So, I want to read Finder but I'm a little confused as to where to start? There's a lot of it and I've gotten different answers from different people. I figured you'd be a good person to ask.

You figure correctly, Anon!

OKAY, SO:

There are a few ways to do this. You can track down the old trades–now mostly out of print–or you can get the Dark Horse library editions (or digital editions of same). As I list stories, I’ll note which Library volumes they appear in (when applicable), as well as where else you can find them.

There are basically three types of Finder stories: Jaeger stories, Grosvenor stories, and other stories. All of them overlap to some extent. You will probably develop a favorite.

It’s worth noting that Finder is incredibly visually and narratively dense, as well as heavily annotated. If you have the time and volition, I highly recommend reading everything at least twice–once for the story, once cross-referencing with the endnotes.

That said: This is my favorite comic. I edited it for years. I have the tattoos. Obviously I am deeply biased, and your mileage will inevitably vary. You do you, &c.

LET’S READ SOME FINDER:

1. You’re gonna start with Talisman. Talisman is technically vol. 4. It’s tonally a little different from the rest of Finder, but it’s a) fucking amazing, and b) a very good crash course in reading what can be a pretty involved and complex book. It’s the last story collected in Finder Library vol. 1. You can also find Talisman as a stand-alone oversized hardcover. (Grosvenor)

2. From here, we’re going back to the beginning and taking ‘em in order. That means Sin-Eater, where you’ll finally get to dig deep into the background of Jaeger, the eponymous Finder and the closest thing the series has to an ongoing protagonist; as well as the Grosvenor family, whom you met in Talisman. (Actually, you met Jaeger very briefly in Talisman, too; but really only in passing.) Sin-Eater is first two volumes of the original series; it’s also been collected in a small single-volume hardcover. Sin-Eater makes up the first half of of Finder Library vol. 1. (Jaeger)

3. King of the Cats. Vol. 3 on its own; or the second story in Finder Library vol. 1. (Jaeger)

4. Talisman. Yes, again. Now that you’ve read Sin-Eater, you have some new and very different context and backstory for the Grosvenor family. Anyway, it’s a great story.

5. Dream Sequence. Vol. 5 as a stand-alone, or the first story in Finder Library vol. 2. (Other, although Marcie cameos and Jaeger sort of does.)

6. Mystery Date. Vol. 6 on its own, or the second story in Finder Library vol. 2. (Other, with a Jaeger cameo.)

7. The Rescuers. Vol. 7 on its own, or the third story in Finder Library vol. 2. While there are very few stories to which size matters significantly, this is one of them: scaling it down always costs detail. Read it digitally or track down the original TPB. (Jaeger)

8. Five Crazy Women. Vol. 8 on its own, or the final story in Finder Library vol. 2. (Jaeger)

AND THAT’S THE END OF THE LIBRARY EDITIONS! We’re on to the more recent stuff:

9. Voice. First volume of what’s eventually going to be a connected trilogy; also a fairly good stand-alone even without the context of previous volumes. You can get Voice digitally or as a TPB. It is so fucking good. (Grosvenor)

10. Third World. HOLY SHIT IT’S FINDER IN COLOR! (Maybe hold off on this one until you’ve read the other Jaeger stories.) (Jaeger)

11. Chase the Lady. More Finder in color! Currently being serialized in Dark Horse Presents. If this is the story I think it is (the first installment is out today, and I haven’t gotten comics yet), it’s a direct sequel to Voice, so make sure you’ve read that first. (Grosvenor)