All the superhero movies as of late got me so curious that I finally decided to do something that was a big part of many people’s childhoods but not mine: read some comic books.
Now, there’s no way in God’s green earth that I’m going to set foot in a comic book shop, so I went to an online site to subscribe to some comic series. Now, I already get Aquaman, of course, which has been really cool since the reboot of the series a couple issues back (and also coming out pretty infrequently; don’t comic makers have due-dates?). I decided I’d also get the comic series for each of the main superheroes: Superman, Batman, Spiderman Spider-Man, and X-Men.
It wasn’t that easy. Do you know that there are like eight or more different series for each of the main superheroes (while Aquaman barely has one)? Do I want Uncanny X-Men or Astonishing X-Men or New X-Men or X-Men: First Class or just plain old X-Men?
I decided to go with whatever was the longest running series for each which meant Action Comics, Detective Comics, Amazing Spider-Man, and Uncanny X-Men to go with my Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis.
Well, I got my first shipment, and was actually kinda excited to read a Batman comic. SarahK is mad, though – not because I’ll be spending all my time reading comics (once you take out the ads, they’re like six pages each) but that I’m spending near $20 a month on these (how do kids afford them?). Plus, if I keep this up, think of the clutter? Do I throw them away? I mean, some will eventually be worth good money, but I ain’t gonna wait that long.
Anyway, it was Detective Comics #821 (if they come out about once a month, how long has that series been around?) which I read in bed since here in Florida I lacked the appropriate basement to read it in. I was a bit worried with these new comics I’d be jumping in the middle of some story and have no idea what was happening (that was true when my boss at work – tired of me making fun of Aquaman – bought me an Aquaman comic from an earlier series which had about twenty million things happening in its six pages – none of which I understood). Luckily this issue of Detective Comics was a self-contained story written by a name I actually new – Paul Dini who is famous for writing for the Batman animated series. Previously, I didn’t even know comic books had writers – I figured people just drew a bunch of pictures of people beating each other up and then some words were added to the slow parts. Now, it seems kinda difficult: How do you fit a whole story into such a small space? One Batman comic is basically equal to one act of the animated series. Still, there was a full story here with – true to the title – actual detective work.
Luckily, the first image when opening the comic was a car ad (“See, sweetie! This isn’t just for little kids!”). The next part had Batman beating up a mugger and throwing him in front of subway car. That stopped me dead. This is Batman, no the Punisher. Then I re-read that part (well, I re-looked at the series of pictures; is there a word akin to “read” for that?) and realized that the mugger stumbled in front of the subway and the hand I thought was throwing the mugger to his death was actually trying to stop him. The drawing were so stylized, it’s a bit confusing. Anyway, the very next panel was Commissioner Gordon telling Batman cavalierly that they identified the guy by his finger prints and I was like, “Hey! Commissioner! A masked character just beat up a guy that resulted in his death! Shouldn’t you at least investigate that a little?” I’m no liberal judge, but you can’t just have anybody throwing people in front of subway cars without at least checking out the circumstances.
Anyway, the story centered around an unknown villain that was targeting the upper-society, so much of story was Batman staying in his Bruce Wayne persona to smoke out the thieves. It was actually pretty interesting and realistic – until the final confrontation with the perfunctory masked villain with an over-elaborate deathtrap. Oh, and Robin stopped by. I don’t know which Robin; there are at least three. I know the second one was killed by the Joker, and I actually had read the comics (bought by my brother like most comics I read in my youth) where the third Robin was introduced which had to well over a decade ago. Whoever this Robin was, I didn’t like him. Here is Batman being all serious and brooding, then Boy-Wonder shows up. And Batman didn’t even like him and was annoyed by his intrusion. I think the Joker should kill all the Robins.
Well, I have more comics to read later; I’m pretty curious what stories they throw at Superman (how do you challenge the man who can’t be killed by anything and has the superpowers of every other superhero – except Aquaman since he can’t talk to fish). I probably won’t bother to bore you with the details unless anything interesting springs up (are comic books targeting our youth and adult slackers with liberal propaganda?).
Be honorable, ronin.
Hey! They should do a comic about a samurai! Anyone ever think of that?
Origin!
Libraries have collections (Graphic Novels and Trade Paperbacks.) You get to read them for free (after Taxes) and you don’t have to keep the book.
Frank, pick up the Astonishing X-Men trade paperback. It’s set apart from the other storylines, and you don’t have to know a lot of x-men history in order to get it.
But the big thing is that it’s written by…..
Joss Whedon.
Frank? Where’d you go?
Reading by writer, not character, is the best way to get enjoyment out of comics. Look at them like Firefly/Buffy (In fact, Joss Whedon writes comics sometimes.)
More on the Library thing: I forget where in Florida you are, but here’s a good website:http://flelibrary.org/
In Michigan, I have access to an online library catalog. I can browse at work I mean home, only home of course, and request books for pick-up at the local library. Music and movies too, to some degree. So I can request comic collections – sort of a free Nerdflix.
Yes, they target our youth. But Our Youth don’t read comics. Only losergeek college kids and older read comics. Also, there’s more philosophical diversity in comics. They sort of require at least some sense of concrete right and wrong on the part of the creators.
The Ultimate series are actually a good bet.
Target our youth? Are you friking kiddiing? Our youth have had their education (readin’ writin’ rithmatic’) replaced by “how does johny feel about himself today”…so how could they possibly get the total gayness of Batman and Robin by simply looking at the pictures…err…maybe that’s enough…never mind!
“Plus, if I keep this up, think of the clutter? Do I throw them away?”
No, your wife does.
In other news, I rolled my eyes at this entire post.
A comic about a samurai? Well, there is a japanese comic (manga) called Rumoni (that is NOT how you spell it, but I don’t remember) Kenshin. Just ask about the comic about the Batosai (pronounces bah-toe-sai), and someone there will point you to it.
It’s actually pretty good.
Hey, when’d ya’ll ad the digg this button?
I’m looking forward to the new Hezbollah comic book series. Of course the ending is always too predictable with the main character always blowing himself up amongst the infidel. I hear some Danish guy came up with the whole idea.
The best comic was The Haunted Tank. The ghost of Jeb Stuart was guarding the tank. Man I liked that.
I don’t know if you want to count a cartoon, but Samurai Jack includes a samurai. You can tell from the title.
You could check out Lone Wolf and Cub. y’know for Samurai stuff.
-j
A masked character just beat up a guy that resulted in his death! Shouldn’t you at least investigate that a little?
Sadly, this was investigated. A change of venue moved the trial to Vermont and Batman was convicted of murder. Since this wasn’t child molestation (a REALLY serious crime in Vermont) he was given 30 days but the judge suspended the sentence because it was Tuesday.
Comics are great. Sure, sometimes you have to cringe as blatant liberalism is on display. And sometimes you have to quit books entirely as the writer is a rediculous lefty. Green Arrow is (and always has been) an avowed commie. But, I just see that as part of his wacky charm. Of course, both Marvel and DC are located in NYC and staffed by artistic types, so they are chock full of lefties. That’s why I agree with the poster who said to shop by author. Here are a few of my favourites. For DC: Greg Rucka (Checkmate, etc.), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, etc.), Gail Simone (Birds of Prey). For Marvel: Bendis (New Avengers), J. Michael Straczynski (Amazing Spiderman, Fantastic Four; and, yes, this is the same guy who created and wrote Babylon 5), Joss Wheedon (Astonishing X-Men), Ed Brubaker (Captain America). I mean, Captain America… what more can you ask for? And, when your wife goes to throw them out, tell her to feel free to mail them to me. I’ll pay for shipping. My wife reads comics with me. That makes her cool and me slightly less of a loser. Ever so slightly less.
SarahK: I like the series “Fables.” Next time you come visit, I’ll try to find one for you to read. You’ll like it (I promise).
I’ve never understood the comics my husband likes to read. I just don’t get the appeal.
We haven’t bought comics since before we bought the house. Funny how the mortgage outranked the comic book fund!
RE: Astonishing X-Men,
Not only is Astonishing X-Men, written by
Joss Whedon, but it features the beautiful
art of, John Cassidy.
I also recommend Marvels Ultimate line
of comics.
Tony LaVanway
I suggest reading “The Ultimates”, which is an alternate universe story of the Avengers. Great writing, great art, and the first story arc was so pro-US that liberal comic reviewers were throwing fits. (It was probably all subversive, though, as the writer is actually quite liberal.)
Frank Miller, who brought the world Sin City, will be writing a Batman book where the Dark Knight takes on Al-Queda.
The Ultimates is very good, as is Astonishing X-Men. There was a three part Serenity comic, a prequel to the film, that is now available as a trade paperback.
The Watchmen is an excellent read, and is very different from other “superhero” books.
Kingdom Come offers an excellent read, with some awesome painted work by Alex Ross. In that book, you get the Apocalypse of St. John, but with Superman, Wonder Woman, and all those folks, in the role of the Angels that are given “the power to make war upon the Earth.” Heavy stuff.
Midnight Nation, by J. Michael Strazynski (Babylon 5) is a great book that explores free will, the nature of the human soul, and the eternal conflict between good and evil.
Daredevil, at least the Kevin Smith and Brian Michael Bendis runs, are some of the best fiction writing out there, comics or otherwise.
Danger Girl is a fun James Bond-style read, but with chicks with big boobs. Gotta love it. Unless, you know, you’re a chick.
And don’t worry. None of what I mentioned above requires knowing anything about what has come before and they’re all collected in trade paperback form (or hardcover). For the most part, they’re even economical. And they can usually be found (or ordered from) regular bookstores!
Shiny!
Oddly enough, my girlfriend had wanted to read some comic books from my collection (she wanted some light reading after a particularly stressful week), and I gave her the Ultimates and Astonishing X-Men. Don’t know if she enjoyed ’em, though.
In regards to the Samuari Jack comment, now there’s a cartoon worth watching! I love Jack!
The first episode to feature the Scotsman is my personal favorite.
well, looks like most commenters covered everything.. soooo, you could always mail your comics to RTO..he’s overseas, so i think maybe he gets priority. ;D Lone Wolf and Cub, very good, and historically accurate (or so i’ve been told). I love Fables, but i had to quit buying comics late last year. 🙁
Oh, I forgot to bring up another book of Frank Miller’s that is old, but on topic. It’s called “Ronin” and is about a wandering samurai… in space. I think. I’ve only flipped through it at the comic shop as I usually can’t stand Miller’s art. His writing is usually worth it, though.
Hey, Mike B., you highly recommended the Smith and Bendis runs of Daredevil, but what do you think of the current run? I just got back into Marvel in the past few months and was considering this title. I think Ed Brubaker is writing it, and he’s been great on all the other titles I’ve read of his. Thanks in advance.
Most of what Mike B and some otters have reccomended is old stuff that you’ll have to find in collections.
My top all time favorite writer is Priest. Quantum and Woody is his best work, followed by Black Panther.
If lefty propaganda in comics bugs you, you might want to check out the works of James D. Hudnall. He’s a highly underrated veteran writer, he’s conservative… and he has a terrific blog, too.
http://jameshudnall.com/blog.php