A Return To The Funny Books…
I’ve been wanting to get back into comic books. I’ve had a long on-again, off-again relationship with comic books since I was twelve. I have always loved the superhero stuff and even as an adult, I see almost every superhero movie when they come out.
And comic books are the basis of those movies.
The other thing I love about comic books is the serialization of a story. That ongoing story from month-to-month with a story progression is awesome. I can’t get enough of that. I literally grew up with the X-Men. I went through the Brood, the New Mutants, the X-Tinction Agenda, and so on…I ate it up. So, I’d like to start reading some comic books again.
But what titles?
I don’t think the X-Men are anything like I last saw them. Is Storm even still around? I’m open to suggestions. I’ve been reading a couple good comic book blogs lately (For The Love Of Comics, Face Rockery, Panels Of Awesome to name three) and if those guys read me, feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions. I do know that the first books I’m going after are Buffy Season Eight. Me and The Wife were sad to see Buffy end and this would be a great pickup for both of us.
Beyond that, I’m wide open.
Possibly related posts:
March 29th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I didn’t want to make a big deal about it, but this is my 500th post. W00t!
March 29th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Buffy Season Eight is excellent. So is Angel: After the Fall, which is basically season six of Angel.
Storm is still around; she’s married to Black Panther now, so she shows up in his book alot. I believe she’s going to be in Warren Ellis’s run on Astonishing X-Men, so you may want to pick that up.
The X-books in general are going through a bit of shake-up right now, so I’m not sure if I should recommend them or not, but if you enjoyed the 90’s version of X-Men, you may want to check out X-Force (different than the 90’s team) and Young X-Men (sounds like it will have alot of the characters from New Mutants).
Otherwise, I’d probably need more details on what you enjoyed back in the day in order to point stuff your way now.
I know that I always love the Bat-books, but that’s me. You’ve probably seen one or all of us mention Secret Invasion and Final Crisis, the two big events coming up for each big publisher. Secret Invasion starts next week and is about the Skrulls having posed as a bunch of the Marvel heroes for almost the past decade and finally launching their invasion plans.
Captain America is great these days, so is Iron Fist…
I don’t know, dude… email me or let me know somehow what you used to like or movies, books, and tv shows your digging now and I can probably put together a good list for you.
March 29th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Also, congratulations on post 500!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I’ve had an on again off again love affair w/comics. I was an avid collector as a teen, with thousands of comics. Marvel and DC were favorite brands of course growing up, but once an adult, I explored other smaller brand comics.
X-Men, Avengers, The Flash, and more were favorites. I always felt that Marvel characters had more depth generally than others. These days though, the angst is everywhere.
The real question I have is how much original writing is taking place. How much has simply become rehash of old story lines.
Buffy might open up new opportunities though. Are they revisiting the tv episodes or new story lines?
For me to pick up comics again though, I’d have to feel like I was getting my monies worth. They’ve become so expensive that books are just as cheap.
Post more when you take the plunge back in.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:41 am
First, congrats on the 500th post Patrick!
Second, CrackerBob seems to have a pretty good start on your list already. The best titles on my pull list right now include Marvel’s Thor, Thunderbolts and Mighty Avengers. As well as DC’s Detective Comics, Justice League of America (Which is actually in a bit of a slump right now.) and the Justice Society of America which is solid read.
I don’t read X-Men so you’ll have to proceed with CB from here on but I just wanted to throw a couple titles at you.
March 30th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I’ll second Mike’s list, but add New Avengers.
I know Mike isn’t enjoying New Avengers, and he has a valid point, but at least the book isn’t six months behind! =op
This is my “Top of the stack” list from the blog, though I need to add a few titles onto it:
The Goon
The Sword
The Circle
Booster Gold
Nightwing
Hellblazer
The Boys
Batman
Detective Comics
Batman and the Outsiders
Necessary Evil
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Angel After the Fall
Captain America
Checkmate
X-Factor
Fables
Daredevil
Scalped
Ex Machina
Simon Dark
Thor
Walking Dead
March 30th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
To be fair, Mighty Avengers is caught up now as of issue #10 and #11. Also, New Avengers this month was pretty good. I’ll be reviewing both Mighty Avengers #11 and New Avengers #39 this week, head-to-head. (Plug, plug!)
March 30th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
It’s caught up because they threw out an entire arc so that Secret Invasion could happen on time. =op
I just like picking on the pro-registration fascists, is all.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:25 am
Wow. This post got some serious comments. Very cool.
It looks like I’ll go ahead and get the Angel and Buffy books, definitely. As for other stuff, perhaps I’ll keep an eye on the blogs I’m reading and see where it goes. I can’t see me reading the Avengers though.
I DO want to get a new series with Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman coming out soon. I think one of you guys covered that one. Maybe it’s called ‘Trinity’?
March 31st, 2008 at 2:28 am
To answer Todd’s question, the Buffy and Angel series’ each take place after the respective series’. It’s cool since Joss Whedon is/was involved (I think!) and this is the only way those stories will continue.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:20 am
I have nothing left to add because Mike and Crackerbob already… oh wait. There is a couple of things.
Seeing that you’re a Joss Whedon fan, as well as an X-Men fan, you would weep tears of joy if you pick up his Astonishing X-Men run. You may want to wait until after Giant Size Astonishing X-Men, though.
Also, Green Lantern. Start with the Sinestro Corps War back issues before you try out the more recent issues.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:07 am
I know I mentioned Trinity; Mike may have, too. It looks to be pretty good.
Also, I never thought I’d be reading Avengers, either, but it’s not the same boring book it was back in the ’90’s - Bendis is actually doing good things with both books! Not trying to pressure you into checking it out, just letting you know that the Avengers are much cooler than they used to be.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:44 am
Two excellent suggestions from Baddie.
I was focused on ongoing runs, but picking up Whedon’s run on Astonishing and The Sinestro Corps War in trade would both be very wise moves.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:29 am
500 posts! Wooot! Big congrats to you Patrick.
Just to throw in my $1.50 here…have you picked up any Manga? A bit more of a read than the comic books, and sometimes you have to wait quite a while longer for the next edition, but there are many really great series out there (some that have gone the anime/cartoon route even). I find myself hooked and have to cut back now and then, but here are just a few I have read and enjoyed:
Hellsing
Bleach
Full Metal Alchemist
On the more twisted side:
Arm of Kanon
Battle Royale
March 31st, 2008 at 10:47 am
I’ve read the Battle Royale prose novel and seen the movie, and both were deliciously twisted. If the manga is anything like them, it’s definitely worth a read!
March 31st, 2008 at 12:32 pm
As I mentioned privately to Wendy, I CANNOT take manga. Not sure why, but I just can’t stand any of it.
A visit to the comic shop is in order, me thinks.
March 31st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
A visit to the comic shop is always in order.
April 1st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Happiness Is…discovering the comic book shop in the new neighborhood (yay me!)
April 8th, 2008 at 3:48 am
I dunno. I’m a great fan of Buffy series but i don’t really like season 8. As for Angel: After the Fall- I found it surprisingly good so I believe it’s worth taking a look at it.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Have you read the Sandman series? It’s been years and while cleaning up my bookshelf, I found the first 4 bound volumes…so I’m re-reading the first one…oooh, good story!
April 9th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I have never cared much for the non-costumed, non-superhero comic books, to be honest.
(That last statement is kinda ironic in that I went to the comic shop and bought two issues of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.)
April 9th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Right, I get it…
Tights FIRST, THEN undies…check.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Loki and I can’t afford to get back into our comic book habit. We just can’t….
April 9th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
C’mon paperback, a few issues wouldn’t hurt…