Recommended comics for the newb

[Buff]

So, I've come to PJ to try becoming a (better) artist. I have a lot of work to do and am compiling my reference books, sketching pads, pencils, etc... to get on my way. Since I would like to draw "comic style" figures and the like, I figure it'd be good to actually start reading/collecting books. I have about 40 or so I've accumulated randomly over the years ranging from Wolverine to Nightwing to Rising Stars. I never really got into it as much as I wish I had now.

Now I would like to start. Nothing crazy. I'm not going to get buy 15 titles each month, but I'd like to start reading some of the books that are out now, not only for the enjoyment of the read/stories, but to help learn the styling and artform.

So, can I get some recommendations of good books to get started with? In general, I've been a fan of 'heroes' stories, but the thing that had always deterred me from really getting into them was the extreme amount of crossover between titles to follow the stories, esp in the case of X-Men stuff. I liked it, but I can't be picking up so many titles each month.

[ntholdenuk]

I'll help if I can. I can only go on what i like but here are a few suggestions.
Buy anything by Jim Lee. He's currently drawing Allstar Batman and Robin.
There is some nice art on the xmen books just now but they are rght in the middle of a big crossover.
Justice League is not bad. Good art.
Why not try some of Marvels Ultimate line. The trades are all readily available and the art has been solid in all the titles. With the first two volumes by Brian Hitch, probably one of the best artists around just now. The trades are easy to pick up.

Thers a few suggestions to get you started.

[Buff]

I'll check out the Marvel Ultimates (which I guess is different than The Ultimates, which seams to have been about CA, IronMan, etc... and was released in 2002?) and JLA as you suggested. I had read the trade paper back book of Kingdom Come last year and enjoyed it. Although, not being familiar with most of the characters, it was probably a bit lost on me.

btw...I absolutely LOVE world ending/apocalypse stories, disaster movies and the like. Anything in the comic world like that. ie. As bad as the movies are, i love Independence Day, Final Impact, The Day After Tomorrow, etc.... and The Stand is one of my all time favorite books. I am reading World War Z right now and like that as well.

[lost-spartan]

I would suggest picking up trades over singles as you will get more content for your money, as well as allow you to catch up on great stories or arcs you may have missed. These are some of my fav trades that I would recommend picking up.

• Invincible Vol. 1-8 by Kirkman/Walker/Ottley

• Sleeper Vol. 1-4 by Brubaker/Philips

• Captain America Vol. 1-6 by Brubaker/Epting/Lark/Perkins

• Daredevil Vol. 4-7,9-13 by Bendis/Maleev

• Marvel Knights Spiderman Vol. 1-3 by Millar/Dodson/Cho

• Hellboy Vol. 1-6 by Mignola

• Astonishing X-men Vol. 1-3 by Whedon/Cassaday

• The Amazing Spiderman Vol. 1-7 by Straczynski/Romita Jr.

• DMZ Vol. 1-3 by Wood/Burchelli

• Batman: Long Halloween by Loeb/Sale

• Gotham Central Vol. 1-3 by Rucka/Brubaker/Lark

[Shishio]

You're better off taking a course and/or buying books that explain how the medium works, Like Understanding and Making Comics by Scott McCloud, and Eisner's books, and then just buy comics you enjoy.

[Buff]

thanks for all the recommendations Spartan. I'll take a look at some of those.

And Shishio, that's exactly what I am planning on doing. My xmas list had several anatomy and comic drawing/reference books.

[Popninja]

*coughcough*wrong forum*coughcough*

[DJ Kenobi]

Yup, I'm going to bump this over to the Break Room for general discussion. Comics Analysis is really more for reviews and, dare I say it, analysis. (also, it will probably get more responses in the BR)

[weirdozhead]

Dark Knight Returns

Essential X-Men Vol 2-7

Any Neil Adams Batman or Avengers

Daredevil Visionaries - Frank Miller

[sdowner]

Darwyn Cooke's Will Eisner's The Spirit. I can't recommend this highly enough, and the hardcover of the first six issues just came out in October. Get it while you can!