The Weekly Comics Grind

[Changeling]

GI Joe 35 – Sad to see this story arc and Devils Due run go. This writer (Mark Powers) finally brought some grittiness and realism GI joe has lacked the past few years, with absolute spot on characterization of all the key figures. The dude writes an absolutely perfect Cobra Commander too - Ive never seen the character written better. From Mark Powers first issue I knew we were in for a treat and now times up on the series. I have a bad feeling about IDW taking over now – but I hope im wrong. If you haven’t, check out all of Mark Powers’GI Joe issues (21-36). Easily the best since Hama and even some of it is the best GI Joe has ever been.

What a week!

Damn dude, I REALLY gotta get on this shit !

[Kanto Wanderer]

I'm thinking about getting back into comics, I haven't really touched them since the 90s when I was a kid, what are good books to start into now? I like four-color and cosmic (I was a fan of Infinity Watch), but I'd also like to try some of these independent and off the wall books (I keep hearing a lot of good stuff about the Walking Dead). Anyway, you guys seem to be up on your shit, what do you recommend? What's hot right now?

[YellerDog]

Read the thread.

[Kanto Wanderer]

...All 13 pages?..Okay..

EDIT: Okay, let me rephrase, what comics are going into a new arc or are poised to go into one that are good so that I can pick up there, know what's going on, and if I like it go back and read older stuff?

[YellerDog]

Read every thread page twice.

[Kanto Wanderer]

Okay, I'll shut up now.

[Destro777]

I'm thinking about getting back into comics, I haven't really touched them since the 90s when I was a kid, what are good books to start into now? I like four-color and cosmic (I was a fan of Infinity Watch), but I'd also like to try some of these independent and off the wall books (I keep hearing a lot of good stuff about the Walking Dead). Anyway, you guys seem to be up on your shit, what do you recommend? What's hot right now?

Hmmm tough to give definate recommendations knowing so little. A good bet would be to go the tradepaper back route. Definately pick up the first Walking Dead trade even if you are slightly interested. Im pretty sure youll be hooked after that. Another somewhat indie book which is totally amazing is Y the Last Man. Everyone I show that to, comic fan and non-comic fan, really enjoys it. Cant go wrong with Hellboy trades either. Amazing art and stories with depth.

If you could tell me more about your comic tastes. DC or Marvel? Theres a writer called Grant Morrison who writes some all time best stuff out there now and hes done a wide variety of projects - indie, DC, Marvel, you name it. I got back into comics a few years ago and Morrison is a big reason why. He believes theres still so much printed page comics can do that a Movie, TV show, or video game still can never achieve. And if youve read some of his stuff he really is on to something there. For some totally insane Morrison check out 'The Filth'. For super hero stuff check out 'New X-men: E is for Extinction'.

Hope that helps. Comics are really good these days. With so much competition and the fact that its a dying art form - the creators HAVE to be good to keep the industry afloat.

[James]

Yeah, trade paberbacks are definitely the way to go to get into comics. All-Star Superman v.1, the giant Bone TPB if you don't mind risking a few bucks on a 100%-guaranteed payoff, Planet Hulk(the complete storyline in one giant book), Ultimate Spider-Man (numbered for your purchasing convenience), etc. You'll get some very satisfying chunks of story that will help you refine just what it is that you're looking for.

James

[Geo]

Okay, I'll try and help. Given what you said, I guess I'll recommend the following works, assuming you're probably aware of lauded works like Watchmen, V for Vendetta, etc. even if you haven't read them yet. So here goes (and as I was writing this, I see some of the recs have been echoed):


New X-Men: E is for Extinction

Grant Morrison delivers what I believe to be the purest form of the X-Men, moreso than Lee/Kirby or Claremont/Byrne and so on, although he does draw on the elements of their runs (especially Claremont/Byrne, which he really enjoyed in his youth). There are 7 softcover volumes collecting the whole run, an Omnibus hardcover which collects the whole thing but I don't think has been back in print, and Marvel is also now releasing three softcover collections that collect all of it.

The Ultimates: Superhuman

Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch deliver one of the best runs on the decade, it's all fun stuff and great scenes as the Marvel Universe (the Avengers specifically) begins in the twenty-first century. There are four softcover collections available in bookstores and online, collecting all 25 or 26 issues, and there are also two oversized hardcovers collecting the same material.

WE3

I thought I'd throw in a few self-contained collections in here, and this gem by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (who both did great on X-Men as mentioned earlier) certainly qualifies. Really touching story. They two creators have moved on to All-Star Superman, which is stellar and definitely recommended - the first softcover collection should be out by August or September.

Y the Last Man: Unmanned

I bummed a read of almost all of Walking Dead so far, getting to read it all at once, and it certainly enthralls and entertains you so I now see why it's so popular and well spoken of. I can't say I'd buy it for my bookshelf personally, I don't think, but that's me. So I'll go with Y, Brian K Vaughan (BKV for short) is the best American writer in comics imo. He kicks ass, and this series recently finished up to much deserved acclaim. I've only read the first volume as of yet, but Vaughan along with Pia Guerra and other artists really grab your attention and your interest from the first volume on in this inventive and well written story. The tenth and final softcover collection will be out soon, and DC is also going to publish oversized hardcovers collecting two softcovers a piece at the same price (which I'm interested in, having delayed getting into the series thus far).

I'm trying to think of something cosmic, and I guess the best thing I can think of is maybe Green Lantern and specifically the Sinestro Corps War, although I haven't read it so I'm hesitant to speak on it although many (included many posters here) enjoyed it. Plus, the Sinestro Corps stuff isn't in softcover yet anyways. Maybe something will come to mind later.

Also, not sure how much you'd like noir crime/science fiction, that type of thing, or I would recommend work from Ed Brubaker like Sleeper, Criminal, Daredevil, and Captain America.

[Advocate]

I have a few questions to ask Kanto.

Before you stopped reading comics.

1. What was your favorite brand? Marvel, DC, Image, or an independent?
2. When did you stop? AKA what was the last BIG thing happening?
3. Who is/was your favorite comic superhero?