When you enter a comic book store, you are barraged with hundreds if not thousands of comics to choose from. Being the Comic Book Guide, I read a lot of comics. Some are from companies trying to get their comics into the spotlight, while others are for research for an article. Then there are those comics that I seek and crave each and every month. Here is a list of the comic books I seek out and why.
What can I say, I have a soft spot for zombies. What has really set this comic book apart from other books about the flesh eating living dead, is that it is truly a story about the characters reacting to this new world populated by zombies. How would you act if you knew your fate was to one day join them? It's gritty, realistic (zombies not withstanding), and you will care about the characters and their fate. I love this book and highly recommend it - but be warned, it does contain mature items.
This comic is set in an alternate future where a militant group has succeeded from the union and set up shop in Manhattan. The island has been dubbed a, "demilitarized zone," or DMZ for short. The first arc has been about Matthew Roth, a journalist intern that is the last member alive from a film crew sent in to chronicle the DMZ.
The team of writer Brian Wood and artist Riccardo Burchielli has come up with a compelling and engaging story, backed by detailed and expressive art. It's great.
I have been a fan of Astro City for some time now. Kurt Busiek's wonderful portrayal of Astro City's heroes and villains always brings me back for more. I like the short story arcs that jump to the many different characters that inhabit Astro City. Some of Kurt's work will leave me breathless, reminding me of how I felt after reading The Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, Kingdom Come, and other great reads.
4. Ex Machina
I was first introduced to Ex Machina by my local comic book store manager. I read
Ex Machina - The First Hundred Days. The comic book feels like how a superhero would really be welcomed in the present day. Some would worship him, others would want to help them, and many still would seek to stop a vigilante meddling in official business. Throw in the fact that the hero is now the Mayor, trying to use his powers in a new way to help those around him, and you have the mixings for a great comic.
5. All-Star Line/Ultimates
I have avoided "re-tellings" as a personal rule, but these comics have had such high quality talent associated with them that it was hard to resist the temptation. I can now see what all the talk was about. The All Star Line has been pretty refreshing and told in both and lyrical and visual stimulating manner, and the Ultimates line is just over the top. It was what I read The Authority for. Good stuff.
6. Manager's Choice
Once a month, I put my reading pleasure into the hands of my comic book shop manager. I just said, "Put something that you think is cool in my box." This has been a good way to be exposed to new and interesting items. Sometimes it's good to have another viewpoint into what people may or may not like.
I started reading this comic when the
Fantastic Four movie came out. I was doing some research and saw that J. Michael Straczyski (JMS for short) was scripting the latest installment of Marvel's first family. Having been a fan of Straczynski's work on Babylon 5 and Rising Stars, I was pleasantly surprised at what I read. JMS's FF is a good book and I have been enjoying the highbrow approach that JMS brings to the comic. Only a guy like JMS can really capture Mr. Fantastic's genius.
8. Knights of the Dinner Table
I had been reading this comic a while ago, and recently started picking it up again. The comic strip follows the exploits of the Knights of the Dinner Table, a group of role players. If you have ever played an RPG, then you will easily be able to identify with the cast of characters. The comic/magazine is also jam packed with tons of ideas for your campaign.
9. Fables
I was first introduced to Bill Willingham with his series Elementals, back in high school. This series really shows the maturity that Willingham has reached as a writer. The Eisner winning covers by James Jean and the great artwork by Buckingham and Leialoha really add to the fable mystique. I highly recommend this book.
I haven't always been a reader of The Incredible Hulk, but man, the latest, "Planet Hulk," storyline has been fantastic. It is a nice refresher away from the Civil War storyline and the action has been nonstop. Greg Pak has done a great job of telling this interesting tale of the green behemoth.
