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General Chat => Help! => Topic started by: RookieNerd on 14 June, 2022, 12:53:56 AM

Title: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: RookieNerd on 14 June, 2022, 12:53:56 AM
I have tried some of the classic cape stuff Marvel/DC, but I seem to really enjoy the sci-fi stuff more like Dredd/Anderson. I enjoyed Artifacts volume 1-3, Aphrodite IX. Mass Effect collection was just filler. The one cape story I did really get into was The Watchmen. Frank Miller Batman seems to resonate. I liked the Batman/Robin and the Dark Knight stuff.

Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: IndigoPrime on 14 June, 2022, 09:18:55 AM
Bablet's Carbon & Silicon is a lovely thing if you're into slightly more thoughtful sci-fi as well. I imagine Humanoids fans could give you pointers regarding what to buy from that imprint. Saga over at Image is exceptional and marries SF and fantasy in a manner few other titles can match (and can be found in three lovely hardcover collections if you like that format).
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: Colin YNWA on 14 June, 2022, 10:19:07 AM
There was a great Image series called Copperhead that I felt really had a 2000ad vibe to it. Alas that got 21 issues before grinding to a halt and to date hasn't had a conclusion. You can pick it up for bobbins though second hand. Black Science was pretty good too.

Cinebook https://www.cinebook.co.uk/ (https://www.cinebook.co.uk/) have some super stuff. I'm a big fan of Leo's stuff, so Albebaran is great and so is Oribital.

Resident Alien by 2000ad alumni Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse has a really different tone and is superb.

There are of course a million other series I'd happily recommend but stuck to Sci-Fi for now and on a different day I'm sure I'd have landed on different ones even there.

if you do fancy some good capes stuff try Jeff Lemire's and Dean Ormstan's Black Hammer series of series. Its kinda pretty much all you need to get a complete story (well soon its almost done) in a superhero universe. Its fantastic.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: Lorenzo on 14 June, 2022, 10:51:53 AM
I would definitely recommend Black Science from Image. It is a monstrous epic though and the hardbacks are now oop, so it'll require you collecting all 9 of the tpb to finish the story.
If you want something shorter to dip into try Nameless also from Image - it'll blow your mind ;)
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: rogue69 on 14 June, 2022, 01:26:06 PM
I would check out the Image Comics range, as they have a great selection from The Walkind Dead, Kick Ass & Invincible to things Like Twig, Stray Dogs & Blood Stained Teeth or Boom!Studios with Angel/Buffy, Dune & Jim Henson based comics to Something is Killing the Children, Once & Future, Mouse Gaurd & Faithless
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 14 June, 2022, 01:48:01 PM
In addition to some good stuff from BOOM already recommended, a slightly biased (because I also work for them) suggestion from me: smaller publisher Vault do a great line in non-cape stuff. I've already plugged Wasted Space elsewhere but I can't recommend its unlikely Star Wars Meets Preacher premise enough. It's finished its run now, but is available across five TPBs.

They do a decent line in horror, too, with The Autumnal and The Plot being a couple of stand-outs for me — very different books, but both do an excellent job of building a creeping sense of dread rather than relying on gross-outs or jump scares.

Plus, Barbaric. One TPB available to date (Murderable Offences), but there's a one-shot (The Harvest Blades) out any time now, and a second arc (Axe to Grind) due to start in a couple of months. Imagine a Conan-esque barbarian who only wants to drink, plunder and get laid... but who becomes cursed to only do good deeds. Good deeds that are arbitrated up on by his blood-drinking, sarcastic, and frequently-drunk talking axe... which only he can hear.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: Funt Solo on 14 June, 2022, 06:53:57 PM
I enjoyed Alan Moore's Top 10.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: RookieNerd on 15 June, 2022, 03:11:20 AM
Thank you for all the suggestions. Trying to sort through mountains of decades of sci-fi comics can be quite confusing. I do appreciate the time taken to help out.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: sintec on 15 June, 2022, 08:45:41 AM
The Incal by Jodorowsky and Moebius would seem the obvious suggestion from Humanoids.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: Daveycandlish on 15 June, 2022, 06:44:44 PM
Take a punt on some small press stuff. Stuff the Big Boys don't do as they like to play safe.
Sci-fi, fantasy and action adventure can be found in PARAGONcomic. 32 pages. A4 magazine sized. You can back the latest Kickstarter here >>> https://t.co/XaAvjsaQSk (https://t.co/XaAvjsaQSk)
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: Tjm86 on 15 June, 2022, 07:28:30 PM
The 'big boys' have certainly settled into a very safe routine when it comes to output but DC did go through quite an interesting experimental phase back in the day.  Their alternative output does contain some fascinating hidden gems.  They also benefit from being incredibly cheap if you track them down.

Wasteland is one for the horror / surrealist aficionados.  Short run of short story collections with David Lloyd featuring as a regular artist.  Very much in the 'disturbing and thought provoking' mold and well worth a butchers.

Spanner's Galaxy is a fairly formulaic chase 'mystery' but good fun all the same and with plenty to keep it going.

Another enjoyable little series is Tempus Fugitive.  As the title suggests, time travel features quite heavily along with plenty of aerial action.

Marvel's short-lived Open Space is another short story anthology with some reasonable little tales, including one illustrated by Steve Yeowell.

I'm a great fan of Alien Legion.  Stroman's artwork is superb and the core concept is a cracking one. Very much in the VC's mold. There are some interesting characters to keep things going, especially Jugger Grimrod who merited his own one-shot illustrated by our very own Mick McMahon.

If you are a fan of Colin Wilson's Rogue Trooper artwork then I would recommend tracking down a copy of his Rael: Into the Shadow of the Sun graphic novel.  Its the first of a trilogy originally published in French but only the first volume was ever translated.  If you're French speaking then there is an obvious solution there but it works fairly well as a standalone.

... and obviously related is Martha Washington by Millar and Gibbons.  Dark Horse's Life and Times of Martha Washington contains the full run of stories and the slipcase version is up there with DC's Absolute Editions.  Both creators on fine form so its well worth it.

Presumably we don't need to mention Luthor Arkwright, Marshal Law, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Akira, Y the Last Man or Transmetropolitan?
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: Colin YNWA on 15 June, 2022, 08:41:20 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 15 June, 2022, 07:28:30 PM

Presumably we don't need to mention Luthor Arkwright...?

Is a GREAT call. Stick with it, the early episodes can feel a little adrift but boy, oh boy does it pull together.

Quote from: RookieNerd on 15 June, 2022, 03:11:20 AM
Thank you for all the suggestions. Trying to sort through mountains of decades of sci-fi comics can be quite confusing. I do appreciate the time taken to help out.

Just let us know how you get on. Its always fascinating to get fresh insight into old classics.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: RookieNerd on 21 June, 2022, 10:14:27 PM
I went through the suggestions and found pretty nearly all the samples for these comics. The art and story I gravitated to was Black Science. Finding one is still better than none for sure. So thanks again for all the help.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: RookieNerd on 05 April, 2023, 11:45:27 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 14 June, 2022, 09:18:55 AMBablet's Carbon & Silicon is a lovely thing if you're into slightly more thoughtful sci-fi as well. I imagine Humanoids fans could give you pointers regarding what to buy from that imprint. Saga over at Image is exceptional and marries SF and fantasy in a manner few other titles can match (and can be found in three lovely hardcover collections if you like that format).

I came across Saga Volume One for a steal of price. So I gave it a go and it was weirldy interesting. Read it it one sitting. Only critque is that some of the framing is to current day. I am intrested to see where it all goes for sure.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: RookieNerd on 03 December, 2023, 02:14:05 AM
I found some more sci-fi and it's 2000 AD stuff. I just came across trade paper backs in LCS reseller. I didn't even know this stuff was availabe. I am really so bad with the online search bar methinks.

I picked up:

2000 AD Sci-fi-Thrillers
Aquila
Future Shocks
Grey Area A Long Way Home
Leatherjack
Jaegir
Return to Armageddon
Skizz
Storming Heaven The Frazer Irving (art) Collection.

Bad Company Kano
Bad Company Goodbye Kroll World
The VC.s Your Hit Your'e Dead!
The VC.s Back in Action
Lawless V1
Lawless V2
Lawless V3
Lawless V4
Kingdom The Promised Land
Kingdom Call of the Wild
Kingdom Aux Drift
Kingdom Aplha & Omega

I got Zombo, Tales of Telugath, Savage, Grey Area & Ampney Crucis previous to all the above. Got a load of DC, Some Marvel & Millarworld stuff. Whoa Wanted and I thought Kickass comics were dark & edgy until that one.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: Tjm86 on 13 December, 2023, 04:04:08 PM
Some cracking stuff there.  Would say on the Tooth front you need to add in the early Rogue Trooper stuff.  Some absolutely amazing artwork from the likes of Gibbons, Kennedy, Ewing and Wilson, plus some absolutely batshit crazy stuff going on. If you enjoy that you will love Jaegir.
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: IndigoPrime on 13 December, 2023, 04:43:54 PM
So that's basically all of Kingdom and Lawless in print to date. I hope you enjoy them. To my mind, they're two of 2000 AD/The Meg's best series in recent years. (Also grab The Out, if you spot it. More wonderful comics by Dan Abnett.)
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: Colin YNWA on 13 December, 2023, 04:51:31 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 13 December, 2023, 04:43:54 PMSo that's basically all of Kingdom and Lawless in print to date. I hope you enjoy them. To my mind, they're two of 2000 AD/The Meg's best series in recent years. (Also grab The Out, if you spot it. More wonderful comics by Dan Abnett.)

yep, but not just of recent times at anytime. Absolutely the best of the best.

Add Brink to the list as well another Dabnett classic in the making. Mind you have a bundle of amazing stuff to get through there already!
Title: Re: A bit of normie when it comes to comics. Looking for some alt comic suggestions.
Post by: IndigoPrime on 13 December, 2023, 04:53:54 PM
Fair point on those strips, and I agree. They're among my favourites from the very beginning of the House of Tharg. And anyone who says otherwise... well, their mouth is full of wrong.