I need help

[morpheus11]

I loved reading comics books as a kid, and I would like to start reading more of them.  However, my wife doesn't have the patience for me to be buying a bunch of comic books to keep up with the very long story lines that last years and years.  I also have this condition that when I start a story I will want to continue with the story and follow all tangents to that story until I have the complete set.  This is what got me in trouble as a kid b/c everytime a comic referenced another book I would have to go get that book and then I would have to continue that story.  As you can imagine I became very overwhelmed trying to find tons and tons of comics just to satisfy my curiosity.  Now, with my background out of the way here is what I need help with.

I am looking for is shorter stories that I can pick up either in a couple of trades, or something like that.  Some of the characters that I know I like are Spiderman, X-men, and Wolverine.  I am willing to try some new things, but one person I can't stand is Superman.  I don't want anything to do with him, so please don't recommend any. 

I don't know if this will help, but I am a fan of fantasy books particularly RA Salvatore.  If he were to write comic books I would own them all. 

I hope I have given enough information for you to give some suggestions for me.  If you need to know anything else just let me know.

Thanks in advance.

[Beta Ray Bill Cosby]

I would say check out Runaways, a Marvel book, you can get the first trade and decide if you like it.

Also check out the Dark Tower comic by Stephen King, also done by Marvel

[Gaumer]

You could always get a divorce (just kidding)

I too read the Salvatore novels and they do have some comic book trades of the adapts of some of his novels.
Check out http://devilsdue.net/

Drizzt FTW


As far as other books and you not wanting to be bogged down in story: tough luck

Marvel and DC love to cross over books here and there because it gets folks reading other books (the very trap you are trying to avoid)

My suggestion would be discipline. Find a few monthly books you like every month and just stick to them. If you want to pick something else up, find something in your stack to drop.

My wife has me on a $20 per week limit (it was almost $60 a week before I was put on a budget) and i have to make sacrifices that i dont want to make.

Know what you want ahead of time. Look at the publishers websites and you can see whats coming out months in advance. Plan out your comic buying and know what you want before you go shopping.

Get a hold box at your local comic shop. Sometimes I have books in my hold box for months. Until I have a small week and can buy the book within my $20 allowance.

Read the book for free. Read the book at the comic shop. It sound crappy but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. My comic shop guy doesnt really care because he knows I'm going to buy books there regardless.


Hope this helps. And the best way to get your old lady to not gripe about your comic habit is to get her hooked.

Fables and X-Factor by Peter David keeps my wife reading at least a few books a month. And she loved Terry Moore's Echo #1 last week.

[schleicher12000]

Instead of worrying about single issues, you might want to go the trade paperback route and pick up a series on one blow - better for you, better for your wife.

[Stacy B.]

I agree with Stephen, try for trades when possible. You get the whole story and don't have to keep up with multiple issues.

But, let me suggest a couple of things you may be able to find in singles that are good storylines...

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #284-288: GANG WAR!
.....This story picks up right after the "Born Again" storyline from Daredevil #227-233. Kingpin is out of the picture and everybody wants to take over! Guest Stars: Falcon, Daredevil, Black Cat, Punisher against Hobgoblin, Hammerhead, The Rose, Jack O' Lantern and more. You do not need to read the BORN AGAIN story to enjoy this one. In my opinion, it is still one of the best Spidey stories. From 1987.

DAREDEVIL #277-233: BORN AGAIN
.....Karen Page returns and sells Matt's identity for drugs, and the Kingpin finds out. The Kingpin slowly destroys Matts life and forces him to essentially be "born again". Leads to the fall of the Kingpin. Also 1986 or 1987.

GREEN ARROW - THE LONGNOW HUNTERS
.....Pick it up either in the trade or the original 3 issue prestige format series. Mike Grell essentially updates Green Arrow and moves him toward a more mature audience. GA hunts down a serial killer while Black Canary attempts to bust up a drug ring, with really bad results. Did I mention the beautiful Japanese assassin who is bent on revenge and a goverment conspioray cover-up? Not for kids, but a great read for adults. Also has examples of the most beautiful art I have ever seen.

Here is another suggestion, see if your LCS has a dollor or bargin bin. One of the local stores here, 80% everything in back issues are $1, and another has thousands of $1 books. Sometimes you can get a good run of these, if you don't mind the conditions. I also have a particualr online dealer I go to for all my online orders, just so I can pick up stuff on sale and make sure I can get all I need at one time.