Say What?! - Help Out A Noob
We want to hear from YOU, the intrepid PK reader!
Leave a comment or two and start discussing these issues that affect the four color worlds we live in.
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Most of us who are avid comic book readers, be it of superheroes or black and white underground books, know one or two friends who have expressed an interest in our art form but have felt overwhelmed by the daunting task of jumping into the four color world.
The Big Two companies come with an interconnected universe of such baffling complexity at this point that I'm amazed that anyone is able to jump in. The second tier companies straddle the line between intermingling universes and a glut of product that choosing the right one can be just as difficult. Once you get into the independent and underground books, it can be difficult for a newcomer to find resources to review or even buy them at times.
Every section of our industry holds great peril for new readers, which is unfrotuante since we need them now more than ever. An increased trade paperback and graphic novel presence is a large step in the right direction, but the root of the problem is the material itself. So in an effort to try and extend a hand to all those noobs wating in the wings, we here at PK ask you this:
What are some recommendations for good series or graphic novels that would help newcomers ingratiate themselves into the industry? These can be Marvel and DC superhero books or even something like Sidescrollers by Oni.
Let us know how we can help our industry grow!
Thanks to our own OracleChele for the topic.
Goblin
Posted to Say What? on 16 July 2008
· Comments (2)
"What are some recommendations for good series or graphic novels that would help newcomers ingratiate themselves into the industry?"
I think you mean "integrate."
That said, I find it varies heavily from person to person. The first thing is to find out what the newbie is looking for. Don't give Sandman to someone who wants some superhero action. Don't give "JLA: A New World Order" to someone who's expecting something high-brow.
That said some of my favorites include the two mentioned above, plus, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the original Birds of Prey TPB, Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, Fables (which I only have in comic book form, so I'm usually handing out stacks of bags) and the Sovereign Seven TPB (since I like to push that on everyone, whether they're new to comics or not).
Great topic. Depending on age, I always reccomend Marvel's excellently edgy teen-heroing book Runaways to pre-teens and post modern young adults. Y-The Last Man trades for the intelectuals and sophistocates. the Pride of Baghdad is also an excellent read. Hell, I should have just said anything by Brian K Vaughan. For young girl readers, also the Minx line of comic (I think Marvel does that)is diverse and pretty smart reading.
G