So I'm noticing a lot of threads that seem to deal with the topic of "what you don't like about comics today." This is nothing new or outstanding. In fact, it's to be expected. Not everyone likes everything, and it's often easier to talk about what you don't like instead of what you do. I have to say I'm a little different, though. Call me a glass half full kinda person, but I prefer not to dwell on things that I dislike. In fact, I don't think I can recall the last time I read a bad issue of anything. I just simply refuse to acknowledge the existence of "bad comics" and I have to say, I'm pretty happy with that, but that's just me.
The purpose of this thread is to see what everyone else likes about comics. The industry, the fans, what goes into you getting the full effect of a good comic experience in today's day and age. Forget about what you'd change if you were in charge of the industry, or if you were writing a certain character. Throw out the notion that everything was better back in the "good ol' days." Tell me what's good about today. In response to Nobody's "What Character Has Been Ruined For You" share with the world "What Character Has Been Made Perfect For You?" What author has recently stood out for you? What story arc has been astounding? I loved the mess out of Spider-man's Grim Hunt. Did Kraven justice, brought him back into the world, and still revered his Last Hunt. I don't want this to turn into a "list your favorites" thread, but more of a discussion of how good it is to be a comic reader today. I'd even be willing to take this thread a step further and try to compile a list of key things one must do to get the full enjoyment out of a comic issue.
So yeah, what's good?
What's Good?
I am surprised at the Hulk mention, though. Anything in particular you'd like to point out about it?
I enjoy the dialouge stylings of Bendis, but more important than that has to be the art in genereal.
Art today has improved so much (in fact, I think some comic artists are far better than some of the masters back in the Reniessance: Eat that Leonardo!). from the 50's, 60's, and so forth.
Top Cow universe, Invincible, Hellboy and stuff published by European comic companies
those are good.
Basically, it's about the child of the Superman equivalent of his world growing up and discovering the world he lives in facing the challenges that come with it. Behind this is the bigger sweeping arc about his alien race actually being intergalactic conquerors and the immediate world around him being much harsher then he had ever been prepared.
awesome series and on my top list along with Witchblade and Hellboy for favorite American comics.
Invincible is Robert Kirkman's second project (he's the walking Dead Writer, as you know)
If you check it out, you won't regret it. Invincible was the breath of fresh air that really respects it's readers. It's one of the few American lines I actually follow, rather then just picking isolated trades every once in a while.
Still looking to see what people like about comics. Remember, this isn't so much as a "list your favorites" thread, but more of a "I love this about comic books today" thread.
I'm a glass half full kind of guy myself. I actually enjoy all of the comics I am currently reading. (Why would I buy them if I didn't?)
My list:
Marvel
Secret Avengers
Uncanny X-Men
New Mutants
X-Factor
X-Men Legacy
Children's Crusade
Atlas (sadly its been cancelled)
Dark Wolverine
Amazing Spider-Man
Daredevil
Captain America
Shadowland arc
DC
Brightest Day
Green Lantern
Green Lantern Corps
Birds of Prey
They're just a nice mixture of what's basically a group of outcasts. They have that feel of being an old school hero team.
I've always been a fan of the X-books so I pretty much stick with them through the good times & bad. I became a big fan of Green Lantern and the LC after reading GL Secret Origin and Blackest Night. The others I read because I'm a big fan of most of the street level types.
A good comic to me has good art and a good story.
Thanks. As long as I'm entertained it's all good to me. I try not to get too nit picky. After all they're for enjoyment.
I see quite few people complaining about stuff they read. It just seems to me if its bothering you that much then you might need to find a new hobby.
That's what I'm saying. I don't think any LCS forces you to buy books that bother you. If you don't like whats going in an an arc or title drop it. find something you do like and stick with it.
I F*CKING LOVE INVINCIBLE. Can you tell? Also, started to get into Midnighter and the Authority, pretty cool shit
@texasdeathmatch: Ha ha, anything about Invincible you'd like to share that Crom hasn't shared? What's the appeal behind the Authority? Is it the characters or the overall theme? What draws you in?
Interesting questions. I'm not so sure what Crom said, but Kirkman's writing is some of the best out there. The way he is able to tie in storylines from every character he's created is extremely impressive, and really fun to read. I got my cousin into the series, and I noticed a lot of early moments and events that recent issues have made allusions to. Having the ability to smoothly bring back old characters is pure genius in my book. The fact they all have pretty detailed back stories is awesome, and the twists keep on coming. I could also talk about Kirkman's Walking Dead, but this would go on for hours." @Lady Tlieso: So you say good writing can override the lack of interest one has in the characters? That's cool. Consistency and goodness makes things better.
@texasdeathmatch: Ha ha, anything about Invincible you'd like to share that Crom hasn't shared? What's the appeal behind the Authority? Is it the characters or the overall theme? What draws you in? "
Now as for the appeal for the Authority. I just think the writing is pretty damn good, Jenny Sparks is a beast and watching the contrast of powers in action is really cool. Its neat to see characters of different backgrounds handle situations differently.
While I have your attention, I also recommend Chew. Just got the second paperback, and it was also a blast to read. Completely different pace to your typical superhero comic, but its well-written with clever humor. Plus Chu's a really likeable and interesting character
Yeah, Crom's thoughts on Invincible were on the first page. He successfully convinced me to pick it up in the future, so that's definitely on my list of things to be. Sounds amazing. Authority sounds pretty nifty, too. From what I gather, it's a character driven story, right? As opposed to plot driven?
" @texasdeathmatch: Yes, Chew is great. I've read the first issue from a friend and really enjoyed it. Was thinkin' about follwoin' the series sometime soon. Just never got around to it. Yeah, Crom's thoughts on Invincible were on the first page. He successfully convinced me to pick it up in the future, so that's definitely on my list of things to be. Sounds amazing. Authority sounds pretty nifty, too. From what I gather, it's a character driven story, right? As opposed to plot driven? "Meh, I mean its really about them combating against global threats and what not. But I guess the main focus is on Jenny Sparks representing the spirit of the 20th century(at least from the first two I've read).
But yeah, Chew is really cool, and a great change to pace to bunch of wackos flying around in tights. The plot kinda sounds like a bad detective show on TNT, but definitely delivers a lot better than any CSI I've seen. Highly recommend you getting into it. Plus the art is pretty unique, proportion wise and use of hard lines.
Glad you're getting into Invincible. The series is great. It gets a little gimmickey and childish when he's still in high school (hard to relate to a 15 year old anymore), but once he gets his shit rocked by a certain someone, the pace of the series just sky rockets. And in a good way that doesn't feel rushed, because they revisit a lot of old things.
@Decoy Elite: What do you mean anything like it? Why was Kingdom Come so good? What about it separates it from the rest?
The reinvented New Mutants. I love this team, have always loved this team. They actually have Karma as part of the team now and are exploring her personality beyond Leong and Nga. Magik is being used as a real character instead of a dying, losing, horrible monster. Cypher is back and badass!!!!! Magma is being used outside of, turn into fire, shoot something, get knocked out.
The Walking Dead. Never has it disappointed to totally frighten me and intrigue me. The writing is so strong. I never thought a zombie book could last this long.
Xforce. I wish I got in when it first rebooted. The storys and art have amazed.
Xfactor. What a way to take a ragtag bunch of my least favorite characters and make them interesting. Seriously I hated Shatterstar, M, Multiple Man and Strong Guy. Now I'm excited to get each of those monthly visits.
I'd recommend Hellboy, a really good read all the way. Interesting characters, compelling world.
For me if they want me to buy and read them. I need a consistent world with characters that aren't just cardboard. I have to see there's an actual reason for what they do. The world, and the imagery have to enhance the story and set the mood. That is good. I don't want a wankfast. I want a story that keeps me thinking and hooked to every page. In what is good, most of the time the best are self-contained universes, that way the creator has full control of his universe.
This is especially why I love the Soleil Celtic imprint so much.
I´m buying and enjoying:
- Thanos Imperative;
- Shadowland and Daredevil;
- Casanova;
- Astonishing Wolverine and Spider-Man;
- Shield;
- Ultimates Avengers (Carlos Pacheco, Leinil and Frank Cho - not buying Dillon's);
- Avengers, Secret Avengers, New Avengers, Avengers Prime;
- Thunderbolts;
- Uncanny X-Men, X-Men Legacy, X-Force, New Mutants;
- X-Force Sex & Violence;
- Incredible Hulk and Hulk;
- Wolverine: Origins, Dark Wolverine;
- Punisher Max;
- Brightest Day, Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps and Green Arrow;
- Daytripper;
- Wildcats and Authority;
- Tom Strong;
- Neomicon;
- Chronicles of Wormwood;
- Joe the Barbarian;
- Tarot : Witch of the Black Rose;
- Orc Stain;
Long list
And if those questions were more on the broad side than you cared for, tell me about Daytripper. I've seen it around a couple a' times in the shop, an' thought about pickin' it up a couple times before. What's it like? No, better yet, what do you like about it?
1) I´m a big fan of the X-Men books, I´ve started reading Uncanny X-Men # 272 and been reading them since then; so; whatever got mutants with good art and story, I´m in (not a fan of X-Factor and the X-Men/Vampire thing...looking foward to Uncanny X-Force);
2) I like the Avengers very much, for a long time also, so it´s natural for me to purchase the Avengers titles; I like Bendis and the art team is very good (all of them: Romita, Davis, Immonen and Deodato);
3) I enjoy reading something different - besides super heroes, that´s why I´m following Orc Stain, Joe the Barbarian, Chronicles of Wormwood, Tarot, Neomicon, Tom Strong, Hellboy;
4) Casanova and Daytripper I´m buying because of Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba (I´m from Brazil so I´ve got to show some support, know what I mean?);
5) When Ivan Reis begun his run in Green Lantern, I´d immediatily got hooked by Geoff Johns script, so I´ve been following them (I´m not a DC fan, but Green Lantern made me change my mind (the fact that Diogenes Neves is also a brazilian helps to explain why I´m buying Green Arrow, 'cause he´s a totally new character to me);
6) The Hulks series is most because I really like the character;
7) I´ve collecter all Guardians of the Galaxy series, so it´s natural that I buy Thanos Imperative (also I´m a big fan of Thanos, as you can see);
8) Shield just blown me away, I thinnk it´s one of the best comics in the last years;
9) the Ultimate universe was a big deal to me, so after Ultimatum, I´ve decided to keep touch with the Ultimates and the Ultimate X;
10) I´m a big fan of Wolverine, so I buy pretty much everything about him;
11) Steve Dillon was born to pencil Punisher, so everytime he makes Castle kill somebody, I´m there;
12) The World´s End is a good arc for me, probably the best of Wildstorm so far.
I focus more to buy comics with artists that I like, such as Adam Kubert (Astonishing Wolverine and Spider-Man), Chris Sprouse (Tom Strong), Carlos Pacheco (Ultimates, and now his Ultimate Thor), Steve Epting (his FF run), Simon Coleby (Authority), Greg Land (X-Men Legacy), Billy Tan (Shadowland), Paul Pelletier (Incredible Hulk) etc.
And whenever there is a brazilian artist that I admire, I will buy the issue.
Hope I´ve answered your question with satisfaction.
Bye
Bendis isn't writing DD anymore and Shadowland, I am going to go nuts waiting for #3, hoping the intervening issues will make up the time :)
" Best thing about comics now is being able to pick up trades for stuff you may have missed. I love being able to pick up a book with a complete story arc in it and have bought books starring characters that normally wouldnt be on my radar "Yeah, I agree with that.
Also, Y: the Last Man. For everything that suck in the world, at least we have Y :D
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