[Thoughtcriminal84]

So, I'm assuming that not many of you read comics. If you don't, you probably think of them as infantile material, best left to children or chronically masturbating young men. That may be the truth in regards to the vast majority of what's out there; Spider-man is certainly not any kind of stimulant for the forebrain...if anything Pete Parker's ludicrious adventures are meat for the lower, reptile brain within us all. Entertaining, but ultimately empty, much like a Die Hard movie.

I submit to you that there are items of interest amongst the ruination. Further, I submit to you that there are comics out there that are probably even superior to many of the full length novels you have read.

The Sandman is one such comic. Have any of you folks read it? It's by a guy named Neil Gaiman. You might have heard of him. This is clearly a work of Fantasy, but I stake a claim that for those of you who tire of the Tolkeinized landscape of modern Fantasy, this series will prove that there is still hope for originality in the Fantastic. It reads like no novel I have ever encountered, and is at times one of the most moving pieces of fiction I have ever read.
And I would love to talk to some of you about it.

Super Heroes are the bread and butter of the comic book industry. That's how they make their money, by putting out stories of men in underwear beating the **** out of other men in undies. But occasionally, you'll find material in those thinish tomes that surpasses it's stereotypical orgins.

The Watchmen, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, is such a work. It has super heroes, and it has every cliche of the typical super hero comic. But it is also one of literatures Great Alternative Histories. It is clear to me that there was a level of thought put behind this work that is, in a word, Impressive. Try it sometime, because although it may not have Swords and Sorcery, I think that any one who even marginally likes George R. R. Martin is going to really enjoy it.

Ah, I'm sleepy, and I'm rambling. Sorry.

Comics are in trouble, friends. I personally love comics, and I don't want them to become an extinct medium. If you want to know why I love them, try some of these. Most are avaliable at your local library (if it is a good library, anyway...)

The Watchmen, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Published by DC comics

Try any of The Sandman graphic novels, by Neil Gaiman. Also published by DC comics, I think there are ten of them all together. There are too many artists involved in the project for me to list here.

The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller. It's a Batman story. Don't worry, though. It's good, although really dark. Not for kids (which, I should mention, applies to most of this stuff)

There are dozens more, but these are generally the best well known, and they appeal to the largest audiences. Alan Moores Swamp Thing is a stunning work of thoughtful "horror fantasy", but I doubt you can find it at a library...

anyway. that is all.

[Thoughtcriminal84]

okay, well, I feel like an idiot. a friend pointed out that almost EVERYBODY knows about The Sandman, and that my post here is going to sound pretentious because of it. I simply didn't think of that, and by God, I don't want to sound pretentious...So forget that I mentioned Neil Gaiman, although he IS one of the best.

So as well as reading Sandman, read "The Knights of the Dinner Table" for some serious laughs. Comics can be funny as hell, too.

[Alucard]

Comics are really an amazing medium, that is, if you find the comics that are worth reading.

Cerebus, for instance, is a very diverse and intelligent comic that fits perfectly in the vein of fantasy.(Although in the begining, cerebus isn't all that amazing. After his first twenty or thirty comics though, the story really picks up, turning into an amazing series.)

Sam keith's the maxx, although a bit difficult to understand at times, is still an amazing piece of work. The story is really creative and the characters have a very in depth and strong personality.

Neil Gaiman's work is also one of the greats. His stories are thoughful and very well written. His work is very underrated.

The bone books, although very light in style, are also fantastic books that are well worth the read. I actually laughed aloud while reading some of them.

The blade of the immortal, although classified as manga because of it's origin, is also a fantastic story that deserves more appreciation than it recieves. IT was full of awesome characters, both good and evil(Although it is very difficult to calssify any of the stories characters as either good or evil. The story is far from a black and white, good vs. evil type of theme.)

Black and white is another great series. It is also japanese, but it has a story that really makes you wonder and characters that really leave an impact.

Lenore, a fairly new series from Roman dirge, is absolutely hilarious. (Though the humor is very dark, which doesn't go over well with some.)

As you can probably tell, I'm a fan of comics. I have tried to draw one myself and gave up numerous times out of frustration. It is extremely difficult. But I have to be honest. Most comics are a bunch of crap. I don't read comics that often because the majority of them are not worth reading. But the ones that I have mentioned(and there are more, but I don't want to go on forever) are really worth reading. Give them a shot. You might just find that comics aren't just a bunch of superheroes who wear their underwear on the outside of their tights.

[tpetty]

Some of my favorite recent comics, which I've collected in trade paperback form, are Astro City and Preacher. I also like the older back issues of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf & Cub - a couple of great black and white manga titles from the 80's or so. I also subscribe to Heavy Metal magazine -- the best "mature" type comic out there, with always good, and sometimes phenomenal art and stories.

[Rob B]

Along with Watchmen I would recommend Kingdom Come by Mark Waid/Alex Ross. Beatifully painted comics. Though Alan Moore did a great job breaking down his own heroes in WM, Waid breaks down the heroes we know, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash....

[Lord Soth]

I'am sorry but i have to say this as I was introduced to the comic world because of them, Asterix and Oblix rule infantile or no!!!!

[wastra]

I kinda brought up comics in another thread by referring to them as "trite" without qualifying my comments- for which I again apologize. I only meant that comment in reference to people who say "Yeah, I read, I pick up X Men every month!" and then try to debate literature.

I've never read comics regularly, but I recognize their value. A roommate of mine in college lent me the trade paperback (?) of the first Spawn comics- and I thought it original and highly entertaining. He also read "The Preacher(?)", which looked to me from a glance like something very mature.

Like all forms of creativity, there is, I assume, both good and bad in comics.

[Keyoke]

I'm quite a avid reader of comcis, of lates, I've noticed my collection has increasing gone from super-hero to more orginal style comics..

Here are some great titles..

Red Star - 6 issues out now, about Russia in the future..Amazing story and art. www.redstar.com (http://www.redstar.com)

Powers - Super-Hero's meet Law & Order. About a special detective unit that investigates crimes of super-orgin. First story arc was about the murder of Retro-Girl, America's sweetheart. Written by Bendis, it's a engrossing story.. Currently around Issue 10..

Spawn Titles - Dark Urban horror.. Sometimes, it's gets a little shocking in the extreme, but, good never the less..

Green Arrow - Kevin Smith. Enuf said, great action/story..

Their are lots of great titles.. You just have to pick and choose..=)

Keyoke

[allanon]

Conan!

[Keyoke]

Doh!

It's www.theredstar.com (http://www.theredstar.com)

Tee Hee..=)