Newbie Question: How to "start" reading Comics?

[Kopfschuss]

Hello guys!

First post here! Glad to join the community!

I'm a big fan of Marvel's and DC's movies... I've watched almost every one of them, and I always like the "superheroes" thing. However, some of my friends told me Comic Books were much much better than the movies.

So, I decided I would try to get "into" Marvel/DC Comics. I've looked on the Internet and WOW, there is a LOT of comics out there!!

I was wondering if it is possible to, let's say, get every "Deadpool" series, read them and not be confused... Since I don't know who Deadpool really is, does every series "explain" where the superheroes come?

Is it better to start with Avengers series?

Seriously, I'm clueless. One of my friend gave me LOTS of Deadpool & Venom comics... can I read them and "understand"? Or do I have to read something else before?

Help me! Haha!

[Paradox]

Here's an idea. Try reading some and finding out. Generally, what you need to understand that story is included, and if you want more info, Wikipedia's full of comic stuff. It's my recommendation to not get bogged down in minutia, but that's not advice many of the current crop of super-hero fans follow.

[Kopfschuss]

So basically, each "series" is a different "story"?

[Paradox]

Somewhat. More specifically, it's usually done in "arcs"...groups of several issue long stories. But some characters can't hold long running series, so there's been several series over the years. Don't worry about "starting at the beginning" or anything like that. For some super-hero comics, "the beginning" can be up to 70+ years ago. I recommend you find some of the ones your friend gave you that you find the cover interesting, and just read at random. Get a feel for the pacing and action and see if it's the kind of thing you like. Don't worry if you don't get a few references, just focus on the story it's telling. No need to get all confused with extraneous detail until you find out if you really like them. By that I don't mean if you like Deadpool or Venom, but if you like stories told in that kind of form. If you do, there's ENDLESS variety depending on what kind of thing you're interested in. So, if you don't like Deadpool, maybe you'll like Capt. America...or Superman...or western comics...or war comics. Really, there's nothing you can't pull off in the super-hero genre. It's all genres rolled into one!

[Kopfschuss]

Somewhat. More specifically, it's usually done in "arcs"...groups of several issue long stories. But some characters can't hold long running series, so there's been several series over the years. Don't worry about "starting at the beginning" or anything like that. For some super-hero comics, "the beginning" can be up to 70+ years ago. I recommend you find some of the ones your friend gave you that you find the cover interesting, and just read at random. Get a feel for the pacing and action and see if it's the kind of thing you like. Don't worry if you don't get a few references, just focus on the story it's telling. No need to get all confused with extraneous detail until you find out if you really like them. By that I don't mean if you like Deadpool or Venom, but if you like stories told in that kind of form. If you do, there's ENDLESS variety depending on what kind of thing you're interested in. So, if you don't like Deadpool, maybe you'll like Capt. America...or Superman...or western comics...or war comics. Really, there's nothing you can't pull off in the super-hero genre. It's all genres rolled into one!

That is the kind of answers I was looking for!

I've never been in comics so... I'm 100% ignorant! Thanks for your replies!

[Shawn Hopkins]

Somewhat. More specifically, it's usually done in "arcs"...groups of several issue long stories. But some characters can't hold long running series, so there's been several series over the years. Don't worry about "starting at the beginning" or anything like that. For some super-hero comics, "the beginning" can be up to 70+ years ago. I recommend you find some of the ones your friend gave you that you find the cover interesting, and just read at random. Get a feel for the pacing and action and see if it's the kind of thing you like. Don't worry if you don't get a few references, just focus on the story it's telling. No need to get all confused with extraneous detail until you find out if you really like them. By that I don't mean if you like Deadpool or Venom, but if you like stories told in that kind of form. If you do, there's ENDLESS variety depending on what kind of thing you're interested in. So, if you don't like Deadpool, maybe you'll like Capt. America...or Superman...or western comics...or war comics. Really, there's nothing you can't pull off in the super-hero genre. It's all genres rolled into one!

Good advice. I agree, the best way to start reading comics is just to pick one up and start reading.

[MartinNL]

Keep in mind also there's different ways of reading comics. You can choose to read the single issues, also called floppies, or you can go the collected editions route, also called trades (tpb). Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Tpb's usually collect complete stories, are easy to read and look good on your bookshelf. Before stories are collected they're first released as single issues, so if you want to read stories as soon as they are released that's the way to go.. Disadvantage is they don't look good on your bookshelf and are usually bagged, then boarded and put away in boxes tha take up a lot of space.

Most superheroes have one or more origin stories, so if you want to know more about a heroes origin stories look for that. Batman has Year One for example and Superman has various, such as Secret Origin. However capes are involved usually you don't need to start at the beginning. If stories are creator owned you best start at the beginning, with stories such as Criminal, DMZ, American Vampire, Y: The Last Man etc. most forums on CBR have a where to start or suggestions thread, so why don't you take a look there? Most of these threads are stickies too.

I'd say start by selecting a hero that sounds interesting and go from there. The more you read You can eventually decide to just stick with that hero or what many others do is they follow writers. Most readers have a couple of faves and will read anything written by that writer be it at DC, Marvel or sth independent.

[Sabrina_Fried]

It's a few weeks late at this point, so selection might be an issue (unless you do it digitally) but if you want a no-obligation sample of some of the comics being published these days, check to see if your local comic shop has any leftover Free Comic Book Day books. A lot of the stories in those books are either completely self-contained, or they are intended as jumping-on stories for new readers. And they are free. Though you may want to check the FCBD website first to see if your local comic shop was a participant this year.

Other than that, if you do have a favorite superhero and you learned about them from a particular movie or set of movies, there's probably a comic book adaptation of those movies so you could start there. In the unlikely event that there is not a movie adaptation comic, a well-read comic shop owner can probably help you narrow down which story they adapted to screen.

My favorite way to find a new comic to follow is still the tried and true flip test: Go into your local comic shop and check out the new releases shelf. Look at a few pages of the books and if something appeals to you, buy it. You will untimately end up dropping some books when you realize that you don't like them as much as you thought you would, but you'll probably also find a few to stick with. Do be sure to handle all the books gently and with clean hands so as to stay on the good side of your comic shop owner. This will also probably end up exposing you to the wider range of comics, including non-superhero stuff and stuff that is not Marvel/DC. Especially if you have a well-stocked comic shop.

Ultimately you may have to make a decision about which format to read in (monthlies, TPBs, digital, etc) based on cost, availability of storage space, etc. But part of that decision is deciding what you want to read and how often you want to be picking up new books. Some of the big superheroes have as much as 70+ years of stories behind them including multiple ongoing series, different titles, different numbering schemes, miniseries, crossovers, etc. so it'll be a long time before you run out of reading material.

[Kopfschuss]

Thanks for your great advices!

I've always loved Deadpool, even before I saw him in X-Men Origins movie. I know from a few friends that movies are way different than the comic books so that's why I wanted to have a look at comic books.

I loved every Marvel movies I saw so that's why I want to start reading some comics... to learn more about Ironman, Spider-man, Deadpool, The Avengers, etc. I' aware that I won't be able to ready EVERYTHING but, there's always a start!

Thanks again for your advice.

I'm lurking the forums at the moment to get more recommandation and other stuff that might be useful!

P.S. Sorry for the bad 'English', I'm a French Canadian so, English isn't my first language... BUT, by reading lot of stuff in English, I guess I'll be better soon :D

[RockyBanks]

Thanks for your great advices!

I've always loved Deadpool, even before I saw him in X-Men Origins movie. I know from a few friends that movies are way different than the comic books so that's why I wanted to have a look at comic books.

I loved every Marvel movies I saw so that's why I want to start reading some comics... to learn more about Ironman, Spider-man, Deadpool, The Avengers, etc. I' aware that I won't be able to ready EVERYTHING but, there's always a start!

Thanks again for your advice.

I'm lurking the forums at the moment to get more recommandation and other stuff that might be useful!

P.S. Sorry for the bad 'English', I'm a French Canadian so, English isn't my first language... BUT, by reading lot of stuff in English, I guess I'll be better soon :D

Your English is great. We're always glad to see a new face.

These other posters are absolutely right. The best way to get into the comics world is to pick up a book that interests you. If you like it, get the next issue; if you don't like it, try something else.

I do have a few points to add:

- Marvel tries to provide good entry points for new readers by publishing "Point One" issues. These issues have a ".1" at the end of the issue number, like Uncanny X-Force #19.1. These issues represent a good starting point for a new reader to jump onto the series.

- Don't fall into the trap of buying comics that you feel you "should" be reading. Just buy the comics that you really love, plain and simple. It can be easy to convince yourself to read a book that you don't actually like.

(For example, I bought The Avengers for years, thinking I needed to read it to keep in touch with the core of the Marvel Universe. I wasn't enjoying it, and I felt relieved when I finally dropped it.)

- If you have a local comic shop (LCS), talk to the guy running it. He'd be glad to help steer you in the right direction. If you don't have an LCS, come ask us. There's no shortage of advice to be found here.

[Kopfschuss]

I don't think we have a Comic Shop in here, which sucks!

That's why I came here to get some advice! :) So far, I'm pleased with these advices!

[needler420]

One word.

Midtowncomics.com

[Sabrina_Fried]

What part of Canada are you in? There are a few other Canadians on the board so we might be able to help you find a comic shop if there is one near you. You can also check the Comic Shop Locator run by Diamond Comics (pretty much THE distributor of comics to the direct market in all of North America).

If all else fails, there's always Chapters/Indigo and Amazon.ca where you can buy Trade Paperback (TPB) collections. Some Chapters/Indigo stores do sell monthlies in their magazine section, but the selection is usually pretty limited. And there are a few online comic stores based in the USA that do ship to Canada.

[Kopfschuss]

What part of Canada are you in?

I'm in Chicoutimi, Québec.

[SuperCooper]

Spider-Man is a great series to get into, and like most Marvel comics will include a recap page that details recent storylines and character changes to keep you up to date.