Graphic Novel Reading Group discussion
General Discussions
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Introduction: Newbies say hello and introduce yourself here
Hey dudes!I'm Daniel from Toronto. I read comics a lot as a kid, stopped caring for a while, then got back into 'em really heavily when I picked up a copy of The Dark Knight Returns as a 15-year-old. This was further supported by the realization that I could finally read all of Bone, a comic that I had fallen in love with in bits and pieces as a child in old "Disney Adventures" magazines.
Since then, I've read most of the "standards". While I certainly had, and still have, a lot of love for well-done superhero stuff, I've found myself straying from them in recent years other than a few modern ongoings that I'm curious about. I tend to have a particular fondness for autobiographical comics, it seems, with American Splendor and Alec both ranking pretty highly on my list of favourites. The last graphic novel I read was Grant Morrison's totally insane Flex Mentallo miniseries.
Looking forward to chatting, and getting a bit deeper into this GoodReads world!
Welcome Chris, Elizabeth, Natalie, Adam, Ashley, James and Daniel :)
Bob Von Pittsburgh.kinda on the new 52. used to be all-star western now amethyst
My name is Joshua and I have been reading Graphic Novels for about a few years now. My favorites so far are Watchmen, The Walking Dead, Batman The Killing Joke, and Batman the Long Halloween. I hope to find more favorites down the road.
Hello everybody!My name is Devin, and I have been reading graphic novels for almost a year now. I was a bit of a late starter into them, but I love graphic novels. :DD
I like a wide variety of different genres, characters, and the like.
I joined this group to find some new stories/writers to try out. :D
Hello. Well, the key point is simply that I'm here to access the knowledge of others and find what might be quality graphic novels that I'm unaware of. I won't have time to read them all, as with anything, but it would be nice to discover a few good ones.My more obvious related background related to this is that I was a big comic reader as a child (Marvel on the whole) then that I lived in Northampton, England and was surrounded by comics talk and activity there to some extent, focusing, of course, around Alan Moore.
Buying these things was always an expense, so I didn't get to read too much, mainly what was loaned or given to me, and occasionally bought. Some Alan Moore stuff, some of the more political stuff going on back then, anti-homophobia, 'Brought to Light', etc., that he was connected to, some of the kind of 'personal' or independent, kind of 'auteur' stuff, like Chester Brown, Daniel Clowes, Peter Bagge, etc., and I got quite into the Hernandez Bros when I also was into reading Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Maus was one I read eagerly too. Other random stuff, don't remember it all. Generally of quite an 'alternative' leaning, as you can see is there in what I've listed in various rough forms, politically, in kind of mystical/psychological/fantastical stuff, in kind of gritty life stuff, and in that kind of offbeat, irreverant, personal confession with social observation kind of thing.
'Crumb' is one of my favourite movies too, and I guess he was the first comic writer I was seriously turned onto, after Marvel, of course, some of which is very serious.
So in the end the reasons for reading Graphic Novels for me, and with anything (and not just reading) is to stretch or dig reality to something that is a kind of revelation, kind of breaking through the patterns of the norm, so my other reading/watching/looking/listening/thinking/talking/walking even is as relevant as my ventures into stories merged with pictures on paper in the past. What you see on my profile page is what I remember reading. In fact I've probably just reminded myself of a couple of things.
But pretty ignorant since then, and also aware that, as with anything else, movies, music, novels, whatever, generally 90% is mediocre at best and often worse, so that you need to get a handle on who has taste and smarts you can rely on to give you good tips, which is what I hope to find in this group.
Hello everyone, my name is Alex. I'm sorry I didn't read all of your introductions but there were like 500 posts before mine so hopefully you'll understand.I'm living in Edmonton, Alberta, originally from Toronto, Ontario. It's way colder here (but drier. Yay for not having wet socks all the time!) which has given me ample time to get cozy with my dog and read until my eyes are sore.
My fantastic boyfriend introduced me to graphic novels in the fall and I ran away with my new hobby like a summer fling. I'm head over heels for these stories and can't seem to get enough of them!
Growing up my parents encouraged me and my brothers to read indiscriminately. As long as we were reading, they were happy. That stuck and I've joined this group for a chance to share my dual love of artwork and a well told story with others of a like mind. I'm also hoping this group will be able to recommend worthwhile comic series and authors!
I'm so excited to get started. Thanks for having me!
Hello, Dustin here, last Spring I decided to give myself 12-18 months to really hit the comic/graphic novel medium. The New 52 was a great opportunity for me to jump right into the deep end. In the last year I have started a pull box at my LCS and started buying tpb's quite regularly. While it's time for me to slow down a bit (my wallet isn't too happy with me) I'm still very interested in great recommendations. I'm buying most of the current releases in issues, but I'm catching up on classics via tpb's.The biggest surprise that I have found since starting down this road last year is how many amazing non-cape stories I've been following. Image benefited greatly from the New 52 over at DC when it comes to my buying habits. I probably have 8-10 Image books on my pull list.
Anyway, looking forward to being a part of a group with similar interests.
Thanks!
Hi. I'm a big fan of graphic novels, manga, animation and anime. Why? Deprived as a child. Not kidding. I wasn't allowed to read comics or watch cartoons when I was a kid. It was called garbage and a waste of time by my parents. I really wanted to be a comic book artist but my folks put me in a watercolor landscape painting class, which bored the crap out of me, and in an environment where creativity was discouraged, I stopped drawing. Anyway, that's my sob story. Here's the good part. Probably because I was deprived of comics and cartoons, they are now my obsession, but maybe I would have been a comic/cartoon nut anyway. Who knows. The the best part about growing up: parents can't tell you what to do anymore. I wish I was a better artist though and am trying to learn so I can make graphic novels. I write a lot though and just finished my first SciFi novel but I won't spam about that here. Anyway, nice to meet everyone.
Hey Robert, just to let you know, in my humble opinion, one of the best comics being published today is Mind MGMT by Matt Kindt and he paints with watercolor. Just something to keep in mind! : )
Hey Dustin, thanks. I just checked that out. It looks really cool. Also, nothing against watercolors, it was more the subject matter. Although, I admit I enjoyed the first few trees and rocks I painted. :)
Welcome Bob, Joshua, Devin, Mark, Alex, Dustin and Robert! :)
Robert: That sucks that your weren't allowed to read comics or watch cartoons. I lived in a home like that early on in life, like you, all it did was cause me to go overboard when I finally had the chance! The first time I watched Ninja Turtles? Blew. My. Little. Mind. Also, I only referenced Mind MGMT to let you know that if your strength was/is water colors there are others using that style and don't get discouraged!
HiMy name is Dave, from Pittsburgh.
Reading American superhero comics my whole
life.
Was pumped to get marvels unlimited digital
comics subscription.
A fellow Tolkien fan told me I would like
Watchmen.
Loved it!
I then got subscription to Comic Heroes
and started reading great stuff like
XIII, Planetary, League of Extraordinary Gents.
Tomorrow, Going to see Coheed and Cambria with
daughter (just ordered Armory Wars).
Just read Batman:court of owls -loved it.
Also just read and loved the Fear comics in Marvel.
Fave Marvel guy is the Vision.
I also study the American civil war.
Thought the Cleburne graphic novel good.
Looking forward to sharing thoughts on
graphic novels.
Dave
Hi all, I'm a graphic designer (25+ years), blogger, poker player and frustrated cartoonist from Tucson, AZ. About 20 some odd years ago I got away from comics. Just recently, I've developed a love for graphic novels (I guess I just got tired of 'waiting for next month' to continue a good story).Just ordered my copy of The Filth and really looking forward to getting into it.
Right now I'm tucking into Bernie Wrightson's (my favorite illustrator) "Frankenstein Alive."
my name is KevinI'm a lapsed comic reader.
I was all marvel as a kid but now Im on the graphic novel kick and I'm staying on it.
I like Image, Dark Horse , Fantagraphics,Oni, cinebook,First Second etc the indy-types or non capes..
I also like lists and reviews. I should do rather well here. Im anti spoiler meaning I don't like spoilers.
I'm about half way through school and my main motivation is to get a job in order to acquire more GNs. Im not against libraries(I married a librarian) or trading and I use both in my GN consumption, often. I just find it as a decent motivating factor. I also read to my kid. I peruse kickstarter. Live in Midwest, USA and that is most all the pertinent information. I don't like arguing.
I like to talk and I know that as a fact, so I will shut up now. and sometimes there is a lot of words on the internet and I gotta read a graphic novel to break.
Hey, I'm Joe from St. Albans WV, and I just read The New 52 Justice League today and The Unwritten last week. Always looking for new books to check out so get at me with something good like Preacher. I loved Preacher.
Hello, my name is Dave. HVD everybody! DC
Hey, my name is Austin from Joplin, MO. I've been reading graphic novels for about a year and a half now. I love westerns, sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero comics, but I'll try just about anything. Just one part of this hobby I love is discussing what I've read. But I have no friends interested in this around my area. So I was so excited when I found this group and hope to enjoy many comic oriented geek conversations in the future.
Hi, I'm Amanda. I'm from NY state. I love graphic novels, although I'm somewhat of a noob and have only read some Alan Moore work and some manga. But I'm really interesting in reading more and hearing others' thoughts!
Hey I am Shontelle... Currently living in San Diego new to graphic novels but look forward to the read
Hi I'm planchette. Graphic novels saved my life. I started reading old comics and graphic novels after an abissmal grad school experience. I was miserably reading 300 pages a day of dry academic stuff. There was no significant reading-for-pleasure time. But I turned to graphic novels, which I found are more quickly absorbed. Six panels of action can get you through another 50 pages of mind-numbing theory. And soon I found myself with a GN a day habit. Unfortunately, I also found myself unemployed. So now I get my fix where and when I can.I'm a silver-age Marvel fan, a modern Vertigo fan, and purveyor of odd bits and bobs. I recently revisited the witchblade universe to enter the talent hunt. That was a nice jaunt. My all-time favortie comic is Ignition City - by Warren Ellis. I back the constructive discourse around women and comics. I read mostly scifi and fantasy, love a good mystery, but I am always open to capes and supers.
Welcome Joe, Dave, Austin, Amanda, Shontelle, Connor and Planchette :)
Hello, everyone!I'm an academic librarian in Miami. I was a regular comic book/GN reader about 10 years ago and then I just fell out of it. I joined because I wanted to start reading again but I didn't know where to start. I'm not a complete beginner but I needed some good suggestions outside of some of the more popular GNs. My librarian senses told me I needed some good ole readers advisory and that's definitely what I'm getting out of this group! Already, I'm glad I joined!
Some non-related bits about me: I knit/crochet, I have 2 cats, 2 dogs (ummm...animal hoarder?) and I brave the Miami traffic every day by biking to work. Which makes me think about death a lot. So hopefully, reading more GNs will help me deal with the existential trauma that comes from bike commuting to work in Miami.
Hi! I'm Indi. I remember "discovering" David Mack's Kabuki series in High School, which was so drastically different from the X-Men comics I'd grown up with (giggling over Gambit as my first schoolgirl crush). Kabuki blew my mind. I pored over the art and dissected the story. It was the first time I saw what the comic/graphic novel format (although technically I suppose it was a trade paperback collection of comics) could be, how it could differ from standard superhero comics, which was all I'd previously known.
I expanded into Sandman and Strangers in Paradise next. I'd walk into the comic store and straight to the collections to see if there was anything new - studied Previews for anything interesting. I loved that the format could prove just as deep and insightful for adults and more mature themes and content as any other artistic format out there.
I run/illustrate/write Dissolution: A Graphic Novel (free to view at http://dissolutionnovel.blogspot.com - check it out!). Currently, I'm struggling to self-publish the first 48 pages of the novel as volume one over at Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1... It's always been my dream to see some thing I've created in print, though I don't dare to compare myself to the greats. Perhaps someday I'd be able to wander into a comic store and see a collection of my own up there on the shelf. One can dream!!
Hello, My name is Ahmad! I'm a huge huge comic book fan! :)
Looking forward to know you all!
Hi, I'm Ciro. I'm an Author/Illustrator and Concept Artist. I joined because I love the medium and I am excited to read what others say about different graphic novels and comic books. I have just published my first graphic novel. I first discovered comics as an inquisitive, wide-eyed kid at the local general dealer. There were piles of dusty comics in a rack at the back of the store that I quickly began diminishing as I spent my weekly pocket money on volume after volume. Looking forward to meeting you all.
Hi, Jean. I came by reading manga while teaching myself Japanese and found shoujou manga a fun way to augment my studies. It also helped me rediscover comics that I had long abandoned from my collegiate days as I enjoyed the artwork but not the stories didn't hold my interest. I did used to read Ghost which didn't last long and Kabuki for a short while before the long hiatus.I've been reading shoujou manga for about a year both in English and struggling in Japanese but plodding along. I've just read my first Graphic novel which is the manga adaptation of the Parasol Protectorate series.
Look forward to broadening my horizons and see what other graphic novels are out there. Thanks!
No time to write until now, but I read the group regularly. I'm Bernardita, voracious reader, especially graphic novels but also I read manga. I am a social anthropologist and work at the National Museum of Natural History of Chile (in South America). I am also a comic book writer and published something about the mithology and history of Easter Island last year;) I started reading since i was a little girl and continued until now :)Here my comicbook ;) http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
Hello!! I am Joana from Spain. I have just started reading comics and I would like you to recommend me something good to start with. I am reading "Maus" by Art Spiegelman (which I saw some of you are reading aswell) and "Monster" by Naoki Urasawa at the moment.Thanks!!
Hello fellow Group Members. Justin here. I am a graphic designer and newbie comic reader. Although I have always been fascinated by the art in comics, it took a while for the media to really throw its hooks into me. From the age of 7, my dad always took me to Comic Con (the days when it wasn't the giant beast of a con it is today). We didn't necessarily go because we loved comics, but more or less because we were into the art and culture behind the event. We loved going from booth to booth looking at the incredible artwork, and of course the booth girls.
In college I was lucky enough to take a course on "The History of Underground Comics" back in college. Although I didn't quite start reading then, I was exposed to many areas of the genre. Most specifically, we learned much about Krumb in all of his wonder.
During this time I began to read "The Walking Dead". Although I really enjoyed the first hardcover, it STILL wasn't enough to fully grab my attention (I was in college and had a lot of other things on my mind).
It wasn't until I was depleted of documentaries to watch on Netflix that I decided to watch one on Alan Moore. I believe it was called "The Mind Scape of Alan Moore" (don't take my word for it). After seeing this unbelievable character and his ideas, I needed to read "Watchmen". As most of you may know, Once you go "Watchmen" you don't go back.
Since I have read all of the Walking Dead, Y:The Last Man, My Friend Dahmer, Batman:Year One, Batman:The Long Halloween, The Killing Joke, and most of the Swamp Thing. I am currently caught up and reading: Manhattan Projects, Saga, and a couple of the big ones (Batman, Batman and Robin, Etc).
I am officially hooked.
I apologize for the long introduction, but I feel like it is always fun to hear how people have divulged themselves into the genre of Graphic Novels.
Cheers!
-Justin
Hello everyone, my name is Caitlin and I am a longtime Batman fan, which has slowly pulled me into reading other graphic novels. I don't really enjoy manga but I love superheroes and recently started getting into graphic novels like Maus and Persepolis. I find that I especially enjoy graphic novels when I'm in school (as I am at the moment) because they're the perfect escape from all the heavy reading that school requires.
Hi, I'm Nicky and a few years ago I started reading Batman after playing Arkham Asylum. My interest grew and I started to read other characters in DC. My current two favourites are the Batman and Green Lantern lines but I am looking to find other comics and graphic novels that are worthwhile as I enjoy the medium and they are an easier read than novels for times when I am busy.My current to-read list is Watchmen and some Deadpool but I am interested in seeing what else is on offer.
Hi my name is Lu, very new to graphic novels, but I hope to change that :)
Welcome Ciro, Jean, Bernardita, Joana, Zendaya, Justin, Caitlin, Nicky and Lu. :)
Hi everyone! My name is Jeff, I'm an Illustration student living in London. Just finished Daytripper, and loved it so much I had to find out more about it, which eventually led me here!
Comics had always been a big influence since childhood, I grew up reading American superhero comics - Spider-man and Batman being favourites. However, as I grew older I felt more engaged by novels, and I began to stop following issues. It was when I read Watchmen and Maus that my love for graphic novels became rekindled and grew.
Neil Gaiman's Sandman series are my favourite so far. :)
Hi NYKen :)I'm trying get to get my hands on both next month's reads. So far it looks promising that I will have them in time :)
" Hi I'm Ashley I usually go by Ashes.
I'm 25 yrs old my birthdays 6-11-1987 (GEMINI)
I'm into all kinds of books
Love love love love LOVE to see reviews from others from books I have or have not read, discussing opinions on books, genres and other good points to be made
Well I look forward to participating soon!!!!
Thanks for reading!!!!(less) "
Hi, I'm Keshini, I really like all kinds of graphic novels, except I haven't really read many of the superhero comics because I'm never sure of exactly where to start. My favourite graphic novels tend to be ones with a kind of dark feel to them like Locke & Key or the House Of Mystery series but I also have a soft spot for sappy shoujo manga. (Sorry if I rambled a bit)
Hello, I am Paul Riches, aka Scoopriches on twitter and Scoops Mental Propaganda online. Been a group member here for awhile and finally got off my lazy butt and commented.Been a fan of comics forever and forever, with DC being a main provider. Got about 18 long boxes, with some stuff going back to the sixties.
And, by the way, Superman and the Legion are my old standbys!
Hello, I'm Ashley. I read a lot of manga when I was younger, got out of it, and recently I've gotten back into comic like Fables and Saga. Thanks, I look forward to the discussions here.I'm also modding a club, r/books. It's reddit-inspired but anyone is welcome!
Hi, I'm Alex. I'm from Sweden and I'll be 20 years old this year.
I found this website yesterday and I love it. I was instantly drawn to this group since I'm very fond of graphic novels, manga, comics and of course Sci fi and fantasy (though I can read a book from almost any genre and get something good out of it, except for chick lits though).
I actually am more of a movie and music addict but I have always had a dream of becoming an author so I guess I'll just have to start reading more instead of watching it all on the screen.
That's about it.
Hello,I am Tommy from LasVegas. I was introduced to the world of graphic novels in 2004 by my best friend Joe, my initial introduction was straight into a specific theme of the supernatural which was brought so beautifully to me by Garth Ennis ( my favorite series being The Preacher). I have quite an extensive collection of books ranging from fan boy Marvel to Planetary. I read a lot of novels (traditional and graphic) and am open for suggestions. It's a pleasure to meet everyone's acquaintance.
Hey! I got into GN/comics about 2 years ago when I started reviewing for my website http://www.ismellsheep.com/ I get ARCs from Dark Horse (my favorite!) Image comics, Topcow and Action Lab comics (another of my favorites!). I love horror/humor best. Criminal Macabre is definitely one of my favs. My site reviews anything paranormal wise (books, comics, movies) so I am game for any comic/GN in that genre. I have't gotten into the superhero classics though. I also read some manga, usually Yaoi . I go to local sci/fi and comic conventions when I can (I live in NC). Will be going to ConCarolina in June (got a press pass). I have been married for 20 years and have two girls (17 & 12). I was a microbiologist before kids, now I stay home :)
Hi, recently rediscovered graphic novels with the walking dead series and now making my way through the Sandman series, not so much into super heroes comics but horror, fantasy and sci-fi.
Hellow all. I grew up reading comics (and collected the entire EC comics Tales from the Crypt/Haunt of Fear/Vault of Horror) comics but later took a break from it all only to be now rediscovering GN/comics little by little in my adulthood. I have found several series that have sparked my interest and are pulling me back into this world and am anxious to discover more.The GN titles that I've enjoyed dipping into so far are:
Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft
Watchmen
The Walking Dead, Book One
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Graphic Novel Reading Group
Books mentioned in this topic
Justice: A Tale of the Nepali Civil War (other topics)Sky Orb (other topics)
Sky Orb (other topics)
Pulling Weeds from a Cactus Garden (other topics)
Fairy Tale Remnants (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Alan Moore (other topics)Charles Burns (other topics)
Junko Mizuno (other topics)
Chris Ware (other topics)
James O'Barr (other topics)
More...
I joined the group because I love to read and talk about such a fantastic medium.