Best and Worse comics?

[fayjprufrock]

...so I'm very much not a proper Comics Geek, because I've only read a handful of titles in graphic novel format, and my comic book purchasing is pretty erratic. But I'd be interested to know what people consider the best comic titles out there, and why.

To get the ball rolling: I adore Gaiman's Sandman. The spinoff titles have been largely disappointing, though - not many people can write Gaiman's 'verse convincingly, imho. But Mike Carey rocks the house - I love love love his Lucifer books, and The Furies is also fantastic.

I also think that Hellblazer is splendid - just love the Britishness of it all. (I quite liked the movie too, to my surprise - not the John Constantine of the comics, but a very enjoyable incarnation, I thought. And Tilda Swinton's depiction of the angel was luscious, in a stark and androgynous and fabulous way. And there were sexy...er, disturbingly pervy demons. Er. I'm losing credibility here, aren't I?)

I've read a little Alan Moore - V for Vendetta, WATCHMEN, The Swamp Thing. Oh, and Gaiman's most excellent original Books of Magic, and a disappointing sequel. And The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (which was so much better than the movie...) But other than that, not so much.

So - what's your poison? DC or Marvel? Or neither?

[fringey]

fayjprufrock wrote: ...so I'm very much not a proper Comics Geek, because I've only read a handful of titles in graphic novel format, and my comic book purchasing is pretty erratic. But I'd be interested to know what people consider the best comic titles out there, and why.

To get the ball rolling: I adore Gaiman's Sandman. The spinoff titles have been largely disappointing, though - not many people can write Gaiman's 'verse convincingly, imho. But Mike Carey rocks the house - I love love love his Lucifer books, and The Furies is also fantastic.

I also think that Hellblazer is splendid - just love the Britishness of it all. (I quite liked the movie too, to my surprise - not the John Constantine of the comics, but a very enjoyable incarnation, I thought. And Tilda Swinton's depiction of the angel was luscious, in a stark and androgynous and fabulous way. And there were sexy...er, disturbingly pervy demons. Er. I'm losing credibility here, aren't I?)

I've read a little Alan Moore - V for Vendetta, WATCHMEN, The Swamp Thing. Oh, and Gaiman's most excellent original Books of Magic, and a disappointing sequel. And The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (which was so much better than the movie...) But other than that, not so much.

So - what's your poison? DC or Marvel? Or neither?

I loved all the comcs you mentioned. I used to be a big reader and collector but got away from that about 13 years ago. And the price of comic books now keeps me away. $3??? Outrageous. I remember buying my comics for 15 cents. That is a 3000% rise in price in just about 30 years. Anything else you can think of other books and comc books with that kind of inflationary rate?

My favorite comics fluctuated, going back and forther from Marvel to DC, depending on which had better stories and art at any given time. Batman and Spiederman were always my favorie characters, and still are. Recently, I discovered CBR files, which are basically comic books in scanned form that you can read on your computer, with your whole sreen as a page. I just have made it through the first three months (32 comics so far and it is going till November!!!!) of Marvel's big even this year, Civil War, and it probably the best thing they have done in years. Really impressive writing on this thing and it is definitely going to change the whole Marvel Universe forever when it is over.

Patrick
a.k.a. Fringey, The Fringe Element
"A life lived without passion is a life not lived."

[scryer41]

Speaking of Marvel's Civil War series, in which Amazing Spider-Man issue does he actually reveil his identity to the world? Is it 532 or 533?

[scryer41]

Cool! I have it then. I didn't get 532 because I simply missed it. I'm pretty happy that I have issue 533. It'll be a landmark issue. I'm just wondering how they will work out this little wrinkle in the Spidey saga.

[fringey]

The post Civil War universe is going to be interesting in general. I am not happy that htye delayed a lot of this month's issues and this thing will extend into January now. Grrrrrr......

Patrick
a.k.a. Fringey, The Fringe Element
"A life lived without passion is a life not lived."

[scryer41]

One of the worst Spider-Man comics was a Spectacular Spider-Man issue. He goes up against this villian that calls himself.... "The Spot". Even Spidey found it silly!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Across the Sands of Time, along the Shores of Life, the Traveler rides on. For he knows his journey ends in lovers meeting.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beware the beast Man for he is the Devil's pawn.
Alone among God's primates, he kills for sport, or ----, or greed.
Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother's land.
Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert out of his home and yours.
Shun him. Drive him back into his jungle lair.
For he is the harbinger of death.

The Sacred Scrolls: 29th Scroll, 6th Verse

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit my website at www.angelfire.com/oh5/scryer41 to see my art, poems, short stories and photos.

[fringey]

scryer41 wrote: One of the worst Spider-Man comics was a Spectacular Spider-Man issue. He goes up against this villian that calls himself.... "The Spot". Even Spidey found it silly!



I remember the Spot. He could use those holes to travel from one place to another. It reminded me of the Bugs Bunny cartoon where they would throw a black hole on the wall and then use it to escape. I have always figured that was the inspiration for the Spot!

Patrick
a.k.a. Fringey, The Fringe Element
"A life lived without passion is a life not lived.