Trying out Super Hero Books

[mattk]

I jumped back into comics for the OGN's which i read some great ones, but am now looking to expand. I thought I would try out some super hero books and i've done a lot of research and have compiled this list of books i'm interested in. I'm trying to keep the order total down to less than or = $100. I used to love X-Men, Spawn and similar comics a long time ago, so I am not worried that I won't like Super Hero books (hence the large order). I've tried to represent both Universes, but a little heavier on the DC side since I never read DC before.

Marvels
Ultimates (both HC's)
Kingdom Come
New Frontier (both trades - do i really need the absolute?)
Dark Knight Returns
Batman Long Halloween

Let me know what you think or if there are any substitutions that you think i should consider.

[labor_days]

You don't need Absolutes unless it is something you really enjoy. Get the trades of New Frontier first. If you end up loving it, then get the Absolute.

I would recommend the new Justice Society Of America hardcover; JSA Vol.1: The Next Age (http://www.amazon.com/Justice-Society-America-Vol-Next/dp/1401214444/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201454090&sr=8-1). Very classic superhero comics written by one of the top writers in the biz.

Similarly, Brubaker's Captain America Ominbus (http://www.amazon.com/Captain-America-Brubaker-Omnibus-Vol/dp/0785128662/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201454184&sr=8-1) is one of the finest purchases one can make. Little expensive but you can shop around a bit. It's totally worth it if you enjoy comic books that are excellent.

edit1: Grant Morrison's JLA run is legendary and well (i.e. cheap) traded. Just browse over to www.Instocktrades.com and get a bunch. They're all good.

edit2: All Star Superman (http://www.amazon.com/All-Star-Superman-Vol-1/dp/1401209149/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201454436&sr=8-1). Classic (http://www.amazon.com/All-Star-Superman-VOL-02/dp/1401218377/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201454436&sr=8-2).

edit3: Superman For All Seasons (http://www.amazon.com/Superman-Seasons-Jeph-Sale-Loeb/dp/1563895293/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201454485&sr=1-2).

[acomicbookgirl]

What about Invincible?

[mattk]

What about Invincible?

I thought about it, but there just seems to be too much in order to get caught up with it... everything else i am going to order are pretty much wrapped up stories.

[neb]

Labor really hit some good highlights of good superhero books. Some that I thought of...

Trinity by Matt Wagner (a very classic, amazing tale of Batman, Superman, and wonder Woman's first adventure)

Marvels by Kurt Busiek with art by Alex Ross (a celebration of Marvel's golden years with a great story and great art).

Astonishing X-Men by Joss Wheon and John Cassaday (simply the best X-Men ever)

Young Avengers by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung (awesome storytelling with awesome visuals, this is a tour de force Avengers book).

[acomicbookgirl]

I thought about it, but there just seems to be too much in order to get caught up with it... everything else i am going to order are pretty much wrapped up stories.

That's what I though at first but after I got the first hardcover, I'm so glad I got it. There are only 3 hardcovers out.

[xyzzy]

Good superhero stories that wrap up in a trade or two:

Marvel:

The Sentry - Jenkins/Lee
The Inhumans - Jenkins/Lee
The Thing: Idol of Millions - Slott/DiVito
Doctor Strange: The Oath - Vaughan/Martin
Runaways v. 1 OHC (it's an ongoing, but the first volume tells a pretty complete story) - Vaughan/Alphona

DC:

Superman: Secret Identity - Busiek/Immonen
Superman: Red Son - Millar/Johnson/Plunket
Superman For All Seasons - Loeb/Sale
Arkham Asylum - Morrison/KcKean
Batman: Black and White - various
Batman: Year One - Miller/Mazzucchelli

Other:

Astro City: Confessions - Busiek/Anderson
Top 10 v. 1 & 2 - Moore/Ha
Ultra - The Luna Brothers
Project: Superior - various

[jon_samuelson]

Having just read them I would highly reccommend...

Green Lantern: Rebirth
Green Lantern: No Fear
Green Lantern: Revenge of the Green Lanterns

They're the rebirth of Hal Jordan, and the first 13 issues of the current run of Green Lantern. If you like them I'd recommend going out and getting caught up on back-issues, they're only up to issue #26 at this point. Before this I wouldn't have considered myself a GL fan AT ALL, but Geoff Johns is doing some really brilliant stuff on this title. Creating a rich and varied mythology, that could make for years of great story-telling. Reading it all at once like this allowed me to see how he's been setting the table all this time for the recent Sinestro Corps war, and I'm now eager to see where all the other table setting is leading us. Other than maybe Invincible, this might be my very favorite super-hero book going right now. Excluding Captain America (which you should also definitely explore) as more of an espionage book.

And, while not meaning to troll at all, I swear that I think I'm the only person who reads comics who absolutely loathed Arkham Asylum. But I pretty much dislike Morrison across the board.

[optimus187prime]

Ok these recommendations are purely based on what I like in the superhero genre(in order of preference):

1)Punisher MAX HC Vol. 1 $19.97(finest series I have ever read, superhero or not, IF you like Ennis' writing)

2)Invincible HC Vol. 1 $23.07(this is sooo much more than a superhero book, Im not going to say anything you probably havent heard already - just buy this)

3)Astonishing X men tpb Vol. 1 $10.19(you will have a long wait between trades/issues but its worth it)

4)Cap America Omnibus $47.24(someone already said it but this is a must buy, a beautiful hardcover inside and out)

5)The Ultimates Vol. 1 $29.99(I have the first 2 HCs and really like them)

6)Batman Year One tpb $10.19(dont know if you have read this but it is a must have)

All those prices are from amazon.com, I would recommend all of these but any combo that is under your $100 will be awesome.

[paper]

I agree with many of the suggestions so far.

Justice Society of America: The Next Age
All Star Superman
Identity Crisis
Astonishing X-Men
Runaways

I dislike Kingdom Come, but i'm in the minority.

[mattk]

I hear a lot of people saying great things about the Cap. America Omnibus (not just in this thread). The only thing that is keeping me at bay for now is that $47 price tag. I could nix the 2 ultimates HC's and sub in the Cap. America. I was thinking the Ultimates would give me more story to tackle, but is the Cap. story much better?

[esophagus]

I hear a lot of people saying great things about the Cap. America Omnibus (not just in this thread). The only thing that is keeping me at bay for now is that $47 price tag. I could nix the 2 ultimates HC's and sub in the Cap. America. I was thinking the Ultimates would give me more story to tackle, but is the Cap. story much better?
The Cap. Omnibus has issues 1-25 of Captain America, which is hands down one of the best things to happen in comics in years (So yees, better than the Ultimates) and it's got a fair share of extras.

[optimus187prime]

I hear a lot of people saying great things about the Cap. America Omnibus (not just in this thread). The only thing that is keeping me at bay for now is that $47 price tag. I could nix the 2 ultimates HC's and sub in the Cap. America. I was thinking the Ultimates would give me more story to tackle, but is the Cap. story much better?

Matt,

You have an awesome problem of too many good comics to read. I think both are really fun and entertaining. Although, with how good it has been and is continuing to be I would say get the Cap Omnibus. You can always get the Ultimates later and from what I hear Ultimates 3 isnt starting strong. There hasnt been a dip in Cap since Brubaker stepped in.

[optimus187prime]

Dont forget to let us know what you got and what you think about it. So I will expect to hear "OMG, you guys were right Cap blew my mind", then I will smile and say "told you so" ;).

[acomicbookgirl]

I hear a lot of people saying great things about the Cap. America Omnibus (not just in this thread). The only thing that is keeping me at bay for now is that $47 price tag. I could nix the 2 ultimates HC's and sub in the Cap. America. I was thinking the Ultimates would give me more story to tackle, but is the Cap. story much better?

I don't care what you take out, please buy the Cap America Omnibus. It is worth every penny..

[jakov42]

I will throw in my strong support of cap omnibus as well. Excellent read and more than worth every penny.

[labor_days]

I hear a lot of people saying great things about the Cap. America Omnibus (not just in this thread). The only thing that is keeping me at bay for now is that $47 price tag. I could nix the 2 ultimates HC's and sub in the Cap. America. I was thinking the Ultimates would give me more story to tackle, but is the Cap. story much better?

Yes, absolutely drop the two Ultimates HCs for Cap. Cap is far superior to The Ultimates. Not that the Ultimates is bad (I enjoy Vol. 1 & 2), but they are far shallower in craft and complexity than Brubaker Cap 1-25. It is not too much praise to say Bru's Cap is a modern classic.

The Ultimates is candy. Fun as hell while it last but not a real meal.

[jon_samuelson]

I'll throw in my more vociferous (sp?) support for the Cap Omnibus as well. I got it a few weeks ago, and read it in a couple of days. It's unquestionably one of the 2 or 3 best mainstream books coming out right now in my opinion. It's so good that I'm ashamed of myself for not getting it from the beginning.

[mattk]

Alright, well i guess that settles that. I'll get the Cap Omnibus. It better live up to this hype ;) Are the New Frontier and Kingdom Come good enough quintessential DC books? (Besides the batmans i listed)

[labor_days]

Quintessential in the sense that NF and KC both represent the spirit and greatness of the DC universe at it's core.

[optimus187prime]

Alright, well i guess that settles that. I'll get the Cap Omnibus. It better live up to this hype ;) Are the New Frontier and Kingdom Come good enough quintessential DC books? (Besides the batmans i listed)

Well I can only comment on KC (havent read NF, yet) it is very entertaining and of course has the art you would expect from Ross. Id say KC was a hit for me, for comparison I see Justice as a miss. As far as the batman you listed, if you have not read Batman Year One, I would recommend dropping Long Halloween for it. I have heard mixed feelings about LH (although I really enjoyed it and have a first printing HC) but everyone should be in agreement that BYO is a must. On a side note shortly DC is reprinting Alan Moores Killing Joke, which is widely considered the best batman story ever.

[esophagus]

I'd read New Frontier before you read Kingdom Come. Kingdom Come is good, but if you're relatively new to DC, it won't hold the same weight. It has a lot of fairly obscure characters and continuity tidbits. You can get by without knowing them, but it works better if you do.

[conorkilpatrick]

On a side note shortly DC is reprinting Alan Moores Killing Joke, which is widely considered the best batman story ever.

I don't know anyone who thinks that. It's the best Joker story, yes. But not the best Batman story.

[labor_days]

I'd read New Frontier before you read Kingdom Come. Kingdom Come is good, but if you're relatively new to DC, it won't hold the same weight. It has a lot of fairly obscure characters and continuity tidbits. You can get by without knowing them, but it works better if you do.

This is true. A lot of the enjoyment of KC is happening in the background; in a single line or description. It's a good book. But if you get those details- hm, you'll love it all the more.

That also speaks to DC's strengths. Legacy, history, weight.

[mattk]

I'd read New Frontier before you read Kingdom Come. Kingdom Come is good, but if you're relatively new to DC, it won't hold the same weight. It has a lot of fairly obscure characters and continuity tidbits. You can get by without knowing them, but it works better if you do.
KC will still be enjoyable w/o all that knowledge tho - right? Or should i just hold off on it until i get more versed.

And the reason i didn't choose Year One was because i only wanted 1 Frank Miller story and I wanted to try another author along with it to diversify a little. I narrowly picked long halloween over hush.

[conorkilpatrick]

And the reason i didn't choose Year One was because i only wanted 1 Frank Miller story and I wanted to try another author along with it to diversify a little. I narrowly picked long halloween over hush.

The Long Halloween over Hush is an excellent choice.

[esophagus]

KC will still be enjoyable w/o all that knowledge tho - right? Or should i just hold off on it until i get more versed.Yeah, it'll still be good. Just make it more re-readable in the future.
And the reason i didn't choose Year One was because i only wanted 1 Frank Miller story and I wanted to try another author along with it to diversify a little. I narrowly picked long halloween over hush.
Good choice.

[labor_days]

KC will still be enjoyable w/o all that knowledge tho - right? Or should i just hold off on it until i get more versed.

Depends on how nutso you get over the details. KC has a good solid story. If one were to read it with only a little familiarly of the DCU, I believe one can enjoy it for what it is. But there is no getting around the fact that the book relies on the DC mythos to carry much of the weight and emotion.

It really depends on you, as a reader. If you like KC not knowing much about DC, you will find the book all the richer when you go back to it with greater knowledge.

[jon_samuelson]

I'm not a real gonzo DC guy (becoming more so though), and when I read Kingdom Come for the first time I thought it was utterly brilliant. It still qualifies as probably my #1 or #2 Superman story (behind maybe Superman for All Seasons). So from my point of view it's certainly a very enjoyable story without being able to pick up on all the subtle background stuff.

That being said though, New Frontier is also brilliant and is sort of the tale of the beginning of super-heroes in the DC universe, as Kingdom Come is sort of the tale of the twilight of super-heroes. So it'd probably be best to read New Frontier first just to gain a little bit of familiarity with the characters.

Hell you guys all have me wanting to go back and read Kingdom Come again, just to see if it's that much more fun now that I know a little bit about the background.

[optimus187prime]

I don't know anyone who thinks that. It's the best Joker story, yes. But not the best Batman story.

You know what I meant geez

[mattk]

Thanks for all this information guys. I am so far definitely gonna go with:

Marvels
Cap. Omnibus
New Frontier trades
Dark Knight Returns
Batman Long Halloween

I think that will be enough for my first order - sound good?

[esophagus]

Thanks for all this information guys. I am so far definitely gonna go with:

Marvels
Cap. Omnibus
New Frontier trades
Dark Knight Returns
Batman Long Halloween

I think that will be enough for my first order - sound good?
Definitely! Good reading.

[optimus187prime]

Thanks for all this information guys. I am so far definitely gonna go with:

Marvels
Cap. Omnibus
New Frontier trades
Dark Knight Returns
Batman Long Halloween

I think that will be enough for my first order - sound good?

I havent seen one book that was recommended that would be a neccessarily bad choice so yeah awesome picks. Your going to be hard pressed to pick which one to start with though since all those books are really fun and hearty reads.

[mattk]

I havent seen one book that was recommended that would be a neccessarily bad choice so yeah awesome picks. Your going to be hard pressed to pick which one to start with though since all those books are really fun and hearty reads.

I was just thinking that same thing. I guess i'll roll a die. I think i'll save the Cap for last though considering all the mythos behind it now.

[jon_samuelson]

That's a stack of awfully good books. And I mean a STACK. There's a lot of great story in there, you'll have a blast I'm sure.

[optimus187prime]

That's a stack of awfully good books. And I mean a STACK. There's a lot of great story in there, you'll have a blast I'm sure.

You are not kidding, I giggled thinking about how heavy the box will be.

[conorkilpatrick]

You know what I meant geez

No, I don't. I can't read your mind. I can only go by what you type.

[optimus187prime]

No, I don't. I can't read your mind. I can only go by what you type.
I was just being flippant in my response. While working and chatting on the forums I have been known to make mistakes while on auto pilot, transposing Batman and The Joker.

But I thought when you rolled in nuclear waste on a dare as a child. You were magically granted the ability to read minds.

[conorkilpatrick]

But I thought when you rolled in nuclear waste on a dare as a child. You were magically granted the ability to read minds.

Sadly, no. All I got was a drinking problem.

[jon_samuelson]

That's a sunnovabitch. You'd at least hope for a third arm to carry your beers around, if you're gonna get saddled with a drinking problem.

[optimus187prime]

Sadly, no. All I got was a drinking problem.

Happens to the best of us, hope you have a 12 pack of Yuengling like I do

[esophagus]

Conor should count his blessings. I got a drinking problem, and I didn't even have the priviledge of rolling around in nuclear waste. ;)

[reemixx]

I have a question.

I read a few Spiderman, X-Men comics etc as a kid, but never really followed the stories too closely, and definitely do not remember much :P Thought I'd try to start fresh, from the beginning somewhere.

So, my question is.... To get your toes wet in some superhero goodness, what would be the ONE Marvel and ONE DC book that you lot would recommend? Preferably books that encapsulate each universe and serve as a good introduction to the characters and the world, etc? Books where you can pick up a bit of backstory before diving deeper?

I was thinking Marvels and The New Frontier or Batman Year One (I do like Batman). What are your thoughts?

[esophagus]

I have a question.

I read a few Spiderman, X-Men comics etc as a kid, but never really followed the stories too closely, and definitely do not remember much :P Thought I'd try to start fresh, from the beginning somewhere.

So, my question is.... To get your toes wet in some superhero goodness, what would be the ONE Marvel and ONE DC book that you lot would recommend? Preferably books that encapsulate each universe and serve as a good introduction to the characters and the world, etc? Books where you can pick up a bit of backstory before diving deeper?

I was thinking Marvels and The New Frontier or Batman Year One (I do like Batman). What are your thoughts?New Frontier if you want to get a feel for the whole DCU. Just remember it's not in continuity.

I recommend the Captain America omnibus as a good start for a character in the Marvel U.

[labor_days]

I have a question.
I was thinking Marvels and The New Frontier or Batman Year One (I do like Batman). What are your thoughts?

Well, if you're interested in getting the flavor of Marvel and DC's fictional worlds, New Frontier and Marvels are good starts.

But neither book is connected to anything that is going on in the current main fictional universes.

They are stand alone stories that take place in alternate realities.

[mattk]

Hey guys, I just got some books in and am starting to go through them - having a great time. I'm looking forward to how long it will take me to get through the Cap Omnibus. That being said...

I love Whedon and used to love X-men stuff. Used to read some of their comics back in the day as well as watch their animated series. So i was reading that Whedon's Astonishing run is ending this year. What is the possibility that they will collect the whole run in an Omnibus? I don't know anything about how or why Marvel collects things, but i was sort of assuming they would as it seems to be pretty popular. Is there word of this? If so then i figure i might as well just wait until that comes out rather than start buying the 4 or 5 trades it will take to complete the series. Or is there no way to know...?

[acomicbookgirl]

Hey guys, I just got some books in and am starting to go through them - having a great time. I'm looking forward to how long it will take me to get through the Cap Omnibus. That being said...

I love Whedon and used to love X-men stuff. Used to read some of their comics back in the day as well as watch their animated series. So i was reading that Whedon's Astonishing run is ending this year. What is the possibility that they will collect the whole run in an Omnibus? I don't know anything about how or why Marvel collects things, but i was sort of assuming they would as it seems to be pretty popular. Is there word of this? If so then i figure i might as well just wait until that comes out rather than start buying the 4 or 5 trades it will take to complete the series. Or is there no way to know...?

If it is, I will be buying it. I hope you like the Cap Omnibus. :)

[conorkilpatrick]

What is the possibility that they will collect the whole run in an Omnibus? I don't know anything about how or why Marvel collects things, but i was sort of assuming they would as it seems to be pretty popular. Is there word of this? If so then i figure i might as well just wait until that comes out rather than start buying the 4 or 5 trades it will take to complete the series. Or is there no way to know...?

They haven't said anything and there's really no way to know until it's announced. It seems like a no-brainer to me, but then many things that never happen seem like a no-brainer to me.

[mattk]

They haven't said anything and there's really no way to know until it's announced. It seems like a no-brainer to me, but then many things that never happen seem like a no-brainer to me.

Well, i guess i will spend my current time and $ grabbing stuff that has already been collected. And i'll just wait to see if it gets released then maybe i can pick it up for my birthday in the summer. After seeing the Cap Omnibus, it just makes so much more sense to have one large HC than 4 or 5 TPB, so i'll hold out hope i can read it that way.

[optimus187prime]

Hey guys, I just got some books in and am starting to go through them - having a great time. I'm looking forward to how long it will take me to get through the Cap Omnibus. That being said...

I love Whedon and used to love X-men stuff. Used to read some of their comics back in the day as well as watch their animated series. So i was reading that Whedon's Astonishing run is ending this year. What is the possibility that they will collect the whole run in an Omnibus? I don't know anything about how or why Marvel collects things, but i was sort of assuming they would as it seems to be pretty popular. Is there word of this? If so then i figure i might as well just wait until that comes out rather than start buying the 4 or 5 trades it will take to complete the series. Or is there no way to know...?

I would say if you are intrested in it now, get it now. There is already a hardcover collecting the first 2 trades and I am sure after Whedon is done there will be a volume 2 HC. In the future who knows if there will be an omni, I would just get it now, but I am impulsive like that.

[mattk]

I would say if you are intrested in it now, get it now. There is already a hardcover collecting the first 2 trades and I am sure after Whedon is done there will be a volume 2 HC. In the future who knows if there will be an omni, I would just get it now, but I am impulsive like that.

Yeah, but there are so many other things i want to read that i can afford to be patient with this one.

[optimus187prime]

Yeah, but there are so many other things i want to read that i can afford to be patient with this one.

I buy now so I dont get burned later (OOP, etc.). Although that can burn you too (double dipping, etc.). I just wouldnt bank on an omni, because you could wait and then have trouble getting the current HC if you decide to do so. If your not a HC nazi like myself this shouldnt really matter much.