11 replies to this topic

[sirmethos]

I'm introducing a complete newbie, to the wonder of comics.

I've started her on Bone, and she'll be watching the animated movie version of All-Star Superman. But what else should I introduce, in order to show how brilliant comics can actually be?

I'm considering V for Vendetta, Watchmen(she's seen the movie), some Swamp Thing, Hellblazer, and The Endless.

But I'm not 100% sure, and would like some suggestions. Are there others that would be better than the ones I'm considering, are there any of the ones I'm considering that would be a bad idea, etc.

[RakaiThwei]

Huntress: Year One is a good read.

After having read that, I kind of become more appreciative of the character of Helena Bertinelli. It's really a good read.

-Rakai'Thwei

[sirmethos]

Hmm, I'll have to check it out, but thanks for the suggestion, she(the one I'm introducing comics to) does enjoy strong female protagonists.

[xLEGACYx]

you could always try the new worlds finest. I think it focuses on Powergirl and Huntress. Then again you could always go with the classic female protagonists of Supergirl or Wonder Woman. One other mey be X-Men since it has a lot of Storm or Rogue in it.

[sirmethos]

Eh, the writing in the new World's Finest, isn't really that good.

I'm trying to stick with top quality works for now. I can always introduce her to more general works later on.

[xLEGACYx]

Eh, the writing in the new World's Finest, isn't really that good.

I'm trying to stick with top quality works for now. I can always introduce her to more general works later on.

I havent really looked at those comics. Just threw out some strong female leads in comics. She could maybe read some Walking Dead comics. They always seem to be rather good.

[Ivan]

If it were me I'd start with Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics which is the most awesome kind of primer for enjoying any sequential artwork.

I'm a fan of the Fables-> Sandman-> Promethea path. It's a little cerebral, but afterward I think a person could sit down and read Swallow Me Whole and not have any questions. After that, though, most comics will be a bit of a letdown.

Bone is a great way to go- and if she wants a follow up, Groo is consistently awesome, and Usagi Yojimbo has never ever had a bad issue. This will help provide a buffer so she doesn't start thinking "Comics = Superheroes" (It's a trap a lot of people fall into, and then they can't understand why some crap like Iron Man Extremis isn't considered the best comic of all time.) There's never a bad time to share Maus with someone, comic fan or not.

If you specifically want to introduce her to Superhero comics, the Marvel Essentials are a decent place to start, you get plenty of Jack Kirby and all the classic stuff like "This Man This Monster" and "The Kid Who Collected Spider Man." After that I'd go for a good team book that plays up the interpersonal aspect- Astro City books are always great, but if you're looking for a Big Two comic I like Geoff Johns' runs on both Teen Titans or JSA, Grant Morrison's JLA run, or some of the more well-known Claremont/Byrne X Men arcs. I'm a huge fan of Days of Future Past, myself, although I think the Dark Phoenix saga is likely the most popular.
My personal favorite superhero book was Top Ten, if that counts for anything.

[sirmethos]

And this is exactly why I wanted your input(I wouldn't be sure that most people around here have even heard of Bone, let alone read the awesomeness that it is)

Thanks again

And yes, I do want to introduce her to Superhero comics, as a start though, I'm trying to stay a bit away from the 'mainstream' ones(i.e. x-men, spider-man, avengers, jla). Though I have considered some Fantastic Four.

I can easily agree that Top Ten was absolutely brilliant(I have to admit that I'm currently smacking my head, because I hadn't actually thought about Wildstorm, despite the fact that it has been one of my favorite universes for a long time).


The buffer to avoid the "superheroes = comics" line of thought, is the main reason I started with Bone(aside from the fact that it's one of the most awesome pieces of comicbook writing).

[RakaiThwei]

Methos, you said that you had a lot of the Mirage published TMNT comics, do you plan on showing her some of those?

-Rakai'Thwei

[AVP vs The Terminator]

American Vampire is pretty good. Maybe some Hellboy or the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen?

[sirmethos]

Methos, you said that you had a lot of the Mirage published TMNT comics, do you plan on showing her some of those?

-Rakai'Thwei

I don't have "a lot of it", I have all of it. But yes and no. I'm not planning on starting with it, for various reasons, but I am planning on showing her those eventually.

[RakaiThwei]

Also, might I suggest two titles from my collections?

Batman/Superman: Supergirl

Aliens vs Predator (the original comic)

-Rakai'Thwei