If I were to start reading comic books, where would be a good place to start? I ran into an op-ed going on about how comic books are a whole culture, separate from regular books. I want to try this culture out.
The simplest answer is: don't start with comics. Many of the best stories within comics are collected in what are somewhat inaccurately referred to as graphic novels. I would suggest starting with some or all of the following list. If that whets your appetite, go to a comic shop - preferably an independent one - tell the proprietor what you liked, and ask ”What next?"I am not going to recommend jumping straight into the main Marvel and DC continuities, because that is expensive and you can waste a lot of time and money before you find what you want.Probably the best way to start is by reading some of the best authors and expanding out from there. Here are some of the best, and their best known works. I've skewed towards work outside the mainstream, but referenced a few definitive examples with well-known charactersAlan Moore - Watchmen, Miracleman, V for Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Frank Miller - The Dark Knight Returns, Elektra: Assassin, Sin CityNeil Gaiman: Black Orchid, Sandman, Miracleman Grant Morrison: start with Arkham AsylumWarren Ellis: start with TransmetropolitanGarth Ennis: Preacher, his run on The Punisher (Jason Aaron's run, which followed it, is also very good)Ed Brubaker: Sleeper, Fatale, his run on Captain America Bill Willingham: FablesMike Carey: Lucifer (a spin off from Sandman), The Unwritten Brian K Vaughan: Y The Last Man, Ex Machina, Runaways Robert Kirkman: The Walking Dead, Invincible It's also worth looking at a couple of long-running series that a lot of authors have worked on as it's a good way to pick up different styles. Hellblazer, about a morally ambiguous magician, has featured several of the authors above and many more. Likewise Crossed / Crossed: Badlands / Crossed Plus 100 (though it's very gory and, for my money, not a patch on The Walking Dead).
How do I start reading comics?
start with 'Marvel Now', their reboot. Best from Marvel comics are the Daredevil, Spiderman and Avengers issues. Captain America's are pretty average, so is Iron man's. Your question just proves how these awesome marvel movies are bringing audiences to read the comics. Another tip: I read both Marvel and DC and don't get me started on which is better (they're equal) though right now, I'm loving DC's issues. More grounded and well...better. Cheaper as well. You want DC? Start with issue 1 of New 52 Batman, Batman and Robin and Aquaman. Best issues. You really should read the first issues. Like a watching halfway through a movie. Ultimately, Marvel and DC reboot their universes so they don't get so convoluted every so decade so for Marvel, start with Marvel Now and for DC start with the NEW 52. I don't think you should read any comics that were published before the 2000
I want to start reading Batman comics where should I start?
I know there are lots of mini-stories and series' and different time eras. Which one would you recommend to me for someone who has never read comics before? Also, I love the Joker. He's my favorite supervillain. I watched Batman: The Animated series as a kid and I love him and Harley Quinn. Is there a series that has a lot of the Joker in it?
I want to start reading comics, but I don't know where to start. Where should I start?
I want to start reading comics, but I don't know where to start. Where should I start?Here is what I did: I started reading comics.I know. I know. It sounds obvious and unhelpful. But in life, simplicity is genius. Start reading anything and everything you can get your hand on. Origin story, not origin story, 1st issue, 100th issue, cannon, not cannon, it doesn’t matter.The more you read, the more you will dive into the amazing world. You will realize there are hundreds of versions of the origin stories of each character. And thousands of stories about each character. You will learn to appreciate how varied the characters can be interpreted based on different interpretations by different writers. The ocean of comics is just too big to keep thinking about how should I enter. Just dive into it.p.s. if you still need a definite name, take any title such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, etc. and start with the first issue (Duh!)
I want to start reading Batman comic books, however I dont think I want to read the Silver Age ones. Where should I start?
As a recent newcomer to comics culture myself, I’ll offer my own experience as a guide. I started with The Dark Knight Returns, and while I like that story quite a bit, it’s not a great place to start (it was assigned for a class so I didn’t have much choice). It relies a little too much on the assumption that a reader is already steeped in an understanding of the Batman mythos and has built up an emotional connection to the character, understands him on a deeper level.After that first foray, I next read Batman: Year One, and I think that’s a better place to start—TDKR was probably the single story that was most responsible for turning Batman into the modern version of the character we have today, but Year One is a much better introduction to Frank Miller’s version of the character, functioning as both a standalone origin story and a reboot of the Batman mythos on the whole.Next I read Long Halloween, which is sort of a loose sequel to Year One, taking a young Batman and rebuilding the rogues gallery and cast of supporting characters around him. I didn’t appreciate this one so much, but given that everyone else regards it as one of the best Batman stories, I think I must just be bad at reading comics. This or Year One is probably the best place I can suggest to start.After Long Halloween I followed up with the sequel Dark Victory, which I also didn’t appreciate, though I recognize why other people do. You’ll definitely have to read this one after Long Halloween, but if you like the first then I definitely recommend the second.Capping off the Long Halloween—Dark Victory arc I read the standalone Haunted Knight, which is more of a short, disconnected series of spiritual successor stories to the extended LH—DV story.There’s plenty of good stuff out there I haven’t gotten to yet. The Knightfall trilogy is iconic and imporant, and I hear Arkham Asylum is pretty great. Starting from the beginning of the New 52 run on Batman is also probably not a terrible way to get started.
I want to start reading Spiderman comics - where to start?
I have seen so many different spiderman series in the comic book store! So I have no idea where I should start. Pleease help me.,. And what is ther difference between the different series?