So for the first couple of these introductions to comic books I’ve focused on the big two of the comic book publishers but I did mention that there are a huge amount of other publishers out there all doing solid work with some of the best comics in the industry.  One such company that I’ve been reading since I was first able to get my hands on any is Dark Horse Comics.

I should explain what I mean by being ‘able’ to get my hands on them.  In Australia most newsagents do not carry much outside of the big two publishers except for I guess Archie comics (though rarer now) and Commando.  I think my first encounter with a Dark Horse Comics book was Batman versus Predator 1 (which I might add is brilliant - the first one that is – I care little for the other volumes) and only because it was a DC crossover.

It wasn’t until I actually made it to a comic book shop that the world of Dark Horse Comics opened up for me, so if you are thinking of checking these out I suggest online or your local comic book store (I generally will never recommend a newsagent).

Hellboy Volume 1: Seed of Destruction

1. Hellboy Volume 1: Seed of Destruction

The Hellboy universe is soaked in world mythology and the occult and is generally a very intelligent series.  The first volume called Seed of Destruction is the seed from which the movie grew.  There are big differences but a lot imagery and the general concepts were drawn from this particular book.  Fans of the movie should enjoy this but be warned some differences aren’t quite so subtle.  Abe Sapien for instance is not a psychic and I don’t think Hellboy and Liz Sherman are aromatically involved though it must be said that either character may not even show up in this volume (it’s been a while since I’ve read the first volume and I’ve read a bunch of them!).

Mike Mignola’s moody, atmospheric and unique artwork serves the character perfectly and generates a classic pulp style around the storyline.  The story is both scary and fun at the same time, Hellboy himself is a character that adds humour to an otherwise horror setting with an almost perfect balance.

I chose this book because it is the first and therefore an excellent place to start (as I recall someone says this in The Sound of Music?) but there also the connections to the film that may have generated your interest in the first place, I can only implore you though to leave the movies behind as the comic books have so much more depth and richness to them.

Also once you start down the Hellboy path there is plenty of material to keep you going including novels and a spin off series focusing on the B.P.R.D. (start with Hellboy though then make your way there!).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 Volume 1: The Long Way Home

2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 Volume 1: The Long Way Home

Sometimes when a television show ends it’s simply because the cast or the producers or the network just don’t want to continue for whatever reasons they may have (some very valid ones don’t get me wrong) but in these cases there are often still stories to be told and fans want to know what happens to the characters they love after the series finale (of course just as many times there are no more stories and it should be left alone).

So when Joss Whedon announced that the eighth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer via a comic book series would indeed be told, fans were understandably excited.  Including me.  But in the fairness of full disclosure this particular series just didn’t really grab me.

So why do I include it here?

Well a lot of people I know who read the book love it and also the book is unprecedented in that according to Joss Whedon it is official and canon in the Buffy ‘verse.  It’s also written by Whedon so it certainly captures the dialogue of the series really well and they have no limits to what they can do as opposed to what the budget would allow in the show.

So if you are a Buffy fan and you haven’t checked this out it is a really good entry point into the world of comics.  May I also suggest the book Fray which is the Slayer set in the future.

Frank Miller's Sin City Volume 1: The Hard Goodbye

3. Frank Miller’s Sin City Volume 1: The Hard Goodbye

Another book that you might make your way to via the hit movie and like Hellboy one of the big drawcards for this book is the unique mood creating artwork that is synonymous with the Sin City series.  So much so that the movie did its best to replicate the look and feel for the film (a job they performed admirably).

The movie was based around three of the Sin City books of which this was one.  Featuring the character Marv as he hunts for the killer of Goldie.

Sin City reads like a detective pulp story and creates an amazing world in which these shady characters live within.  There are no ‘capes’ or super heroes in this series and would be a perfect introduction to comics for someone who does enjoy film noir.  I’ve included here because it is such an iconic series that is accessible for anyone who likes a tough, striking story set in a gritty world that isn’t too far from our own.

I will mention though that whilst I love the art and the style it may be a little overwhelming for a newcomer (although I personally give you all a lot more credit than that) as it is very stylistic but in my opinion integral to the story being told, it wouldn’t be a Sin City story set in another artist style.  It is also aimed more at older readers.

Concrete Volume 1: Depths

4. Concrete Volume 1: Depths

I tossed up whether to recommend this to newcomers or not.  I don’t know if Concrete is as well known character in the general public consciousness which is why I probably am adding it to the list.  Concrete is an interesting story about a guy who encounters aliens and is transformed into a giant rock body.

Trust me they play the story out a lot better than I just summarised it! In fact the stories told within the Concrete series are incredibly funny, thought provoking and at time moving.  It takes a character who has had his human body taken away to really examine some interesting aspects of the human condition.

For me like any series it has it’s high and low points but this first volume is a really good read and the reason why I’m adding it is that it does have more depth to it than your average superhero story.  It feels like an indie comic book, which is a compliment I assure you!

I don’t know if they are actively writing or producing any new Concrete stories so this series is recommended as a stepping stone (if you can excuse the pun) into other books though there are plenty of volumes to get through first.

Ghost Omnibus Volume 1

5.  Ghost Omnibus Volume 1

Ghost is another character that I’m unsure that it is still being produced but this collection of the first series will keep you interested as it is a wonderfully crafted character and world.  That being said if you are a guy you may start to wear a little thin around the whole “misogyny and extreme feminism” themes are pretty heavy handed in the first part of the series.

I mean don’t get me wrong the character herself has a completely valid reason for hating men and this is explored especially as the series goes on but as a guy who is not a misogynist I’ll say personally I found it to be a weak point in the story as it went on.

That being said if there are any empowered woman out there who want a female character that kicks ass and also rages against misogynist pricks then this is the book for you!

Anything else over at Dark Horse Comics?

Dark Horse Comics have a number of licences especially from film such as Star Wars, Alien, Predator and Serenity so obviously if you like any of these franchises then Dark Horse Comics may be the publisher for you to start with familiar ground.

Let me know if any of you do read Dark Horse Comics and what you’d recommend for someone trying to get into comics!