They're all in the continuity, but Astonishing is "self contained". http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12916
I went to the bookstore and Messiah Complex, M-Day, and another related hardback. Which comes first? Thanks in advance. Really do appreciate it.
M-Day (then Civil War, then World War Hulk but not relevant) then Messiah Complex and now its currently on "Divided We Stand". Some minor Xmen arcs are missing, but not entirely relevant (it gets recapped) or intersting. There's some parts about the "New Xmen" that I didn't read early enough, but Divided We Stand focuses more on them.
Read the 4th paperback of Astonishing and Messiah Complex. That entire Whedon run on Astonishing.... Best stuff I have read maybe ever.
Another trailer for that X-toon. Hey look this thread is in the hangout again. Yay. <embed src="http://services.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated/1620640979" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="playerId=1620640979&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="425" height="280" seamlesstabbing="fals
Are you gonna keep reading Astonishing when Second Stage Begins next month with a new head writer? The team is moving to San Francisco: The only X-Men I've read since Civil War has been Endangered Species and Astonishing. I just haven't kept up with the regular monthly. I'm assuming that Second Stage will be more in continuity than Whedon's run. Good animation on that new show, but the idea of Wolverine being the only one who can lead the X-Men when Cyclops and Storm are on the team is ridiculous. What Prof. X really meant to say was: "Logan, only you, the most popular character and top seller of Marvel Comics, the loner who is off on many of his own adventures, can lead the X-Men. Well, actually you probably shouldn't be the leader, but we have to market you to a new generation by having a you be the focus of a show, but we want to market the X-Men as well. Since it would be weird for the show to be named after you when you are just one of the X-Men, we have to make you the head of the X-Men and the school instead of making a more Wolverine centric cartoon with guest appearences by other X-Men which would have made more sense." Still, it looks better than the atrocity they are about to commit to Batman for his next cartoon.
I haven't decided on Astonishing's 2nd run yet. I haven't actually bought a comic book in years, just the paperbacks. I may get into it if the reviews are good. But like you said, its moving more into continuity, I am not sure if thats a good thing. They already have Uncanny and whatever the other book is called these days to deal with that. Astonishing was perfect in its own little place. Another great thing about Astonishing was Wolverines role. Hes awesome when he is reserved and used the right way. Which like you said, the cartoon just does not do. When I heard the title for the new X-Men cartoon I was like whatever, I will ignore it. But then I saw the trailer with all those cameos. Now I am interested.
I always purchased my comic books for the quality of the cover. I don't know why,I guess b/c i was 10 years old. I still have the first issue of turok, spawn, and ghost rider, oh and the mini book of batman and spawn's alliance.
Some graphic novels that are pretty great: Arkham Asylum http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Arkham-Asylum-Grant-Morrison/dp/0930289560 In case you don't know, Arkham Asylum is the place where all of the Batman villains go after they are captured. Not so much a superhero story. It's a deeply psychological look into the deranged minds and lives of, not only the villains, but Batman himself. If you don't come away thinking that Batman is just as crazy as the Joker after reading this, you probably missed something. Marvels http://www.amazon.com/Marvels-Kurt-...d_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214402116&sr=1-2 Kind of a neat story from the perspective of an average man living in the world of superheroes and supervillains. It's interesting and fun to think of what regular people think of all these crazy things going on around them, and as a bonus, it kind of touches on the history of Marvel Comics in general. Bone http://www.amazon.com/Bone-One-Jeff...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214402318&sr=1-1 A cute, well written epic story, it's also surprisingly grown up at its core.
This is a cool geeky thread. I'm glad you guys are reading comics. Most people don't realize that are some awesome writers in comics. I encourage you guys to check out Preacher and The Walking Dead. Both awesome writing. They're both very adult- no spandex wearing super heroes involved. Funny that this tread resurfaced. I pulled out all of my old comics last week and organized them.
I read "The Walking Dead" series by Robert Kirkman regularly. I dig zombie stories and this one has kept me interested with good characters and intriguing story. I buy them by Volume from Amazon and 8 should be coming in the mail soon. I wouldn't have heard about it, if someone here hadn't posted about it.
I haven't read a single comic since I was in high school. After doing a little research, I found out the exact last comic I ever read was X-Men #25, which was the end of the Fatal Attractions series. Magneto basically died, Colossus kind of because evil, Wolverine lost his adamantium. To me, that was the end of comic books, and nothing else ever happened. I think it was a good time to walk away.
I think Watchmen is probably the best graphic novel I've read. Heard a lot of good things about Preacher, Y, and Transmetropolitan, too.
In addition to above recommendations I would add: Iron Fist 2007-2008 (the last recent two arcs) Captain America: Winter Soldier Criminal - Ed Brubaker Pride of Baghdad First 50 some issues of Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four (both have become mediocre) Ultimates 1 and Ultimates 2 (Ultimates 3 is crap) Fables Nextwave Inhumans by Jenkins and Jae Lee New X-Men by Grant Morrison (this brought me back to X-Men, Whedon is close behind)
I like the way the new Thor is shaping up. For a self contained series, check out Planet Hulk (but not world war hulk...)
I've heard all sorts of great things about Runaways, but I haven't read it. I might have to pick up the first volume though. As I understand it, Runaways is about a group of teens who find out that their parents are super villains so they strike out on their own trying to make up for all the evil things their parents have done.
I found it ok . .the ending of the 1st Graphic novel was SEVERELY disappointing Rocket River It was a typical Marvel finish . . .
I read the first 20 or so Runaways...nothing spectacular in my book. The Planet Hulk storyline, on the other hand, is a fantastic, classic Hulk story.
