What Current Books Are Your Reading?

[mrc1214]

Im very interested to see what classic comic fans are reading and what your feeling are about the books?? Do you pick up any monthlies and how are they? Heres what I read

All Star Superman- need to get the first trade cause I only have two issues but its great.
Fables-I just started getting this monthly cause I didnt want to wait for trades anymore.
Spirit- Again I jumped on a little late but Sergio Aragones (sp??) will be taking over so I have high hopes.
Brubaker books- DD,Cap, and Iron Fist. Daredevil is my favorite of these.
Wonder Woman- Gail Simone wrote one issue and changed the book its going to be a great run.

[dan bailey]

Too bloody many, though the list is in flux because I'm cutting back for reasons of (a) finance & (b) dissatisfaction, not to mention the fact that a fair amount of what I buy has been cancelled recently (Cable & Deadpool, Heroes for Hire) or was a limited series to begin with (Bomb Queen, Consumed, etc)--

All-Star Superman (a pleasant read, but I don't grasp the worship ... will probably drop this)
Walking Dead (I'm a major zombie fan, but while this one is very well done I'll probably be dropping it because of my personal 5-minute rule -- if I can read a comic in less than 5 minutes, I can probably find a better use for $3)
Justice Society of America (no complaints!)
She-Hulk (about to drop it, because Peter David's new direction for the character abandons pretty much everything I liked about Slott's run)
Supergirl & the Legion of Super-Heroes (was about to drop this, but I want to see what Shooter does with the now-Supergirl-less title)
X-Men First Class (engagingly Silver Age-ish)
Marvel Adventures: Avengers (see X-Men First Class)
Captain America (solid comic, but another one I'll probably drop, just because it's not doing a whole lot for me ... though at least a lot of stuff happens, usually)
Immortal Iron Fist (the current story-line isn't doing much for me, but this one's very well done)
Hack/Slash (So far I like the characters, concept & execution)
Bad Planet (Sort of like a '50s sf flick on paper ... & I'm a total sucker for '50s sf flicks)
Umbrella Academy (Liked the first issue but have only glanced through #s 2 & 3, which probably isn't a good sign)
Brave & the Bold (So far, so good -- the done-in-one format seems to be doing a nice job of keeping that ol' debbil Decompression at bay)
Blue Beetle (A bit uneven, but far more hits than misses)
Fall of Cthulhu (The first arc was a niiiiiice take on HPL; the current one is mucy more Dreamlands-centric than I'd like, but it's still well done)
Powers (The last couple of arcs haven't blown me away, but even when it's sort of humdrum I find the characters engaging)
Astro City (Didn't get much at all out of the last arc, but I trust Busiek to right the ship)
Noble Causes (Though I'm sort of wary of the 5-years-later reboot that's about to kick in)
Invincible (Nicely done superheroics, though it probably wouldn't kill me to buy & read this one in trade, which is how I perused the first 24 or so ishes ...)

I'll probably add a few more as they come to me. I don't walk around with my pull-list in my head (or on paper, for that matter), which actually is rather uncharacteristic of me ...

[Cei-U!]

With the exception of Waid and Perez's Brave and Bold, I don't buy contemporary comics.

Cei-U!
I summon the very short list!

[dan bailey]

Note to self: Aspire to be more like Kurt.

[dan bailey]

Darned *choke* website/computer.

[mrc1214]

With the exception of Waid and Perez's Brave and Bold, I don't buy contemporary comics.

Cei-U!
I summon the very short list!


Thats a great book. What turned you away from todays books??

[mrc1214]

[Walking Dead (I'm a major zombie fan, but while this one is very well done I'll probably be dropping it because of my personal 5-minute rule -- if I can read a comic in less than 5 minutes, I can probably find a better use for $3)
[Bad Planet (Sort of like a '50s sf flick on paper ... & I'm a total sucker for '50s sf flicks)
..

I read Walking Dead as trades but I did try picking up the issues but I agree with you it was to quick of a read for me. When does Bad Planet come out and how many issues are out it sounds cool.

[shaxper]

I'm reading a few books each month (see signature below), but the only ones that really strike me as being worth the $3 are Usagi Yojimbo, Authority Prime, Detective Comics, and All-Star Batman & Robin. I feel that they're all modern day classics.

Usagi Yojimbo - The characters are thoroughly endearing, the anthropomorphic feudal Japan landscape is fascinating and inviting, and the art masterfully alternates between sweet innocence and maddening evil in a heartbeat. Stan Sakai is truly the master of tone.

Authority Prime - Take a great group of characters with a compelling back story, jack up the attitude meter, and watch them beat the crap out of each other as a means of working out long-brewing conflicts. This is the most intelligently written mindless violence that I've experienced in a long time.

Detective Comics - Paul Dini has revitalized Batman's rogues gallery in fascinating new ways while providing us with genuine mysteries for Batman to solve. Perhaps most compelling of all is that most of these stories are executed within the span of a single issue. A story can begin and come to a gratifying conclusion without stretching out for five to twelve issues.

All-Star Batman & Robin - I truly believe this title is absolute genius. If you want to know why, just check out my post in the "Favorite run by decade" thread. I don't want to bore anyone by repeating myself :)

I'm reading Green Arrow/Black Canary just because the characterization and witty banter keeps me mildly entertained.

I'm reading Green Lantern, Batman, and Nightwing just because I love the characters and want to keep up with them. The actual stories aren't doing very much for me.

Simon Dark may prove to be amazing, but It's only up to #2. It's hard to tell if it can go the distance at this point.

I'll definitely be trying Legion of Superheroes once Jim Shooter takes over because I do believe that he's a god of a comic book writer.

Also, if New Universal ever gets back on schedule, I'll be buying that again. Great potential in terms of back story and general plot, thus far.

[Cei-U!]

Thats a great book. What turned you away from todays books??

Lots of reasons, some financial, some aesthetic. Check out my posts in this thread (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=198265) for a more detailed explanation of my reasons.

Cei-U!
I summon the lethargy!

[mrc1214]

Usagi Yojimbo - The characters are thoroughly endearing, the anthropomorphic feudal Japan landscape is fascinating and inviting, and the art masterfully alternates between sweet innocence and maddening evil in a heartbeat. Stan Sakai is truly the master of tone.

.


I forgot that one. Its been on my pull list for so long now. Shaxper you summed it up perfectly. My feelings exactly. Its a damn shame that more people dont pick up that book. My store always puts it under the recommended reading section but theres only a few people who buy it. But the people who do really appreciate the book and how great it is.

[Josh S]

The Goon
Conan
BPRD
Futurama
The Simpsons

I might start picking up Hellboy, as I think I'll be caught up with BPRD in a couple weeks. As for the reasons why my list is so short and complete superhero free: nothing interests me. I'd much rather get my capes fix via the Essential and Showcase lines.

[MichikoS]

What I'm currently buying/reading on a regular basis:

1. Fables and its companion title, Jack of Fables.
2. Exterminators
3. Simpsons Comics, Treehouse of Horror, other Bongo annuals and specials, Futurama
4. Doc Frankenstein & Shaolin Cowboy
5. Fear Agent
6. Bad Planet
7. Madman
8. Daredevil
9. Casanova
10. Special Forces by Kyle Baker
11. Faker
12. Lone Ranger
13. Any/all Hellboy, BPRD or Mignola projects e.g. Lobster Johnson
14. Steve Niles' projects, especially Cal McDonald Criminal Macabre and including the new Simon Dark title
15. Black Summer and Doktor Sleepless by Warren Ellis
16. The Goon and anything by Eric Powell

I've given up on almost all the mainline titles put out by DC and Marvel. For me, superhero stuff is reheated, recycled, regurgitated. I don't care for Big Events and crossovers. So that pretty much eliminates most of the stuff out there. I find myself gravitating to quirky and weird, but not necessarily Fantagraphics-quirky-and-weird. I guess I'm a lowbrow at heart, because even a whiff of pretentiousness is enough to put me off. (That said, the Hernandez Bros. can do no wrong, in spite of their long association with Fantagraphics, and my spotty record of keeping up with the ongoing Love & Rockets saga.)

I check out and read tons of trades from the library, and have thoroughly enjoyed several titles like SCALPED and QUEEN & COUNTRY which I don't buy regularly. So I do read a lot of comics without buying them. I've read almost all the old Crossgen titles in trades I've checked out from the library.

Michi

[MichikoS]

The Goon
Conan
BPRD
Futurama
The Simpsons

I might start picking up Hellboy, as I think I'll be caught up with BPRD in a couple weeks. As for the reasons why my list is so short and complete superhero free: nothing interests me. I'd much rather get my capes fix via the Essential and Showcase lines.Josh, we are clearly on the same wavelength! Have you read the new Goon hardback, CHINATOWN? Definitely one of the best things I've read all year. Powell is pretty amazing.

Michi

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/goon_chinatown.jpg

[mrc1214]

What I'm currently buying/reading on a regular basis:

16. Bad Planet
Michi


Ive looked up that title will it be out in trades at some point?? Cause I really dont know if my LCS has any of the back issues. Plus I dont really want to add too much to my pull list.

[shaxper]

I forgot that one. Its been on my pull list for so long now. Shaxper you summed it up perfectly. My feelings exactly. Its a damn shame that more people dont pick up that book. My store always puts it under the recommended reading section but theres only a few people who buy it.


What's both wonderful and terrible about Usagi now is that the comic has achieved such momentum and continuity that I think it would be hard for a new reader to have any idea what's going on in a current issue. I'm glad your LCS has been endorsing it, though. I managed to triple the amount of Usagi books ordered for my LCS (from 3 to 9) just by talking about it incessantly.


But the people who do really appreciate the book and how great it is.

Agreed. I don't know of a single person that reads Usagi and says "it was okay."

[Josh S]

Josh, we are clearly on the same wavelength! Have you read the new Goon hardback, CHINATOWN? Definitely one of the best things I've read all year. Powell is pretty amazing.

Michi


I haven't read it yet. I'm hoping it'll come out in soft cover, as I don't like the idea of having one hardback among a bunch of soft covers.


Agreed. I don't know of a single person that reads Usagi and says "it was okay."

I really want to read start reading that, but it seems the first trade is kinda rare.

[shaxper]

I really want to read start reading that, but it seems the first trade is kinda rare.

They go in and out of print constantly. Keep checking Amazon.

Also, the first volume is far cruder than what follows. If you skip it and go on to book 2, you're only missing four major continuity points, all of which are explained again later.

Truthfully, as great as Usagi has always been, it takes a long time to really get to the good stuff. I might even suggest skipping right to The Dragon Bellows Conspiracy (book 4). Some people start as far down the road as Grasscutter (book 12), which is where Usagi truly attains a new level of greatness.

[Roquefort Raider]

I miss them, but having no LCS around means I don't read monthlies anymore.

Thanks to trades, I follow a few series in an infrequent manner:

Conan (as long as Kurt Busiek writes it, meaning that this one will soon be over);

Finder (which is only published in trade paperback format now);

Daredevil (when it comes out in hardcover, and I'm eagerly waiting for Brubaker's run to be so collected);

Captain America (a pretty good read);

Strangehaven (whenever it comes out);

as for the rest, I try to get my comics fix from Essential volumes.

[Josh S]

They go in and out of print constantly. Keep checking Amazon.

Also, the first volume is far cruder than what follows. If you skip it and go on to book 2, you're only missing four major continuity points, all of which are explained again later.

Truthfully, as great as Usagi has always been, it takes a long time to really get to the good stuff. I might even suggest skipping right to The Dragon Bellows Conspiracy (book 4). Some people start as far down the road as Grasscutter (book 12), which is where Usagi truly attains a new level of greatness.

It was suggested I do that by another poster, but I have a problem with skipping around in comics. I may add a couple to my wish list anyway.

[shaxper]

It was suggested I do that by another poster, but I have a problem with skipping around in comics. I may add a couple to my wish list anyway.

I'm the same way. Honestly, though, book 2 (which begins with the first issue of the original series) explains his entire origin and back story in the very first arc. Volume 1 reprints all of his short appearances prior to getting his own title. I think even the strictest of continuity fans could begin with book 2 and then backtrack when volume 1 becomes available.

[Josh S]

I hate to keep asking, but are these the same:

http://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Usagi-Yojimbo-Book-2/dp/0930193881/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196653573&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Usagi-Yojimbo-Book-Stan-Sakai/dp/156097009X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196653573&sr=8-5

I kinda want to add one to my order tonight and don't want to end up with something wrong.

[shaxper]

I hate to keep asking, but are these the same:

http://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Usagi-Yojimbo-Book-2/dp/0930193881/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196653573&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Usagi-Yojimbo-Book-Stan-Sakai/dp/156097009X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196653573&sr=8-5

I kinda want to add one to my order tonight and don't want to end up with something wrong.

The second one shows a picture of book 3 and a description of book 3 in the customer reviews, but when you click on the picture for a larger image, it shows the cover to book 2. Go with the first one just to be safe.

And congrats on your purchase!

[Josh S]

Thank you, sir.

[shaxper]

Thank you, sir.

Anything for an aspiring Usagi fan ;)

[MichikoS]

Ive looked up that title will it be out in trades at some point?? Cause I really dont know if my LCS has any of the back issues. Plus I dont really want to add too much to my pull list.Tim Bradstreet, who has joined the creative team of Steve Niles and Thomas Jane for BAD PLANET, says in an interview on Silver Bullet Comics' site that a trade will be published after the first six issues. So, pretty soon...

Michi

[dan bailey]

Ive looked up that title will it be out in trades at some point?? Cause I really dont know if my LCS has any of the back issues. Plus I dont really want to add too much to my pull list.

I assume Bad Planet will be out in trade once enough ishes have appeared -- that seems to be one of Image's strong points.

Ish 4 came out either last week or the week before. If memory serves, #1 came out a looooooooong time ago -- like, circa mid-'06, & maybe even before that -- & then nothing showed up for close to a year. Seems like we've had 3 ishes in fairly short order, though as with far too many comics these days (especially from independents, & especially from Image), any regularity of publication is probably purely accidental.

[dan bailey]

What I'm currently buying/reading on a regular basis:

5. Fear Agent
7. Madman
9. Casanova
11. Faker
15. Black Summer and Doktor Sleepless by Warren Ellis




Michi mentions a few more that I forgot about, in some cases because I'm buying them but haven't gotten around to reading beyond the first couple of issues & so can't form any really valid judgment (Fear Agent, Madman & Casanova all fall into this category, as for that matter does one I don't think anyone has cited yet -- Godland), or because I'm unsure as to whether it's a limited series that's about to end (Faker).

I'm liking Black Summer so far, though everything's been fairly anticlimactic since the intro. (Then again, what wouldn't be?) I've seen only the first Doktor Sleepless, but it looked pretty promising.

[devildinosaur]

I've resorted to buying almost nothing but trades. I just don't get into the shops like I did when I was a carefree youngster. Right now I'm buying all the Powers trades, Y The Last Man, Fables, and JSA.

And for some reason, I'm currently reading my 10th anniversary edition of the Dark Knight Returns trade (and then I'll probably re-read Dark Knight Strikes Again after that). I'm also looking forward to the Fables Hardcover graphic novel which I picked up a year ago but never read.

[earl]

I'm getting the main Bat titles like Batman, Detective and Batman Confidential on a monthly basis, everything else I am reading in trade paperbacks.

I think most of the modern comics would drive me nuts trying to read them issue to issue. I also like being able to work on a title front to back with trades. I've just completed Transmetropolitan and Preacher within the last couple of months. I'm also reading in trades DMZ, 100 Bullets, Punisher MAX and some of Warren Ellis' series in trades like Planetary.

[Simon Garth]

Avengers (New, Mighty & Initiative), She Hulk (though considering dropping it), Ms Marvel (no idea why - I keep thinking it might get better), Iron Fist, Iron Man, Powers

Was also getting Planetary, but that's pretty much over now.

I despair of DC ever managing to publish anything that I want to read

Edit: very seriously considering dropping everything and suscribing to Marvels Digital Comics Unlimited

[Reptisaurus!]

Flips through last couple weeks stack:

Buncha stuff!

The Goon

Pirates Vs. Ninjas

Courtney Crumrin and the Thief's Tale

Division 18: The Union of Novelty Costumed Performers

Countdown to Mystery ( I buy everything Steve Gerber writes.)

Chimera

Jack Kirby's Galactic Bounty Huneters

Grotesque

Kyle Baker's Special Forces

Gilbert Hernandez' Speak of the Devil

Back Issue Magazine

X 1999 (Manga I found at the used book store for 50 cents a volume)

Escape from Special

Yotsuba

Biff! Bam! Pow!

Brave and the Bold (On and off. Not very good, but I collect team-up books.)

There's quite a few more. Luckily none of 'em are monthly ongoings.

[Graham Vingoe]

I'm reading as much as ever but more and more tradewaiting via the library. the regular titles I get are:

All-Star Superman
Daredevil
Green LanternJustice Society of America
new Avengers
Captain America
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
mighty Avengers
booster Gold
Thunderbolts
Immortal Iron Fist
Doktor Sleepless

but will also be considerin ght enew Thor series and DEFINITELY the Millar/Hitch Fantastic Four

[Polar Bear]

I dropped monthly comics a while back in favor of back issues and trades. There are a few currently-running series I'm planning on following in the trades, though:

Ultimate Spider-Man
Fantastic Four
Marvel Adventures Avengers
Spider-Man loves Mary Jane
Justice League of America
Superman
Action
Legion of Super-Heroes
Lone Ranger
Zorro (when it starts)

(Hmm. Interesting that only one of the four Marvel titles is set in their main universe.)

In addition, I'll buy any graphic novel by:

Craig Thompson
Doug TenNapel
Mark Crilley
Scott McCloud


The rest of the budget goes towards back issues and classic reprints.

[benday-dot]

I collect:

Captain America
Daredevil
Immortal Iron Fist
All-Star-Superman

I'll add Bat Lash in a week or so.

My favourite of these titles is still Daredevil (though Iron Fist is a close second). I am thoroughly enamoured with Michael Lark's artwork on the current Daredevil series. Perhaps he's no Colan or Miller, but he's not far behind in my estimation. Lark's backgrounds are in particular breathtaking. Whether he is depicting a brownstone neighbourhood in New York or a dingy slum of the city, or the elegance of Paris his drawerlly aesthetic combined with Stefano Gaudino's inks and Matt Hollingsworth's flat and muted colours impress me every issue I pick up.

[devildinosaur]

I collect:

Captain America
Daredevil
Immortal Iron Fist
All-Star-Superman

I'll add Bat Lash in a week or so.

My favourite of these titles is still Daredevil (though Iron Fist is a close second). I am thoroughly enamoured with Michael Lark's artwork on the current Daredevil series. Perhaps he's no Colan or Miller, but he's not far behind in my estimation. Lark's backgrounds are in particular breathtaking. Whether he is depicting a brownstone neighbourhood in New York or a dingy slum of the city, or the elegance of Paris his drawerlly aesthetic combined with Stefano Gaudino's inks and Matt Hollingsworth's flat and muted colours impress me every issue I pick up.

If you're a Daredevil fan (which I am, in spades), you can't complain about the level of talent that's guided the book for quite some time now.

[benday-dot]

If you're a Daredevil fan (which I am, in spades), you can't complain about the level of talent that's guided the book for quite some time now.

Right on. I agree DD ;-) There must be something about the character, or the pedigree of the book that allows Marvel to attract some leading lights in terms of creativity to the book.

But like Lone Ranger says... my God... that Affleck movie was terrible. The only thing worse was the Electra film. I'm always amazed when a movie director is given millions and millions of dollars and he comes up with a titanic turd like those films. I mean, I don't anticipate a masterpiece in some of these movies, but even mediocre would be far better than embrarassing load of poo.

[dupersuper]

The ones in my sig of course. :cool:

[devildinosaur]

But like Lone Ranger says... my God... that Affleck movie was terrible. The only thing worse was the Electra film.

I thought "Electra" was utter dreck...but I actually liked the "Daredevil" flick. Mark Steven Johnson did an okay job with the material, but MAN did he muck up "Ghost Rider"...that was the worst movie I saw all year.

[Ideal.]

Well, it's not a classic comic, but I'm currently reading, and digging the hell out of:

http://www.readyourselfraw.com/recommended/rec_artspiegelman/munoz_joesbar.jpg

(Joe's Bar by Carlos Sampayo and Jose Munoz)

[Kirk G]

I thought "Electra" was utter dreck...but I actually liked the "Daredevil" flick. Mark Steven Johnson did an okay job with the material, but MAN did he muck up "Ghost Rider"...that was the worst movie I saw all year.

Can I watch "electra" or "Ghost Rider" with my kids in the room? They are both getting into comics... and have read pretty mature stuff in text. The 13 year old girl has just read "From Russia With Love" and the 10 year old is reading "Songchaser's Tail".

[Budman]

All-Star Superman
Superman
Batman
Detective
Wonder Woman
Fantasic Four
Daredevil
The Mighty Avengers
Captain America
X-Factor
Thor
Conan - but may drop it when it is relaunched
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Lone Ranger
The Umbrella Academy
Zorro (when it starts)
She-Hulk - but I'm about to drop it

[devildinosaur]

Can I watch "electra" or "Ghost Rider" with my kids in the room? They are both getting into comics... and have read pretty mature stuff in text. The 13 year old girl has just read "From Russia With Love" and the 10 year old is reading "Songchaser's Tail".

I don't see why not. Neither are too bloody or particularly obscene in any way...they had to appeal to the PG-13 crowd. I'd probably watch with them if they have any questions.

[i*love*comics*247]

Most of my money these days is going into golden and silver age comics. I'm trying to complete my set of Dell Lassie and Uncle Scrooge comics as well as the Archie superhero comics. And the holes in my Marvel Silver Age. I do still collect the following currents however---

Thor
Amazing Spider-man
Fantastic Four
Ultimate FF
Ultimate Spidey
Lone Ranger