that of grimdark edgy anti-heroes, but is incredibly nuanced. Frank Millers best comic, if you like its style I would also recommend his Daredevil run.
Invincible
Starts out as fun, and fairly lighthearted comic about a boy who grew up with totally not superman for a dad and finally gets some powers late in his highschool years. There are some pretty big plot twists early on, and I won't spoil it for you, but it's well worth a read. Comes in both graphic novel and omnibus form.
Thanks. I ordered some of the above recommendations, but wasn't certain on the superhero side. Some of those sound like sage advice. Why do I suspect this is going to be an expensive hobby, as I read through stuff quickly, even a second time.. haha, oh well, you only live once.. (unless your a comic super hero)Hafrael said:
Well keep us updated on what you liked and didn't, I'd be glad to recommend more stuff, but it's easier when I have a better idea of what you're in too.Whytewulf said: