What’s the top three comics you would recommend to a total comic book n00b, and why?
Hmmm.
Actually, back in 2003, I noted the The Top Twelve Comics Everyone Should Read.
My list:
- Watchmen
- Usagi Yojimbo
- Walt Simonson’s run on Thor
- Sin City
- Strangers in Paradise
- Marvels
- The Sandman
- Kingdom Come
- League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
- Bone
- Astro City
- The Dark Knight Returns
And, honestly, looking at the list, I’m not sure I’d amend it at all.
Now, I’m cheating a bit, because those aren’t necessarily single comics or volumes, but multiple collections or books. It also sort of depends on what your goal is. Do you want to understand comics and get int more mainstream reading? Do you want a good, solid tale that happens to be in comic format? Do you like the Spandex crowd, or just graphic storytelling?
If I was going to assign a “n00b” to some items that delve into the mainstream comic world, I’d probably go for Astro City, Marvels, Watchmen, in that order.
If I was going to suggest ripping good graphic tales, regardless of super-powers, Strangers in Paradise, The Sandman, Usagi Yojimbo, and Bone would probably be at the top, not in any particular order.
Clearly, though, you need a personal comics assistant to help you. I can make recommendations …
And reading a post on Steve’s page immediately reminded me that I have to add Planetary to that list (probably in either of the two breakouts I gave).
Ok, I’ve read most of those! I’m well on my way! Read Watchmen, Sin City, all of Gaiman’s Sandman (I think), League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Astro City, AND Planetary. And I have The Dark Knight Returns on my soon-to-be-created bookshelf of books I haven’t read yet (pending Colorado-sized amounts of room).
Now to hit the others… do you offer a lending library?
I only loan locally … but within those parms, of course. 🙂
And given that ground, I have any number of suggestions. Come by for a personal consultation some time. 🙂