Thinking of getting into comics

[Dean]

With a long summer ahead of me and not much in the way of entertainment I've been looking for ways of keeping myself occupied. I've mainly been gaming so far, but a few hours a day is usually enough. I also started some light reading now and again, which can get me really absorbed but sometimes I just can't be bother looking at page upon page of text.

I was having a look through Amazon for various things to keep me occupied when I came across their selection of comics or graphic novels and it seemed like just the thing I was looking for. I spotted The Walking Dead books and since I've seen and enjoyed a few episodes from the TV show I thought it might be worth a read.

A single book was costing me around £5 but then I noticed The Walking Dead Compendium for £25 which contains the first 48 issues. It's a pretty bulky book so I'm sure it would last a while but I've never really read any comics or graphic novels before so I'm not really sure which are worth reading.

Now that the back-story is over, I have some questions for anyone willing to answer:

1. Have you had any experience with comic books or graphic novels? If so, did you find them as enjoyable as you thought?

2. Which series or books would you recommend and why?

3. If you have seen the TV series of The Walking Dead and read some of the graphic novels, how do they compare?

4. Do you find reading comics or graphic novels to be in anyway more enjoyable than reading regular books?

Picture of The Walking Dead Compendium to give an idea of the size:

[Asandir]

1. Have you had any experience with comic books or graphic novels? If so, did you find them as enjoyable as you thought?

I read spiderman comics and I find them pretty good, I read Micky Mouse comics in the past, if that counts.

2. Which series or books would you recommend and why?

Spiderman or Marvel in general.

3. If you have seen the TV series of The Walking Dead and read some of the graphic novels, how do they compare?

Don´t know it, sorry.

4. Do you find reading comics or graphic novels to be in anyway more enjoyable than reading regular books?

I find the art is pretty good bonus, if it is well made.

[Piggler]

I would recommend picking up one of the Axe Cop volumes.

[RubberTrucky]

I really love reading webcomics. They're free and there are a few that can keep you busy for hours. Now I know everyone can put shit on the internet, but in my experience there are quite a few that are really good.
For example, if you say fuck those stupid webcomics, I need something with a little bit of serious action, read drowtales.

At 6/3/11 01:39 PM, Dean wrote:
1. Have you had any experience with comic books or graphic novels? If so, did you find them as enjoyable as you thought?

When you're talking actual books, I haven't been into heroic stuff like Spiderman and such. But family comics like Spike and Suzy have occupied a large part of my childhood.

2. Which series or books would you recommend and why?

At this point, mostly webcomics, if you like. Actual graphic novels have been restricted to Flemish style ones. but I can also give you a few good ones if you like.

3. If you have seen the TV series of The Walking Dead and read some of the graphic novels, how do they compare?

NA

4. Do you find reading comics or graphic novels to be in anyway more enjoyable than reading regular books?

Kind of. I don't know, comics read easier and provide the scenes. Some novels are captivating, though, some just keep dragging on and on and you get bored with them easier. comics and Graphic novels, however, simply keep delivering.

[Homeric]

At 6/3/11 01:56 PM, Piggler wrote: I would recommend picking up one of the Axe Cop volumes.

Seconded

[OuchMyBrain]

DEADPOOL comics are the way to go if you like crazy psychos

[creepyboy]

At 6/3/11 01:39 PM, Dean wrote:
1. Have you had any experience with comic books or graphic novels? If so, did you find them as enjoyable as you thought?

I started to read comics when I was in high school, more for the art than the story itself. And yes, it's pretty enjoyable, I usually read comic books/graphic novels when I'm tired of tv and internet.

2. Which series or books would you recommend and why?

Scott Pilgrim. They have it all: Action, humor, romance, a little suspense.

3. If you have seen the TV series of The Walking Dead and read some of the graphic novels, how do they compare?

The Tv show is more about the characters than the zombies. Besides that, it's a pretty faithful adaptation without being a copycarbon of the graphic novels.

4. Do you find reading comics or graphic novels to be in anyway more enjoyable than reading regular books?

Yes, I normally get tired really fast when I'm reading regular books, but when I'm reading a graphic novel with a great story and art I can't stop reading.

[JaY11]

At 6/3/11 02:06 PM, OuchMyBrain wrote: DEADPOOL comics are the way to go if you like crazy psychos

I agree with this.

[LazyPint]

I've read a couple of Batman comics, Watchmen and some Stephen King's Dark Tower comics.

I haven't read the Walking Dead but I have seen the show, which was pretty cool.

I still prefer reading actual books to comics, because then you can imagine stuff how you want.

That is such a gaaaaaaaaaay answer.

[Boss]

i recommend spider man comics because while you read you can laugh at him belittling assholes and also at how much fucking pussy this dude in tights get for fucking serious!

[Dean]

At 6/3/11 01:56 PM, Piggler wrote: I would recommend picking up one of the Axe Cop volumes.

They definitely look quite interesting. The main reason that I'm so set on The Walking Dead right now though is that I've seen some of the TV series which I enjoyed and I'm able to pick up a large chunk of the volumes for a reasonable price. I had a look for an Axe Cop collection, but so far I've only found single volumes. I'll do more hunting in a while though.

At 6/3/11 02:03 PM, RubberTrucky wrote: I really love reading webcomics.

I have tried this in the past and struggled to find anything that I enjoyed much. Like I've said, my knowledge of comics and graphic novels is pretty much non-existent, so I have no idea what some of the good ones are.

At 6/3/11 02:06 PM, OuchMyBrain wrote: DEADPOOL comics are the way to go if you like crazy psychos

Another interesting looking comic. I might as well see if I can find any good deals for it.

At 6/3/11 02:45 PM, creepyboy wrote: The Tv show is more about the characters than the zombies. Besides that, it's a pretty faithful adaptation without being a copycarbon of the graphic novels.

I definitely noticed that the TV show was more about the relationship between characters and their individual issues. I thought it was rather interesting, but I imagine if the comics add a little more focus on the zombies, that too would be a nice touch. I'm really considering picking up that book I posted an image of in the OP.

At 6/3/11 02:57 PM, LazyPint wrote: I still prefer reading actual books to comics, because then you can imagine stuff how you want.

I know what you mean. I'm in the process of reading 1984 right now and I guess it is pretty cool to be able to create your own mental images of how things are. At the same time I find it quite tiresome just reading for so long. Having some pretty pictures to admire would only add to the appeal of reading, I think.

At 6/3/11 03:02 PM, Boss wrote: i recommend spider man comics because while you read you can laugh at him belittling assholes and also at how much fucking pussy this dude in tights get for fucking serious!

The Ramones did quite an awesome cover of the Spider Man theme tune, but other than that, Spider Man doesn't appeal to me a great deal. There are far more interesting characters out there, like Judge Dredd. Maybe I'll take a look at his comics.

[LucasJC]

3. If you have seen the TV series of The Walking Dead and read some of the graphic novels, how do they compare?

I haven't read the comics, but most people who have call the TV show an abomination.