I Read Comic Books discussion

Christopher wrote: "Cosmic Marvel. I recently re-read Jim Starlin's Warlock, and it really holds up. (His Captain Marvel not so much)



Warlock: The Complete Collection"
I actually read Starlin's Captain Marvel for the first time only last week and I really enjoyed it. More than I expected to anyway. Haven't read the Warlock collection yet

Dominick wrote: "Kate wrote: "Dominick wrote: "Hullo, all! I'm a bit late to the party, but as my recent slew of reviews show, I am making up for lost time.

So, yeah, me.. Originally from South Jersey (Cherry Hil..."

The new Rat Queens series is, honestly, pretty good. I was very mad about how things got going at first, but it got better. Overall, I'm really liking it. I think Weibe has a plan to tie it all back together (it's not a reboot series, but there's a time gap and some weirdness that they sort of roll past connecting back to the old series).

Mike wrote: "The new Rat Queens series is, honestly, pretty good. I was very mad about how things got going at first, but it got better."

Do you remember what issue turned it around for you?

Phillip wrote: "Mike wrote: "The new Rat Queens series is, honestly, pretty good. I was very mad about how things got going at first, but it got better."

Do you remember what issue turned it around for you?"

I think it was issue #2. I go back and forth on the series issue to issue, but there's usually some redeeming part that keeps me coming back.

#1 of the new series was rough because there was a time skip from the previous run--which ended mid-story arc. So, no explanation there as to how that conundrum was settled chaffed me a bit, but by the end of #1 and some subtle hinting within issue 2 about "things being weird" within the series gave me some hope that it would be explained story-wise.

And since then, the story has been building towards that--at least, I think. If you can forgive the creative team for the screw ups in the past (imo, Rat Queens is kind of a cursed book...), this new run has the same feel and snark as the previous run did in the early arcs.

Trevor wrote: "I've since been eager to read the Annihilation and Annihilation Conquest stories. Have you read them? ..."

I started it when I did the ComiXology Unlimited free trial, but I didn't have a chance to finish before the trial ended. I'd really like to go back and read the rest some time.

Mike wrote: "I think it was issue #2. I go back and forth on the series issue to issue, but there's usually some redeeming part that keeps me coming back."

Yeah, I read the first trade from the new series and it left me feeling so-so. By the end it felt a lot more like the original. I think there were some prominent elements that just didn't appeal to me.

What's good, Marvel Fam?! First things first: I just want to say thank you for having me! Second: I hope this introduction finds all of you well!

My name is Kenny, and I'm a diehard Batman fan. I'm not a fanboy, so - no - I don't truly believe that Batman has an automatic-win button in his utility belt nor do I believe that he can beat Superman (under most circumstances). I am a huge fan of when Batman socked Guy Gardner in the jaw and then walked off like a boss. I'm also a Captain America fan and a recovered X-Men fan. Even though the X-Men movies - and honestly the comics...especially with that whole AOA redux...yuck - Cap has been holding me down for years. I'm also a low-key fan of Thor. My brother injects Thor intravenously nightly, so I have a bit of a soft-spot for good ol' goldie locks.

I prefer Cyclops over Wolverine any day of the week; I also prefer Wally West over Barry Allen; I love Green Lantern (especially Kyle Rayner); I dig the cheesy villains that have gained new relevance; I love it when Namor comes for people's lives and ego, and not necessarily in that order; and I clapped when Wonder Woman snapped Maxwell Lord's neck.

I greatly look forward to discussions and civil discourse with the community!!!

Simon wrote: "Hello fellow Comic-Book-aficionados,

I’m Simon from rural Austria (Tyrol to be more specific) and I started reading comics / graphic novels back in the late 90`s when I had to do my basic military..."

Welcome to IRCB Simon! Maus, Lazarus and Wytches are some of my favorites as well. What is the comic industry like in Austria? Are there many Austrian comic book creators? Do you have comic book shops?

Amy wrote: "Hello, my name is Amy and I live in Indiana. I like to read mainly Marvel comics, especially Daredevil, Black Panther, and Venom. I'm trying to get into more DC since the only character I read is B..."

Hi Amy! I have been wanting to read Black Panther since I saw the movie. I was going to start with Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 1. Do you recommend any other Black Panther books?

I'm also following Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home. Have you ever tried Runaways?

Kenny wrote: "What's good, Marvel Fam?! First things first: I just want to say thank you for having me! Second: I hope this introduction finds all of you well!

My name is Kenny, and I'm a diehard Batman fan. I'..."

Hi Kenny! Welcome to the group! Have you seen our X-Men thread? I don't read much X-Men myself, but that thread is all about them!

Phillip wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Kait wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Hello All!

I'm in Dallas, Texas. The first comic book I ever read was a Calvin & Hobbs anthology my big brother had when we were kids. Now I read more comi..."

Thanks for the recommendation! I'm definitely adding that to my list.

Nick wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Kait wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Hello All!

I'm in Dallas, Texas. The first comic book I ever read was a Calvin & Hobbs anthology my big brother had when we were kids. Now I read more comi..."

I tried out the first Volume of Lazarus a few months back. I was really excited to read it because I like the idea of the story and other people have recommended it too. There was something about the art style that I didn't like though. : (

Hello Everybody!

I'm new in here, introducing myself, and look forward to learning and participating in some comic book chat :)

I'm Steven, from Washington state, love comics, and have from a very young age. I started out reading comics in the newspaper, back when they had Dick Tracy, Batman, Spiderman, and Tarzan comic strips. I also enjoyed Garfield & Peanuts. I became more drawn into comic books because of my brother and well even more so by a cool friend of mine name Robert Squitieri. The dude could draw some kick butt comic characters and hooked me up with some great books back in the day. I still have all of the ones he gave me.
Now-a-days, I have a subscription box at an awesome comic shop named I Like Comics in Vancouver, Wa. Which by the way puts on an awesome convention. As of the moment I am really enjoying a few titles from the Valiant Universe. I'm reading Archer & Armstrong, Quantum & Woody, Bloodshot, Ninjak & Ninjak vs The Valiant Universe. I am a big time Batman fan. Love a lot of the Marvel stuff. Also, Zenescope is another great publisher that my wife and I enjoy reading. I read both printed and digital comics. I'm really enjoying my Comixology Unlimited account. Definitely recommend it.
So I think that's about it so far, for me, cause dinner is a calling :)

Steven wrote: "Hello Everybody!

I'm new in here, introducing myself, and look forward to learning and participating in some comic book chat :)

I'm Steven, from Washington state, love comics, and have from a ..."


Welcome aboard, Steven! I just started up on Comixology Unlimited this past month. What's the best thing you've checked out from there so far? For me, it's probably Iceman #1. You've probably heard Mike talking this up on the show, and man, it lives up to the hype. I dunno how into the X-Folks you are, but that's just a darn good comic.

Kait wrote: "Hi Amy! I have been wanting to read Black Panther since I saw the movie. I was going to start with Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 1. Do you recommend any other Black Panther books?"

That Ta-Nehisi Coates run on Black Panther is like reading a doctoral thesis on African politics. It's really boring. Most people would say Christpher Priest's run is the definitive run on Black Panther. He introduced most of the characters and concepts used in the movie as well.

Black Panther by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1

Hi, I'm Francis. I'm from Scotland and live near Glasgow. I've been reading comics since the early eighties when I was wee, so stuff like The Dandy, The Beeno, The Broons, Oor Willie and Commando comics, the comics most Scots of my age are familiar with. As I got older I started reading 2000 AD, especially enjoying Judge Dredd, Slane and Button Man.

I really became obsessed with the whole medium of comics though when I was about 11 or 12 and my local newsagent started stocking imported copies of DC Comics titles, when I recognised John Wagner, Alan Grant and Peter Milligan's names from 2000 AD I started to read their Batman stories "The Golem of Gotham" in particular grabbed my attention, as it seemed to be dealing with subject matter more sophisticated than I had expected. Another story which caught my attention early on was "Skeeter" by John Byrne from Action Comics Annual 1 which I read reprinted in a U.K. Batman magazine published around about the time the Batman (1989) movie was released.

My mind was blown when I started to read Vertigo titles, especially Sandman Mystery Theatre. Then Grant Morrison wrote the Invisibles and life changed forever.

These days I'm very open minded and will read anything I can get my hands on, although my love of DC comics is still hard wired from my youth, I'll read Marvel stuff, especially the Star Wars titles and really love the Image titles like Wicked and the Divine, Sex Criminals, Saga and Bitch Planet to name a few.

Welcome Francis! Thanks for joining! Make sure you check out the show!

Got a favorite Star Wars title?

Hey Mike, I love the show! I've been listening since July last year, but only just got in to using Goodreads recently.

My favourite Star Wars title? Of the new stuff, Kieron Gillen's Darth Vader, or Mark Waid's Princess Leia. From the Legends era I liked Tales of the Jedi and Knights of the Old Republic.

If I have to be pinned down to one I think I'll say Darth Vader.

Hello, I am Nate! I'm from California, and I read mostly graphics and I am starting to read up on more Marvel comics, mainly the diverse ones (Ms. Marvel, Moon Girl, Miles Morales...etc) I love them more so and am interested in reading more graphics/comics, and having a community of people to talk to and chat about comics and stuff cause I don't have that haa

Francis wrote: "Hey Mike, I love the show! I've been listening since July last year, but only just got in to using Goodreads recently.

My favourite Star Wars title? Of the new stuff, Kieron Gillen's Darth Vader,..."

Woo! I'll have to get back into that series. I read Vol 1, collected the rest, but didn't pick it back up. I'll change that!

Nathan wrote: "Hello, I am Nate! I'm from California, and I read mostly graphics and I am starting to read up on more Marvel comics, mainly the diverse ones (Ms. Marvel, Moon Girl, Miles Morales...etc) I love the..."

Welcome to IRCB Nathan! I love Ms. Marvel too! What is your favorite graphic novel?

Francis wrote: "Hi, I'm Francis. I'm from Scotland and live near Glasgow. I've been reading comics since the early eighties when I was wee, so stuff like The Dandy, The Beeno, The Broons, Oor Willie and Commando c..."

Welcome Francis! I love hearing about the comics popular in other countries. Are you reading any local favorites right now?

Hi Kate,

I don't read any current locally produced comics here in Scotland I'm afraid.

The comics I listed in my introduction are all published by one company based out of the Scottish city of Dundee called D.C. Thomson, which has been a publisher for over one hundred years, beginning with a local newspaper. Over the years they started publishing comic books for children, as well as collecting newspaper strips published in the pages of The Sunday Post (Oor Wullie and The Broons) in by-annual collections. Most Scot's will be familiar with their publications, and they have traditionally had a readership across the whole of the UK, but they are very much made for a younger or family audience, and I think far more like the "funny pages" found in newspapers in the States and Canada.

For a more 'mature' type of comic book, 200AD is still a mainstay of the UK industry, and has managed to keep publishing for about 40 years with some ups and downs along the way. I did read it regularly, along with the Judge Dread Megazine, for a long time but when I went to University I had to budget more, and for the most part comics lost out to having a social life and my preference for American publishers meant the few books I read were from that side of the Atlantic.

There have always been reprints of big two comics throughout my lifetime, and from when I was about six I read the Transformers and GI Joe comics published by Marvel UK and Batman and Superman comics reprinted by a company called Fleetway I think.

It's worth saying that mainstream comics published in the U.K. are quite different from those in North America, in terms of physical size until quite recently all comics where published in a bigger sized format about the same size as a copy of Vogue or Cosmopolitan magazines, although with much fewer pages. The content will always be a compendium of more than one story, and featuring more that one character, unlike for instance Detective Comics, or Action Comics for the most part having just one story per issue.

Small Indy publishers do exist over here, but to get copies you would generally need to visit a specialist comic store in a city like Glasgow or Edinburgh, or pick them up in the small local comic conventions we get in the greater Glasgow area, or by mail order.

It always seems strange to me how big an impact Scottish creators in particular, but British in general have had on American Comics, when we have never been able to maintain more than one comparable publication in the last 50 years. The truth is I suppose that American comics has been our comics too.

Francis,

Do people collect comics over there or just read them? I was just curious since most of the American comics you have are reprints.

Hi Chad,

Yes, comic collecting is a thing here too, personally I have a large collection taking up space in my parents house.

Directly imported copies of American floppies are available in the UK.

Speaking specifically for Scotland, because that's the part of the UK where I live, we have specialist comic shops in cities like Glasgow which is nearest where I live, but if you want to walk in to a shop and get imported comics in the surrounding towns that can be much harder.

The reprints I've spoke of are available in Newsagents, I don't know exactly how that translates to the states, but I think the best description is they are like convenience stores, but traditionally they only sold Newspapers, magazines, comics, sweets (candy) and tobacco.

Of course there is also digital comics, Comixology is available here, and there are other companies like Madefire too. This is how I read the majority of comics theses days, due to having a family now and not having enough space to store a collection.

I forgot to add that collected editions / graphic novels are widely available in bookshops throughout Scotland.

Francis wrote: "I forgot to add that collected editions / graphic novels are widely available in bookshops throughout Scotland."

Are Scots particularly proud of Grant Morrison?

Amongst comic book readers in Scotland people are very proud of Grant Morrison yes, but you might be surprised how low a profile he has here. It has to be said the majority of people here don't read comics beyond their childhood and most consume comic book content in the form of television shows and movies. Consequently Mark Millar has a much higher profile, and is often found contributing to Arts programmes broadcast on BBC television. He is highly regarded for the success of the Wanted and Kick Ass movies, and being influential in the shaping of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I think partly this is due to Millar being more of a self promoter than Morrison, and it will be interesting to see how much success Happy has as a tv programme, and if it allows Morrison to transfer some of his properties to the big screen. I'm still holding out for an Invisibles tv show.

Kate wrote: "Nathan wrote: "Hello, I am Nate! I'm from California, and I read mostly graphics and I am starting to read up on more Marvel comics, mainly the diverse ones (Ms. Marvel, Moon Girl, Miles Morales......"

My all time favorite graphic at the moment is SAGA!

Hello y'all! I'm Becca, and I'm relatively new to the comics world. I started reading them last year. This was motivated by my love for the Wonder Woman movie. I started with Wonder Woman New 52 (Cliff Chiang is amazing, btw). I guess I'm more of a DC girl, although I enjoy Ms. Marvel. I'm currently on a Batgirl binge (Batgirl: Stephanie Brown, Batgirl Rebirth, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Rebirth). Some other favorites at the moment: I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 1: Madly Ever After and Witchblade (2017) #1.

Becca wrote: "This was motivated by my love for the Wonder Woman movie. I started with Wonder Woman New 52 (Cliff Chiang is amazing, btw)

Have you read Greg Rucka's original run and Gail Simone's on Wonder Woman? While different than the new 52 book, they are quite good.

Welcome Becca. I loved the Steph as Batgirl run, it was one of the best ongoings in quite a while. I managed to snag the figure of her when DC released it, and it's part of my collection I'm really happy with.

Chad wrote: "Becca wrote: "This was motivated by my love for the Wonder Woman movie. I started with Wonder Woman New 52 (Cliff Chiang is amazing, btw)

Have you read Greg Rucka's original run and Gail Simone's ..."

Chad, I haven't yet. There are so many that I want to read, and the list keeps growing, lol. I'll have to add those too. I started with the New 52 because it seemed liked it was marketed toward people with little knowledge of the DC characters. I'm definitely going to branch out. Thanks for the suggestions!

Believe it or not, Becca, one of what I think was the best of the New 52 was Aquaman. There was some great writing, and Mera, his wife/queen/girlfriend depending on which point in history, is a great kick-ass woman.

Wayland wrote: "Welcome Becca. I loved the Steph as Batgirl run, it was one of the best ongoings in quite a while. I managed to snag the figure of her when DC released it, and it's part of my collection I'm really..."

I thought Stephanie Brown was an awesome Batgirl too. I'm looking forward to reading vol. 2. I have read some Barbara Gordon, and I like her in the role also. I was surprisingly impressed with Stephanie, as most people see Barbara to be the definitive Batgirl.

Wayland wrote: "Believe it or not, Becca, one of what I think was the best of the New 52 was Aquaman. There was some great writing, and Mera, his wife/queen/girlfriend depending on which point in history, is a gre..."

I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

Becca wrote: "Hello y'all! I'm Becca, and I'm relatively new to the comics world. I started reading them last year. This was motivated by my love for the Wonder Woman movie. I started with Wonder Woman New 52 (C..."

Welcome aboard! It's awesome to hear that the movie got you interested. Have any of the other DC or Marvel movies piqued your interest?

Hi, I am Virva, writing from Berlin. I love history, fiction and all kind of art forms. I get into the graphic novels when I was little girl and since then reading them whenever I have time. My favourite authors are Guy Delisle, Vanna Vinci, Gipi, Marjane Satrapi, Jimmy Corrigan, Francesca Ghermandi and many more.
Looking forward to discover new authors and titles!

Brian wrote: "Becca wrote: "Hello y'all! I'm Becca, and I'm relatively new to the comics world. I started reading them last year. This was motivated by my love for the Wonder Woman movie. I started with Wonder W..."

Brian, not until recently. I wasn't much of a superhero movie fan, to be honest. I loved Batman Begins. I thought it had great character development, and the cast was amazing (Christian Bale is Batman to me). Still, it didn't encourage me to go out and pick up a comic.
I guess I'm contradicting myself now, because I said that I preferred DC over Marvel. But, I started watching Jessica Jones, and I really want to start reading the series.

Hey I don't really watch comics but I know a lot of the shows and love the characters too.

Becca wrote: "I guess I'm contradicting myself now, because I said that I preferred DC over Marvel. But, I started watching Jessica Jones, and I really want to start reading the series. "

That's pretty easy to do, there hasn't been that many books with her in them and I think Marvel just re-released all the old ones again. The confusing part is the series are named 3 different things and each series has been collected multiple times collecting a different amount of issues each time.

Alias
The Pulse
Jessica Jones

Chad wrote: "Becca wrote: "I guess I'm contradicting myself now, because I said that I preferred DC over Marvel. But, I started watching Jessica Jones, and I really want to start reading the series. "

That's p..."

Thanks Chad! I didn't know that about the multiple names.

Hey Everyone, My names Justin and i'm from Derby, England. I've been a comic book reader since the mid 90s but then stopped collecting issues about 8 years ago now due to space but continued picking up trades but due to my discovery of comixology i've jumped back into reading regular issues without worrying about storage. I've been really enjoying Astonishing X-men recently and also the Critical role: vox machina mini series.

Justin wrote: "Hey Everyone, My names Justin and i'm from Derby, England. I've been a comic book reader since the mid 90s but then stopped collecting issues about 8 years ago now due to space but continued pickin..."

Welcome, Justin! Digital comics are definitely a blessing for people who don't want to have huge stacks of long boxes taking up space in their closet (not that I'm speaking from experience, or anything). Do you have an all-time favorite trade from your time when you were primarily reading those?

Brian wrote: "Justin wrote: "Hey Everyone, My names Justin and i'm from Derby, England. I've been a comic book reader since the mid 90s but then stopped collecting issues about 8 years ago now due to space but c..."

Hi Brian, Cheers for the warm welcome yeah it does definitely take less space which im very grateful for lol. My favourite trades that i have read are: Power Girl: Power Trip Captain Britain and MI13, Vol. 1: Secret Invasion Identity Crisis and pretty much all of Gail Simone's run on the secret six. If i had to pick a favourite out of them though would be power girl amanda conner's art is just incredible. I'm also currently really enjoying Saga which i'm reading in trade currently on vol 6.

Hey Justin, welcome to the group. I'm really new here too, but there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with. I'd recommend having a look at the "2018 Recommended Reading Challenge", and "Book of the Month" posts if you haven't already, I've been doing a load of reading since I joined based on the books mentioned there and having a great time.

Justin wrote: "Hey Everyone, My names Justin and i'm from Derby, England. I've been a comic book reader since the mid 90s but then stopped collecting issues about 8 years ago now due to space but continued pickin..."
Hey Justin! Welcome. I'm crazy about comixology too...only negative is that it makes it so easy to get comics any time day or night :) You really have to be able to exhibit some self control on there.

Francis wrote: "Hey Justin, welcome to the group. I'm really new here too, but there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with. I'd recommend having a look at the "2018 Recommended Reading Challenge", and "..."
Hey Francis, Thanks will defo check those out :) cheers

Becca wrote: "Justin wrote: "Hey Everyone, My names Justin and i'm from Derby, England. I've been a comic book reader since the mid 90s but then stopped collecting issues about 8 years ago now due to space but c..."
Hi Becca, Thanks and yes I completely agree sometimes i'll read about a character search them in comixology and then next thing I know a volume of their tpb is in my collection lol. I think there needs to be a comixology anonymous so we can talk about this addiction. lol

Hey everyone. I'm Patrick and I'm mainly reading Marvel and DC these days. I love comics, but I don't typically do the monthly issue thing. I'd rather wait until the run is complete, check out the reviews, then buy it somewhere used and cheap. I can't tell you how many times I've consulted Goodreads in the aisle of a book store to help sway my decision. So thanks. :)