Back into Comics

[Eddie G.]

Hey folks, in May I ran low on funds and was no longer to pick up my monthly list of comics books, the only thing I was able to pick up regularly was Batman, and Ultimate X-men, not even my two fav books really, actually at one point I was only reading Batman to find out who Hush was. Besides that I've just been cruising forums and websites to stay updated

Anyway it seems that I will be able to create a monthly list of ten books again, one more. I went on the net and looked at DC and Marvel's websites to look at some comics I might want to pick up.

This is the my list of comic books to pick up as of know
Batman #620
JLA #88
JLA #89
The Authority #6
Batman: City of Light #1 (Yeah, I'm a Batman fanboy)
Batgirl #45
Ultimate Spiderman #47
Ultimate X-men #38
Punisher #33
100 Bullets #47 (never read but heard good things, figured it might be a good idea to give it a shot)


Here are some comics I'm also interested in getting
Gotham Knights #46
Gotham Central #12
Teen Titans #4
Green Lantern #170
Adventures of Superman #621

So anyway, I'd like some input from the fine people of these boards, what on my list do you think is not too good, and what should I consider getting instead.

Please keep in mind that I'm mainly looking for comics that will be able to drop into when I pick it up, I can usually pick up on a plot even when it is half way through as long as they are familar charactes, but I like reading a story as whole as much as possible thanks.


Also I was thinking of starting to catch up on Superman: Birthright, and Batman: Death of the Maidens. Should I start picking these up, wait for the tpb's, or forget about them.

And finally what on your pick up lists is something you like, and why?

Thank you in advance for your input.
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Asian Xxx

 

[Fernus]

You have to get the "Hush" series from Batman, if you haven't already got it, and the "Trail By Fire" from JLA.

 

[Eddie G.]

I mentioned before that Batman has been the only comic I've been following the last months, what is JLA trial by fire about. I'm already interested in the JLA issues this month with MM fighting the JLA it seems, and I like Plastic Man.
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[Digu Volz]

Well, as it seems that you've already got eight/nine books chosen, I'll just snip from your other list of prospective titles. I'd suggest Teen Titans since it is only getting started and would be easy for you to drop into. The Flash would be another good choice since they just started a storyarc. I think you'd be better off without Superman, though, especially with only one book is being collected. You mention you're a Batman fanboy, but how much so ? I would pick up Knights over Central unless you care that much about the Gotham PD, though I suppose you do since you mentioned it. It's certainly an interesting choice. If you like detective stories, Ruse from CrossGen would be a good read (or at least back issues since CG is going down the crapper). If you want Supes in a(nother) book, give Superman/Batman a try, which, like TT, has only just begun and can be started with from the beginning.

Do you plan on trying ultimate FF ?

 

[kid_flash]

Good choice on BATMAN #620. I can almost guarantee it will be far better than that "Hush" stuff.

I don't read JLA, so can't really speak there. I read the first ish of the new AUTHORITY and kinda hated it...doesn't come highly recommended (though the original 12 issues do).

Definitely read ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN. It's brilliant stuff, even four years after its novelty wore off.

100 BULLETS is one of the best series on the market, but I think it works better as trades (that's how I'm collecting the series). It's cheaper, it reads more completely, and you get a nice foreward from someone who knows what they're talking about. Definitely don't try to jump in. You'll like it, but it's such an involved series.

Unless you're just too big a Titans geek to contain, I don't recommend TEEN TITANS, although a lot of other people will tell you I'm wrong. I don't think it's a very good representation of the characters, and it reads like one of those things Johns just took because he loved TT when Wolfman and Perez did it.

Let's see...once the current story is done, I highly recommend DAREDEVIL (so start reading with, I believe, issue 56 in a few months). It's so unbelievably good, I can't even describe it. Same goes for POWERS, which I think doesn't start a new story 'til January.

If you can't get your hands on 'em, get SUPREME POWER #1 and #2 so you'll be ready for #3. You've clearly got the appreciation for mature superhero comics, so get this instead of THE AUTHORITY.

Since ya dig on Plastic Man, be sure to pick up his new series in December. Lookin' forward to it meself.

If you've got extra money and wanna do the back issue thing, buy the entire series of CATWOMAN. Don't ask. Just do. You like Batman. You'll love CATWOMAN.

 

[Fernus]

I mentioned before that Batman has been the only comic I've been following the last months, what is JLA trial by fire about. I'm already interested in the JLA issues this month with MM fighting the JLA it seems, and I like Plastic Man.

Yes, keep an eye out for Plasticman's comic coming soon.

Yes, "TBF" is about J'onn turning against the JLA. But's he not exactly sane. He's become Fernus. You got to check it out for it to make sense.

 

[Eddie G.]

>To Volz
I'm a big enough fan boy, that i have to stop myself from buying just bat titles, instead of sampeling from other comic books.

I am a really big fan of detective stories so your sugestions were really helpful.

I think I'll end up reading Ultimate Four since I'm a fan of the Ultimate line, but not a big fan of Marvel so who knows.

I might actually consider getting Flash, Superman is actually starting to get less apealing to me, although i love blue boy.

>To Kid Flash
Like I said I'm not a big Marvel fan, but you've convinced me to give DD a shot when it starts with a new arc. I think I'll read some reviews on the Authority, before I buy it, since you say it's so bad. Supreme Power is another title I'll think about.

Perfectly agree with you on Batman, honestly this looks like a perfect example of how Batman should be done.

I'll check out reviews on Titans before buying too.

Yeah, I would need to buy the entire series of Catwoman, I tried getting into it but I was lost, which is weird with me.

>Kid Flash and Doc Destiny
*Claps like a four year old* Plastic Man! Plastic Man! Plastic Man! I know what I'm asking for Christmas, tee-hee.
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[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

I'll double kid_flash's recommendation not to pick up 100 Bullets in the middle. I'm not even entirely sure it makes much sense if you start from the beginning . From what I hear, the Authority is a book that has fallen mightily since its heyday.

In all fairness, I don't really like either title much, so my views on them might be skewed and should be taken with a grain of salt the size of an armadillo.

Batman Adventures is wildly fun, not bogged down with high-and-mighty intellectual pretentions, and just got started again. It's also not in huge demand (a real crime, in my opinion), so back issues should be easy to pick up.

Fantastic Four is pretty cool, too, and now that Mark Waid is not getting fired from it, I can start recommending it again wholeheartedly.

Broken record time: Y: The Last Man and Fables are consistently two of the most clever, well-thought-out, and fascinating reads on the stands. They should both be at the top of the charts. They're also pretty easy to pick up.

-- Ed/Ace

 

[Clayface]

Ack - its hard to suggest just one or two title, because there's just so much good stuff out there.

I second what kid_flash has to say about 100 Bullets (better to read it in TPBs), Catwoman, and Supreme Power (both excellent series).

I also back Ace's picks (other than Fantastic Four - not a fan myself).

And I'll add one more title - one I'm surprised no one's mentioned yet: Detective. You say you like Batman? Detective is the book to be reading - especially Brubaker's issues. Go back and pick up the storyline that just finished - it's called "Made of Wood", and features gorgeous art and superb character interactions between Batman and the Golden Age Green Lantern, Alan Scott. This week the newest issue of 'Tec comes out, with guest creators Brian K Vaugn (an excellent writer) and Rick Burchett (who has done the Batman Animated title in the past). I'm faily confident this will be a great story as well.

You also mentioned Batman: Death and the Maidens in your first post. I've been reading it, and so far I've been enjoying it immensely. And, since its being advertised as "the last" Ra's Al Ghul story, I think its worth checking out. But, then again, it will most likely be reprinted in a TPB at some point, so you could always wait and see.

 

[Rand]

I wouldn't recommend getting Gotham Knights unless you're buying back issues of Devin Grayson's work... OR you're getting that new writer's material. Scott Beatty's run doesn't really have anything to recommend for it.

I JUST did a review for Teen Titans #3... but, it's pretty continuity heavy. Not sure a newcomer can really just 'jump into' the series, even if you DO like the Bat-titles (and Robin).

Hard to say about Superman: Birthright. It's not a bad series... but it's not great either. If you like Superman and need a modern take on it, it's an interesting way to get back into the game. If you're looking for something to freshen up your memory of Superman before Jim Lee's take on him... again, not a bad choice.

I agree, you should check out JMS's Supreme Power, Waid's Fantastic Four.

As a Bat-fan, I'd also recommend Grayson's Nightwing and Simone's Birds of Prey.

 

[Eddie G.]

Okay, here is my revised list....

Batman #620
JLA #88
JLA #89
Batman: City of Light #1
Batgirl #45
Ultimate Spiderman #47
Punisher #33
Teen Titans #4
Supreme Power #3
Fables #18


Here are some comics I'm also interested in getting
Gotham Knights #46
Gotham Central #12
Green Lantern #170
Death of the Madiens back issues
The Authority #6

A lot of you fine people helped me out, in revising my list. Thanks everyone.
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[Samhaine]

I would pick up Knights over Central unless you care that much about the Gotham PD, though I suppose you do since you mentioned it.

I cannot disagree more with this statement. GC is one of my favorite books month in month out (along with Catwoman and Lucifer - those're my top 3). It's like a crime drama series on paper. The art is amazing. The writing (Rucka and Brubaker, who in their prime had the two figurehead Batman books just amazing reads) is great. You get the characters (though there are alot of them - I mean, I just read #11 and I almost had forgotten about Driver). I can't reccomend this series enough (along with Catwoman - new arc at #25, in November).

I'd reccomend Lucifer, but that's so far involved now that you would be lost. I'm probably going to give it a good rereading soon. But you can go with trades.

Fables has been great. Can't wait for Willingham's Robin.

I have to agree about Teen Titans - I haven't been digging it at all. I'll give it until #12, at least, because of my affinity for most of the cast (I'm only reading it because YJ is gone), but that can only go so far. Stupid DC cancelling their best funnybook.

I hear City of Light is not-so-good. There's a review up now at The Fourth Rail. The concept didn't sound all that interesting, either. If you need a maxiseries Batman book, go for Death & the Maidens. It's been interesting, if nothing else.

Batman Adventures has been great. I second that as a pick.

Oh, and I have to say, that while GK has not been great by any means, I'm still enjoying what Beatty's doing with it. He's not a bad writer at all, and the Bane story, while long, has opened up for some nice interplay. It's hit or miss, but I've been buying lots of Batman comics for years, and I can't stand to have gaps in my runs, so I'm sticking it out. Can't say I'm excited about the new writer, though - ended up dropping Harley right quick.

 

[Eddie G.]

Yeah, I shouldn't of picked City of Light up it was horrible, when I was in the comic shop I was having an internal battle to get or not to get the book. In the end I decided to get the book, gah, waste of money. Least Supreme Power, Ultimate Spiderman, and the book I picked up at the used book store down the street from the comic book store were very good.

The idea of Batman hurting a child by accident was great, and the art was okay. But the light thing sucked, the idea writing horrible, someone said
problem-o, and ugh I've never seen Batman written so bad. I recomend if you are reading any other Batman book, read this first to get full enjoyment from the Bat book you're reading.

I'll probably add Detective or Catwoman to my pull list next month.
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