Why do you read Independent comics?

[dupont2005]

I suppose the main reason I don't like this way of thinking is that it tends to dilute or stretch the word "mature".

There is something extremely wrong with a culture where the words "adult" and "family" have adjective meanings that are antonyms. Nudity, strong language, and graphic violence may make earn a book a "mature readers" label but they are neither necessary nor sufficient to make the contents of that book "mature".

Some readers seem to view "mature" as meaning something close to 'serious in tone and intent; grittily realistic, dark in mood'. If this is what they mean, "maturity" is something I absolutely do not want in my escapist entertainment, and I do tend to get annoyed at people who make out these aesthetic flaws to be virtues. Because calling something "mature" means that you've elevated it above the "immature". And it isn't true to my experience either; the equation of Dark with Deep is IMO an adolescent taste.

So MAUS is an adolescent taste, and The Flash is... what, exactly?

[Zevious Zoquis]

I sorta agree wtih SteveGus. Obviously dark and gritty and violent is intended for "mature" audiences. But that isn't the same as saying Marvel/DC superheros are "childish and immature" and independant comics are "mature." Something like Watchmen comes along and its great. Then, everyone starts re-imagining everything and the next thing you know you've got Archie and Jughead cast as a couple of serial killers. Its at the point now where something being described as "dark and disturbing" mostly just gets a rolleyes from me. Its definitely not the quality that necessarily indicates any degree of "depth and maturity" in a book for me. I agree totally with SteveGus suggestion that an affinity for "dark and gritty" can be just as childish/adolescent a taste as an affinity for superheros.

That said though, I'm not personally all that interested in either the Marvel or DC universes. Mostly its just too much familiarity with the "names." The only comics I read are TWD, Fear Agent, GOON and Atomic Robo.

[SavijMuhdrox]

There's a few things that led me, personally, to Indies more and more.

1. Atomic Robo digital. It was just a fun enjoyable and accessible romp. The art was clean and the stories unhindered and fresh. it got me wondering if there was more stuff like this.

2. Massive Cross-over stories. Annoying and disruptive to the flow of whatever comic you're reading. This steered me away from Marvel.

3. Invincible and Savage Dragon. these two titles, to me, have maintained such a high level of quality that it really encouraged me to try something else out.

4. DC Re-boot. On a personal level, they dropped 3-4 titles i was reading and didn't initially replace them. This left a gap in my reading schedule which started out with nuDC stuff but utlimately fell off and got me to try some other stuff.

5. Local Comic Shop: the small guy promotes Marvel, DC and Image/Independent all equally and he's just as likely to suggest you pick up Mudman as he is Superman.. so my exposure to some of these 'new' titles was increased.

As to why i think indie stories are better?

honestly, most comicbook stories are great, i can enjoy almost anything.. but some of the big two storylines seem more movie-driven or plug-this-guy-centric.. it just doesn't do it for me.. and everytime i pick up a Trio or SuperCrooks or Danger Club and they aren't plugging an upcoming movie, or featuring an unnecessary Wolverine guest appearance or in the middle of a hammer-swinging nordic piss fight.. i feel a little more loyalty to the indie that i'm holding..

it's almost like if you read an indie (or non-marvel, non-DC) there's this sense that the comic says to you "Here Read this, Did you like it?"

and if you read Marvel or DC, it says "Here Read This, Now Go Buy This".... and that IS a generalization because there are good comics at all companies.. but my monthly pulls is much more diverse now because SOME of the big two's books push me away.

[Venomous Mask]

Really? Ten pages worth of a Golden Age super hero comic and I feel like I smoked some bad PCP

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.















You're totally right.

[AJBopp]

1. Atomic Robo digital. It was just a fun enjoyable and accessible romp. The art was clean and the stories unhindered and fresh. it got me wondering if there was more stuff like this.

If you liked Atomic Robo as a romp, fresh, and clean, then you should definitely give Bandette a try. At 99 cents for 16 pages, it's a pretty safe bet.

[nightwing1982]

I like the self-contained stories (i.e. no crossing over to other titles) as well as the fact that pretty much anything can happen with changes being permanent. I like the diversity of the titles too. You can read anything from sci-fi to murder mysteries to silly comedy (eg. SERGIO ARAGONES FUNNIES) in a beginning-middle-end format which is the basic building block of a story.

YES!!! 100% with you!

[Anthony D]

If "independent" means non-DC/Marvel, then I guess I like the variety they have to offer, or that not all my favorite comic characters wear spandex. That and what others have said (too many crossovers/reboots/etc.).

For me, I also don't much the current violent/sadistic/humorless tone to too many superhero books, especially DC's in recent years. It feels like they're trying to one-up the six o'clock news ("look! The Joker lynched the Baltimore NAACP chapter! And now he's raping everyone in a gay nightclub! He's so awesome for gruesomely killing ad nauseum!" Or somesuch... yuck...). The "New 52" reboot for me pretty much bites (they amplified everything I disliked before about DC, along with changes not for the better...). Still, at least I can reread my old back issues (or DC's "Superman Family Adventures"/"Tiny Titans" books).

For independents, I've been reading Archie a lot lately, along with "Reed Gunther" (all-ages western-meets-horror title). That, and the usual comic strips I've always enjoyed.

[Elsa Hulkinaskirt]

One of the reasons I read independant comics is simply to discover new writers ! How can you expect to broaden your horizon when DC and Marvel does not accept new "scripts or submissions unless they have specifically requested it from you" ?
If it were'nt for independant comics we would be probably the same stories over and over again. Some of them are great (let's not be extreme), sure, but some variety is always welcome.

[ShQQta]

It's not only about writers or artists. It's not only about characters. It's not only about short form, long form, black and white, or colour. It's always about entertaining, affecting stories. Good stories are good stories. I'm willing to read anything that gets good reviews or looks interesting. Some of my favs over the years: Love and Rockets, Cerebus, The Dark Knight Returns, Saga of the Swamp Thing, Watchmen, Grendel, Doctor Strange, The X-Men, Daredevil, Mage, Irredeemable. WE3, Guardians of the Galaxy..

I'd be sad to have missed any of those indie runs OR the mainstream stuff.

If you only read indie, only read mainstream, or limit yourself in any way too strongly, you might miss something cool.

[The Black Guardian]

I really don't understand this idea that it's an either/or question. I buy lots of Marvel and DC and independents. As for why... um, why not? An interesting read is an interesting read. It doesn't matter what company it comes from. If something looks good to me, I'll buy it. If it satisfies me, I'll continue to buy it. I don't care about anything that appears on the cover: not issue numbers, corporate logos, etc. Nothing.

[Arvandor]

I really don't understand this idea that it's an either/or question. I buy lots of Marvel and DC and independents. As for why... um, why not? An interesting read is an interesting read. It doesn't matter what company it comes from. If something looks good to me, I'll buy it. If it satisfies me, I'll continue to buy it. I don't care about anything that appears on the cover: not issue numbers, corporate logos, etc. Nothing.

The problem is that shared universes and multiple crossover events practically force readers to stick with one, maybe two publishers, and ignore the rest. A reader who's invested in the DC Universe, simply cannot afford to read more than a few other comics.

Some people might be able to break that crossover habit, but many can't. And the publishers (not just the Big Two) don't want them to.

[The Black Guardian]

The problem is that shared universes and multiple crossover events practically force readers to stick with one, maybe two publishers, and ignore the rest. A reader who's invested in the DC Universe, simply cannot afford to read more than a few other comics.

I've never understood that either. Even back in the 80s, when I bought everything Marvel and barely an indy, it was because most of the indy stuff didn't interest me, and Marvel did. No more reason than that. It wasn't any sort of strange loyalty to a brand.

In fact, I don't understand brand loyalty at all.

[Mr. Holmes]

Yeah for me it has nothing to do with brand loyalty. I thought I was completely done with DC, but the relaunch has me reading books like Animal Man, Frakenstein, and Demon Knights. I don't care if it's not from an indie brand, they're fresh, creative work that break the mold of the usual superhero books. On the other hand, I do feel like I'm basically done reading Batman stories, and I'm tired of reading about Joker breaking out for the 100th time from Arkham.

At the same time, I am trying to find more indie books to read. Right now it's just Saga and Manhattan Projects in ongoing form, but I've been reading Revolver, Superspy, Atomic Robo, Infinite Vacation, Morning Glories, Prophet, and more.

[ShQQta]

At the same time, I am trying to find more indie books to read. Right now it's just Saga and Manhattan Projects in ongoing form, but I've been reading Revolver, Superspy, Atomic Robo, Infinite Vacation, Morning Glories, Prophet, and more.

I just read Harbinger #1 - it was surprisingly good. Extermination #1 - Even better. Lots of fun. Recommended. Planetoid #1 - I really wanted to love this but it was merely okay - its a bit like Prophet or Higher Earth.