Do you buy comic books?

That’s my question for you today. Do you buy comic books? If so, why? What keeps you coming back each month to each book you buy?

I’ve stated on many occasions that I’m an avid X-Men fan and each month I come back to my X-books knowing that the story is going to go forward to something great–and also, small hopes that Gambit will make an appearance. Marvel has (pretty much) had solid writing on the part of X-Men for the last 10 years or so and since I started picking up single issues instead of trades (which started roughly a year and a half ago) I’ve been buying at least one X-book a month because they’re that good. Of course, as of right now I’m buying almost all the X-books (Uncanny X-Men, X-Force, X-Factor, X-Men: Legacy, Cable)… because I’m a super nerd.

But I also pick up a lot of non-X-books.

Invincible Iron Man, for instance, is a book I’ve been buying since I read the first issue of “World’s Most Wanted.” Combining the art of Salvador Larroca and the writing of Matt Fraction, the 12 issue story arc has kept me wanting more and more each month. Both the plot and the art are above and beyond what I ever thought possible for a story focused on Iron Man. This is one of the books I’m going to classify as “I’m glad I started reading/buying when I did.”

Incredible Hercules. I have been reading Incredible Hercules since it’s first issue after World War Hulk, but I didn’t start buying it until issue #125 or so. Since then, I have bought the back issues of the comic (back to #112). This is a comic that when I read it, I don’t want it to end. The story and the writing in general is simply fantastic. It drives the comic beyond what I would ever expect from a Marvel comic. It’s strange to say, but this comic is so good, I’m surprised it hasn’t been canceled yet. Do you know what I mean?

Marvel aside, I do grab some DC/Vertigo comics as well as some independents.

Detective Comics. This is the one comic book I never thought I’d see myself reading a year ago. To me Detective Comics and Action Comics are the definitive DC comics and a year ago I wanted nothing to do with DC. I was a fool. On a whim I picked up Detective Comics #854 after a buddy of mine recommended it to me. This is another one of those “I’m glad I started reading/buying when I did” comics as I can not stop loving every piece of this comic. The art alone keeps me coming back each month.

The Vertigo comic I read right now that keeps me wanting more each month is DMZ. A comic I started buying back around issue #35, I wish I owned #1-34 because Brian Wood’s story is just fan-flipping-tastic. This is probably the best non-super-hero comic I have ever read in my life. Period.

Outside of Robert Kirkman’s plethora of sexy-time comic books, I read some random independent comics because I always like to try out the indie publishers here and there to see if there is greatness out there. Warren Ellis‘ torrent of comics that he releases tend to keep me buying every month (most recently Supergod and Ignition City), Garth Ennis‘ Crossed, and Mark Waid’s Irredeemable keep me wanting more every month. With these indie comics, it’s a sick hunger I get for more story each month. Wendigo style.

There are a few others in there I buy but the comics above are the ones I always look forward to the most. But again, I have to know, why do you buy comics? What keeps you coming back to your favorite titles? Let me know in the comments.

New Avengers #50 Cover

I’ve been contemplating the difference between a great and a good comic lately. You’ll probably notice that we tend to write pretty positive reviews on this site. For me, this is because I really only read comics that I like. I stopped reading The Eternals after 1 issue cause it sucked. Despite being a Marvel book and in continuity, I just couldn’t put myself through it. It’s not worth my time when there are plenty of other comics that are.

That said, however, I do read quite a few comics that are just “ok”. These are the comics that are interesting and enjoyable in their own right, but sometimes just seem like a chore to read. These are the comics that automatically go to the bottom of your weekly read pile. These are the comics that, when you look at the release list for the week, you don’t feel even a little tingle of excitement for. And that, my friends, is the topic of this editorial.

(more…)

“The story of a *child* rocketed to Earth from a doomed planet…”

“In brightest day, in darkest night, no evil shall escape our sight…”

Yeah? Prove it.

“Criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot, so my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts. I must be a creature of the night, black, terrible…”

“Flash Fact.”

Just writing these phrases gave me chills. As I sit here, eating my 7-11 banana, my mind boggles at the wealth of powerful story material that DC Comics has to work with and play with. Truly iconic figures and an army of beloved (and lovingly behated) supporting characters, all with strong character traits and flaws, are available to work with and mingle across the entire DC Universe.

So why, I ask you, are comic fans getting stuck with a dead Batman that we have already been assured will come back with nary a scratch, two simultaneous summer events that have nothing to do with each other, one of which is essentially a serialized Elseworld, and story lines that, when set side by side, contradict each other without validation or explanation?

(more…)

Originally posted on MikeRapin.com

Despite my normally going to the comic shop on Wednesday to pick up comics, I hit up the comic shop a total of three times this week.

Why? Well because 1) Tommy asked me to go on Tuesday, 2) Wednesday was new-comic-book-day and 3) Amra/Jared/Tommy wanted to go on Saturday.

So there I was, at Tardy’s and the four of us has been looking around at comics for a good 45 minutes or so talking it up and such when, as everyone was seriously ready to leave, I notice something… I noticed DC’s Justice Society of America Kingdom Come tie-in for Superman.

(more…)

We were the Avengers!!

Just wanted to say Happy [late] Halloween from us at DestroyTheCyb.org! I, along with some of my fellow writers and friends, dressed up and some of Marvel’s greats:

Top Row:

• Jeff – Thor
• Stevel – Captain America
• Me (Mike) – Hulk

Bottom Row:

• Rob – Nick Fury
• Nick – Wolverine

I hope you all had a great Halloween and I hope you showed your love for comics as well!

Post pictures if you have em!

To take a page from the posts of Fantastic Fan Girls, I am finishing off my series this month on favorites–though next week I may do something crazy–I want to discuss my favorite ongoing comic book series.

Before I reveal the great mystery that is my favorite, I really have to say this was a toughie. I think what I gauge my choice on is obvious: writing style, ability to keep interest, comedic effect (for me, this is always a plus), and art styling. In this case, it’s a series I’ve been reading since issue #1, and wouldn’t you guess it, it’s not even a Marvel title.

For me, my favorite ongoing series is: Invincible.

**spoilers of Invincible #1-55 will most likely be abound**

(more…)