This weekend was my five-year anniversary writing She Has No Head! – incredible, right? I cannot believe how time
has flown by.
Anyway, thinking about just getting started on things and being new to something reminded me of discovering comics when I was a teenager. The joy an frustration of fumbling through the dark with no idea what I should be reading (I’m old, the Internet was barely a glimmer in the most advanced readers eyes!).
My eventual comic book shop was helpful, but it took me a while to find the right shop…and even then I felt enough like a stranger in a strange land for a time that it took some time to start having actual conversations about comics with anyone other than my younger brother who was as in the dark as I was (though he remains my favorite person to talk about comics with). What I would have given for a road map!
However, as mentioned above, I’m old, so comics were a lot cheaper and it wasn’t the end of the world to waste a buck or so on a crappy comic. Today, with a few indie exceptions, even the cheapest comics will cost you $2.99…and that’s a lot to risk on a comic.
Thanks to my gig here (and my reviewing on CBR) I get asked for comic recommendations (usually for female friendly titles) by readers and "want to be readers" all the time. So I thought I’d pull those two ideas - being new and needing recommendations - together and do a post about what I’d read if I was a new reader with a minimal amount to invest in comics each month: $50.
Obvious revelation: MAN does $50 go fast. This was a PAINFUL list to make.
Here are the guidelines I used:
- Ongoing books only
- Female friendly (you know where you are, right?)
- Available digitally as well as print.
Let's get started, these are not in any particular order, except perhaps for this first one.
1. LAZARUS (Image) - $3.50
Greg Rucka (writer). Michael Lark (art). Santi Arcas (colors). Jodi Wynne (letters).
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Thriller
One Line Description: In a future where several crime families rule the world and each have a physically advanced brutally trained warrior, or Lazarus, representing them, Forever Carlyle is the Carlyle Lazarus and nothing is quite what she thinks it is.
Why It’s Great: When my boyfriend asked me recently what the best book I’m reading is, I thought for about twelve seconds and then said Lazarus with a nod of my head. And it was the right answer even after thinking about it for more than 12 seconds. Month after month Lazaurs delivers a smart, insightful, and emotional narrative that feels devastatingly real. It’s some of the best character development and world building I’ve ever seen in a comic and the slow build is paying off in an emotionally resonant arc as well as incredibly satisfying month to month reads. Lark and Arcas's visuals are devastatingly beautiful and sometimes just devastating. It also happens to be some of Greg Rucka’s best comics work to date, which is impressive to say the least.
2. GOTHAM ACADEMY (DC) - $2.99
Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher (writers). Karl Kerschl (art). Geyser, Dave McCaig, John Rauch (colors). Steve Wands (letters).
Genre: YA Mystery
One Line Description: In Gotham City there’s an exclusive boarding school called Gotham Academy where mysteries unfold and hijinks ensue for our lead Olive, who carries a heavy secret and her plucky pseudo sidekick, Maps.
Why It’s Great: Gotham Academy is just what DC Comics needs right now, something that is both light and joyous, while still carrying the quintessential darkness of a book set in Gotham – it’s a delicate line but Gotham Academy is perfectly pitched. Cloonan and Fletcher effortlessly capture the tone of a Gotham Hogwarts of sorts-- and Kerschl’s art is wonderfully expressive and stunningly beautiful. Bonus points for being easy to jump onto (they’re only on issue #2) and perfect for new comics readers while also being filled with details that will delight longtime Bat-readers.
3. WYTCHES (IMAGE) - $2.99
Scott Snyder (writer). Jock (art). Matt Hollingsworth (colors). Clem Robbins (letters).
Genre: Horror
One Line Description: After the disappearance and presumed death of a girl that was bullying her, Sailor and her family have moved to New Hampshire where they find themselves caught even deeper into supernatural mysteries and horrors.
Why It’s Great: Only two issues in, now is the time to jump on board Snyder and Jock’s horror tale, all the more disturbing for its reality laced with supernatural terrors. Snyder and Jock pull no punches, and the first issue alone was devastating in its delivery (including gut wrenching cliffhanger). There’s a lot going on in just these two issues, but you can feel all the threads already pulling together and aligning into a brilliantly frightening master plan. Bonus points to get on board now as Wytches has already been optioned by Hollywood and will surely make for a terrifying film…but see it here first!
4. BLACK WIDOW (MARVEL) - $3.99
Nathan Edmondson (writer). Phil Noto (art). Phil Noto (colors). Clayton Cowles (letters).
Genre: Spy/Superhero
One Line Description: Natasha Romanov is the most dangerous woman in the world and when she’s not fighting alongside her superhero teammates the Avengers she’s working to set right wrongs and clear her conscience, often by doing impressive violence and being all around badass.
Why It’s Great: Natasha has always been both an incredibly complicated and layered woman – one with a not particularly stellar past – and Edmondson and Noto double down on the grey areas of Natasha’s life as she attempts to atone for a lifetime of…interesting choices. Natasha is, in addition to being a “squeaky clean” Avenger, also a killer of killers. The book pulls no punches about the grey areas of Natasha’s life and as a result it feels honest and real. Noto’s realistic, loose, kinetic style helps keep the book grounded and gives it an edge and emotionally nuance lacking in so many books today while Edmondson's embracing of Natasha's laconic nature helps effortless capture Natasha's voice.
5. LUMBERJANES (BOOM!) - $3.99
Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis (writers). Brooke Allen (art). Maarta Laiho (colors). Aubrey Aiese (letters).
Genre: YA Action Adventure/Comedy
One Line Description: At “Lumberjanes Camp,” a hilariously rambunctious group of friends go on adventures and solve mysteries, usually of the supernatural kind with boundless enthusiasm and a whole lotta girl power.
Why It’s Great: What the junk!? What a great book! Full of ridiculous unbridled energy and clear enthusiasm for just about everything, Lumberjanes is the answer to everything dour and dark and painfully unfun about so many comics. Like a breath of crazy fresh air, Lumberjanes is unlike almost anything else out there. With a slightly Adventure Time sensibility a heavy dose of supernatural and girl power it’s sort of impossible to deny the charm and infectiousness of this book. It also does a great job of being all-ages friendly but still enjoyable for adults, and we have far too few of those books these days, especially ongoings!
6. CAPTAIN MARVEL (Marvel) - $3.99
Kelly Sue DeConnick (writer). David Lopez (art). Lee Loughridge (colors). Joe Caramagna (letters).
Genre: Superhero
One Line Description: Carol Danvers is a pilot, superhero, and woman looking for her place in the world (or off it) as she deals with the fallout of recent traumatic injuries.
Why It’s Great: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again, especially if a company will let you! I supported Kelly Sue DeConnick’s first Captain Marvel series from 2012 and there was a lot to like there, the wobbly opening issues (an artist that didn’t quite work for the book’s tone and an overly complicated opening arc) made it easy for some to give up on the book even as it searched for (and found) its legs (and voice). So it was a huge relief when Marvel opted to give Captain Marvel another shot this time with a clearer vision and consistent art team. The result has been pretty magical and after years of inconsistency it feels like Carol is really finding a clear definitive voice (as well as a powerful advocate in DeConnick and hardcore fanbase in the Carol Corps). Bonus points if you have any interest in the Marvel Films…I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of DeConnick’s take on Carol is what ends up on the screen – it’s got too much humanity, heart, and humor to be ignored.
7. BATMAN (DC) - $3.99
Scott Snyder (writer). Greg Capullo (pencils). Danny Miki (inks). Fco Plascencia (colors). Steve Wands (letters).
Genre: Superhero
One Line Description: He’s the goddamn Batman...what else is there to know?
Why It’s Great: What can you say about Batman, DC comics does their level best to make sure he’s got the best and most interesting writers and artists and he’s got both right now with Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo at the helm. Snyder’s Batman book is dense and layered and full of smart choices and classically cool superhero stuff laced with a fair dose of horror and Capullo has overcome all potential naysayers (myself included) to deliver a consistently beautiful book with finely executed world building worthy of Synder’s sprawling tales.
Go to the next page for the next six comics on the list!
8. VELVET (Image) - $3.50
Ed Brubaker (writer). Steve Epting (art). Elizabeth Breitweizer (colors). Chris Eliopoulos (letters).
Genre: Spy Thriller
One Line Description: A former spy long ago turned invaluable executive assistant for her agency, Velvet is now on the run and utilizing all her rusty field skills to keep alive and unravel the mystery that threatens to end her.
Why It’s Great: This list is filled with interesting women of all types, however the only decidedly “older woman” on the list is Velvet. And the fact that Brubaker and Epting not only bring her to beautiful light but don’t run away from her age and instead embrace it and the fact that it makes her an anomaly is fantastic. Beautifully written with stunning, precise, and painstakingly detailed art (and colors to die for) Velvet has set itself apart from the pack in delicious ways. The Velvet character simply owns her book on every level – and the combination of accomplished badass and flawed, human, woman on the run is intoxicating. Some of Velvet’s fight scenes are the best I’ve seen in comics in years.
9. MS. MARVEL (Marvel) - $2.99
G. Willow Wilson (writer). Adrian Alphona (art). Ian Herring (colors). Joe Caramagna (letters).
Genre: YA Superheroes
One Line Description: Teenager Kamala Khan juggles being a Muslim teenager in New Jersey with emerging superpowers as she takes on the recently vacated title of Ms. Marvel.
Why It’s Great: Like the other YA skewing offerings here (Gotham Academy and Lumberjanes) Ms. Marvel is high on energy, enthusiasm, and the joy of being a superhero…mixed in with a fair amount of teenage drama. Less dark and brooding than Gotham Academy, and more grounded than Lumberjanes, Kamala Khan is an important hero and more than just because she ticks a whole lot of boxes we need (though she does). She’s a nuanced and wonderfully 3-dimensional character that leaps from the page immediately with heart and humor. Between Wilson’s fine character work and realistic exploration of a new superhero finding their footing and Alphona’s gorgeous interpretation of both Kamala and the world that surrounds her, this book is a pure joy to read.
10. THE WICKED + THE DIVINE (Image) - $3.50
Kieron Gillen (writer). Jamie McKelvie (art). Matthew Wilson (colors). Clayton Cowles (letters)
Genre: Superhero/Sci-Fi Fantasy
One Line Description: In a world where a pantheon of 12 Gods are reincarnated into humans to live impossibly large lives and then die within two years not to be reincarnated as humans again for 90 years, someone is messing with the formula...or something?
Why It’s Great: Gillen and McKelvie have long established themselves as a magical team. They brought that magic to indie/creator owned projects like Phonogram, and also to big corporate blockbusters (that felt anything but) like Young Avengers. Turning their talents back to creator-owned work with The Wicked + The Divine has left us with a surreal sci-fi fantasy with twinges of superheroes at the edges. Beautifully designed and illustrated, TW+TD is an exercise in subverting what is expected to wonderful results. TW+TD is just getting started (it's only three issues in) so it's a good time to get on board and catch up.
11. RACHEL RISING (Abstract) - $3.99
Terry Moore (writer). Terry Moore (artist). Terry Moore (letters).
Genre: Horror/Mystery
One Line Description: When Rachel wakes up no longer dead in her own grave it sets her on a bizarre and decidedly supernatural path full of witches, demons, and the evil secret of the small town where she was raised.
Why It’s Great: Moore has long been considered one of the indie comics greats and he’s had enough success (I assume mostly thanks to Strangers in Paradise) that it’s kept him working only on creator owned/indie work all these years. Rachel Rising is – for me – in a body of already impressive work, his most interesting and accomplished. His visuals are always gorgeous – rich in both consideration and execution and with a focus on character, expression, and body language that puts him at the absolute top of his field. However it’s his story that sets this work apart. Exploring the deeply disturbing heart of a town that once committed astounding atrocities, but is now generations later being punished by supernatural forces Moore finds fascinating grey area to mine and miraculously, a humorous through line to keep everything from plunging too deeply into darkness.
12. SEX CRIMINALS (Image) - $3.99
Matt Fraction (writer). Chip Zdarsky (art). Chip Zdarsky and Becka Kinzie (colors).
Genre: Surreal Action Comedy (for mature readers)
One Line Description: Utterly bizarre and joyously naughty this is the story of Suzie and John, two people who fall in love first because of and then perhaps in spite of their “special gift” (pssst…it’s that they can freeze time when they orgasm).
Why It’s Great: Though it’s a crazy premise set in an otherwise real world, thanks to fine character work by Fraction and great consistent visuals by Zdarsky the book is shockingly relatable and emotionally resonant. Though there’s a high interest in comedy (and it’s a deeply funny book) it’s the very real life struggles of Suzie and John’s relationship that grounds the book making it not just funny but important.
13. UNCANNY X-MEN (Marvel) - $3.99
Brian Michael Bendis (writer). Chris Bachalo (pencils). Tim Townsend, Mark Irwin, Jaime Mendoza and more (inks). Chris Bachalo and others (colors). Joe Caramagna (letters).
Genre: Superhero
One Line Description: The classic superhero team up with a bit of a dark edge, this version of the X-Men follows the pariah Cyclops and his increasingly large band of followers, including a promising new generation of mutants.
Why It’s Great: There’s probably always going to have to be an X-book on my pull list. Your mileage may vary but it’s what I cut my teeth on when it comes to both Superheroes and Comics…so first loves are tough to replace. As books and creative teams change, so does their quality, never more so is that true than with big books like the X-Men…especially when there are so many of them. For my money, right now, largely thanks to Bachalo’s incredible visuals month after month, Uncanny is the best of the X-Books. Though it gets drawn too much into the other books (thanks to crossovers/events/and Bendis writing a lot of other things that make it easy for him to drag this book into) I remain excited about this core cast, both the old schoolers who are kind of grouchy and super powerful and difficult and traumatized, as well as the new kids on the block. Though the latter often get the short end of the stick they are honestly intriguing, usually funny, well-designed and with weird enjoyable power sets. They are also traumatized but the contrast between angry damaged deeply traumatized adult superheroes still trying to do what’s right and newly traumatized young adult superheroes just trying to figure out what right is, and who they are, is hypnotic.
14. SAGA (Image) - $2.99
Brian K. Vaughan (writer). Fiona Staples (art). Fiona Staples (colors). Fiona Staples (letters).
Genre: Space Opera/Sci-Fi & Fantasy Adventure (for mature readers)
One Line Description: Told from the perspective of Hazel, a child of a Romeo & Juliet-esque paring from two warring races, while they’re on the run from just about everyone the book primarily follows the travels of Hazel and her parents but bounces around to all the magnificent characters tenuously (and not so tenuously) connected to the hunted threesome.
Why It’s Great: Easily one of the most influential and talked about comic books in recent years (and winner of 6 Eisners and a Hugo) and for good reason. Ambitious in its scope and characters and yet effortless in its storytelling and committed to playing the long game – one that allows meticulous, beautiful, and consistent visuals for the entire run (i.e. they go on hiatus every six issues) the book is a treat every month. Since Saga is temporarily on hiatus (they break every 6 issues) consider picking up Catwoman or Batgirl, both at good jumping on points only two issues into their “soft reboots” and both coming in at $2.99.
Notably missing is both Hawkeye, which though still as brilliant as ever (and frankly a must buy) has been missing in action for a few months (and is wrapping up soon) and She-Hulk, a wonderful book too soon cancelled. It’s wrapping up its last three issues over the next few months and I will savor each of them, but I left it off the list since it’s not a good investment for those with limited funds since it’s already cancelled.
SO. Grand total for the month…and yeah, you’ll have to dig through some couch cushions for that extra .39 cents is…$50.39
If you have $100 to spend? Well, now we can REALLY get somewhere. These are the books I’d add first and if you do your total will be $98.31:
How much do you spend each week? What makes your list? Do you have to make any painful cuts? How do you decide? Sound off in the comments!
Kelly Thompson is a freelance writer living in Manhattan. She is the author of the superhero novel THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING recently optioned to become a film, and her new novel STORYKILLER is out now. You can find Kelly all over the place, but twitter may be the easiest: @79semifinalist