I LOVE the movies based on these characters, but haven't read a single one of the comics.

After seeing the movies, and reading the discussions about their merit of lack of merit here, it makes me want to check out the respective series.

Where would one start?

Anyone else love the movies, but haven't read the comics?

I would suggest some of the collected works in one book, they are a great introduction.

jerseykrs said:

They have those??? Cool! Didn't know that!

Thanks!

I'm not trying to be mean here, but why would a grown person read comics?
I'm not sure why but watching a comic based movie to me is ok, but reading an actual comic just seems to be kind of weird.

It's like going camping for the weekend as apposed to deciding to live off the earth without electricity for a summer. One is entertaining--they other is a commitment that weirds me out.

LazarusHeart said:

It's just another art form. There is some amazing artwork happening in comics and graphic novels.

LazarusHeart said:

hate to be the bearer of bad news, but comic books aren't all Archie and Veronica.

LazarusHeart said:

But the movies are far more "childish" than the comics...

jerseykrs said:

This changes nothing about my opinion on the issue.

Out of all of the above I've only checked out one Batman book, and this was years ago. I think it was called Arkham Asylum or something like that. It was quite dark and I loved the artist and writer from other stuff I'd read at the time. But other than that I never got into the traditional super hero comics. I probably could, though. lol.

coolcat said:

The movies don't require any kind of real commitment. It's like going to an amusement park to me. Reading the comics is akin to joining a Roller Coaster club and traveling the country with other zany thrill seekers.

I know I'm stereotyping here, but it makes no sense to me why a full grown adult would collect comics.

CarrieMpls said:

Some of the old Spawn comics were beautifully rendered. I agree on that point.

Then again, there are some really pimped out log cabin communes out there somewhere too I'm sure.

LazarusHeart said:

You don't have to collect them or make that type of committment to enjoy comics. They publish full stories (a series of issues) in paperback form nowdays... I just bought Civil War (marvel) in paperback form... I haven't collected comics in ages.
[Edited 5/20/07 16:34pm]

coolcat said:

yes yes, of course.

LazarusHeart said:

Are you calling me a hippy?

CarrieMpls said:

no no, of course not.

LazarusHeart said:

I'm in my mid-40s, and I still collect certain issues. The artwork and writing are more mature now than they were in the 70s. "God Loves, Man Kills", "The Dark Knight Returns", "The Killing Joke", "Planet Hulk" are amazing.

LazarusHeart said:

No offense taken. It's not like all of a sudden I will devote my life to them, I'm just finding them interesting.

As it's been mentioned the artwork is an artform of its own and the story lines can be dark. That intrigues me.

I also, at times, just want some entertaining reading, but don't want to start a novel.

What about Ghostrider and hellboy

thedribbler said:

I haven't seen Ghostrider. I saw Hellboy and only knew it was based on a comic because of the .org

I think I'll start w/ the ones I listed in the thread title first.

Nothinbutjoy said:

Marvel puts some comics online to read for free. Check it out:

http://www.marvel.com/digitalcomics

LazarusHeart said:

Because as an adult you can afford all the comics you wanted - but couldn't afford - as a kid?

It's a hobby. Some collect stamps or trading cards or Lego or CD's or whatever. I am an adult who collect comics because during my youth I fell in love with comics and that love hasn't died. Sometimes it diminishes a bit, but it doesn't die. I love reading comics and have a huge collection that I am proud of. I like to get my fix of new comics to see what's going on with the heroes I like.

jerseykrs said:

Yeah, the trade paperbacks would be a good place to start, although personally I prefer the actual issues.

Batman rocks
I love his car!

Love the grown up comic VIZ
also - can't help it but I love the Simpsons - I know it isn't a comic book but still an art form in itself
Ren and Stimpy - just love those characters!!

Nothinbutjoy said:

U can find a complete list of collected amercian comic-books here: http://tplist.millarworld...index.html

If u wanna read the "whole story" of Spider-Man & the X-Men (or any other Marvel character for that matter) u can buy volumes from the "Essential" collection (http://www.marvelmasterworks.com/library_essentials.html), which reprint 20-30 issues per volume in black & white 4 a very cheap price. Some stories did get old but stuff like "Essential Spider-Man" is still great 2 read 40 years after it was published. DC comics (Superman & Batman) have a similar collection called "Swocase Presents..." but 4 now it only reprinted 50's & 60's stuff & contrarly 2 Marvel's, these stories DID get old.

If u want self-contained stories here r some personnal advices:

- Spider-Man: Kraven's Last hunt is a classic, dark tale from the 80's.
- Marvel Knights Spider-Man is one of the most enjoyable typical Spidey storyline of these last years.
- Spider-Man: Blue is a nice revisitation of Spidey's debuts.
- X-Men: The dark Phoenix Saga is the comics version of Jean Grey's fall in2 madness due 2 her transformation in2 Phoenix.
- X-Men: mutant Massacre & its sequel X-Men: Fall of the Mutants tell some the team's hardest moments.
- X-treme X-Men: Destiny is one of the very few recent X-Men stuff i've read & i enjoyed it ok.
- Batman: The killing Joke is a must-read, featuring the best Joker story ever by top-writer Alan Moore!
- Batman: Year One, by Frank Miller, tells Batman's modern origin.
- Batman: The Cult is a favorite of mine, telling one of the Dark Knight's darkest moments.
- I haven't read Superman stuff in a while but i think that "Birthright" & "Season to season" (2 tales featuring the man of steel at his debuts) or "President Lex" are cool.
- Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is a very nice reading !!!

As 4 other characters made in2 films, u should give a try 2 Peter David's run on "Hulk", the amazing Frank Miller run or the more recent & even more amazing Brian Michael Bendis run on "Daredevil" & John Byrne's classic run on "Fantastic Four."

Last but not least, if u wanna get a global glimpse at what the DC & Marvel Universe are nowadays u have 2 read DC's incredible "Identity Crisis" by writer Brad Meltzer (one of the best super-hero comics ever written!!!) & its sequels "Infinite Crisis" & "52", & Marvel's dark "Civil War" series (mostly "The Road 2 Civil War", "Civil War" & "Civil War: Frontline.")

& let me tell u there's no shame at being an adult reading comics. I can assure u that some super-hero stuff such as the works of Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Brian Michael Bendis on Brad Meltzer are NOT 4 kids!!!

.
[Edited 5/21/07 4:55am]

LazarusHeart said:

i don't have a thing to say to you until you've read "watchmen" or "transmetropolitan". if you still think comics are a waste of a grown person's time, i may have more questions for you than you'd have for me.

Anxiety said:

:nerd:

Imago said:

it's like i said in that other thread, nerds are better lovers because we're more desperate.

shaomi said:

The first two installments of "World War Hulk" are out(Hulk #106 & World War Hulk:Prologue, written by Peter David). Great stuff.