The Official Amazon Comic Book Thread

If you'll forgive me for being rather presumptuous I reckon a comic book thread is in order. It's clear from the Joker thread there's a fair few number of lads who, as well as being into video games, are into their comics, so I thought it would be nice if there was one place where we can discuss everything comic book related.

I'll start off by saying I'm a pretty major Batman fan. I was around 6 when I fell in love with the character (no titters please, lol) after watching Tim Burton's first Batman movie. I also remember my mom buying me a book which had short stories featuring Batman written by some of the best horror and sci-fi authors of the time. I still have the book but it's in tatters!

I love the tragedy of the Batman characters history, and despite him being clearly fictional, his drive and determination to make the city he loves into a better place is an inspiration. I was 11 when I bought my first Batman comic; I'd recently started secondary school. I remember skipping lunch at and saving my lunch money so I could buy my Batman comics. My dad was dead against me reading comics as he reckoned it was nonsense for little kids, so I had to buy and keep my comics in secret. He obviously failed to understand that comic books catered to grown-ups as opposed to the Beano and Dandy stuff he thought all comics were like. It was a great time to become a fan of the Bat comics as Knightfall had just kicked off and I remember being captivated by the storyline that ran through the main Batman comic and Detective Comics.

As for the rest of the DC characters I'll be honest I find them rather dull. Superman isn't my cup of tea, lol. Funnily enough I prefer the likes of Spiderman, X-Men, etc., to anything in the DC universe. So, like I said, I'm a pretty big Batman fan as well as the myriad characters in Gotham City and their respective histories.

Cheers.

Excellent idea,it will be like super geek central. I will just post what I put in the other thread. The book depository is an excellent place to get graphic novels. Very good prices and free delivery.

ROFL at the marking down! Very good.

Good idea DG_O

Have you tried any of the Justice League - Origins (Vol. 1) or Green Lantern ?

As a kid it was 2000AD then onto Marvel then Manga then Image and now DC and the odd smattering of Marvel. Really liking the stuff I'm reading from DC at the moment.

A few sites I use for news and reviews for comics are...

comicsalliance.com
ifanboy.com
comicbookresources.com
comicvine.com
weeklycomicbookreview.com

any others worth checking out ?

Great thread - will post some stories re: comics shortly. Good idea!

Maybe the phantom marker down cab our nemisis.

@ Cerberus - I've purchased the odd JLA comic over the years and I just can't get past the thought "Why is Batman hanging around with these people?", lol. But thanks I may just give what you linked to a read. The art certainly looks great. Reviews seem very positive.

CBR are great. Been checking their site since I first got the 'net lord knows how many years ago.

I think Batman hangs around that lot maybe because he want's to lead the gang and keep an eye on what's going on with them too no doubt.

Jim Lee can be accused of being a little generic at times with what his heroes look like ( I wouldn't refuse his artistic ability if offered it though lol ) but yeah I like what his done over the years from Marvel , Image and now DC.

I thought Jim Lee's work on Hush was great, although I found the story by Jeph Loeb to be decent but nothing as captivating as other major Batman arcs such as Knightfall or even something like Long Halloween or Dark Victory.

Any Jason Todd fans? He wasn't a fan favourite first time around (hence people phoning up DC to have him killed off, lol) but I thought his re-birth and re-introduction was done rather well.

I keep meaning to buy...

Icons: The DC Comics and WildStorm Art of Jim Lee
All Star Batman & Robin Vol 1

Even though All Star seems to be marmite for many it must be worth the price just for his artwork alone lol.

"Any Jason Todd fans"

You should get or rent Batman: Under The Red Hood [DVD]

Yeah I've seen it. Really liked it. The final scene had me reaching for the tissues (not like that).

Anyone here read or reading through..

American Vampire - Volume 1
American Vampire: Volume 2
American Vampire - Volume 3
American Vampire Vol. 4

If so hows it going ?

Another comic book newbie here, i've always fancied reading the origins stories of some of the marvel/DC characters but nave never known where to start!

After reading a few reviews i recently got Batman Year one which i thought was excellent.

im hoping to pickup the next novel in the year one story and hopefully the origins of the amazing spiderman story - can anyone point me in the right direction?

Much appreciated

"...hopefully the origins of the amazing spiderman story - can anyone point me in the right direction?"

Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Volume 1 TPB: Amazing Spider-Man v. 1

Don't know if anyone's noticed but the new 52 detective comics trade paperback is on the amazon kindle store for 77p! Bit of a bargain. Just bought it. I'll check it out on my tablet later.

Aliboabayay

I've just started reading Ultimate Comics Spider-Man By Brian Michael Bendis Vol. 1 as it's a new character taking on the role of Spider-Man and so far I'm very impressed. Miles Morales is a very young Latino African American kid that's Spider-Man and is written very well by Brian Michael Bendis, the artwork is by Sara Pichelli and I'd never seen her stuff before but boy can she draw.

You might struggle to get all the monthlies for it as it's currently up to issue 12 but there are the two TPB that contain the first 10 ? ( the first contains 1-5 and I'm assuming the second has 6-10).

Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man Vol.2: Scorpion

Wayne

Have you read any of Scott Snyders Batman Stuff ? if not well worth a look mate.

Gates of Gotham (Batman)
Batman - The Black Mirror
The Court of Owls (Batman (DC Comics Hardcover))

An interview with the guy here

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=39855

Ordered the Uncharted graphic novel yesterday :) I read the first comic and it was quite good so thought I'd order this for the whole story!

JIM LEE ON ART, DC COMICS, AND "X-MEN"

From comicbookresources.com

DC Comics Co-Publisher and superstar artist Jim Lee took the dais alone for his spotlight panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego. He began with a funny slide show reminiscent of the YouTube meme where people post videos of themselves holding up cards displaying their feelings instead of actually saying anything. He then welcomed his wife and eight kids in the audience before he displayed his final two cards: "Boys, please clean the toilet seat after 'target' practice," and "When Mommy and Daddy say they are taking a nap, please don't come in."

Lee then shared an old letter he had written in response to a fan letter in 1989. The fan was one of the first people to ever write him about his work, and Lee responded with a long and thankful letter and a promise to do an even better job in the future. Also included was a small sketch of the Punisher. The artist loves that conventions still allow creators and longtime fans to connect. "It's one of the cool things you get to see at Comic-Con," Lee said, joking that most days all fans get from him is a twitter response of "@Some_Fan: Thnx np."

Throughout the entire panel Lee sketched on a projector as he answered questions and explained some of the techniques he was using. One tip was about how to convey emotion in a head sketch, as many artists will rely on eyebrows or the mouth, but tilting the head can be just as useful. As an example, Lee noted Batman always has his chin pointed downward because it conveys aggression.

He explained the key to any drawing or piece of art should be 40 percent inspiration, 40 percent technique, and 40 percent emotion because "great art feels more than 100 percent."

Asked if he missed drawing any characters from companies he worked for in the past, a clear nod to his time with Marvel, Lee joked, "I can draw anyone I want at home." He said as far as Marvel Comics were concerned, "I feel like I got a lot of that out of my system," and admitted he still wants to draw more Wonder Woman and Legion of Super-Heroes for DC.

Lee does not have any strong opinions on digital art tools. He uses a tablet to draw sometimes, but prefers a pen or brush on paper. "Do what's best for you," he said.

He will use reference materials as needed, and shared that for the cover of "Justice League #3" featuring Wonder Woman holding up a defeated parademon, he used his wife as a model, mainly because "bent knees are tricky."

"He was awesome to work with," Lee responded when asked about his collaboration with writer Chris Claremont on "X-Men" more than two decades ago. "I started when I was like 24 or 25, wasn't that far removed from being a fan -- definitely a heady experience." His favorite issue from the period was "X-Men #268" because Claremont asked him who he would most want to draw. As a result, the issue ended up featuring Black Widow and Captain America.

Oddly enough, his favorite character from that time was Wolverine, all because of the first time he saw the character's unmasked face with the hair that was the same shape as the mask. "Ridiculous," Lee said. "But so unique, so special."

Lee also shared that his parents and mother-in-law were in attendance, and he took a moment to recognize them. "I want to thank them here for their love and support," Lee said. He joked that his mom will stay and wait in line at conventions to get something signed from her son, even though she can see him whenever she wants.

His artistic influences are many and varied as the artist mentioned Frank Miller, John Byrne, Neal Adams, Mike Mignola, and many, many more. He laughed about a period in his work where he drew everyone with big round eyes because of his enjoyment of J. Scott Campbell's work.

The panel's final question came from one of his daughters who asked which of Lee's children was his favorite. Lee smiled, considered the question, and said, "You're all special and unique in your own way."

Haven't read standard super hero comic in years.
But Batman The Killing Joke, Knightfall, Knightsend, Red Rain, Contagion and No Mans Land were favourites.

In recent years Y the Last Man blew me away. Powers Who killed Retro Girl is an excellent stand alone story on a very good series. The Boys by Garth Ennis is also very good, only a couple issues to go before it concludes.

The Walking Dead is very much up and down but always entertains. Preacher and the very original The Crow book are classics in my opinion.

Chew is great and haunt is getting better. Most of the new dc stuff is good green lantern is a very good comic well written with great art. I keep picking up new comics, massive from dark horse is good.
I am well into image at the moment i pick up most of their comics.
morning glories and mind the gap are amazing,even prophet and glory are ok and bloodstrike aint bad ! I don't have the heart to look at Youngblood though bad memories.

"Ordered the Uncharted graphic novel yesterday :)"

Ooh sounds interesting. I'd love to hear what you think of it. I may get that as well.

Ill try rememeber to post here after I read it. the first comic seemed pretty good to me though so I'm hoping this turns out good :)