The Official Recommendations Thread

[Phaedrus45]

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

 

[KAD]

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

I own a wonderman splash page from that story.

 

[The Question]

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.

This is what the cover of the TPB looks like:

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

 

[Anubis]

I finally read The Last Avengers Story. Gotta tell you, I didn't really like it. It had it's moments, like when Jan

Spoiler

killed Kang.

And the fight between Wonderman and Hulk. But, I don't know. I just wasn't feeling it. Maybe it was the art? I don't know. It just didn't grab me.

 

[Killgore]

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.

 

[Elijya]

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

 

[Elijya]

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!

 

[Elijya]

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.

 

[Elijya]

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.

 

[JewishHobbit]

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.

 

[euroq]

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.

I haven't read Scurvy Dogs yet but I'm going to. This hilarious interview of Boyd and Yount convinced me.

 

[Phaedrus45]

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!!)

 

[Anubis]

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.

 

[Lackey]

nice recommendation... I usually describe that series to people as "POWERS on acid"

I gotta do a write up for Moore's mini featuring Jeff Smax, but I'm too lazy

Have you read that one, Anubis?

 

[Lackey]

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.

there's a new trade coming out tomorrow, a good starting point

http://superherohype.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6379354&postcount=42

 

[Anubis]

nice recommendation... I usually describe that series to people as "POWERS on acid"

I gotta do a write up for Moore's mini featuring Jeff Smax, but I'm too lazy

Have you read that one, Anubis?

Yeah, I read it. It was good. Did you read Top Ten the 49ers? Came out awhile ago. I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Plus theres another mini coming out. I think Jet Man gets Outed or something.

 

[Rob H]

Great thread guys. Keep up the recommendations.

Will there be another Thor ongoing series in the coming months?

How's JLA at the moment? I don't read much DC at all. Starting today, I'm reading Green Arrow, Flash and AS Batman and Robin.

 

[Elijya]

JLA is very good at the moment, it's spinniong out of the miniseries called Identity crisis they did last year. As soon as that trade comes out, you NEED to get it

Thor will have a miniseries coming in a few months, but at the moment he's dead

 

[Rob H]

Well that's good to know. I've already read the Identity Crisis mini so I guess JLA'll make some sense if I start now.

I've never read any Thor... I've always been interested in the character though.

 

[SpideyInATree]

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.

 

[Elijya]

Well that's good to know. I've already read the Identity Crisis mini so I guess JLA'll make some sense if I start now.

I've never read any Thor... I've always been interested in the character though.

I wrote up some Thor recommends on page 3

as for Justice League, go back 2-3 issues and start with #115, that's where they Identity Crisis follow up arc begins

 

[Rob H]

I remember reading Identity Crisis and not knowing most (if not all) of the characters. I can't believe how out of the DC loop I've been. However, I did read Tower of Babel a while back and enjoyed that quite a bit. I'll go back to #115..... thanks alot Elijya. You've been alot of help.

 

[Elijya]

no prob, always enjoy helping out a new reader

when you get curious, try branching out into some of the non-superhero comics out there

 

[Anubis]

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 bag Hag's. ) Highly recommended for those that like dark stories. Plus it's great to see life on the other side of the law.

 

[Dr.Fear]

is it bad if i didnt like she hulk? his spiderman/human torch was good tho!