Posts Tagged ‘DC Comics’
… 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 …
Comment by Dan: … of the dark horse comics. I liked it though (and …
Tags: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Comic books Concrete Dark Horse Comics Ghost Hellboy Sin City
I actually found it a little hard to write this particular selection because upon reflection I really have become a Marvel zombie. I started off with DC, especially Batman but over time I expanded upon my Marvel reading from Iron Man to anyone to the detriment of my DC friends.
I thought I would also limit Batman to one title only as I could very easily list five great Batman books but I want to give you a bit of introduction to the DC universe. Again these are all from my own collection and I’d love to hear your suggestions and any feedback if you do go out and read any!!
All Star Batman & Robin The Boy Wonder vol 1
All Star Batman & Robin The Boy Wonder vol 1
1. All Star Batman & Robin The Boy Wonder vol 1
This probably isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to Batman, there is a different attitude and feel to this version from Frank Miller. Batman is pretty much insane and he absolutely loves being the Batman which I absolutely love to read. The book has more than its share of over the top lines and sequences, it’s like the heavy metal version of the Batman and it’s a high energy manic interpretation of the origin of Robin.
“…I’ve taken enough grief about calling my goddamn car the goddamn Batmobile. I’m the goddamn Batman and I can call my goddamn car whatever the hell I want to call it.”
The artwork by Jim Lee is crisp and there is a fold out page which is pretty much the most impressive and longest one I’ve ever seen.
The reason why I’m recommending this is because the art work is so brilliant and kinetic and you don’t need any previous knowledge of Batman.
There’s a chance it’s because it is also a different character from the movies, it has a great comic book feel to the book which I like, this is a Batman that revels in the war on crime and lets face it, you’d have to be a bit mad to dress up like a bat and fight insane clowns!
DC: The New Frontier
DC: The New Frontier
2. DC: The New Frontier #1 & #2
Okay fine.
I’ll admit it.
I’m completely sucked in by the artwork of this series. It’s superficial I know but it got me in the door and the story kept me there and frankly the throwback to the golden age of comics is beautiful. I’ve also broken my rule and included Volume 1 and 2 but it’s only because they are available in one book, it unfortunately is just a little expensive.
So the book is set in the 50s and the age of super heroes is coming to an end with Superman and Wonder Woman working for the government and Batman… just doing what he does best. We are introduced to the new breed of super heroes, The Flash, Green Lantern and The Martian Manhunter.
I think apart from the artwork which is very easy on the eyes this is good exposure to the characters that make up the DC universe. I won’t say introduction because a lot of characters have little more than cameos but it does feature a lot of them which will at least get you used to the world they live in. This is definitely a stepping stone on to other material.
Superman: Kryptonite
Superman: Kryptonite
3. Superman: Kryptonite
I actually don’t have that many Superman graphic novels and it seemed remiss not to suggest one of the biggest icons in the comic book world although last week I omitted Spider-Man knowing full well Rol would suggest one. I’m not even sure how popular Superman is these days but I admit I don’t mind a well told Man of Steel story.
This book is from one of my favourite artists Tim Sale whom I mentioned last week and writer Darwyn Cooke who in fact wrote and illustrated The New Frontier as well. This is the tale of Superman’s first encounter with Kryptonite. Which in that sentence doesn’t really sound that interesting but this story is all about Superman as he works out what he can do and what his limitations might be.
I love that there is an inner monologue to Superman as he wonders if his current predicament is the limit of his abilities which is not something I’d considered previously. In the comics he didn’t come with an instruction manual so how does one know that if they swim in lava they’ll be fine.
It’s because of this journey of self discovery that I think as a new reader you could possibly identify with the story. Everyone knows who Superman is but this gives you the opportunity to find out a little about him under the surface of the icon.
Batgirl: Year One
Batgirl: Year One
4. Batgirl: Year One
I know I’m cheating here, this is a Batman book… kind of. Hey! I’m trying to help you out here, if you’re going nit pick every little falsehood I present then next list is going to be about knitting needles*!
But seriously this is an impressive book focusing on Barbara Gordon and the path that led her to become Batgirl. What I must like about the book is the unfolding story and crisp writing and because it is a ‘year one’ book it is a great place to start for anyone interested in the character. I also think though if you have written off or dismissed the character in the past this is a great book to be convinced otherwise.
I’ve also chosen this book because I think it could helpful leading into other books, especially the current Batgirl series that has Barbara in a mentoring role to the new Batgirl. Armed with this background it possibly enhances the impact of The Killing Joke (not a great place to start but certainly a great book to visit).
JLA Vol. 1: New World Order
JLA Vol. 1: New World Order
5. JLA Vol. 1: New World Order
I wanted to suggest a Justice League book because it’s a good way to see the characters as they are in action rather than origin stories like The New Frontier. No better place to start if you are new to comics than with the first volume of modern day Justice League of America.
Obviously the big characters are here, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman and are joined by Aquaman, Green Lantern, The Flash and The Martian Manhunter. I need to warn you though, Superman has long hair, the Green Lantern is another guy and Aquaman has long hair, a beard, one hand and a hook. All that aside it is a solid story featuring aliens trying to take over the world and earth’s mightiest heroes** coming together to save the day.
There is whole library of JLA books following on if you do enjoy this introduction to the group.
Other recommendations…
I hope that all my DC universe enthusiasts will add their own recommendations for DC books in the comments, I’ve left out some huge characters here simply because I don’t have the books at home. Also I’ve tried to focus on the core superhero books, I’ll come back to the other books in a future post and no I don’t think The Dark Knight Returns is a good entry point for a comic book newbie!
*I’m actually ignorant on the subject of knitting needles so it is a complete and utter empty threat.
** If you raised an eyebrow at that reference then you really should just go back to your Marvel books, this post isn’t aimed at you!
Marvel comics has some of the most popular characters around right now. Especially thanks to their dominance in the film industry with huge successes such as Spider-man, Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk (not so much the first one). So chances are even if you’ve never picked up a comic book you are probably aware at least of some of Marvel’s bigger characters.
The list of five books that I’ve chosen for anyone new to comics and Marvel to read are all from my own collection so at least to simplify things for myself. There are no doubt thousands of other graphic novel collections that are just as rewarding and accessible and if you check out the comments below I’m sure you’ll find some more great selections!
1. Runaways Volume One
Odds are that you haven’t heard of Runaways, they’ve yet to hit the big screen or have a television series made about them and they are completely original characters. The Runaways are a group of teenagers that discover that their parents are super villains and that they have inherited some of their abilities and powers. Upon making this discover they band together to take on their parents and make up for some of the horrible things that their parents had done.
The thing which is interesting about this series apart from some of the absolute best writing that I’ve encountered in comic books is that the group defy a lot of the standard super hero team conventions. They don’t wear costumes, only briefly use code names and are a predominantly female group.
These are some of the reasons why I’m recommending it, there is a certain level of realism at least as far as super powered comic book characters go. You don’t have to have any prior knowledge of anything as it detaches nicely from the Marvel universe (although it is firmly set within it). The characters are all well written and you actually care about them as they are in danger, anyone could die. Don’t go reading about the series though on Wikipedia etc, there is a massive twist towards the end and it is satisfying when you don’t know it!
You can try buying Runaways: v. 1 from Fishpond but they are currently out of stock (they have the non hard cover issues though).
2. Astonishing X-Men Volume 1
Thanks to the movie you are probably familiar with a lot of these characters and if you’ve ever just tried to pick up an X-Men book it can be daunting and confusing with such an intricate back story. Also if you are a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel or Firefly then the second draw card to this series is that it is written by none other than Joss Whedon.
Whedon brings his style of writing and character dialogue to the X-Men which fit surprisingly well. I had read X-Men on and off over the years simply because if you are into comics then sooner or later you’re going to encounter them. This was the first series I really got into and loved.
Whilst there is a slight learning curve to who is who and it does reference events from the past, the script and artwork easily make up for it and is a really great entry point into the X-Men universe.
As I write this Astonishing X-Men: v. 1 is apparently on sale at Fishpond (no idea how long for though – you can also get the soft cover versions cheaper)
3. Hulk: Gray
There is a series of books done by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale based around colours as they focus on various members of the Marvel line up. I was torn over which one to put on this list as frankly any of them are wonderful books to pick up but settled on Hulk: Gray simply because it is my favourite Hulk book and features my favourite version of Iron Man.
This is a controversial pick too because the comic book community are a little torn over Loeb and Sale’s work. I’ve yet to see a collaboration between them that doesn’t work for me but they certainly have their detractors. You might recognise Tim Sale’s artwork from the show Heroes and if you like that style of art then you’ll appreciate this. Actually if you enjoyed the Incredible Hulk film (Edward Norton’s version) then you’ll probably warm to this as key sequences were used in the film from the book.
The main thing here is that we’re looking at a time in the Hulk’s past and the story is a self contained one that doesn’t require you to be up on the current history of the Hulk (I’m frankly surprised that Hulk fans themselves can keep up with the current Hulk events!). There is some real emotional depth to the character which is beautifully captured via the art.
If Hulk’s not your thing then might I suggest Daredevil: Yellow.
The current hard cover version of Hulk: Gray is available via Fishpond.
4. Thor Volume One
Thor is character that I just didn’t get. He’s a god? He’s from mythology? How is it he fits in the Marvel universe alongside Captain America and Iron Man!?!
So for a long time I just accepted the character whenever he showed up in Avengers and didn’t get any more involved than that. That was until starved for something to read I picked up the J. Michael Straczynski (of Babylon 5 fame) version of Thor. Whilst I admit this is possibly the least accessible of the books I’ve recommended, if you’re willing to push ahead and accept a couple of things that you won’t understand then the book will get you interested in the character and excellent timing as well considering that the film is just around the corner.
The artwork is pretty wonderful and the concept of Norse gods attending the local council meeting in small town middle America is delightful.
If the idea of Thor the Norse god even vaguely interests you then this book could be a good entry point to the character. I advise caution for everyone else.
Fishpond seem to only have the paperback version of Thor v. 1 but I’m sure you could find the hardcover somewhere if you wanted it (I have this in paperback myself because I missed the hardcover)
5. Mythos
This is a fairly easy collection to recommend as a starting point because the book is the origin story for Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider, X-Men and Captain America all in one volume.
I will admit though that the art does not always grab me as a good companion to the stories, Paolo Rivera is an awesome artist but I think at times some of the frames in the book are a little too lavish. Like really rich food it occasionally gets to be a little overpowering. At least that’s my own opinion, others may love that every panel is lovingly painted with vibrant colours and movement.
The book is more than accessible as it will give you a primer for each of the characters listed above.
Mythos is available at Fishpond.
Other recommendations…
I hope that all my comic book savvy readers will add their own recommendations for Marvel books in the comments, it would be interesting to read what you think an accessible book is for someone who has never read Marvel before!
Note: I’ve included links to Fishpond where you can buy copies of these books, I’m not saying you have to buy them from there but I am an affiliate which helps me out. Try your local comic book shop too because you might be surprised by their prices as they often try and keep them down! (the good one’s try anyway!)
