Advice For Newcomers: What Stories/Storylines would you suggest they read?

[UnboxingTreasures]

If you are trying to impress upon someone that comics aren't just for kids, and that the stories can be thought provoking, intelligent and enjoyable, what would your suggestions be for a newcomer to the hobby?

 

Preferably stories that are readily available in hard cover/trade format...

 

 

[comicgrinder]

Silver Surfer 1-18 (thumbs u

[benz]

Fables (not for kids!) Sandman, Marvels and i am recently reading Bones.

 

I think those titles are ok. =)

[143ksk]

Maus

Bone

Fables

From Hell

 

[seank]

Ditto on Fables and Sandman.

 

Also Maus, Love and Rockets, Walking Dead, Zot!, and a gazillion indy GNs.

[sborock]

Ditto, plus..........

 

Transmetropolitain, Box Office Posion, The Bronze Age, Wanted, The Boys, Preacher, LOEG, Pride Of Bagdad, Blankets, Batman: Dark Night Returns, Books of Magic, American Flagg, Munden's Bar, Jon Sable, Love & Rockets, Cerebus, Ghost World, Sin City, Martha Washington Goes To War, and Savage Dragon...Ooops, how did that piece of dreck get onto this list. Sorry, that one is C R A P !

[jokersrevenge]

if they liked the Batman movie....then The killing joke is good.

Watchmen movie is is coming out.

 

 

[dwip99]

I would recommend the I am Legend Graphic Novel. The movie is current so it will be relevent but the novel is different and really good. In my opinion.

 

 

[backtomarvel]

Daredevil v2 26-31 ... the "Underboss" storyline. Got me back collecting books. Best modern read I've come across.

 

 

[comic_zombie-migration]

Alan Moore's Swamp Thing.

[AGGIEZ]

Walking Dead

DMZ

WANTED

 

Those are three "adult" type series that are great reads, especially Walking Dead!!! and I'm not a horror\zombie fan...

[Dick Pontoon]

EC war books, books by Chris Ware, Tony Millionaire, Rick Altergott, Robert Crumb and also Jack Kirby - whose stories can often be appreciated on both levels.

[comic_zombie-migration]

If you are trying to impress upon someone that comics aren't just for kids, and that the stories can be thought provoking, intelligent and enjoyable,

 

Now, do you mean that the stories reach the level of "traditional" literature, or do you mean that comics aren't just funny animals and Archie. "The Boys" is a great book - definitely not Archie - but I wouldn't use it as an example of groundbreaking, thought-provoking literature.

 

I guess what I mean is, are you looking for storylines to impress a woman or a man? I wouldn't show "The Boys" to a girl you've been out on 3 dates with...

[UnboxingTreasures]

If you are trying to impress upon someone that comics aren't just for kids, and that the stories can be thought provoking, intelligent and enjoyable,

 

Now, do you mean that the stories reach the level of "traditional" literature, or do you mean that comics aren't just funny animals and Archie. "The Boys" is a great book - definitely not Archie - but I wouldn't use it as an example of groundbreaking, thought-provoking literature.

 

I guess what I mean is, are you looking for storylines to impress a woman or a man? I wouldn't show "The Boys" to a girl you've been out on 3 dates with...

 

Basically, I'm trying to get some friends to overcome their stereotypes ("comics are for kids" thinking). I never understood why people had the idea that comics were for kids but had no problem standing in line for the premieres of superhero movies like Batman and Spider-Man.

 

Some good suggestions so far... thanks!

[CAP Freak]

RASL is pretty awesome so far.

[CDaBruce]

The Walking Dead (I've hooked 5 non-comic readers on this one)

Y the Last Man (my wife finished the trades before I did)

Sandman

Fables (keeps getting better and better)

Locke & Key (The hardcover is out. The series continues next year.)

Proof (similar to X-Files, but with monsters)

Maus (this is actually on many school curriculums)

[jools&jim]

If you are trying to impress upon someone that comics aren't just for kids...

 

...then by all means take them to a comic book store and count the number of 28 - 50 year-old customers versus the number of customers in the 7 - 13 age bracket.

 

CASE CLOSED!

[paperheart]

If you are trying to impress upon someone that comics aren't just for kids...

 

...then by all means take them to a comic book store and count the number of 28 - 50 year-old customers versus the number of customers in the 7 - 13 age bracket.

 

CASE CLOSED!

 

 

bone, watchmen, transmetropolitan, dark knight returns, ex machina, y the last man

[paperheart]

RASL is pretty awesome so far.

 

gotta disagree w/ this suggestion- while the story is certainly intriguing imagine this scenario-

 

"here read these two comics"

 

ten minutes later "wow, that is cool,when can i read more"

 

"uh, 5 months from now"

[Smokinghawk]

Chris Ware's mega-novel, "Jimmy Corrigan: The smartest kid on earth." That book has impressed me more than any other single GN. It takes time and dedication to the project of reading it--and that IS a project--but it's superb.

 

For artist friends, I suggest David Mack's "Echo" and "Wake Up" trades from Daredevil.