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Are you interested in getting into Western comic books? Reluctant, because you’re not sure if they’re meant for you? Here I am, making this thread just for you, on why you should read Western comics.
Disclaimer before I start: Opinions are subjective of course, I’m not forcing anyone to read comics, this is just a thread on why you should. And of course, while comics aren’t perfect, I’m here to show you the best side of them.
In fiction, the story is crucial, and brings about everything else, such as characters and setting. In comics, stories can range from anything stand-alone to a big event. This allows the audience to experience something new with each read +
+ and introduces them to new concepts and ideas that bring about interesting situations. A great example of a good story is Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern run. The story starts off small with stand-alones and brings about the perfect build up to events like Sinestro Corps War and +
+ and Blackest Night, which are some of the most well-written events in comic book history. One more thing I’d like to add, is the expansion of lore. +
+ The story is crucial in expanding the lore and bringing new cards to the table. Again, with Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern, that story introduced other factions of Lantern Corps and expanded the mythos as we know it.
Every story needs characters, and comics have tons of them. The special thing about comic characters are how each adhere to a different philosophy, ideal, or moral which makes them differ from each other and in interactions lead to some cool outcomes. My favorite +
+ example of a comic book character is Matt Murdock AKA Daredevil. Matt is a lawyer by day and is Catholic while also being the hero Daredevil by night. Matt’s characterization is one that is fascinating because his vigilantism requires violence which +
+ is something he fights against as a lawyer and it is also a test and sin to and in his Catholic faith. A character’s ideals and beliefs make them compelling and comics do that really well with characters. +
+ However, it’s not just ideals and morals, it’s also about development and progression. For a character to grow is compelling because you see how they change. A perfect example of this is Wally West, former and Kid Flash and now the 3rd Flash. After the death of +
+ his mentor Barry Allen, Wally had a lot of self-doubt because Barry saved everyone in Crisis on Infinite Earths, he was hailed as a hero, and Wally couldn’t live up to that, but time and time again Wally has proved himself to become one of the best heroes ever in comics.
The setting is where the story takes place and where a character can reside. The concept of a setting in comics adhere to and fit the character, while also expanding to and adding world-building to the story and universe. +
+ Take for example, Gotham. What would Batman be without Gotham? Not Batman. Or Krakoa the Living Island. How cool is that, a living island? The possibilities with something like that as a setting is incredible, as shown in House of X/Powers of X. +
+ The setting can add to a character and who they are as well as expanding on the universe and what we know of it, which is why settings are crucial to the story.
Writers are those who write the stories, the characters, the settings. There are a multitude of amazing writers out there. Each can bring something new to the table by doing something groundbreaking by writing an amazing story, or putting a new twist on a character, etc; +
+ Writers like Geoff Johns, Chris Claremont, Tom Taylor, Jonathan Hickman, John Michael Straczynski, Donny Cates, and Scott Snyder have all wrote incredible stories and have brought fantastic additions into comic lore. If you ever do end up reading comics, just know +
+ that they are some of the most incredible writers to read from.
The art in comics are essential, because they add depth and help emphasize depth and shape the tone of the story. Art can be gritty-looking, dreary, or beautiful and aesthetically pleasing to look at to help shape up what the tome comic is going for. +
+ Some of my favorite personal artists are Mark Bagley, Greg Capullo, Todd Nauck, Clayton Crain, Ryan Ottley. Their art is incredible and truly something to behold. You’ll be amazed by what you see.
Comic books have a wide variety of genre. There’s something for everyone. There’s so many to choose from, like action and adventure, to political thriller. Want to read a cosmic adventure? Guardians of the Galaxy is a good choice. Or maybe horror? Justice League Dark is there. +
+ Like I said before, there’s something out there for everyone. Never feel like there’s just one genre and that’s it. There’s something out there that is to your liking out there for sure.
While not every comic has them, fights are pretty cool to see in comics. Through writing and art, a comic can bring about an incredible fight. +
+ One of my favorite examples of a series with amazing fights is Invincible by Robert Kirkman. The fights can hold weight in emotion and add depth to a character, or just be purely brutal and meathead. They’re always so fascinating and interesting to read and see.
Themes are the main ideas and concepts introduced into the story. Themes can be thought-provoking, or they can teach you a moral to apply to real life. +
+ My favorite example of this is Marvel’s X-Men. One notable theme of X-Men is how racism is a horrible thing (As it is in real life) and that regardless of being different, everyone deserves to be treated equally.
Finally, community and connections. You get to meet so many cool people in the comic book community, as I have. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you guys, and I thank you for that. To share my love of comics and discussing them with you is incredible. +
I love it. And shoutout to The New Watchmen GC for pushing me to do this thread, I wouldn’t have done it if not for you guys. Anyways, thanks for checking out this thread, I hope this convinces you to start reading comics in the near future.
