I'm just starting to get into comic books- where do I start?

Question

1) Marvel or other?
2) What author/illustrator (and what's the difference between them)?
3) Which series?
4) Are there any online resources that are good?
5) Basically, if I'm going to call myself a comic book fan, what should I know/read?

Please help with any information you have. I'm putting my findings into an inquiry project, so the more thorough you guys are with answers, the better. Thanks!

Answer 1

1) Marvel is usually better for new readers, especially the Marvel Ultimate line (Spider-Man, X-Men). Much less history to catch up on.
2) Personal taste. Kevin Smith is always late. Frank Miller hates Superman.
3) Try Ultimate Spider-Man.
4) newsarama.com, for one.
5) Know that you don't have to buy everything that comes out.

Many libraries have graphic novels - many of which are collections of monthly issues - in their Young Adult section. Free reading.

Answer 2

1) I like DC the best and independent comics.
2) Jeph Loeb is one of the best writers. Alan Moore is generally considered the best. Frank Miller used to be a good writer (All Star Batman blows).

Jim Lee is the best illustrator today. My favorite is Tim Sale.

3) I am reading all the Batman titles currently and all the spin off titles (ie nightwing, robin).

4) http://www.wizarduniverse.com/ and comic book resources are good sites.

5) my favorite graphic novel off all time is: Batman the Long Halloween
others you should read: Bone, Blankets, Watchmen, Batman: Year One, Dark Knight Returns, Akira, Clumsy, Pride of Baghdad, Superman For all seasons, Spiderman Blue. Thats all I can think of off the tip of my head.

Answer 3

you can go to boarders, or barns&nobles in the manga section, start out with Fullmetal Alchimist, Naruto or One Piece for action, Fruits basket, Gravitation for commidy/romance, other series are Inuyasha, Black Cat, Mar, Mares, DNAngel and a lot of others, it really depends on what you like. though i say you should start with Fruits basket, first, it's best thing you will read. you can also go online to web sites like mangavolume.com to read these things for free. WORNING, you might want to use the web, manga book are fun to read and buy, but they are about $10 a book and it can end up being a Lot of money

Answer 4

stay away for the recomendations of William T. secret Invasion is it appears that evidently crap, a bored nonsense historic previous with a extensive volume of ridicoulous Tie -lodges, with very almost no longer something befell between financial ruin 2 to 6 of the arc, fantastic undesirable script, an aawful characterization. the only books worth analyzing contained in the secret Invasion historic previous Line are fantastic Hercules, and Captain Brittania. Captain usa common sequence is extremely sturdy additionally, and did no longer tie-lodge with secret Invasion , nor dark reign. (that the two sucks by utilising the way) yet once you desire to examine something truly sturdy , examine very final disaster, (yet thinking greater advantageous, isn't for marvel zombies..mmm)

Answer 5

You're on the right track with the 2nd question.
Comics are stories, and like all stories, the quality of the story depends on the skill of the writer.
A good writer and a bad artist can make a pretty good comic, but a bad writer and a good artist never makes a good comic.

Eventually most good writers are teamed with good artists, so usually the good writers will make comics with good art.
In my opinion, writers will write their best stories when they own the property. Why would you try to tell your best stories on a spiderman comic, when you own absolutely 0% of the character. So look for creator-owned comics.

Otherwise, it really depends on what kind of stuff you like. What kind of TV do you watch- if you like sci-fi or action-adventure, you'll probably like superheroes. If you like HBO shows, you'll like Vertigo. If you like art-house movies, you'll like some of the indie books.

Go to a local comic-shop and talk with the employees, tell them what kind of TV and movies you like, and they'll be able to point you in the right direction.

Personally, I like the stuff that's like the HBO shows. Like The Sopranos, Deadwood, Six Feet Under.
The writers I always read are Alan Moore, Garth Ennis, Grant Morrison, and Warren Ellis.

If you like the same kind of adult, edgy stuff I like you'll like any of those writers. Also, try picking up some graphic novels (collections of about six comics in one single book-that way you get a full story and don't have to wait to pick it up every month).

Try these...they all have great stories and great art.

Desperation Jones or Ocean by Warren Ellis
WE3 by Grant Morrison
The Boys by Garth Ennis
or ANYTHING from Alan Moore.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Answer 6

DC's best comics are Batman and Superman. Marvel comics best are X-men and Spiderman. Also, if your into Japanese comics I would reccomend Tokyo Mew Mew.

Answer 7

Page one.

Answer 8

ummm... all i know is try fruits basket and inuyasha what i really hate is when they stop right in the middle of the series ( both are mangas)

Answer 9

you could start by reading