I love comics!

On Wednesday mornings you’ll find me reading the latest issue of Batman, and you should take a look at my well worn trade paperbacks of Ultimate Spider-man.  While superhero comics are dear to me, comics are home to a wide variety of genres.  Here are my go-to comics--superhero titles and some of my favorite spandex-free comics--that I’m quick to recommend to new readers.

Criminal

Ed Brubaker

COMIC Criminal
Graphic Novels

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Brubaker nails the story and dialog while Phillips sets the perfect mood with his art. It’s hard to not want to read it in one sitting. Heads up--this is an adult comic with language, violence and sex.
- Brian

All-star Superman

Grant Morrison

COMIC Superman All-Star
Graphic Novels

Presents a new version of the story of Superman, following his activities as a superhero and his interactions with Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson, and Lex Luthor.

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My favorite Grant Morrison story. If you're not a Superman fan before you read this, you will be afterwards.
- Brian

Fables : the deluxe edition

Bill Willingham

COMIC Fables Deluxe
Graphic Novels

Imagine that all the characters from the world's most beloved storybooks were real -- real, and living among us, with all their powers intact. How would they cope with life in our mundane, un-magical reality?

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The first volume does a great job of easing us into the world. Stick with it because it gets amazing!
- Brian

Gotham Central

Greg Rucka

COMIC Gotham
Graphic Novels

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A police drama and procedural set in Gotham City. Batman is a presence--and not always a welcome one--but this is really about the men and women in uniform.
- Brian

Giant days

John Allison

COMIC Giant
Graphic Novels

"Susan, Esther, and Daisy started at university three weeks ago and became fast friends. Now, away from home for the first time, all three want to reinvent themselves. But in the face of hand-wringing boys, "personal experimentation," influenza, mystery-mold, nu-chauvinism, and the willful, unwanted intrusion of "academia," they may be lucky just to make it to spring alive. Going off to university is always a time of change and growth, but for Esther, Susan, and Daisy, things are about to get a little weird."--Provided from Amazon.com.

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All of the characters shine, and you’ll immediately want to read the next volume.
- Brian

Locke & key

Joe Hill

COMIC Locke
Graphic Novels

The story of the Keyhouse, a New England mansion, with doors that transform all who walk through them... and home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it opens the most terrible door of all.

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I recommend it to comic book fans who are looking for a new series to inhale or anyone looking for an eerie read.
- Brian

Star Wars : Darth Vader

Kieron Gillen

COMIC Star Wars Darth 2015
Graphic Novels

Ever since Darth Vader's first on-screen appearance, he has become one of pop-culture's most popular villains. Now, follow Vader straight from the ending of A New Hope (and the pages of the new Star Wars comic book) into his own solo adventures - showing the Empire's war with the Rebel Alliance from the other side! But when a Dark Lord needs help, who can he turn to? As Vader pursues a very personal vengeance against the Rebels and investigates the Emperor's secret machinations, he clashes with weapons scavenger Aphra and deadly Battle Droids, and returns to Geonosis to build an army. But some very powerful people don't want him to learn the truths he seeks! Guest-starring Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett and more!

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Vader is a man of few words, and when he speaks, you listen.  Gillen nails that, and I can almost hear James Earl Jones booming voice in the dialog.  Also, artist Salvador Larocca couldn't do a better job drawing an iconic Vader.  I highly recommend Star Wars: Darth Vader to any Star Wars fan.
- Brian

Grayson

Tim Seeley

COMIC Grayson
Graphic Novels

"Dick Grayson. Former Sidekick. Former Superhero. Former dead man. Agent of Spyral?! A thrilling new chapter of Dick Grayson's life begins here. A super-spy espionage thriller that will shock you and prove one thing: you might think you know Nightwing--but you don't know Dick. --

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Grayson by Tom King and Tim Seeley was easily the best thing to come out of DC Comic's The New 52 publishing initiative.  It follows the former Robin, Dick Grayson, after he was outed as Nightwing, killed (he got better) and recruited to become a spy for the organization Spyral.  Comics!  I'd describe Grayson as a crazy sci-fi, spy-thriller. I don't know how newbie friendly it is. King and Seeley took a lot of Grant Morrizon's bizarre ideas from his tenure on Batman and ran with them. Batman Incorporated would be a good place to start if you want the background of Grant Morrison's influence.  Otherwise, you can start with The New 52 Nightwing then Forever Evil.
- Brian