With the San Diego Comic-Con officially underway, now is as good a time as any to check out some awesome comics. Lately, Comic-Con has become more about the movies and TV shows (there's even a Glee panel this year), but comics still drive the geeks wild.
But where to start? The wide variety of material out there these days can be daunting to new readers. That's where I come in. For newbies, there are many comics that you can enjoy with your boyfriend or on your own. Take a look below.
Scott Pilgrim
Michael Cera is starring in the upcoming movie version of this series of fun, accessible graphic novels (the sixth and final volume just hit stores). Scott Pilgrim is your average lovelorn twenty-something slacker in a terrible indie band who falls head over heels for the bewitching Ramona Flowers. The catch? He has to battle seven of her ex-boyfriends before they can truly be together. You'll dig the funny dialogue, relatable characters, and juicy relationship drama, while your boyfriend will appreciate the occasional action movie-worthy fight scenes and multiple video game nods (Scott's band is called "Sex Bob-Omb"). My girlfriend--who is into punk and indie music and never read comics before she met me--loves this series.
Fables
Fairy tale favorites like Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf step into the real world in this addictive, long-running series. Writer Bill Willingham flips the script of the usual fairy tale and legend tropes, showing that fictional characters can be just as messed up as the rest of us. The story makes you feel for the characters, as they flee their magical land for Earth after being run out by a mysterious adversary, while the art (by Mark Buckingham and a bevy of other artists) is a sumptuous feast for the eyes. Fans of Wicked, Harry Potter, Disney movies, and other accessible fantasy will find a lot to love in Fables. Runner-up: Author and screenwriter Neil Gaiman's (Coraline) dense, but highly rewarding, Sandman series.
Strangers In Paradise
This award-winning comic, about the life and loves of best friends Francine and Katchoo, is now available in six affordable book-sized digest collections. Terry Moore's artwork is crisp and accessible, and the story has brought more than a few of my lady friends to tears. (Okay, fine, I might've gotten a little choked up as well.) With two well-developed female leads, and more drama in one book than in an entire season of Grey's Anatomy, it's a wonder Hollywood hasn't already turned Strangers in Paradise into a movie. Or at least a cable TV series.
Y the Last Man
Yorick Brown is the sole survivor of a plague that kills Earth's entire male population. Suddenly plunged into a world run entirely by women, Yorick must figure out the cause of the plague with the help of a deadly government agent, a duplicitous genetic scientist, and a monkey. Fans of high-concept science fiction that mixes thrills with social commentary will want to check out this acclaimed series from writer Brian K. Vaughn (Lost) and artist Pia Guerra. (Shia LaBeouf is rumored to be starring in the movie. Shia in a world populated entirely by women? That's going to be a blockbuster.)
Ghost World
Perhaps you've seen the hilarious Thora Birch/Scarlett Johansson movie? Well, it was actually based on a graphic novel (by acclaimed writer/artist Daniel Clowes) that's just as moving and well-observed. The comic book actually goes deeper into Enid and Rebecca's relationship, as the Steve Buscemi role was amped up for the flick. Required reading for anyone who loves a good snarky, coming-of-age tale.
And there's a whole lot more out there. Bone is an award-winning fantasy comic book series beloved by kids and adults alike.
Like zombies? Check out The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman's grisly series that is soon to become a TV series on AMC. Fast-paced, gory, and not for the faint of heart!
If you're looking for a deeper read, Fun Home, a tragic-comic tale of a young woman's relationship with her closeted homosexual father, is a brilliant work of art that scored multiple awards and accolades.
On the superhero front, Runaways, also from writer Brian K. Vaughn, has a great high concept: What if you found out your parents were supervillains? With fantastic art and clever dialogue, it's fast become the Buffy the Vampire Slayer of the comic book world. (My girlfriend also dug the Marvel Divas series-- basically Sex and the City with superpowers.)
All of these titles can be readily found at any good bookstore, but that shouldn't dissuade you from visiting a comic book shop. Don't worry, they're not that scary.
What comics do you like reading with your guy? Do you read any on your own? Let me know!
But where to start? The wide variety of material out there these days can be daunting to new readers. That's where I come in. For newbies, there are many comics that you can enjoy with your boyfriend or on your own. Take a look below.
Scott Pilgrim
Michael Cera is starring in the upcoming movie version of this series of fun, accessible graphic novels (the sixth and final volume just hit stores). Scott Pilgrim is your average lovelorn twenty-something slacker in a terrible indie band who falls head over heels for the bewitching Ramona Flowers. The catch? He has to battle seven of her ex-boyfriends before they can truly be together. You'll dig the funny dialogue, relatable characters, and juicy relationship drama, while your boyfriend will appreciate the occasional action movie-worthy fight scenes and multiple video game nods (Scott's band is called "Sex Bob-Omb"). My girlfriend--who is into punk and indie music and never read comics before she met me--loves this series.
Fables
Fairy tale favorites like Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf step into the real world in this addictive, long-running series. Writer Bill Willingham flips the script of the usual fairy tale and legend tropes, showing that fictional characters can be just as messed up as the rest of us. The story makes you feel for the characters, as they flee their magical land for Earth after being run out by a mysterious adversary, while the art (by Mark Buckingham and a bevy of other artists) is a sumptuous feast for the eyes. Fans of Wicked, Harry Potter, Disney movies, and other accessible fantasy will find a lot to love in Fables. Runner-up: Author and screenwriter Neil Gaiman's (Coraline) dense, but highly rewarding, Sandman series.
Strangers In Paradise
This award-winning comic, about the life and loves of best friends Francine and Katchoo, is now available in six affordable book-sized digest collections. Terry Moore's artwork is crisp and accessible, and the story has brought more than a few of my lady friends to tears. (Okay, fine, I might've gotten a little choked up as well.) With two well-developed female leads, and more drama in one book than in an entire season of Grey's Anatomy, it's a wonder Hollywood hasn't already turned Strangers in Paradise into a movie. Or at least a cable TV series.
Y the Last Man
Yorick Brown is the sole survivor of a plague that kills Earth's entire male population. Suddenly plunged into a world run entirely by women, Yorick must figure out the cause of the plague with the help of a deadly government agent, a duplicitous genetic scientist, and a monkey. Fans of high-concept science fiction that mixes thrills with social commentary will want to check out this acclaimed series from writer Brian K. Vaughn (Lost) and artist Pia Guerra. (Shia LaBeouf is rumored to be starring in the movie. Shia in a world populated entirely by women? That's going to be a blockbuster.)
Ghost World
Perhaps you've seen the hilarious Thora Birch/Scarlett Johansson movie? Well, it was actually based on a graphic novel (by acclaimed writer/artist Daniel Clowes) that's just as moving and well-observed. The comic book actually goes deeper into Enid and Rebecca's relationship, as the Steve Buscemi role was amped up for the flick. Required reading for anyone who loves a good snarky, coming-of-age tale.
And there's a whole lot more out there. Bone is an award-winning fantasy comic book series beloved by kids and adults alike.
Like zombies? Check out The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman's grisly series that is soon to become a TV series on AMC. Fast-paced, gory, and not for the faint of heart!
If you're looking for a deeper read, Fun Home, a tragic-comic tale of a young woman's relationship with her closeted homosexual father, is a brilliant work of art that scored multiple awards and accolades.
On the superhero front, Runaways, also from writer Brian K. Vaughn, has a great high concept: What if you found out your parents were supervillains? With fantastic art and clever dialogue, it's fast become the Buffy the Vampire Slayer of the comic book world. (My girlfriend also dug the Marvel Divas series-- basically Sex and the City with superpowers.)
All of these titles can be readily found at any good bookstore, but that shouldn't dissuade you from visiting a comic book shop. Don't worry, they're not that scary.
What comics do you like reading with your guy? Do you read any on your own? Let me know!
A friend introduced me to Demo. I gotta say, some of the stories are really great. I loved the one about the tape, and the one about the girl who changes all the time. Then there's Johnny, the suicidal maniac. The title says a lot. The comic... well, there's a lot more to it.
Just to shuffle the colors in this comment (I'm pretty sure I sound incredibly glum/dark/emo), I'd like to randomly add the fact that I love watching Glee and listening to Mika.
What about Love and Rockets?
That's a great one. I highly recommend the Palomar collection.
What, no "Sandman"?!
Mentioned that in the Fables section. Sandman fans will like Fables and vice versa. But, yeah, Sandman's a definite recommendation. It's basically my favorite comic book of all time.
If you want to try a manga (Japanese comic), I'd recommend Solanin. It's got indie music, romance, angst, great art, and it's only one volume long, too!
I loveddd Y. And will be SO disappointed if Shia LaBeouf plays Yorick.
As for recommendations: FreakAngels (which is available free online. Plus a new one every week!) or pretty much anything by Warren Ellis. Probably one of the best writers of the comic book world right now