Comics 411: Must-Read Comic Books During the Holidays

Welcome back! I’m Steve Gustafson and if you enjoy discussing anything comic book related, you’ve come to the right place. Each week we cover something in the industry and I always enjoy your input in the comment section below.

Previously on…

 
Last time we asked Is DC Comics Killing Superman Again? Here’s what some of you had to say:

wondercoolguy: “Killing Superman to use Jon Kent as a pandering tool, will result in less comic sells. DC comics division will probably close its doors in the next few years and blame toxic fandom, rather than themselves.”

Van TheMan: “I’m not interested in a DC Universe without Superman.”

unami218 : “I started reading comics with the death of superman, and still have my copies of superman 75.

I no longer read superman, but still kinda keep up with the news – I thought his son was called Superman now? Are there 2 people with that name now? Kal and Jon? I’m confused.”

The Man With The Plan: “It’s not a bad idea for them to have a generational shift however lets call this what it is, the characters of Superman and Batman have rights that DC doesn’t have full say on so you get your young fresh creators in, you have them sign contracts that essentially sell DC their souls, internal organs and first born and then you have them create Jon Kent and Damien Wayne, you move them into the roles of Superman and Batman and you f over the original character creators”

Benjamin Kellog: “The headline probably ought to read “DC’s downsizing trend continues.” I’ve talked before about how Jon Kent as one half of the Super Sons team was one of my favorite characters of recent times. Ever since he was aged up and graduated from LSH, though, he’s felt completely different. It’s not a bad different, just not one I’m interested in reading about. It really doesn’t help that this’ll likely be the only primary Super-book (non-CBN-affiliated) available for quite some time. Jon’s current characterization is seriously polarizing for a sizable portion of the reading audience; DC hitching all its wagons to that one star seems like a flex they can’t walk back without killing their market.
(For the record, the only bit of current Jon I like is his twist on the classic catchphrase, “Truth, justice, and a better world.” It’s incredibly aspirtational and brings the Super moral code into sharper focus for more complex times. I just wish Jon could apply it to more worthwhile projects and goals than the ones he’s been trying to push lately…)”

Some awesome comments last week! Go and check out the rest, if you can. Thanks for the input and keep it coming!

This week we discuss…

Must Read Comic Books During the Holidays
Thanksgiving is next week so I wanted to start putting gift ideas and suggestions out there. I find myself reading old graphic novels and my old Wizard magazines this time of year. If you have any old issues, give them a read and remind yourself of where the industry used to be and where we are now.

To say things have changed is an understatement. It also reminded me of some books that I used to love and need to go back and read again.

To be clear, this isn’t a column about holiday themed comics. 

In the comments section, from time to time, I see someone ask for suggestions and everyone is great to jump in and share what they think. I wanted to open it up this week and talk about books you’d suggest that are on your “Must Read” list during the holidays. Be it at home, off from work, or at the family gathering with a few quiet minutes, what makes your reading list?

When it comes to the classics, my list is pretty cliche. Which isn’t a bad thing. It’s filled with titles like:

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Batman: Year One
Watchmen
The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen
V for Vendetta
Sandman: Volume 1: Preludes And Nocturnes
Maus
Marvels
Kingdom Come

I also pepper it with titles like:

Grendel
WE3
Invisibles: Volume 1: Say You Want A Revolution
Fables: Volume 1: Legends In Exile
Y The Last Man: Volume 1: Unmanned
Powers: Volume 1: Who Killed Retro Girl?
Transmetropolitan: Volume 1: Back On The Street (New Edition)
The Walking Dead: Volume 1: Days Gone Bye
All-Star Superman
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid On Earth
Ex Machina: Volume 1: The First Hundred Days
Blankets
Superman: Red SonMiracle Man
Astro City: Volume 1: Life In The Big City
Invincible

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Yes, I can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to titles to suggest. That’s the great thing though. There is so much out there that just about anyone can find something that appeals or speaks to them. For many of us, we got hooked when we were young. I’ve mentioned it before I used to read random comic books growing up but the first series I followed actively was G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. Yes, I fell for the comic book/toy line/cartoon combo. Years and years later, I had the pleasure of interviewing Larry Hama, who wrote most of its 155-issue run. To be able to chat about that was a thrill and I could have easily gone on for hours, talking his ear off. After that, the floodgates were open. I got hooked on the Legion of Super-Heroes and it grew from there.

I guess where I’m going with all this is I wanted to see what books you all would give someone if they had free time on their hands during the holiday season. Or even gift someone. It doesn’t have to be one, because that’s impossible. Throw a few out there and let’s see what happens.

That’s all the time I have. See you next week!