I'd like to get into independents . . .

[spazzy mcghee]

Hi, I've been reading to mainstream comics for sometime no, and I'd like a change of pace for a while. Can you guys suggest some good titles or ongoing stories / TBS to pick up? Which ever is you favorite I suppose.

thanks! :D

[malephoenix]

Depends on what you like.

If you are a firm believer that superheroes are the only thing that can be good in a comic, then you're (a) an American, and (b) exactly where I was. If you want a good indie Superhero comic, read Invincible. The first 13 issues are so incredible - as long as no one spoils them for you. If you can take a look at this series, then do so, but make sure to let people know to not ruin it for you if you ask others about it.

Now, once I was in the field of indies, I picked up The Walking Dead, seeing as how they were written by the same guy. I couldn't believe it. I enjoyed a non-superhero book. A LOT. I highly suggest starting off with these two. The harback for Invincible is great for that book, but a tad pricey - $30. But not if you consider that it's thirteen issues, and a whole ton of great extras. TWD, on the other hand, should be checked out through the first tpb, which is a ridiculously low ten bucks.

Just a couple suggestions. These are the books I show people when I want a non-comic-book-reader to see that comics aren't lame. So far, I've changed the minds of the half dozen I've shared with. I'm working on another person right now.

[spazzy mcghee]

Thanks, I just bought Walking dead tpb 1-4 from amazon for $32 and invincibles 1-3 from Ebay for $34. Thanks for the advice.

[malephoenix]

Does that mean you got four different The Walking Dead trade paperbacks for 32 bucks???? AND the first entire three trade paperbacks of Invincible for only 34?

Do you mean TPBs or just single issues? 'Cause if you paid that much for just the trades, then you got yourself a couple of incredibly sweet deals.

Whenever you read the Invincible, post back here and let me know what you think of the major plotline of the first 13 issues. It'd be great to hear another fresh take on it.



And I forgot to mention - although it doesn't apply to most people - the one major problem I have with TWD is the copious amounts of cussing. I hate cussing and especially using God's name in vain. In my issues, I've scratched out all the bad words, and it reads much more friendly to me. But like I said, I'm in the extreme minority on these boards (it's actually a somewhat frequent phenomena when I'm from to cross out the cussing and such), so it might not bother you.

[Rob H]

I'd also like to make a recommendation for Small Gods: Killing Grin. Only one trade out but it's very good. A few more runs follow but aren't collected in tpb format. It's some of Jason Rand's best work.

Oh, and I can't recommend The Amazing Joy Buzzards (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582404984/sr=8-1/qid=1144679645/ref=sr_1_1/104-7672637-6817512?%5Fencoding=UTF8) enough.

Another that isn't Image but is a fav of mine is Mike Allred's Madman. Get whatever you can of this run but if you happen to come across Madman: Heaven and Hell in the meantime, by all means, don't think twice about picking it up first.

You'll love The Walking Dead. I'm yet to meet anybody who doesn't.

[spazzy mcghee]

Groovy, thanks for the suggestions. And yes, as far as I know all the books I bought were NEW TPBs. The walking dead was 4 covers, but if you set them together it makes on long panoramic shot. Amazon.com, I guess thats one thing about coming in after the rush. Thanks again.

[Chris Thomas]

quick mention of noble causes--see thread also in this forum.

[Ullar]

ORIGINAL Spawn.

[Rob H]

Pick up the first Lions Tigers & Bears tpb if you get the chance. I plan to do the same.

I remember reading the first two issues and falling completely in love with it. The first issue of volume 2 has just recently hit the shelves if you're after single issues.

[theh-bomb]

Some indie titles I've enjoyed are:
Cla$$war (from the now defunct ComX Comics), Godland (Image), Paradigm (Image), Surrogates (from Top Shelf), Channel Zero, (from AIT/Planetlar), Metabarons (from Humanoid Press), Bacchus (from Eddie Campbell Comics), Puncture (also from ComX), and Walking Dead (which everyone else seems to have covered).

[Xav]

I strongly recommend The Supermarket, from IDW.

[heavysoul]

Everything by Will Eisner (various publishers)
Everything by Sam Kieth (Wildstorm)
Everything by Frank Miller (Dark Horse)
Everything by Doug TenNapel (Fireman Press & Image)
Everything by James Kochalka (Top Shelf)
Everything by Brian Wood (various publishers)
Everything by Paul Pope (various publishers)
Everything by the Hester/Huddleston team (Oni & Image)
Everything by Jim Mahfood (Image)
The Originals (Vertigo)
Scooter Girl (Oni)
The Marquis (Oni)
Tank Girl and/or Marshall Law (Titan Books)
The Last American (Com.X)
Tales Of Colossus (Image)... this list goes on and on. I think you're gonna enjoy exploring indie comics.

[Soulless MW]

April 3rd
Press Release
A New Mortal World Begins
Mortal World Entertainment announces the release of their first issues - the Mortal World Compendium Volumes 1 & 2. The Compendiums introduce the reader to some of the various series coming from Mortal World Entertainment. All of these stories are the starting point to introduce readers to the different characters and venues that Mortal World Entertainment will offer. Stories are written/presented by Matt Adams and Gregory Price with art by various talented newcomers. Issues are full color and are priced at $2.99 each.
Volume 1 contains three stories. Kord & Harley is a story that has everything a reader could want in a book: blood & guts, demonic forces, a hero made of stone and his partner, a talking chameleon. Who could ask for more? The second story, Spirit Force 1, takes place in Nazi-infested territory where an unlikely band of heroes must unite to stop their evil threat. Finally, Tin Star - a western tale where gunslingers will whet your appetite with a six-shooting bloodbath and polish your spurs with memorable psychotic characters. This book is just a taste of great things to come from Mortal World Entertainment.

In Volume 2 of the Compendium, there are three more stories. Galacdiator, a story about a space arena where strange alien creatures battle to the death in a sci-fi epic of galactic proportions. The second story, Hunter & Prey, is a fantasy tale of brothers torn due to their mother's lustful demonic ways (if you like Lord of the Rings, you're going to love Hunter & Prey). Lastly there is Soulless, the apocalyptic tale of the rise of a new evil. This is the book that will blow you away and raise you back up from the grave!

Readers can go to the homepage, http://www.mortalworldentertainment.net , and not only check out approximately 10 pages of previews for each book but they can place their order to get a copy at Mortal World Entertainment’s new web store under the Products heading.

Get ready because a new world is coming...the Mortal World!

[Gonzogoose]

Check out my column, Indy-Pendant, and its archives (link in my signature) for a ton of cool indy titles.