What are the best "realistic" superhero comics?

[Joe Grendel]

I'm in the mood for realistic comics after too long away from the shops. What, in your opinion, are the best "realistic" superhero comics (such as Watchman, Astro City, X-Statix etc. -- i.e. books that include superheroic elements, but still try to deal with real emotions, some of the political and social ramifications and so on)? Preferably in TPB form.

Thanks in advance.

[Chris Nowlin]

I think Alan Moore's Swamp Thing fits the bill perfectly. Fits nicely in 6 trades. Certainly real emotions. Plus cool political/social ramifications. Like when photos of a woman with a swamp monster get out...

Gotham Central tells the story of the police in Gotham City. I think it fits your criterion as well and is certainly excellent comics. More of a cop comic than a superhero comic, but certainly in Batman's world.

[max_payne]

Ill tell ya what...I really think that Batman could be a reality. When I read some of the stories I think about "what if batman was real".
The thing is he's not a true "superhero". He's a pissed off dude lookin for payback and has dedicated his life to it.
Imagine a very rich person consumed by the death of his parents, who has dedicated almost his entire life to training, inventing, masterminding his idea of enforcing justice.
Sometimes I think the villains steal some of his realistic thunder. But...dont get me wrong, im not sure batman could be the character he has become without his enemies. But...think about the things you could get away with as a masked ninja running the streets of your city. You know...being really smart about it and being a millionare who really doesnt have to work for a living. I dont know...perhaps im just insane (very likely) but when I read some of the batman tales my perception I take is that these are true stories.
So...I think batman is by far the most realistic hero.

[Pinnacle]

I agree completely with the above mention of Gotham Central. It was one of the best books out there.

Also if you haven't already checked them out, Supreme Power (now Squadron Supreme), Powers, and Rising Stars fit the criteria you describe. And even Ultimates and Checkmate deal with the political game of superheroes.

[Gingold]

I think Morrison's Animal Man gives a fairly realistic portrayal of what a regular guy with a wife and kids would be like as a superhero.

[Perry Holley]

Bratpack, as long as you don't mind it being reeeaaally dark.

Also, not comics, but the Wild Cards novels might be of interest to you.

[Zero Hunter]

I would also give Supreme Powers a look. That was a great series until they switched it over to Squadron Supreme.

[Joe Grendel]

Bratpack, as long as you don't mind it being reeeaaally dark.

I clearly have been gone too long.

Is Bratpack in TPB form?

[MichaelMogg]

Does it necessarily have to be the superhero genre? I think Transmetropolitan might interest you, although it isn't strictly a superhero book (maybe Spider Jerusalem is someone's hero ;) ).

[Joe Grendel]

I'm pretty well set for smart non-superhero books, but I appreciate the recommendation.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

Alan Moore & Gene Ha's Top Ten series mines the "realistic superheroes" concept as well, using the very criteria described in the original post; but mostly plays it more in a different manner than Watchmen or Miracleman did. Namely, in more of a lighter-- or even outright humorous-- slant (though there are much more serious moments, as well).

And this approach doesn't stop with the city's superheroes, either; there's a hilarious story at the tail end of the 1st TPB where the Neopolis PD grills the Pantheon of Norse mythology for the murder of Baldur (apparently Loki does have rights, much to Odin's chagrin).

[Magneto_X]

Invincible

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Daredevil (Bendis & Brubaker runs)

Black Widow mini-series by Richard K. Morgan.

Supreme Power

Checkmate (current)

The Ultimates Vol.1 & 2

[Perry Holley]

I clearly have been gone too long.

Is Bratpack in TPB form?Bratpack was made into a TPB several years ago (Maximortal may have, as well, but I'm not certain of that). It's been a while since either were published, so they may be out of print.

[TheLazy]

Planetary, although they're not superhero's in name. Deals with a bunch of Archaeologists with super powers who try to discover the untold history of the earth, super powered cover ups, government conspiracies ect, its pretty realistic. Ultimates is pretty Realist too until the end of the second season when it goes all superhero-y

[Perry Holley]

Okay, looks like Bratpack may be OOP, but it seems Amazon has copies available.

[Serik]

Brukbaker's Captain America is fairly "realistic" by Marvel standards. It's the only comic from the Big Two I currently read -- and the title character is supposedly dead!

[Magneto_X]

I'll add Ultimate Spiderman, Ellis' Authority run and Planetary.

[Donald M.]

Ill tell ya what...I really think that Batman could be a reality. When I read some of the stories I think about "what if batman was real".

He'd get shot.

[Lance]

He'd get shot.

In the face.

[TheLazy]

In the face.

{insert robin picture}

[Ullar]

Punisher MAX.

[Greg Hatcher]

I'll chime in on Gotham Central, and add that there may be new Astro City trades you're not aware of if you've been away for a while. Steve Gerber's Hard Time was cool while it lasted; only one trade collection though. How out-of-touch are we talking about here? Did you miss Seven Soldiers, for example, or Global Frequency?

[Joe Grendel]

I'll chime in on Gotham Central, and add that there may be new Astro City trades you're not aware of if you've been away for a while. Steve Gerber's Hard Time was cool while it lasted; only one trade collection though. How out-of-touch are we talking about here? Did you miss Seven Soldiers, for example, or Global Frequency?

It looks like I missed two KBAC TPBs. Seven Soldiers I got the first few issues of, back when I had my health scare back in 2005, thanks to the Pantheon. (Joe Rice, I believe it was.)

[stealthwise]

Brubaker's Daredevil, the first two trades are out and they are EXCELLENT. The whole thing is superhero, but really "realistic" (i.e. violent and gritty, while still feeling emotionally real).

[TheLazy]

Brubaker's Daredevil, the first two trades are out and they are EXCELLENT. The whole thing is superhero, but really "realistic" (i.e. violent and gritty, while still feeling emotionally real).

I wouldn't really call the 1st trade a superhero story, more like Pulp Fiction/Goodfellas that happens to have a cameo from Daredevil.

[Mutate]

Was the prison story? I loved it. It may not be a superhero story but it was definatly a high quality ninja/vigilante story.

[Ivan Isaacs]

http://www.comiccover.de/scans/Dvdeus/sm_20060630_003413.jpg http://www.comiccover.de/scans/Clint/sm_20030610_201348.jpg http://www.comiccover.de/scans/Clint/sm_20030608_1141371.jpg http://www.comiccover.de/scans/Clint/sm_20050308_0013221.jpg

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

Shee-it. 26 posts and still no mention of Sleeper yet?

For shame. (wags finger)

[literally exaggerated]

Ex Machina deals with the political ramifications really well.

[stealthwise]

I wouldn't really call the 1st trade a superhero story, more like Pulp Fiction/Goodfellas that happens to have a cameo from Daredevil.

Both trades read as one whole story though.

[mattx110]

daredevil.
i don't know how realistic powers is, but i hear people like it.
marvel zombies is pretty realistic... but only for about 2 panels involving black panther before the costumed mutants land in their earth-orbiting spaceship to find their magnetism-controlling leader who was fighting the horde of superhero zombies. that's a bad example....

daredevil is great. iron fist is kinda... not realistic, but more mystical than superheroy..

[stealthwise]

Oh, I almost forgot to recommend Busiek/Immonen's excellent Superman: Secret Identity.

[tricksterpup]

Mike Grell's Green Arrow's Long Bow Hunters.

[Adam West]

I'll second Ex-Machina and Gotham Central, both are my favorites.

[Roquefort Raider]

Millar and Hitch's The Ultimates really impressed me. Even if I don't much care for superheroes.

I also second Ivan's recommendation of Alias. That series was great and is available in one big omnibus book.

[Dreadstar]

I'm pretty sure Joe's asking for current recommendations. He's probably read most of those older books.

That said, there was a mini a few years back, called Ultra, about a superhero model. Yes, I know how it sounds, but it was actually pretty decent. As for others, the Supreme Universe stuff might fit the bill, especially Nighthawk if you want a really interesting take-no-prisoners take on "Batman vs. the Joker." Very dark, with some nice Dillon art.

I *know* there's a title I'm missing that I should add, too, because I was just commenting on this very thing a month or so ago. But dammit, I can't remember.

[Guapo Méndez]

Okay, looks like Bratpack may be OOP, but it seems Amazon has copies available.


Skip the middle man. I got my Bratpack copy from Rick himself (autographed and numbered) and he had more copies left.

Email him and he should set you up.

[frankiedetroit]

I'll second Ex-Machina

I'll third it, and almost lived something close to it. I was in the running to become Andrew Cuomo's NYC spokesman, and I have dreads, much like Mitchell Hundred's second in command. Alas, he went with some non-dread-head...

[Typo Lad]

Joe -

it's not realistic, but knowing what I do of your tastes, you're going to want to read Nextwave.

Also, Agents of Atlas is fun.