New Listener? New to Comics? Don't be afraid. Ask Away!

[Chris]

With the New DC 52 I've noticed a jump in AC downloads & plenty of new forum members & twitter followers.

I REALLY hope that these are new comic readers that are testing the waters of the online comics communities. In that spirit, I want anyone and everyone to know that no question about comics is too basic. Feel free to ask anything and the larger 11 O'Clock community will be here to help.

Promise!

[Christopher Stark]

Well what do you like?  What was the reason you liked image, art, story, etc?  And in that, what kinds of stories or genres did you enjoy?  THere have been some fantastic reads since the 90s but it depends on what you like.

A few I really enjoyed are:
Ex Machina
Invincible
Walking Dead
Invincible Iron Man
Chew
Sixth Gun
Astonishing Spiderman/Wolverine
Punisher Max

[David]

All of those sound pretty fantastic, and after looking at the guest list for Heroes, I think I might throw down on a badge for that (it's the closest in terms of driving distance too).

Thanks again, DAP.

Fantastic!  Heroes might spoil you for future cons.  I haven't been there yet, but it's a great one to pop your cherry on.

I figure initially I will try to get some cheap trades or whatever I can from the local library so some suggestions would be appreciated. I am thinking more of stuff that would be required reading. I realize DC recently did their reboot with the new 52, but still would like some of the backstory especially if I can get it easily from my library.

• Amazing Spider-Man, start with Brand New Day or Big Time (There's a newish thread with a list of all the ollections from Brand New Day to Spider-Island.)
• Matt Wagner's Dark Moon Rising two-parter that retells old Batman stories: Monster Men and Mad Monk
• House of M (Just a pretty cool "self contained" story with snazzy art.  Ramifications are felt to this day, but you can go in cold.)
• JLA: The Nail and JLA: Another Nail
• Secret Wars
• Identity Crisis
• Green Arrow: Archer's Quest

Off the top of my head...

[Brennok]

Well what do you like?  What was the reason you liked image, art, story, etc?  And in that, what kinds of stories or genres did you enjoy?  THere have been some fantastic reads since the 90s but it depends on what you like.

The art and style is what drew me in. Story is nice, but I can put up with a pretty bad story if the art is good enough. Unfortunately I can't say the opposite is the same. If the art doesn't grab me, I find it more a distraction and can't get into the story. Spawn was the comic I saw that made me go wow I need to look into comics. Someone at school happened to have the first few which had just come out, and I dove pretty heavily into it.

About the only genre I never really got into was pure sci fi. I remember liking are stuff like Cry for Dawn, Jaguar God, and CreeD beyond the regular Image titles at the time. I recognize titles like Stormwatch, WildCats, Warlands, Prophet, and Wetworks among others, but no memory or even knowledge of what I have and don't have in my collection. Honestly it has been so long most of the titles escape me that I enjoyed which is why I plan to reread to see what holds up and keeps my interest.

Thanks for the titles David.

[horsekack]

Ok now I have another question. On dcbs can I set it up to automatically keep pulling and sending me the comics that I have picked without having to thumb through the website every month for the stuff that I already know that I want to read.

[Jeppe]

• Amazing Spider-Man, start with Brand New Day or Big Time (There's a newish thread with a list of all the ollections from Brand New Day to Spider-Island.)
• Identity Crisis

I'll repeat these two recommendations. I read Identity Crisis about a year ago and it was a great (re)introduction to the DC Universe. Spider-Man Brand New Day is also an excellent gateway to that character, if you are at all interested in him.

If you are not intimidated by a longer run, I would also recommend 52 as a great introduction to a host of DC characters and plot threads. Read it after Identity Crisis, and enjoy one of the best events in superhero comics 

Now if you're interested in non-superheroes stuff, there's a whole other list of things we can throw at you 

[Brennok]

I'll repeat these two recommendations. I read Identity Crisis about a year ago and it was a great (re)introduction to the DC Universe. Spider-Man Brand New Day is also an excellent gateway to that character, if you are at all interested in him.

If you are not intimidated by a longer run, I would also recommend 52 as a great introduction to a host of DC characters and plot threads. Read it after Identity Crisis, and enjoy one of the best events in superhero comics 

Now if you're interested in non-superheroes stuff, there's a whole other list of things we can throw at you 

Currently waiting on 52 vol 1 and Identity Crisis to get to my local library which usually takes a week or so. I am also waiting on Green Arrow: Quiver since they have Quiver, Sounds of Violence, and Archer's Quest. 

I will probably give the Spider-man a try later though he has never been that appealing to me though I have never read any of his arcs.

[Shisho]

Hey Brennok, you probably already know this, but if your library doesn't have the titles you are looking for ask a staff person that you would like to use their interlibrary loan service.  The majority of libraries don't charge for this service, but some do.  Just fill out a form and then the library can look for it in another library and get it in for you.  My library has sent copies of our graphic novels all over the U.S. and even one over to the U.K.

[Brennok]

Hey Brennok, you probably already know this, but if your library doesn't have the titles you are looking for ask a staff person that you would like to use their interlibrary loan service.  The majority of libraries don't charge for this service, but some do.  Just fill out a form and then the library can look for it in another library and get it in for you.  My library has sent copies of our graphic novels all over the U.S. and even one over to the U.K.

Thanks, yeah mine offers it through their web site which is nice so I don't even have to stop in. They also have an extended loan program for out of the area and those at least here will sometimes charge depending on where it is coming from.

I was also surprised to see it says they have some electronic copies of comics, but I haven't tried it to see how well those work.

[Brennok]

Well I finished Identity Crisis which I enjoyed. I am still waiting on 52 vol 1 and 2 to get here. I am also trying Marvel's Civil War, but it isn't really grabbing me.

On a side note where is the best place to buy some cheap bags and boards? I found a ton of books I need to bag and board mixed in my long boxes. Is there a set brand to go with? I saw some on Amazon for current size comics around $7 for 100 but didn't know pricewise or brand how they were. Everything I have is from the 90s so I am assuming they are still current size unless they changed it again. I probably have enough to fill at least one long box possibly 2.

[markamscientist]

I've been intrigued by The Goon and will hopefully start picking up the trades but I have a question regarding the trades. And here it is.... Does the story start in The Goon vol. 2: My Murderous Childhood (And Other Grievous Yarns)? According to wikipedia it contains issues 1 - 4... is it a reprint of previous material or a renumbering?

Please and thank you

[Chris]

That's because of a publisher change.

You can start there, or you can start with Vol. 1. It's all good.

[Andrew Tom]

In all honesty... you can pretty much start anywhere with the goon.  Yeah, it has a continuity, but it's pretty easy to jump around in.

Personally, I read the vol. 0 trade, then vol. 1, then Chinatown (vol. 6 I think), then vol. 2 (that's where I'm at currently.

Any Goon questions should be directed to Zack Kruse (he's the premiere Goon expert around here). 

[Jeppe]

I've been intrigued by The Goon and will hopefully start picking up the trades but I have a question regarding the trades. And here it is.... Does the story start in The Goon vol. 2: My Murderous Childhood (And Other Grievous Yarns)? According to wikipedia it contains issues 1 - 4... is it a reprint of previous material or a renumbering?

Please and thank you

The Goon is AWESOME  Like others have said, you can pretty much start anywhere with the series, but the first volume is an excellent place to begin.

[PozrDu]

Well I finished Identity Crisis which I enjoyed. I am still waiting on 52 vol 1 and 2 to get here. I am also trying Marvel's Civil War, but it isn't really grabbing me.

I skipped it & didn't regret it.  I've never needed more than a quick wikipedia reference to get the gist.
I still, however, want to read Illuminati & haven't gotten to Planet Hulk yet.

[markamscientist]

So are Vol.1 and Vol.2 completely different?

[markamscientist]

Sorry to be constantly posting in this but I'm a noob what can I say.

Does anybody know what's going on with Fairy Quest from Humberto Ramos? I picked up the first book and was wondering if there was any info on future books?

[iheartcomicz]

Ok so here's my question. I'm buying 3 Marvel Omnibus' on Amazon, I need help picking 2 of them, one of the three must be Amazing Spiderman vol.2 Was considering Avengers (Lee/Kirby) and Fantastic Four (Byrne) what do you think? Only looking at ones that are "in stock" b/c I only want to get them for under retail cost. Really trying to get into the "classic" comics b/c I'm kind of burning out on current comics.

[David]

Does anybody know what's going on with Fairy Quest from Humberto Ramos? I picked up the first book and was wondering if there was any info on future books?

Is that the book that was Kickstarted recently?

Was considering Avengers (Lee/Kirby) and Fantastic Four (Byrne) what do you think? Only looking at ones that are "in stock" b/c I only want to get them for under retail cost. Really trying to get into the "classic" comics b/c I'm kind of burning out on current comics.

They're both worth it.

What other options are there?  Claremont era X-Men (Dark Phoenix, etc.)?  X-Statix?

[iheartcomicz]

Sub question, if FF doesn't really do "it" for me, is the Byrne art worth it alone? Also, you guys talk a lot about Kirby, would his work in the Avengers Omnibus be a good representation of yall's praise?

[Steve Raker]

Sub question, if FF doesn't really do "it" for me, is the Byrne art worth it alone?

If you're not into the FF, I wouldn't buy a hundred dollar FF HC volume for the Byrne art alone, although it is quite nice and spans several eras of his then evolving style.

Also, you guys talk a lot about Kirby, would his work in the Avengers Omnibus be a good representation of yall's praise?

No, absolutely not.  Kirby worked on the first bunch of issues but handed the series off to other artists. Not indicative of why we say "WOW!" to Kirby.  Try the Thor Masterworks beginning with volume 4, or get the Kamandi Omnibus from DC.

You might consider a sampling of Marvel Masterwork HC's instead of available Omnibus's....better in-print selection of classic tales told in the Mighty Marvel Manner!