The world loves a super-hero. It’s why the majority of people currently reading comics started reading comics. Whether a television series, movie, or video game brought you into reading, we all love our super-heroes. Many people don’t stray too far from their favorite companies. As most people know, those companies are DC and Marvel. There are more companies than those however. There are plenty of worthy independent companies, as well as independent books out there that people maybe missing out on.
The majority of the artists we’ve grown to know and love started out as indy writers and artists. Brian Bendis wrote the book Negative Burn. Alex Ross did an issue of Hellraiser for Epic (technically Epic is Marvel, but I hope you see the point). It’s a chance to see where they came from, and how they got to the point they’re at now. There is also a lot more freedom with what the creative talent can do with their stories and characters. DC won’t let Batman go on a killing spree, but an indy company may not have a problem with their vigilante doing so.
There is so much variety. It’s not just “slice of life” books. You may have a character driven story that feels incredibly real, or you may have a genre driven story that takes place on some magical island. There are also a lot of great super-hero type books as well!
Below are a few books that will be easy to transition into, if you want to move into the world of indy books. Each with a quick synopsis.
Walking Dead
Issue 70 is just about to come out, but don’t worry, this is a book you want to read in trade. (Trade being a collection of issues, usually 6) This book is by Image Comics. It's written by Robert Kirkman and drawn by Charlie Adlard.
Quick synopsis: Zombies have taken over the world and humans are trying to survive. The book mainly follows a man named Rick and his son. This is a book that does not pull punches and has no problem killing off main and supporting characters.
Chew
The first trade is out, and the book is on issue 8. This book is by Image Comics. John Layman does the writing and Rob Guillory does the art.
Quick synopsis: Tony Chu is a Cibopath. When he eats something he gets psychic impressions about where the food came from, who touched it, what’s happened around it. Tony uses this gift to uncover more than where the food came from. This is a book you do not want to miss.
Two books that complement each other very well. Irredeemable is on issue 11 and Incorruptible is on issue 3. Mark Waid writes both of these books. Peter Krause does the art on Irredeemable and Jean Diaz does the art on Incorruptible.
Quick synopsis: Irredeemable Is about the world’s strongest super-hero who one day losses it and starts kicking everyone’s butt. In these events, the world’s most wanted villain sees this and decides to turn a new leaf. This is what Incorruptible is about.
This book is done with, for now, and it should be out in trade soon. It was 6 issues long. Christos N Gage writes the book, and Roberto Viacava does the art.
Quick synopsis: A super-hero gets tired of the judicial system slapping criminals on the wrist and he decides to take matters into his own hands, by killing them. It’s Superman meets Dexter.
The books above have stories and characters that can be easier for a person just reading comics from DC and Marvel to transition into. There's more familiarity in these books for non-indy goers. I’m not saying “you have to read indy books!” Read whatever you want to read, but keep in mind there’s a whole other world of stories, characters, artists out there working hard on other types of comics. So maybe next time you go to the store, and you have to drop a book from your comic list, take that money and check out the “Indy Section.” Pick up one of the books I mentioned, or find something else, something that appeals to you. You may just find your new favorite series!