Official Recommendations Thread...Revived....

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Trying to start this thread back up hopefully we can get some fresh blood in here.

Here is the old thread....

So what I've done is assign a rating of X/100 based on how good I think the comic book is, now don't get all up in arms here but this is purely based on my opinion and what I've read, hence the more people vote, the more the scores will average out.

I know I haven't read a lot of the titles mentioned, but hey that's life. Also this is a work in progress and can only improve and I am going to be working on it for some time to come and really try to make this a must-go-to-list for all comic fans here.

If you guys want to just PM me your scores I will update accordingly.

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=186190


And this is most if not all of the comics that have been recommended. I will attempt to put some sort of scale on them as far as it being recommended on a scale of 1-10 or four stars or five to give a people of not only that it is good and you should read it but it is incredibly good and should be the thing you read next.

To people looking for recommendations: Whether you've just started reading comics and are looking for what's good, or are an old-timer who thinks he's running out of things to read, we welcome you. I hope you find the recommendations contained in this thread helpful, and I assure you I try to only recommend things I find to be at the top of the pile of quality, although our views may differ from time to time. Even if it fits into a genre you've not previously been a fan of, I encourage you to give them all a try anyway, as the books below are of the best stories comics have to offer, and the best works in any genre often transcend their genre. Also, we always recommend you start at the begining of any series, as most books are quite linear, and jumping on in the middle will sometimes ruin the surprise of great events that happened before.

if you are having difficulty finding a place to get these books, I can tell you that most Borders, Walden Books, and Barnes and Noble have small graphic novel sections, and should be able to order many graphic novels for you that they do not keep in stock. Also, www.the-master-list.com will assist you in finding your nearest comicbook stores. If you've never been to a comicbook store before or recently, I highly recommend you stop by one and hopefully will find a pleasent conversation with the clerk on duty, and may see some more things you enjoy. Lastly, graphic novels can be found at www.amazon.com, www.ebay.com, www.milehighcomics.com, www.dreamlandcomics.com, www.talesofwonder.com, and www.instocktrades.com . I hope this will all be helpful to you. Happy reading!


ORT ver 2.0 (A work in progress): http://superherohype.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235880

Index
Page 1
1-100 Bullets
2-V for Vendetta
3-Transmetropolitan [90/100](1)
4-District X
5-Preacher
6-Runaways
7-Daredevil
Page 2
8-Planetary
9-Y-The Last Man
10-Sentry
11-Books of Magic
12-Batman: The Killing Joke [86/100](1)
13-Lucifer
14-Superman: Red Son [74/100](1)
15-Marvel Team-Up
16-Camelot 3000
Page 3
17-Thunderbolts
18-Kingdom Come [84/100](1)
19-Spider-Man/Human Torch
20-Powers
21-Thor: Vikings [78/100](1)
22-Hammer of the Gods
23-Barry Ween Boy Genius
24-The Mask
25-Invincible [86/100](1)
26-The Walking Dead [85/100](1)
27-Young Avengers
28-Marvels
Page 4
29-X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills
30-Bloodhound
31-Taskmaster
32-Strangers in Paradise
33-Starman
34-Fables
35-Elfquest
36-Green Arrow
37-Green Lantern/Green Arrow
38-Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters
Page 5
39-Daredevil: Wake Up
40-Mutant X
41-Young Justice
41-Dr. Strange and Dr.Doom: Triumph and Torment
43-The Death of Captain Marvel
44-Squadron Supreme
45-Supreme Power [78/100](1)
46-Animal Man
Page 6
47-Avengers Forever
48-Uncle Sam
49-Empire
50-Scurvy Dogs
Page 7
51-Rex Mundi
52-Wildguard
53-Girls
54-Ultra
55-Caper
56-Concrete
Page 8
57-Operation: Galactic Storm
58-The Infinity Gauntlet [88/100](1)
59-Wanted [69/100](1)
60-JLA: Tower of Babel
61-JLA: Year One
62-She-Hulk
63-Great Lakes Avengers
64-Arkham Asylum: Living Hell
65-Spectacular Spider-man: The Child Within
66-The Tick
67-Boris the Bear
68-Top Ten
69-Batman: The Dark Knight Returns [96/100](1)
70-Sleeper
Page 9
71-The Question
72-Elektra Lives Again
73-Ronin
74-Arkham Asylum
Page 10
75-Challengers of the Unknown
76-DC: The New Frontier
77-Watchmen [94/100](1)
78-Sandman
79-Invisibles (mutant, I hope you don't mind but I'm gonna re-do these later)
80-Superman: Secret Identity
81-Astro City
82-Batman: The Long Halloween
83-Daredevil: Born Again
Page 11
84-The Authority
85-Ultimates [74/100](1)
86-Judge Dredd
87-American Flagg
88-Ex Machina
89-Howard the Duck
Page 12
90-Space Ghost
91-The Ring, the Arrow, and the Bat
92-Conan (1970)
93-Conan (2003)
94-Promethea
Page 13
95-Punisher: Born
96-Batman: Year One [90/100](1)
Page 14
97-Startling Stories: Banner [72/100](1)
98-Tilting at Windmills
99-The Losers
100-Lone Wolf and Cub
101-The Coffin [86/100](1)
102-Deep Sleeper
103-The Atheist
Page 15
104-Nightwing: Year One
105-Pedro and Me
Page 16
106-Squee's Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors
107-The Golden Age
Page 17
108-Wolverine: Enemy of the State [82/100](1)
109-Alias
110-Star Wars Tales
111-The Flash: Blitz
112-Shaolin Cowboy
113-Doc Frankenstein
Page 18
114-Superman:Exile
115-Black Panther by Christopher Priest
116-Captain America: The New Deal
117-Daredevil: Guardian Devil
118-Fantastic Four: Unthinkable
Page 19
119-Earth X
Page 20
120-Sandman
121-Bone
Page 21
122- Akira
123-MAUS
Page 22
124-JSA: Justice Society America
125-Batman: The Man Who Laughs
Page 23
126-Murder Mysteries
127-Batman: Ego
128-Batman: Venom [83/100]
129-Captain America: To Serve and Protect
130-Captain America: The New Deal
131-Captan America: Lives Again
Page 24
132-A Contract With God:
133-The Official Handbook of The Marvel Universe
134-Captain America: Streets of Poison[TPB]
Page 25
135-The Knights of Pendragon [Mini]
136-What If…The Punisher Became Captain America [SI]
Page 26
137-Deadpool [1992 Mini]
138-Deadpool [1994 Mini]
139-Deadpool [1992 OG]
Page 27
140-Blankets [GN?]
Page 29
141-The Thanos Quest [Mini] [82/100]
Page 32
142-300 [GN]
143-Sandman Mystery Theatre [GN]
Page 35
144-Testament [OG]
page 36
145-It's A Bird [GN]
146-The Dead boy Detectives [TPB?]
147-The Little Endless story book [TPB?]
Page 40
148-Grendel: Red, White, & Black [GN]
149-Planet Hulk [OG/TPB] [84/100]
Page 41
150-torso: a true crime graphic novel [GN]
151- Fire [GN]
Page 43
152-Batman: The Cult [TPB] [83/100]
page 45
153-Loveless: A King of Homecoming [TPB?]
Page 46
154-New X-men Vol 1: E is for Extinction
Page 47
155-Chosen [Mini]
Page 48
156-Captain America: Winder Soldier [TPB]
157-Ultimate Spider-Man Collection [OG/TPB/HC] [80/100]
Page 50
158-Adam Strange [TPB?]
159-Astonishing X-Men [OG]
Page 51
160-100% [GN]
161-Gotham Central [OG]
162-Fray [TPB]
163-Helloboy: Seed of Destruction [TPB]
Page 52
164-Lex Luthor: Man Of Steel [Mini]
165-Superman: Birthright [Mini]
166-Marvel: 1602 [Mini]
167-Exiles [OG/TPB]
168-Arrowsmith
169-Astro City
170-Captain Marvel Vol.4 [72/100]
171-We3
Page 53
172-The Mighty Thor (Dan Jurgens run)
173-JLA: Obsidian Age [TPB]
174-Justice League (Keith Giffen)
175-Batman: Hush [75/100]
176-Identity Crisis
Page 57
177-The Boys
178-Give Me Liberty
Page 60
179-Stray Bullets
180-What If…? Impossible Man Got The Infinity Gauntlet [75/100]
Page 61
181-Moon Knight (Huston run0
182-Dark Blue [84/100]
Page 63
183-The Other Side
184-The Comical Tragedy or Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch
Page 64
185-Hawkman (Geoff Johns)
Page 70
186-The Incredible Hercules [82/100]



Ok, so we get people asking for recommendations at least once a month. Now, instead of us each responding to each of these requests with lists of what we all suggest, let's just have an official recommendation thread we can point them too.

Now, I've long had issues with people simply making lists of good books. I think it's important to pitch books to people, tell them what they're about instead of just giving them a title. Show some artwork That way, they can judge for themselves a little better. Cause let's face it, there's a LOT of books out there we could all recommend. Let people pick what sounds interesting to them, and let them judge that by more than just the name of the book.

So what I'd ask you all to do is if you want to recommend something here, at least give a short paragraph or so about what the books is about and why you like it. Also tell them where they should start, how many books are in the series and such. Post images from the book, too. As a general policy, let's try and have it be stories that are avalabe in trade, not just arcs from in the middle of a book that will never be reprinted. Then, just link people here whenever they ask for something

 

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Index Vol. 2
Page 2
Eddie Campbell's Alec Stories (Collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants and The Fate of the Artist.)
Zot! by Scott McCloud
Casanova by Matt Fraction, Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon
Young Liars by David Lapham [90/100]
Deadpool Max by David Lapham [100/100]
Seven Soldiers of Victory [100/100]
American Vampire by Scott Snyder [85/100]
Ultimate Thor [900/100]
The Umbrella Academy by Gerard Way [90/100]
Daredevil by Frank Miller [95/100]
Nextwave: Agents of Hate [75/100]
Lucifer by Mike Carey [100/100]
Tales Designed to Thrizzle by Michael Kupperman
Afrodisiac by Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca
Day Tripper by Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba
Nonplayer by Nate Simpson
Page 3
Nemesis by Mark Millar & Steven Mcniven
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne
Batman: Haunted Gotham
Batman: Gotham After Midnight
Captain America: Captain America Lives! Vol. 3
All Star Superman [90/100]

 

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Here are the actual reviews from the previous thread by other Hypsters.

Title: Invincible
Writer/Artist: Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, Cory Walker
Publisher: Image

Invincible is the Eisner Award-nominated top selling Image book, created and written by Robert Kirkman (same guy who's doing The Walking Dead, Marvel Zombies, Marvel Team Up, and Ultimate X-Men). Here's the pitch from the back of volume one:

"Mark Grayson is just like most everyone else his age. He's a senior at a normal American high School. He has a crappy part time job after school and on weekends. He likes girls quite a bit... but doesn't quite understand them. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, and sleeping late on Saturdays... at least until the good cartoons come on. The only difference between Mark and everyone else is that his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet, and as of late, he seems to be inheriting his father's powers. Strange things begin to happen to Mark Grayson as he begins to develop superpowers. Luckily, his dad is around to show him the ropes, at least he would be if he weren't so busy saving the world all the time. "

But that's just the begining. Over only two years, Kirkman has not only developed Mark and his father into amazingly fleshed out characters, he's created a whole world around Mark that rivals the entire Marvel or DC Universes in variety and creativity. The twists are non stop, as is the fun. The plot is no holds barred, and you truly don't know what is going to happen next. The storytelling is top notch, and it is downright the best superhero title being published today.

Format: So far there's six softcover volumes collecting the first 26 issues. But the Hardcovers are the real bargain, as they contain three softcovers each, plus a load of bonus material, for cheaper than the softcovers. You can buy the volume 1 HC for an incrediblly low $23 at Amazon (softcovers they ask $10 a peice for). Buy it, and get hooked!

Title: Invincible
Writer/Artist: Robert Kirkman/Cory Walker, Ryan Ottley & Bill Crabtree
Publisher: Image Comics
Summary:
Mark Grayson is your average kid. He’s working a job, failing with girls, and trying hard to get into college. His dad is his idol, and his mother is as loving and caring towards the two men in her life as any woman can be. Of course, like every teenage kid, he has something that’s slightly different about him; he’s part alien, and his dad is the worlds greatest superhero; Omni-Man.
Sent from the Viltrumite Empire, Nolan Grayson (Omni-Man) fell in love with an earth woman, raised a family and enjoyed his place on the Guardians of the Globe. Now it’s Mark’s turn to be a hero.
As Mark starts to gain the powers his father always said he might one day get, Marks world grows, changes and evolves. He becomes Invincible, and as his relationship with his father alters, and the government hire him, an overarching plot becomes apparent, slowly revealing a master plan that can lead to only one result…

To be honest, I’m barely covering the best bits of this story, because I don’t want to ruin it for people. There are twists, there are shocks, and ultimately a fun riveting story. Kirkman is a literary genius with this book, and the art provided by Walker, Ottley and Crabtree fits the mood perfectly. Each issue contributes to the story, even if it doesn’t seem like it, even if it feels like something has just been left to hang, eventually it gets picked up again, and pays off big time. As it’s tag line states, it’s probably the best superhero comic book in the universe!

Format: This is one of the best ongoing series you’ll read anytime soon. You want to start at the beginning, because it is truly too good to jump on half way. There are six soft trades available, but recently Image have begun selling over sized hard covers under the title ‘Ultimate Collection’. So far two of these are available, collecting the first five trades.

Warning: Adult Content. The recommended book below contains foul language, and may contain nudity or other material you may find offensive

100 Bullets has a really simple yet compelling premise: this mysterious man named Agent Graves travels around the world and finds people who's lives have been wrong in one way or another. He then gives them a briefcase. Inside the briefcase is a picture of the person responsible for messing up their lives, irrevocable proof that they did it, a gun, and one hundred rounds of ammunition. He then tells them that they have Carte Blanche - no law enforcement agency in the world will be able to touch them if they choose to act on the information he has given them. Then, he walks away. He never tells them to go out and take revenge, he simply gives them the opportunity, and everyone handles that oppurtunity differently. along the way are stories or the overall grander conspiracy of the story. 'Who is this man? how can he do this? WHY is he doing this? who does he work for?' and so forth. Upon it's completeion, the series will be exactly 100 issues long (it's up to about 60 now) and the writer has had every single issue plotted out from day one. Some really compelling stuff, and a truly great crime noir story. The series is actually taught in several crime literature courses at colleges in the US

Currently, there are 9 trades collecting the issues printed so far, and it's preferable to read them in order. Volume 3, Hang Up On the Hang Low, does stand by itself and won the 2001 Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story. The series will conclude with issue #100

V For Vendetta

Arguably Moore's best work, in which he deals with the line between vigilante, rebel and terrorist. A subtle story in times of unsubtle ruling, a totalitarian government has sought to control its people in a 1984-like state. A victim of their control is a man who calls himself 'V', he has set upon himself the task of freeing the minds of the public using violent yet poetic means. He is joined early on by a girl named Evey who he saves from people who have inevitably abused their power. An innocent, impressionable girl who immediately falls in love with the idea of rebelling only to find out it has its costs. 'V' is not a character with his path laid out clearly, with views spelled out and not much known about his personal leanings and yet we seem to know everything about him. You'll find something recognisable to you in his character and his actions are all the richer for it.

A must read by any definition.

After months of leeching off of this thread,here is my first real recommendation.My apologies if it reads like a junior high school book report,and please tell me if there are any red x's.

Title: V For Vendetta
Writer/Artist:Alan Moore(the terrifying author of Watchmen,From Hell,and League of Extraordinary Gentleman),with art by David Lloyd,assisted by Tony Weare
Publisher:DC Vertigo
Genre: Political Allegory,Philosophy,Mature Readers(for violence,adult content,and brief exposure of naughty bits)
Summary:
Like Watchmen,V for Vendetta is a graphic novel that needs little introduction.It is primarily Moore's critique of the Margaret Thatcher administration,though it requires very little context to read,and it's general themes of Anarchism vs. Fascism give it a timeless quality.
The story focuses on Evey Hammond,a sixteen-year-old factory worker who lives in the fascist remnants of Europe after a major nuclear war.One night,Evey is rescued from the government's corrupt police force by a flamboyant man in a Guy Fawkes mask known only as V,just in time to see him blow up the houses of Parliament.To reveal any more would be unfair,as one of the strong points of the book is the sudden,often unexpected directions it takes.

Moore's writing is at it's peak,pulling off something many mainstream writers wish they could:create a story that isn't about heroes and villains,but people.In Vendetta,Moore explores the book's world in a mature,multifaceted way,showing the full ramifications of the protagonist's actions,and turning a potentially cartoonish antagonist into a complex,almost sympathetic character.The dialogue is also top-notch,and there are a few passages,such as the Vicious Cabaret,that verge on poetry.David Lloyd's art is excellent as well,completing foregoing comic book staples like sound effects and motion lines,giving it a very cinematic,too-real-for-comfort feel.If some of the movie's trailers have you expecting a fun,action-packed read filled with knife-fu and anarchistic ass-kicking,be forewarned:There are virtually no fight scenes in the book,at least not in the general sense.All of the emphasis is placed on the characters and dialogue,which had me struggling to put it down,but may put off some readers.But who wants to associate with those kind of people,anyway?

Format:Although it was originally published as a mini-series for Vertigo,V for Vendetta is considered by most as a graphic novel.The paperback edition contains an interview Moore did as he was writing the series,concept art,all of the original Vertigo run's covers,and two brief chapters edited out of the main storyline.It also contains two forewords by Alan Moore and David Lloyd,both setting the proper mood and political context for the story.

District X

District X is one of the lesser known of the mutant titles but one of the best. District X focuses on Ishmael Ortega, a NYPD police officer working in District X, a mutant only town. Ishmael is joined by Bishop, a hard nosed detetcive sent in to help bring peace to District X. What you see is no superhero antics, no super villains but a gritty, intelligent, and entertaining cop drama. If you need an escape from the big superhero battles, than District X is your book. Its really heart wrenching and makes you feel for Ismael who himself, has an extremely close bond to the mutants in District X. Check it out for yourself in TPB.

District X:Vol 1 Mr. M
District X:Vol 2 The Underground.

Warning: Adult Content. The recommended book below contains foul language, and may contain nudity or other material you may find offensive

Transmetropolitan - Do you know who Hunter S. Thompson was? if you don't, Hunter was the Author and main character of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He was a journalist for Rolling Stone in the seventies, and basicly they would send him out on assignments, he would snort, smoke, and inject every drug he could find in a half mile radius, then write his stories. He was bat **** insane, but also a genius. Transmetropolitan stars Spider Jerusalem, who is loosely based on Hunter, except the book is set about 2000 years in the future. Despite all of the insane technology of the age, people are still petty and weak. They still do drugs, just new drugs. The still fight, bicker, lie, cheat, steal, and are dumb enough to elect the biggest scumbag president to have ever lived, and Spider is going to take him down.

The wseries lasted 60 issues, with two specials, collected in 10 volumes, preferable to start from the begining. The first trade is only $7.95.

Warning: Adult Content. The recommended book below contains foul language, and may contain nudity or other material you may find offensive

Preacher is about a young, alcoholic Texas Preacher named Jesse Custer. Raised on John Wayne movies, Jesse was forced into the ministry and is steadily losing his faith in God, in much part thanks to the hypocrites who make up his congregation. But all that changes when a half-angelic/half demonic being named Genesis escapes from Heaven. As powerful as God, but lacking a will of it's own, the creature makes it's way towards Earth seeking a host, and finds Jesse. Bonding with him in an explosion that destroys everyone in his town, Jesse is privilaged with all of the knowledge Genesis contains, in particular that God himself up and left Heaven. Reunited with his gun-toting Girlfriend Tulip, and his new best buddy, hard drinking Irish Vampire Cassidy, the group embarks on a quest to find God and make him answer for why the world is such a crummy place.

Both violent and hysterical, poignant and entertaining, it stands easily as one of the "must read" series in all of comicdom. The series is completely collected in 9 volumes.

At some point, every teenager thinks their parents are evil - but what if they really were?

Runaways is a fantastic book from Marvel about 6 teenagers who find out their parents are an elite team of supervillains who have been controlling LA for the past 20 years. Working as a group, the kids begin investigating behind the scenes what it is their parents are up to, and along the way each find a sort of superpowered inheritance. They must learn the ropes of both of their new found identities and as a team. I always highly recommend this title because it is engaging, interesting and fun, and the teenage characterizations are spot on. Definitely the best new Marvel series in years.

The series was originally to be canceled with issue 18 of the first volume, however, the first trade paperback sold so well upon it's release the series was given a relaunch some months later. As of 2006, Issue 12 of volume 2 is out.

Instead of the more traditional trade paperbacks, the Runaways volumes were released in "digest sized" trades, each with 6 issues and only $7.99 apeice retail. #1-3 collect the first 18 issues of volume 1 volume, and #4 starts the begining of volume 2. A Hardcover edition of the first 18 issues is also available for $34.99 retail (less than $2 an issue, and you can get it cheaper on amazon.com or other sites) for those that want the series in full-size. This series is also a great thing to get younger kids and girls into comics, though it's definitely great for us older guys, too.

It's written by Brian K. Vaughan (eisner award winner writer of Y-The Last Man and Ex Machina).

Okay, I'd like to recommend

Planetary.
Writer: Warren Ellis
Art:John Cassady
Publisher Wildstorm (DC)

This Wildstorm book is fan-f**king-tastic. It's about a secret organization called Planetary, who are basically archologist. What they do is try to uncover the secret history of the world. The stuff "THEY" don't want you to know about. The Organization is huge, but it mainly centers around a three man field team and the mysterious Fourth Man. The team consists of Jakita Wagner, a woman with super strength, speed and agility. She's a lot like Wonder Woman. She is in it because life can be very boring, and this gives her purpose. You have the Drummer, a guy who can talk to machines. He's weird, and a bit of coward. The comic relief of the group. Then you have the new Recruit, Elijah Snow. He has the power of Heat subtraction. Ice powers basically. He's very old, one of the few special individuals of the Wildstorm Universe who were born January 1st, 1900. He doesn't really look a day over 45, but that could be because of the hard life he's lead. He doesn't have much of his memory, just bits and pieces. But he's surly, mean, and a bit of a cold bastard. Along their journy, they visit, massive ship shifts, stumble upon the last of the pulp heros who saved the world from a alien JLA invasion, visist a Ghost detective stright out of a John Woo movie, and learn more about the mysterious group known as the 4. THink, the fantastic four, only evil and secretly ruling the world. The terrible things they've done..... Anyway, it's a great book. If you like old school Sci-Fi and monster movies. Conspiracy stuff, and just all around good story, then you should check this out.
Elijah Snow

They also had a few great crossovers. I especially loved the Batman one.

Y: The Last Man
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Art Pia Guerra, Goran Sudzuka, Paul Chadwick
Publisher: Vertigo (DC)

The premise of Y: The Last Man sounds like something out of an episode of The Twilight Zone: a strange plague kills every male in the world, except for escape artist Yorick Brown and his pet monkey Ampersand. They struggle to survive in a world trying to restructure itself, with crazy women left and right. They are followed by Agent 355, a spy assigned to protect Yorick, and doctor Alison Mann, who's trying to find out a cure, and why Yorick and Ampersand were the only ones to survive. Doesn't sound all that original at first, but it's all in the execution (Vaughan is truly at master of cliffhangers). The first issue is truly a lesson on narrative, and is all you need to get hooked on this amazing series.

 

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Ran out of room....

Writers: Alan Moore & Steve Moore
Artists: Kevin O'Neill, Melinda Gebbie, John Coulthart, José Villarrubia

Not a big fan of Gaiman, in fact I have hated some of his work and in general he does nothing for me. But this is a great read, well plotted and a foreboding atmosphere. If you like Harry Potter, or in my case do not like Harry Potter then this is arguably what J.K. Rowling ripped off to make her book. Tim Hunter looks almost exactly like that character but this is set in a more adult tone and far more interesting in my opinion. This is basically a journey to initiate Tim Hunter into the world of magic. He is brought to meet some of DC's leading magicians, one of his guides being John Constantine. Eventually he is brought to the conclusion of magic and the possible paths in which he can take. A self-contained read but a story that continues still.

The Killing Joke

Another Alan Moore story, to save doing this fifty times you should probably just pick up anything with his name attached. This is the best Batman story I have read and Batman is very much a secondary character in the tale compared to the Joker's story. We learn of his beginnings and why he is what he is. A fun read that takes some dark twists and turns.

Lucifer

Probably the best ongoing title around for me at the moment, a recent classic. Very intelligent writing that fits with the characters, you never question the writers ability to say what the devil might say. Everything is spot on, a beat is never missed and the plots are exactly what I would expect from the character. And those plots are as grand as you can imagine, which is cool.

Superman: Red Son

My favourite superman story probably because I really don't like the character and this is fair departure from his normal routine. A soviet Superman vs the american genius that is Lex Luthor. Plus a very annoying bat trying to rebel against Supes reign of power. With a russian hat! What more could you possibly want.

One of the first Maxi-series, it was everything I wanted in a comic at the time. It had action, drama, and totally tied in with my Excalibur fixation. (I don't know how many times I watched Excalibur, the movie, on Showtime in the early 80's; but, I just soaked up anything to do with King Arthur.) Here is someone's review to give an idea of what the whole idea is about:

In the year 3000 (which looks remarkably like the year 1987), Earth is under siege by malevolent aliens, and young Brit Tom discovers the buried tomb of King Arthur, the promised savior of all the world. Arthur -- yes, the genuine, Pendragon-y article -- is awakened and vows to help humanity in taking out the accursed plague of bug-eyed monsters. Though whether his medieval brain can grasp the concept of where these invaders come from is doubtful.

Of course, Arthur must first gather together his merry brood of fellow legends -- starting with Merlin, who is just as cranky and inscrutable as one would expect, all hidden beneath Stonehenge, which he built for the purpose and stuff (ah, so that's one mystery of the world explained, then!)

Merlin then reactivates the original Scooby Gang -- Lancelot, Galahad, Tristan, Percival, Kay, Gawain and the lovely Guinevere -- who must leave their modern, re-incarnated lives behind in order to rally around the Round Table.

And they proceed to kick some serious invader butt as they uncover a government conspiracy, reveal the true nature of their enemies, and just basically save humanity, with all the requisite angst, heartbreak and self-sacrifice accounted for. Oh, and Excalibur, naturally. And the Holy Grail. And the torrid Lance/Gwen hookup. You know those drills, right?

Camelot 3000 is a great romp through both legend and speculative fiction, a kind of cross between sword and sorcery and space opera that shouldn't work, and yet does -- perfectly. From the first, this is a bizarre world, and it proceeds to get even more bizarre, with twist plot developments that leave the reader breathless for more. The art is first class -- though allowances have to be made for the eighties -- and the writing ties everything together very nicely.

As the first adult comic series, Camelot 3000 set a new standard. As the first direct-to-comic-stores release, it raised that standard. This twelve issue maxi-series, re-released in TPB in 1997, was a phenomenon in the comic buying world, something all together new and wondrous... and the story is still pretty damned cool.

Even if it is about that silly Arthur King and his English kaaa-niggits.

The Thunderbolts. The first series was mind blowing. After a very typical "big fight when new heroes show up and call each other by their code names and use their powers" storyline, we find out in the last panel that they are all B-list villains in disguise.

The beauty of the plot involves the slow transformation by several of their members into REAL heroes. Lead by Citizen V (Baron Zemo), Songbird (Screaming Mimi), Atlas (Goliath), Mach V (The Beetle), Meteorite (Moonstone) and Techno (The Fixer), the meet up with a new young hero named Jolt and attempt to take over the world by first winning their trust.

The new version of the team is equally amazing, with Speed Demon, Blizzard, Radioactive Man, Joystick, Atlas, Mach VI and Photon (formerly Capt. Marvel).

Kingdom Come

Hard to believe no one mentioned this one yet. Available mostly in TPB now, this is the story of a future DC universe where the old guard heroes are mostly retired, or transcended into new forms (Flash protects ALL of his city at all times by never stopping, GL sits above the Earth waiting for any sign of alien invasion). Their children and their legacies have taken superheroing to a new extreme, demolishing all villains and leaving none left to fight, so they take to beating each other senseless in the streets.

During a huge battle with the Parasite, they cause a huge nuclear explosion, ruining the breadbasket of the USA and causing the old heroes to come out of retirement and put them back in their place. Too many amazing moments to mention here, just get it.

Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Ty Templeton

Brief Summary: This is a miniseries which revisits some of Spider-Man and Human Torch's more interesting encounters. Some include Spidey and Torch switching places for a day, the Spider-Mobile, and Johnny assisting Black Cat with a robbery. Filled with a lot of light hearted humor and great Spider-Man nostalgia, especially with the Spider-Mobile. If you can't find the single issues anywhere this will be released, shortly, in a digest format for your reading pleasure. Definitely one of the best Spider-Man books of 2005, hands down. Buy it, enjoy it, laugh your socks off!

Since apparently no one wants to do it, I might as well recommend Powers. It tells the story of homicide detective Christian Walker and his partner Deena Pilgrim, who solve cases involving superheros. The art is VERY cool, reminiscent of the DC animated universe. The writing... Well, the best I can say is that the storyline Forever (which tells the history of powers, going all the way back to the dawn of man) is Bendis' Watchmen. The rest of it is great as well, of course, but if I had to indicate a particular storyline, that'd be the one, hands down. (on a side note, it would make for one HELL of a tv show)

Warning: Adult Content. The recommended book below contains foul language, and may contain nudity or other material you may find offensive

The Adventures of Barry Ween Boy Genius might best be summed up as a foul-mouthed Calvin and Hobbes or Dexter on crack. Created by Judd Winick (Green Arrow, Batman), Barry Ween is the smartest boy alive, and must deal with interdimensional portals, invading aliens, monkeys, yetis, time travel, and his ADHD best friend Jeremy who's usually behind it all. Currently, there are four trades published by Oni, and everyone is begging Judd to do more. You will not be able to stop laughing when you read this, and just when you least expect it, you won't be able to stop the tears of sadness, either

 

[Tron Bonne]

That Book of Magic review is off. You're looking for this series: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Books_of_Magic

The picture is for Alan Moore's book on the actual subject of magic that's not planned for release until, I believe 2013. Just letting you know.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Thank you sir, I think I fixed it. Hard trying to go back six years and fix all links.

I don't know if you could pick it up at Barnes and Nobles, but one of my favorite Thor stories is Thor: Vikings, written by Garth Ennis with Art but Glenn Fabry. Facing off against a 1,000 year old Crew of Zombie vikings, Thor must team up with a handful of warriors from different eras to defeat them. Extremely violent, it's basicly just a kick ass book

the quintessential place to start with Thor would be walt simonsons run. Walt introduced Beta Ray Bill and his is considered the definitive Thor run. His stories are collected in the Thor Visionaires: Walt Simonson trades

and this one I know you can find in Barnes and Nobles because I saw one there the other week. Some people may not have been fans of Avengers Disassembled, but the Avengers Disassembled:Thor Tie-in had nothing to do with it really, and was just a really, really good story about Ragnorok (the end of the gods) written by Michael Avon Oeming, artist of Powers and Author/Artist of Hammer of the Gods

hope that helps!

and since I mentioned it, you should all also try and check out Hammer of the Gods if you're either a Thor or a Conan fan. Just a really cool little viking tale Oeming wrote for Image. Any Comicbook store should be able to get a copy of the trade for you.

The Mask Ok, forget the Jim Carrey movie, the mask stories in comics are extremely vioent Jekyll and Hyde morality tales that are worth checking out. Originall published as a large number of different four issues miniseries by Dark Horse throughout the 90's, each book sees the mask come into a different personss possession, and where the mask leads, corruption and death follow, and the lucky survivors get a dose of self discovery. The first three trades are the best. Although the first book, simply Mask, has some amaturish art, things pick up with The Mask Returns. The Mask Strikes Back sees a group of teenagers come into the mask possession thinking it will answer all of their life's problems.

The Walking Dead

From Publishers Weekly
"Taking a well-worn genre—flesh-eating zombies overrun the world and the unlucky surviving humans must deal with the gruesome aftermath—and approaching it from a purely character-driven point of view propels this series into the spotlight from out of nowhere. This collection of the first six issues of the ongoing series opens with police officer Rick Grimes awakening from a gunshot-induced coma. From here, he's immediately dragged into a world where dangerous revenants are shambling amok without any sort of an explanation. From the moment Grimes comes to, it's a harrowing battle to avoid hordes of decomposing zombies and a hope-against-all-odds search for his missing family. Grimes makes his way to Atlanta, the nearest large city where there may be other living people, and events take several unexpected turns upon his arrival, as he meets up with a rural encampment of survivors. Of course, as in recent hit movies 28 Days Later... and Dawn of the Dead, the last humans may turn out to be as much a danger as the zombies. Forceful scripting that gives the book a strong grounding in reality, crisp b&w artwork, a shocking final sequence and brisk, gory proceedings elevate this book from the trash heap of pedestrian horror comics."

I've never been a fan of Zombie stories, but I'm a fan of author Robert Kirkman and had heard phenomenal things about this series and decided to pick it up. They were all true. Perhaps it was because I never understood Zombie stories that I didn't care for them, but Kirkman takes care of that himself with the very introduction to the first volume of this series, something I will be greatful for a long time. You see, when it comes down to it, it's not about the zombies, it's about the people who are left behind, and Kirkman makes them just absolutely fascinating here.

The series is currently on issue 26, they're 4 softcover trades available, or one GIANT slipcase that collects the first 24 issues for $100 for die-hard fans. A smaller, more affordable hardcover collecting issues 1-12 is on the way.

]

This is an easy fan favorite book around here, but I may as well make an official "stab" at it.

YOUNG AVENGERS

At first slated as some sort of "gimmick" from Marvel, this title is so good that it makes all the controversial events of "Disassembled" almost worth it. Building on the ashes of that lackluster story, Heinberg & Cheung tell a tale of young heroes rising to take the place of the fallen Avengers, whose costumes and codenames homage 4 founding Avengers: Patriot, Asgardian, Hulkling, and their "leader", Iron Lad, who is more than he seems. In fact, ALL of them are, as Jessica Jones is dispatched by J.Jonah Jameson to find out exactly "Who the [BLEEP] are the Young Avengers?" Rather than tell this tale from boring A-B-C pacing, Heinberg instantly establishes the teens as heroes and then works slowly on fleshing their origins, background, and true powers, to keep you guessing. You discover who these heroes are little by little. The four of them soon encounter spunky teen Kate Bishop in their first hostage situation, and are then bolstered by Cassie Lang, the teenaged daughter of Scott Lang (the now deceased Ant-Man II). Add to that, Iron Lad's mysterious connection to classic Avengers rogue Kang the Conqueror, AND establishing the Vision as the pivotal Avengers mainstay he always was.

Heinberg allows the mess that was Disassembled to have more poignancy than Bendis shows, with allusions to Vision's protocols, and Cassie's grief at losing her father (whose death was depicted as merely an aside in that story, overshadowed by Hawkeye's loss) and wanting to do him proud by following in his footsteps. Meanwhile, how do the old Avengers handle their younger counterparts about to follow on the same dangerous path they did as heroes (while, hypocritically, restarting the Avengers secretly)?

The story itself is not only interesting, but the dialogue is crisp, the art is incredible and the battles feel as epic as you'd expect from a core Avengers title. Heinberg adheres to past history and continuity yet still keeps his characters fresh enough to root for them. Sure, there are some formulaic bits, but if any title, outside of RUNAWAYS or MTU could possibly make a jaded Marvel fan smile at the "House of Ideas" once more, it's YOUNG AVENGERS. Heinberg takes characters and legacies that "Disassembled" destroyed for shock value and makes them MATTER again. THIS is the true "NEW" AVENGERS.

Issue #6 will be coming out this month, and a Vol. 1 TPB is inevitable. If you can't find the issues, track it down. You won't regret it.

MARVELS

By the same team behind KINGDOM COME (Kurt Buseik at writing and Alex Ross painted art), this is a more down-to-earth tale set in the Golden and Silver years of Marvel comics. Follow journalist Phil Sheldon as the "Marvels" first arise, from The Invaders in the 40's to the Avengers, X-Men, and Spider-Man in the 60's. His "man-on-the-street" view displays these icons and events as, well, iconic and eventful. Seeing the Marvel universe begin through his eye(s) is a pleasure. Easily available in TPB, I recommend it to any comic fan, especially a Marvel one.

 

[Anubis]

Man, my review of Planetary is pathetic. I don't even remotely put across the shear awesomeness that is Planetary.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Re-write it and I will update it. This is going to be an ongoing project for me....I am pretty bored at work, and it looks like Peck gave up on it so I am going to try and change a few things too, maybe make it a little easier for people to try and decide what to read since there are so many recommendations.

God Loves, Man Kills

X-Fans that are wary of Claremont's current work, and even those who are not, should all have this graphic novel under their belts. Released in 1982 as "Marvel Graphic Novel #5" at 62 pages, the story is pretty much a stellar sample of Claremont's golden years on the X-Men, as well as a tale that gets to the root of what the X-Men are about; sci-fi allegories about the dangers of bigotry. NOT about aliens, demons, alternate realities/dimensions, or Wolverine (he's in it, but not the star). This tale was also loosely adapted for the X2 film, although this graphic novel is far different. Rather than use the military as the voice of humans-against-mutants, Claremont uses religion, or at least religion as interpretted by the zealous William Stryker. Magneto, naturally, is against human bigotry and often gets the best agruements, as he isn't quite an "Emperor Ming"-style villian here. The X-Men are naturally caught in the middle of zealots.

There are some dated bits, of course, like the costume designs and a lot of the scenes with Kitty and Illyana, but the tale still is quite entertaining more than 20 years later. The art is by Brent Anderson, who may be better known for his work on Alex Ross' ASTRO CITY.

It was re-released after X2 hit theatres, and shouldn't be hard to find in the graphic novel section of most comic shops. For a one-shot tale that offers a thrilling, and slightly chilling, account of everything the X-Men should be, you can't go wrong with this offering.

Now for a DC title that was canceled months back and was an underrated work:

BLOODHOUND

Released last year from DC and running for 10 issues before cancellation (blamed to abysmal sales; Bloodhound #2 sold at a depressing #126 that month and the sales only went downhill from there). If you like gritty crime noir like SIN CITY, as well as metahuman action, then this is a good title for you. Image a SIN CITY bruiser like, say, Marv from A DAME TO KILL FOR, tossed into the outskirts of mainstream DC (as in, thrown into midwestern cities where superheroes rarely cross) and given, or forced, into a mission to track down metahumans. You get all that and more from this run by writer Dan Jolley and artist Leonard Kirk.

In BLOODHOUND, meet Clev, a hulking prison convict and ex-cop, thrown in the clink for murdering his partner. It seems, however, that he had a "knack" for being able to read/profile metahuman criminals (folks with superpowers who commit CSI-style crimes instead of donning costumes and fighting Superman), and it is precisely that reason that the FBI contacts him and offers him a deal; help them track down metahuman perps, and he can take time off his sentence. While Clev has no offensive "powers" aside for his "knack" for reading people, he makes up for it by being a massive bruiser who's as strong as he nasty. Whether it's punching people through walls or poking out someone's eyes, Clev does what it takes to win a brawl. He naturally interacts with the female FBI agent given the task to work with him, and more about the pair are revealed. Aside for a crossover with FIRESTORM in BLOODHOUND #5 that can be easily bypassed without effecting the other 9 issues (which I did), Clev really stays outside the mainstream DCU, operating on the outskirts the heroes miss. In 9 issues you get 3 storyarcs, including a breif return to prison for Clev. As a convict and a former-cop, AND a cop-killer, Clev has few allies in the underworld or the law, who both want a piece of him. Given a controller/tracking collar that Clev seems to know how to bypass if he wanted to, and later on a bullet-proof t-shirt and brass knuckles, if you like those hard broiled "grit" stories, this is for you.

Kirk's art is refreshing, and even the fill-in artist around issue #8 or so manages to capture the style enough. The last issue finishes the arc but leaves the tale as a hint of what could have been accomplished. Due to low sales, I doubt this run will ever see a TPB, so you may be on your own in tracking down the issues. Thankfully, poor sales should make it not too difficult to find. When I hopped aboard I easily found issues 1-4 on one "I can't give these away!" shelf last year.

Definately a mature title, but if you thought the DCU was all about aliens and superheroes, this title will make you see otherwise.

This will probably be my "hardest-to-find" recommendation today, but if you are one of the lucky fans who can track down this little-known mini series from Marvel in 2002, you'll know why I recommended it.

TASKMASTER

This 4 issue mini series was released by Marvel and UDON in 2002; written by Ken Siu-Chong with UDON art (David Ahn, Omar Dogan, Alan Tam, Rob Ross & Shane Law), it is a "caper" title starring Taskmaster. Don't know who Taskmaster really is? Not a problem. This series not only provides an EXCELLENT redesign for the character, as well as gives him a cool "energy weapon" and holographic emitter, but it nails down his character and what he can do with his abilities. Taskmaster is an Avengers-rogue who makes a business out of either training goons for other villians or doing merc work; this title focuses on the latter. Taskmaster, whose true name is never given, has the ability to copy any action he sees once perfectly (aside for superhuman feats), basically "photographic reflexes". Taking espoinage jobs for high prices, you get to see Taskmaster do things like fight Iron Man, try to score in Vegas and pit his enemies against each other. The selling point of the series is that not only does it make Taskmaster more like a real character who you can root for without making him a "hero", but it does his power justice and allows him to use it for MANY different techniques and tactics. Often underrated and forgotten, and utterly ignored by Marvel despite Taskmaster moving onto a supporting role in AGENT X months later, this little known gem is worth tracking down.

DBM actually scanned and posted the entire series a few times, but naturally reading the issues in your hand is not the same as squinting at scanned pages. Sadly, no TPB was ever made of this series, and many stores won't have the entire run on stock, so it may take some hunting both on foot and online to collect them all. And yes, the cover to issue #4 was drawn by former X-artist and "lazy dude" Joe Mad.

So, unlock your inner Taskmaster and collect the series; the score at the end will be worth it for a character many fans likely don't even know well.

If you are looking for something completely different than anything Marvel puts out, try Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore.

Strangers In Paradise (SIP) is the story of three friends, Francine, Katchoo and David and the people they fall in and out of love with.
It's a tale of dark pasts and hopeful futures, double-crosses and true friendship, love and hate.
In other words: it's a story of real life, kicked up a notch.

You can get these in a great pocket book form. There are four volumes, each containing about 17 issues.

Phaed

Okay, I'm gonna recommend James Robinson's Starman series. This book follows the exploits of the reluctant hero Jack Knight. Taking over the mantle of Starman after his fathers retirement and his brothers death, Jack has to protect Opal City from super villians, aliens, and whatever else comes his way. This book is great. So far I've just read the first four trades, but, man, I am really loving this series. I think the best part of the series is the great support characters, like the Shade. Immortal sometimes villian, who offers to help Jack out whenever possible. He's a very interesting character that one. The O'dares. A family of cops who have help out the Knights for years. This book is all about the Legacy aspect of the DCU. Where the old isn't just tossed aside, but embraced, as others take up the mantle of those before them. Highly recommended.

Gotta recommend Fables, by Bill Willingham. It shows many exiled fairy tale characters living in a secret community in New York, after being driven away from their realm from a villain called simply The Adversary. Snow White runs the community, and the Big Bad Wolf (or simply Bigby), in a human form, is the law. They are the two main characters, but there are tons more, many great adaptations (Prince Charming, Goldilocks and Pinnochio are specially cool, IMO). Willingham did a great job of creating some great new stories and relationships between these already existant characters.

Fables has what you might think of as a rather easy concept, but writer Bill Willingham has made it easily one of the most intriguing books being published today. Basicly, all the fairy tale characters you know and love (Prince Charming, Snow White, The Big Bad Wolf, Beauty and the Beast, Little Boy Blue, Pinnochio, etc.) all used to live in the same world together, until a mysterious unstoppable villain called The Adversary assembled an army and swept across the lands, conquering everything. The Fables that could escaped to our world, which they call the Mundane world (and they refer to humans derisively as Mundies). They established a community for themselves in New York City, living in isolation so as not to reveal their true immortal natures, while plotting a way to win their homelands back. They've been here for hundreds of years, but a realistic effort to return to the homelands now seems unlikely, and most Fables are resigned to a normal daily routine in their new world. But some can't quite escape their nature.

The first arc is a rather simple muder mystery, when Rose Red (sister of Snow White) goes missing and her apartment is covered in blood. Bigby Wolf is Fabletown's sherrif and takes the case. The second arc, Animal Farm, deals with the large upstate property where all the non-human looking fables (the three little pigs, all the animals from the jungle book, dragons, giant, etc.) are kept. But they've become restless and tired of being cooped up in hiding... which makes it very easy for Goldielocks (who's been reading far too much Marx) to instigate a revolution.

The most recent arc deals with how the Adversary in the other world has begun marching into the lands of the Arabian fables, causing an influx of arabs with archaic values and social structures into the new world, causing numerous cultural clashes (especially when the arabians find their beloved city of Baghdad an occupied city in this world).

It's a large overlapping tale that's just lots of fun with all the twists and turns it takes, and how you truly never know what might happen to some of these characters next.

Gorgeous covers by James Jean with interior art by a rotating series of artists. Currently, there are 6 volumes out.
]

Someplace Strange


The creative team: Ann Nocenti - John Bolton - John Bolton - Tom Orzechowski - John Bolton

The Art:

I was given a copy back when I was an intern at Marvel.

This next recommendation is one that I was able to get non-comic reading fans hooked on: Elfquest.


While Marvel reprinted it in 1985 with 30+ issues in color, it was originally done by WarpGraphics in black and white, later being in color for the TPBs. Currently, DC comics is reprinting the entire series in chronological order with pocket books in the original B&W form. If you do give it a try, get Vol. 1 of The Grand Quest first. This is how the story originally started out, same as with Marvel issue #1:

As usual, I will borrow the synopsis from a webpage:

"It all starts off with the Wolfriders, a small tribe of forest dwelling elves, closely bonded to their wolf-friends, who are driven from their holt by fanatic humans, who set the forest on fire.
The leader of this band is Cutter, blood of Ten Chiefs. Young, but brave and determined, he has the loyalty of his tribe.
Fleeing from the fire, the elves seek refuge in the troll caverns. The troll king, who is not happy about this invasion of his underground realm, promises to show the elves a new land, where they can live in peace.
However, the trolls duplicity shows, when the Wolfriders stand at the end of a tunnel opening up to a burning desert, with the way back closed to them.
Determined not to let his people die, Cutter leads them across the deadly waste. As they reach the mountains seen from afar in three days of hunger and thirst, they find not only water, but make an incredible discovery. Here in the oasis of Sorrow's End are other elves. The world view of the Wolfriders who thought they were the only children of their mythical ancestors, the High Ones, left, changes in the blink of an eye.

From here enfolds the true Quest, Cutter's search for other elves, and the origins of their kind. They will find, that an enemy among their own race can be deadlier and more dangerous than any human. They will suffer and learn and grow.

Elfquest is the creation of wife and husband-team Wendy and Richard Pini."


Phaed

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Whew....

>>-GREEN ARROW->

If you’re looking for a great DC Superhero book to get into, Green Arrow is the place to be. The book succeeds especially because it’s not really tied into anything else in the DCU, so it stands on it’s own and you don’t have to pick up any other books to get it. Plus, Ollie is just such a great character.

I’ve always felt Green Arrow was the Daredevil of the DCU: Both characters fly under the radar that superstar characters like Spider-Man and Batman and such exist on. Consequently, creators are given greater freedom to do more interesting things with them.

I suggest starting with vol 1 of the current series, but there’re some other good books from the past I’ll mention, too.

Here’s what you need to know: Oliver Queen was a wealthy industrialist who decided to fight crime after an experience that led him to survive on his own. He funded the Justice League when it first began, and eventually became best friends with Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern, who later turned evil and eventually became the all-powerful Spectre. As a younger hero, Green Arrow took a ward, Roy Harper, who took the name Speedy, and eventually grew up and called himself Arsenal. He now leads the Outsiders. Recently, a young man named Conner Hawke came forward and revealed he was Ollie’s unknown son. He’d spent time in a Buddhist temple and is one of the top martial artists on earth in addition to being as skilled with a bow as his father. Ollie has also had an on-again-off-again romance with Dinah Lance, the Black Canary, for years.

Ollie died trying to disarm a bomb on a plane. He failed, and died right in front of Superman. Now we start…

Vol 1 Quiver. Oliver Queen is back from the dead. Or is he? Kevin Smith writes the relaunch of the character and does it right. A lot of great things in this volume that will make you love the character, but I don’t want to give too much away

Vol 2 Sounds of Violence. Kevin Smith continues his run with an arc concerning a particularly peculiar villain named Onomatopoeia who has a fetish for killing costumed heroes


Vol 3 The Archers Quest. New York Times Best-selling author Brad Meltzer (of later Identity Crisis fame) makes his comic writing debut in a volume that sees Green Arrow taking a road trip with his former ward, Arsenal, in a quest to pick up the pieces of Ollie’s life he left behind when he died. The ending will have you in tears.



all three of the volumes mentioned so far feature gorgeous covers by Matt Wagner and interior art by Phil Hester and Ande Parks


the books got some of the best dynamics and constistently good story telling of anything from the past 5 years

Go diving into the past for where Olliver Queen really started as a character. Though created in the 1940’s, Green Arrow existed for many years as a simple “batman with a bow” character. Similarly, for many years, Green Lantern struggled as a character with a lot of power but no personality. But it was in 1970 that that all changed with Green Lantern #76. The book became a team book, simply titled Green Lantern/Green Arrow, and writer Denny O’Neill and artist Neal Adams re-invented both characters and officially launched the Bronze Age of comics.

Green Lantern/Green Arrow began openly dealing with political and social issues with its stories, starting off with a bang by re-inventing Green Arrow as a liberal and Green Lantern as a conservative. The point is especially driven home when an African American man asks Green Lantern why he’s been off on other planets helping purple people and green people, but hasn’t done anything for the black people right here on earth

Shaken by this accusation, and without an answer, Green Lantern questions himself, and agrees to embark on a road trip with Green Arrow across America. Throughout the rest of the series, issues such as racism, Native American rights, and pollution are addressed. The book also featured the first Drug reference allowed under the Comics Code Authority in a powerful story which sees Green Arrows side-kick, Speedy, addicted to heroine.

Undoubtedly one of the most important runs in all of comicdom, this is definitely a piece of history you should read.The entire run by Adams and O’Neill can be found in two volumes any comicbook store and most book store should be able to get ahold of for you



Writer/Artist Mike Grell also re-invented Green Arrow in the late 1980’s by giving the character a more urban and darker appeal, beginning with a story called The Longbow Hunters. It centers more on the characters relationship to the Black Canary as the two move to Seattle together. It features beautiful watercolor artwork by Grell and is another must-read chapter in the characters history.

The story of Guardian Devil was good, if a bit slow. Just be prepared to want to gouge your eyes out after a few pages of Joe Quesada's art. He sucks.
Sorry, Joe.
Anyway, you could start with Underboss and do fine. However, I recommend Wake Up, Brian Bendis' 4 issue Daredevil story with collaborator (and sexy man-beast) David Mack.

Here's what the back of the trade says:
Meet Ben Urich, investigative reporter for the Daily Bugle. His current assignment: the media circus that is the murder trial of Wilson Fisk, the so-called Kingpin of Crime! At least, that's the gospel according to his editor, J. Jonah Jameson. So why is Urich spendingall his time with the catatonic son of the two-bit costumed criminal called Leap Frog? And how is Daredevil, the Man Without Fear, connected to a child he doesn't even know? His objectivity shattered, Urich finds himself doubting his journalistic integrity and the future of his very profession!
This story probably isn't for everybody. Like all of Bendis' good stuff, there's very little action and all the focus is on Urich, the narrator.
The real treat here is David Mack's artwork. This guy can ****ing... he's just... there aren't any words for this.
The trade is only $9.99 and should be available in a local comic shop. The backissues shouldn't be too hard to track down either - just look for Daredevil v. 2, issues 16-19.

Here's one not many people talk about, and it's a shame...


MUTANT X

Havok died at the end of X-Factor's run, but his mind was actually throw to another universe where he leads a band of seriously altered and very un-nice versions of his friends. The Fallen is Angel, post Apocalypse tampering...Bloodstorm is Storm having never been cured of Dracula's bite...Iceman has never recovered from Loki's power amping...Brute is Beast, mutated too far and seriously unintelligent...and Maddy Pryor as the Goblin Queen.

Loved the entire run and own it all. If you get the chance, read it.

I can't beleive no one has mentioned this one yet. Oh well:


YOUNG JUSTICE

This book is, in my honest opinion, comic book writeing at it's best. The basic plot is that it's Teen Titans 2.0. The cast includes:

Superboy: An egotistical, thrill seaking jock with a heart of gold.
Wondergirl: A sidekick who wants to become the greatest superhero of them all.
Arrowett: A vigilante who was forced into the buisness by her mother.
Impulse: A computer nerd prankster who never thinks befor or after he does something.
Secret: A mesterious ghost girl. Her story is a major sub plot.
Robin: An inteligent loner. He's one of the few people on the team who takes the job seriously. He and Superboy argue alot.

This book gets everything right. The jokes are funny. The stories are well written. The drama is heartwrenching. The christmas special will leave you doubled over with laughter. The issue dealling with racism will leave you touched and thinking. And don't even get me started about the issue where Lobo (yes Lobo. The main man himself) is de-aged by a wizard. This book, done by Peter David and Todd Nauk, is just bloody brilliant. The entire series is 55 issues long. If you like the current Teen Titans, then this series will blow you out of the water. It is superior to the current Teen Titans in every way and is far more origional.


Well?



What are you waiting for?


GO GET IT!!!!!!

Does anyone else get bugged by Marvel relauching "seasons" or whatever? You'd think they never heard of fill-in stories before.

Anyway, my personal favorite comic by Marvel is Dr. Strange and Dr.Doom: Triumph and Torment. This stunning piece of work done by Roger Stern (writer) and the ever excellent Mike Mignola (artist), is probably my favorite Doom story, barely edging out Unthinkable (what this SN is named after).

Its a very excellent origin story for Dr. Doom. The aged Gahngis sends out a message to all the mystical powerhouses that the competition for Sorcecer Supreme will be decided in a temple. Doom shows up, as does Strange, and in the ensuing conflict for the title, Strange wins, of course. But he must grant Doom a boon, who got second.

Doom requests that Strange helps him save his mother's soul from the grips of Mephisto, and Strange and Doom go into hell and have a really, really cool adventure.

My next recommendation is for the comic that got me into this, and one that I hold dear to me. I was losing someone close to me to cancer, and my older brother (the orginal Unthinkable, I just stole his SN) gave me this comic, to console me.

It was the Death of Captain Marvel.

Captain Marvel had contracted cancer from a battle a long time ago, and now his body was finally dying from it. As he slowly passes, the universes greatest heroes come to pay respects, as the greatest minds try to scramble for a cure. Alas they can't, and he passes. Definetly by far the most touching story done ever by Marvel, this story transcends the outlandish suits, and flashy battles. Its a masterpiece in every sense of the word. Every Marvel, no every COMIC fan should have this classic.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Squadron Supreme was Watchmen before Watchmen existed. Originally published as a 12 issue maxi series by Marvel in the early 80's, it was written by the late, great, Marvel editor, Mark Gruenwald.

The Squadron Supreme characters first appeared in the early 70’s in the Avengers as the heroes of earth in another dimension. Obviously, each of the team’s members were based off the Justice League. They essentially served as a way to have the Avengers and Justice League team up or fight without having to go through the red tape of an inter company crossover. They made sporadic appearances over the years, but in them Mark Gruenwald saw the potential vehicle to write what would be his life's greatest work.

The original 12 issue Squadron Supreme series served as an examination of the Lord Acton saying that "Power Corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely". The Squadron, worried that the world may not be able to take care of itself, decides that they should take a more active role in helping it. The slow descent into dictatorship is saddening, as characters rationalize their increasingly totalitarian behavior. At the same time, the book remains a simple superhero story that makes it compelling and entertaining to read. It later served to be a large influence in other comics, particularly The Authority.

The complete series is available in a collected edition and can be found at most comic book stores. Bookstores should be able to order it for you. On an interesting side note, after Mark Gruenwald passed on, his will stipulated that he be cremated, and his ashes mixed with the ink used in one printing of the Squadron Supreme graphic novel, so he could be part of his work forever.

Warning: Adult Content. The recommended book below contains foul language, and may contain nudity or other material you may find offensive

Supreme Power is a modern day up-date of the original Squadron Supreme concept, starting from scratch. While the original characters were established heroes, here, we see them start from the beginning. Written by J. Michael Straczynski (he of Babylon 5 and Amazing Spider-Man fame) with art by Gary Frank, the book currently falls under Marvel’s MAX line, which allows adult content (plenty of swearing and occasional boobies) which helps add to the books overall more mature feel.

Supreme Power opens with a familiar scene: an alien rocket carrying a baby crashes in a field and is discovered by a married couple. Without children of their own, they decide the child should be raised properly. The government agrees and promptly relieves the couple of the custody of the child. Realizing his potential as a weapon, the government endeavors to grow the child into someone who will be loyal and obedient to them. The first several issues of the book focus on the raising of the child, whom they name Mark Milton, and codename Hyperion. As he grows up, Mark discovers he is not alone in this world. There are others like him, and all seem to have some connection to his arrival on earth. He begins to question the authority placed over him, and comes to the realization he is under no obligations to listen to anyone. But where this revelation will take him is anyone’s guess.

Currently, Supreme Power is one of the best books Marvel is putting out. There are two soft covers collecting the first twelve issues of the series, and a hardcover collecting the same (the Hardcover is cheaper than the first two, and contains extras features). In addition to the monthly ongoing, a Doctor Spectrum 6 issue miniseries finished a few months ago (Dr. Spectrum is the Green Lantern equivilent), and 6 issues miniseries for Hyperion and Nighthawk (‘Batman&#8217 are on the way. The Supreme Power MAX ongoing ends with issue 18, and will be relaunched under the Marvel Knights imprint with a new #1 (which means less bad words and boobies, but should still be excellent)

I haven't read Squadron Supreme yet, I have ready Supreme Power and I would also recommend it.

Issue Spotlight: Alpha Flight, vol. 1, issue #12

Boy, I remember buying this issue when it came out, and by the time I got to the end, I was shocked. This comic dared to take the most recognized character on the team and kill him off. Plus, the way in which he died was so very memorable. AND, they kept him dead far, far longer than I thought they would. This one issue, to me, is the definitive Alpha Flight issue!

Okay, Grant Morrison's Animal Man run is one of the best runs ever on a comic. He was one of the first to take a so called "Lame Character" and make them interesting and make you actually care about them. Take Buddy Baker, husband, father, superhero with animal powers. A nobody with in the DC universe. But Morrison took Buddy on a wild ride of an adventrue that would shape the foundation of DC's Vertigo line. He broke the 4th wall and put himself in a story and it actually wasn't lame. He also took a more realistic approach with the character by making him an animal activist. I mean, if you know what it's like to be a killer whale or a baby seal, you most certainly wouldn't want them getting turned into Alpo now would you? Morrison took this D-List character and wrote some of the best stories I've ever read. It's weird, its fun, and it makes you think. And the end of his run will have in awe. Anyway, it's collected in three trades.


Animal Man

Highly recommended.

Avengers Forever was a twelve-issue mini series starring The Avengers. The series was written by Kurt Busiek and illustrated by Carlos Pacheco. The series revolved around the "Destiny War", a time-travel based conflict between Kang, The Conqueror and his future self, Immortus.

The Destiny War was ignited when Immortus sent his servant Tempus to kill an apparently critically ill Rick Jones on the moon, knowing that it was the Destiny Force about to manifest within Rick for the second time (after the first time during the Kree-Skrull War) that was killing him. Kang intervened, and the Kree Supreme Intelligence, who Rick had been brought to for examination, triggered Rick to use the Destiny Force to call a team of Avengers to him, plucked from time, causing Immortus' forces to withdraw, having failed to prevent what they had come to do.

This collection is not for the new reader wanting to just get into Avengers, but for those who love the history of comics and the history of the Avengers. The writer knows his Marvel continuity, and each chapter is filled with references to Avengers comics of the past. PLUS, you even get an index at the end of each chapter letting you know where you can find out more of what has been happening or being refered to. This was definitely a gift for the die-hard fans.

Uncle Sam

This is, IMO, the best comic book ever. It is the story of Sam, a homless man who has visions of America's past and may or may not be Uncle Sam, the liveing embodyment of the human spirit. It is an in depth look at the mistakes of our past, polotics, corruption, the light and dark sides of human nature, and talking bears. Yes. I said it. Uncle Sam has a talking bear. It takes a look at the worst and best parts of the history of America, and other counries such as Britan, Russia, and France. It show us that, yes, America was built on strong moral ideas. But so was the U.S.S.R. Our ideals can be manipulated and perverted by weak, selfish people. Our country is becomeing increasingly corrupt and self centred. But it doesn't have to be that way. This is a must for anyone who is interested in politics, anyone who is interested in history, and anyone who is interested ina good story.

What would happen if Doom ruled the earth? Pretty much what happens in Empire. When a super villian finally gets what he wants, world domonation, he's faced with the question of, now what? This is the story of such a villian. Who through his own force of will, has managed to take over, but now he has to worry about rebels, plots to take his life, his own lackeys trying to put together a coup, and his if that aint enough, he has a teenage daughter to worry about. This is a great little story from Mark Waid about the price you pay for world domination. Highly recommended.

I have to admit, I'm a DC/Marvel kind of guy. I hardly ever read any independent books because I have a lot of money and love invested in the DC and Marvel universes. That said, I was able to pick up a great indy book recently, and I really have to sell this to you all. I would be remiss if I didn't.

Scurvy Dogs: Rags to Riches
Andrew Boyd and Ryan Yount
AiT/Planetlar (2005)
160 pages, B+W Interiors
Buy from Amazon
---
I love pirates. I think every fanboy loves pirates. Sadly, there aren't too many pirate comics out there (and no, that thing in Watchmen doesn't count). Andrew Boyd and Ryan Yount have delivered a hilarious pirate comic that'll please comic fans who prefer lighthearted humor (Spider-Man/Human Torch) over rape and gloom (Identity Crisis).
The story follows Blackbeard the Pirate and four of his quirky companions in the present day as they search for jobs, fight monkeys, and try to score with Vampirella.
You heard me.
Boyd's script is funny and the story only drags during the title's only two-issue arc, which seems a bit too serious when compared to the other stories. Yount's artwork is simple and cartoony, with a storytelling style similar to Michael Avon Oeming (Powers), although he isn't quite as dramatic.
Also in this collection - some concept artwork by Yount and commentary on every issue (although the commentary is in the back of the book, so you'll have to some flipping from page to page to really enjoy it).
Tell you what: if you see this in the store, read the first little story. It's about 8 pages and shows Blackbeard and Co's encounter with a ship of Portugese lepers. If you like that sequence (and you will, trust me) - you'll LOVE the rest of the book.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

And...

Some odd books to have in your posession would be:

Eradicators: Decent indie book. First Ron Lim. Average team book.

Faust: Tim Vigil. A walk on the very dark side of comics. Incredible art.

Empire Lanes 1 & 2: Great take on D&D type fantasy.

Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special

Lobo

Ill think of more and post art when I get a chance.

I'd like to recommend the following.

Rex Mundi

Rex Mundi is a quest for the Holy Grail told as a murder mystery. It is a tale of sin, murder and redemption in an alternate-history Paris where magic is real and the Catholic Church never lost its grip on power. This critically acclaimed volume follows Doctor Julien Sauniere as he investigates the theft of a medieval scroll from a Paris church. He stumbles onto a series of horrific ritual murders and an ancient secret society somehow connected to the mysterious scroll. They must not slip back into the shadows, or they will kill again...

That description was stolen from the internet because I don't believe I could have summed it up any better. Having said that, I will add that Rex Mundi is arguably the most intelligent written comic I've had the pleasure to read in over 30 years of comic reading. The art is sweet, and the writing is even better. Not for everyone... for readers with brains only.

The first 12 issues are available in 2 TPBs.

Rex Mundi Volume 1: The Guardian Of The Temple

These two trades will catch you up to issue 12. Issue #13 is still on the racks, and #14 comes out in September.

And now for a recommendation in the opposite direction:

WILDGUARD

Launched from Image comics by the one-man writer/artist/colorist team of Todd Nauck (of YOUNG JUSTICE fame, another recommended title), this is his take on a brand new superhero team. Basically, it takes the gimmick of "reality TV" and runs with it in a tale of 3 producers using a reality try-out show to cast 5 heroes in to the televised team of Wildguard. Out of 500, only 5 will win, including one character who was voted in via online polling at Nauck's wildguard site (@ www.wildguard.com )

Casting Call collects the first 6 issues, soon to be available in TPB. The team is selected, including one via fan polls!

Firepower is a one-shot made available last year.


And the 2-part Fool's Gold is out this month.

The book is fun, with some occasional twists that one may not see coming. Todd also is a cool artist, and he never lets a major plot-point dangle for like 6 issues. You can also enjoy free web-comics that take place in-between the official releases at www.wildguard.com/forum

If you like INVINCIBLE or YOUNG JUSTICE, y'know, fun superhero adventure, pick this up. You can order 'em right from the website! How convient is that?

I'm gonna recomend Girls the new comic by the Luna Bros. I havent Ultra, but they say its better. Only 2 came out, but the comic shops around me sell out of them fast already. Oh plus a variant of the first came out for cover price. The Luna bros from what i have seen so far are really good. I hope Marvel or DC picks them up soon.


Written by Joshua Luna
Art and cover by Jonathan Luna

Ethan Daniels can’t seem to get laid. Not that’s he’s a bad looking guy, nor is he socially ******ed. He’s just a typical bachelor who suffers from one, infallible truth: women are complicated. One night, he bumps into a mysterious woman who will change his life… and maybe even the world.


Heres #1

Well, seeing as GHollywood already got Girls, I figured I should do Ultra. I can second his motion that the Luna brothers rock. Girls is very good right now and Ultra was fantastic. The trade is already out and it is highly recommended. Heres the solicitation for the trade from Midtown COmics:

Originally Posted by Midtown Comics
In Spring City, where superheroes blur the lines between law enforcement and celebrity, Pearl Penalosa, AKA Ultra, is a workaholic. At the prestigious agency, Heroine Inc., she has earned a legion of fans, a nomination for "Best Heroine of the Year" and a perfect life. Well, almost perfect. A chance encounter with a mysterious fortune teller prophesizes true love for Pearl within seven days.

The three main characters:

Ultra

I'd like to recommend Judd Winicks book, Caper. It was the story of a family throughout three generations. It is seperated into three 4 issue arcs. Each arc goes into a different genre. The first being a old time ganster sort of thing. Reminds me of Once upon a time in America. Then you have thriller,followed by the last arc which was a comedy. All very good. Check it out.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I have to admit I have not yet read Concrete, but I've heard amazing things and it has been on my list to read...well for a very long time now.

Elijya, update the front page.

On that note, Concrete. This is truly some excellent stuff. Wanna know why? Even Alan Moore said it was amazing... And when he likes it, its pretty much automatically good. Concrete is about some guy who gets abducted by aliens, and has his brain transmitted into a hard rock body, hence the title. What goes on after is quite frankly, some of the best comic reading out there peroid. Its won 8 Eisners, its just pure gold. Whatever you can find of it, buy, don't even think, just buy, its that good.

I was thinking about story-arcs I really enjoyed, and this is the one from Silver Surfer that always comes to mind. I really need to re-read it, but it was written by George Perez, and was so different from everything that was being written at the time. I believe the story takes place between issues #111 - 121. Most people can probably find this sucker in the bargain bins:

Like I said, I need to re-read it, but it involved the Silver Surfer being broken into numerous pieces. Much of the story didn't involve the Surfer, but a new collection of characters.

Phaed

Another arc was the Galactic Storm story that was in seven different comics at the time, and must have been about 21 parts in total:

West Coast Avengers, Avengers, WonderMan, Iron Man, Captain America, Quasar are the ones I can remember off the bat...don't know the seventh...but, it was the end-all battle between the Skrulls and the Kree, with the Shiar thrown into the mix, too. It culminated in a decision that was to change how each member felt about each other. Not sure, but I can't recall it ever being put into TPB form.

Phaed

For anyone who's a fan of Thanos and loves to see superheroes die in sick, sadistic, and twistidly comical ways, I recomend....


THE INFINITY GAUNTLET

The story: Thanos gains the power of a god and kills everything. It's essentially an entire mini series of "OWNED!" pictures. But ist's hella cool. It has some of the best, most brutal, most kickass fight scenes in the history of Marvel comics. Thanos is the epitimy of badass in this book. This is the book that made me love Thanos.


If you like Thanos or just want to read a book with a galaxy shatering storyline and near apokoliptic events, get Infinity Gauntlet!

imho...this is the quintessential Marvel Cosmic story and possibly the best cosmic story out there. Once I find the other review for The Thanos Quest I will bump it up here to combine it with this since they really do go hand in hand.

An absolute must read for Marvel Comic Book lovers and those that love cosmic story lines.

WANTED
Written by Mark Millar
Penciled by J.G. Jones
Published by Image Comics

While Watchmen is generally seen as hugely influential on superhero comics since the mid-1980s, not many creators have paid homage to that landmark series by attempting a similar story; my guess would be that Watchmen was so critically and commercially successful that writers and artists who were inspired by its style and substance may have been intimidated by the idea of creating a new work that would inevitably be compared to its inspiration. It will come as little surprise to readers of Mark Millar's Authority and The Ultimates that he is not easily intimidated.

In a world where comics creators often go out of their way to shock readers, Millar has made a name for himself by giving us believable characters who act in appallingly realistic, wildly entertaining ways. In Wanted Millar and artist JG Jones explore the inner world of a super-villain as he learns his trade. Wesley Gibson is inducted into "The Fraternity" after his (previously unknown) father is murdered. Turns out dear old Dad was a master villain named The Killer, and Wesley -- lost in a bad relationship and kind of pathetic overall -- is tracked down and told he can inherit his father's vast fortune if he takes up his legacy.

In the manner of Alan Moore in Watchmen or Kurt Busiek in Astro City, Millar creates a new, dangerous world out of whole cloth. References to a greater community of super beings and a convincing look at the ones onscreen serve to deliver a genuine sense that this is an established universe we are exploring, while organically-introduced details about Wesley and his life deliver a sympathetic character by which we can explore.

As a creator-owned project, this is the next logical step for Millar after books like The Authority and The Ultimates -- a harrowing exploration of power and perversion that shocks and entertains, with no editorial restrictions or corporate involvement interfering with Millar's story. As you might expect after the exquisite visuals he delivered on Grant Morrison's Marvel Boy, artist JG Jones gives us a summer blockbuster-type level of action and detail that make the book visually addictive and totally in the spirit of The Authority and The Ultimates in the best way possible. Jones is really underrated, in my opinion, and is a top superhero action artist every bit as compelling and exciting as peers like Bryan Hitch and Frank Quitely.

Justice League

There are something like 15 trades collecting the different storyarcs of the ongoing Justice League series right now. Each on tends to be a completely stand alone story, and are for the most part quality. If you're not the type opf person who generally likes solo stories about Superman, Green Lantern, or the others, a Justice LEague story is where these characters shine because they play off each other, and the group dynamics are alot of fun.

While the quality of the different books varies greatly with the changing creative teams, one book stands above them all: Tower of Babel. It's often said that through his sheer ingenuity and preperation, Batman is ready to take down anyone in the DC Universe, including it's heroes, his friends. But what happens when one of their deadliest villains gets ahold of these tactics, and puts them into effect? All around, an awesome fun story by Mark Waid

another one worth mentioning is JLA: Year One. While not an overly complicated story, this 12 issues mini series goes into the formation, and the Heart of the group. Before Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman joined the team, the Justice League was just five people trying to find their places in the world, and decided to do it together. But first they must learn to trust one another. By Mark Waid

 

[Anubis]

God, all this stuff makes me wanna go back and dig up some of that awesome stuff I have. Empire, Caper, Supreme Power, Bendis' DD run.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Word, I'm re-finding all of this good stuff that I meant to read and never did and now...I'm acquiring it.

OMG, WTF is wrong with us!?!? We haven’t done any Dan Slott books yet!. (ok, well, Spideyinatree did Spider-man/Human torch on Page 3)

Dan Slott is a rising talent in comicdom and has quickly proven himself to be one of the premiere comedy writers.

His breakout hit was the critically acclaimed She-Hulk. Dan’s run lasted 12 issues, which are collected in two different softcover volumes. The series was relaunched this past fall.

Dan gets back to basics and throws She-Hulk right back into the arena: The Courtroom. The series sees She-Hulk dueling legal battles as often as she does real ones, with a smart a comical twist. Her new law firm deals in supernormal laws. She defends a ghost at his own murder trial, helps Spider-Man sue the Daily Bugle for libel, and gets appointed a cosmic magistrate by the biggest judge in the universe, The Living Tribunal. All in all, one of the most fun series ever written, and a must own!

Great Lakes Avengers

The Great Lakes Avengers first appeared back in the 80’s as a team of ineffective superheroes in West Coast Avengers. Originally founded by Hawkeye and Mockingbird, their roster of all heart but no talent heroes included Big Bertha, the supermodel who can turn incredibly fat, Doorman, who acts as a living passage way, Dinah Soar, a mute humanoid pterodactyl, Flatman, the ambiguously gay stretchy guy, and their leader Mr. Immortal, who can’t die, but can’t do much else either. In early 2005, they were given their first 4 issue miniseries, intended to mock big “event” books like Avengers Disassembled with writer Dan Slott’s promise that a character would die in every issue! Along the way, new members joined, including the armored Grasshopper, and Squirrel Girl, who can communicate with squirrels, particularly her rodent sidekick, Monkey Joe. Squirrel Girl is an obscure, laughable character created in the early 90’s by the legendary Steve Ditko and only ever seen once when she teamed up with Iron Man to defeat Dr. Doom.

The miniseries was just a great read that will have you laughing the whole way. The trade just came out, and the one-shot follow up Christmas special GLX-Mas is on stands now.

Arkham Asylum: Living Hell


A few people have told me they didn’t care for this one so much, but I loved it. Set in Gotham City’s famous mental institution, Living Hell is a dark but charming look at prison life amongst the criminally insane. While Batman and his familiar Rogue’s gallery make appearances, they are brief, and the overlaying story is one of the prison itself, the people who inhabit it, and the dark secrets it holds. Several new rogues are introduced with fascinating concepts in the spirit of the traditionally twisted Batman villains. One of Dan Slott’s first big breaks, it’s not as comedic as his other efforts, but it succeeds in being engaging and a good read. With luck, Dan has plans for at least two follow ups that hopefully we’ll get to see someday. A trade is available now.

The Child Within

Before I get into explaining the arc I will say that when I started collecting comics this was the arc out at the time for Spectacular Spiderman. I started with part 3 and that issue alone blew my socks off. I begged my mom to buy me the rest of it and through the next few months she got me the last two parts and I was just in love. Though I liked other Spidey books over those months this arc just put me in awe and the older I get the more I appreciate it.

Now, this is the story in Spectacular Spiderman 178-183 with an aftermath issue in 184. There are two big stories going on in this arc,... the first one is following the story of the villain named Vermin. We learn much of his background involving the torchers of being molested by your own father. We see Vermin's hatred of this battling his own desire to be with his family again and their reactions,.. and of course Spidey gets thrown in the middle. Extremely touching.

The second story is reguarding Harry Osborn's slow fall into madness until he finally claims his father's mantle of the Green Goblin once and forall. It is a sad thing to watch as Harry has been Pete's best friend for years and in this one arc he finally falls and becomes his worst enemy. We see the anguish in Harry as he battles his mind's ghosts wanting to be a loyal son to his father but a good friend to Peter and how this causes his insanity. Very well done and the final battle between he and Peter just gives you chills,.. all the way up to the very last touching panel. I would say that this is by far if not one of,.. the THE best spidey arc ever!

Note: Good side reading with this series is Kraven's Last Hunt as this is a type of sequel reguarding Vermin,.. but also the future issues of Spectacular Spiderman up through issue 200 where Peter and Harry's war finally comes to a conclusion in an amazingly touching final page.

I think I started reading this in college from a dorm friend, and I quickly picked up back issues. This was in my dormant stage (I had given up comics...girlfriend said basically, "Comics or me," and idiot I was, I said, "Ok, I love you....sex...errrr....you're more important than any silly old comics." Needless to say I have learned this idea of "if you love me you'll give up ____" is a condition in a relationship one should never have to tolerate....and, this is one I liked enough to decide to say, "Hell with it" and get.)

Most of you know the book, or have seen the cartoon or tv show. The comic is way better than the two later. Basically, it's a humorous super-hero and what an idiot he is.

But, a lesser known book, of which I've only read the first issue, but I just loved.


I absolutely hated all of the "teenage mutant mice" and "turtles" and all the other crap that became so popular in the 80's, and this bear basically just wastes them, Punisher-style. Just a fun read, I just found the book again in a bargain bin today, and am re-enjoying it all these years later. (Still hate those damn turtles and hamsters!!)

Top Ten

One of Alan Moores best. This is the story about the tenth Precinct of Neopolis, a city, filled with superheros. These cops have to be pretty damn good to be able to deal with giant drunken Godzillas, allien pornstars, robot street gangs and interdimesional drug rings. The first volume of Top Ten follows the first days of new recruit, Toy Box. This young lady gets parntered up with one of the badest mofo's you'll ever see in a comic, Jeff Smax. (Thats the big blue guy with the hand on his chest.) You'll meet all the others, Shock-Headed Peter, The cowboy Dust Devil, Girl One, Irma Geddon, Peregrine, The devil Worshiping King Peacock, The super smart Doberman Kemlo Ceaser and Jack Phantom. This book is one part hill street blues, one part Reno 911, with a dash of NYPD Blue, with Superheros. Great book man, you'd be insane to miss out on this one.

]

THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS
Writer: Frank Miller
Pencils: Frank Miller
Inker: Klaus Janson

Bruce Wayne has retired from being Batman for 10 years now. Though the city he once protected has fallen into darker times once again. Crime has escalated and Bruce Wayne's old ghosts begin to haunt him. After ten years Bruce Wayne must put on the Batman costume to clean up his city, and he may die trying.

I really reccommend this. If you enjoy anything Batman this book is for you without a doubt. Even if you're not a fan of Batman you can seriously find enjoyment from this title and the amazing writing and artwork from Frank Miller. This is definitely a book that should be in your graphic novel or comic book collection.

Title: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Writer/Artist: Frank Miller with Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley
Publisher: DC Comics
Summary:
Old architecture. Dingy streets. Dark skies and a darker man, one who'll do the dirty work in order to make city life livable for the masses. It's what you think of when you think of Batman, and this book, whether you have read it or not, is what set that image in your mind. The most influential Batman story ever told changed the public's perception of Batman from a cheesy superhero surrounded by villains as colorful as a box of Crayolas to a driven man surrounded by dangerous mental patients, and brought up the question of just how psychologically healthy The Batman was himself. The premise: Batman has been retired for a decade. Now middle-aged and floundering through a shell of a life, his true personality--The Batman--awakens, just in time to try and turn a gang-ruled Gotham around.

The writing is brilliant, hitting every required mark--especially the psychological. The concepts Miller presents ring so true that even though this story is an Elseworlds tale set in the future, they'll define the characters in the Bat-universe for you forever. He draws parallels between Batman and his mentally unstable villains. He proposes that the rogues' reliance on Batman's existence defines their own. But as good as the writing is--and it's damn good, as a rousing Batman story and an 80s sociopolitical commentary--the most impressive thing about this story is its art. Frank Miller pulled double duty, writing and penciling, and he shows that as capable an artist as he is, his true talent isn't drawing poster-shots, but illustrating a story through his art. Look how he displays Batman's psyche over the course of the story--when he titularly "Returns", his cape and cowl are bright blue. As things get worse, as he falls deeper into his role, his costume darkens. It's simple, and very effective. This is, in my opinion, the best collection of comic art that you are going to find. It's the best that I've come across, anyway. The imagery he presents will be burned into your mind, the storytelling exceptional.
Format: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns has been collected in hardcover and paperback several times. I myself have the trade, the edition pictured above. It includes an introduction by Frank Miller and a Miller-penned article "authored" by Jimmy (now James) Olsen. This article is a dark delight. Also included are original scripts and sketches by Miller, as well as the art from the original covers.

Personally one of my all time favorites. I met Miller when I was 12 at a comic signing in Oakland. He had originally limited the number of items to six but his flight form Chicago was delayed so he called ahead and let the shop know he would be late, but due to the inconvenience he would stay and sign as long as there was a line. This was awesome as I had about 20 comics and a poster to be signed. When it came my turn, TDKR and Batman Year One were worn and not in the greatest shape, what can I say I hadn't yet come to understand how to keep and collect comics to save their value, Frank held a copy up to the majority of adults that were there and said..." This is how I like to see my comics...well read." It certainly was a big moment for me and left a huge impression to this day.

Frank is a nice guy and although he may do things that people don't like with his stories, just a great guy.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Sleeper

This right here, is some of Ed Brubaker's best work. Sleeper is the tragic story of Agent Holden Carver. A secret agent with the government, under the direction of master spy John Lynch. (Think Nick Fury minus the eye patch and with mind control powers) He infultrates the secret criminal organization of a supervillian mastermind by the name of Tao. Lynch is the only one who knows where Holdens allegence really is lies. As far as the rest of the world knows, he's a rogue agent with stolen powers. Which pretty much sucks because Lynch gets taken down with a bullet to the head. So, he's stuck having to survive on his own with the government after him, haters within Tao's organization trying to get him killed, and a super criminial mastermind who seemsto know everything to worry about.

Serioulsy a great read. With great characters, (Miss Misery) great origins, (Miss Misery again) and great powers ( Holdens are pretty damn inventive as is *** Hag's. ) Highly recommended for those that like dark stories. Plus it's great to see life on the other side of the law.

The Question by Dennie O'Neil and Denys Cowan



Title: The Question
Writer/Artist: Denny O'Neil and Denys Cowan.
Publisher: DC comics
Genre: Crime, philosophy, suggested for mature readers.
Summary: Charles Victor Szazs is an orphan. He never knew his parents, and his name was given to him by the nuns of the orphanige. Vic Sage is a rude, arrogant, trouble making crusading reporter for KBEL news. Think if Hunter S. Thompson had Bill O'Riley's job. What's the connectio between the two? Well, they do have alot of things in common. The biggest of which is that they're the same person. And, neither of them are this individual's true identity. What is his true identity? Well, that's the question, isn't it?

In 1986, Denny O'Neil took the reigns of The Question and gave him his own solo series. The Question, along with the rest of the Charlton Action Heroes, had been purchased by DC a few years earlier and integrated into the DCU by the Crisis on Infinite Earths. O'Neil took the character, who was already rather innovative for his time, and expanded upon him greatly. He gave hikm a backstory, a larger supporting cast, and a good deal more depth. With The Question, O'Neil crafted a brilliant series that comprises of, in equal parts, philisophical battles of will and words and well crafted crime noir. The series is heavily serialized, introducing concepts in issues five and six that are resolved in issue 23.

Most interesting of all is the character's motivation. He's not motivated by vengence or the need to uphold a greater good or a devotion to a higher power. He's motivated by curiosity. Curiosity, both in the truth behind mysteries, and in himself. He doesn't know his birth name or his parents. In essence, he doesn't really know who he is. Putting on the mask, solving crimes, beating the holy hell out of people, that's the closest he comes to finding himself. And, since he doesn't know his real name, he simply uses the only answer he's able to give whenever someone asks who he ius. "That's a good question."
Format: 36 issues, four anuals, five quarterlies.
Amazon.com listing: They ain't got it.

I've always heard good things but haven't picked it up yet.

Elektra Lives Again by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley

Matt Murdoch is haunted by dreams of the dead assassin Elektra, his former lover. In the dreams Elektra is being chased by all the people she has killed over the years, and as you may have guessed there happens to be alot of them. Matt becomes convinced that she's alive and that the dreams are trying to tell him something important.

This graphic novel doesn't take place in continuity, but that's good, beacuse Miller is allowed more freedom to do what he does. The artwork is absolutely breathtaking, the pinnacle of the Miller/Varley team.
The fight scenes are among my favorites ever, showing Miller's unmatched skill at making combat look poetic

Ronin by Frank Miller with Lynn Varley

Ronin tells the tale of a Samurai warrior who must avenge the death of his master at the hands of the demon Agat. Agat is after a magic sword, the only blade able to kill him, that is now in the hands of the Ronin. At the last minute, when it looks like the Ronin will get his revenge, The demon casts a spell, trapping both in the blade seemingly for eternity.
Through a series of events, both the demon and the Ronin are released for the blade in the 21st century, at the site of a huge scientific complex named Aquarius that is made of a substance that is alive in some aspects, it grows and changes on its own.

At the core of operations at Aquarius is The sentient computer Virgo and Billy Challas, a powerful but kind telekenetic who happens to have no arms and legs.

When released from the sword, the Ronin posesses Billy and escapes from Aquarius, stranded in a world he knows nothing about.

Throughout the book, myth and reality become blurred as the worlds of science and magic collide.


This book gets unfairly overshadowed by Miller's Dark Knight book. Ronin is a true masterpiece and paved the way for the work on Batman. There are complexities and moral ambiguity woven into the interactions between the characters, and by the end of the story, few of them end up where they started.
As a side note fans of Samurai Jack will notice some umistakable similarities in Ronin.

Someone mentioned earlier on the thread, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell. I haven't read it myself, but I have a feeling that it just can't possibly top its predecessor:

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

Written by one of the three Comic Gods (including Miller and Moore) Grant Morrison and illustrated by Dave McKean (worked on Sandman and will be more well known for directing the upcoming Mirrormask).

Before this, I thought I had a preety sick mind and nothing could possibly disturb me. I read this, and was proven wrong. There are some truely frightning moments, but, I'm getting a little far. Here's the story.

The lunitics have tanken over Arkham Asylum. They've taken hostages and the police are trying to negotiate for their safe return. They've been given many things in exchange (mostly crazy things like furnature and stuffed animals)--but they have one last request: Batman. In Arkham Asylum with the rest of them. Batman agrees, and puts himself in the madhouse, and has to play the inmate's demented games...

Also, in-between the narrative with Batman in the Asylum, we learn the origins of the Asylum. We see it's creator, Amadeus Arkham, convert his old childhood home into an institute for the criminally insane, and how he becomes one of it's first occupants...

Like I said before, this is a very dark and disturbing tale. It truely is a gothic fairy tale, one practically stained with blood and insanity. Batman is at his most deranged and out-hinged. Going so far as to mutilate himself just to keep himself from permantly spacing out.

It's also Batman's villians at their best/worst. Dave McKean's vision of The Joker, combined with Morrison's demented writing style, makes one of the most frightning version of the character yet. Mad Hatter is written spectacular as well, showing one of the main themes of the book ("The Asylum is a looking glass, and WE are YOU."). The most surprisingly amazing addition is Maxie Zeus. Morrison made him extremely facinating and it's a shame he's only in there for one scene.

Another cool thing is the explanation of the character's insanity. Joker is diagnosed with a neuratotic disorder, like Torette's Syndrome, who makes himself each day. The way that the doctors were trying to cure Two-Face is a genius way as well. Even Batman's motivations are explained in an amazing new way ("There is nothing to hold onto. No anchor. Panic-stricken, I flee. I trun blindly through the madhouse. And I cannot even pray. For I have no God.").

Get it. Get it NOW.

You know I own it...have since I was about seven and never read it. I think it was just way to deep and dark when I was younger and sort of forgot about it as I got older.

Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale have become synonymous with one another. While they both have collaborated with other creators, both men seem to be at their best when they work together. And if you don't believe me, you can ask a Batman fan. They'll tell you all about it.
But I'm not here to recommend Loeb and Sale's Batman work; I'm here instead to present to you their first ever collaboration.

The Challengers of the Unknown Must Die!
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
DC Comics (originally published in 1991, collected 2004)
224 pages, Color Interiors
Buy from Amazon
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If you're Joe Public, you've probably not heard of the Challengers of the Unknown. Hell, I consider myself to be comic knowledgeable (to a degree, folks, to a degree) and my first exposure to this band of super adventurers didn't come until Darwyn Cooke's stunning New Frontier series back in 2003. I was delighted to discover that prior knowledge of the Challengers is not a prerequisite for this book, although it'll certainly help.
The Challengers of the Unknown are a group of super adventurers. They have no superhuman powers but do possess a certain fearlessness.
What really makes them unique, though, is where they live: Challenger Mountain, located in Colorado, serves as their base of operations. It's also a tourist town, bustling with activity. When Challenger Mountain is blown up from the inside, causing the ruin of several thousands of lives, the Challegners themselves are put on trial. What follows is a bizarre and strange journey for the four of the team that make it out alive, as they try to discover life beyond adventuring. And there's something.... sinister at work, behind the scenes.
It just wouldn't be a Jeph Loeb book without a lengthy trial scene, and fortunately for us, Sale makes the courtroom issue painless - actually, he makes it enjoyable. What really shines about Sale's work is his versatility; if you need him to draw a mountain blowing up, he can do it. If you need him to draw Batman punching out a gang of rogues, he can do it. If you need him to draw a bunch of guys in suits talking, he can do it. The dude is just all over the place, and it's great.
Loeb also does the fans a favor by throwing in some great cameos. Superman plays a role (but doesn't dominate the story), Guy Gardner shows up, and there's a Batman appearance that'll make you laugh out loud.
Included in the collection is a funny introduction by industry lightingrod Brian Michael Bendis, who gushes over the book (and rightfully so). In the back, observe a cover gallery and some preliminary pencil sketches by Tim Sale.
Additionally, there's a previously unpublished epilogue included that ties up one last little bit of continuity left over from the story. It's refreshing, too, to see it printed in a day where continuity in comics is all but gone.
See if your library can get a copy of this for you - you'll want to read it before buying it. If you do decide to add it to your collection, you will have chosen wisely.

Graet pick right there. And your reveiw reminded me....


DC: THE NEW FRONTIER

This comic brilliantly portrays the end of the Golden age and the begining of the Silver age in the 1950s and 60s. It starts of somewhat similarly to John Byrne's "Next Generation" with having Batman and Superman starting in the early 40s and staying that way, but it is far better exicuted and doesn't mess with continuity to the point where the characers are unrecognizable. It also brilliantly reflects the time period in which it takes place, and flawlessly intergrates superheroes in to the cominist which hunts, racial issues, and political issues of the 50s and 60s. While the story brilliantly represents each hero pretty much equaly, the two main protagonists are Hal Jordan and J'onn Jonzz. Their stories, along with all the other heroes' stories, are just brilliantly written. And the art is top notch as well. Has a great, classy, retro feel to it that works perfectly for the story. Now, I know I've used the word brilliant several times in this reveiw. Wanna know why? Because this book is bloody brilliant. One of the best comics.....ever. It's as good if not (dare I say it?) better than The Watchmen.


Get it.

NOW!!!!

I know where you live.

Look, I don't think its neccesary to make a recommendation for this. I mean, really, this is considered one of the greatest works of comic literature ever put to page. Anything I or anybody else can say is pointless. All it would do is add more hype to an already hyped up book. I don't know if you'll like it, all I can do is speak for myself. I love Watchmen. It stands as the greatest comic I have ever read. And as you can see by my previous recommendations, I have read alot of stuff. Will you like it? I don't know. Everybody has there own tastes about things. Elijya isn't really into Watchmen and I think he liked Squadron Supreme better. Thats his opinion. SO I can't gaurentee that it will be as good to you, as it is to me. But I can tell you that the majority of those that have read it, loved it. No matter what, if you call yourself a comicbook fan, you must read this. Thats all I can say.

Now, as for what it's about? Well, it starts out as a simple murder mystery, but then it revals a complicated plot that isn't neccasarily evil. You've got great characters like the obsessed, slightly insane Rorschach. Or the God like Doctor Manhatten, who has grown board with the world. A guy who knows how everythings going to end, yet does nothing to stop it. Ozymandius, the smartest man in the world. A guy seemed to only be in the superhero game just for the fame. Nite Owl, the second generation hero whose life has just been on mute ever scince the events that lead most of the crime fighters into forced retirement. And the Silouette, stuck in a fading relationship with Dr. Manhatten. Longing to have her life back the way it was before....

It's got lots of things going on with it, in the trade you got excerpts of various books mentioned throughout the story. Such as the first Nite Owl's book. And Rorschach's psyic file. Everything, very interesting and if it were an actual book, hell you'd get a great read out of that alone. It's just, man, I can't really explain it. I'm holding it in my hand right now, using it for reference and, I just wanna read it again. It's one of those books you can just say, I'm gonna read a couple of chapeters and end losing five or six hours reading it. All I can say is just read it. Try a Library and check it out if you don't wanna buy it. They all should have it. Or at least you could order it. And really thats all I can say about it.

Anubis pretty much sums it up, the book isn't talked about everyone as being a landmark in comic books for no reason. But that doesn't mean it will appeal to everyone. It's sort of like Citizen Kane, a lot of people, especially younger people won't care for it and may not see why it is such a great film and considered by many to be the greatest movie ever made. But here's the thing, a lot of those people are critics, directors, actors, producers, screen-writers, film teachers and so on who are looking at the movie from a very different perspective than your average person. They know the history of movies, what came before, what has come since and everything in between.

If you're just a casual comic book fan and just like good art work, and interesting stories Watchmen may not be for you like Anubis said. But it stands as being incredibly important to comic books regardless of what you think of it.

 

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A few more recommendations: The Sandman and the Invisibles.
The Sandman comics tell the story of Dream, not the God of Dreams, but Dream itself. Dream, or Morpheus as he was called by the ancient Greeks, was captured by a sorcerer and missed most of the 20th century until he managed to escape. Dream is the member of the Endless, the oldest family that has ever existed. His older brother Destiny knows everything that has ever happened and will ever happen. His sister Death is the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. Desire is the giver and taker of everything and Despair will drive you crazy. Delirium and Destruction are his other two siblings. The book isn't just about these 7, older than Gods, entities, but about the daily struggles of the human races and how our dreams, our desires or death affect us. An absolute must if you're into mythology like I am.

Another title I would recommend is the Invisibles and I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet. I've only read the first book (it's magnificent) and I'm surprised Morrison hasn't sued the Wachowski's for stealing his ideas to make the Matrix. Like someone else here said, it's a total mind*****. And Lord Fanny is probably the greatest character ever

Another title I've been meaning to start reading.

SUPERMAN: Secret Identity
Written by Kurt Busiek and penciled by Stuart Immonen
published by DC

It's about a boy in a "real world" whose parents had a sick sense of humour--having the last name of Kent, they named their son "Clark"--the "twist" being that Clark soon discovers that he really does have the powers of Superman--and so, the joke is on the rest of the world.

Each of the four chapters collected here focuses on a different part of Clark's life: the first on his childhood and his discovery of his powers and what he might be able to do with them; the second picks up a number of years later as Clark's into his career, and is introduced to a woman who adds to the "joke"; the third moves Clark into the realm of impending parenthood, and the concerns that come along with that, particularly given his "condition"; and the final chapter is set in Clark's twilight years, reflecting on his life and what he's done, and what his legacy to his children might be.

While something like this could almost make an interesting on-going series--sort of an "Ultimate Superman" or such--it is definitely far more effective as a four-chaptered story, giving a "beginning, middle, and end" to the reader. This is also very much a tale that can resonate with readers no matter what stage of life they're in, as it touches on so many of the "big things" in life.

Another great thing about this story is that by its nature, it transcends the issue of the "Silver Age" Superman vs. the "90s" Superman, or the more recent "Birthright" Superman and the WB's vision found in Smallville. Fans of any (or all) of these interpretations of the character should be able to enjoy this story.

Busiek's writing really shines here, and Immonen's art does nothing but enhance the writing, and convey the necessary mood for the book.

Astro City
Written by Kurt Busiek
Illustrated by Alex Ross and Brent Anderson

The Astro City stories each explore a world that feels comfortable, like a place we've visited before, despite still being shiny and new. In Astro City, heroes exist not just to get into brilliant battles with each other, but also to offer up insight to us on a variety of themes, including the old superhero standby about power and responsibility. In the very first Astro City story "In Dreams," a superhero known as Samaritan (an obvious Superman analogue) leads a life of emptiness. The only enjoyment in his life is the freedom he gets from flying, and even that he only gets a few seconds of flying each day between the disasters and various other crises he must combat.

That story and five others are collected in the first Astro City trade paperback, Astro City: Life in the Big City, a series of vignettes that each look at life in Astro City in a different way. Each story then also takes a different perspective on the superheroes that populate this metropolis, one the average reader might not be used to. From a newspaper reporter who witnesses a crossover-style event to a thug who discovers a hero's secret identity, this book takes the point-of-view of the average men and women in a world full of the extraordinary. We can connect with these narrating characters, identifying with their unique viewpoints on these virtual gods they share the world with.

Batman: The Long Halloween
Written by Jeph Loeb and Illustrated by Tim Sale

BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN tells a tale, set as an unofficial sequel to Batman:Year One, of a serial killer at loose in Gotham City; a killer whose modus operandi has branded him Holiday. Beginning on Halloween, and once a month thereafter, on that month's most prominent holiday, he murders a member of Gotham City's most powerful crime family, the Falcones, leaving behind a cheap souvenir emblematic of that holiday as a kind of calling card.

The book is formatted as a murder mystery, with Batman, after all the World's Greatest Detective, attempting to discover the identity of the killer, while also dealing with the activities of his regular rogues gallery. Into this heady stew, Loeb throws in a very effective retelling of the origin of Two-Face.

Daredevil: Born Again
Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by Dan Mazzucchelli

One time girlfriend of Matt Murdock goes to Hollywood with stars in her eyes and ends up with a needle in her veins. She becomes a porn star and a crack****e who sells Daredevil's secret identity for a hit. The info gets passed up the chain of command all the way to the ears of Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin. And that's the friggin' first two pages. Instead of waging a head-on assault on Murdock, Kingpin tears down his arch enemy behind the scenes. He gets Matt disbarred, freezes his assets through an audit by the IRS, undermines his friendship with Foggy and finally makes a mistake blowing up his house. Matt is left living as a deranged homeless man in the gutter and after capitulating into grief and despair, fights his way back and is in essence BORN AGAIN. This came out right on the heels of Miller's own Dark Knight Returns and concurrently with Year One but is vastly ignored. Bendis has admitted that this has served as the template for his current run on Daredevil.

The Authority

Written by Warren Ellis
Illustrated by Bryan Hitch

This series is JLA on crack. The Authority is superhero comics on a galactic level. How else do you describe a group of supermen (and women) whose base is a sentient space vessel that sails in the space between dimensions, who can open teleport windows at will, who repel entire armies without breaking a sweat, and who can make entire countries disappear?

The first story arc, entitled "The Circle," the Authority must repel thousands of genetically modified superhuman clones as Moscow, London, and other cities are completely destroyed. In the second arc, "Shiftships," the Authority again must contend with the forces of an alternate universe who wish to invade Earth for its childbearing women.

The fun of this book how wacky Ellis gets with his over-the-top storytelling. The Authority: Relentless is nothing more than mind-candy, overblown superhero comics for those who love the genre and are looking for something new.

The Ultimates

Written by Mark Millar
Illustrated by Bryan Hitch

The reason that Marvel created the Ultimates line was to attract new readers, make the stories current and relevant (not that it can't be done in the 616 universe as Waid proved in his run on Fantastic Four) and also create a new continuity that isn't backlogged by 40 years of baggage. Some resent this move, but I personally like the Ultimate versions of the characters as compared to their original counterparts. Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury is a compelling, bad ass character. Thor being portrayed as a new age hippy who believes he is the son of Odin, but everyone else is skeptical, is the first time the character has been interesting. Captain America as a jingoistic soldier rings true. Giant man having an inferiority complex, how cool is that? Pointless revisionist updating you may say? To me, it is akin to the Romans Latinizing the Greek gods and making them topical to them. The fact that these archetypes can be adapted and their stories retold is a testament to the quality of the original creations. To top it all off, Hitch's art is flawless and has a vitality that makes you believe you just watched the movie not read the comic. This is as close to a real Avengers movie as we are ever going to get.

Title: The Ultimates
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Bryan Hitch
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The Ultimates is the classic Marvel superteam the Avengers set in the "Ultimate" universe. The Ultimate universe was created to give writers a chance to completely redefine and re-envision classic Marvel characters for the modern age. New origins, new costumes, new allys, new enemies, the whole nine. The on-going series is a story of a government sponsored super hero team composed of Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Nick Fury, The Wasp, Thor, & Giant-Man. There's a big emphasis on focusing on the characters rather than "who" they're fighting. We get to see a lot of character development, even as it builds up, and during the action sequences (extremely well drawn, might I add). Throughout the series, you might find the writing to be reminiscent of "The Authority", which was a DC Wildstorm series written by Mark Millar (Originally the writing was penned by Warren Ellis), if you've liked Millar's previous work, i'd suggest picking up The Ultimates. It's fresh, innovative, and Millar's not afraid to take the chances he takes in order for this ongoing to succeed.

This series is known to walk the line between right & wrong, morally. Most characters seen in the story are grounded in reality (or as much as they can be as Super Heros). Millar manages to tackle a lot of realistic issues, while still letting us know this is a comic book. The social political commentary throughout the series isn't overbearing, as it is in most comics that feature it. Some of the twists on characters will have your jaw hit the floor, and once you keep reading, and get sucked into the ongoing it'll stay there. I thought the pop culture references were very well done as well, although there were a bit too many for my liking, but they fit well with the story. Bryan Hitch, more than delivers artwork wise. Seamless panel to panel art & wonderful fight scenes.

Format: The Ultimates is an ongoing series currently in it's 2nd "Series" (Each arc is 13 issues, and is considered a Mini-Series by the author). Their are currently 3 softcover trades, the first one collecting issues 1-6, the 2nd collecting issues 7-13, and the 3rd titled "The Ultimates 2" collecting issues 1-6 of the 2nd series. If you'd like to continue reading on after that, they're up to issue 11 in comic book format. There's also a hard cover for The Ultimates 1st season, which collects issues 1-13. There's also an animated film based on the first series of The Ultimates, distributed by Lions Gate Films (although the Ultimatesates is geared more towards older audiences , and the cartoon adapts the story for a much younger one).

write-up originally by Chris.

 

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Judge Dredd drawn by Brian Bolland. Let's go old school, shall we? I remember Dredd being the first series I ever read where the blood was RED and the violence was plentiful. This is the story of the future, where the residents of Mega City 1 and Mega City 2 (the only remaining cities) are lorded over by the judges, enhanced police officers with the law on their side to be judge, jury and executioner.

Dredd is the best there is, working along with Judge Anderson, a powerful telepathic female judge. The BEST part of the series involves an undead judge named Judge Death, who along with Judge Fire, Judge Fear and Judge Mortis kill A LOT of people before being stopped.

Judge Fear: Gaze into the face of FEAR!
Judge Dredd: Gaze into the fist of DREDD!

That arc and the cursed earth arc (which the movie was based on - and I LIKED the movie) are simply amazing. The SECOND Bolland left the book, so did I.

I believe these have been collected in graphic novel form, so look em up!


Also around the time those books were released:

American Flagg by Howard Chaykin. Good lord this book was amazing. Just an action star, Flagg becomes a member of the elite rangers, the law enforcement for a VERY corrupt and VERY out of control "mall" (read: domed city). Along with the help of his brilliant, talking cat, a robotic ranger with a holographic head and the head of the rangers' amazingly hot daughter, he goes about trying to put things under control.


VERY sexual, HEAVILY controversial, VERY political...a great read. Look for very subtle jokes like the sound of the Soma guns as they fire...PAPAPAPAPAPAOOOOOOOO MOW MOW. Very clever.

Don't know if anyone has mentioned Ex Machina but that's a great book as well. I recently picked up the 1st tpb and dug it big time.

EX MACHINA VOL. 1: THE FIRST HUNDRED DAYS

Written by Brian K. Vaughan; Art by Tony Harris & Tom Feister; Cover by Harris

From Wizard Magazine's Top Ten writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: THE LAST MAN) and Eisner Award-winning artist Tony Harris (STARMAN) comes a collection of one of the most critically acclaimed new series of the year, featuring a gorgeous new cover by Harris! THE FIRST HUNDRED DAYS collects the first five issues of this stellar ongoing political thriller, including the extra-sized origin of the super-heroic Great Machine, as well as the 4-part "State of Emergency."

Set in our modern-day world, EX MACHINA tells the story of civil engineer Mitchell Hundred, who becomes America's first living, breathing super-hero after a strange accident gives him amazing powers. Eventually Mitchell tires of risking his life merely to maintain the status quo, retires from masked crimefighting and runs for mayor of New York City, winning by a landslide. But Mayor Hundred has to worry about more than just budget problems and an antagonistic governor, especially when a mysterious hooded figure begins assassinating plow drivers during the worst snowstorm in the city's history!

Warning: Adult Content. The recommended book below contains foul language, and may contain nudity or other material you may find offensive

"Howard the Duck? Didn't they make that ****ty movie out of him?"

Yes, they did, and it's just one thing on a long list of reasons George Lucas should be shot. That movie was HINO - Howard in Name Only.

The real Howard the Duck was created in the mid 70's by writer Steve Gerber, and his stories were filled with a sharp, sardonic wit and intriguing and viscous social commentary as he was forced into a series of bizarre adventures. They were funny as ****.

In 2002, Gerber came back to the character and wrote a 6 issue miniseries for Marvel's MAX line, which allows cursing and nudity - perfect for a fowl-mouth, cigar-chomping, miserable mallard (although, Howard spends most of the series transformed into a rat). It's really brilliant satire, and Howard goes head to head with bio-engineered boy bands, a host of parodies of well known characters, Talk show hosts and the idiot psychologists they promote, and even God himself. The book is a MUST READ for anyone who's a big fan of vertigo, as an entire issue is spent parodying most of the lines most well known characters. Anyone with a brain will be laughing their ass off

Also, for anyone who’s ever been curious, Dr. Bong is Howard’s nemesis, and this series features him pretty heavily.

Glenn Fabry (Preacher) provides the covers and Phil Winslade does the interiors, for a nice, gritty, dirty feel. Your local comicbook store should be able to get the trade paperback into your hands. Please check this one out

Space Ghost

Now, before you right this off because of the Cartoon Network show Space Ghost Coast to Coast, you should know that this is nothing like that. And it's a hell of alot more intense than the original show from the 60's. Basically, its a retelling of the characters origins. It's a lot more Gritty than you might imagine. It's about a cop who is a member of a corrupt special unit with in the police force. When he doesn't play along, well, he's gotta go then right? It's kinda like "Training day" only in space. It's a story of Betryal, Vengence, and eventually, the birth of a hero. This mini kicks @$$. The art by Olivetti is fantastic. And Ross' Covers are all great too. check it out.

Batman: The Ring, The Arrow, and The Bat

While this is listed as a Batman book, it's really a Green Arrow Story. Written by Denny O'Neil, it collects Legends of The DC Universe #7-9, with art by art by Greg Land, and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #127-131, with art by Sergio Cariello. The Arcs are direct sequels to one another, flashing back to earlier days before the Justice League was formed. The first story features the first meeting between Green Arrow and Green Lantern, who chronologically would years later become best of friends. The second arc carries over the villains and sees Green Arrow teaming up with Batman. It by no means qualifies as a "must read", but it's an interesting look back at the early days of the three heroes before they were very experienced. There are very few Green Arrow stories out there, so this is where any fans of his looking for more obscure material will find it.

If you’ve never read a Conan story before, shame on you! If you’ve never thought the character would appeal to you, just give this one a shot and prepare to be amazed.

Originally created during the depression by writer Robert E. Howard for a series of Pulp Magazines, Conan is a barbarian wandering a fictional world filled with wizards, dragons, gods, demons, and of course, beautiful women. Conan is the reason to read the stories, though, because he is such a fascinating character. A thief, a murderer, a warrior, and someday king, Conan possesses his own unique sense of cunning, morality and honor that will always keep you guessing as to what he’s going to do next, but you know when he’s done, there will be a pile of bodies at his feet. The stories are vicious and unadulterated.

I’m going to go through his comics’ series chronologically, but I suggest the best place to start is the new Dark Horse series, which will be the last mentioned

In the early 19070’s, Marvel acquired the license for Conan from Howard’s estate, and writer Roy Thomas began both adapting Howard’s original stories and writing their own. These issues were BOLD for their time, and were truly fantastic reads. They’re plotting and breakdown don’t always match up with the decompressed story-telling style of today, but they’re fantastic reads. Over the next 25 years, Marvel produced several hundred Conan issues through a number of different titles (Conan, Conan the King, Savage Sword of Conan, wand Red Sonja which spun out of the title)

When Dark Horse acquired the license a few years ago, they also gained the ability to reprint the old Marvel issues from the early 70’s for the first time. The have thus far printed 7 volumes of Chronicles of Conan



The second Conan series, Savage Sword of Conan is also worthy of note. Because it was magazine size, it did not have to adhere to the Comics Code Authority, and thus got away with a bit more content wise. Each issue is self-contained, with extra-long stories (or perhaps two or three of them) rendered in gorgeous black and white. Frank Frazetta provided most of the painted covers, each and every one of them deserving of worship. Although never reprinted in trade, most comicbook stores should have a stock of these asking perhaps upwards of $5 apiece for the later issues. These are FANTASTIC reads.

 

[Anubis]

Superman: Secret Identity is still my all time favorite Superman Story. People ask me, whats so good about Superman? I say, read that s**t. (And Action Comics 775).

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Yeah I've heard really good things about it. I mean really really good.

In 2003, Dark Horse Comics acquired the license and handed the reigns over to master-scribe Kurt Busiek. Busiek brought the Conan back with a vengcnce, starting him as a young warrior leaving his homeland for the first time and leaving a bloody trail behind him as he went. Artist Cary Nord’s pencils were not inked, giving the book the feeling of a painting, and images simply explode off the page. The new series is where you NEED to start reading Conan

Thus far, Dark Horse has done 18 issues, and a few one-shots and miniseries, featuring the work of such writers and artists as Mark Texiera and P. Craig Russel. The first trade is available in Hardback of Softcover and collects the first seven issues. GET IT

Promethea

by Alan Moore and J.H. Williams III


While 'The League of Extraordinary Gentleman' is the most well-known of the America's Best Comics line, in my opinion, Promethea is the best series to come out of that line and yet probably the least read.
Many die-hard comic book fans I know personally and here on the Hype have never even touched a Promethea comic. Alan Moore has said before that he likes to make his readers work and that is definitely seen here in this series.
Not for the faint of mind, you read this series, prepare to get schooled in the ways of Moore. Prepare to reconsider you ideas on religion, magic, and imagination in one of the most innovative, original stories in the comic-book medium. Promethea has won six Eisner awards including one for best single issue, Promethea #10 "Sex, Stars, and Serpents," a lesson on tantric sex.

Promethea, at its core, is a story about Sophie Bangs, a college student who gets caught up a mystical world as a result of a class assignment.
Sophie Bangs lives in the New York City of the ABC universe. While researching the mystical warrior Promethea for a paper, she quickly finds out her life is in danger because she has been chosen as the next incarnation of Promethea. We follow her from timid young woman to the most powerful being on earth as she literally ends the world at the close of the series.

J.H. Williams III's art is amazing and unique and he's possibly the only artist that could have kept up with Moore's imagination in this series. If anything, this series will definitely make you a fan of JHW3 as he takes on many different styles flawlessly to accomodate the themes of different issues and provides us with some of the most beautiful covers to ever grace a comic book.

Thanks to this thread I picked up the first two volumes of 100 bullets and the new Invincible hardcover. I'm enjoying both a good deal, thank you. This thread has a slew of good recommendations, its one of the more valuable threads here. I'll add my own.

The Punisher: Born

I'm an old school Punisher fan. So, it was with some hesitation I read this book. I had heard good and bad things about it, the negative being it wasn't true to the Punisher character. That's debatable, but I feel this book is good. Very good. Its a look into the darkness of man. Its also an interesting take on what makes Frank Castle the Punisher. Also, if you've read the excellent "Preacher" you'll see a connection between Frank and one of the main characters there which is interesting. Finally, it contains one of the more badass conclusions I've seen in comics.

BATMAN: YEAR ONE
Written by Frank Miller
Illustrated by Dan Mazzucchelli

How could we get this far without a write up of Year one? Shameful.

Part of DC comics re-writing of its characters in the mid-'80s, Year One chronicles Batman's first year of active crime fighting, a mysterious figure instantly alienating the corrupt city establishment, and befuddling one of the few decent cops in the city, newly arrived James Gordon.

This is a powerful, gritty, brilliant piece of work, at once literary, cinematic, and yet a traditional comic book. Told vividly from the eye point of view, it alternates equally between Batman and Gordon -- the latter, in particular, has never been more heroic, more sympathetic, more of a Liberal...and more human. Frank Miller constructs a tale that is at once action-packed, and yet fundamentally character-driven. And by setting the story in a corrupt Gotham city, he adds a richness, and plausibility, to the legend. Often vigilante stories tend to embrace a right-wing, "kill all the lawyers" ideology, laying the blame for crime at the feet of civil liberty laws. Here, Gotham's problems clearly stem from a corrupt police force and politicians. In other words, it's not necessarily the system that's the problem, but the men and women who are entrusted to safeguard it.

Batman: Year One is an adult book -- in the best sense of the word. Not because of "mature subject matter" but because of the depth and richness of characterization, and the complexity of the story. Frank Miller also wonderfully blends grandiose heroics with heroic deconstruction.

This book along with it's unofficial sequel, The Long Halloween, are the two tomes that are largely responsible for the success of the movie Batman Begins.

Startling Stories: Banner
Written by Brian Azzarello
Illustrated by Richard Corben

This is what everyone wanted out of the 2003 movie. Azzarello masterfully balances plenty of adrenaline-pumping HULK SMASH with a taut, hard-edged psychological story of a doctor who houses a raging gamma-bomb induced monster within him. It harkens back to the horror roots of the character, specifically the concept of a man who wakes up to find all of the damage and destruction he has caused and tries to repair it by using his medical skills, in essence peeing on a forest fire trying to put it out. Distraught, he wanders off into the desert to commit suicide. Instead of blowing his head off he releases the Hulk again.

Ok, I’m gonna switch gears on you folks for a second here and recommend a real book. And not only that, it’s not narrative!

For the past 15 years or so, Brian Hibbs has been running a comicbook store in San Francisco. During the market collapse of the early 90s, Brian managed to not only enable his store to survive, but thrive. During much of this time, Brian was invited to write a monthly column for Comics Retailer. Month to month, Brian chronicled the difficulties of running a store and his critiques of market practices. He saw the crash coming and tried his best to advise anyone who would listen how not to get caught up in it by using responsible business practices.

The book functions on many levels: a guide for how to run a store, an inside look at the world of comics retailing, and colorful anecdotes about his experiences. It’s an account of one of the most important eras in comicbook histories. Tilting at Windmills is a collection of Brian’s first 100 columns, beginning with the glut in 1991. the title is taken from the column itself, a reference to Don Quixote and to how it feels for one small comics retailer to struggle against the publishing juggernaut’s as he strives for the change he sees is needed. Although, at times the book is a little technical, I think it’s important for every regular comics consumer to see the struggles their retailers go through.

I'm halfway surprised to see that no one has recommended Andy Diggle's The Losers yet.

If you like the whole espionage/black ops military genre with a bit of conspiracy theory thrown in, this book is for you.

The Premise: A team of highly skilled CIA black ops agents are presumed dead after being double-crossed by their own corrupt agency. However, they survived the agency's attempt to kill them, and they're back, with nothing to lose, and they're looking for revenge on the person(s) responsible.

It's a simple premise, and sounds like all the other spy/military dramas out there, but its simplicity works extremely well. It reads like it’s a big budget Hollywood movie, complete with the intricate heists, military action, and twists and turns that will have you scratching your head and guessing until the end.
The one drawback for me is that sometimes the dialogue of it seems a bit forced and clichéd, but that’s not a major problem.
The art work for the book goes hand-in-hand with the writing perfectly; the artist, Jock, does an excellent job of really giving you a feel for the action taking place.

I came onto this book a bit after it first came out, so I waited and got the TPB covering the first arc, picked it up, and have been hooked ever since.

Currently, there are three TPBs of The Losers out, collecting the first nineteen issues and I highly suggest that you pick them up (the first one is only 10 bucks for Pete's sake):
The Losers Vol.1 - Ante Up

Lone Wolf and Cub by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima

Ōgami Ittō was the Shogun's personal executioner. When a Daimyo (feudal lord) was ordered to commit ritual suicide, the Kogi Kaishakunin (the executioner) would be his second, since the retainers of the Daimyo swore never to raise their swords against their master. Ōgami Ittō was the face who carried out the Shogun's law.

The Yagyū clan, bitter that Ōgami bested them in a deul by placing himself in front of a sword when it was pointed at the Shogun, kill Ōgami's family and place an ihai (funeral tablet) with the name of the Shogun's family on it, in Ōgami's shrine where he prays for the souls of those men he has killed. Only Daigoro survived. As a result, both Ōgami and Daigoro are ordered to commit seppuku.

Ōgami places before his son 2 items: A toy ball and a sword. Daigoro must choose his own path. If he chooses the ball, he will be with his mother in the afterlife. If he chooses the sword, he will join his father on Meifumado, the road between heaven and hell always prepared to die. Daigoro, after deliberation crawls to the sword. Ōgami cries for his child's loss of innocence.

For 28 volumes, 142 chapters, 8,700 pages, the saga of Ōgami Ittō and his young son Daigoro is told as they journey on the Way of Meifumado. Each volume costs 10 bucks, and contains about 300 pages, sometimes 400. Each volume includes a dictionary giving definitions for the Japanese words used in the volume. In some volumes, there are articles about various weapons, the society of Japan during 17th Century, and the Lone Wolf and Cub movies. The articles are highly informative, but should be viewed as a beginning for serious study of feudal Japan if one chooses to continue said study. Cover art-work done by Frank Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz, Matt Wagner, and Guy Davis. Inside art-work black and white. Highly, highly recommended.

 

[echostation]

Inifinite Vacation

the new Ruse mini series

 

[Mrh7448]

From the 80's

The story set in Radiant City, which, unknown to the populace, is driving it's citizens mad. Mister X returns, as the purported architect of the city he sets about trying to undo the damage done by his former partners when they finished the city without him.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Inifinite Vacation

the new Ruse mini series

Wanna put together a small summary of why it's good, or what it's about and maybe throw a pic in there?

I'll let DBM do the write-up on this one, but I thought I'd post the first page of Persepolis, a book he mentioned in another thread. It's really had me hooked since this first page. It's basically an autobiographical story of a girl growing up in Iran. The author has a really sharp sense of humor, and I was surprised by how quickly I was drawn into her story.

Many of you may know Phil Hester as the artist for the first 40 or so issues of DC’s current Green Arrow series, or from his work Penciling some of Kevin Smith’s Clerks comics. But I was pleased to discover that his writing talents go so far as to surpass his drawing talent. From what I have read (and I will share three of his works with you in a moment) he specializes in trippy-cool, loosely sci-fi miniseries that make for incredible reads and some of the freshest ideas on the market

“I have never been quite so uplifted and quite so terrified at the same time. I've said it once and I've said it again, Phil Hester is too damn good of an artist to be this good of a writer as well, and I hope that the reason he isn't doing more writing for the big two is because he doesn't want to, because for someone not to have picked up on this talent would be a terrible indictment of the state of talent scouting in this industry.” – Randy Lander, The Forth Rail

Coffin tells the tale of scientist Dr. Ashtar Ahmad who is so devoted to his work, he neglects even his family. He has developed a material dense enough, that not even souls can escape it, and crafted a prototype suit, which could theoretically contain an individual for all eternity if they died while sealed inside it. His employers, doubting his loyalty, send for him to be eliminated, but not before Ashtar can make it inside of his suit. He survives, but now that he is trapped within his creation, he must endeavor to protect the things he never reached out to when he could. Available in trade from Oni

I like to describe Deep Sleeper as kind of like the Matrix, except it's about Dreams instead of computers, and it's actually good. It is the story of one Cole Gibson, a frustrated out of work writer who one day finds that his latest story may in fact be true. A series of events leads him to discover that he is able to walk through the world of dreams when he sleeps, seeing sights and performing feats he never thought possible. But those who wish to abuse the unique powers he possesses on the dream plane have lured him there, and what sinister (or benevolent?) plans they have remains to be seen, as do the choices Cole makes when his own body is stolen. 10/10 from The Fourth Rail. Available in trade from Image

The Atheist is Antoine Sharpe, a government agent so skeptical and quick on his feet, he makes Scully from the X-Files looked like a paranoid schizophrenic. And that’s his job. Antoine spends his days debunking ghost stories, revealing cult leaders and TV Psychics, and solving the unsolvable,. Because like his nickname suggests, he believes there is a logical explanation for everything, and he always finds it. But it’s going to be a bit troublesome to come up with an explanation for why the souls of the dead, grown bored of waiting in the afterlife for the rapture, have decided to come back. Murderers, rapists, and scum, from throughout all history, begin emerging into the healthier younger bodies of those who are still living. And time is running out as more and more of the dead seem to take over every day, and Antoine Sharpe may find himself truly questioning his logical convictions for the first time.

Written by Phil Hester with art by John McCrea (Hitman). The book has unfortunately been plagued with delays, but the first three issues so far are excellent.

“The first issue of The Atheist could be used as part of a class on how to write first issues.” – The Forth Rail

ok, i went to the comic shop and spent my wages for the month on a load of comics. among them i picked up Nightwing: Year One

the entire book was a joy to read. it begins with dick grayson as robin, and ends with him in his own identidy. superman makes a cameo, jason todd reminds me why i was glad he died, alfred gets some fighting in, and batman is a complete git like normal (one of the reasons i love him).
the entire thing is done from the point of view that dick is narrating it as if he were recording his resignation to bruce, and at the end babs (batgirl) gives bruce the tape.

i highly recomend this book to you all. altho i recomend the ultimates more (had to needlessly plug that in there )

Okay the book I'm reccomending doesn't have any superheroes. Or secret agents, or magical powers, government consipiracies, epic quests, or any of that good stuff. Instead, it's about people being people and dealing with whatever problems life throws at you. It's called Pedro and Me and is the story of how Judd Winick became close friends with Pedro Zamora during their time as Real World housemates in San Francisco. More importantly it is about Pedro coming to terms with being HIV positive and living with AIDs. It adresses the taboos and prejudices we all have when we think of AIDs. Memories are certainly conjured up of those various melodramatic scenes in soap operas and movies where the person infected with the virus dies dramatically on a hospital bed to a swell of music, his or her form hideously altered by the illness.

In truth, you can live with AIDs and HIV, as Pedro would show you. Pedro showed the world that people who are HIV positive are normal, functioning and contribuitng members of soceity. You probably work with one or know someone with HIV/AIDs. How would you feel if you found out that this person had the virus? This book examines beautifully out Judd realises that people living with HIV/AIDs are just normal people like you and me, and there's no reason to ostracize, quarantine or fear them. The important thing is to educate people who don't have the virus so that they will always be protected from it. The art is done by Winick, as is the writing. Winicks style reminds me of those Sunday paper cartoon strips, and it suits the book wonderfully. There are hilariously satirical caricatures of various people (including Real World house mate Puck).

Everyone, I must recomend....


Squee's Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horors!

From the creator of Invader Zim comes the damn funnyerst comic....ever.

It is the story of Squee. A child who's life is a never ending cycle of torment and fear. His parents hate him. He is very unpopular at school. He is constantly picked on. His room is haunted. He is regularly abtucted by aliens. His grandfather is a canabalistic cyborg. His only friend at school is Pepito, who happens to be the anti christ. This is a very dark comedy, and one of the funnyest comics I have eever read. There's even a cameo apearance by satan.

Golden Age

Or JSA: Golden Age as it has been changed to in the reprint of the series. This is an Elseworld written by James Robinson (Of Starman and JSA) focusing on the years after WWII of the DCU. Were some heros are putting the costumes away, others are being forced to put them away by Congress. With the end of the war, the superheros find themselves not needed as much anymore as the common man seems to be taking back the lime light. Specifically a former vigalante, now war hero known as the American Commando. Back from Germany after taking out many of Germanys superheros and Hitler himself. He's the all american. He's even moving up in the ranks of polotics. Calling upon the US government to create an ultimate superhero to take it to the Commies. What we find out is that he isn't all he seems to be, and neither is Dynaman, the hero he creates through this program. It's got tons of twists, and turns, all ending in one of the greatest superhero battles ever put to page. A must read for anybody. Highly reccomended.

Wolverine: Enemy Of The State
Written by Mark Millar
Illustrated by John Romita Jr.

“Wolverine: Enemy of the State” opens quietly and sadly, with a chauffeur watching his ten-year-old son play in a baseball game with his rich employer’s son. Then the boy is kidnapped before his father’s eyes. With a ransom he cannot pay (the criminals snatched the wrong kid and are demanding ten million dollars), Ichiro and his wife slowly begin their descent into hell, ignored by the police, forgotten by the rest of the world, clutching in vain to the hope that someone can save them.

Cue Wolverine’s entrance. On page three. In Millar World, the hero of the comic book actually shows up in the first three pages, ready to kick serious butt. It’s a radical notion for comic books, but it works like a dream. Millar doesn’t spend an entire issue on foreplay. In two pages, we learn everything we need to know about Ichiro, his son, and the devalue of the poor in Japan. By page six, we’re wading in green blood, watching Wolverine battle an army of undead Ninjas.

If you’ve read any of the hype, you know Wolverine battles the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Daredevil, Captain America, and pretty much everyone else that gets in his way. You know there will be death, betrayal, non-stop action, and a lot of kick-ass fight scenes. You know that John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson provide great artwork, making this as incredible to look at as it is to read. You might even know that an X-Man dies (I’ll give you a hint - the victim is a mutant).

Don’t let the hype scare you away. “Wolverine” isn’t a series that needs a lot of publicity. It just needs to be done right. And damned if Mark Millar doesn’t do it better than right. In one issue, he accomplishes more than most writers do in years. In six issues, he manages to make this particular arc one of the best superhero stories since Stan Lee thought a boy bitten by a spider might make an interesting tale. When it comes to Wolverine, I want action. I want excitement. I want speed.

And man, does Mark Millar deliver.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

...

Alias
Written By Brian Michael Bendis

Meet Jessica Jones, one-time costumed heroine turned private investigator. After realizing that her powers were unremarkable compared to those of the icons in the Marvel Universe, Jones gave up being a super hero and eventually opened up a detective agency. While her intent to help others is intact, her personal behavior is anything but valiant: She is bitter, resentful and self-destructive. In lieu of professional help, Jessica battles her inferiority complex and depression with a chain-smoking habit and alcoholic tendencies. In spite of her self-imposed exile from the spandex crowd, Jessica's cases continually lead her back to her old circle of acquaintances, which only fuels her angst even more. Jessica is imperfect and human, and her textured personality is eloquently rendered by Bendis and Gaydos.

I'm gonna go ahead and recomend Star Wars Tales.

Star War Tales, which has unfortunatly been cancelled, is a series (with each issue being 64 pages) full of, well, Tales from the Star Wars universe. In the origonal format issues (#s 1-20), all of them were Infinities, which meant that none of them were part of the Star Wars continuity, but didn't necessarily mean that they couldn't fit. With the new Tales format (#s 21-24), all of them fit within the continuity unless otherwise stated. The stories were mostly really good (but, as you can expect, there were a few stinkers here and there) but overall this is one of the greatest and my favorite SW series. All of the old-format issues are collected in 5 TPB volumes, and I think the final few should come out as a trade soon.

ok, the book i'm going to recomend i didn't think i'd like that much. but wow. just wow. its The Flash: Blitz, and its definately the best dc comic i've read in... well, my memory (admitedly i haven't read that much though).

the story begins with a prison break (as all good stories do), where the flashes rouge gallery is released by a clan of apes. suprisingly(sarcasm?) they are trying to free grodd. grodd escapes, paralising hunter zolomon in the process, forcing the flash to swear vengance and go after the evil telepathic ape, but thats only the beginning of his problems....

this book is well written, the action perfect, the stakes high and the conclusion is a good cliff hanger. with two suprise cameo's from heroes past, and the re-creation of the flash's alter ego Zoom, this book is truly awesome. i've only started collecting comics again in the past few months, and so far this and the ultimates are the standout books i have found. i strongly recomend picking this book up.


cover

Shaolin Cowboy has got to be one of my favorite ongoing titles right now. It’s published by Burlyman Comics, which was started by the Wachowski Brothers (of Matrix fame).

The series doesn’t have much of a plot, per se, it really exists to showcase the lunacy and incredible artwork of Creator Geof Darrow (well known for Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot). So far, the series centers of the quiet protagonist, a Shaolin Monk who has become a cowboy, and his talking donkey. And everybody in the world is out to get him. The carnage is extreme, the humor is tongue in cheek and bizarre, and the intricacies of the artwork are gorgeous. Currently, there are three issues of this series on the stands right now, with more on the way. I definitely recommend it to anyone

The other great comic coming from Burlymen right now is Doc Frankenstein. This is for any sci-fi freaks or fans of Preacher (not for the conservative). After the events of the original Frankenstein novel, the monster buries his father and sets out into the world to discover himself. He finds his place in society and dedicates himself to the advancement of science and protecting those outcast from society like he is. However, an order of religious zealots sees him as an abomination in the eyes of God and repeatedly come after him, time and time again destroying what he has accomplished. Their conflict has escalated to the point where Frankenstein now has a desert fortress, and the church is now armed with an air force they attack him with, but Frankenstein is no stranger to violence, and leaps into action. The first three issues are on the stands now, with art by Seve Sroce

Superman: Exile is one of the books that got me into the character. (Followed by Kingdom Come and Superman: No Limits) This is the story of Superman leaving Earth after a nervous breakdown he had because of his having killed the Kryptonian Criminals (You know, Zod and the rest) in they're pocket Universe in which they killed all life on that universes Earth. Overcome buy his guilt, he started to unconciously go out at night as Gangbuster, and brutally beating criminals. When he found out what he had done, he realized that he could no longer be around people. So began Kal El's journey to find a new home. Along the way he visits many planets. Defeats a mass murdering enemy from his past, and meets Mongol, Dreaga and the people of War World for the first time. Great battles, great story, and one more reason why Superman rocks.

As far as Black Panther is concerned, Christopher Priests run on BP stands as the best in my eyes. During his run we see him come to america, save his homeland from userpers to the throne, his true purpose for joining the Avengers revealed, battling Mephisto, Iron Fist, Iron Man, and others. Polotics, and superheroics blended together. This is why people think BP is cool. This is all you need really.

http://www.milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=list&title=11028488140&snumber=1

I've never been a huge Captain America fan but this arc just blew me away. It's from his last volume, issues 1-6. It deals with the aftermath of September 11th and deals with him against Terrorists. The art is amazing, drawn by John Cassaday, the guy who does the current Astonishing X-Men comic. I got my brother-in-law to read it and he hated Captain America but he couldn't stop reading this until the very end. Read it all in one sitting. So If I were to suggest a Cap comic this would be it! I've also heard some of his newest stuff is good but I've not read it so you may want to get someone else's opinions on it.

Daredevil: Guardian Devil

The first arc in the still running, Marvel Knights: Daredevil. We are launched straight back into the world of Matt Murdock. As usual, he's not a happy guy. Infact, he's confessing his sins after reading a goodbye note from Karen Page who has left him.

He's soon drawn away as he picks up a girl carrying a baby, being followed by two men. After saving the girl, Daredevil's world begins to twist. Featuring, guest stars and the greatest Daredevil characters, this arc is truly a mind blowing tale.

With and end that you won't have forseen, a character that would have never popped into mind and focusing on both sides of Daredevil, this arc is one for the people looking to read something more than just beat the bad guy. Daredevil fan or not, it's a great read and you won't regret buying it.

A 9 arc issue that comes in trade form.

 

[The Question]

Holy **** some of these old reviews of mine are awful. I used the word "brilliant" seven times in my New Fronteir review and I thought I was being funny. I sound like Rupert ****ing Grint. Balls.

 

[Anubis]

Yeah, same here.