The Skid Reviewer
“How do I get into comics?” That’s a question we have encountered from many people, friends and strangers alike.
To those new to the medium, comics are seen as impenetrable. They notice that some series have been running in various forms for decades or there are just so many titles it’s hard to know what to read or where to begin.
Here are a few tips for anyone who is interested on where to start your comic book adventure.
Now before anyone starts complaining, be informed that this is not a list of what we think are the best comics; nor are they all for very young kids.
Here is a list of 10 comic books and graphic novels (in no particular order) which we think are the friendliest examples to first time readers of what the comic book medium offers in terms of both themes and artistic styling.
- Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
No comic book has been the subject of more essays and serious literary discussion than Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen. It has been named one of the 100 greatest novels of the past century by Time Magazine. Released 20 years ago, the 12-issue maxi-series was a groundbreaking achievement for comics. Written "for adults," Watchmen opened the doors for thought-provoking and intelligent comics in the mainstream. Two decades after its arrival, there is still no greater comic book. And for serious readers, this is a great way to get hooked into the graphic novel genre.
- Saga Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples
It’s an epic space opera following a star-crossed married couple and their little mixed baby as they run from both sides of a war. This is one of those comics that’s on practically every list for newbies: It’s gorgeous, thoroughly beloved, a smash hit – and one of those works that you can’t find an easy substitute for on TV or in films. It’s a triumph of the medium, basically.
- Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughn and Pia Guerra
This tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world where the extinction event is the death of all men – except, of course, one. This is another one of those comic books that gets included in seemingly every newbie bundle. There’s a reason for that: It’s gripping and full of cliffhangers while also being tender, hilarious, and full of emotion. It’s one of those rides you can binge-read and then share with everyone who so eagerly pushed it into your arms in the first place.
- Batman Vol. 1 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo
As with a lot of the mainstays, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact right place to jump in with a character as storied as Batman. So why not choose one by a creator—Scott Snyder (not to be confused with Zack Snyder). This is a fantastic book and really captures the caped crusader in all his glory. Perfect for beginners.
- All-Star Superman Vol. 1, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
The amazing creative team of writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely join forces to take Superman back to basics and create a new vision of the World’s First Superhero. This is a great way to begin understanding the mythos of a phenomenon that now supercedes pop culture and is a juggernaut cultural mainstay.
- The Sandman, Vol. 1, by Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, and Mike Dringenberg
This is one of the classics. Completely without any action or suspense, it is this story that paved the way for the revolution that the Sandman series began. And this story alone remains one of the handful true perfect masterpieces of the medium. The Sandman is a milestone in modern comics – and literature – and essential reading for everyone interested in the medium.
- Jessica Jones: Alias, by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos
If you’re looking for something that relatively directly inspired an onscreen superhero, here ya go. There are differences between page and screen of course, but this is the main source material where Jessica Jones took the form of the character beloved in the Netflix series.
- Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1, by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday
When it comes to the X-Men, there are approximately 10 katrillion places to start. But that can sometimes be the very problem – because that’s very intimidating. So here is one option, with a handy bridge (Joss Whedon) to tie you to other mediums and creators you may be more familiar with.
- Lumberjanes Vol. 1, by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, and Brooke Allen
This story is literally about a bunch of girls at summer camp. A supernatural summer camp! This is one of those punk rock, love-everything-about-it stories that appeals to fans of basically all excellent things. So that may well be you, especially considering how critically acclaimed this series is.
- Persepoli by Marjane Satrapi
Based on her own personal experience of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Marjane Satrapi introduces us to the effects of cultural change through the eyes of a child. The graphic novel entitled, Persepolis, is a political, historical, and extremely personal account of a girl’s growth into maturity and there are a great range of emotions disseminated in this novel.
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(The Skid Reviewer is a YouTube channel run by two comic book fans from Nagaland who make videos about anything that catches their fancy)
