Comic books for Beginners

[Mat]

As a relative beginner to the world of comic books, I have a question for all you comic veterans out there. Which monthly serieses are really worth picking up now? I mean, I'm looking for some quality writing. Any suggestions?

[Onimar Synn]

Here's what I buy on a monthly basis:

JSA
JLA
Amazing Spider-man
The New X-Men
Flash
Green Lantern
Green Arrow
The Ultimates
Teen Titans
Batman

And I'm probably forgetting some.

Of those that would be good for a new reader, JSA is just finishing up an arc after the next issue comes out, so that may be a good jumping on point. Teen Titans #1 just came out, so that's probably a good choice. There's no bad time to start reading Amazing Spider-man or Ultimate Spider-man, and I would suggest picking up the Ultimates trade paperback, because it's a great read and will bring you almost up to date on the current storyline.

[EnderDeschain]

If you put three books on your list, make them "Ultimate Spider-Man," "The Ultimates," and "Ultimate X-Men". In that order. I think what they're doing with the Ultimate universe is just phenomenal, and it's bound to only grow.

Aside from that, I'm pretty much a Marvel guy. "Agent X" is good if you just want something fun and dumb and laugh-out-loud funny. "Avengers" has been good lately, for straight-up action heroic stuff. And I just love Ennis' "Punisher," for the darker stuff. Even though sometimes it's more funny than dark. The new "Wolverine" series is looking like it will be stellar, too.

[Mat]

Cool, thanks guys... I guess I'd better go shopping.

[Original]

Definitley Ultimate X men.

[Onimar Synn]

New x-man also. As a beginner, you might try purchasing a few trade paperbacks first. That should give you a pretty good feel for what your preferences are.

[TyRoss]

Well when I first started I went out and bought annuals. The one shots gave me a good idea of which comics I liked and which I didn't. Then when I finally decided which were my prefrences I delved into the series.

[Rogue]

Ultimate X-Men is a good one..I just started buying that one. I'm pretty new to this too. Psssst, Mat..go to Crazy Earl's..that place will mess you up. :eek:

[IdahoMR2man]

Rising Stars. But it's almost over....

[Mat]

Originally posted by Rogue
Psssst, Mat..go to Crazy Earl's..that place will mess you up. :eek:

Never been there, but I just went to the website. Looks like they've got all kinds of fun stuff there. I guess I'll check it out next time I'm up that way.

I picked up Essential X-Men 1 & 2 and Kevin Smith's Green Arrow the other day. I'm also gonna pick up some of Frank Miller's stuff.

[Kyle Katarn]

Frank Miller??? You MUST buy The Man Without Fear, the "tour de force" telling of Daredevil's origin!!!

[Lackey]

Originally posted by Mat
As a relative beginner to the world of comic books, I have a question for all you comic veterans out there. Which monthly serieses are really worth picking up now? I mean, I'm looking for some quality writing. Any suggestions?


I realize this was posted over a month ago but oh well...


When I recommend any comics to friends I usually recommend mature, non-superhero, comics... unless perhaps they were in to comics at one time and trying to get back into them.

DC's Vertigo titles are really good...

100 Bullets
Preacher
Transmetropolitan
The Invisibles
Fables
Y: The Last Man
Sandman
Hellblazer

[Colorado Cajun]

Sandman
Rising Stars
Powers
Ultimate X-Men and Spiderman
The Ultimates
Liberty Meadows
Harley Quinn
Fables

[Halofan1]

BATMAN should now be issued to you at birth. Best stuff I've read in years.

[Halofan1]

Books worth reading...

Batman
New X-Men
Born
1602
JLA/Avengers
Flash
Avengers
Teen Titans
Ultimates
Ultimate X-Men
Ultimate Spider-Man
Punisher

[Rocketboy]

Originally posted by Mat
As a relative beginner to the world of comic books, I have a question for all you comic veterans out there. Which monthly serieses are really worth picking up now? I mean, I'm looking for some quality writing. Any suggestions? "The Punisher" is by far one of the best comics I've ever read. Garth Ennis handles Frank so well. Every story is a great read without having to know every single aspect of the character and their past (unlike Spidey and X titles). Lately, Ennis has dropped much of the odd humor "The Punisher" had in the begining and taken a darker tone. I like the Punisher because it's more based in reality than the spandex heros.

The new mini series "Born" is an amazing, but very VERY dark, look at the Punisher's pre-Punisher life in Vietnam. Graphic violence, language, ect. Very realisic.

Soon, they will be releaunching "The Punisher" with the "Born"-type feel to it.

[Halofan1]

Originally posted by Rocketboy
"The Punisher" is by far one of the best comics I've ever read. Garth Ennis handles Frank so well. Every story is a great read without having to know every single aspect of the character and their past (unlike Spidey and X titles). Lately, Ennis has dropped much of the odd humor "The Punisher" had in the begining and taken a darker tone. I like the Punisher because it's more based in reality than the spandex heros.

The new mini series "Born" is an amazing, but very VERY dark, look at the Punisher's pre-Punisher life in Vietnam. Graphic violence, language, ect. Very realisic.

Soon, they will be releaunching "The Punisher" with the "Born"-type feel to it.

Born is great. Garth Ennis is a true genius.

[PlayingGod]

For Agent X guys/gals you might have to order some of the older issuses at places like Mile High Comics. The Series ends with Issue 15 but thankfully continues as Deadpool/Cable ... Why the put Cable in there god only knows ..

[The Schweitz]

stay away from anything X-Men that is new. I personally feel it has gone very far downhill from when i use to erad them years ago.

[Halofan1]

Originally posted by The Schweitz
stay away from anything X-Men that is new. I personally feel it has gone very far downhill from when i use to erad them years ago.

You read New X-Men recently?

[The Schweitz]

well i picked up the first two grapic novel collections and am slowly working my way their so maybe it gets better