so... anyone into alternative comics/graphic novels?

I'm essentially using the term "alternative" to refer to comics that aren't published by DC or Marvel and/or don't invovle superheroes *cough*i.e. comics that don't suck*cough* :P I'm talking about stuff by the likes of Chris Ware, Will Eisner, Seth, Jason, Afrian Tomine, Joe Sacco, Daniel Clowes, Craig Thompson, Harvey Pekar... etc.

So, anyone in OT a fan of these kind of comics? Post your favourites and discuss!

Hehe, I take umbrage with your "don't suck" comment.

Just because something is "mainstream popular" doesn't mean it sucks, and just because something is "enjoyed by a select few" doesn't mean it's avant garde or cutting edge.

Err, but no, I'm not into graphic novels at all. Sorry for posting here :(

Hehe, I take umbrage with your "don't suck" comment.

Just because something is "mainstream popular" doesn't mean it sucks, and just because something is "enjoyed by a select few" doesn't mean it's avant garde or cutting edge.

Err, but no, I'm not into graphic novels at all. Sorry for posting here :(

Schwah

haha, that comment was said kinda tongue in cheek. DC is responsible for some great graphic novels (Marvel... maybe not so much).

As for you stating that just because something is "mainstream" doesn't mean it sucks, I agree. I'm not quite sure where I said that in my post.:? There are plenty of great popular comics, Watchmen, the Dark Knight Returns, The Sandman series to name a few. However, I will say that the vast majority of mainstream comics published by Marvel and DC are garbage, in my opinion. No thought or heart or soul put into them and are published for the sole intention of making money. Obviously not all are though. Similarly, not all indpendent comics are "cutting edge". There's a lot of garbage out there too.

by the way, have you checked out From Hell, chessmaster? It's Alan Moore's greatest work after Watchmen, in my opinion. Kinda pricey due to the sheer scale of it but definitely worth the investment.

by the way, have you checked out From Hell, chessmaster? It's Alan Moore's greatest work after Watchmen, in my opinion. Kinda pricey due to the sheer scale of it but definitely worth the investment.

Forever_Changes

I have not, but I will. Thanks.

by the way, have you checked out From Hell, chessmaster? It's Alan Moore's greatest work after Watchmen, in my opinion. Kinda pricey due to the sheer scale of it but definitely worth the investment.

Forever_Changes

I have not yet, but I've heard great things about it. I actually preferred V for Vendetta to Watchmen, though I loved both. :P

I also enjoy the title 'Nexus' as an independent

Right now im quite liking "the Walking Dead" not always a fan of the zombie ggenre on any medium, however thats been hard to put down.

Previously been into things like:

Hellblazer

Criminal Macabre

The Darkness

and a few others that

I suggest if you have not to read maus sort of made me a bit depressed in parts to be honest. But i was a man and did not show it.

I read lot's of different comics, but superheroes are my favorites. The generalization that they "suck" is incredibly inaccurate. They explore worthwhile subject matter just as well as "alternative" comics do, and quite often more effectively. Just because the characters are often morally black and white does not mean that the scripting or presentation is as well. Second_Rook

well, I personally prefer comics (or more generally speaking, art) that are/is about and of real life. There are several superhero comics that I like - Batman is sometimes pretty interesting depending on the writer, I used to like X-men when I was younger and I still think Frank Miller's run on Daredevil was great. However, writing/illustating a superhero comic already limits what you can do and explore within the work. It's all pretty much prescribed. Thats why I prefer alternative comics or more generally speaking non-superhero stuff. When you publish your comics independently or work for a small publisher there's much more room to explore complex/controversial themes and subject matter and experiment and explore the medium.

Apart from stuff by the likes of Alan Moore and Frank Miller, I've never found any superhero comics that have come close to the likes of Art Spiegelman, Will Eisner or Chris Ware. I'm not being condescending, but if there are any superhero comics you believe approach or surpass the likes of Maus or Jimmy Corrigan then please suggest then.

I would recommend Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's Punisher mini-series from 2000, I know that the Punisher isn't technically a superhero but he is decidedly mainstream. Walt Simonson's run on Thor is worth checking out. I also thoroughly enjoy Mark Gruenwald's Captain America and Peter David's Hulk.

Guys like Alan Moore and David Lapham truly are a rare breed, and when they do superhero stories they tend to be amazing, but they are the exception to the rule. They are just more refined as writers than the vast majority. I am not even saying this to take anything away from the mainstream guys, I just think they have a different vision.

In the end it's all about preference and fans of alt comics will never change the minds of fans of superhero comics and vice versa (and hopefully not entirely dismiss the other end of the spectrum either), which is great as there's a need and a demand for all types. At any rate I am now intrigued by your Maus and Jimmy Corrigan.

I'm essentially using the term "alternative" to refer to comics that aren't published by DC or Marvel and/or don't invovle superheroes *cough*i.e. comics that don't suck*cough* :P

Forever_Changes

I keep meaning to read either Sandman or Preacher.AnObscureName

I can say (after finishing all 10 volumes) that Sandman is absolutely amazing. Also, it starts off strong (volumes 1, 2, and 4 were probably my favorites). I'm about 2/3 of the way through the first volume of Preacher and it's very entertaining as well. From what I've read, though, I'd probably recommend Sandman.

[QUOTE="AnObscureName"]I keep meaning to read either Sandman or Preacher.chessmaster1989

I can say (after finishing all 10 volumes) that Sandman is absolutely amazing. Also, it starts off strong (volumes 1, 2, and 4 were probably my favorites). I'm about 2/3 of the way through the first volume of Preacher and it's very entertaining as well. From what I've read, though, I'd probably recommend Sandman.

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"]

[QUOTE="AnObscureName"]I keep meaning to read either Sandman or Preacher.xaos

I can say (after finishing all 10 volumes) that Sandman is absolutely amazing. Also, it starts off strong (volumes 1, 2, and 4 were probably my favorites). I'm about 2/3 of the way through the first volume of Preacher and it's very entertaining as well. From what I've read, though, I'd probably recommend Sandman.

Heh :P

My favorite graphic novel is still V for Vendetta, though. :D

I would recommend Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's Punisher mini-series from 2000, I know that the Punisher isn't technically a superhero but he is decidedly mainstream. Walt Simonson's run on Thor is worth checking out. I also thoroughly enjoy Mark Gruenwald's Captain America and Peter David's Hulk.

Guys like Alan Moore and David Lapham truly are a rare breed, and when they do superhero stories they tend to be amazing, but they are the exception to the rule. They are just more refined as writers than the vast majority. I am not even saying this to take anything away from the mainstream guys, I just think they have a different vision.

In the end it's all about preference and fans of alt comics will never change the minds of fans of superhero comics and vice versa (and hopefully not entirely dismiss the other end of the spectrum either), which is great as there's a need and a demand for all types. At any rate I am now intrigued by your Maus and Jimmy Corrigan.

Second_Rook

I'm very familiar with Garth Ennis for two reasons. 1/. He's from Northern Ireland and 2/. Preacher is awesome. Stuff like Preacher and Hellblazer really isn't what I'd consider "superhero" stuff or mainstream comic books. Haven't checked out any of his Punisher stuff but I might do that soon.

[QUOTE="Forever_Changes"]

I'm essentially using the term "alternative" to refer to comics that aren't published by DC or Marvel and/or don't invovle superheroes *cough*i.e. comics that don't suck*cough* :P

xaos

why'd you feel bad about finding it funny? Peter Bagge is great. Milk & Cheese on the other hand sucks and you shouldn't feel bad about hating it.