Ah, grammar is good … not that you can tell by my previous post. :smack:
I can’t speak to what the books are like now, but I know at the beginning, it seemed like a lot of the characterization consisted solely of reversing them exactly 180 degrees: “Character A is a solid, reliable citizen in the regular continuity? Well, that means he’s going to be sneaky and untrustworthy in the Ultimate line.” I have no real attachment to the regular versions, but the Ultimate versions bored me precisely because they were so predictably reversed.
The library is your friend. Few fans have access to a large, well-rounded collection of graphic novels at their local library as I do, - I love any place that carries everything from the hardcover Spirit archives to The Ghosts of Silver Cliff to Ultimate Spider-Man - but most carry at least a handful, and that handful often contains some of the classics. Worth investigating, at any rate.
A very good place to start, and conveniently collected as trade paperbacks.
I’d also think about the Asgardian Wars because they were fun and Art Adams was in his prime with the art, and that fantastic X-men annual (#12?) with Horde, which really was Chris Claremont firing on all cylinders.
Some libraries carry comic books?
Oh Rapturous Joy! Selkie Thanks for the Understanding Comics link. I could invest my time into learning something important for daily life to better myself and increase my ability to earn more money for my family, but frankly chasing after whatever my newest obession is is far more rewarding and fun!
I’ve probably driven past two of My Local Comic Book Stores and never noticed them. Obviously they had a Shield of Obscurity around them or maybe my inner geek hadn’t manifested yet.
Shirley, glad to help. I think you’ll find, what with all the art history and discussion of perception, that Understanding Comics might even qualify as “bettering yourself,” even if you’re unlikely to become filthy rich as a result of reading it. But, as I said, read it because it’s engaging and fun, not because “it’s good for you.”
I think you’ll find that most libraries carry some graphic novels. They are definitely one of the “hot things” at public libraries these days. If you’re fortunate, they’ll be prominently displayed in a self-contained section. If not, they’ll be racked alongside non-graphic novels according to whatever genre they fall into (at best - at worst, they’ll be scattered, seemingly at random, along the shelves) If the latter case, you’ll probably need to know what specific titles you’re looking for, rather than experience the pleasure of browsing.
I missed the part in your OP where you asked fror comic book sites. There are about a gajillion, each of which seems to cater to a specific niche, but here are a few to get you started: Artbomb