So what's everyone here reading?

IMAGE: walking dead, lullaby, Armor X
Marvel: The Ultimate Iron Man (Orson Scott Card is writing it, kind of a dissappointment, though.)

i read a lot of Chris Ware's stuff, too.

I haven't picked up any comics in 10 years, not on a regular basis, at least, but I've been catching up on X-Men happenings at [URL=http://www.uncannyxmen.net]www.uncannyxmen.net[/URL]

[QUOTE=snuffy]IMAGE: walking dead, lullaby, Armor X
Marvel: The Ultimate Iron Man (Orson Scott Card is writing it, kind of a dissappointment, though.)

i read a lot of Chris Ware's stuff, too.[/QUOTE]

Ah, Chris Ware, of course. I usually play catch-up with his stuff and a yearly Chris Ware day.

I tried Ultimate Iron Man and it was pretty disappointing (and preachy, I thought, with the whole pro-life a baby that "should" have died going on the great things undertones - I probably wouldn't have noticed it if any other writer wrote it, though).

[QUOTE=Undertow]I haven't picked up any comics in 10 years, not on a regular basis, at least, but I've been catching up on X-Men happenings at [URL=http://www.uncannyxmen.net]www.uncannyxmen.net[/URL][/QUOTE]

I took about a ten year sabbatical from comics before I got back in to them about two years ago, around the time I decided I wanted to write them.

I missed a lot of good stuff. If you were to take anything off my list I suggest [url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?search-type=ss&tag=themooseinthe-20&keyword=stray%20bullets&index=books]Stray Bullets[/url], best comic every made in my opinion. You won’t be disappointed.

[QUOTE=Jason Rodriguez]
I tried Ultimate Iron Man and it was pretty disappointing (and preachy, I thought, with the whole pro-life a baby that "should" have died going on the great things undertones - I probably wouldn't have noticed it if any other writer wrote it, though).[/QUOTE]

see, that's the thing, i saw orson scott card and i thought it must be at least decent. But I found the story to be SHIT, so far.

Jason knows this, but for the benefit of discussion...

I don't read any ongoing series. I read comics like I read prose books - novels that look good to me. My favorites are the holy trinity of Clowes, Burns and Ware. I also dig a lot, but not all of Frank Miller's stuff, [i]Akira[/i], Los Bros Hernandez, some Johnny Ryan, but he gets old after a while, Calvin and Hobbes, the complete Peanuts books that Fantagraphics has been doing, old [i]100 Bullets[/i], particularly for the drawing, Travis Nichols... uhhh... Can't think of anything else.

For lack of funds I still haven't read some of the classics like [i]Blankets[/i], and I didn't care for [i]Watchmen[/i] or [i]Maus[/i].

I love the medium of comics, but unfortunately, it seems to be a dire need of good material compared to the other arts like film and prose fiction.

CF

I'd say check out the [U]Adam Strange[/U] comic out now, its a mini series but still pretty good. [U]Detective Comics[/U] is being written by the guy from [U]Stray Bullets[/U] right now. [U]Flash[/U] is turning into a great read especially with the rogue gallery of his making for the greatest part of the book, his rogue gallery makes his comic good that and Johns writing the comic. Greg Rucka is doing a nice run on [U]Wonder Woman[/U] which I have never been a fan of and find myself liking the book for the first time. Also check out his marvel knights run of [U]Wolverine[/U], its a 18 issue run that really nails the character spot on and made me a short fan of Wolverine whom I've always hated and pops up on every freaking issue of marvels comics. [U]Gotham Central[/U] is another title he and Ed Brubaker switch off writing or tag team together on which is a great book to read.[U]Sleepers[/U] is another good comic under the Wildstorm label written by Brubaker. [U]100 Bullets[/U] is simply amazing book I never get tired of. [U]Human Target[/U] is an on and off comic that has a great story than a so so one but still worth a read. Marvel has the [U]Captain America[/U], [U]Iron Man[/U], [U]Punisher[/U] and [U]Black Panther[/U] comic that are turning out to be good. Capt America being written by the writer of Sleepers and Iron Man being written by Warren Ellis. I could go on with some other things but I'll stop here.

[QUOTE=Chris Fabulous]Jason knows this, but for the benefit of discussion...

For lack of funds I still haven't read some of the classics like [i]Blankets[/i], and I didn't care for [i]Watchmen[/i] or [i]Maus[/i].
CF[/QUOTE]
Ouch.

I know we both disliked Maus quite passionately but I didn't know you didn't like Watchmen.

Ouch.

Outside of Stray Bullets, Watchmen is my jam. I would have sex with that book if I could.

[QUOTE=Jason Rodriguez] I would have sex with that book if I could.[/QUOTE]
your obviously just not trying hard enough

[QUOTE=karbunkle]your obviously just not trying hard enough[/QUOTE]

Well, I'm waiting for the deluxe hardcover. It's hard to have sex with the floppies that I currently own.

[QUOTE=Jason Rodriguez]
Outside of Stray Bullets, Watchmen is my jam.[/QUOTE]

I'm willing to give it another chance. I didn't get all the way through it. I got bored and never picked it up after the first twenty pages or so.

CF

[QUOTE=Chris Fabulous]Jason knows this, but for the benefit of discussion...

I don't read any ongoing series. I read comics like I read prose books - novels that look good to me. My favorites are the holy trinity of Clowes, Burns and Ware. I also dig a lot, but not all of Frank Miller's stuff, [i]Akira[/i], Los Bros Hernandez, some Johnny Ryan, but he gets old after a while, Calvin and Hobbes, the complete Peanuts books that Fantagraphics has been doing, old [i]100 Bullets[/i], particularly for the drawing, Travis Nichols... uhhh... Can't think of anything else.[/QUOTE]

Thought of a couple of obvious ones I forgot - Adrian Tomine and [i]Madman[/i] by Mike Allred. I was also reading Morrison's [i]X-Men[/i] run, which I liked most of a lot, and [i]X-Force/X-Statix[/i], but I got too far behind and now the back issues are too much to pick up all at once.

CF

[QUOTE=Chris Fabulous]I'm willing to give it another chance. I didn't get all the way through it. I got bored and never picked it up after the first twenty pages or so.

CF[/QUOTE]

It really picks up as you move along. It's really good the first time you read it but the second time you read it pretty much rocks you. Alan Moore really laid it out perfectly, there's is no wasted space, everything means something. When you see pieces of the script it's amazing, it's pretty much a page per panel detailing every item, where it is, the angle, the mood, the body position...it's insane. The guy had a plan and he executed it over 12 oversized issues, you just have to admire the time that went into something like that.

[QUOTE=UbikRex]I'd say check out the [U]Adam Strange[/U] comic out now, its a mini series but still pretty good.[/QUOTE]

I just picked this up yesterday. I like it, the artwork is really good, i haven't gotten into the story yet.

[QUOTE=snuffy]I just picked this up yesterday. I like it, the artwork is really good, i haven't gotten into the story yet.[/QUOTE]

It ends at issue 8 but they will continue it with another mini series in June I believe.

[QUOTE=UbikRex]It ends at issue 8 but they will continue it with another mini series in June I believe.[/QUOTE]

do you like the story? I saw superman in the first issue, any other appearances i should look for?

Well the first issue just gets him rolling, after that he is in space the entire time chasing after what he hopes can still be Rann. It is still a great read.

even as a kid i never read comics. don't know why, i don't have anything agiasnt them, and all of my friends read them. still do.. ha.

I been trying to get into comics but it's so overwhelming. There's just too many out there for me to weed out things I'd like. I bought some random TPBs that looked interesting but they all sucked hard. It's hopeless.

[QUOTE=bboymute]I been trying to get into comics but it's so overwhelming. There's just too many out there for me to weed out things I'd like. I bought some random TPBs that looked interesting but they all sucked hard. It's hopeless.[/QUOTE]

i just buy stuff that looks cool to me. that's why i got Walking Dead, and it ended up being really great.

[QUOTE=bboymute]I been trying to get into comics but it's so overwhelming. There's just too many out there for me to weed out things I'd like. I bought some random TPBs that looked interesting but they all sucked hard. It's hopeless.[/QUOTE]

What genre do you like? There's a lot of crap out there right now, it helps to have a guide.

Black Panther, Iron Man are relaunched titles at issue 3 now and they are looking to be great reads. Try that. If you don't mind going back several issues or graphic novels I'd suggest 100 Bullets, Sleepers, Fables, Daredevil at the moment.

I don't have any preferred genre, I like pretty much anything, genre wise, but I do like ones with tight structures, not some long winding story with no clear plot.

[QUOTE=UbikRex]Black Panther, Iron Man are relaunched titles at issue 3 now and they are looking to be great reads. Try that. If you don't mind going back several issues or graphic novels I'd suggest 100 Bullets, Sleepers, Fables, Daredevil at the moment.[/QUOTE]

Of those I would have to agree that Fables is a great book for new readers. The rest, not as much, although Sleepers and 100 Bullets are strong and Daredevil has some shining moments.

Then Stray Bullets is not for you, which is usually the book I recommend. The first 8 issues are seemingly unrelated and 35 issues in we’re still guessing at the pay-off. But it’s so good.

We had a pretty good discussion on “gateway comics” here: [url]http://home.dcconspiracy.com/2005/03/know-any-good-gateway-comics.html[/url] . Check it out, one of the books mentioned might interest you.

Immana run out for some quick errend. Maybe I'll go and check out some of the titles mentioned at Barns & Nobles. Thanks for helping.

UPDATE: They had a very limited selection...

Graphic novels; Sin City (v2.0..most of the titles), Paul Pope's 100%, James Jean sketchbook, Stray Bullets, V for Vendetta

Series; Powers, New Avengers, Daredevil (Bendis is the shit), Y the Last Man, The Walking Dead, 100 Bullets, Shaolin Cowboy, Doc Frankenstein, Runaways, Iron Man

Limited Series; Ultra, Black Hole, Shanna, Lex Luther, Astonishing X-Men

I'm reading [URL=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/books/review/24HODGMAN.html]this[/URL] article about comics from the New York Times.

[QUOTE=Undertow]I'm reading [URL=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/books/review/24HODGMAN.html]this[/URL] article about comics from the New York Times.[/QUOTE]

You and the NY Times bro! You should be paid promotion fees

I don't really tend to read many comic books, but recently I have picked up a few:

Daniel Clowes - Caricature (haven't read yet)
Harvey Pekar - Our Movie Year (really like it. Naturalistic, funny in an understated way)
Joe Sacco - Notes from a Defeatist (at time superb artwork and humour, other times a little dull. Overall excellent)

I'm not so much into the more fantastical stuff.

If anyone has any recommendations for me based on those three books, I'd be really grateful for a few pointers.

[QUOTE=Riddlegimp]
Daniel Clowes - Caricature (haven't read yet)
[/QUOTE]

Arrgh. Read it. [i]Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron[/i] kicked ass, and the Eightball comics I've been able to get my hands on have been peachy keen swell, too.

[QUOTE=Spike]Arrgh. Read it. [i]Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron[/i] kicked ass, and the Eightball comics I've been able to get my hands on have been peachy keen swell, too.[/QUOTE]

It's next on the list. Just finishing up the Pekar.

From a casual flick through the pages it looks great.

Thanks for the tips - I'll look into them...

I'm reading a bunch of 'Complete Crumb Comics' volumes that I bought at an exhibition on Sunday.
I want to get David Boring by Daniel Clowes, but I can never find it.

[QUOTE=Riddlegimp]You and the NY Times bro! You should be paid promotion fees

I don't really tend to read many comic books, but recently I have picked up a few:

Daniel Clowes - Caricature (haven't read yet)
Harvey Pekar - Our Movie Year (really like it. Naturalistic, funny in an understated way)
Joe Sacco - Notes from a Defeatist (at time superb artwork and humour, other times a little dull. Overall excellent)

I'm not so much into the more fantastical stuff.

If anyone has any recommendations for me based on those three books, I'd be really grateful for a few pointers.[/QUOTE]

Yes. Do anything you have to do to pick up every issue of [i]Black Hole[/i] by Charles Burns. There are twelve in all. Accept no substitutes. His other work is good, but [i]Black Hole[/i] is a milestone in comics.

Also, speaking of milestones in comics, [i]Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth[/i] by Chris Ware is a milestone to end all milestones. Consitered by many, including me, to be the greatest work of graphic fiction of all time.

Anything and everything by Clowes is great, including [i]Caricature[/i], but especially [i]...Velvet Glove...[/i], [i]Eightball #22[/i] and [i]David Boring.[/i] If you're having trouble finding them, just order them online from [URL=http://www.fantagraphics.com]the publisher[/URL].

Post here and let me know if you pick any of them up and what you think. I don't like the "fantastical" stuff, either, so I think we'll see eye-to-eye.

CF

the walking dead #18 was a real disappointment. they didn;t even actually hang the guy.

I read over Ghost World last night. It was as fantastic as I remembered!
Have any of you guys read Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron? I thought it was great. Really disturbing!

I really, really love [i]Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron[/i]. I really, really love everything by Dan Clowes, although I've still yet to read [i]Llyod Llewellyn[/i] and [i]Pussey![/i]. Have you guys read those?

CF

[QUOTE=Chris Fabulous]I really, really love [i]Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron[/i]. I really, really love everything by Dan Clowes, although I've still yet to read [i]Llyod Llewellyn[/i] and [i]Pussey![/i]. Have you guys read those?

CF[/QUOTE]
I haven't read those last two. I think the first one I read was David Boring. I love David Boring.

[QUOTE=Chris Fabulous]I really, really love [i]Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron[/i]. I really, really love everything by Dan Clowes, although I've still yet to read [i]Llyod Llewellyn[/i] and [i]Pussey![/i]. Have you guys read those?

CF[/QUOTE]

no, i haven;t.

have you guys ever heard of a writer or an artist named Marshall Law? he's supposed to have a book out that is kinda cool. i may have the name wrong though.

[QUOTE=Chris Fabulous]Yes. Do anything you have to do to pick up every issue of [i]Black Hole[/i] by Charles Burns. There are twelve in all. Accept no substitutes. His other work is good, but [i]Black Hole[/i] is a milestone in comics.

Also, speaking of milestones in comics, [i]Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth[/i] by Chris Ware is a milestone to end all milestones. Consitered by many, including me, to be the greatest work of graphic fiction of all time.

Anything and everything by Clowes is great, including [i]Caricature[/i], but especially [i]...Velvet Glove...[/i], [i]Eightball #22[/i] and [i]David Boring.[/i] If you're having trouble finding them, just order them online from [URL=http://www.fantagraphics.com]the publisher[/URL].

Post here and let me know if you pick any of them up and what you think. I don't like the "fantastical" stuff, either, so I think we'll see eye-to-eye.

CF[/QUOTE]

Hey CF,

Thanks for the reccs dude - that sounds like just the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

I'm in the UK, so unfortunately that Publishers link doesn't help - they only ship to US and Canada. I know a few good shops in London though where I should be able to go in and stock up - based on my new "shopping list".

I'll let you know what I think of them. Incidentally, have you read any Sacco? I posted here a while back and nobody had heard of him. At times very political, but some of his graphics and stories - superb.

Cheers mate

[QUOTE=Chris Fabulous]Also, speaking of milestones in comics, [i]Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth[/i] by Chris Ware is a milestone to end all milestones. Consitered by many, including me, to be the greatest work of graphic fiction of all time.[/QUOTE]
looks awesome, immana make sure i check this one out

[QUOTE=Riddlegimp]Hey CF,

Thanks for the reccs dude - that sounds like just the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

You're welcome. Glad to hear it.

Yeah, you should be able to hunt down these guys in London. They're not obscure at all, as far as literary indie comics go. Ha ha.

[QUOTE=bboymute]looks awesome, immana make sure i check this one out[/QUOTE]

It is. I promise. Let me know what you think.

CF

I read not even half way through [I]Silent Hill - Dying Inside[/I] and holy shit it's bad.
Had some interesting art but story and dialouge was just horrible that I won't get through the rest.

After a 10-year hiatus, I ordered the first collection of Sin City comics, along with Batman: Year One and The Dark Knight Returns. I also stopped by my local comic shop and picked up an issue of Wizard to see what's going on these days. I'm liking Jim Lee's work on Batman.

Sleepers - Issue #12
Green Latern - #1
Batman - Dr. J and Mr Hyde mini-series (Jenkins and Jae Lee)
American Splendor - The Movie Year graphic novel
Lone Wolf and Cub - graphic novel vol. 1

off to buy THE WALKING DEAD #19, at last!

[QUOTE=Popcultjunkie]Graphic novels; Sin City (v2.0..most of the titles), Paul Pope's 100%, James Jean sketchbook, Stray Bullets, V for Vendetta

Series; Powers, New Avengers, Daredevil (Bendis is the shit), Y the Last Man, The Walking Dead, 100 Bullets, Shaolin Cowboy, Doc Frankenstein, Runaways, Iron Man

Limited Series; Ultra, Black Hole, Shanna, Lex Luther, Astonishing X-Men[/QUOTE]
I bought the first 3 100%'s when they came out, did it end in a satisfying way? And what issue is Y the Last Man on? I haven't bought that in some time.

You should all read The Invisibles.

Walking Dead #19 rocked, best issue in a long time. I won't give anything away.

I also picked up:

House of M
THe Incredible Hulk #82

I'm reading Snuffy's last post.

I finisehd it. It had a decent prologue but his mid-point turn was misguided and the ending was anti-climatic at best.