# Sometimes I miss Comic books - or - What collections should I be reading? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 26, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106 "2009-01-26T19:46:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/1 "2009-01-26T19:46:56Z")
I used to be a huge comic book fan. I would spend hundreds of dollars a month on comic and hours sorting and logging and boxing and organizing them. When I was a junior in college this changes. I ran out of money, space and time. It didn’t help that the girl I was living with had a low tollerance for having comics laying around the apartment so in around 2002 I started to lose track of what was going on in comics. I didn’t lose it altogether until about 2004, but those two years were casual at best. I can’t say with any certainty that I would remember what was going on in continuity then. I still pick up some indie stuff or an older sereies that I meant to read but didn’t when it was first out (I am halfway through both Preacher and the Alan Moore run on Swamp Thing) but for the most part I don’t read comics at all anymore. But sometimes I miss them. There was some good stuff, there was some dreck, but on the whole they were a bit part of my life from the time that I was abou 8 until my early 20s. When I stopped reading regularly was about the time that the big push for putting everything into trade paperback was going strong. So I have to figure that a lot of what has been good about the last 7 years of comics or so has been collected. So what should I get? What have I missed out on? To give you a vague idea of my tastes back then this was (what I can remember of) my monthly order from my comic shop: No Ultimates Titles All Spiderman Books All X-Men Books (If it has a mutant I want it) Daredevil Iron Man Punisher Powers All Batman books The Flash Green Arrow Green Lantern Hellblazer 100 Bullits Anything Hellboy Anything Written by Sam Kieth Anything Written by Matt Wagner Anything Written by Brian Michael Bendis Anything Written by Warren Ellis Anything Written by Grant Morrison Anything Written by Alan Moore That is more or less what I ordered every month. It isn’t really what I am looking for now, just what I used to get. Right now I just want to know what you would recommend to a person who had been in a coma for seven years and who wanted to read some good comic collections from the years he missed. So, what collections should I be reading? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/2 "2009-01-26T20:01:58Z")
I’d recommend “DC: The New Frontier” by Darwyn Cooke, especially if you don’t care about continuity. For some mutanty goodness, the “Astonishing X-Men” TPBs (2 of 'em) by Joss Whedon. If you like zombies, then “Walking Dead” (9 TPBs) is a fantastic read. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/3 "2009-01-26T20:02:53Z")
Did you ever read Transmetropolitan? How about Preacher? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/4 "2009-01-26T20:06:21Z")
I did read and love Transmet and I am a little more than halfway through Preacher. I have also read and loved the Invisibles and League of Extrodanary Gentelmen (since I suspect those will be recommended next). Speaking of series I haven’t finished (i.e. Preacher), I also read Cerebus up to the end of Form and Void. Are Later Days and the Last Day worth reading? Did anyone else stick with Cerebus after Dave went nuts? ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/5 "2009-01-26T20:06:27Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > How about Preacher? Mentioned in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/6 "2009-01-26T20:08:17Z")
The titles that immediately come to mind are Joss Whedon’s run on Astonishing X-Men as well as Garth Ennis’ work on Punisher MAX (and the prequel-ish mini Punisher - Born). All are available in TPB. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/7 "2009-01-26T20:09:03Z")
Y: The Last Man - It isn’t a superhero story, but I cannot recommend this title strongly enough Batman: The Long Halloween Batman: Dark Victory Superman: For All Seasons ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/8 "2009-01-26T20:12:20Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > For some mutanty goodness, the “Astonishing X-Men” TPBs ( **2 of 'em** ) by Joss Whedon. **3.** “Gifted,” “Dangerous,” and “Torn.” Plus “Unstoppable” (Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1) ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/9 "2009-01-26T20:18:40Z")
Bendis’ run on Daredevil was also excellent and worth checking out (long though, 10+ trades). It started in 2002 so you might have read the beginning. Brubaker’s new Iron Fist series is also supposed to be great, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/10 "2009-01-26T20:19:28Z")
I’d recommend _Cable & Deadpool_. I’d also second Munch’s suggestion of _Astonishing X-Men_. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/11 "2009-01-26T20:22:37Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > **3.** “Gifted,” “Dangerous,” and “Torn.” Plus “Unstoppable” (Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1) Thank you - I think I was thinking of the HCs. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/12 "2009-01-26T20:22:57Z")
I liked the first TPB of **The Authority**. ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/13 "2009-01-26T20:29:25Z")
Seconded for Ennis’ Punisher and Ellis’ Authority. I’d also keep an eye out for 100 Bullets which is wrapping up in a month or so. I’m also enjoying DMZ and Ex Machina. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/14 "2009-01-26T20:38:28Z")
Fables. Can’t recommend it strongly enough. If you enjoy the first five books of Fables, then you’ll also want to get Jack of Fables and the original graphic novel “Fables: 1000 Nights of Snowfall.” ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/15 "2009-01-26T20:39:24Z")
Oh yeah, ‘Y - The Last Man’ has been getting really good reviews. Haven’t read the whole story, but I liked what I did read. ---
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/16 "2009-01-26T21:01:46Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Fables. Can’t recommend it strongly enough. If you enjoy the first five books of Fables, then you’ll also want to get Jack of Fables and the original graphic novel “Fables: 1000 Nights of Snowfall.” Seconded (though more lukewarm for Jack of Fables.) Best comic book today. ---
**Author:** ![DeptfordX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DeptfordX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeptfordX)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/17 "2009-01-26T21:09:36Z")
Looking at your list Powers is still on-going and is still great. For new stuff. Try the Hellboy spin-off B.P.R.D. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/18 "2009-01-26T23:16:27Z")
Try the DC Comics Archive Editions, for golden age goodness. ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/19 "2009-01-26T23:22:59Z")
Y: The Last Man The Walking Dead Invincible Ultimate Spider-Man ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106/20 "2009-01-26T23:52:30Z")
I mentioned [something](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=502998) recently that I enjoyed quite a bit. There’s been an embarrassment of riches in terms of omnibus collections recently. There’s a collection of Alan Moore’s Captain Britain work coming out in a few weeks, the above mentioned Walking Dead has another one that just came out, Brubaker’s Captain America and Iron Fist runs are getting them, and that doesn’t even get into the fun old stuff that Dark Horse and Fantagraphics have been printing. Yeah they cost more up front but those nice oversized hardcovers with a few thousand pages of story are worth it… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-miss-comic-books-or-what-collections-should-i-be-reading/483106.md?page=2)