Comics, etc.

I have to agree, that the usability is horrible. They once had a huge discount on the price of the 12 month membership. I couldn't even figure out how to give them my money. I tried on several occasions to buy that 12 month membership, and could never figure it out. I was using the iPad app.

A_Unicycle wrote:

I didn't realize he wrote the new Thor! His Doctor Strange run was my absolute favourite of the ANAD Marvel stuff. I'll be very busy reading today

I quite agree! I was shocked how well-written and dense Aaron's Dr. Strange was. Definitely made me go back and give Aarons's other titles a new look.

2 issues in and loving Aaron's God Butcher story. If I get some downtime at work today, I'm going to fire up Unlimited and read some more. Feels eerily similar to Doctor Strange: Last Days of Magic though

While we're on the topic, has anyone read Hopeless's Doctor Strange? I'm not loving it as much as Aaron. At all. At this point I'm a little fed up with all of the Marvel crossovers, so diving straight into another multi-character event really soured the transition between writers for me. It also lost that wonderful, mystical art-style. While the new art is still gorgeous, it just aint the same dang it!

I bounced right off the Hopeless run.

Glad to know I'm not alone, I'll be dropping it next time I visit the local comic shop.

At least that leaves room for a new pull, thinking of grabbing the new Batman stuff with Snyder and Capullo -- I really enjoyed their New 52 Batman. It's the first series I've collected the entire TPB collection for!

Kirkman's 2004 Jubilee series is surprisingly good.

NathanialG wrote:
A_Unicycle wrote:

Usability is rubbish. I can't look up a single issue. I've had to google search the issue number, then go to the Marvel store, then start reading from there. Am I missing something?

I used to blame the app for this but I think the real culprit is the Marvel naming conventions. When I started looking at it that way it was easier to be more forgiving of the process.

Exactly. As best I can tell it's the same DB that powers the one on their website. It really feels at times like they just have an intern responsible for handling the data rather than giving it to someone who actually cares and wants people to be able to find stuff.

RawkGWJ wrote:

I have to agree, that the usability is horrible. They once had a huge discount on the price of the 12 month membership. I couldn't even figure out how to give them my money. I tried on several occasions to buy that 12 month membership, and could never figure it out. I was using the iPad app.

Subs are handled through Marvel.com. To the best of my knowledge, the app is just a CBR reader and doesn't really have any account management features.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

The final issue of Letter 44 came out, and since I've been "series waiting" it, I decided it was a fine time to dive in. Also, it appears Amazon Prime folks can read some trades free, and this is one of them, so it cost me nothing.

I only read the first issue, but it totally rocked my socks off. I was very much expecting to like it, as it has a number of themes I'm into.

Anyway, I hope to take it slowly enough that the final trade comes out before I need it (maybe I didn't way quite long enough), but we'll see what happens. I have been reading comics less frequently of late.

Well, I got very lucky in that I've been reading this REALLY slowly, and now almost all of the series is on sale on Comixology! To recap, Amazon Prime folks can get the first volume at Amazon for free, so do that if possible. Then come back to Comixology before July 10 because the other trades are $5 or $6 and the individual issues are 99 cents. The only two issues not discounted are the final two.

So I just finished Thor: God Butcher and adored it! I don't care much for Thor, but damn! That was some of the best comic writing I've seen from Marvel. Having 3 timelines interact could have been a mess had it been created by a less talented writer, but Aaron nailed it.

It was enough to bump up my monthly Unlimited subscription to a yearly. It's a really solid saving, and despite paying 130% due to the AUD->USD exchange rate, I feel I've more than got my money's worth.

Really impressed by the amount on offer here. After Planet Hulk and this, I'm in a bit of a slump -- any other recommendations?

I believe it was mentioned above, but Annihilation is a good cosmic event crossover. Hickman's Fantastic Four is really good. Fraction's Fantastic Four and FF (both from 2012) is a lot of fun.

A_Unicycle wrote:

So I just finished Thor: God Butcher and adored it! I don't care much for Thor, but damn! That was some of the best comic writing I've seen from Marvel. Having 3 timelines interact could have been a mess had it been created by a less talented writer, but Aaron nailed it.

It was enough to bump up my monthly Unlimited subscription to a yearly. It's a really solid saving, and despite paying 130% due to the AUD->USD exchange rate, I feel I've more than got my money's worth.

Really impressed by the amount on offer here. After Planet Hulk and this, I'm in a bit of a slump -- any other recommendations?

Secret Warriors
Brubraker and Fractions runs on Immortal Iron Fist and on Hawkeye
Vision
Ms Marvel
the Frankencastle run of Punisher

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is pretty much the cutest thing ever if thats what you are looking for.

Squirrel Girl. Never not Squirrel Girl.

Secret Warriors
Brubraker and Fractions runs on Immortal Iron Fist and on Hawkeye

I like all of those as well, and like Hemi said, Hickman's Fantastic Four & FF. That is one of the best superhero runs of all time, imho. I need to read it again just to make sure my over the top praise is justified, but I absolutely loved it at the time, and it mixed great comics writing with great, meaningful writing, period.

Wolverine & The X-Men
Superior Spider-man is good although I haven't finished it
Matt Fraction's run on Hawkeye is a must-read if you haven't done so yet

All of these have been good suggestions so far. Also:

All of Dan Slott's Amazing Spider-man run (including Superior).
Speaking of Slott, Silver Surfer is fantastic.
Aaron's Thor run (you can amend that to literally any Aaron run in the last 5 years)
Journey into Mystery (read this first)
KG's Darth Vader (really)
Duggan's Deadpool run is surprisingly great, with as much heart as Kelley's original.
Speaking of which, Spider-man/Deadpool is wonderful.
Aaron's Dr. Strange run
Magneto (again, really)
Mockingbird is f*cking GREAT.
Patsy Walker AKA HELLCAT
Spider-Woman is also pretty good.
Considering my avatar and literally everyone already repping it, I don't think I need to mention Hawkeye and Immortal Iron Fist but I am again because you should read it.
Brubaker's Cap run
Brubaker's Daredevil
Bendis' Daredevil
and

Dryden wrote:

Squirrel Girl. Never not Squirrel Girl.

shoptroll wrote:

Superior Spider-man is good although I haven't finished it

the conclusion is heavily interwoven with the Spider-Verse crossover event.

..which is pretty awesome!

---
my last read was Marvel 1602 which was interesting but didn't really feel like something written by Gaiman.

Wow, huge response! I recognize some of those series as personal favourites so I'm sure we have similar views on what makes for a fun read! To pick out a few of the above:

Superior Spider-man
: This was great. I know there are very mixed opinions out there, but I thought it was very interesting to see Spider-Man's powers used with brutality and personal gain in mind. I was on the edge of my seat reading it. I find Slott's current Spider-Man a bit dull, though. I've actually dropped it from my pull list at the local comic shop.

Spider-man/Deadpool I'm super iffy on Deadpool. Sometime's he's amazing, other times he's a meme-spouting joke of a character which makes me groan. Spidey/Deadpool occasionally straddles the line, but I very much enjoyed it. I dropped it a few months ago when the guest writers kept popping in to de-rail the story. I'm very, very interested to see how the Itsy Bitsy story progressed since I've been gone.

Aaron's Dr. Strange run Heck yes. This and Thor may have cemented him as a favourite writer of mine.

Matt Fraction's run on Hawkeye I've had a friend bug me to read this, so it's definitely on my list. Cheers!

Vision WAS THE BEST SERIES OF ANAD. This should go down as a modern classic, imo.

Of the lot, Fantastic Four really intrigue me. I've never given them any attention, but seeing a few mentions of Hickman's run here and there, and two GWJers reccomending it means I'll probably jump in sooner rather than later. Crossing my fingers for some DOOM.

Thanks guys! Seriously wow. Lots to read, and for under 10 bucks a month? I'm a very happy camper.

It's definitely in need of an update, but here's CBH's Best of MU page which has plenty of jumping off points to more recommendations

oilypenguin wrote:

Brubaker's Cap run

I also liked his Winter Soldier run in 2012. It's good if you're in the mood for a little Marvel espionage thriller.

Brubaker's Daredevil
Bendis' Daredevil

What I've read of Waid's run during Marvel Now 1.0 was quite good too.

A_Unicycle wrote:

Of the lot, Fantastic Four really intrigue me. I've never given them any attention, but seeing a few mentions of Hickman's run here and there, and two GWJers reccomending it means I'll probably jump in sooner rather than later. Crossing my fingers for some DOOM.

Matt Fraction's FF and Fantastic Four are also a fun read

shoptroll wrote:
A_Unicycle wrote:

Of the lot, Fantastic Four really intrigue me. I've never given them any attention, but seeing a few mentions of Hickman's run here and there, and two GWJers reccomending it means I'll probably jump in sooner rather than later. Crossing my fingers for some DOOM.

Matt Fraction's FF and Fantastic Four are also a fun read

Oh, and that reminds me. Dan Slott's Thing and She-Hulk limited serieses are tremendous fun. Though for Shulkie I'd say just do the limited series then stop. The ongoing that follows is nice, but quickly gets caught up in Marvel's usual crossover bs.

Forgot one other recommendation: Kieron Gillen's Young Avengers run

Dryden wrote:
shoptroll wrote:
A_Unicycle wrote:

Of the lot, Fantastic Four really intrigue me. I've never given them any attention, but seeing a few mentions of Hickman's run here and there, and two GWJers reccomending it means I'll probably jump in sooner rather than later. Crossing my fingers for some DOOM.

Matt Fraction's FF and Fantastic Four are also a fun read

Oh, and that reminds me. Dan Slott's Thing and She-Hulk limited serieses are tremendous fun. Though for Shulkie I'd say just do the limited series then stop. The ongoing that follows is nice, but quickly gets caught up in Marvel's usual crossover bs.

There's a Spidey/Torch book he did as well. It's excellent. Essentially, you can't go wrong with Dan Slott.

shoptroll wrote:

Forgot one other recommendation: Kieron Gillen's Young Avengers run

Oh sh*t. Yes. Yes this. Good call.

I just finished Year 1 through Year 5 of Injustice and it blew me away. This is the ultimate What If? story in the DC universe. Don't let the "prequel to a video game" thing throw you off. It's grand.

We all forgot NEXTWAVE!!

Here's a thing to throw some money at, if you fancy.

It's 2017--well after the "trans tipping point," or whatever--and yet to our knowledge, there hasn't been an anthology of comics written, drawn, and edited entirely by transgender creators.

We want to change that—and that’s why we’re asking for your help.

WE’RE STILL HERE, edited by Tara Avery and Jeanne Thornton, contains fifty-five stories by fifty-five different creators (or creative teams), all of us trans, and all of us telling stories that range from fiction to nonfiction, escapist fantasy to slice-of-life memoir and back again. Here you'll find all the hit trans content you crave: the weird stuff, the stuff that goes to uncomfortable places, the stuff that highlights little-known kinks and contradictions in the trans experience, and most importantly, the stories about trans people having a good, maybe sad time.

Big talk! But what does it mean in practice? Here's a sampling of the stories in We're Still Here:

An evening discussing the terrors of Donald Trump at a Japanese bar for trans men
A trans woman uses MDMA (with complex results)
A trans woman visits her grandmother for Christmas (with complex results)
Visual essay on sex work, trans masculinity, and testosterone
A practical guide to using paganism to navigate workplace terror
Trans women pilot giant robots with impeccable synch ratios
Toxic masculinity haunts a friendship between a butch lesbian and trans man
A devotional essay about angels beyond gender or understanding
Two trans women named Sweetness and Lightning blow up a car, watch Akira, and live happily ever after
If none of these appeal to you, that's okay: we’ve assembled roughly 300 pages of stories from creators both emerging and established, all of them driven by effective narrative, gorgeous art, and sardonic whimsy. We intend this to be the gateway drug to trans comics: a gathering of creators that represents many of the divergent roads that trans comics in the twenty-first century might take.

We would like this anthology to be swiftly made obsolete by many, many others like it! But the first step is to get this one done, and for that, we need your help!

I'm in for a paper copy myself...even though the postage cost and terrible exchange rate is KILLER right now D: OH WELL. Worth it.

I just finished Titans/Teen Titans/Deathstroke crossover. The Lazarus Contract was pretty good up until the end, which felt kind of abrupt. I've got to say, the more of Deathstroke I'm reading, the more I'm loving it. At some point I'm going to have to go back and start from Rebirth 1 again.

The only DCU comic I'm reading currently is Deathstroke. I'm waiting for trades on everything else. Anyone else reading something that they'd want to trade digital codes with? I had forgotten about this until reading Lazarus. Actually kind of annoyed me because Titans, TT, and the special all came with codes, but because Deathstroke was still bi-monthly there's no code for part 3.

Chew is on sale on Comixology. If you haven't, you should!

So many good suggestions to check out. My comics pile is outgrowing my games pile rapidly.

I grew up (90s - 00s) reading a ton of Marvel, and never really got into DC. I played Batman Arkham Knight this past spring, and it got me interested in digging into Batman's history. Since then I've gone through The Killing Joke, The Dark Knight Returns, Year One, Hush, The Long Holloween, and Dark Victory, and currently starting in on the Knightfall volumes. I've been surprised how much I have enjoyed them. I haven't read superhero books in a few years, guess it was time to jump back in.

Any recommendations on other Batman books / writer runs?

You've read a lot of the great ones already!

I really enjoyed Scott Snyder's New 52 Batman. Court of Owls, especially, is incredible. The entire run is great, but that first story stands above the rest. I believe it's told over volume 1 and 2.

Snyder also does the current All-Star Batman, which is like a condensed "premium" series. I absolutely adore it. Definitely pick up My Own Worst Enemy.

Currently, Tom King is on Batman and he's doing some interesting things. It's a very different approach, but I think it's worth reading. The first arc has been collected in TPB form, but I'm not sure about the rest. It's one of those runs that gets much better over time. It starts off a bit bland, but you'll want the context of the first few issues if you intend to follow it through.

A_Unicycle wrote:

You've read a lot of the great ones already!

I really enjoyed Scott Snyder's New 52 Batman. Court of Owls, especially, is incredible. The entire run is great, but that first story stands above the rest. I believe it's told over volume 1 and 2.

I second this simply for Capullo's art alone, which is amazing. I wasn't so taken with Snyder's writing and plotting, though I loved the concept of The Court of Owls.

Spoiler:

In particular, I minded the hoary tropes such as normally unsurvivable wounds and omniscient enemies who, when needed, are not so omniscient and actually easy to overcome. But it's a fascinating run.

http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2...

Just randomly Googled that. One thing it lists that you should check out is Batman: Arkham Asylum. It's a one-sitting read with amazing, very different art.

I also wholeheartedly recommend Gotham Central. It's not really a Batman book, but he is a recurring character, and it's completely fantastic.