01.Feb.2010 What ongoing comic series should I begin collecting as graphic novels?

A while back, I asked for suggestions on how to keep up with comics in a price effective way. In the few comments and conversations I had about the subject, the answer came back resoundingly that reading comics once they are collected is cheaper (Math I could do on my own, but glad to get some feedback as well) and just as satisfying, especially as it allows you to avoid a majority of the crap that hits stands.

In the hopes of focusing my comic reading even more, I have compiled a few lists of books I either plan to collect, am curious as to whether they are worth collecting and/or used to collect and wonder if they are still worth my time and money. So, if you could please peruse my proposed comic consumption lists and let me know what you think, I’d be a very happy camper… er… comic reader. Thanks!

Oh, a quick note: As I get comped copies of all our pamphlet/weekly comics at Dark Horse, I am leaving those books off this list. By reading weekly and perusing in house materials, I’ll have an incredibly good idea of exactly what DH books I plan to collect as they come out, though if you just want to talk about great Dark Horse comics in the comments section, feel free! Also, and quite simply, I plan to read all DH books weekly and suggest you do the same. That said, I am currently binging on rereads of “Buffy” and delving deeply into our Gold Key Archives like “Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom,” “Turok” and “Magnus, Robot Fighter!”

Books I Plan to Collect

• Amazing Spider-Man: I know fans haven’t been keen on “Brand New Day” due to the fact it spun out of the retcon-heavy “One More Day,” but I think this title has really been fantastic over the past few years and I fully plan to keep up on it.
• Batman and Robin: I enjoyed the first few issues I read and have always felt Grant Morrison was best read in trade, so this one is an easy decision.
• Captain America: I think the premise behind “Reborn” being a direct rip from “Slaughterhouse Five” is pretty weak, but this title has been awesome for too long not keep up on. Plus, Cap is my favorite superhero ever… so, I gotta keep up on it.
• DMZ: One of my favorite Vertigo books, I think some of the recent game-changers I saw previously are going to lead to some mind-blowing stuff when I catch up.
• Ex Machina: Possibly the best comic ever… so yeah, I’ll get the last trade.
• Fantastic Four: Hickman’s initial miniseries and few issues were great and I have heard nothing but good things.
• Ghost Rider: I loved Jason Aaron’s Ghost Rider, and loving Ghost Rider was never anything I thought possible as a comic fan of my tastes. He proved me wrong. So, I’ll pick up “Heaven on Fire,” which I haven’t read.
• Incredible Herc: Likely my favorite Marvel title, so, this one’s a no-brainer.
• Incredible Hulk: Now that Pak’s back, Hulk is a must-read for me again.
• Invincible: Though I think it’s dropped off a bit—for me personally at least—I haven’t gotten to read some of the new issues with one of my favorite characters of all time, Allen the Alien, so I’ll assuredly be catching up on this puppy.
• Invincible Iron Man: Fraction’s work on this title has been lauded a bunch over the past year. I was saying it was that great from issue #1, so I plan to catch up.
• Locke & Key: Brilliant title. I plan to catch up. I think that says it all.
• Scalped: ‘Nuff said before I’ve even said a word… AMIRITE?!
• Tiny Titans: Too darn fun not to collect.
• Uncanny X-Men: This book really hit its stride a bit before I dropped weekly books, and aside from getting a bit too muddled in Dark Reign for my liking, I am excited to pick it back up.

Books I used to Read That I’m Currently on the Fence about Continuing to Collect

• Action Comics, Superman and Supergirl: While Superman’s departure from Earth over the past year has led plenty of critics to rag on these Metropolis-centirc titles, the intertwining story between these books led to the first stretch of time I ever enjoyed anything even remotely Superman-related. Frankly, Supes as a grunt in Zod’s army and people like Steel, Mon El and Supergirl stepping it up to replace the Man of Steel was way more interesting than Big Blue punching asteroids or whatever other shit happens in Superman comics. If the quality has kept up, I’d be keen to jump back into this title.
• Adventure Comics: I absolutely do not care about Superboy, but I did love the Legion of Super Heroes back up stories. If those were collected in trade without the Superboy stuff, I would happily buy that. But Superboy? No thanks.
• Air: I championed this title the entire time I was at “Wizard,” but the last few issues I read were downright boring. Is this book currently a good read? Did it get back to the “LOST”-like mystery or is it still mired in experimental character stories?
• Batgirl: I love Lee Garbett, so I want to love this title. The first few issues weren’t doing it for me. Did the arc finish better than it began?
• Batman: I am all about supporting Dick Grayson as Batman, but after the first issue of Judd Winick’s run this title went downhill quick for me.
• Detective Comics: I thought the art was great, but the plot of the first storyline bored me.
• Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps: I always preferred Tomasi’s “Corps” to Johns “GL” and I need to get caught up on this whole “Blackest Night” deal at some point, but I’m thinking I wait for a public library to stock this mega-event, or maybe get the “Corps” trades alongside the “BN” collection and skip the rest.
• Hellblazer: Love the character, but the current run was a bit blah, as I recall (minus the rad art of Giuseppe Camuncoli). I should probably just invest in some classic Hellblazer trades.
• House of Mystery: Another Vertigo title I was madly in love with. I haven’t heard a word about this book in ages. Is it even still coming out?
• Nova and/or Guardians of the Galaxy: I love cosmic Marvel comics and, once upon a time, was really into both of these books. When I stopped reading weekly, neither was particularly great, but they looked to be turning around. With a return to form, these would instantly be back on my list.
• Outsiders: Man, I really enjoyed the first few issues to the end of the first arc of Tomasi’s work here. I haven’t heard any buzz about it since. Any word?
• Red Robin: I love Tim Drake and the premise of this title, but really disliked the first few issues. Will I dislike the rest?
• Secret Warriors: I loved the premise and thought Hickman had just hit his stride when I dropped this at issue #4 or #5. Was I right?
• Son of Hulk: I loved Skaar and dig all the Sakaar stuff Pak set up in “Planet Hulk,” but once Jenkins took over this book and introduced yet another son of Hulk… well, it got a bit convoluted. Is this title worth it? “Planet Hulk” fans, is there any of the old magic in this book?
• Thor: While I enjoyed J. Michael Straczynski’s run, his departure due to “Siege” leading to that event a Fraction taking the reigns have me unsure as to weather I should catch up from where I left off, or just pick it up when Fraction begins. Suggestions?
• Wolverine Weapon X: It’s Jason Aaron and Wolverine (So… GREAT!), but can’t I just get my Canucklehead fix in “Uncanny?”
• X-Factor: Another book I truly loved for a long while that I just felt has been slowly degrading since about issue #30. Worth getting back into?
• Wonder Woman and Secret Six: I think Gail Simone is a great writer and I have cared more about all the characters these books contain more than I ever thought possible thanks to her work on these titles. Still, I’m not sure I care enough to keep up with them.

I would love some help making some final decisions on these lists, so please take some time and give me some feedback below. Thanks!

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