A recent tweet from writer Daniel Kibblesmith went viral wherein he commented on what comic book fans typically recommend to new readers unfamiliar with the medium.
He astutely points out that many fans will recommend critically acclaimed comics that are aimed at longtime readers that subvert the traditional tropes of the medium (Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, Miracleman, etc.) or serve as satire or criticism of the current state of the medium (Kingdom Come, Flex Mentallo, X-Statix, etc.). While these are excellent stories, they are best enjoyed by fans who are already intimately familiar with the medium.
That got me thinking. What are some comic books that are ideal for new readers? It was easy to jump into comics when I did in the early-‘90s. You could just grab the newest comics off a spinner rack in your local grocery store, pharmacy, media center, or corner store. That’s what I did. Unfortunately, that is no longer an option because of the direct market distribution method the industry now utilizes. If you want to read the latest releases today, you need to either visit your local comic store or read them digitally. That can be daunting and overwhelming for new readers who have no frame of reference for what might appeal to them. With that in mind, I’ve assembled a list of some comics I consider timeless and are easy to acquire. I’ve limited the scope to superhero comics since that is by far the most popular genre in the West, but know that there are comics of every imaginable genre.
All-Star Superman (2005) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
This one almost goes without saying. All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely is the perfect distillation of what makes Superman the oldest and arguably most well known superhero in history. The series is only twelve issues long and is totally self-contained. The basic premise is Superman has been diagnosed with a terminal ailment, so he sets out to do as much good as possible with the time he has left. It’s a beautifully illustrated book that is chock-full of action, adventure, comedy, and heartwarming moments. If you’ve always wondered what Superman’s appeal is as a character, this comic will explain it.
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills (1982) by Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson
Originally published as Marvel Graphic Novel #5, X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills from Claremont and Anderson is a graphic novel that is sadly as relevant today as it was in 1982. Initially intended to be a self-contained story, it tells the story of a fascist paramilitary organization known as the Purifiers who hunt down and murder mutants (human beings born with a gene that gives them superhuman abilities) at the behest of an evangelical preacher named William Stryker. As Stryker and his Purifiers hatch a plan to commit global genocide against the mutant race, the X-Men (a team of mutants) and Magneto (a fellow mutant and traditional antagonist for the X-Men) join forces to try to stop them. It’s a story that cuts to the core of what the X-Men stand for: an allegory for oppressed minority groups striving to survive in a world that hates and fears them. It is also the basis for the film X2: X-Men United that hit cinemas in 2003. If you want to understand the mass appeal of the X-Men brand, this is the place to start.
Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, Jr.
Ultimate Spider-Man was part of an experiment from Marvel Comics in 2000 when they decided to relaunch their two most popular properties (Spider-Man and X-Men) under a new Ultimate imprint that reimagined the two series as though they began in the early-‘00s instead of the early-‘60s. Though both were wildly successful, Ultimate Spider-Man is the series that continues to garner critical and fan praise to this day. The first volume of the series tells the story of Peter Park, a nerdy high school student who gets bitten by a genetically modified spider that gives him super powers. You almost certainly know the basics of the story already, but Bendis and Bagley do a phenomenal job of modernizing it (by 2000 standards) and giving it more time to develop in a decompressed story structure. If you enjoy the first volume, there are dozens more to follow.
Batman: Year One (1987) by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
Speaking of retelling familiar origin stories in a more modern way, one of the first and most successful examples is Batman: Year One from Miller and Mazzucchelli. Originally published as Batman #404-407, it has since been collected in numerous trades and hardcovers as the definitive origin for Batman. It explores the life of Bruce Wayne as a young adult training to become Batman after the murder of his parents. It is one of the first instances of seeing a young and inexperienced Batman finding his footing and developing relationships. It also serves as the primary inspiration for 2005’s Batman Begins feature film. Numerous future Batman stories spring from this one, so it’s the perfect jumping on point if you’re interested in the character.
Fantastic Four: Behold…Galactus! (1966) by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
I couldn’t do a list of comics for new readers without including something from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. These two titans are the architects of the Marvel Universe, and the most successful film franchise of all time wouldn’t exist without them. The height of their collaboration was “The Galactus Trilogy” that took place in Fantastic Four #48-50 way back in 1966. It’s an excellent example of Silver Age comics and the style that made Marvel the juggernaut it is today. These three issues tell the story of the Fantastic Four as they deal with the arrival of a godlike being called Galactus that plans to eat the Earth. It’s the kind of epic in scale cosmic story that has inspired the many event comics that have come since. The Fantastic Four: Behold…Galactus! collection also contains later stories involving the Marvel’s First Family and the Devourer of Worlds to check out if that first story strikes a chord with you.
There you have it. If any of these five stories turn someone into a comic book reader then I will have done my job. Below are links to buy all five if you so choose.