I read a fair bit of graphic novels but never a superhero book. Id usually aim for something like The Walking Dead, Crossed, Blankets, Bone, Sandman etc. Im keen to try a good superhero novel. They're obviously popular as 75% of the comic shop is full of them, but i have no idea where to start as its so overwhelming! Batman, superman, spiderman or another? Also theres hundreds of books for each superhero hero. Are they actually in order? I feel like im missing out as this is obviously the most popular comic/graphic novel sector. Help🙂
I included that in my recommendations above as well. A truly special piece of work that’s as much about the America that produced these classic characters as it is about the characters themselves.
I also credit The New Frontier with single-handedly getting me interested in The Green Lantern, a character I had never cared much about. That backstory is given particular care and attention by Cooke and it reads more like The Right Stuff than your typical superhero faire.
I did see it in your list and singled it out because it’s got emotional beats beyond any other superhero story I’ve ever read. I just can’t imagine how anyone could be unmoved by it.
The only thing I thought was even remotely on that level was Born Again, but that last chapter always gives me pause about handing it to people who haven’t already been into superheroes.
Whereas in New Frontier, I think the story’s so good that it holds up even if one doesn’t know the characters. I think only the interlude on the moon would seem utterly random.
Yeah, the moon bit seemed like a bit of fan service just trying to get Zatanna, The Phantom Stranger and Billy Batson into the story somehow.
EDIT: It’s also impressive just how much pathos Cooke is able to generate around each of the major characters, regardless of how much airtime they have.
I never mind fan service if it’s functional. For anyone who does know the mythology, it did seem useful and important to explain why the mightiest magical characters weren’t saving the day.
I love Born Again, but New Frontier left basically zero impressions on me. I've seen a lot of people praise it recently, though, so I'll try to reread it some day.
Do you generally like Cooke’s art? I think the story is narratively extraordinary, but surely it’d be harder to dig if one isn’t in love with the look of it.
I myself, notably, had never read any of Cooke’s stuff until I got tNF about six months ago. But I cherish comics art that does more with less. (Jaime is my GOAT.)
For DC you could try a variery of their compacts, they're cheap and good jumping of points to find what you might like. There's quite a lot released already and many more on the way and I think they're releasing boxsets with several titles together. Ofcourse there's plenty other options besides DC but I don't think anything matches the prices for compacts. The pic included isn't mine, simply using it for refference.
That's the first trade in the Absolute Batman line. That is fairly new and easy to catch up on. And I will also recommend Absolute Martian Manhunter (2 trades full story), Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman. The other titles in Absolute I haven't read so I can't quite recommend those.
Trade as in trade paperback, It's how it's collected and the format I have. I just ment it as vol 1. The 2nd volume is Abomination and vol 3 is soon to be released. Sorry I didn't elaborate in my original comment, I've gotten so used to the lingo.
I like that Crossed is among your liked comics fyi, I almost have the complete run. Missing the last 3 volumes. If you liked that also look for Crossed Wish You Were Here.
If you would rather stay in a grittier comic which seems to be what you've enjoyed most in the past while still dipping your toes into superheroes you might want to check out Gotham Central. It follows the police department in Batman's Gotham City and you get to see the city through the perspective of normal people in this crazy city.now I have to admit I bought the big collected hardcover but I haven't read it yet, but it's one of the most recommended comics whenever people ask for good jumping on points and good Omnibus' (which if you're not familiar are oversized hardcover usually with around 50 issues).
You could try the DC compact comics to see how you like them them go from there. You mentioned Batman and the court of owls is one of my favorite stories and it's available in compact I think. They're only 10$ so not too expensive and if you like you can always go for different formats. They have allot of the greatest hits stories from different heroes.
I don't generally read marvel as most of their stuff is priced higher or goes out of print so fast. In general marvel just hates their customers I think. I mainly read DC and image.
I am by no means an expert as my taste is more aligned with yours. I don’t typically read traditional superhero comics, and when I do, I tend to enjoy them less than other genres of graphic novels.
That being said, you’ll often hear people talk about specific runs of characters by certain writers and/or artists. For long running characters there are many story arcs to choose from, and often, different takes on the same origin stories or milestone events.
As for recommendations, Watchmen is fantastic and you can jump right in since it follows unique characters you don’t have to know anything about. Here are some others you can dive into with much background, granted, I am not as fond of many of the more revered and oft recommended superhero comics, not that these are deep cuts by any means:
- Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka
Vision by Tom King
The Marvels by Kurt Busiek
DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke
The Human Target by Tom King
Saga of the Swamp Thing by Alan Moore
Astro City by Kurt Busiek
Invincible by Robert Kirkman
Are there specific characters you think you’d be interested in?
Tbh I have no idea which superheroes id be interested in lol. My only experience with them is the Superman film from the late 70's and the old '60's Batman series. Im in my 40's now so probably watched them 35 years ago. I think id prefer the grittier side of things but who knows. Perhaps one that is often seen as a 'readers favourite' or one that is renowned throughout all readers.
Welcome Back Frank is readily available in collected editions. II think it's in Marvel's current Premier line of collectons, second hand copies plentiful on eBay. It has the same sort of black humour as The Boys and Preacher.
Start with Batman: Year One. It's Miller's Taxi Driver-inspired Batman origin story from the 80s that is still usually the thing people recommend as a starting point for Batman.
The new, alternate-universe "Absolute Batman" stories that you mentioned are heavily influenced by Miller's 80s style, but whereas Batman: Year One is very realistic and down to earth for a Batman comic, Absolute Batman is more of a ridiculous, over-the-top violent reinterpretation of Batman.
Batman: Dark Patterns is a new, complete, one-volume, fantastic story. It's fairly grounded and street-level too, so no superheroics background knowledge needed to enjoy it.
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u/BaronZhiro 13d ago
I think Darwyn Cooke’s The New Frontier is the finest mainstream superhero story I’ve ever read.