Comics! (Where to get Started)

With superheroes back in popularity thanks to movies like Superman and Fantastic Four, I have seen a resurgence of comic readers, and I could not be more excited. Comics are a great and sometimes underappreciated form of storytelling as they are written off sometimes for just being superhero stories. Comics can span over all sorts of genres just like traditional books; there have also been classic stories that now have a comic adaptation in order to reach a new generation of readers such as 1984 by George Orwell or the Road by Cormac McCarthy.

In this post I wanted to give some recommendations for new readers from a variety of different comic studios, and do not worry I will not go overboard with the capes and spandex. This post is also for my friends who have told me they want to get into comics, so shout out to them!

For DC and Marvel

• As these are the main two comic companies everyone knows there are a vast array of titles to choose from both their main universe and alternate universes. I will try and keep this section small and pick one main universe and one alternate universe for both Marvel and DC so let's go!

  • Superman by Joshua Williamson with Art by Jamal Campbell

    • This is definitely one to pick up after seeing the Superman movie this past year, it captures all the hope core energy that makes the movie and character great. The Man of Steel wants to see the best in everyone, and the first major arc sees him having to team up with his archenemy Lex Luther in order to take on Lex's old friends turned enemies. I believe this series is on pause for right now as the writer is currently co-writing the DC KO event happening right now featuring characters all across the DC universe so this would be a great time to jump in and catch up on Superman's exciting adventures.

  • Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson with Art by Hayden Sherman

    • The standout of Dc's Absolute Universe is here! This series takes a spin on Diana's usual origin story this time having her grow up in hell and be raised by the sorceress Circe. The ties to Greek mythology are well integrated and don't bog down the story, and the best part is Thompson seems to really understand what makes Wonder Woman great. This series is ongoing and the best time to jump in is right now as Wonder Woman is forced to take on her fellow witch Zatanna in the next couple issues. This is a clash you don't want to miss!

  • The Ultimates by Deniz Camp with Art by Juan Frigeri

    • Onto Marvel and their Ultimate universe, this follows the Ultimate's who are a small resistance group of heroes who are battling to free their world from the rule of an evil Mr. Fantastic known as The Maker. The group is led by the usual Marvel trinity of Captain America, Thor, and Iron Lad alongside some new additions which for me helped the series stand out. I do think the spins on Hawkeye and She-Hulk have quickly become my favorites, and I hope to see them in other series down the line. This is another series that is coming to an end soon so it is perfect for a good binge read if you can get your hands on it!

  • Planet She Hulk by Stephanie Phillips with Art by Aaron Kuder

    • Spinning off the heels of the Imperial event happening on the cosmic side of Marvel, Planet She-Hulk follows She Hulk doing a favor for her cousin. She is to watch over the Planet Sakaar for five days until Hulk comes back, or so she thinks. This is a really fun "fish out of water" story so to speak as She Hulk, or Jen is usually more at home in the courtroom as a lawyer is now forced to oversee a planet where the motto is Might equals Right. This series is about halfway done and I cannot wait to see what happens when Hulk finally comes back, if he comes back...

• I will give two honorable mentions to Wiccan Witches Road for Marvel and Green Lantern Corps from DC.

For the Indie Publishers: (Image, Darkhorse, Boom Studios, and Mad Cave Studios)

• Indie publishers are a great way to discover some original stories. Writers here are not tied down necessarily with licensed characters and keeping things canon so they can really let their imagination run wild. Of course, there are one or two licensed properties that you may see in the indie publishers but for the most part you really see writers stretch their creative muscles! Here are some indie series that I can recommend with my whole heart.

  • Exquisite Corpses (Image Comics): A group of killers are dropped into a small town on Halloween night to have battle royale with the townspeople left alone to survive the gruesome night.

  • Crowded (Image Comics): A satirical take on the future where apps are used for everything, we meet Charlie who wakes up one morning to find her name on the crowd funding assassination app called Reapr with the bounty at 1 million dollars and climbing quickly. After recruiting down on her luck bodyguard Vita, the two must last the whole month before Charlie's contract on Reapr ends.

  • Ripperland (Darkhorse Comics): A dystopian England is forced to transform the country into a Victorian era themed park after Brexit backfires on the country. This return to the past brings back old monsters when a Jack the Ripper like figure begins to terrorize the park and two detectives are sent in to investigate and put a stop to the killer.

  • Power Rangers Prime (Boom Studios): ITS MORPHIN TIME! The rangers have had a home with Boom Studios since 2016, but I want to talk about the latest iteration currently being written by Melissa Flores. I believe this is perfect for newer readers and Ranger fans as it can stand on its own and you need very little prior knowledge in order to enjoy it. It allows new characters to shine and older characters to establish a better legacy than they did in previous runs or within the tv show.

  • Our Soot Stained Heart (Mad Cave Studios): This has been a really fun read so far after being made aware that the author used his own Finnish heritage to help write the story. Its described as a Steampunk Santa story where you must be nefarious in order to be paid. That's right you are paid to be bad, goodness will get you nowhere or maybe into poverty. The story follows protagonist Peggy as she escapes her servitude from the Coalition and seeks answers that may change her world.

  • Exploit (Mad Cave Studios): This upcoming series follows journalist intern Kirby in the aftermath after she publishes a scathing secret about billionaire Cole Saxon. I love good satire and I am so excited to read this as its described as "satire of the state of the American tech oligarchy with a pop punk edge." Feel free to follow this series with me as I'm sure you'll find more about it here on the Novel Nest.