What is the SINGLE BEST title you're reading?

[Pride of Brandon]

I'm looking to pick-up a few more books. What is the best title you're reading?

[Derek]

It really depends what kind of read you're looking for. I'll give you my single best, but also list the best in some other categories.

Best Book overall - Fables
2nd Best overall - Nightly News
Best Superhero Book overall (and best Marvel superhero book) - Daredevil
Best DC Superhero book - Detective Comics or JSA
Best Crime Book - Criminal
Best Horror book - Walking Dead
Best Indie book - Wasteland
Best Limited Series - Nightly News

[fred]

I'm with Derek on a lot of those - especially Nightly News but it's only a mini and good luck finding the first few now. I'd definitely get it in trade though.

I'm going to qualify my answer. The title that I'm choosing I choose for consistency. It's great every month. It doesn't have the 'oh shit' factor of some other books but it delivers every time. And the winner is:

Daredevil

X-Factor is a very close #2 for the same reasons. There hasn't been a single bad issue in the first 15. If X-Factor had a comparable number of issues out it would probably bump DD. DD has been great though for 91 or however many issues since the relaunch.

also, most of it is available in pretty hard covers. I'm a freak for those things

[Pride of Brandon]

I've never heard about Nightly News. Who puts it out? (If it's Manga I don't care)

And I read X-Factor like ten years ago and couldn't get into it. If I do pick it up I think I'll go through the trades first.

Same with Fables. Only with Fables everyone says it's good, but the concept just doesn't seem appealing to me.

[fred]

I've never heard about Nightly News. Who puts it out? (If it's Manga I don't care)

And I read X-Factor like ten years ago and couldn't get into it. If I do pick it up I think I'll go through the trades first.

Same with Fables. Only with Fables everyone says it's good, but the concept just doesn't seem appealing to me.

The Nightly News is a book by Johnathon Hickman that Image puts out. It's a 6 issue mini and #3 came out about 3 weeks ago. I said good luck finding the older issues because it's an Image book with relatively low sales so they can be a bit hard to come by. It's really good. It's the story of these people who are in an anti-media cult(which I admit sounds strange) and they are basically terrorists that assassinate members of the media. It's very different from anything that I've ever read. The story, the art, and even the layouts are quite unique. It's a great story. Johnathon Hickman has a voice that I believe to be totally unique.

X-Factor, this latest version of it anyway is awesome. They are 15 issues into it. It's written by Peter David and I believe that it's his best work that I've ever read. He may've done better but I missed it. It stars Madrox, Rahne, Strong Guy, Layla Miller, Rictor, Banshee's daughter whose name I can never remember, and Monet St Clair as X-Factor in a post-House of M world. ****ing brilliant.

Fables is also very good. Calling it the best book out now is a bit strong for me but I do love it. I understand the concept thing. I hate the idea of what it is. I tried so hard to dislike it but I can't. I completely get whereyou're coming from though because at first glance or description I was like what the hell is this cutesy, hokey bullshit? But I can't deny I look forward to it every month now.

[acomicbookgirl]

52, JLA and JSA. Those are the book I first read when I get my stuff.. Although with 52 you might as well wait for the graphic novel/tradepaperback.

[DarrOn]

X Factor 110%.

[orlov]

I am playing catch-up on alot of stuff right now, Y: The Last Man, Daredevil etc...

I will just list a few books i've been picking up I am not saying these are the best books out though whatsoever, just a couple books you might like.

The Boys by Garth Ennis, there are 6 issues out and its very badass. The only problem is this series just got dropped because of content issues or whatever but someone will pick this up because it did sell well enough.

I also have been reading The Eternals, mostly because I read the old ones, but I really enjoy it and its a big book and IMHO worth the $3.99 price tag.

Books I will be purchasing soon will be The Hood by Brian K. Vaughan which stars the soon to be new Marvel Universe bad guy of bad guys.

Taking BKV's suggestion of Scott Pilgrimm's and ordered the fist trade.

If you haven't read Preacher then go buy it immediately and dont tell anyone you have not read it. Aswell as Y: The Last Man and Runaways.

I am a huge Brian K. Vaughan fan so seriously anything he puts out is a solid read.

Civil War is okay I am really just reading it because I started it and want to finish, if it was not a 7 book run I would totally stop reading it.

Watch out for Dark Tower The Gunslinger Born that will rock for sure, coming out sometime in February.

Punisher Max and Punisher War Journal is also really good.

I could go on like a geek for days but this should suffice for now.

[Jimski]

Everyone loves X-Factor; everyone is a Fallen Angel fan; everyone is looking forward to Dark Tower; but I am the only man left alive reading Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

And I get it; I do. But how do we explain it to Peter David?...

[The Dude Abides]

I don't know. I may actually be looking forward to Uncanny Xmen more than anything these days.
Daredevil has kinda fallen off that pedestal lately.

[fred]

I can't wait for Dark Tower

[mister s]

X-factor is really good. Probably my favortie, even though I read it in trade.

[JAFlanagan]

We really blew the whole SINGLE BEST TITLE thing. But that's because it's an impossible task to narrow it down.

In trades, it's a toss up between Walking Dead and Invincible.

In issues...Fables, Captain America, or X-Factor.

[PV_2]

Monthly

1. Daredevil
2. Captain America
3. X-Factor

Trades

1. Fables
2. Walking Dead
3. Ultimate Spider-man

Not breaking original ground with these, but there it is.

[The Dude Abides]

I can't wait for Dark Tower

when's this?

[fred]

I believe it's February 7th

[fred]

dark tower that is

[Luthor]

I still REALLY dig Powers. It's the best book Bendis does and I don't think there's been an issue I've been disappointed in.

[Spock-tM]

I honestly couldn't give a single best comic out at the moment, but the ones I get as soon as they become available and that I will continue buying despite horrible previous issues are

Invincible
Y: The Last Man
Walking Dead
X-Factor
Fables
52
eXiles
Ultimate Spider-man
Ultimate X-Men
Astonishing X-Men
New X-Men
Runaways
Batman
Robin
Spiderman Loves Mary-Jane (and vice/versa)
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

there are others, but these listed are my top ones..... Ultimates used to be there along with Ultimate FF, but Ultimates hasn't been released in who knows how long and UFF has become kinda dull, I might wait till the newest arc is finished then go buy them all at once (not in Trade)

[Kal]

The one book that has wowed me with each issue would have to be Local. Every issue has been incredible. It's kinda unfair since it's only 7 issues in and it's a limited series, but I have not been disappointed in a single issue and I've been more excited and more excited about purchasing it every time it comes out... if only it came out more often.

Other notable: Y the Last Man, Fables, Daredevil, X-Factor.

The only book I read in trades (though that will change, god-willing!) is 100 Bullets, and yeah, it's awesome every time. I can't imagine reading it in singles, though; far too complicated to follow it each month.

[fred]

The one book that has wowed me with each issue would have to be Local. Every issue has been incredible. It's kinda unfair since it's only 7 issues in and it's a limited series, but I have not been disappointed in a single issue and I've been more excited and more excited about purchasing it every time it comes out... if only it came out more often.

Other notable: Y the Last Man, Fables, Daredevil, X-Factor.

The only book I read in trades (though that will change, god-willing!) is 100 Bullets, and yeah, it's awesome every time. I can't imagine reading it in singles, though; far too complicated to follow it each month.

I used to read 100 Bullets monthly and I had to give it up. I couldn't follow it. there are too many characters and many of them look alike

[fred]

I still REALLY dig Powers. It's the best book Bendis does and I don't think there's been an issue I've been disappointed in.

Powers is a book I've wanted to read for a long time but have never gotten to. It's as good as everyone says it is?

[DarrOn]

Powers is a book I've wanted to read for a long time but have never gotten to. It's as good as everyone says it is?

Duuuuuuuude.....YES! Powers is effing AWESOME man. I'm catching up on the trades, and by golly, each trade just gets better and better. My favorite work of Bendis' (having not read Alias, mind you).

Seriously, sir, it's all about Powers
Powers
Powers
Powers
Powers

(See how I did that?)

;-)

[fred]

Powers
Powers
Powers
Powers

(See how I did that?)

;-)

that looks kind of familiar
if I didn't know better I'd say that's a tribute

[DarrOn]

It was not the greatest post in the world.

No.

It was just a tribute.

[Luthor]

Powers is a book I've wanted to read for a long time but have never gotten to. It's as good as everyone says it is?

YES!

Duuuuuuuude.....YES! Powers is effing AWESOME man. I'm catching up on the trades, and by golly, each trade just gets better and better. My favorite work of Bendis' (having not read Alias, mind you).


Couldn't agree more. I started with the trades and switched to the monthly around issue 30.

But it rules. All kinds of rules.

[JAFlanagan]

It was just a tribute.

Dio agrees about Powers.

http://www.rockdetector.com/assets/resized/img/interviews/4/1dio-0-200-0-300.jpg

[mister s]

I still REALLY dig Powers. It's the best book Bendis does and I don't think there's been an issue I've been disappointed in.

Couldn't agree with you more. Love powers. Almost as much as Alias or Jinx.

[fred]

It was not the greatest post in the world.

No.

It was just a tribute.

well then let's have an encore

what should we all be reading?

strange girl
strange girl
strange girl

You know I've actually been asked if I'm Rick Remender before?
the answer is no


and it makes me kind of sad

[fred]

Couldn't agree with you more. Love powers. Almost as much as Alias or Jinx.

Alias is really great. It had the perfect ratio of fighting, talking, swearing, and butt sex

[Baxter]

Powers is a book I've wanted to read for a long time but have never gotten to. It's as good as everyone says it is?

I didn't like Powers, but listen to everyone else. It just didn't jive with me.

Alias is damn good tho.

[jimmyp]

Y: The Last Man, hands down. It does seem to move very quickly though...maybe 'cause I'm burning through it too quickly. Either way it's awesome.

[iSteve]

There are just so many great titles out right now.

The two I would recommend are:

1) Powers
2) Captain America

[Ekval]

Gotta chime in to agree that I think X-Factor is the most solid thing I've been reading since I came back into comics a few months ago.

Daredevil is no slouch at all either.

For a DC title, I'd say that Robin is probably consistently my favorite.

Oh yeah, and I'm not sure anyone mentioned it, but Invincible is one of those books I eagerly anticipate.

[Humphrey Lee]

I'll do you one (okay, a few) better. The 10 best titles I'm getting right now (now in order!):

Fables
Ex Machina
Fell
The Walking Dead
100 Bullets
Criminal
DMZ
X-Factor
Welcome to Tranquility
Iron Fist

I'm getting about 65 titles now, and out of all of them I would say those 10 plus about another half dozen all typically put out consistent A- or better quality (okay, they occasionally have that lulled out B+, but what title hasn't?). I love my pull list.

[UnnamedFrenchGuy]

Powers is a book I've wanted to read for a long time but have never gotten to. It's as good as everyone says it is?

It is as good, quality wise, as everyone says. The real question is: Will you enjoy it? That's harder to tell. If you enjoy police procedurals on TV then definitly give Powers a try. I really loved Homicide: Life on the Street (http://imdb.com/title/tt0106028/) when it was on TV and Powers is like watching that show but with superheroes.

[fred]

Every time Powers becomes 'next' on my list of things to begin reading something jumps in front of it

[marcushill73]

I would argue that Walking Dead is by far one of the best books on the market today. I must confess to not being on the initial band wagon for this series and purchased the first TPB when it was released. Since then, I read the series in TPB form. Thus far, five collections have been released. Another will be coming out in coming weeks.
I purchase on average a dozen TPB's and a dozen single issues a month. THis is always my last read for the evening, and with each collection, I regret reading it late at night. I have nightmares!
Robert Kirkman pulls out all the stops on this one. The brutality of the series doesn't necessarily focus on the ghastly zombies and their mindless appetites, but on the horrific reality and decisions made by the humans. Faced with a world that no longer has government, military, anything, a group of people under the leadership of the series' protagonist Rick, are repeatedly faced with situations that challenge their notion of "what is right/just". As Rick himself states, "We are the Walking Dead!", waiting to become the mindless zombies that inhabit their new world.
Highest possible recommendation.

[marcushill73]

This series originally started with Image Comics. Considering the eclectic mix that Image published when this in 2001, for me, it went under the radar. On Image's website, they make available web-versions of first issues from assorted series. Rex Mundi was amongst these stories. I read it, and thought.....okay, but.......
Series creator Avrid Nelson recently took the series over to Dark Horse Comics, commencing with the fourth arc of the series. At the same time, DHC released the only collection that Image had not released; the third arc titled Rex Mundi: The Lost Kings. In later months, DHC would release the first six-issue arc Rex Mundi: The Guardians of The Temple, and the second six-issue arc Rex Mundi: The River Underground.
Short version: it has not been easy to access this story with small print runs from Image Comics, as well as out-of-order release of collections from DHC. Under the umbrella of DHC, the series seems to be safe and secure.....

Now onto the story itself:
Rex Mundi (King of the World) posits an alternate present of 1933 in which the Reformation never happened, the Inquisition is still in full swing, Europe remains dominated by the Catholic Church and the rest of the world consists of colonies. The American Civil War ended in a draw, and magic is alive and well.
The series's protagonist, Doctor Julien Sauniere, investigates a series of horrific ritual murders and an ancient secret society. Everything you ever suspected about the secrets of the Catholic Church is realised in this series. Sauneire's search for the Holy Grail leads him to a stolen scroll that holds the key to an ancient riddle that threatens engulf the war in a new worldwide conflict.
I haven't seen or even read The da Vinci Code, but introductions to each collection point out Rex Mundi was written before that book ever saw print. That said, I love Rex Mundi. Plenty of intrigue, well-written characters, and painstakingly researched. The part that I enjoy about each issue is le Journal de la Libertie. Nelson creatively authors politic commentaries, provides historical featurettes, and even people magazine-like news paper entries. If you have read Alan Moore's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, it is not dissimilar to back-story Moore creates.
A hard to find series, but even harder to put down once you start reading it.

[Six Gun]

X-Book- Astonishing X-Men
Bat-Book- Batman (Morrison & Kubert)
DCU-Book- Checkmate
Marvel U-Book- (Tie) Daredevil & Captain America
Indy-Book- Criminal

[JurassicAlien]

I love Detective Comic right now. Every month I look forward to it, Dini is just taking names right now and it seems to be getting little fan fair. I could only imagine (IMO) it's because it's consitantly good. The only time Detective was getting talked about was the one issue Dini wasn't on.

[fred]

I love Detective Comic right now. Every month I look forward to it, Dini is just taking names right now and it seems to be getting little fan fair. I could only imagine (IMO) it's because it's consitantly good. The only time Detective was getting talked about was the one issue Dini wasn't on.

I'm going to go a little crazy here and agree and disagree at the same time. Yes, I think it is partially because of how consitently good it is.

Here comes the tricky part:

I think one of the reasons that it's so good month after month is that they're all done in one

I also think part of the decreased discussion of it is that each issue is done in one

It feels like this huge paradox to me

Dini's stories wouldn't be as good if they spanned 5 or 6 issues, but at the same time people don't talk about them as much because they don't span 5 or 6 issues. There are no hanging threads to haggle, ramble, and meander over

[Humphrey Lee]

I'm going to go a little crazy here and agree and disagree at the same time. Yes, I think it is partially because of how consitently good it is.

Here comes the tricky part:

I think one of the reasons that it's so good month after month is that they're all done in one

I also think part of the decreased discussion of it is that each issue is done in one

It feels like this huge paradox to me

Dini's stories wouldn't be as good if they spanned 5 or 6 issues, but at the same time people don't talk about them as much because they don't span 5 or 6 issues. There are no hanging threads to haggle, ramble, and meander over

That's actually my "complaint" about it too. They are fine, little stories, whether they be one and done detective stories, some off the wall fanfare like the Robin and Joker issue, etc. All are far from perfect, that is the one thing I will say, is that when people do talk about it, they act like it's the second coming. And it kind of is, it's like the second coming of The Animated Series. Yes, I know that's Dini's "claim to fame" with the comic crowd, but that doesn't mean he has to stick with it. These are all relatively fun and tight (for the most part) single issue stories... that I feel like I've read and even watched before. I'm not saying anything drastic is needed like a year long "Hush-like" saga, but just the occasional three parter would be great. I'm actually kind of tired of seeing stuff like this latest issue where it's just eleven pages of a mystery you have no chance of solving because you haven't been given enough build up, and then eleven more pages explaining why it happened like it did.

But at least it's better than Morrison's... :D

[fred]

I'm not a regular Batman reader. I read the cool stuff and I go back through the years and cherry-pick stories I've heard about. But I don't usually have it on my pull list. Dini and Morrison have gotten me to change that but at the same time I miss stories like The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and Hush. Hell even War Games was cool.(I read it all at once after it had been completed)

That's not to say I haven't enjoyed every issue of Detective since Dini joined(except 824 - ****ing bastards), but I would like more meat

[JurassicAlien]

From what I heard the stories are supposed to all meet up in the end, so threads to come together in the end.

[ANTiFanboy Jon]

Fables...hands down is the single best title out there (in my opinion)

[Humphrey Lee]

Fables...hands down is the single best title out there (in my opinion)


Hah! I knew I wasn't the only one!.... of course, this means it's still 2 against, like, 100,000... Oh well.

[ANTiFanboy Jon]

We can take 'em

[Humphrey Lee]

We can take 'em

Eh, I'm pretty muscly for a geek actually, so we have a fighting chance. Especially if I'm allowed some medieval weaponry...

[ANTiFanboy Jon]

Eh, I'm pretty muscly for a geek actually, so we have a fighting chance. Especially if I'm allowed some medieval weaponry...

I'm asian, so I was born with martial arts abilities.

[Humphrey Lee]

I'm asian, so I was born with martial arts abilities.

I knew that's how that worked!! I'm Italian, so I'm just born with a pre-disposition towards a thinning hairline... dammit I knew I was getting hosed. Ah well, like I said, muscles. You bring the speed and stealth, I'll bring the shear brutality. If anyone disputes our claim of Fables being the best book (as well as James Jean being the best cover artist) they get the Chair Leg of Truth (thank you Warren Ellis).

[ANTiFanboy Jon]

I heard somewhere that James Jean shoots other cover artists that think they are better than him with a gun. Just a rumor

[Humphrey Lee]

I heard somewhere that James Jean shoots other cover artists that think they are better than him with a gun. Just a rumor

I hope not, because he does have a lot of competition. Tim Bradstreet for an example, and he's a big scary man. I've met him before, he's unsettling and friendly all at once. Interesting chap...

[fred]

From what I heard the stories are supposed to all meet up in the end, so threads to come together in the end.
that would take some serious magic to tie together though and it's Dini rather than Brubaker. Seems like a long wait for the payoff anyway. If it works they'll start calling it the tantric sex writing method

[marcushill73]

Try reading 100 Bullets in TPB format. This is what I have done form the get go, and so far I have enjoyed every collection. There will probably be 14 or 15 collections once it is finished, and so far, 10 have been published.

[ScottLittlefield]

I've been really enjoying a number of DC titles lately. Since it's so hard to narrow it down. I'll give you my top 5.

1. Justice Society of America (This is my first experience with the JSA and I'm really liking it.)
2. Robin (Consistently good every month)
3. Justice League of America (Has been good, looking forward to the JLA/JSA crossover.)
4. Teen Titans (The art that started this month I think will be very cool)
5. Trials of Shazam (Has been an interesting, unique story)

[fred]

I've been really enjoying a number of DC titles lately. Since it's so hard to narrow it down. I'll give you my top 5.

1. Justice Society of America (This is my first experience with the JSA and I'm really liking it.)
2. Robin (Consistently good every month)
3. Justice League of America (Has been good, looking forward to the JLA/JSA crossover.)
4. Teen Titans (The art that started this month I think will be very cool)
5. Trials of Shazam (Has been an interesting, unique story)


I'm also reading JSA for the first time and I'm enjoying it. I just picked up #3. I hope that it continues. I don't even really mind being lost. I love the Ted Grant character.

[K-Dizzle]

on a whim I picked up the first two issues of the new 30 days of night series. Anyone read it?

[fred]

i didn't. is it any good?

[Big Doze]

X-Book- Astonishing X-Men
Bat-Book- Batman (Morrison & Kubert)
DCU-Book- Checkmate
Marvel U-Book- (Tie) Daredevil & Captain America
Indy-Book- Criminal

To rip off you categories, sir...

X-Book- Astonishing X-Men (must mention X-Factor, though)
Bat-Book- Robin
DCU-Book- Invincible... OH, wait, right... I mean, Teen Titans
Marvel U-Book- Runaways
Indy-Book- Uh... does Y count?

[marcushill73]

Before Civil War, Powers was the only Bendis book I read. I have read this since first issue published by Image Comics. If I was recommend this to anyone, I would suggest purchasing series via TPB's. It can sometimes be difficult to keep up with stories in issue to issue format.

[Jimski]

I keep seeing this thread and thinking, "Come up with a favorite and join in," if only for the mental exercise. But I'm happy to report that it's just too hard to narrow down. Every time I think of one, I go, "Yeah, but what about _____?" It's just a good time to be a reader of comics. I'm eagerly looking forward to at least one thing every week. And next week?? Sheesh! The floodgates open again.

[marcushill73]

Can anyone recall when was a bad time to be reading comics?

[Humphrey Lee]

I keep seeing this thread and thinking, "Come up with a favorite and join in," if only for the mental exercise. But I'm happy to report that it's just too hard to narrow down. Every time I think of one, I go, "Yeah, but what about _____?" It's just a good time to be a reader of comics. I'm eagerly looking forward to at least one thing every week. And next week?? Sheesh! The floodgates open again.

I agree for the most part. I mean, I think it's easy for me to say that FABLES is hands down the best I read as of now, but after that the lines blur. I enjoy pretty much every title in that little top ten list of mine I did equally, it's just a matter of consistency.

But it is a good time for books. Sure, there's a lot of crap out there, and a lot of it is selling way too good while the truly good books get buried, but I get about 65 titles and a good 15 of them I would grade consistently in the A- and better range. So every week I'm almost assured at least three top notch, almost instant classic titles, like next week I'm (supposedly) getting DMZ, LOCAL, and WALKING DEAD all at once. That's good times.

[Humphrey Lee]

Can anyone recall when was a bad time to be reading comics?

1996. I pretty much hated comics, and stopped reading them for 3 years. Of course, there were some really good titles at the time, there's always good titles, but now that I've gone back and caught up on what I've missed, there was really only a handful of books from then that I missed that were off the wall amazing (Preacher, Starman, Invisibles, etc.)

[K-Dizzle]

I agree for the most part. I mean, I think it's easy for me to say that FABLES is hands down the best I read as of now, but after that the lines blur. I enjoy pretty much every title in that little top ten list of mine I did equally, it's just a matter of consistency.

But it is a good time for books. Sure, there's a lot of crap out there, and a lot of it is selling way too good while the truly good books get buried, but I get about 65 titles and a good 15 of them I would grade consistently in the A- and better range. So every week I'm almost assured at least three top notch, almost instant classic titles, like next week I'm (supposedly) getting DMZ, LOCAL, and WALKING DEAD all at once. That's good times.

I tried to read Fables, i really really tried. I never would have given it a chance if it wasent for the POW. I am now to the point where i actually hate it.
however im with you on the Walking Dead.

[marcushill73]

I have just picked up Fables with Mike Allred's two issue run. If it reads okay, I think I will go back and read TPB's. I just had a look at Eisner Award recipients, and Fables only started receiving notoriety / recognition with FABLES VOL 3 STORYBOOK LOVE TP. So, when I do start reading this title, I will look for the third arc to be the turning point (which is what I recall on iFanboy podcast)

[Swink]

:) Uh as of right now i have been reading (im sure not all of these are current but):
Walking Dead
Invincible
Civil War
Fables
And i just picked up X-force 1 which actually wasn't that good but its pretty old so it could sell for a few:)

[Humphrey Lee]

I have just picked up Fables with Mike Allred's two issue run. If it reads okay, I think I will go back and read TPB's. I just had a look at Eisner Award recipients, and Fables only started receiving notoriety / recognition with FABLES VOL 3 STORYBOOK LOVE TP. So, when I do start reading this title, I will look for the third arc to be the turning point (which is what I recall on iFanboy podcast)

That's about where it starts hitting its stride. At first it does come off as just a pretty solid book with some clever ideas and characterization, but by book three there (and maybe four too) it starts becoming this burgeoning world and it does suck you in. It just takes patience, but what one of these sprawling "epics" like Preacher, Sandman, Y, etc hasn't?

[marcushill73]

Invincible and Walking Dead are a one-two punch that only Robert Kirkman can deliver. Can you recall when you have ever heard anyone say, "Invincible (or Walking Dead): it was an off issue". It NEVER happens. Kirkman is too invested in these titles.

Godland. Joe Casey and Thomas Scioli are doing a fantastic job with this title. It reads much like Scioli's previous self-published story Myth of Opus 8, but with Casey on writing chores, this is much better. It;s a laugh-out-loud good fun comic. Like Invincible, it just a darn good funny book!

Savage Dragon. I know, I know. You will not hear me say too much negative about this book, or Erik Larsen for that matter. Great supporting cast, and Larsen deeply cares about his characters. Each issue is jammed pack full of story, letters page, back-up story. NO advertisements. If you are sick of that insert in middle of two-page spread, look no further.

[paper]

but what one of these sprawling "epics" like Preacher, Sandman, Y, etc hasn't?

Y reeled me in pretty early. First issue early. But maybe that's all in the high concept? Not that Fables doesn't have a high concept too, and a good one, but maybe it's a bit broad at the beginning? After the first two trades I'm really torn. So many glowing reviews and endorsements, but I don't feel any kind of attachment to this scattered world.

[Humphrey Lee]

Y reeled me in pretty early. First issue early. But maybe that's all in the high concept? Not that Fables doesn't have a high concept too, and a good one, but maybe it's a bit broad at the beginning? After the first two trades I'm really torn. So many glowing reviews and endorsements, but I don't feel any kind of attachment to this scattered world.

Well, Y does kind of pull you in by the magnitude of the concept, but the thing about it is there's really only a handful of characters you have to worry about and focus on. There's just such a huge cast in Fables, that yeah, I think it is a little broad and I think that's why it takes a good four trades for it to hook into you, unlike something like Preacher which pretty much has you by the end of the second trade. You just need to spend some time soaking it all in, maybe reread the first four trades a couple times, and then from there on out you just let the storytelling take you on the ride.

Seriously, when this is done, it might be second only to The Sandman on my all time list. But there's so much ground left to cover, who knows what might happen to it by then.

[paper]

Well, the Amazon description for the third trade seems promising. It goes into smaller, self-contained stories? That's what I'm looking for, some establishing episodes to get a better look at the ol' fableverse. I'll give it at least one more trade.

I'm such a pushover...

[Humphrey Lee]

Well, the Amazon description for the third trade seems promising. It goes into smaller, self-contained stories? That's what I'm looking for, some establishing episodes to get a better look at the ol' fableverse. I'll give it at least one more trade.

I'm such a pushover...

It does lock in there a lot, yeah. You get a lot of info on the more main characters like Bigby and Snow, but the side guys like Boy Blue and Prince Charming come more into play as well. Volume four, March of the Wooden Soldiers I think is the one that really does the most solidifying though. After that it's all butter...

[Jimski]

Can anyone recall when was a bad time to be reading comics?

What year did that X-Men vs. Star Trek come out? That year.

Also, at around 11:00 last night.

I like FABLES, but I don't get super-excited about it. I switched to trades and never looked back. In contrast, the wait for Ex Machina trades might be doing me real harm.

It's sort of amazing that Ultimate Spider-Man is on #105 and I'm still going "Oh boy!" when it comes out as much as I did when I got #13.

[iSteve]

Jimski,

What's the difference for you in reading Fables in trades as opposed to Ex Machina?

[Jimski]

Jimski,

What's the difference for you in reading Fables in trades as opposed to Ex Machina?

It feels a little more like Ex Machina has a central plot/mystery that is moving forward, while Fables is less urgent and more character driven...? Hmm, that's not exactly it... words are failing me.

I can say this much: I am still very curious about what's going on with Mitchell Hundred, but any suspense I had regarding Fables was sort of killed by the fact that I started reading it in issues in the late 30s or early 40s and the first arc I read revealed the story's central mystery... which, since I'd just started reading, I didn't even know was a mystery.

Also, I stopped reading both titles in issues roughly simultaneously. Since then, Fables has put out (I believe) three trades while Ex Machina has put out zero trades. As I've said before, so far my version of switching to trades looks a lot like dropping the book. But it's not my fault!

(Ex Machina v.5: Smoke Smoke will be released the first week of March.)