Giving comics to people who don't read them

[hank41]

Comic readers are always trying to get other people into the world of comics. But first impressions are everything so you always want to give them a good one so they are eager to read more. I was recently trying to get my 24 year old brother to read a comic but when he was in my room, he was just seeing Batman and Daredevil and Spider-man. The usual stuff for any comic reader but my brother, and many others like him, see that as being all comics can be. This is far from the truth as many of you know. My brother is a huge reader and he is a huge fan of literature. He has never read a comic besides Spawn when he was 12 so he thought that's what comics were. I wanted to completely prove him wrong so I wanted to give him something that had no super heroes in it and possibly no sci-fi. The first thing that came into my mind was Watchmen. Although it is one of the greatest novels of all-time, I don't think it would be good for someone that has never read a good comic before. I decided to give him Box Office Poison. I think this is one of the greatest thing I've ever read. If you haven't read it, you should definetly go for it. I haven't heard back from my brother since, but I am very eager. This all brings together my question:

What comics have you recently given to someone that doesn't read comics and which ones are good ones to give out????

[paper]

Fun Home, Y: The Last Man, Pride of Baghdad, and Blankets

[hank41]

Pride and Blankets would be great

[paper]

Really is a case by case thing.

[labor_days]

I try to give the superhero stuff to kids. They seem more willing to buy into the fantastical than adults. They are not so removed from heroes due to tv and film as the adults.

Almost anything fun and not too serious I give to kids; Robin, Teen Titans, USM, Legion. That sort of thing.

Adults I try to change their perception of what comics are. More OGNs and the like. Blankets, Walking Dead, Swamp Thing, etc.

Results are mixed across the board. Adults rarely ask for more. Kids sometimes ask for more comics but tend to just want the same ones over and over.

[hank41]

Of course it depends on who you are giving it to

[hudsonphillips]

Everyone loves Scott Pilgrim.

[hank41]

Scott Pilgrim is fantastic, but people could disregard it because it is manga-ish

[paper]

My grandmother didn't like Scott Pilgrim. Said he reminded her of her first husband. A man called Aaron Buckingham who none of us had heard of before. They married when they were 17 and it only lasted 4 months. We are told he now lives in Iowa and is involved with the manufacture of hockey nets.

Damn you, Scott Pilgrim. Damn you for digging up the past!

[hank41]

I have never heard anyone have any connection personally to Scott Pilgrim. One more thing, why the **** would you give your grandmother Scott Pilgrim

[xyzzy]

Depends entirely on the person. What other sorts of entertainment do they like? There's no one answer for this question.

[xyzzy]

Everyone loves Scott Pilgrim.


I strongly dislike it.

[kahunablair]

My grandmother didn't like Scott Pilgrim. Said he reminded her of her first husband. A man called Aaron Buckingham who none of us had heard of before. They married when they were 17 and it only lasted 4 months. We are told he now lives in Iowa and is involved with the manufacture of hockey nets.

Damn you, Scott Pilgrim. Damn you for digging up the past!

......
My Grandfather's name was Aaron Buckingham.....

[paper]

"What's that?"
"Scott Pilgrim vol. 1."
"He looks familiar."
"Who...Scott Pilgrim?"
"Is that what he's called now?"
"You've never seen this before."
"He looks like a foolish young man with a thirst for adventure and cheap brandy."
"...Are you..baking something?"
"Oh, Aaron. You were a real firebrand..."
"Where are the cats....?"

[paper]

......
My Grandfather's name was Aaron Buckingham.....


Do....do...you have the other half of this broken amulet?

Are you......my niece?

[xyzzy]

Oh, also, you will almost always fail to hook somebody on comics if you force comics on them. Don't foist comics on people who have not expressed an interest.

[paper]

Well, I'd say that's partly right. There are some who might have the capacity to like comics, but really don't know enough about them to ask. You can bring up the subject while talking about other forms of entertainment. A modest pitch. But, yeah, don't force anything.

[kahunablair]

Do....do...you have the other half of this broken amulet?

Are you......my niece?

I sold the amulet to a tall, lanky man with an eye patch. He told me it was a trinket!
Quick, Uncle Pol! We have to get it back. I know a guy that has a rusted old Studebaker we can borrow to travel to the Man's house in Vermont!

[paper]

I sold the amulet to a tall, lanky man with an eye patch. He told me it was a trinket!
Quick, Uncle Pol! We have to get it back. I know a guy that has a rusted old Studebaker we can borrow to travel to the Man's house in Vermont!

That would make for a great comic. That we can all enjoy.

I thought of another one. Tintin! Everyone has the capacity to love Tintin.

Ok, maybe not.

I know a lot of people that like Understanding Comics.

[bogotoko]

What about people who buy comics and don't read them? I think this should be a capital crime behind people who read comics and treat them like a newspaper... wrinkled covers, bent spines, and then crumpled up in a corner... AAHHH!:eek:

[xyzzy]

Well, I'd say that's partly right. There are some who might have the capacity to like comics, but really don't know enough about them to ask. You can bring up the subject while talking about other forms of entertainment. A modest pitch. But, yeah, don't force anything.

I'm sticking to my guns. My experience is that there's a much better chance of actually getting someone to like it if they think it's their idea to read it and not yours.

[kahunablair]

I'm sticking to my guns. My experience is that there's a much better chance of actually getting someone to like it if they think it's their idea to read it and not yours.

That's the case with a lot of things.
That's what mirroring and subliminal messages are for.
First you get someone to zone out, then you get them to do your bidding!

MUA HA HA

[hank41]

I completely agree with not forcing comics onto others but they have to have some sort of exposure to it. Why not lead them into it with a great read?

[xyzzy]

I completely agree with not forcing comics onto others but they have to have some sort of exposure to it. Why not lead them into it with a great read?

You make it known that you're into comics. If they're interested, they'll ask you about them. If they're not, don't bug them.

[hudsonphillips]

What about people who buy comics and don't read them? I think this should be a capital crime behind people who read comics and treat them like a newspaper... wrinkled covers, bent spines, and then crumpled up in a corner... AAHHH!:eek:

I don't know about crumpled up in a corner, but I think people should read the **** out of their comics. That's what they are made for. The fact that the spine bends means that it should be bent. A comic with a wrinkled cover is a good comic.

[hank41]

Thats a really good point. But I know that comic readers are really eager to get other people interested in the medium. I know I am. A friend of mine is a huge zombie-movie fan, so I showed him The Walking Dead. He nows reads anything from Batman to Scott Pilgrim and Invincible.

PS: How do you quote someone in that box thing like you did to my quote???

im a newb

[hudsonphillips]

What about Flight? I think that's a great gateway comic.

It looks nice... so lay it out on your coffee table... someone picks it up... some of the stories in there they can read in under 5 minutes... while you're making popcorn in the kitchen... and they're hooked.

[hank41]

quick reads would be a good gateway

[conorkilpatrick]

What about people who buy comics and don't read them? I think this should be a capital crime behind people who read comics and treat them like a newspaper... wrinkled covers, bent spines, and then crumpled up in a corner... AAHHH!:eek:

Comics are supposed to be read, dude.

[hudsonphillips]

Thats a really good point. But I know that comic readers are really eager to get other people interested in the medium. I know I am. A friend of mine is a huge zombie-movie fan, so I showed him The Walking Dead. He nows reads anything from Batman to Scott Pilgrim and Invincible.

PS: How do you quote someone in that box thing like you did to my quote???

im a newb

Click on the "quote" button in the bottom right corner of the post you wanna quote.

[paper]

Thats a really good point. But I know that comic readers are really eager to get other people interested in the medium. I know I am. A friend of mine is a huge zombie-movie fan, so I showed him The Walking Dead. He nows reads anything from Batman to Scott Pilgrim and Invincible.

PS: How do you quote someone in that box thing like you did to my quote???

im a newb

Go to the post you want to quote, look down in the bottom right corner of the post. Click "quote." You can delete sections of the post so that you're only quoting the pertinent sections. You can also alter the quote to make them say things they never actually said. (But don't do that).

[kahunablair]

What about Flight? I think that's a great gateway comic.

It looks nice... so lay it out on your coffee table... someone picks it up... some of the stories in there they can read in under 5 minutes... while you're making popcorn in the kitchen... and they're hooked.

I've used Flight to hook a few of my animation friends.

Sometimes, even the best attempts don't work.
I work with a girl that is a HUGE manga fan. She heard me talking about Blankets, and I let her borrow it.

She hated it. All she kept talking about were the "Poop and pee" parts.

[kahunablair]

Go to the post you want to quote, look down in the bottom right corner of the post. Click "quote." You can delete sections of the post so that you're only quoting the pertinent sections.
Blair is my hero and I'm going to give him a million dollars.

See it's that simple!

[hank41]

thanks guys

[hank41]

thanks guys

i did it. yea me

[xyzzy]

Thats a really good point. But I know that comic readers are really eager to get other people interested in the medium. I know I am. A friend of mine is a huge zombie-movie fan, so I showed him The Walking Dead. He nows reads anything from Batman to Scott Pilgrim and Invincible.


Honestly, I think that over-eagerness to share is one of the things that turns a lot of people off about comics.

[hank41]

Honestly, I think that over-eagerness to share is one of the things that turns a lot of people off about comics.

I completely agree once again. I just feel that I had the same feelings about comics before I read them and then one person gave me some really good comics and it turned me into the monster I am today. I feel that they just need that one little push to get them started. But it does come across in the negative sometimes.

[paper]

Well you don't have to be over eager about it. You could do one of these numbers:

"Yeah, I've been reading this cool comic about a virus or whatever that kills all the males of the world except one monkey and an escape artist dude. You might like it."

OR

"Is that any good?"
"Yes it is."

OR

"What are you doing in my room and why are you covered in bubble wrap?"
"Oh, I'm just here to recommend Mouse Guard. you liked those Redwall books, right?"

[itsbecca]

When things were a little less busy I used to bring my stack into work on thursdays. I would leave them conspiciously lying about. Not only have I outed a couple comic fans BUT I've also gotten a bored couple of co-workers to read them on occassion. My fiance's boss keeps bugging me to bring in the next issue of Faker cause he wants to know what the hell happens.

[cormano]

I know a lot of people that like Understanding Comics.

I had an epic fail trying to introduce someone to comics with that once.

My Mom loves heroes, I was thinking about trying to get her to read that new hardcover. I wouldn't buy it for her because I don't expect her to actually be too interested, but if I ever get finally get around to watching Heroes myself and then end up wanting it for myself, I'd give it to her to read when I was done.

[hank41]

Im in high school and nothing is better than having a friend return a book such as Incincible and ask very eagerly for the next volume. Or better yet, having a friend come up to me and say, "Mike gave me this comic book that you gave him and I really like it. I thought comics were for kids. Do you have any I would like?"

that's a great feeling

[paper]

If only all human beings were the same and liked the same things.

[gungadin]

I'll always recommend Y or Runaways. I got my friend hooked just because I went to ComicCon with him and pulled Runaways out of my bag (I brought it for reading material for the people who would get bored...) and within fifteen minutes of panel he was so hooked he went downstairs to the floor and bought the first volume...

That's the thing about Vaughan: You can recommend his stuff because he's a great writer... and it takes little to no backstory to pick up...

[hank41]

I find that most BKV stuff is really good to give to non-readers

[gungadin]

I was browsing the comics at my college book store (trades only, and a limited selection at that, although they had the first two harcovers of Invincible, which I wanna read...) and this guy was looking at Watchmen and I told him to buy it.

But he asked me an interesting question: Do you know any good western comics?

Hmmmm... I couldn't offer anything except Jonah Hex (which of course they didn't have...) and I felt kinda useless (it's not my forte, westerns are... but ces't la...)

Does anyone know any good western comics I could recommend?

[xyzzy]

I was browsing the comics at my college book store (trades only, and a limited selection at that, although they had the first two harcovers of Invincible, which I wanna read...) and this guy was looking at Watchmen and I told him to buy it.

But he asked me an interesting question: Do you know any good western comics?

Hmmmm... I couldn't offer anything except Jonah Hex (which of course they didn't have...) and I felt kinda useless (it's not my forte, westerns are... but ces't la...)

Does anyone know any good western comics I could recommend?


Daisy Kutter: The Last Train (http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/reviews/110916889939283.htm) by Kibuishi is one of my favorites. It's a steampunk future western, but it's a western nonetheless. It's about a gunfighter who comes out of retirement for one last train heist.

Spaghetti Western (http://www.popmatters.com/comics/spaghetti-western.shtml) by Morse. Again, not a straight up western, but one of my favorite works by this artist. It's a beautiful book with a fantastic story.

The Black Diamond Detective Agency by Campbell falls a bit late for the old west, but may be close enough. Not his best work, but it's a good read.

Edit: Oh, and Loveless. It's a Vertigo book. I didn't care for it, but many people like it.

[hank41]

Does anyone know any good western comics I could recommend?

I haven't read Loveless but I hear a lot of people are enjoying it

[bogotoko]

Comics are supposed to be read, dude.



True. I'll read my new issues like at least 5 times until the next issue but has the collecting part become a lost art? Have comics become like a newspaper to be used, abused and discarded into the recycle bin....YIKES!

Save the whales and comics :p

[conorkilpatrick]

True. I'll read my new issues like at least 5 times until the next issue but has the collecting part become a lost art? Have comics become like a newspaper to be used, abused and discarded into the recycle bin....YIKES!

For some, yes. I did away with bags and boards years ago.

[labor_days]

I am pro comics as disposable periodicals. Who has the space?

[esophagus]

If I want to keep a series, I but the trade.

[conorkilpatrick]

Does anyone know any good western comics I could recommend?

Keep an eye on iFanboy.

That's all I'm sayin', partner.

*spit*

[ghostevo]

I haven't run out of room yet, and I still like to bag and board mine. However if I run out of room I guess I might use it as kindling for a fireplace. :D

[ghostevo]

Keep an eye on iFanboy.

That's all I'm sayin', partner.

*spit*

Hint* Hint*

[jimski]

I am pro comics as disposable periodicals. Who has the space?

I used to think, "$3 an issue? Jesus, I better keep them in a vault given that investment," but I realized recently that the cover price on, say, Newsweek or TV Guide is more than that, and if you kept every one of those your grandkids would have you put away.

[labor_days]

I used to think, "$3 an issue? Jesus, I better keep them in a vault given that investment," but I realized recently that the cover price on, say, Newsweek or TV Guide is more than that, and if you kept every one of those your grandkids would have you put away.

That's exactly my reasoning as well. I pay the same amount for magazines and such. More even for the fashion mags.

Jimski, speaking straight truth.

[hudsonphillips]

But comics are stories that can be enjoyed over and over. Magazines you generally only read once and toss. Most people don't throw away books or movies after reading them once.

But, keeping a BAD comic just because you bought it is pointless. If you aren't going to read it again, you may as well get rid of it.

A great way to get rid of your comics is to find places to leave them lying around... coffee shops, waiting rooms, bus stops... maybe even put the 1-888-COMIC BOOK number in there so if someone is into it, they can find out where to get more.

Or donate them to a hospital, give them away to trick-r-treaters, or as Christmas gifts.

Using comics as a tool to bring in new readers is a much better use than tossing them or recycling them.

[six-gun]

For some, yes. I did away with bags and boards years ago.

I'm unbagging and boarding and selling on ebay

[labor_days]

My store pre-bag-n-boarded my comics. It was maddening.

[esophagus]

I'm unbagging and boarding and selling on ebayIf you're selling on Ebay, does it not make more sense to sell them bagged and boarded? Isn't it better value-wise? Or do you plan on reusing the boards for future books?

[xyzzy]

But comics are stories that can be enjoyed over and over. Magazines you generally only read once and toss. Most people don't throw away books or movies after reading them once.

But, keeping a BAD comic just because you bought it is pointless. If you aren't going to read it again, you may as well get rid of it.

A great way to get rid of your comics is to find places to leave them lying around... coffee shops, waiting rooms, bus stops... maybe even put the 1-888-COMIC BOOK number in there so if someone is into it, they can find out where to get more.

Or donate them to a hospital, give them away to trick-r-treaters, or as Christmas gifts.

Using comics as a tool to bring in new readers is a much better use than tossing them or recycling them.

I'm not sure that giving away bad comics is a good way to bring in new readers.

[hank41]

Exactly was I was saying earlier

[esophagus]

I'm not sure that giving away bad comics is a good way to bring in new readers.A comic doesn't have to be bad to not have any re-read value. I've only read a lot of my favorite comics, books, etc. once.

[xyzzy]

A comic doesn't have to be bad to not have any re-read value. I've only read a lot of my favorite comics, books, etc. once.

Okay, but the post I responded to specifically said bad comics. In all caps, no less.