What book(s) have you read multiple times?

[Blindzider, Moderator]

What series/arc/issue have you read multiple times? Keep it to comics, or not. Let's hear what it is that you like about it specifically that keeps you coming back.

[Blindzider, Moderator]

Watchmen - probably 4-5 times. So many layers to this, usually find something new every time I read it.

Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus V1 and V2 - probably 3-4 times (not all necessarily in Omnibus form, but those issues for sure). One of my favorite characters, juggling all his responsibilities and struggling to stay positive.

Uncanny X-Men Omnibus V1-V3 - same as AMS. Loved the characterization of the members the most, but also loved Byrne's art with Austin inking.

Will have to think about it more...

EDIT:
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - about 3 times
Batman: Year One - 3 times
Batman: The Long Halloween - 2 times
Top Ten - 2 times
Planetary - 2 times (although I'm getting the itch to read it again)
The Authority V1 - 2-3 times
Whedon's Astonishing X-Men - 2 times
Born Again - 3 times

There are probably a lot that I've read twice, because I read it in singles first, then again when I bought the hardcover.

[Ooh_jim]

Interesting question. Off the top of my head, Transmet and Y: The Last Man have had the most re-reads. Born Again, Planetary, Nextwave, Whedon's Astonishing X-Men, Vaughan's Runaways, Immortal Iron Fist and Starlin's Cosmic Stuff are all frequently revisited, too.

[Blindzider, Moderator]

Ooh_jim wrote: "Interesting question. Off the top of my head, Transmet and Y: The Last Man have had the most re-reads. Born Again, Planetary, Nextwave, Whedon's Astonishing X-Men, Vaughan's Runaways, Immortal Iron..."

Oh yeah, good list. A few of those I need to add to mine...

[Rob]

The Killing Joke
The Joker
The Dark Knight Rises
Blackest Night
The first 25 issues of Ed Brubaker's Cap run
Batman: Year One
Batman: Noel
Astonishing X-Men by Whedon and Cassaday
Kieron Gillen's Uncanny X-Men run
A large chunk of Slott's Spider-Man (Spider-Island through #700)
Gregg Hurwitz's run on The Dark Knight

Edit: Hush

This is off the top of my head. I believe I am leaving off quite a bit.

Also, I am currently rereading Harley Quinn by Conner and Palmiotti since I recently picked up the omnibus.

[guanaeps]

Ditto on Starlin's cosmic stuff. I'm about to begin the fourth re-read of his Adam Warlock work; I think its easy to gloss over the depth of the writing, plus it can be rather confusing upon first read. The Death of Captain Marvel I've done a few times as well, always a poignant experience.

The Fade Out by Brubaker/Phillips was a great re-read. When time permits, I'd like to re-read the cap run as well.

New X-men by Morrison I've done a few times, if only to realize the scope of his efforts—and it can be weird and confusing the first go-through.

The most compulsively re-readable book I've ever read though is definitely East of West. There's certain milestones in the story that almost demand the reader to go back and start again, with the new knowledge or revelation that occurred in later issues—its always fascinating to see how it reframes a lot of moments. Hickman's done that quite a few times throughout East of West, and I wouldn't doubt if we get a few more of those before its end.

Remender is another writer who utilizes this technique really well.

Other books that I've re-read a lot simply because they're a lot of fun: Saga, Warren Ellis' Thunderbolts and Nextwave, Whedon's Astonishing X-men.

I don't even know how many times I've read through Hickman's marvel work. A lot.

Oh and I'm going through DnA's cosmic run again right now, thanks to those War of King omnis, and I'm having a blast. The Guardians run is just so entertaining.

[Blindzider, Moderator]

@Rob Brubaker Cap V1 is one I've read twice and need to read again.

@guanaeps I'm glad you said that about East of West. Wasn't thrilled after the first volume but still bought the 2nd. Plan to start over from the beginning and read straight through 2.

Rereading Hickman's FF is on my list to do as well.

[Relstuart, Mod+]

If I go more than twice I have:

Kingdom Come
Batman Hush
Parker
Avengers Kree Skull War
The Hedge Knight

Waid's first run on Captain America (bought the single issues when they came out. Bought the TPB. Bought the standard size HC. Bought the single issues again and custom bound them. Will buy again in omnibus format next month).

Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes are two comic strip comics that I've read many times and will read many more times.



Non-comic books that I have read at least twice and will re-read:

Lord of the Rings
The Rubaiyat
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
The Count of Monte Cristo
Sherlock Holmes
Lost Horizon

[Blindzider, Moderator]

Forgot about kingdom come. 3 times for me.

Read the far side multiple times.

[Karsten]

Interesting question, and interesting and inspiring answers.

Three turns or more for me from the top of my head

Watchmen
Preacher
Ennis‘ run on Punisher
Akira
Kingdom Come
Marvels

And from Europe:

Asterix (Uderzo/Goscinni)

[Donovan]

Watchmen.
The Killing Joke.
Dark Knight Returns.
Batman Year One.
Tokyo Ghost.
Infinite Crisis.

[Reece]

I've read the entire Bone series twice, once in paperback and a second time after upgrading to the hardcover color volume.

I've also begun a second read through of Sandman.

[Nickviola]

So I am still relatively new, only starting re-reading single issues 4 years ago and buying hardcovers 3 years ago, but re-reads are:

Astonishing X-Men Omnibus (Whedon/Cassidy)
East of West Year 1 & 2
New X-Men Omnibus (Morrison)

Things I plan to re-read relatively soon: Y: The Last Man, Uncanny X-Force, Low

[Relstuart, Mod+]

Reece wrote: "I've read the entire Bone series twice, once in paperback and a second time after upgrading to the hardcover color volume.

I've also begun a second read through of Sandman."

Bone has been on my radar for a while. The price of the complete HC has kept me away though.

[Reece]

Yeah, it's a pricey book, but Bone is one of my favorites. It got me back into comics after I gave them up in my college years. The black and white paperback book is a great way to read the series for a very low price. I'd recommend that rather than dropping down large sums for the hardcover.

[Reece]

Now that I'm giving it more thought, I've also re-read Batman: Long Halloween and Dark Knight Returns after having upgraded them to the Absolute editions.

[Karsten]

on the topic of Bone. Of the three full hardcover editions available, can anyone share experiences? There is the full color HC edition, the 20th anniversary box set and the signed collectors edition in BW. Besides the price tags, what do you guys think of those editions?

[Rick]

I have reread many of the standards: Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, Marvels, Kingdom Come, Maus, etc., for the timelessness or import of the narratives and their social impact. However, I find myself going back to many other works that may not be as prominent in story, impact, or social/historical importance just to peruse the art and in so doing it brings me back into the story and world of the piece without a full immersive reading. The Loeb/Sale Batman books and their “color” series at Marvel fall into this category, as does Kirby’s Eternals, Ditko’s Dr. Strange, Earth X, Moore’s Swamp Thing, along with various others.

Am I alone in this experience or do others have a similar “short cut” to revisiting certain stories?

[Blindzider, Moderator]

Rick wrote: "I have reread many of the standards: Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, Marvels, Kingdom Come, Maus, etc., for the timelessness or import of the narratives and their social impact. However, I find myse..."

I do that for books as well as movies, try to reenter a "world" again as an escape. I also reread books, particularly for Batman, because I have my vision of what he should be like, and certain stories and/or time periods fit my vision.

[Reece]

Karsten wrote: "on the topic of Bone. Of the three full hardcover editions available, can anyone share experiences? There is the full color HC edition, the 20th anniversary box set and the signed collectors editio..."

I have both the softcover one volume as well as the hardcover full color one volume. They're both great ways to experience the story. I loved it the first time in black and white, loved it even more when I revisited it in color.

The 20th anniversary box set looks like it's the color volume with a bunch of extra stuff thrown in (a coin, art print, etc). Probably more for hardcore collectors. The black and white HC looks to be very rare and expensive, probably a very small run.

[Bruno]

Good question!

Let me think:
- Teen Titans Omnibus volume 1
- Dark Knight Returns
- Guardians of the Galaxy - DnA run
- Watchmen
- V for Vendetta
- Ghost in the Shell
- Akira
- Punisher Max by Ennis
- The Immortal Iron Fist by Brubaker
- Daredevil: Born Again
- Sleeper (Ed Brubaker)

[Paul]

This is a fun thread! Off the top of my head I've read these 2-3 times (and will likely read again):

Ronin
Dark Knight Returns
Hush
Batman Year One
Long Halloween/Dark Victory
Superman Red Son
Thanos Quest/Infinity Gauntlet/Infinity War/Infinity Crusade
Death of Captain Marvel

Planned for a second re-read down the line:

East of West
Locke & Key
Death Note
Kingdom Come
Wicked & Divine
Astonishing X-men
Sixth Gun
House of M
Several Batman stories including The Cult & Year 100


I'm sure this list will grow as I find new favorites. Also, not a graphic novel but I'm sure I'll re-read The Hitchhikers Guide series for the fifth time at some point.

[Relstuart, Mod+]

I will need to re-read East of West whenever the next HC comes out. Not sure if it will be three of four total books (or more) but I think it would be help to reread the entire series to follow all the plot lines. :)

I need to pick up the fourth and fifth Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy from Folio Society. I have the first three and they look great on the shelf.