The Comic Book Thread, yes, it belongs in the nerdery. Options

[zetec]

Comic books. When I quit doing drugs I started buying comic books. One addiction for another. Sadly, at this point, drugs would be cheaper.

Anyways, good shit to check out:

DC:
52
A weekly series (yes, a weekly comic book -- this is what started my addiction) that DC started to show the events that happened after the end of their Infinite Crisis event and before the "One Year Later" thing where all their series jumped a year into the future. A huge list of characters, none of whom are considered the "Main" DC heroes -- it's basically a year without Superman, Batman or Wonderwoman. It's only got 6 weeks/issues left before the finale, so you may wanna check out the next weekly series they've decided to do as soon as 52 ends (since 52 was a WAY bigger hit then they ever suspected.) A quick note, somehow this series has managed to come out on time each week, which is an amazing accomplishment considering Marvel couldn't even get their monthly 7-issue Civil War series out on time.

Countdown
The weekly series that is going to take place after 52. All that's really known is that it's going to start at issue 51 and end at issue 0, counting down. Whether or not the entire story will be backwards is still in speculation. This one will have the major players in it.

Justice League of America
The JLA was disbanded at the end of Infinite Crisis, and this series starts out with them rebuilding it. This series has GREAT writing by recent NYT #1 bestselling author Brad Metzger, and bitching art too. Definitely check this series out if you don't touch any others.

Justice Society of America
The "Silver Age" Justice Society, taking a vein from the new JLA has also relaunched, and it's off to a similarly awesome start. Check it out.

Justice
This series doesn't really have a whole lot to do with the current DC universe's continuity, however, the story is absolutely AMAZING, and the art, all hand painted with watercolors by artist Alex Ross is beyond spectacular. The first and second collections of this series is now out in graphic novel hardcover, check 'em out.

The Brave And The Bold
DC's new "Team Up" series has returned from a long grave, and promises to actually have an impact on the DC Universe this time, which was the major failure of all past team-up books. The second issue came out last week, and I'll be fucked if it's not DAMN good writing, with very nice art as well. Now's the perfect time to jump on this one if you wanna get in on the ground floor.

The Flash
The Flash has been relaunched, with former Impulse and Kid Flash Bart Allen finally donning the red suit as the fourth Flash, and the story is definitely there, although both the art and the story seemed to have been a little shaky the last two months or so. It's changing hands behind the scenes, so it'll be a bit to work out the bugs, but it appears to be on the right course. Finally the Flash doesn't suck.

Teen Titans
Another good series, although this one has a bit more back story to jump into than most of the others. If you can be bothered to look up the background, it's worth it. Great art, as well.

Trials of Shazam!
After One Year Later, former Captain Marvel Billy Watson is now the keeper of the powers of Shazam, since the Spectre killed the Wizard Shazam during Infinite Crisis. Since he can no longer be Captain Marvel and keep the powers of the gods, Captain Marvel Jr., Freddie somethingorother is being groomed to be the new Captain Marvel. Before he can don the red suit and girly over-the-shoulder-cape, however, he must complete 7 trials, one for each god. This is a 12-issue mini-series that seems to be a about a week late most of the time, but the wonderful watercolored art is worth it. Probably a precursor to a new Captain Marvel series.

Dark Horse:
Star Wars: Legacy
The Star Wars universe, 140 years after A New Hope. Cade Skywalker is a disenchanted former Jedi turned bounty hunter after watching his father and master get killed by Sith. The New Republic and the Imperial Remnant long ago merged, however a new civil war is brewing fueled by the Sith. This time, the Imperials are more or less the good guys, and even have an order of loyal Imperial Knights with bitchin' red body armor and kickass silver/white lightsabers. Seriously. They look fucking sweet. It's definately worth checking out, just because it's such a cool fucking idea. Oh, and Cade does drugs so he doesn't see Luke appearing all blue-seethru-like, a la Obi-Wan.

Marvel:
Runaways
I'll tell you straight up, I'm just not a Marvel guy anymore. I used to be the exact opposite when I was a kid and would go read comics at the Lone Star shop next door after I finished my karate lesson. I was never a DC fan back then. But now... I can't explain it. Doesn't really hold the same spark for me.

That being said, Runaways is the greatest thing Marvel has produced in 30 years. And yes, I know Captain America is dead and Iron Man won Civil War. Who gives a fuck. RUNAWAYS. Basically a series about a group of teens who find out that their parents are super-villains, and that most of them have powers or something of the sort. Of course, they run away, and off you go from there. The 7th graphic novella should be coming out soon, and it's definately an easier way to get up to speed on the series then trying to get the issues. Whats more, is next month begins the reign of Buffy/Firefly/Angel's Joss Whedon as the writer, so things can really only get better. Seriously. Check this shit out.




Also check out Transmetropolitan. It's out of print, but the graphic novels are everywhere. It's pretty much Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 set way in the future. It's REALLY good. Just check it out, especially if you're an HST fan.


Alright, I've probably skipped something, but fuck it, i'm tired and I don't even know how many comic book fans are on this forum.

Also, manga blows.

[zetec]

I was gonna mention Y: The Last Man myself, but I forgot apparently. Also, yeah, now that the Joker's back, I'm getting back into Batman. Ever since the whole Gang Wars thing it's been kinda meh. Supes as well hasn't had very strong writing as of late. And poor Superman/Batman, it's just not what it used to be . Wonder Woman is sposedly pretty good though, I've only skimmed it.