What comics are you reading?

I know, single issues are a dying breed, but there's still a rabid fanbase out there and the upcoming year seems to be a pretty big time for comics. This is a thread for you to talk about what series you're currently following, whether they be American comics or even Manga.

At the moment, I currently buy on a regular basis-

1. Thor (Marvel)
2. Captain America: Reborn (Marvel)
3. Batman: Confidential (DC)
4. Justice League: Cry for Justice (DC)
5. Northlanders (DC/Vertigo)
6. Star Wars: Invasion (Dark Horse)

Which means, yes, just about every other week I head to the local comic book store and shell out some $10 for individual issues because I can't wait for the trades anymore.

Unfortunately, I'm gonna need to find some ongoing series that I like, or hope for some great mini-series next year, because by the end of 09 I'll be done with most of these. Captain America: Reborn is 5 issues, Cry for Justice and Star Wars: Invasion are 6, Northlanders appears to be going on hiatus (or ending) after the 20th issue in August, I'm only reading Batman: Confidential for this 5-issue series with Batman in Russia, and the writer for Thor is leaving Marvel for DC in September, after the 604th issue.

So before Nolan comes in and we spend pages talking about various topics, I have one question


Does anyone here besides Nolan and I read comics?

umm interesting thread but I dont really read comics I've read some old ironman comics but if anime counts as comics the best and most recent series is EURIKA Seven read it t's great!

Originally Posted by Jeff

Does anyone here besides Nolan and I read comics?

I don't typically read them; I have read them. But Y finished up, and I couldn't get into Deus Ex Machina. Pride of Baghdad was interesting.

The only comic I can claim that I'm "reading" is Fables. I haven't read the last two month's comics, though. They're in my to-read-pile, behind about 25 manga.

If I had money I'd be all over the blackest knight green lantern stuff but I'm flat broke right now. I've got all of 4 freaking bucks.

And there's more tie-ins with that than Secret Invasion had.

I, too, would be reading Green Lantern regularly, but I'm least over a year behind on the series. I'm still catching up with the trades and now I'm working through the Corps series, which is actually pretty good.

I do read comics, and I like the pictures. They are awesome!
But at the moment, I am reading Kindom Hearts. Pretty good.

I used to read alot of comics back in the day. Now I just buy rare issues time to time to frame and put up. :/

these are the only ones I read... http://explosm.net/

Originally Posted by Jeff

So before Nolan comes in and we spend pages talking about various topics, I have one question


Does anyone here besides Nolan and I read comics?

YOU LOVE IT.

the writer for Thor is leaving Marvel for DC in September, after the 604th issue.

Ah, so you are the kind who follows writers rather than the characters or the books themselves? I have that with a few writers, but for the most part I start and stop reading books depending on how interested I am in the characters and storylines, the quality of writing (good writers can write **** books. See: Jeph Loeb), and sometimes the art.

Anyway, I read too many comics, and I tend to just read more and more instead of cutting back like I probably should. Last week my stack was obscene, I picked up over ten books, and I didn't even end up getting everything I wanted (not for lack of trying, I couldn't get my hands on The Literals, so I'm trying again when I go hunting tomorrow for this weeks books).

The on-going books I read currently are:

Marvel
New Avengers
Mighty Avengers
Dark Avengers (though this just started and I haven't committed to keeping up with it if it doesn't prove to be awesome...of course, I'm too interested in the Dark X-Men arc to drop it before that is over)
Avengers: The Initiative

Runaways
Secret Warriors
Thunderbolts

Astonishing X-Men (might actually get dropped if it doesn't pick up in terms of quality, but it has massive shoes to fill so I am giving it more time than I might usually)
Cable (might drop soon, depends on what it is like now that Messiah War has ended)
New Mutants (just started, just getting a feel for it)
Uncanny X-Men
X-Factor
X-Force

I also just picked up all of the back trades of the current Captain America run from the library after hearing great things about it, and after picking up #600 last week. It's really good, so I'm probably going to be keeping up with that. I also have the trades of Amazing Spider-Man coming in soon to check that out. I hope it sucks so I don't have to be buying a thrice-monthly book.

I'm also reading a number of minis from Marvel, including:
Dark Reign: Hawkeye
Dark Reign: The Hood
Dark Reign: Young Avengers
Ender's Game/Ender's Shadow
Kick-Ass
War of Kings

Oh, oh, plus the Ultimate Comics line is restarting soon (plus Ultimatum isn't finished yet) so I'll be checking those out. Oh god too many books.

PLUS (I'm not done yet), there's the indie/imprint books.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight (Dark Horse)
Angel (IDW, though I actually am only reading the issues that Brian Lynch is writing, Kelley Armstrong's writing is disjointed and confusing as all hell)
Fables (Vertigo)
The Boys (Dynamite)
The Walking Dead (Image)

Incidentally, as much Marvel as I read, I currently read no on-going DC books, and my two favourites are actually Fables and The Walking Dead, not books from Marvel.

Ugh.

Originally posted by nolan
Ah, so you are the kind who follows writers rather than the characters or the books themselves? I have that with a few writers, but for the most part I start and stop reading books depending on how interested I am in the characters and storylines, the quality of writing (good writers can write **** books. See: Jeph Loeb), and sometimes the art.

Actually, no.

It's just that, Straczynski has done such an awesome job with Thor that I find it hard to believe that the next writer will create an experience of similar quality. More importantly, though, it's the reason why JMS is leaving Marvel altogether. He's said in interviews that he doesn't want to write for events, as he feels it's too difficult to manage his story during them and then piecing things together afterwards. This pretty much says that Marvel's going to have Thor get all caught up in some big event on the horizon, and as you may know I'm not a big fan of that at all. Thor's been arguably the best comic on the stands because Straczynski has been able to focus on Thor and Thor alone the way he wants to, not the way Marvel execs do.

I don't mind tie-ins or seperate mini arcs like what a lot of the Blackest Night series are, but I really can't stand when an entire volume is forced to become a part of the event. Nova has especially been plagued with this, and it's a damn shame because that could be one of the best comics around if Abnett and Lanning would get some freedom. Another example is when Detective Comics and Batman both went on hiatus for Battle for the Cowl, or that Nightwing got cancelled altogether.

2 Things for ya

1. How has War of Kings been? Better than the last two Vulcan-related mini series?

2. Please tell me you're going to pick up Captain America: Reborn this week.

I just finished reading the Sandman series from Neil Gaiman, great read.

Zelda Comic by Mario Pangehtti!

Originally Posted by Jeff

Actually, no.

It's just that, Straczynski has done such an awesome job with Thor that I find it hard to believe that the next writer will create an experience of similar quality. More importantly, though, it's the reason why JMS is leaving Marvel altogether. He's said in interviews that he doesn't want to write for events, as he feels it's too difficult to manage his story during them and then piecing things together afterwards. This pretty much says that Marvel's going to have Thor get all caught up in some big event on the horizon, and as you may know I'm not a big fan of that at all. Thor's been arguably the best comic on the stands because Straczynski has been able to focus on Thor and Thor alone the way he wants to, not the way Marvel execs do.

I don't mind tie-ins or seperate mini arcs like what a lot of the Blackest Night series are, but I really can't stand when an entire volume is forced to become a part of the event. Nova has especially been plagued with this, and it's a damn shame because that could be one of the best comics around if Abnett and Lanning would get some freedom. Another example is when Detective Comics and Batman both went on hiatus for Battle for the Cowl, or that Nightwing got cancelled altogether.

So he's leaving Marvel for DC because he wants to avoid events? That's a bit of a out of the frying pan into the fire type thing, since DC does just as many tie-ins, if not more, for their events.

I can understand the sentiment of not wanting to write around events. Even when you manage to avoid it (like Joss Whedon did with his run on Astonishing X-Men), the book and other books can suffer. In that case the fate of Kitty Pryde was revealed in an Uncanny issue a month before you actually got to read what had happened. It was a total bummer and buzzkill.

But at the same time, I think Marvel is doing better with events these days. It seems like rather than bringing in some big or mid-level event almost right away after Secret Invasion (the way World War Hulk came, like, two months after Civil War ended, or at least it felt that way), the focus seems to be on...I don't know what the word would be for it, but the specific thing is Dark Reign. It's something that is effecting most of the books, but without a central story to tie it together, really. There are some mini-events and crossovers that spin out of it (The Deadpool/Thunderbolts crossover, the Uncanny X-Men/Dark Avengers: Utopia thing), but it's more like the universe itself is somewhat being guided by this change of the status quo.

Which I suppose is just as restrictive to writers, if they'd rather write self-contained stories. But at least they can operate more independently because their characters aren't tied up in some main event book.

But I'm sure there are many that feel like Marvel's main universe has basically become a playground for Bendis. But there are worse things that could happen, in my opinion.

ANYWAY, I don't know if they've announced who is taking over from Straczynski, but could be someone awesome. I have been meaning to start reading Thor since issue 600 came out, but haven't yet.

2 Things for ya

1. How has War of Kings been? Better than the last two Vulcan-related mini series?

2. Please tell me you're going to pick up Captain America: Reborn this week.

1. I've basically been reading War of Kings because I want to see how the Vulcan thing turns out. I'd say it's slightly better than Emperor Vulcan and the other little mini that came out about him, but if his story isn't brought to an end I'm going to scream. I'm so tired of X-MEN IN SPACE. I haven't been reading any of the tie-ins (of which there are quite a few, more than I'd like), so I think I miss bits of the story here and there, but I guess if you like the Inhumans and other Marvel Space stuff it's probably good. Most other reactions have been rather positive as well.

2. Of course. I would not miss the return of Steve Rogers for anything. I have been keeping clear of spoilers from those who have gotten it already, but seems like the general reaction of how they are going about it so far is cautiously positive. Brubaker is probably one of the most trusted people when it comes to writing Cap right now.

I've read Watchmen a good few times, still read it though.


Although I really want to read V for Vendetta.

Originally posted by nolan
So he's leaving Marvel for DC because he wants to avoid events? That's a bit of a out of the frying pan into the fire type thing, since DC does just as many tie-ins, if not more, for their events.

They do, but they typically don't run over into the main volumes, the Battle for the Cowl case was a rare exception, and an especially lame one because that event turned out to be as predictable as could be. The majority of the time, we only see instances of an event in a main series after said event as ended, and then it's just the results of it.

That is, if the individual volume is in the same continuity as the event, and isn't something like Batman: Confidential.

Besides all of that, reports are right now that Straczynski's first work at DC will be a run on the Brave and the Bold, which is never touched by events in any way.

ANYWAY, I don't know if they've announced who is taking over from Straczynski, but could be someone awesome. I have been meaning to start reading Thor since issue 600 came out, but haven't yet.

If you're going to start reading Thor, it's best to start from the beginning. Starting off with #600 will probably leave you confused, as there's a ton of stuff that builds up to that issue. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the first 12 issues of the entire series are one giant build up to #600.

Plus it's easy to do so. The first trade collects #1-6, then the second trade collects #7-12 plus #600. It was the easiest catching up I've ever done with a series

1. I've basically been reading War of Kings because I want to see how the Vulcan thing turns out. I'd say it's slightly better than Emperor Vulcan and the other little mini that came out about him, but if his story isn't brought to an end I'm going to scream. I'm so tired of X-MEN IN SPACE. I haven't been reading any of the tie-ins (of which there are quite a few, more than I'd like), so I think I miss bits of the story here and there, but I guess if you like the Inhumans and other Marvel Space stuff it's probably good. Most other reactions have been rather positive as well.

Yeah, I've heard it's great. Comic Book Resources and IGN Comics seem to love every single issue.

I'm personally a big fan of Marvel's cosmic stuff, like Annihilation and Nova. However I kinda got tired of all the Vulcan stuff by the end of Emperor Vulcan (since it ultimately turned out to be a needless miniseries), but I do think they have potential with all of those characters, especially now that they brought in Blackbolt and the Inhumans.

2. Of course. I would not miss the return of Steve Rogers for anything. I have been keeping clear of spoilers from those who have gotten it already, but seems like the general reaction of how they are going about it so far is cautiously positive. Brubaker is probably one of the most trusted people when it comes to writing Cap right now.

True, he's like JMS with Thor and Geoff Johns with Green Lantern.

I'm also looking forward to #601, which is apparently like a oneshot about a lost story of Bucky and Steve in WW2.

Originally Posted by Jeff

Besides all of that, reports are right now that Straczynski's first work at DC will be a run on the Brave and the Bold, which is never touched by events in any way.

That's what I figured would happen, he'd get put on a book that exists outside of the main universe continuity or whatever.

If you're going to start reading Thor, it's best to start from the beginning. Starting off with #600 will probably leave you confused, as there's a ton of stuff that builds up to that issue. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the first 12 issues of the entire series are one giant build up to #600.

Plus it's easy to do so. The first trade collects #1-6, then the second trade collects #7-12 plus #600. It was the easiest catching up I've ever done with a series

Yeah, that's what I would do. It was just issue #600 that kind of reminded me that Thor had a solo book and that it might actually be worth checking out.

Yeah, I've heard it's great. Comic Book Resources and IGN Comics seem to love every single issue.

I'm personally a big fan of Marvel's cosmic stuff, like Annihilation and Nova. However I kinda got tired of all the Vulcan stuff by the end of Emperor Vulcan (since it ultimately turned out to be a needless miniseries), but I do think they have potential with all of those characters, especially now that they brought in Blackbolt and the Inhumans.

I've never really been into the cosmic stuff in the Marvel Universe, it's just never interested me. I don't really know much about it aside from the Starjammers and some Shi'Ar stuff. I find myself getting a bit lost from time to time in War of Kings because of it, but for the most part its a pretty accessible book to the outside reader. I'm going to be a little bit bummed if the series ends with the fall of Vulcan, but Havok has nothing to do with it. It will pretty much make everything that has been building since The Rise and Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire useless.

I'm also looking forward to #601, which is apparently like a oneshot about a lost story of Bucky and Steve in WW2.

Man, that is a book with a lot of flashbacks. There's at least one every book that is either a new story or a retake on one that has been told. I mean, issue #50 (or #599, by the new numbering I guess) was a bunch of flashbacks itself.

But that doesn't really mean that the flashback issues are bad. There's just a lot of them. And I guess with Steve coming back a new storyline starting might detract from that somewhat.

Originally posted by nolan
I've never really been into the cosmic stuff in the Marvel Universe, it's just never interested me. I don't really know much about it aside from the Starjammers and some Shi'Ar stuff. I find myself getting a bit lost from time to time in War of Kings because of it, but for the most part its a pretty accessible book to the outside reader. I'm going to be a little bit bummed if the series ends with the fall of Vulcan, but Havok has nothing to do with it. It will pretty much make everything that has been building since The Rise and Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire useless.

Doens't he have a pretty big role in War of Kings? Or was that just Kingbreaker? Regardless, if Vulcan is to do be defeated any time soon, it seems like it's going to be because of Blackbolt more than anyone else.

Which is kinda lame because Havok and the Starjammers have spent two miniseries across 17 issues putting Vulcan over. Especially since Havok managed to overpower him one on one and could've killed him had the Starjammers not be held hostage.

God I hated that Emperor Vulcan miniseries. One of the most unnecessary comics I've ever know.

Man, that is a book with a lot of flashbacks. There's at least one every book that is either a new story or a retake on one that has been told. I mean, issue #50 (or #599, by the new numbering I guess) was a bunch of flashbacks itself.

But that doesn't really mean that the flashback issues are bad. There's just a lot of them. And I guess with Steve coming back a new storyline starting might detract from that somewhat.

I get the feeling they're trying to make it as accessible to new readers as possible, because as someone who's never read a Cap comic before, I had no problems understanding everything behind Reborn #1 when I read it today (on 4th of July, no less. Is that still funny even if you're Canadian?)



So I was at my cousins today for a BBQ, and I ended up finding a bunch of old comics in his basement. I grabbed X-Men #23 from January '97 (no idea what Volume), The Batman Chronicles #15 from Winter '98, and the bigger, War Machine #1 Volume 1 from April '94.

It's really cool to look at these just to see how comics have evolved, what stories were going on back then and what different styles were being used by artists and writers. The funniest part is seeing all of the ads, like stuff for Independance Day, Michael Jordan and PSX games

Originally Posted by Jeff

Doens't he have a pretty big role in War of Kings? Or was that just Kingbreaker? Regardless, if Vulcan is to do be defeated any time soon, it seems like it's going to be because of Blackbolt more than anyone else.

Which is kinda lame because Havok and the Starjammers have spent two miniseries across 17 issues putting Vulcan over. Especially since Havok managed to overpower him one on one and could've killed him had the Starjammers not be held hostage.

God I hated that Emperor Vulcan miniseries. One of the most unnecessary comics I've ever know.

He's in War of Kings, but as of yet his role hasn't been too large. As in, it doesn't seem to matter that its Havok, he might as well be any other character. There's something minor with Rachel going on, and since the Starjammers are also with Lilandra that obviously means they get some face time, but it has been more about the Inhumans vs the Shi'Ar and Vulcan more than anything.

Both Kingbreaker and Emperor Vulcan were pretty useless, though I guess both just served the purpose to kind of remind people what was going on with that story. But Emperor Vulcan was so poorly done and flat that it was mostly unnecessary.

I get the feeling they're trying to make it as accessible to new readers as possible, because as someone who's never read a Cap comic before, I had no problems understanding everything behind Reborn #1 when I read it today (on 4th of July, no less. Is that still funny even if you're Canadian?)

Definitely Reborn is something they'll want everyone to understand. All you really need to know are the events that went on in #25 and few other details that have been pretty big in the grand scheme of the Marvel U (Dark Reign, Bucky as the new Cap, that sort of thing). They do a good job of using exposition and flashbacks to fill in on the stuff that has been happening in the main Cap book (the stuff with the Skull and whatnot) so that new readers at least a vague idea of what is going on so they can follow the event without needing the central book.

I find it more funny that Reborn came out on July 1st (though I didn't read it til the 2nd), which is Canada Day.

So I was at my cousins today for a BBQ, and I ended up finding a bunch of old comics in his basement. I grabbed X-Men #23 from January '97 (no idea what Volume), The Batman Chronicles #15 from Winter '98, and the bigger, War Machine #1 Volume 1 from April '94.

Ha, when I was cleaning out the house my dad grew up in a few years back I found a whole lot of realllly old comics that I held on to. An issue of Fantastic Four which I believe features the first appearance of the Skrulls, and issue #50 (part of the Galactus/Silver Surfer arc), Amazing Spider-Man #18 and #28, The Avengers #20, and a few DC ones (Superboy starring the Legion of Super-Heroes#25, and an Adventure Comics issue featuring the same characters).

Dragon Ball Z, volume 13. First appearance of Super Saiyan Vegeta. Whoo!

Recently, I got finished reading the Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage comic. It's a pretty good damn book and if you ever played the game inspired by it, well, you just gotta read it! It's a good treat.

Currently, I am reading the X-MEN: Onslaught series. It's a damn long series, ☭☭☭☭in' 60 books in that one. It's a good read as well but it's just too long! I'm also starting to read the Haruhi Suzumiya comic as well. (And yes, I call manga "comics" because they're THE SAME ☭☭☭☭IN' THING!)

Venom: Separation Anxiety also caught my eye as one of my "To-Read" list as well as "The Death of Superman".