getting back into comics

[PhotoJones]

Dang...10 bucks only gets you three comics...if you're lucky and don't want a 3.50 or 3.99 comic, which is getting more frequent nowadays. It just seems, unlike in the 80's and 90's, that a reader would be hard pressed to buy a Marvel or DC comics without coming away confused.

It's not so much confused, I don't think. Marvel does a good job with the recap page. The problem lies in being able to fully enjoy the story. If you pick up any comic book on the shelf, 9 times out of 10 it's in the middle of a storyarc.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Yup. Only idiots have trouble jumping in. You're not an idiot are you KC? I thought not.

I disagree. Some of DC's best comics can be confusing to many new readers...and, even some old ones. Some of DC's best titles are below:

The Justice League/Justice Society crossover currently going on in their respective titles even has current readers confused about many of the Legion members that have shown up.

Checkmate is totally confusing if you haven't been following along. Sure, with the current crossover with Outsiders it's been greatly dummied down...but, it still has elements that will leave a new reader scratching their head. (Plus, in both cases, a new reader has to shell out cash for not only one title, but another book, greatly diminishing their comic funds.)

Countdown still expects the reader to know about all the Crisis' of times past, even if they are giving a dummies guide in the end of the books. But, in this case, a new reader has to shell out 2.99 each week, further reducing the amount of comics they buy monthly. (And, some scenes involve further reading, as with the brief tie-in with the current Justice League/Justice Society crossover.)

Another favorite title, Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes, would be extremely confusing to a new reader. Hell, I've been following this title since it Supergirl joined, and I still have trouble with all of its members and their past.

So, that's just an example of my favorite DC books. If they wouldn't be confusing (and costly) to a new reader, I guess I'm an idiot.

 

[Phaedrus45]

It's not so much confused, I don't think. Marvel does a good job with the recap page. The problem lies in being able to fully enjoy the story. If you pick up any comic book on the shelf, 9 times out of 10 it's in the middle of a storyarc.

That's true. The recap page is something DC should really adopt. Sometimes reading so many damn comics each month really helps when you get that page added to the story. There have been times I've picked up a second issue of a mini, only to realize I didn't remember a dang thing about issue #1. That happened with the Hellstormer and Wisdom limited series that recently came out.

 

[CConn]

I love how utterly confusing these simple guides to getting back into comics become.

Okay, , here's a few really great titles. You really don't need to know anything besides knowing to buy Vol. 2s after you're done with these:

The Ultimates
Runaways
X-Factor
Captain America

 

[KangConquers]

Well guys...you know I can always go online, and read spoilers and such to get upto date.

Don't feel like you have to dumb it down for me; I've been reading Comics off and on since Kraven's Last Hunt (which was a little disturbing for a 4 year old to read, but I thought it kicked ass.)

I'm a prodigal son, not a noob

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

You can do that and waste your time with "professional" answers, or you can listen to me.

I think the choice isn't that hard.



Waaaait...

 

[hippie_hunter]

Well since you appear to be short on cash, I recommend anything written by Ed Brubaker, Dan Slott, or Matt Fraction.

 

[PhotoJones]

I recommend that you give me the $10, and I'll buy something and let you read it. Eventually.

 

[Anubis]

I disagree. Some of DC's best comics can be confusing to many new readers...and, even some old ones. Some of DC's best titles are below:

The Justice League/Justice Society crossover currently going on in their respective titles even has current readers confused about many of the Legion members that have shown up.

Checkmate is totally confusing if you haven't been following along. Sure, with the current crossover with Outsiders it's been greatly dummied down...but, it still has elements that will leave a new reader scratching their head. (Plus, in both cases, a new reader has to shell out cash for not only one title, but another book, greatly diminishing their comic funds.)

Countdown still expects the reader to know about all the Crisis' of times past, even if they are giving a dummies guide in the end of the books. But, in this case, a new reader has to shell out 2.99 each week, further reducing the amount of comics they buy monthly. (And, some scenes involve further reading, as with the brief tie-in with the current Justice League/Justice Society crossover.)

Another favorite title, Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes, would be extremely confusing to a new reader. Hell, I've been following this title since it Supergirl joined, and I still have trouble with all of its members and their past.

So, that's just an example of my favorite DC books. If they wouldn't be confusing (and costly) to a new reader, I guess I'm an idiot.

Well, you said it, not me genius

 

[venom892]

Well I'll give you what I think you should read from marvel

Captain America
Immortal Iron Fist
Daredevil
She-Hulk
Moon Knight
Cable/Deadpool
Sensational Spider-man
Astonishing X-men

If you can buy the Dr.Strange:The Oath trade paperback.


As far as DC goes

Detective Comics
Brave and the Bold


And if your in the mood for something without capes and powers then try Scalped.Thats an awesome book.

 

[3dman27]

from inage the astounding WOLF-MAN

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

I would say not to go with anything Marvel has currently,if you check threads you will hear fans complaining about it.So buy some paperbacks.

 

[3dman27]

from dynamite comics group
army of darkness
battlestar galactica
darkman
the lone ranger
painkiller jane
red sonja
xena warrior princess

 

[hippie_hunter]

I would say not to go with anything Marvel has currently,if you check threads you will hear fans complaining about it.So buy some paperbacks.

Except Marvel has a **** load of awesome books out right now:

Cable & Deadpool
X-Factor
Astonishing X-Men
Uncanny X-Men
the Immortal Iron Fist
Daredevil
Punisher: War Journal
Fantastic Four
Iron Man
the Incredible Hulk
She-Hulk
Avengers: The Initiative
Captain America

 

[eat aliens]

I would say not to go with anything Marvel has currently,if you check threads you will hear fans complaining about it.So buy some paperbacks.

Many fans complain about anything and everything...that's no reason to not read Marvel.

 

[hippy fascist]

Dang...10 bucks only gets you three comics...if you're lucky and don't want a 3.50 or 3.99 comic, which is getting more frequent nowadays. It just seems, unlike in the 80's and 90's, that a reader would be hard pressed to buy a Marvel or DC comics without coming away confused.

I pay $4.50 for a $2.99 issue, comics are a total rip off in britain

 

[rodhulk]

Except Marvel has a **** load of awesome books out right now:

Cable & Deadpool
X-Factor
Astonishing X-Men
Uncanny X-Men
the Immortal Iron Fist
Daredevil
Punisher: War Journal
Fantastic Four
Iron Man
the Incredible Hulk
She-Hulk
Avengers: The Initiative
Captain America

They sure do!

 

[SouLeSS]

Buy X-Factor.
Get a cookie.

Everyone wins.

 

[J. Stooge]

Way to make an assumption.

I never said it was confusing (although it probably is to the average reader). What I said was that now might not be a good time to jump in. With 52 having just finished and Countdown just starting, that's a little daunting. That's a A LOT of back issues to pick up.

The MU on the other hand has a direct path right now, making a lot of the books easier to jump on without spending the cash on back issues.

I started reading DC last year with One Year Later. My first DC comic was Infinite Crisis #1 and having read nothing prior except for Superman: Sacrifice, I managed to understand it all pretty well. And since 52 has finished and Countdown has started, now would be a pretty good time to start (If you wanted to pick up Countdown and you could just get 52 in trade).
Honestly, if you have problems getting your head around anything about DC at the moment with the 52 Earths and all that, just use Wikipedia. Helped me out.

I pay $4.50 for a $2.99 issue, comics are a total rip off in britain

I pay $5.35 and only because I get a box discount. Comics are worse in Australia.

 

[shapeshifter]

also if you are like me and you follow books with really stellar art might I suggest Punisher. The artwork has really been outstanding in the last few months. IMO