What comics are you reading now?

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:36 pm

slym2none wrote:
Chiclo wrote:
slym2none wrote:I am actually going to attempt starting the reading of my stack of 3-year-old comics. I'm wondering if I should read each title through, or go month-by-month and read an issue of Uncanny, an issue of X-Men, and then an issue of Wolverine. Then again, House Of M is right in the middle of all of these (and I have the HOM mini-series to read as well) so I might just read them through up to this point, and then take it from there.

So, 3 years later, how important is/was House Of M???

-slym
Very important. Still comes up. Draws heavily from Avengers Disassembled and plays big into Civil War.

As long as you know what happens at the end of House of M (which they mention like every month) you will be pretty well caught up. Much like Age of Apocalypse, most of it happens in an alternate timeline and doesn't really affect the rest of the continuity - except the way it ends.
Is the reading order of the titles I have important, or is it even obvious???

-slym

For the time period you've mentioned, I don't think there's much crossover between those titles. You could read the three books up to House of M however you want, House of M and then you are free from there.

If you have the 12 issue Excalibur series, that one really plays the most as set up for House of M, mostly because it's where you see all the major players end up together. For Uncanny, X-Men and Wolverine it probably just comes out of left field.

After House of M, the titles fragment again until Messiah Complex, which is after where I understand you quit buying the books.

(adjectiveless) X-Men from issues 188 to 200 has the X-Men team line-up that I have enjoyed the most in any X-book ever. The 2007(?) annual also falls into that run. I particularly enjoyed the diversity in commitment to Xavier's vision featured in that grouping.

Knightt · Post by **Knightt** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:41 pm

I just look at the stories like Civil War, World War Hulk, House of M as just some obligitory summer mega mini series in which any titles that you may be reading will show up in. Yes, CW and HoM changed things but as they had the 'checklist' that swept through titlesl, they still felt like they were far away at times. To be honest, I am so disgusted with Marvel these days... it is a wonder that I just don't chuck the whole thing and just read DUs and enjoy comics like I USED enjoy comics.

There are a few titles out there that draw my attention every month but this things like CW and HoM are (to me) an excuse to arouse the attention of 'THE NEXT BIG EVENT EVENT EVENT EVENT EVENT of the summer with 'overarching effects' that will change the Marvel Universe as we KNOW IT !!!! And then the last issue turns out to be a turd.

It is a bad time for Marvel, I think.

DC ? I only read Batman and Detective Comics and even THOSE these days, I dont have an idea of what is really going on.

Knightt · Post by **Knightt** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:43 pm

Chiclo wrote:the titles fragment again until Messiah Complex, which is after where I understand you quit buying the books.

Yep, I've stopped reading ALL X titles or Wolverine titles due to the leadup and actuality of these events. I really do not like where these books are right now. The only book I glance through is X-Force and that is because it is pretty bloody.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:27 pm

I have an Excalibur HOM issue, the first issue of "Spider-Man HOM" and the first issue of "The 198."

Guess I should look to fill in at least the other Excal's and the 198's???

-slym

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:34 pm

slym2none wrote:I have an Excalibur HOM issue, the first issue of "Spider-Man HOM" and the first issue of "The 198."

Guess I should look to fill in at least the other Excal's and the 198's???

-slym

Not at all essential but help flesh out the story.

I refer to the Excalibur series that preceded the House of M Crossover. But now that I think about it, the last few issues might have had the House of M brand on them.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:42 pm

Chiclo wrote:
slym2none wrote:I have an Excalibur HOM issue, the first issue of "Spider-Man HOM" and the first issue of "The 198."

Guess I should look to fill in at least the other Excal's and the 198's???

-slym
Not at all essential but help flesh out the story.

I refer to the Excalibur series that preceded the House of M Crossover. But now that I think about it, the last few issues might have had the House of M brand on them.

It's Excal #14, and it says "House Of M Prelude" on it.

So, "The 198" isn't essential?

-slym (apologises for all the questions)

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:59 pm

I don't think the 198 is essential.

It's been a few years and I can't recall the finer details.

Honestly, I can't even remember what was in it. Mostly just coping with the fallout of House of M.

(I am pointedly avoiding saying what happens even though I am sure you've already heard it)

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:27 pm

I honestly don't know a thing about what happened. I don't even know what House Of M is about. I heard that '198' is about the fact that there is 198 mutants left in the world, or something to that effect.

Guess I will find out when I read 'em...

-slym

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:33 pm

its a ok read a little confusing though

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:46 pm

Well, I just read (and I mean JUST READ, got done a minute ago) Giant Sized X-Men #3 & 4.

What a rip-off... one ULTRA-short story per issue, then reprints. The Joss Whedon story wasn't even original from GS #3, I don't know how many times that kind of story has been written about Wolverine. And the Neal Adams art wasn't all that good (maybe he's another one, like J. Byrne,) that shouldn't ink himself.

The Claremont story in #4 was pretty good, reminded me of old Chris C., but again - VERY short.

That makes me cross... I spent $10 on two short stories! The back-up reprint stories I already own the original issues of.

-slym

Doorman · Post by **Doorman** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:49 pm

I thought House of M was pretty lame ...but, I'd recommend the Civil War and/or Secret Invasion series, lead-ups and crossovers.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:54 pm

Doorman wrote:I thought House of M was pretty lame ...but, I'd recommend the Civil War and/or Secret Invasion series, lead-ups and crossovers.

Heh - I only have 3 issues of each title past "Decimation," the end of House Of M. After that, I quit buying new issues altogether and haven't looked back.

Yes, 4-1/2 year old comics that I am just now reading three years later.

-slym

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:33 pm

slym2none wrote:I honestly don't know a thing about what happened. I don't even know what House Of M is about. I heard that '198' is about the fact that there is 198 mutants left in the world, or something to that effect.

Guess I will find out when I read 'em...

-slym

Ah, so you know what happens in House of M.

You should be ok reading whatever you want whenever you want.

Brother J · Post by **Brother J** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:15 am

slym2none wrote:Well, I just read (and I mean JUST READ, got done a minute ago) Giant Sized X-Men #3 & 4.

What a rip-off... one ULTRA-short story per issue, then reprints. The Joss Whedon story wasn't even original from GS #3, I don't know how many times that kind of story has been written about Wolverine. And the Neal Adams art wasn't all that good (maybe he's another one, like J. Byrne,) that shouldn't ink himself.

The Claremont story in #4 was pretty good, reminded me of old Chris C., but again - VERY short.

That makes me cross... I spent $10 on two short stories! The back-up reprint stories I already own the original issues of.

-slym

yep, I agree that those recent Giant Size X-Men books were a ripoff, and I know a local shop that got stuck with a ton of them, unsold. He is blowing them out in his $1 bins.

dave · Post by **dave** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:05 pm

400yrs wrote:
Elveen wrote: what about Stan Sakai's Yoshumbe Uojimbo (or whatever), good for kids?
No, I wouldn't read it to my kids.

Really? i let my kids read 'em all the time. i don't think they're objectionable in the least.

what didn't you like 400?

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:19 pm

Just read the original Books Of Magic miniseries. I liked it. I really liked it, especially the way it wove familiar characters in and out of the story. I might have to hunt down the rest of the collections for the main story.

Eternalwarrior68 · Post by **Eternalwarrior68** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:37 pm

400yrs wrote:
Eternalwarrior68 wrote: Elveen: Usagi Yojimbo is an excellent book. I would recommend reading an issue and deciding for yourself if you think it is appropriate for younger kids. Teenagers might be an appropriate age IMO

If anyone hasnt read Usagi, you really should its very cool.
I guess I should explain my "no" answer.

Some issues would be fine to read with kids, but it's spotty.

It is cartoony, but it does have death in it from fighting and it has demons. It's all cartoony death and demons, but I wouldn't want to explain what's going on to anyone younger than.... I don't know 10 or 11.

I agree it has some very kid friendly issues but most have deaths and demons.

400yrs · Post by **400yrs** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:57 pm

Eternalwarrior68 wrote:
400yrs wrote:
Eternalwarrior68 wrote: Elveen: Usagi Yojimbo is an excellent book. I would recommend reading an issue and deciding for yourself if you think it is appropriate for younger kids. Teenagers might be an appropriate age IMO

If anyone hasnt read Usagi, you really should its very cool.
I guess I should explain my "no" answer.

Some issues would be fine to read with kids, but it's spotty.

It is cartoony, but it does have death in it from fighting and it has demons. It's all cartoony death and demons, but I wouldn't want to explain what's going on to anyone younger than.... I don't know 10 or 11.
I agree it has some very kid friendly issues but most have deaths and demons.

Yeah. I wouldn't really want to explain Jei (the possessed / demon) to my 4 year old. Or the random dudes who die with their tongues hanging out and stuff. I guess it's ok for kids, but I'd like mine to be a little older before they see that stuff. They show some pretty bad stuff on Nick, Disney and whatnot, but not really death / possession stuff.

I wouldn't think less of anyone for them letting their kids read it. I just wouldn't let mine. I give my daughter stuff like Muppets comics to look at.

dave · Post by **dave** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:42 am

400yrs wrote:
Eternalwarrior68 wrote:
400yrs wrote:
Eternalwarrior68 wrote: Elveen: Usagi Yojimbo is an excellent book. I would recommend reading an issue and deciding for yourself if you think it is appropriate for younger kids. Teenagers might be an appropriate age IMO

If anyone hasnt read Usagi, you really should its very cool.
I guess I should explain my "no" answer.

Some issues would be fine to read with kids, but it's spotty.

It is cartoony, but it does have death in it from fighting and it has demons. It's all cartoony death and demons, but I wouldn't want to explain what's going on to anyone younger than.... I don't know 10 or 11.
I agree it has some very kid friendly issues but most have deaths and demons.
Yeah. I wouldn't really want to explain Jei (the possessed / demon) to my 4 year old. Or the random dudes who die with their tongues hanging out and stuff. I guess it's ok for kids, but I'd like mine to be a little older before they see that stuff. They show some pretty bad stuff on Nick, Disney and whatnot, but not really death / possession stuff.

I wouldn't think less of anyone for them letting their kids read it. I just wouldn't let mine. I give my daughter stuff like Muppets comics to look at.

haven't read the demon possession one...from what i've seen most of the deaths are done nearly off screen with just their spirit shown drifting off-i'll have to be a bit more careful with some of the stories. there's one i really like where everyone is trying to get their hands on this package that is said to be the most priceless gift ever. turns out to be a Bible. i was pretty shocked, don't see that many positive stories regarding the Bible outside of religious books.

on a side note, i just have to share this. my 12 year old son just informed me that he has always been terrified of the muppets. he kept it a secret, but he was so scared of them, that he threw away a hotwheel car that reminded him of the car that kermit and fozzie bear ride around in during the muppet movie. i was so shocked. now i know why he never wanted to watch muppet Christmas carol and stuff when i played it every year. who knew?

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:46 am

dave wrote: there's one i really like where everyone is trying to get their hands on this package that is said to be the most priceless gift ever. turns out to be a Bible. i was pretty shocked, don't see that many positive stories regarding the Bible outside of religious books.

Dave do you remember which issue # that was. I gotta get that.

dave · Post by **dave** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:48 am

i'm at the library right now, i will go up and check for ya!

i got it in a tpb....

i thought of you when i read it. i also love it when i can show my wife something and say, see, it's not all drivel!

It's a story called Contraband. It can be found in tpb #20 which is titled Glimpses of Death.

it's a great story. i love his story telling, great pacing. the art is so great too. and it's cool that he seems to be such a nice guy too!

Elveen · Post by **Elveen** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:02 am

dave wrote:i'm at the library right now, i will go up and check for ya!

i got it in a tpb....

i thought of you when i read it. i also love it when i can show my wife something and say, see, it's not all drivel!

It's a story called Contraband. It can be found in tpb #20 which is titled Glimpses of Death.

it's a great story. i love his story telling, great pacing. the art is so great too. and it's cool that he seems to be such a nice guy too!

A great guy.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I'll get a copy of TPB #20 for the man himself at SDCC this year. Lat year I saw him signing and remarking books that people bought.

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:10 pm

dark avengers has been ok so far

dave · Post by **dave** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:50 pm

Elveen wrote:
dave wrote:i'm at the library right now, i will go up and check for ya!

i got it in a tpb....

i thought of you when i read it. i also love it when i can show my wife something and say, see, it's not all drivel!

It's a story called Contraband. It can be found in tpb #20 which is titled Glimpses of Death.

it's a great story. i love his story telling, great pacing. the art is so great too. and it's cool that he seems to be such a nice guy too!

A great guy.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I'll get a copy of TPB #20 for the man himself at SDCC this year. Lat year I saw him signing and remarking books that people bought.

you know what, why not give him a heads up and have him bring all the AO for the story to the show. then i'll split it with ya!

nice...

oh, and i just read teh first tpb of fables.

great introduction to a series-it didn't even seem like an intro, you know what i mean?

Phantom · Post by **Phantom** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:56 pm

werewolf by night 32.

Interesting how different Marvel and DC are.
I have only read a handfull of Marvel issues, and none from that era. SO different from the story writing and presentation than DC.

Or maybe its just me.
(hey that ryhmes).