# Recommend me new comic book TPBs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2004, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189 "2004-07-28T00:21:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/1 "2004-07-28T00:21:20Z")
I’ve recently finished the entire _Preacher_ series, which has been my baby for well over a year. I’ve converted half my teammates to _Preacher_ fans, and they were as sad to see it end as I. But all good things come to an end, and I’m ready to move on. Damnit, I need a new obsession. And this is where you get your chance to pimp your favorite comic book series. I want a series collected in TPB form, as I don’t have the money nor the time to be chasing down individual issues. It has to have strong writing and strong plot. It has to be easily found in the United States and in English, so sorry, no untranslated manga please. I’ve already either collected or read the following: Garth Ennis’ _Preacher_ Alan Moore’s _League of Extraordinary Gentlemen_ The first volume of Neil Gaiman’s _Sandman_. Chris Claremont’s _God Loves, Man Kills_. James O’Barr’s _The Crow_. I’m currently considering the comic version of George R.R. Martin’s _The Hedge Knight_. I’ve started on William Tucci’s _Shi_ and have been looking at David Mack’s _Kabuki_ with serious interest. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/2 "2004-07-28T00:32:07Z")
Any of the following (but read them in order, of course): _Transmetropolitan_ _Stray Bullets_ _Strangers in Paradise_ _Astro City_ ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/3 "2004-07-28T00:32:11Z")
_Barry Ween, Boy Genius_ ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/4 "2004-07-28T00:43:17Z")
Second for [_Transmetropolitan_](http://www.transmetropolitan.com/). I’ve recently started with another Warren Ellis series, [_Planetary_.](http://home.earthlink.net/~richardsonag/planetary.htm) Not far enough in for a good evaluation, but it looks promising. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/5 "2004-07-28T00:50:55Z")
Third for _Transmetropolitan_. The whole run is available now in TPB, so no waiting for the next installation, and it’s even money which is better: _Transmet_ or _Preacher_. _Planetary_ is also pretty cool, although it has a much more “anthology” feel to it. The third TPB is a collection of Elseworlds-style Batman crossovers, which are particularly entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/6 "2004-07-28T01:29:45Z")
I love the anthology feel of _Planetary:_ it jumps genres and does pastiche and homage with the same excellent artist, writing and coloring team. The only reason I don’t recommend it is that it’s taking painfully long to complete. Go to the library and see if they have the first volume. If you like it, wait until the whole thing’s over and THEN buy the trades. The _Planetary_ crossover collection, however, is merely okay. The only one that sings is the Batman team-up illustrated by John Cassady. Fourth for _Transmetropolitan_, because while _Preacher’s_ ending is somewhat perfunctory, you gotta love Spider Jerusalem’s last words. I personally feel that _Transmet_ offers better overall reading than _Preacher_. However, I concede that Herr Starr is by FAR the more entertaining villain. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/7 "2004-07-28T01:51:36Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > I personally feel that _Transmet_ offers better overall reading than _Preacher_. However, I concede that Herr Starr is by FAR the more entertaining villain. But the Smiler is a hell of a lot scarier. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/8 "2004-07-28T01:53:29Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > But the Smiler is a hell of a lot scarier. In retrospect, doesn’t the Smiler kinda remind you of John Edwards? ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/9 "2004-07-28T02:00:37Z")
Oddly enough, the Smiler reminds me of Al Gore. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/10 "2004-07-28T02:15:20Z")
I’m really liking _Y, The Last Man_ - volume 4 is coming out soon in TPB. And Alan Moore’s _Watchmen_ is a classic for a reason - plus, it’s just one big volume. Not to be missed. You should also check out Ennis’ run on _Hellblazer_. ---
**Author:** ![Sundog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sundog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sundog)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/11 "2004-07-28T03:15:29Z")
I’ll second the Strangers in Paradise nomination. Bone by Jeff Smith Blade of the Immortal by Hiroaki Samura Road to Perdition by Collins and Rayner (single volume) Poison Elves by Drew Hayes ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/12 "2004-07-28T04:55:00Z")
Oh, also _Lone Wolf and Cub_, absolutely. Although the print’s really small. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/13 "2004-07-28T06:23:07Z")
I’ll second any and all of the **Astro City** collections. Why this title doesn’t get more respect on the SDMB is beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/14 "2004-07-28T06:47:27Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > In retrospect, doesn’t the Smiler kinda remind you of John Edwards? Naw, all I can see is Kennedy. Pretty much any Kennedy. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/15 "2004-07-28T06:49:22Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > I’ll second any and all of the **Astro City** collections. Why this title doesn’t get more respect on the SDMB is beyond me. It gets mentioned in every single “Recommend me some comics” thread, so it gets plenty of recognition. Don’t know why there aren’t more threads dedicated to it, though. Maybe because it’s so damn good, there’s nothing to debate about it. 'Course, if you want to start a thread on it yourself, I’ll be there with bells on. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/16 "2004-07-28T11:29:22Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > It gets mentioned in every single “Recommend me some comics” thread, so it gets plenty of recognition. Don’t know why there aren’t more threads dedicated to it, though. Maybe because it’s so damn good, there’s nothing to debate about it. > > 'Course, if you want to start a thread on it yourself, I’ll be there with bells on. There’s gonna be a 12-part mini-series from Astro City later this year. It takes place in the “dark ages” of the city - the 70’2 & 80’s. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/17 "2004-07-28T19:37:49Z")
_Watchmen_ has been on my list forever, but somehow I’ve just never gotten around to reading it. _V for Vendetta_ is also supposed to be excellent. I’ve never heard of _Blade of the Immortal_, care to tell me about it? And hey! don’t diss the _Preacher_. I wanna be just lik Tulip when I grow up. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/18 "2004-07-28T20:43:14Z")
> [@Mississippienne](#): > > I’ve never heard of _Blade of the Immortal_, care to tell me about it? Very short synopsis: A very violent Japanese series (translated by Dark Horse/Studio Proteus), set in Japan’s medieval period, about a man named Manji who is cursed with immortality until he kills 1000 evil men - then he will be allowed to die. It’s quite good - or at least the first few arcs were. I haven’t read it in a while. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/19 "2004-07-28T20:51:45Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > There’s gonna be a 12-part mini-series from Astro City later this year. It takes place in the “dark ages” of the city - the 70’2 & 80’s. Actually, I believe it’s going to be a quartet of three-issue arcs, broken up with individual one-shots. The idea being that Buseik _et al_ don’t want to alienate readers who might be put off by an ultra-long narrative. And we’ll _finally_ learn just what the heck happened to the Silver Agent to earn the disdain that’s been hinted about since the beginning… ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189/20 "2004-07-28T22:31:29Z")
Gotta plug James Robinson’s _Starman_. I think the last trade in the series is about to come out (finally)! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-new-comic-book-tpbs/257189.md?page=2)