Give suggestions to the comic newbie!
 

I really want to get into comic books! I've gotten some suggestions from friends and discovered some interesting looking series on my own, but it's neglecting a lot of franchises, and I'm sure there are tons of great series I've never even heard of! So tell me what series I should check out! Here are some things to keep in mind with your recommendations:

• I like seriousness and don't have a strong taste for cheesiness.
• I like developed characters
• I really like well done female characters (that is, not grotesquely sexist)
• I like superhero stories, but I like other types too
• I have no Marvel/DC preference
• Good dialog is a must
• Good art is preferred, but lackluster art can be overlooked for a great story

The only comic I've read so far is the Dark Knight Returns, but I have Batman: The Long Halloween as well, which I'll read soon.

And here are some franchises that I particularly would like a few good suggestions for:

• The X-Men
• Black Widow
• Iron Man

Aaaaand here's what I already have on my to-read list, so we can avoid redundancy.


Go go go! [:D]

Do want a current or a resolved story line? Full-series or mini-series?
I am actually sitting down and reading my comics as I type this. ;3

Ones I am reading and can give good input for:
The new 52 in DC I like "The Justice League Dark". It follows John Constantine, Xanadu, Deadman, Zatana and other Magic-based heroes as they get into various mishaps. None of these guys are super-powered unless you consider magic a super power. And most of them are seen more as criminals than as legit-heroes. It's a different take on the same old story. I think it's about 20 issues in, so not too much to catch up on.

IDW recently released a new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". Featuring the amazing talents of Eastman once again. I have always been a TMNT fan so I may be very biased here, but damn if it isn't a modernized take on the old story. Instead of mutant slime, they are mutant genes (forced by alien science because Krang). Art is a little stylized and could be seen as wonky, but I don't mind it as it's almost old-school style.

Image has "Skull Kickers", which if you like Fantasy Comics ala Dungeons and Dragons, mixed with the most ridiculous sound effects (Yes "Ape Attack" is used as a sound effect) then this is the best! Be warned the main characters don't have names. XD

Image also has what I consider to be one of the best ongoings out right now. "Saga". It is epic, glorious, perfectly written, beautifully illustrated, and elaborately unique. Brian Vaughan is the writer and Fiona Staples is the illustrator. A dynamic duo if there ever was one.

I saw that you had a Steve Niles Batman on your list, if you like his writing but want a short mini-series that is over and is out in book form now. Find "Mystery Society" (art also done by the amazing Fiona Staples) I have three words for you, Robot Jules Verene.

Finished stories are easiest for me since then I can get them all in one book (or multiple compilations), which is much cheaper. Plus, them being older makes the demand lower and there are more used copies in circulation so again, cheaper. But I'm not opposed to suggestions for current series, either! If nothing else, I can just set them on my to-read list to keep in mind once they finish/have some compilations out.

I'm not really sure of the difference between full series and mini series, so I can't really comment on a preference there. [sweat]

And thanks for the suggestions! I'll look at all of those. [:D] Though I have to say I'm a bit hesitant about TMNT. It isn't silly/cheesy/kiddie?

And from what I understand, New 52 suggestions would be fantastic, since they don't require tons and tons of foreknowledge (of which I have none or next-to-none).

Also, I'm having trouble finding Skull Kickers. Who does it?

A mini-series tends to be only a few comics long. Mystery Society I think was around 5 issues.
A full series can stretch 100+ issues and often has bridged into additional series, like how X-men, Wolverine, Deadpool etc all cross over making you read all of them to get the whole picture.

Skull Kickers is published by Image, written by Jim Zub. Here's a link to Amazon ZOMG A LINK

Surprisingly TNMT is darker this time around. Yes there's still the silly antics of giant-boy turtles running around. And in the newer issues (which I just finished 19 going onto 20) there is a more anime style, it's a a good read. Krang is still a gross angry blob of alien chest monster. Hob is a ratty alley cat with an attitude. And Shredder is a dick.

All but Mystery Society are still ongoing since I'm giving you suggestions as I read mine. I can sift through my box-o-comics and find the older ones I liked, and try to remember the ones I sat and read through at the comic store. :P

Ahh, I see! Then I think I'd prefer mini series for their manageability, but I'm not opposed to full series either.

Thanks, I found it on goodreads now! For some reason when I typed it in as "Skull Kickers" it had no clue what I was talking about because they had it listed as "Skullkickers," all one word. Nooo, I couldn't possibly have meant that. [roll]

This is the TMNT you're talking about, right? Just want to make sure I'm not getting it mixed up with the old one. I'll give it a try! Though by "anime style" do you mean just in the art, or also in the sort of dialog and such? I'm not a huge fan of anime/manga and the dialog there tends to annoy me a lot. Death Note is all I've managed to get into so far.

I'd love suggestions from the box o' comics if you've got time to go through and look! But no rush, my to-read list is really long to begin with.

Might I suggest the Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman? I'm actually surprised that this series hasn't come up yet.

I've heard lots of acclaim for those, but I have to admit to having no clue at all what they're about. I've got a bit of an issue with Gaiman due to how he talks to his fans sometimes, but I might consider it if it's really good.

The big question I have, in reccomending comics, is just "What kinds of stories do you like?" People think of comics as a genre, but it's a medium that basically covers every genre imaginable.

For Super Hero comics, I'd recommend you check out the current runs (starting from the beginning) on the following exceptional titles:

Captain Marvel (DeConnick)
Young Avengers (Gillen)
Hawkeye (Fraction)
Batman (Snyder)
Daredevil (Waid)

For non-superhero stuff... Well, what sorts of genres are your favorite TV shows, movies, and novels?

Well, I gave a quick overview of the types of stories I like, but I don't want to be too narrow in genre because I'd like to discover new things and I'm open to just about anything as long as it's well-written and stuff like I mentioned above.

And thanks, I'll check those out! [:)]

Some other great books you should try:

Northlanders (each volume is stand-alone)
The Last Days of American Crime
The Manhattan Projects
Red Mass for Mars
Casanova
The Book of Magic
Petrograd
Parker: The Hunter
Return of the Dapper Men
Gingerbread Girl
Y: The Last Man
Hellblazer

If you want to read digital, download the Comixology app and check out the publisher Monkey Brain, especially October Girl (by my good friend Matthew Dow Smith) and Bandette (which is about to win a LOT of awards).

Thanks for the suggestions, they look great! Although with Hellblazer, where does that start? I found a few different series with that name.

Alas, I have nothing to download apps to. My phone is about 6 years old. [lol]

There's only one series called "Hellblazer" it has just been running for a very long time, so there are a ton of volumes out there. (Some labeled confusingly, I suspect.) I'd start with the first one, "The Devil You Know" but after that you can always jump to the first volume by a given writer.

TamLin - Ah, yeah, they weren't numbered when I looked, just given titles. Thanks for letting me know which the first is. [:)]

Hummy - I suspect the comics would be better if I'd seen the show, right? I still haven't watched that yet.

The Buffy comics are very good, but they (especially the new "Season 8" and "Season 9" ones) are most definitely a follow-up to the show.

If I had bothered to pull out my big box o comics when I said I would, both Sandman's would be in there Gaiman's sandman about Morpheus King of Dreams and Sandman Mystery Theater by DC. The second being more of a pulp noir detective comic.

Marvel's Mystery Men A five part mini-series (complete) was very neat.
IDW's Memorial was a nice, but I only own the first one, after that I read it in store.
The Stuff of Legend is classic, and beautiful.
Reed Gunther (through Image) was interesting then got old real quick for me, seems to be doing well enough.
IDW puts out the Godzilla comics, and there are usually some interesting mini-series that occur. I enjoyed Gangsters and Goliaths.
I like Marvel Universe Vs. Anyone.
And Deadpool team ups are good for kicks and giggles and explosions.

Oh Marvel did a "Season One" kick maybe last year? Where they put out some comics that explained the back story of the character. I liked those for an introduction into Marvel Mayhem.