Well we have a very loyal listener named Becca. She is also a very loyal Marvel reader (don't judge people she has to start somewhere). But she has expressed a willingness to broaden her horizon in to the Wonderful World Of DC Comics. She made a little mistake though. She decided to pick up a random issue of Green lantern and start there. Now if there is one main stream character i would never suggest starting randomly on it is probably Green lantern. his history i a slight bit convoluted and he is a little unknown, not like superman or batman where you would have to be a complete waterhead not to know their back history even a little bit. I mean sure you may not know what robin we're on or if this is Pre or post Crisis Superman (or even what the hell pre or post crisis even means) but the essence of the character is still the same. Not so with characters like Green Lanter, Flash, and don't even get me started on Hawkman or Legion.
So here is what i will do for all you marvelites that want to try the real capes company. You know the one that doesn't hold your hand with the "previously in" page and expects you to do a little homework to understand what the fuck is going on. I have put together four tra
des that i think would kick start you into a life of good comics. I should and probably will do more eventually but i do these at work and it really does take me a little bit to put these post together. So here we go:
Emerald Dawn-This is the retelling of Hal Jordans origin for only the second time. This book is masterfully written by Jim Owsley, Keith Giffen, and Gerard Jones and drawn pretty well by MD Bright and Romeo Tanghal. This was released in 1988-1989 and was s six issue mini series to re introduce people to the character that before this point was relegated to the horrible Action Comics Weekly series. This was suppesed to be a post crisi reboot just like Frank Miller's Batman: Year One and Satan's... oh i mean John Byrne's Man of Steel. This is a really great read and will fully introduce you to Hal. Also pay attention to the name of his lawyer he
happens to be a fave of mine (i think that is in this one but it may be
emerald dawn 2).
Identity Crisis: This is probably my favorite book that has come out in the last five years. This Is written by Novelist Brad Meltzer and Drawn by fan favorite (but i hear writer hated) Rags Morales. This book is basically a murder mystery and love story all tied into one demented bow. So Much that is happening now in the DCU is related to this book, be it the mind wipe of Batman, to the spoiler of who the killer is, this book is awesome.
Next up is Superman For all seasons- This is a Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale collaboration. As much as i am not really a superman fan, i love this book. This book deals yet again with the origins of superman but relates all eras of his life with a particular season. the writing is simple yet beautiful and the line work by tim sale can be described the same way. A little side note about this book, this is the Trade that I gave Kev that got him to start buying comics again. So some would say i am to blame for his lack of money but I would blame Loeb and Sale.
Last up for today is Flash: Born to Run. This is by Mark Waid and drawn by Greg Larocque, Jim Aparo, Pop Mhan, and others.This story is about Wally West. it begins with his time as Kid Flash and learning how to be a speedster from Barry. It follows his life up until he actually takes the mantle as the Flash. really
humorous and dramatic book of an adolescent not knowing what to do with his life and searching for the people that can help him.
So there are four books to start you on your way folks. i didn't put a batman title because i already gave you five good ones last time out. I may have to do one on Batman Year one and Dark Knight Returns Eventually but to be completely honest with you i don't hold those in such high regards as others (shhhh don't tell the DC Gods)
Talk to y'all later,
TJ
