What are some good comic books you like and can recommend?

Long story short, I was recently at a bookstore, and upon passing by the comics section, I was literally in awe - the artwork, for some reason, really had me captivated. I'm not going to lie; I have never thoroughly read a comic book before in my life. Anyways, so I picked some off the shelf (forgot the names) and I found a few to be surprisingly enjoyable. The few that I did read were compliation of sorts in the version of large paperbacks.

But yeah, I'm kind of interested now. After doing quick research, there appears to be thousands upon thousands of variations - it's daunting! Mostly it's superheroe type of comic books (DC, Marvel, etc.) that are confusing. Fortunately, I'm not too fond of superheroe comic books. I'm more into non-superheroe comic books, similar to the ones that I read at the bookstore (I regret not taking pictures of the titles from my phone!).

Do you guys have any recommendations?

Here's one of them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_%28comic_book%29

Has anyone read that? Or at least hear of the author? He seems like a prominent figure in the comic industry.

The Walking Dead comics are amazing. Miles better than the show, which has many more flaws than the comics. I'd reccomend the Compendius as thy give you the best bang for your buck. Although don't read them if you like uplifting stories.

Saga

Manhattan Projects

Skullkickers

The Goon

Witch Doctor

Chew

Morning Glories

I always recommend Invincible but you said you didn't like superheroes, I just think it takes what all other superhero comics do and goes in another direction.

Sweet Tooth

Witch DoctorHatiko

Edit: +1 for Saga. I read the first 3. I'm thinking of getting Vol 1.

I liked the older comics with Russ Heath's illustrations in particular like this one from Sgt. Rock.

Wow, thanks so much everyone. 

The premise for Y The Last Man and Witch Docterlooks really appealing. The Walking Dead looks awesome, too. I love the show. 

Hey does anyone here read superhero comic books? Some do seem intriguing, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist (I like having everything be complete) so I would feel paralyzed as there are so many variations and reboots. Out of curiosity, do you guys try to read them all? Or do you just read whatever comes along and hope for some continuity in certain storylines? I hope that made sense.

Hey does anyone here read superhero comic books? Some do seem intriguing, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist (I like having everything be complete) so I would feel paralyzed as there are so many variations and reboots. Out of curiosity, do you guys try to read them all? Or do you just read whatever comes along and hope for some continuity in certain storylines? I hope that made sense.

Ace_of_Spades90

[QUOTE="Ace_of_Spades90"]

Hey does anyone here read superhero comic books? Some do seem intriguing, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist (I like having everything be complete) so I would feel paralyzed as there are so many variations and reboots. Out of curiosity, do you guys try to read them all? Or do you just read whatever comes along and hope for some continuity in certain storylines? I hope that made sense.

Fightingfan

Well alot of the things that are mini's aren't meant to be. Take Invincible for instance, there have been a few other series that take place in the same universe but they got cancelled due to sales going down.

Hey does anyone here read superhero comic books? Some do seem intriguing, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist (I like having everything be complete) so I would feel paralyzed as there are so many variations and reboots. Out of curiosity, do you guys try to read them all? Or do you just read whatever comes along and hope for some continuity in certain storylines? I hope that made sense.

Ace_of_Spades90

I never try to read them all unless it isn't too big, it takes me anywhere from 40-60 minutes to read a 20 page comic book so I don't have the time to read everything, but when you find the right book it doesn't matter, for me it was Invincible, written by Robert Kirkman who also writes the Walking Dead. One thing that seperates creator owned work from other bigger works is that they are written by the same person for the entire series so the quality is consistent, unlike other more well known heroes that undergo writer changes.

I love Superman, but like any superhero that has multiple writers, the quality changes alot, so you will have a good run, then a horrible one. Right now, Grant Morrison's Superman Action Comics is great. Superman on the other hand is a bit boring, mainly due to the villain H'EL TALKING TOO DAMN MUCH!

[QUOTE="Fightingfan"][QUOTE="Ace_of_Spades90"]

Hey does anyone here read superhero comic books? Some do seem intriguing, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist (I like having everything be complete) so I would feel paralyzed as there are so many variations and reboots. Out of curiosity, do you guys try to read them all? Or do you just read whatever comes along and hope for some continuity in certain storylines? I hope that made sense.

Hatiko

Well alot of the things that are mini's aren't meant to be. Take Invincible for instance, there have been a few other series that take place in the same universe but they got cancelled due to sales going down.

You're going all comic book on me... Slow down. :o lol

Are you basically saying that spin-offs and the like are not imperative to main titles?

The Walking Dead comics are amazing. Miles better than the show, which has many more flaws than the comics. I'd reccomend the Compendius as thy give you the best bang for your buck. Although don't read them if you like uplifting stories.

turtlethetaffer

Hey does anyone here read superhero comic books? Some do seem intriguing, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist (I like having everything be complete) so I would feel paralyzed as there are so many variations and reboots. Out of curiosity, do you guys try to read them all? Or do you just read whatever comes along and hope for some continuity in certain storylines? I hope that made sense.

Ace_of_Spades90

honestly, it's just best to read each individual story as if it occurs in a vacuum. sure, it's enjoyable to read the backlog of comics and piece together some sort of contunuity, but at the end of the day it's the story (and art) that counts. 

the best way to get into superhero comics is to start with an origin story then just pickup whatever looks good to you. find a writer and/or artist you like and sample their work. keep in mind though: some stories do require previous knowledge, so you're best to just wiki whatever you're interested in and see if it builds upon previous stories.

[QUOTE="Hatiko"]

[QUOTE="Fightingfan"] That would be my issue too :P I would want the complete setts, and spin offs and mini-series would piss me off. Ace_of_Spades90

Well alot of the things that are mini's aren't meant to be. Take Invincible for instance, there have been a few other series that take place in the same universe but they got cancelled due to sales going down.

You're going all comic book one me... Slow down. :o lol

Are you basically saying that spin-offs and the like are not imperative to main titles?

Sorry, I go into "Comic Book Message Board Mode" sometimes.

They aren't imperative, but it really depends on what titles you decide to read.

I'll use Invincible as an example because I'm more familiar with it.

Invicnible: 100 issues as of last week (There are 17 trades (short for Trade Paperbacks, otherwise known as volumes))

Brit: 3 trades (series ended)

Wolf-Man: 4 trades (series ended)

Tech-Jacket: 1 trade (Series ended)

Capes: 1 trade (series ended)

Guarding the Globe: 1 trade, 2nd trade coming in March, (last issue coming this week)

Now these are all in the same universe. The only one that is necessary is Invincible. Now there is a crossover between Wolf-Man and Invincible but if you get the trades the issue of Wolf-Man is included so you don't miss out.

Something that happens in Brit Volume 1 is seen in Invincible but you don't really need to know the specifics.

And Guarding the Globe Volume 1 covers what was happening on Earth while Invicible was in outer space for some time.

But if you just read Invincible you wouldn't have a problem except when certain characters show up from these different series where they started they aren't explained right out who they are.

Now if you read something like Hellboy you need to basically read EVERYTHING because it was all set up to come together. So BPRD, Abe Sapien, Witchfinder, Lobster Johnson, BPRD: 1900 titles, it's alot more complicated.

[QUOTE="Ace_of_Spades90"]

Hey does anyone here read superhero comic books? Some do seem intriguing, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist (I like having everything be complete) so I would feel paralyzed as there are so many variations and reboots. Out of curiosity, do you guys try to read them all? Or do you just read whatever comes along and hope for some continuity in certain storylines? I hope that made sense.

rocinante_

honestly, it's just best to read each individual story as if it occurs in a vacuum. sure, it's enjoyable to read the backlog of comics and piece together some sort of contunuity, but at the end of the day it's the story (and art) that counts. 

the best way to get into superhero comics is to start with an origin story then just pickup whatever looks good to you. find a writer and/or artist you like and sample their work. keep in mind though: some stories do require previous knowledge, so you're best to just wiki whatever you're interested in and see if it builds upon previous stories.

Thanks for the insight.

That being said, I think I'll stick to non-superhero comic books for now. Maybe I'll venture into superhero comic books when I'm feeling a little more adventerous.

[QUOTE="Ace_of_Spades90"]

Hey does anyone here read superhero comic books? Some do seem intriguing, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist (I like having everything be complete) so I would feel paralyzed as there are so many variations and reboots. Out of curiosity, do you guys try to read them all? Or do you just read whatever comes along and hope for some continuity in certain storylines? I hope that made sense.

rocinante_

honestly, it's just best to read each individual story as if it occurs in a vacuum. sure, it's enjoyable to read the backlog of comics and piece together some sort of contunuity, but at the end of the day it's the story (and art) that counts. 

the best way to get into superhero comics is to start with an origin story then just pickup whatever looks good to you. find a writer and/or artist you like and sample their work. keep in mind though: some stories do require previous knowledge, so you're best to just wiki whatever you're interested in and see if it builds upon previous stories.

Another good point. Just pick up a comic and read it and see if you like it. People seem to thnk that comics should be like movies, books, and video games. These comic books are ongoing stories, there is no "starting point" so to speak. Yeah, it's good to start at the beginning of a new arc, but good writing and stories are more important than knowing what happened five years ago.

@Hatico Okay, that made more sense. So, certain titles do require the procurement of every issue in order for the story to makes sense. I guess a lot of research prior is a necessity.

I think I got it from here. :D

@Hatico Okay, that made more sense. So, certain titles do require the procurement of every issue in order for the story to makes sense. I guess a lot of research prior is a necessity.

I think I got it from here. :D

Ace_of_Spades90

You can go to a website like cbr.com and go to the forums and ask questions there, they helped me out a few times with stuff like this.

The Sin City series, Watchmen, and if you're into Manga at all then you HAVE to read Death Note and Full Metal Alchemist.